Whooping Cough

Why it works: Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a traditional demulcent used to soothe irritated throat and reduce dry, irritating cough. There is reasonable evidence it helps symptomati...

Instructions: Common preparations and how they’re used. • Syrup (commercial cough syrups or pharmacy-made): Many clinical evaluations and traditional products use aqueous root extracts in syrups...

Warnings: Does NOT replace medical care / antibiotics: For suspected whooping cough, marshmallow is only sympt...

Studies: European Medicines Agency (EMA) — community herbal monograph...

Why it works: Manuka (and other) honey can help soothe and reduce cough symptoms, but there’s no reliable evidence that honey cures whooping cough (pertussis) or replaces antibiotics/public-heal...

Instructions: Age limit: Do NOT give honey to infants younger than 12 months (risk of infant botulism). For children ≥12 months and adults, honey may be used for cough. Poison Control. Typical t...

Warnings: Infants <12 months — DO NOT GIVE HONEY. Risk of infant botulism from Clostridium botulinum spores in...

Studies: Systematic reviews & guidelines: systematic reviews and...

Why it works: Ginger may help relieve cough symptoms (anti-inflammatory, antitussive and some antimicrobial effects in laboratory studies) but there are no good clinical trials showing ginger cu...

Instructions: Important: these are symptomatic/home-remedy instructions (what people do to soothe cough). They are adjunctive measures — not a substitute for antibiotics or medical care for susp...

Warnings: Don’t skip antibiotics or medical care. Pertussis can be severe (especially in infants). Early antib...

Studies: What the literature does show: many laboratory studies and s...

Why it works: Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza spp.) can help relieve cough symptoms because it contains demulcent/expectoral and anti-inflammatory compounds (notably glycyrrhizin and related flavonoi...

Instructions: Common traditional / modern ways people use licorice for coughs:. • Licorice tea (decoction): simmer 1–2 g of dried licorice root (or 1 tsp cut root) in ~250–300 mL water for 5–10...

Warnings: Licorice can cause important, sometimes serious adverse effects because glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic a...

Studies: There are preclinical studies and small animal experiments s...

Why it works: Thyme contains active compounds (notably thymol and related phenolic monoterpenes) with antimicrobial, antispasmodic, expectorant (mucus-loosening), anti-inflammatory and mild bron...

Instructions: A. Herbal tea (traditional use / Commission E guidance). • Typical dose used in herb monographs: 1–2 g (≈¼–½ teaspoon dried herb) in 250 ml (1 cup) hot water, taken several times d...

Warnings: Thyme essential oil (concentrated) can be toxic if swallowed and can irritate skin and mucosa. Do no...

Studies: Clinical trials / clinical evidence:Kemmerich B., Eberhardt...

Why it works: Mullein (Verbascum spp.) is a traditional herbal remedy that can soothe cough and throat symptoms (demulcent/expectorant/anti-inflammatory activity shown in lab studies), but there...

Instructions: Herbal tea (infusion) — typical home recipe: 1–2 teaspoons dried mullein (leaf or flower) per cup (≈250 mL) of hot water; steep covered for ~10–15 minutes; strain carefully (use a...

Warnings: Don’t replace antibiotics or delay medical care. Pertussis is a bacterial infection (Bordetella pert...

Studies: No convincing clinical trials show mullein cures or treats p...

Why it works: Eucalyptus oil (main active = 1,8-cineole / “eucalyptol”) can help relieve cough and congestion symptoms, but it is not a proven cure for whooping cough (pertussis) and must never...

Instructions: Oral pharmaceutical form (cineole capsules — clinical trials):. • Some clinical trials used Cineole capsules (eucalyptol) 3 × 200 mg per day (600 mg/day) as add-on therapy for acut...

Warnings: Do NOT use eucalyptus oil as a substitute for medical care or antibiotics for pertussis. Pertussis c...

Studies: Systematic review / meta-analysis (cough): A systematic revi...

Why it works: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is not a proven treatment or cure for whooping cough (pertussis). It may provide symptom relief for cough and upper-airway discomfort because menthol...

Instructions: Peppermint tea (infusion): steep fresh or dried peppermint leaves in hot water for several minutes and sip warm to soothe throat and reduce cough tickle. No standard clinical dose;...

Warnings: Infants and young children: peppermint essential oil and menthol can cause serious adverse events in...

Studies: No quality clinical trials showing peppermint cures or treat...

Why it works: Garlic contains powerful organosulfur compounds, particularly allicin, which exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including multi-drug resista...

Instructions: Based on traditional remedies:. A teaspoon of fresh garlic juice taken 2 to 3 times a day is recommended as a potent treatment. Fresh garlic cloves should be pressed with a citrus...

Warnings: Not recommended for whooping cough specifically: One source explicitly states "This salve is not rec...

Studies: Limited Clinical Evidence: While garlic's antibacterial prop...

Why it works: Elderberry has some supportive and fairly consistent data for shortening symptoms of viral upper-respiratory infections (common cold / influenza) when started early, but pertussis...

Instructions: Because there is no clinical evidence for pertussis, there are no evidence-based elderberry instructions specifically for whooping cough. Below are the dosing regimens that have be...

Warnings: Whooping cough is bacterial — see CDC: treat with antibiotics and get medical care. Delay in appropr...

Studies: Evidence that exists (viral respiratory infections):Randomiz...

Why it works: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can help with whooping cough (pertussis) mainly as a mucolytic/airway-clearing and anti-inflammatory/antioxidant agent — it is supportive/symptomatic care, n...

Instructions: Inhalation/nebulised solution (most common for airway mucus):. • Usual nebuliser doses reported in prescribing literature: 3–5 mL of a 20% solution (i.e. 200 mg/mL) or 6–10 mL of a...

Warnings: Bronchospasm / airway irritation: Nebulised NAC can cause bronchospasm, cough, and chest tightness....

Studies: There are no large randomized controlled trials showing NAC...

Why it works: There is no high-quality clinical evidence that oregano oil cures or reliably treats whooping cough (pertussis). What exists is in-vitro (lab) antibacterial activity for oregano/it...

Instructions: Commonly described routes and typical approaches found in consumer and health-info sources:. • Oral supplements / capsules or tinctures. Many OTC “oil of oregano” products are sold...

Warnings: Do not replace antibiotics or delay medical care. Untreated pertussis can produce severe complicatio...

Studies: There are no randomized clinical trials or high-quality huma...