Natural Cold Care
Friday, January 25th, 2008
As you may know, major pharmaceutical copmpanies have pulled their cough and cold medicines from children under the age of two. Although, it’s easy to assume that medicines that help adults will work for children, this is often not the case, because kids’ hormones and metabolisms are fundamentally different. Oral decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants don’t have proven beenfits under age of six, and there is risk associated with them as well. So how to treat your child’s cold you may be thinking.
Opt for remedies that have demonstrated effectiveness in children, or are at least unlikely to do any harm. Honey may be one good solution. Honey has been proven to reduce the number of coughs, and also reduces the severity of coughs, reducing the bother of coughs and increasing sleep in both kids and parents. Honey is significantlt better than no treatment at all. The dose should be a half teaspoon 30 minutes before bed for kids two to five, a full teaspooon for kids six to 11, and two teaspoons for kids 12 to 18. Infants who have not reached their first birthday should not be given honey. And darker honey should be the choice because it contains more bioactive compounds than the lighter counterpart.
For other symptons, consider nose drops made from saline saltwater solution that can loosen virus-laden mucus so it’s more easily removed with a bulb syringe. Saline may also have an antiviral effect. Chicken soup has shown to help some cold symptoms because of the salt content.
Believe it or not, but simple gravy can also help treat congestion. Swelling of the nasal lining may decrease if kids lie with their heads a bit higher than their hearts. For thick mucus, try a vaporizer or humidifier. Mucus becomes thinner as it pulls in the moisture from the air, and this makes it easier to dicharge. (Source: Some information pulled from Kiwi Mag. 2007)
Homemade Remedy To Try:
Cold-Medicine Drink
Two cups of hot water combined with the juice of one lemon, zest from half the lemon, 1/2 cup tart cherry juice, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, two cloves of chopped garlic, and inch of chopped fresh ginger and dark honey to taste. Pour through a strainer and drink warm.
*Natural and Sustainable Lving Tip: Join a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Visit Local Harvest to learn more.
