One of the many ways parents can limit toxins being ingested in their children is to minimize use of over-the-counter medicines unless they are truly needed. Professionals advise that parents should try alternative natural remedies for common ailments such as cold, congestion, and cough.Here are a some natural remedies to use when your children have a soar throat and cough due to a common cold or flu.
For Common Cold and Congestion
- Avoid mucus producing foods
Dairy products, red meat, oats and gluten containing grains. Bananas and Soya products
- Ginger Lemon Tea: To soothe mucus membranes
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice in one cup of hot water. Add 1 teaspoon of juiced ginger. Let steep for 1-2 minutes then strain to remove ginger. Take as needed.
- Fresh ginger: To help decongest sinus cavities
1/2 teaspoon juiced ginger, given in a spoon with Manuka raw honey. 2 times daily
- Propolis syrup or lozenges: Anti-viral. Follow directions on the box
- Echinacea syrup or tincture: Boosts immunity. 0.5ml 3 times a day until symptoms are better for a maximum of 10 days
- Honey garlic vinegar mixture: anti-viral, anti-bacterial
1 teaspoon Manuka raw honey with a bit of crushed garlic and apple cider vinegar. 2 times daily
- Eucalyptus oil: To soothe mucus membranes. Put 3-4 drops on your child's pillow at bedtime, on his t-shirt during the day or in a humidifier.
- Salt water nasal spray: to clear out the sinus passages; can be purchased from the pharmacy; administer as needed
- Topical Vitamin E: for older children, to soften and heal the nose's mucous membranes and blood vessels; squeeze the contents of a vitamin E capsule into the nostrils at bedtime
For Cough
- Avoid mucus producing foods
Dairy products, red meat, oats and gluten containing grains, bananas, soya products
- Honey garlic vinegar mixture (as above)
- Eucalyptus oil (as above)
- Zinc lozenges: to boost immunity; 1/4 tablet for toddler. For an older child follow instructions on the packaging or ask your pharmacist
- Vitamin C: to boost immunity; start with 500mg 2 times a day (reduce of child gets diarrhea)
- Magnesium: to ease tightness in the chest; from eating more magnesium-rich foods such as almonds or from supervised supplementation if necessary (consult your nutritionist)
If you do use over counter medicines please try and also use the above suggestions. They can help limit the amount of medicine you have to give to your child per day.
I have used all of the above natural remedies for everyone in my family and they do help with cough, congestion and soar throat just as much as the average cold medicine bought over the counter.
A Baby Sleep Massage (Lymphatic Massage)
Do you need toddler sleep help? One of the things you can do to support your chosen baby sleep technique, just before bedtime is a baby sleep massage. It's better then a bath to help settle and relax your child.
A baby sleep massage also holds health benefits for a child with cold or flu.
Do you know how to properly administer this lovely little task?
The Benefits
- A baby sleep massage, when administered correctly can boost immunity because it stimulates the lymphatic system. As you may know, the lymphatic system runs through the entire body and is a natural draining system that filters out unwelcome molecules and attacks microbes. It works with muscle stimulation.
- During illness a lymphatic or baby sleep massage can assist in boosting a child's immunity and speed up his recovery.
- A baby sleep massage is also a relaxing technique that calms, soothes and relaxes baby. It is also a wonderful bonding method and is very much enjoyed by both parents and baby.
A baby sleep massage is an effective technique to help with baby sleep problems and toddler sleep problems. Use it in place of a bath. Dim the lights, put some soft music and massage away. A baby massage can help baby sleep through the night when utilized as part of a bedtime routine.
Instructions for administering Baby Sleep Massage (Lymphatic Massage)
1. Use a natural oil such as almond oil, or vitamin E oil (especially good for children with Eczema)
2. Start at the feet and work up. Use short, firm strokes. It is important to work upwards towards the heart, as this is what drains the lymph nodes.
For a sore throat
1. Use a Eucalyptus oil.
2. Gently but firmly massage the lymph nodes in the neck beginning from the jaw line and loving slowly down to the collar bone. The massage pressure should cause SLIGHT discomfort but not pain.
3. Do this for 15-20 minutes. This will decongest the lymph nodes and allow them to heal.
Giving your baby a baby sleep massage is a simple task with high reward.
Happy Parenting!
The Parent Fairy