Calming a Cough — Effective TCM remedies for soothing children’s coughs

Blog Series: Fall Wellness for Families — Embracing the Season with Traditional Chinese Medicine

As the leaves turn golden and the air cools, fall brings not just a change in scenery but a shift in health needs for both kids and parents. I’ll explore how to navigate this transition in a three-part blog series: 

1. How to strengthen immune systems in fall with Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. Navigating growing pains — Natural remedies for children’s growing pains using TCM
3. Calming a cough — Effective TCM remedies for soothing children’s coughs

Drawing on the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and practical tips I use in my own house, I’ll dive into strategies for keeping immune systems strong, easing growing pains, and calming those pesky coughs.

Coughs are common in fall, and while they can be bothersome, TCM offers several natural remedies to provide relief. Here’s how to soothe a cough using TCM approaches:

1. Manuka honey: Renowned for its antibacterial properties, Manuka honey can soothe the throat and reduce coughing. A spoonful before bed can help alleviate nighttime coughing. If you put it in a tea, be sure that the water has had about 5 minutes after boiling before you add the Manuka, so you don’t ruin the herbal properties those precious little bees have collected.
2. Tuina: This massage is like a secret weapon for calming a cough and bonding with your kid. Doing it every night supports the immune system and stimulates the body to heal itself. The massage harmonizes and strengthens all the organ systems in TCM. Doing this addresses any minor issues and balances them before they become major issues. Here’s how to do it: Have your little lie on their tummy. You’re going to gently pinch their skin on either side of their spine. Starting at the base of their back you’re going to gently pinch and roll up their spine. If you can’t get a good pinch between your fingers, keep at it every day, we want that skin around the spine to be supple for our littles. Repeat 3 to 6 times. Do it daily and create a beautiful sleep-time ritual.
3. Herbal teas: Teas made from herbs like ginger, licorice root, and chrysanthemum can be soothing and supportive for coughs. These herbs help nourish the lungs and reduce inflammation.
4. Food cures: Use TCM principles in your diet to support respiratory health. I even wrote a book about it. Foods like cooked pear with honey and ginger can be particularly soothing for a cough. You’ll want to tuck into the Qi deficiency reset for more gems on navigating your immune system through seasonal transitions.
5. Acupuncture: For persistent coughs, naturally I’m going to plug acupuncture. It can help by balancing the body’s energy and addressing underlying imbalances. Consult a qualified acupuncturist for personalized treatment, preferably someone with pediatric acupuncture training like us, over at The Village Community.

Big deep breaths, you’ve got this.