Due to all of the warnings about giving certain cold medicines to children, some parents may feel more comfortable treating their little ones with natural cough remedies. Natural remedies can offer many of the same benefits of medication without the risk of side effects. A child can experience a cough for a variety of reasons and may need to be seen by a physician before alternative treatment begins.
In many cases, a cough occurs along with a cold or the flu. According to the National Institutes of Health, coughing is the body's way of eliminating mucous and allergens from the upper airway passages and lungs. Therefore, coughs do serve a purpose. The goal of treatment should not be to prevent the cough altogether. Instead, the focus should be on bringing comfort to the child.
Herbal Remedies for Cough
Herbal remedies for cough can help soothe a sore throat. Kelp is sometimes used for this purpose. Kelp is a brown colored seaweed that is found along the northern coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as the North and Baltic seas. It moisturizes the lungs and helps break up mucus.
Bamboo is another herb that is recommended in The Complete Guide to Natural Healing by Tom Monte (Penguin Group USA, August 1997). Bamboo is a grass that grows in a variety of different climates. According to Monte, bamboo reduces inflammation in the lungs and helps eliminate phlegm. Wild cherry and mulberry are also recommended as a cough treatment.
Cough Relief with Honey Mix
Honey is a popular treatment that is often recommended as a cough relief remedy for older children. However, young children 1 year old and under should never be given honey. This warning is to reduce the risk for infant botulism. To make the healing properties in honey even more effective, Andrea Candee and David Andrusia, authors of Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, December 2003), recommend combining honey with onion.
According to the book, the honey and onion both work as an anti-inflammatory to soothe irritation and ease coughing spasms. Also, onions help clear congestion in the lungs. To make the mixture, pour one cup of honey, one chopped yellow onion, and one teaspoon of thyme leaf into a pan. Cook it long enough to soften the ingredients. Give to the child one teaspoon at a time as needed.
Home Remedies for Cough
Parents can also help a sick child feel better using simple home remedies for cough. Give the child lots of fluids to drink. This can include water, warm tea, juices, and soups. Drinking fluids helps relieve a sore throat by thinning out mucus and phlegm. Fluids also help wash away toxins from the body.
Have the child breathe in moist air. This can be accomplished through the use of a humidifier or by turning on the shower. To use a humidifier, fill it with water. Have the child sit near the humidifier to allow the child to breathe in the cool vapor. To moisturize the air using the shower, close the bathroom door and turn the shower on. Let the child breathe the moist air for several minutes. For more tips, see Natural Remedies for Toddler Allergies, for additional alternative treatments.
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