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Cold and flu season is upon us, and children tend to catch every little sickness that comes their way. While conventional medicine has its place and time, parents can turn to home remedies for kids when their children are feeling under the weather. Please check with your doctor first about these child-safe home remedies.
Sore Throats
At times, a sore throat can indicate strep throat. Symptoms of strep include pain while chewing or swallowing and a fever above 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Contact your doctor if you child is showing these signs of strep. But if it’s just a sore throat try these:
- Echinacea. This should be the first choice for parents looking to use child-safe remedies. Give your child Echinacea as soon as a runny nose or scratchy throat begins. You can use Echinacea tea or a safe dose of liquid Echinacea. Adults can take it in a capsule form.
- Honey and lemon. If your child is under one year old, honey is not safe due to botulism. But for kids in the safe-age range, honey is one of the best remedies for sore throats. Simply mix warm water, raw honey and lemon juice.
- Peppermint. Kids over the age of six years old can have diluted peppermint essential oil applied to them. Another option safe for most ages is peppermint tea. It will soothe the throat, break up mucus and make your throat feel amazing.
- Salt water gargling. A simple home remedy for sore throats is gargling salt water. Add a teaspoon or two of salt to a glass of warm water. Have your child gargle the salt water twice a day. It is one of the easiest and best-known remedies for a sore throat!
Flu
The flu can present itself with many symptoms. Rest and hydration top the list for cures!
- Elderberry syrup. You can find elderberry syrup in the store or you make it yourself. It is best if you take it daily to prevent the flu. However, for those with the flu, take a dose 3 to 5 times per day. Fortunately, elderberry syrup tastes relatively good!
- Activated charcoal. Keeping activated charcoal around your house is wise. Not only does it help with a stomach bug, but activated charcoal also works for food poisoning. Activated charcoal binds your digestive tract and helps the process. It is best taken as a capsule, but you can mix it in food. Speak to your doctor first!
Chest Colds and Coughs
- Eucalyptus. Make sure that your child is within the safe-age range to use eucalyptus, typically six years old due to issues with respiration. However, you can safely add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your bath water, along with Epsom salt, for children.
- Steam. When your child has a chest cold and a cough, you can have your child hold his head over a bowl of hot water. Put a towel around his head. You want him to breathe in the steam for at least 10 minutes. Put a drop or two of eucalyptus oil in the water to add more benefits!
- Bay leaves. You might use bay leaves in your soups, but it serves other purposes! Take three to four bay leaves, and add to water and boil. Then, remove the leaves and dip a cloth into the water. Wring it out and place it on your child’s chest, only if the heat is tolerable and won’t hurt your child!
- Turmeric milk. If your child is at least one year old, you can try turmeric milk! Turmeric contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It is a wonderful herb for chest congestion. Boil a cup of milk and add a pinch of turmeric. You also can add salt and sugar to help your child drink it.
This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or cure any particular health condition. Please consult your child’s doctor first.
