line of defence against pathogens entering the lungs - after the nasal hairs and the upper respiratory mucous linings of the nose, sinuses and nasopharynx. If a person is a chronic mouth breather, due to excessive nasal mucus, their body then has to rely on the throat to do all the filtering. This excessive protective work and the germs to which they are constantly subjected, create infection and inflammation of the tonsils.
The usual treatment of tonsillitis is antibiotics or, if the infection is too serious or too frequent, their removal by surgery (tonsillectomy) may be recommended, though this operation is not as common as it used to be. Understandably, this tonsillitis is more frequent in children, as they are more usually blocked up in the nose than most adults (see "The Mucus Syndrome", page 421) and do not yet have a fully developed immune system. However, adults who may make it through their childhood with their tonsils intact can, for the same reasons, go on to live a life of recurring throat infections, one day possibly requiring the removal of their tonsils.
According to the naturopathic and yogic approach, tonsillitis is 99% preventable by good nasal health and good diet. Stress also seems to be a significant factor in the onset of all throat ailments, in both children and adults. In the event of any throat infection, early action is always best, rather than just "soldiering on" hoping it will clear up. Always remember that respiratory illnesses always move downwards from top to bottom, so that by the time the throat is infected, the nasal area is already damaged, and the next stop for the disease will be the lungs (bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, tuberculosis, emphysema, etc). At the onset of any throat problems: immediate reduction of stress, bed rest, fasting, sipping and gargling of the magic "Hot Chilli Tea" (see page 575) garlic-ginger-pepper tea, hot lemon juice and thyme oil, Simhasana (Lion Pose), Ujjayi Pranayama and Om Chanting are all highly effective in quelling such infections. In the long term, prevention of chronic mouth breathing must be attended to.
Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, is a highly contagious and stubborn bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract. It is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. In all its phases, depending on the constitution of the child, the infection
usually lasts for 6 - 10 weeks in uncomplicated cases, but can last for up to 7 months if complications develop. Symptoms usually appear 5 to 10 days after contact but can take as long as 21 days. The illness is contagious to others for up to one month from the outset of symptoms. Typically the illness progresses in 3 distinct phases.
Catarrhal Stage. Early symptoms are similar to a heavy cold - weepy eyes, cough, listlessness, loss of appetite, runny nose. These symptoms usually last 7 - 10 days but can go for up to 2 weeks. The most contagious stage.
Fitful Coughing Stage. Next the child will develop an uncontrollable hacking cough accompanied by the signatory "whoop" at the end of each bout of coughing. These coughing attacks can also be interspersed with vomiting, and are most prevalent at night. This phase is the most debilitating part of the illness usually lasting 10 - 14 days but can go 6 - 10 weeks.
Convalescent Stage. The third and final phase is when the mucus finally loosens and the cough either becomes more productive and rattly, or else becomes a dry, harsh cough with a heavy, phlegmy chest. This phase usually lasts 2 - 4 weeks and sometimes can go for up to another 3 months before the illness is said to be fully over.
I reckon almost everyone reading these symptoms will think - "Well hell. Why not just vaccinate and be done with it?" And this is the approach most people do take, since the mainstream medical message is that there is no prevention for Whooping Cough and that the only effective treatment is hospitalisation with intravenous antibiotics. However in the opinion of many holistic health practitioners, these are only assertions and not facts.
Natural health practitioners believe that the best prevention for any childhood illness - bacterial or viral, respiratory or whatever - is through increased immunity from extended breastfeeding, a sensible introduction to solid foods, a balanced diet, and a healthy happy lifestyle in a clean environment. In the event of pertussis infection, the recommended natural treatment includes assisted expectoration of the mucus through means such as downward-tilted chest and back massage, particular cleansing herbs and teas, a specially controlled diet, a clean and comfortable environment, warm water to drink, and particular poultices as and where required. More details on such remedies should be gleaned from a natural health practitioner of your choice with experience in such conditions.
Irrespective of the treatment regime, follow-ing the end of the illness, any child