Most doctors advise bed rest to help your body's immune system fight off the colds and flu. Heed this advice.
You can try any of these well-known home remedies that work well for your kids and family.
! For all home remedies, if symptoms persists, and if fever exists, please see a professional doctor.
Honey Ginger Lemon Orange Tumeric Salt Onion Eucalyptus Peppermint ChickenSoup Star Anise Vitamin C Zinc Echinacea Garlic
Salt Water: Gargles for sore throats. You can also add a pinch of turmeric.
Honey, Lemon & Ginger: Make a warm concoction to drink. Alternatively, just have honey with warm water and a squeeze of lemon. ! Note children under 12 months should not be give honey
Increase fluids intake: especially hot liquids to relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration and soothe the inflamed membranes lining your nose and throat.
Steaming: to relieve congestion. For little babies, you can run a steamy shower for a while and then take baby with you in the shower box for a little while.
Apply hot packs: around your congested sinuses to make you feel comfortable. Take a damp washcloth and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Elevate: Keep extra pillows under your head to drain the nasal passages. If you feel uncomfortable in this position, place the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.
Vicks Vaporub: Rub well on the chest and back till you feel the heat on your fingertips. Rub some on the feet and put on some warm socks. Remember to keep warm after applying vicks and stay covered under a blanket. For children under 2 years, you should use Vicks Baby Balsam.
Eucalyptus and peppermint oil: Mix olive oil with a few drops of eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil and rub this on the chest.
Turmeric milk: After supper drink. Take a cup of milk and add 1tsp turmeric pwd, 1/4tsp black pepper pwd and a pinch of cardamom seed pwd. Boil this well and then drink it lukewarm.
Hot Drink called 'Kada': for nasty Coughs: It doesn't taste great but is effective. Have it regularly during the day. See: How2 make Kada
Lavender, Eucalyptus or Tea tree oil: burned in a diffuser/vaporizer will help ease a stuffy nose. In case of infants/toddlers, please talk to your pediatrician first.
Onions: To stop a runny nose, dip a freshly cut slice of onion in a cup of hot water and persuade your child to drink it.
You can also soften a chopped onion in a couple tablespoons of honey (or sugar) for 30 minutes. Drain off the onion juice and give it at regular intervals.
Garlic: has antibiotic, anti-fungal and antiviral properties & has been used to alleviate the common cold for many years. Using a garlic press, crush the garlic pod and add a little honey to make it go down easier and have at least twice a day. It's nasty and hard on some people's stomach and some may feel nauseous, but if you can stomach it, its great. Drink a full glass of water with it and also eat something right after. So use caution if you want to try this with children.
Chicken Soup: Serve it as hot as one can take. Studies have proven this age old remedy to relieve cold symptoms and stuffiness. It's also nourishing especially when appetite is waning and helps keep up your fluid intake. See: How2 make Chicken Soup or How2 make East Indian Chicken Soup
Vitamin C: Eat citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, amla (Indian gooseberry), kiwifruit, strawberry, guava, raspberry, blackberry, nectarines, peaches, mango, broccoli, tomato, potato, cabbage or take supplements available in all health stores. Chewable Vitamin C lozenges are available for children.
Zinc: has been shown to reduce the duration and intensity of symptoms. It is beneficial in increasing the number of infection fighting cells in our bodies.
! Children should not use zinc supplements for the common cold, instead give them zinc rich foods like blackberries, red meat, beans, fish, eggs, some crackers and cereals.! Don't take Zinc without your doctor's or pharmacist' s approval
! Never take more than the recommended dosage. For women ages 19 and older, the recommended dietary amount is 9 milligrams, while men older than 19 should have 11 milligrams. Children should get their zinc from food only, since they only need 2 to 5 milligrams daily depending on their age.
Zinc lozenges or Zinc Gluconate supplements can be found at the health store and should be taken during the onset of cold, but refrain from using after 5 days. While using zinc short term does not lead to common side effects, it may cause mouth irritation or upset stomach in some individuals. Long term use is greatly discouraged because it can cause copper deficiency in the body.
B R A T: If you are sick and cannot eat much remember this acronym. It stands for Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast. Those are good foods to eat if your stomach is upset and it may be due to the medicines you are taking.
Prevention is better than cure.
Cover mouth and nose while sneezing/coughing
Wash hands well with soap and water and then dry completely to avoid spreading germs
Boost your immunity before illness strikes
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