One of the most commonly found health problems in children are upper respiratory infections such as common cold, cough, influenza, allergies and other respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia. Most parents are worried when it’s a time for a change of climate or during extreme weather thinking their kid might get a cough and cold. Even though it’s not a serious disease, it is very difficult for small kids to adjust with the problems of running nose, cough, cold, breathing difficulties, clogged/blocked nose and much more. To avoid these difficulties, most parents resort to a doctor-prescribed cough and cold medicines and antibiotics which suppress the exact problem and may give instant and momentary relief but inside, it may be leading to grave issues for the kids in the long run.
Rather than resorting to over-the-countertop medicines and antibiotics for the common cold, it is better to depend on natural home remedies which prove to be as effective and powerful to give relief to your kids, without causing any side effects. Home remedies are practiced by our grandmothers from old times itself; it might have evolved, but there is no much change in the basic home remedies that are being popularly used for a cough and cold in kids. Here is how you can treat your child’s symptoms with simple but effective home remedies instead of medicines.
- Ginger: Ginger has proved to be an effective remedy for treating cough, cold and congestions, especially in small kids. It helps in increasing the circulation of blood and also in warming up the body so that the phlegm is melted and expelled out.
- Organic green tea: One of the most important things to take note while your child is having a cold and cough is to keep your child hydrated, especially with warm liquids. It helps in flushing out germs and aids in internal cleansing. Drinks such as water, fruit juices, organic herbal teas, and broth are some of the effective drinks during the common cold.
- Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus is a very strong remedy that can immediately remove all the nasal blockages and ease the breathing trouble. Add a drop of eucalyptus oil to a dispenser and let the baby inhale the fumes for a few minutes. This is an excellent remedy for treating cold, chest congestion and cough in babies.
- Turmeric: A pinch of turmeric can be added to the regular fruit juice or milk or even warm water that your baby drinks and this can be given twice daily to remove cold. Turmeric helps in removing inflammation, bacteria and also strengthens the immune system of the baby in fighting off the infection.
- Lemon: Lemon is a mild antibacterial and antiseptic that can be used for treating cold. Lemon is also rich in vitamin C that comes of help for developing immunity. Take the juice of half a lemon and add a teaspoon of honey for older babies. Give it in small quantities by adding adequate amounts of water. This is a simple yet very effective treatment that can be given for cold in babies.
- Chamomile: A mild tea prepared from chamomile can help relieve the inflammation in the throat and also soothe the throat of babies. Take a chamomile tea bag and boil with two cups of water. Steep for ten minutes and this diluted tea can be given to babies older than six months.
- Chicken Soup: Chicken soup is one of the traditional home remedy for cold and cough, relied upon some ancient times itself. The steam helps loosen congestion and the broth hydrates. Studies have also found that the chicken and other ingredients in the soup actually have an anti-inflammatory effect-a very good thing since inflammation causes coughs and stuffed-up noses.
- Garlic: Onion’s pungent cousin contains allicin, a compound which has been known to have anti-bacterial properties. The only problem you might face is getting your kids to eat it. Try mincing the garlic very finely and add it to a light pasta sauce at dinner time to avoid its detection.
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