There is no ‘cure’ for EV-D68. There is no vaccine. Prevention is your best option. However, we all know how children are and I hate to say it, adults too. We forget to not touch our faces (rubbing the eyes). We forget to wash our hands and well, sanitizing everything in our world is just not practical. So, what does one do IF you suspect you or your child comes down with a suspected case of EV-D68? Or even the common cold?
First things first…Be mindful of your body and how you are feeling and especially with children, be watchful for first ‘signs’…sniffling, not as hungry, perhaps grouchy. You know yourself and your child best and your best bet is to be proactive in ‘catching’ onto something ‘not right’. The faster you start taking care of your child or yourself the faster you get better!
STAY HOME! You do not want to be out and about giving it to others nor do you want your already struggling immune system to pick up something else. I know, I know, its hard to find a babysitter. You can’t take off work. I know all the excuses. However, think about this. YOU OR YOUR CHILD got it because SOMEONE ELSE DID NOT STAY HOME.
And I hate to say this, but everytime you cough, cover your mouth. If you feel a sneeze coming on, do us all a favor and either use your hand or inside your elbow to stop the droplets. Use tissues whenever possible and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after every cough/sneeze.
Next…its time to review home ‘preventions’ except this time you will be amping it up on how often to take.
Goldenseal tincture at the first sign of a cold or sinus problem is where I would start. Take 3-6 times DAILY depending upon severity. It will not hurt you.
Next, get that astragulus tea going and if you can get it, Buchu Leaf tea. Both are very beneficial for the lungs and sinuses. 3-6 cups daily.
SYMPTOM DEPENDANT HELP
Any and all may or may not include a fever which is a separate challenge. Generally the rule of thumb is that without a fever you do NOT have an ‘infection’ which is WHY if any drainage, sneezing or coughing begins you want to get on top of it pronto! Do not let that bug get a hold and allow it to turn into an ‘infection’.
Coughing: try to determine what type of cough it is.
Sinus coughs are going to most likely ‘start’. This is when the sinus drainage runs down the back of the throat and our reflex is to ‘cough’.
Herbs and food:
Horseradish root helps to dry sinuses up and reduce sinus swelling to allow easier nose breathing. Yes, its ‘hot’ but mix it up in some food and eat up!
Elderberry syrup or tea.
Ginger tea.
Peppermint tea.
Essential Oils:
Essential oils can be used topically for relief from runny noses that cause that ‘cough’ that drive so many of us nuts. Essential oils can also be used to help with other types of coughing and they are particularly good ‘killing’ viruses and bacteria to boot. Typically I recommend using ‘straight’ or ‘neat’ unless it’s a child and then I would dilute 50/50. 1 drop of essential oil to one drop of almond oil or even vegetable oil and apply directly under the nose…none of these should be used on someone with asthma, they WILL aggravate
Adults ONLY:
Eucalyptus
Peppermint
Children ages 6-16
Eucalyptus 50/50
Peppermint 50/50
I will not recommend using essential oils on children younger than 6 because I am not there to personally watch for a reaction and many cases of asthma are not known until later in childhood.
OTC Drugs for Coughs:
I do not like to give people anything over the counter for sinus drainage or coughing as it can have what is called a ‘rebound’ effect, meaning that taking the OTC that ‘dries’ up sinus drainage causes even MORE drainage. Drainage is the bodies way of getting rid of something ‘unwanted’ in the sinuses. Simply drying it up doesn’t do anything but suppress symptoms and may in fact prolong or make it worse. But this is up to you.
Chestal coughing: this is the type of ‘cough’ that you really know when you have a cold and if not helped quickly can quickly turn into bronchitis due to secondary bacterial infection. Once this starts the goal is to loosen the mucus/phlegm in the chest/body so that coughing is productive (gets it up and out). Again, you really don’t want to suppress a cough as it’s the body’s way of getting mucous up and out. However, I will say this, if coughing is very persistent or almost constant, you will want to reduce (not suppress) the cough.
A wet cough sounds ‘chesty’ and phlegmy.
A dry cough:
is less likely to produce phlegm (mucus)
can sound irritated, harsh, barking, or whooping
Herbs for chest coughs:
White Horehound
White horehound is used as an expectorant to loosen congestion in the chest and relieve a dry cough. In addition, it is an anti-inflammatory used to relieve bronchitis and coughing related to asthma. It relieves pain during coughing and soothes the digestive tract. This can be found as a ‘candy’, tincture or tea. My suggestion is to use the ‘candy’ in children and a tea for adults if the coughing is not too bad. Otherwise, go directly to the tincture form.
Marshmallow is a proven mucus thinner and expectorant. This maybe used as a tincture, tea or syrup. This can be combined white horehound for helping to reduce phlegm.
Anise works well on very hard spasmodic coughs or a dry, irritating cough. Use 3-6 times daily as a tincture.
Wild cherry bark is a powerful cough suppressant and is used for dry, nervous coughs or coughing associated with a sore throat. Combine in syrup form with, garlic, onion, and slippery elm for a powerful combination.
If a cough reaches potential bronchitis stage then use Hyssops which is best combined with mullein, plantain, or white horehound. And should be used primarily as a tincture since it does not taste very good.
If you STRONGLY suspect that you or your child has ED-V68 then I highly recommend Devil’s Club. It is an excellent ‘go to’ for a cough that seems deep or bronchial in nature especially with a fever. It is also useful for pneumonia and is highly anti-viral in nature. Traditionally it is used as a strong tea though it is excellent as a tincture.
Boneset via strong tea 4-5 times daily would be indicated also given this is viral in nature.
Homeopathic Cough and Cold Remedies: I like to use homeopathic cough and/or cold/mucous remedies and have a complete single remedy recommendation listed here.
However, there are several very good commercially available combinations and these are what I personally use. Note on how to use homeopathic tablets. They are taken under the tongue or slightly chewed and then allow to melt. Typically with the ones listed below I recommend 3 tablets. You should see results within 15 minutes (lessening of symptoms). Personally I repeat as needed as often as needed. So if symptoms lessen, take again once symptoms begin to return. That may be every 15 minutes…take as NEEDED. You will find yourself increasing the time in between usually within a few doses. IF you notice that symptoms are not getting better after 3 doses (ie you take it 3 times spaced 15 minutes apart) then you need a different remedy.
There is ONE homeopathic single remedy that stands out though for ED-V68 and that is Aconite: first stage of colds and coughs with sudden onset, develops after exposure to cold
air or wind, often with high fever, often with restlessness or fear, chill from drafts, heat
comes on during sleep, very thirsty, pupils contracted
Worse: night or after falling asleep, warm room, touch, fright, noise, light
Better: motion helps the chill but in general sitting still helps, open air
Heel’s Bhi Mucus Relief (formly known as ‘Bronchitis’)
As a side note, I can personally attest to the effectiveness of this homeopathic as I developed severe bronchitis in January of 2014 to the point of not being able to catch my breath. This was the ONLY thing that allowed me to get better!
Boericke and Tafel – Bronchitis and Asthma Aide 100 tabs
If you are experiencing coughing/colds not as severe as bronchitis then I recommend the following homeopathic syrup:
Boiron Chestal for Cough Syrup, Honey
Yes, it is in honey so not suitable for those under 1 year of age. They make 2 types, one for adults and one for children. Save the money and just buy the larger size for adults…they are the exact samething. You may take this as needed.
There are other homeopathic cough and cold syrups available, but this is the one I find to be the most effective. Do NOT waste your money on Boiron’s cough/cold tablets. I have found that they do NOT work well.
Fever and Pain:
Frankly at this point and time I would stick with the OTC such as Tylenol and Ibuprophen since they will work the best and more quickly. However, in the single homeopathic remedy worksheet found here, you will find single remedies for fever. Please note, homeopathics do work well for fevers also, however, you must keep a close watch on children for when the temperature begins to return. Children have a hard time handling temperature ‘spikes’ and can have seizures if their temperature suddenly climbs very quickly.
I will also say that I typically do NOT try to reduce a fever unless it gets above 103 degrees. Yes, you have to monitor and be sure dehydration does not occur, but a fever is the bodies natural response to killing germs, bacteria and viruses as many of them cannot handle the ‘heat’ (pun intended).
Herbs for fevers:
Most effective is Yarrow which can even reduce even very high fevers. Tea or tincture.
Holy Balsi aka Tulsi leaves as a strong tea drink three to four times a day.
Boneset via strong tea 4-5 times daily.
Herbs for pain relief associated with coughs/colds/viral infections:
Ginger root as a tea (and btw ginger root found at the store will grow at home!)
Boneset via strong tea 4-5 times daily.
It is my sincerest wish that you find this information useful. Many of the above suggestions will work for the common cold, upper respiratory infections of all sorts and maybe helpful with the flu also.
Survivingshtfmom-
Laura Macklem
PS…I am not a professional medical doctor, I just enjoy sharing knowledge and hope to empower you to take care of yourself. As always, do not hesitate to consult professional medical practioners in the event you feel its necessary.
survivingshtfmom 