Bronchiolitis in infants

Bronchiolitis is a viral illness that predominantly affects young children, and its cause is the inflammation of the bronchioles (the smallest bronchi in the lungs). This inflammation can cause fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and it predominantly occurs during the winter, sometimes in the form of an epidemic.

SYMPTOMS

• nasal congestion
• dry cough
• rapid and labored breathing
• wheezing in the chest
• fever
• in severe cases, bluish skin due to lack of oxygen.

SEE A DOCTOR

• If you notice any breathing problems in your child, see a doctor immediately.
• In severe cases, the child needs to be taken to the hospital for oxygen.

CAUSES

Many forms of bronchiolitis are caused by a virus. It is transmitted by airborne droplets when adults or children nearby cough or sneeze.

WHICH HERBS?

WARNING: Take only one of the following preparations!!!

INTERNAL USE

For cough and fever:

REAL THYME: Prepare an infusion by steeping 1 sachet of dried thyme in a cup of boiling water. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then strain. Give infants aged 6 to 12 months 20 ml three times a day.

BLACK ELDER (flower tincture, 1:4 in 25% alcohol): Give infants aged 6 to 12 months 2 drops in a little water three times a day after meals.

FRAGRANT VIOLET (tincture, 1:4 in 25% alcohol): Give infants aged 6 to 12 months 2 drops in a little water three times a day after meals. Another way is to prepare a syrup from 100 grams of dried flowers, 500 grams of sugar, and 300 ml of water. Give infants aged 6 to 12 months 1 ml of syrup two to three times a day during meals.

EXTERNAL USE

Massage preparation:

LAVENDER: Dilute 3 drops of essential oil in 10 ml of base oil and use 1 teaspoon to massage the chest, back, and throat.

EUCALYPTUS: As with lavender (see above).

Other measures

• Massaging can help remove mucus from the bronchioles.
• Ensure the child regularly takes fluids to prevent dehydration.

 

Bronchiolitis and asthma in children

Bronchiolitis typically lasts about a week. It is a viral infection that does not respond to antibiotic treatment. In rare cases, bronchiolitis can lead to asthma, with a sign being a persistent and continuous cough.

 

Source: Reader’s Digest, “Nature’s Medicines”

 

Treatments with bioenergy effectively help prevent such infections from recurring and ultimately causing asthma attacks.

 

Franjo Lenac