Natural remedies for coughs and colds etc that are suitable for children?!
Question: At this time of year my daughter always takes such a bad cough and cold, but I hate giving her medication every four hours (ie paracetamol and cough medicine), so I was just wondering if there was anything more natural that I could use. Her temperature is always very high and she coughs so bad that she makes herself sick, I have been to the doctors in the past and all they offer me is more paracetamol, more cough bottle and anti-biotics if it goes on too long. Thanks in advance for any help.
Answers: At this time of year my daughter always takes such a bad cough and cold, but I hate giving her medication every four hours (ie paracetamol and cough medicine), so I was just wondering if there was anything more natural that I could use. Her temperature is always very high and she coughs so bad that she makes herself sick, I have been to the doctors in the past and all they offer me is more paracetamol, more cough bottle and anti-biotics if it goes on too long. Thanks in advance for any help.
Vit C is a great antiviral. Take 2-3 times daily - spread out since Vit C is a water soluble vitamin and your body will excrete excess. They make children's chewables which will be an appropriate dosage.
Mullein tea is great for respiratory anything. You can find it at your health food store or online at http://www.iherb.com (not affiliated, just like their service) Steep tea for 5-8 minutes. We used it to calm my daughter's cough when she contracted whooping cough (and yes, she was vaccinated, which is why we no longer vaccinate). Sounds like your daughter gets a very bad cough, this will help, and the kids like the taste, especially with honey added. Honey is very good for colds.
Other good teas - Lemon, chamomile, peppermint.
Don't forget to add honey to your tea. Honey is a great anti EVERYTHING. Very beneficial. My daughter actually took just a tsp of honey straight last time she started to get a cold. She didn't complain about the cold again.
Garlic is also good. We make it into a butter (1 tbsp melted butter - 1 clove or more garlic crushed into butter) We spread it on bread and grill it (don't toast, butter might ignite) or we put it on our favorite pasta. Some just pop a garlic clove, but we like the flavor :-)
Steam always helps clear things out and relieve congestion.
Lots of liquids. We also add 1 tsp of vinegar to apple juice. Vinegar (apple cider not white) is a great natural way to help your body deal with illness. It is okay in other juices, but tastes best in apple we think.
If she gets quite congested and are concerned about infection, get some Grapefruit Seed Extract (also available at your health food store or iHerb) Make sure you get grapeFRUIT not grape seed extract. Put 10 drops in 6 oz of water and gargle for soar throat or swallow for other concerns. If you think ear or sinus infection, you can use it as diluted drops. My son-in-law was seen by an ER doc and told he had an ear infection. He declined the antibiotic prescription and used the GSE drops instead. We use it for throat infections also.
If the congestion is making you very uncomfortable, get some Robitussin PE (PE only, other formulations have too much in them you don't need). It and aspirin are the only OTC meds we do. It will help with the congestion by thinning the mucus so it can drain and keep out of your lungs also.
Finally, NO refined sugars. They are immune system suppressants and will counteract any good you are trying to do. If giving her juices make the 100% and watch out for high fructose corn syrup.
Organic honey has been shown to soothe some cough/cold symptoms. But if your daughter is running a fever, you really need to stick to the doctor's regimen of paracetamol.
I give mine some warm tea with a little lemon and honey. As for the fever, I use ice-pops. If her fever is really high, you can give her a warm (a little warmer than room temp.) bath with a little rubbing alcohol in it. Or, take a wet washcloth with a little alcohol and rub her down.
In regards to the coughing, a recent study from Pennsylvania State University showed that honey was more effective in relieving a cough & sore throat than standard cough medicines.
The best kind of honey it the thick set stuff - not the clear honey - as it has more beneficial ingredients. For my kids I take one, large heaped teaspoon of honey and dissolve it in half a cup of hot water (not boiling as this will damage the honey). Check the temperature; add a little cold water if too hot and then get them to sip the drink slowly.
This really does seem to reduce the coughing and sore throat considerably. I use the same technique for myself but add some freshly chopped ginger.
Honey and hot orange juice.
Couple of Knorr chicken cubes, onion, handfull of rice and lemon juice and olive oil - made into a soup (Actually a quick version of avgolimeni soup)
For a reasonable nights sleep (for all concerned) : 1 level teaspoon of sugar with just enough brandy to soak the sugar.
My 5 yo grandson has frequent coughs/colds, picks everything up at daycare but then at this age most do get frequent colds.
Our DR suggests Childrens liquid Motrin for the discomfort, when a temp is present, otherwise we use Vicks vaporub sparingly to accomodate easier breathing, congestion & lollipops to suck on of which the sugar cuts the phleghm & relieves the cough.
Rest & Frequent liguids also do help.
Needs to take it's course.
Most colds and flu