Five Natural Cold Remedies for Children

Right after Easter my children came down with a nasty cold complete with fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and teary eyes. The last few nights have been difficult for everyone and the days are not much better, but with the help of a few natural cold remedies we are soldiering on.

I have a background in nursing and so it is my trained response to give children acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the first sign of a fever or any sort of discomfort. It's difficult to see a child in pain and while I would be lying if I said I never gave conventional medication to my children, I do, however, take a more restrained approach these days. Over the last few years I have accumulated a variety of alternative remedies for reducing symptoms of illness and promoting healing and below are my five favourites cold remedies for children.

Ear Oil

My daughter was prone to ear infections as a baby. After several rounds of antibiotics I started using ear oil at the first sign of a cold. She hasn't had an ear infection since. The end of her ear infections might have been because her Eustachian tubes became more vertical as she grew, but I continue to use ear oil drops as a preventative measure. 

Ear oil is an oil that has been infused with garlic, mullein and possibly other things. You can buy ear oil or make it yourself. It helps to warm the oil a little before putting it into your child's ear. Just make sure the oil isn't too hot and remember not to put oil into an ear that has a ruptured eardrum. 

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry syrup has been used by people for the treatment of colds and influenzas for centuries and research supports that it is effective at reducing the severity and longevity of these types of illnesses. Our family started using elderberry syrup over the Christmas holidays when everyone was sick and we were hoping to stay healthy. We did stay healthy and now I want to plant elderberry bushes in my backyard to have a constant supply of berries for syrup making. You can purchase elderberry syrup at most health food stores or online or make your own syrup.

As soon as I notice signs of a cold I give my children elderberry syrup. I give them about a teaspoon and a half two to three times a day until the symptoms begin to subside. 

Echinacea

Echinacea has also been used by people to treat colds for a long time. Medical research shows that echinacea is effective against the common cold and many people swear by it. I use this echinacea for my children and I give it to them as soon as I notice symptoms or even earlier if we've been around others that are sick.

Homemade Vapor Rub

Vapor rubs are helpful when children are congested and coughing. Vicks Vaporub has three main medical ingredients: camphor, eucalyptus and menthol. This combination is harsh for young children which is why pediatricians recommend it should not be used for children under the age of two. Making your own vapor rub allows you to choose want goes into it and how intense it is. I made some vapor rub following this quick and easy recipe and have been rubbing it on the my children's chest to help relieve their coughing and congestion.

Lemon and Honey Tea

When my children (or myself) have a cold I make a pot of lemon honey tea first thing in the morning. It soothes sore throats and hydrates and the sweetness of the honey keeps my children coming back for more.

Linking up to Barn Hop, Five Favorites, Tuned-in Tuesday, Your Green Resource and Wildcrafting Wednesday.