Ginger acts as a natural cough suppressant. To get rid of the bothersome croup cough, you can give your child ginger ale or a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice. Few drops of ginger juice blended with a teaspoon of honey can also be used as an alternative to the conventional pharmacological drugs and cough syrups. When used in recommended doses, ginger is safe for children. Ginger also has analgesic properties that help to treat sore throat.

By loosening the mucus in the lungs, the pungent components in fenugreek seeds help to clear congestions in the lungs, and provide relief from persistent cough. Tea made with fenugreek seed tea is recommended in the traditional medicine systems of India and China for treating a wide range of respiratory infections. Older children suffering from croup can gargle with fenugreek seed tea. However, large quantities of the herbal tea should not be ingested. Excess consumption of fenugreek tea can cause maple syrup like body odor.

Tea prepared with thyme leaves can be used as a natural expectorant. The antispasmodic property of the herb helps to soothe the respiratory tract. Thyme is considered safe when had in recommended doses. A small amount of thyme essential oil can be applied to the chest and throat. Thyme oil is meant only for external use.

Tea made with eucalyptus tea can be used as a natural remedy for fever in people suffering from croup. Gargling with eucalyptus tea can reduce the discomfort in the throat. Tannins present in eucalyptus leaves are believed to reduce the inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. Applying ointments containing eucalyptus oil to the throat and nose helps to loosen the phlegm, providing relief from the irritating croup cough. Eucalyptus should not be given to children less than two years of age.

Echinacea, a time tested remedy for respiratory infections, can be used for treating croup. Polysaccharides present in the herb boosts immunity, reducing the severity of the infection. Echinacea is safe when had in recommended doses. Children should be given Echinacea preparations specifically formulated for them. Usually, a typical Echinacea dose for a child should be about one-third the dose recommended for adults.

Goldenseal is a natural antibiotic. It is often combined with Echinacea in herbal preparations for treating cough, cold and infections of the upper respiratory tract. Goldenseal owes its antibiotic property to a compound called berberine. Berberine helps to activate the immune cells, improving the natural ability of the body to fight infections. To prevent any adverse side effect, it should not be used for more than a week. Children should be given goldenseal under the supervision of the doctor.

Zinc is an important component of the immune system. The trace mineral is essential for maintaining the health of the immune system. Zinc supplements and lozenges can alleviate the symptoms of croup. Infants less than six months of age can be given 2mg of zinc daily for three days. Babies older than 6 months and children below 4 years of age can be given 3mg of zinc daily for three days. Side effects do not occur when recommended doses of zinc supplements are had for few days.

Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C supplements may reduce the duration of the upper respiratory tract infection. Children suffering from croup should be given sufficient vitamin C rich citrus fruit juices. Babies can be given 60mg of liquid vitamin C supplement daily. 100mg of vitamin C supplement can be given to children between 1 and 4 years of age. Older children suffering from croup can have 500mg of the supplement daily.

Half to one teaspoon of fresh pineapple juice can be given to a person suffering from croup several times a day. Bromelain, the key active ingredient in pineapple can reduce inflammation in the upper respiratory tract caused by the viral infection. In addition, bromelain can also kill the microbes responsible for the infection.