Many of these natural healing therapies are ideally suited to provide symptomatic relief and assist with expectoration of excess mucous secretions. Conventional medical treatment should be sought for a child who's cough is unresponsive to alternative therapy or appears to have a more serious etiology. Conventional medicine is necessary for any child who has a cough accompanied by signs of respiratory distress. Acupressure techniques are an effective and non-invasive method to treat children with a cough. Pressure on certain acupoints can relax muscle spasms caused by relentless episodes of coughing.
Aromatherapy utilizes essential oils from plants and herbs to treat coughs.
Practitioners suggest that inhaling herbal steam can reduce the congestion and secretions causing a cough. This technique is appropriate for children over 5 years of age when the cough is not associated with allergies or asthma. By this age, children can be taught how to inhale steam and they should not be concerned by the procedure. To make a steam tent, put eucalyptus, wintergreen or peppermint oils in a bowl, add boiling water. Cover the child's head with a towel.