5 Home Cough Remedies For Kids
Home Remedies for Cough for Kids
Finding an herbal remedy for my son's cough has been one of the more challenging events we've endured.
Coughs can be dry, or wet.
Coughs can also be caused by the flu, ear infections, or a sore throat.
And... coughs can be from poor gut health and mold exposure or mycotoxins!
Yes, read that again.
To address a cough, you'll want to know why it is happening.
If it's due to a cold, think of adding anti-viral botanicals plus expectorants to support their immune system and release the mucus. ¹
If it’s mold exposure, they need glutathione inhalation, which a natropathic doctor could prescribe.
So, what do we tackle first?
There are four ways I like to use natural remedies with children. I'll give them teas, tinctures, decoctions, and homeopathy.
Plus, try your best to reduce their sugar intake and increase their fluids with chicken soups and pops, like our favorite herbal Lemon Balm popsicle recipe HERE.
#1 Teas For Kids
Make a cup of tea with 1 tsp. of dried herbs to 1 cup of boiling water.
Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
Strain and add honey for children over 1 year or you can add juice to their Sippy cup.
For babies, you can add cooled chamomile tea to their bottles, adding maple syrup to sweeten if needed.
Toddlers love Lemon Balm or Peppermint for kids 2+.
#2 Tinctures For Kids
Tinctures are an extract of a plant in alcohol. Because of the processing method, the amount of alcohol your child ingests is similar to a ripe banana.
If you're concerned with alcohol intake, you can use a glycerin tincture.
These tinctures are made with glycerin instead of alcohol, and most moms feel more comfortable using them.
When the cold begins, give an Echinacea glycerine tincture and Elderberry Syrup to support their immune system.
Studies show elderberry syrup can lower the duration of your flu and the need for medication.
Read more about tinctures here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/what-is-a-tincture
#4 Decoctions For Kids
A Decoction is a method of extraction by boiling herbal or plant material to dissolve the chemicals of the material, which may include stems, roots, bark, and rhizomes.³
This works best when the herb doesn't taste well or you want to make a syrup, like elderberry syrup.
#5 Homeopathy For Kids
Homeopathy is wonderful for kids. Please read my article: Everything you need to know about homeopathy is HERE.
Home remedies for cold and cough in kids
When a cough is dry with throat pain, you'll want soothing herbs like licorice, slippery elm, and marshmallow root
Your toddler can suck on slippery elm throat lozenges.
I'd also give an immune tincture like Herb Pharm to boost their immunity.
Looking for a quick resource for herbal remedies for babies, toddlers, and big kids? Swipe the 26 herbal and homeopathic remedies below.
3 Homeopathic Remedies For A Croup Cough
When it is mucus, you'll want herbs that act as an expectorant; look for products with elecampane, hyssop, mullein, thyme, yerba santa, and ginger for warming.
Home remedies for infants
Using botanicals with infants requires more caution.
The tincture doses are much less due to their body weight. Please see the dosing suggestions HERE.
To administer a tincture to an infant, you can add tinctures to a bottle or place them in 1/3 cup of water. Use a syringe or straw to make sure your child gets the full amount.
Essential Oils
I wouldn't use essential oils with children until they are 3 months of age. If you choose to, please use caution.
Make sure you only use 1 drop of essential oil per 1 tbs. of oil.
They should be very diluted and avoid the eyes, ears, and any openings in the body.
Never ingest essential oils with infants.
Never put these oils in a bath, UNLESS you use milk as a carrier oil.
Home remedies for a cough with toddlers
Toddlers are a little easier, as they love anything new and fun. I would add tinctures to their Sippy cup, use a syringe, or sip out of a fun cup with a straw.
5 Home Remedies for Kids’ Cough
Slippery elm lozenges - soothing and yummy to suck on
Licorice & peppermint tea - so sweet you don't need any honey
Herb Pharm Lung expectorant - Combine this tincture with a glycerine tincture for your medicine
Andrographis- to prevent pneumonia
Conclusion
When using botanicals and homeopathy with children, you must choose the right herb (or homeopathic treatment) and the correct dosing for their symptoms. With a combined effort of diet, teas, and rest, your child will be able to become resilient through the years.
Keep in mind that environmental toxins, gut health, and mold toxicity could also be contributing factors to a nagging cough.
xo
Tara
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