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Written by Angelle Batten, HHC, MEd
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 Despite how well you feed your child and build his immune system, the chances are he will come down with a viral infection this winter. Kids are 'naturals' when it comes to sharing germs. Unfortunately they’re also great at ‘hosting’ germs. The viral infection could be a cold or it could be a flu, and either way it’s not much fun for your child or for you. What can you do to safely and effectively treat symptoms of colds and flu once they’ve settled in?
- Chicken Soup – Research shows what great-grandma knows! Homemade chicken soup is an effective remedy for treating symptoms of upper respiratory infections due to its anti-inflammatory properties.[1] Using a whole chicken and lots of veggies give the soup the healing properties, and it’s so easy to make. Learn the REAL way from Nourishing Traditions.
- Herbal Tea & Honey – It doesn’t get much easier or less expensive than this! Tea is filled with polyphenols, which are protective antioxidants. They are antibacterial, antiviral and act as anti-inflammatories. If your child is over 1 year of age, sweeten the tea with some honey for even more antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
- Honey for Coughs - A recent study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications. Honey did a better job reducing the severity, frequency and bothersome nature of nighttime cough from upper respiratory infection than DM or no treatment. Honey also showed a positive effect on the sleep quality of both the coughing child and the child’s parents. DM was not significantly better at alleviating symptoms than no treatment.[2] Go for local, raw honey when possible and only use if your child is over 1 year of age.
- Gargling – Teach your child how to gargle with plain water, a little salt water, or water with a few drops of IMMUNE essential oil. Not only will she have fun making that crazy gargling noise and be amazed that you are giving permission to spit water, but her chance of coming down with the flu may decrease by 36% according to recent research in Japan. A simple and fun remedy that can’t hurt and may just help![3]
- Turmeric – This bright orange herb, often used in Indian cuisine, is a natural anti-inflammatory. When the sinuses make excessive mucus, as they do with colds, they become a breeding ground for bacterial infection. Turmeric liquefies the mucus where the infection lies and has potent antibacterial and antiviral properties. It can locally cure the infection. If your child is over 2, mix equal part turmeric and raw honey into a paste. At the first sign of a cold, give 1 tsp. every hour for the first few hours and then 3-6 times per day until the cold resolves.[4]
- Garlic – This pungent food is a powerhouse when it comes to great health. That's because it contains the phytochemicals that kill bacteria and help build immunity. To get the most out of your cloves, peel, crush and cut them, then let them sit for 15 minutes before cooking. Add garlic to sauces, dressings, soups and meat dishes. Taking a daily garlic supplement has been shown in research to reduce chances of catching a cold.[5]
- Saline Nasal Rinse - Nasal rinsing is actually giving the insides of your nose and sinuses a shower! The mucus gets washed away, along with the germs it is hosting. Children, once taught how to do a nasal rinse can do it themselves. Research shows that the use of a nasal rinse improves cold and flu symptoms and lessens the need for medication and is more effective than a nasal spray.[6]
Use these tried-and-true remedies to help ease the symptoms of colds and flu, and make sure you are feeding your child plenty of REAL food. The more REAL food your child eats the fewer fake foods she consumes, and that means less anti-nutrients like sugar, vegetable oils and enriched flours. These are the ingredients that weaken the immune system and make your child more susceptible to being sick.
Angelle Batten, MEd. is a Holistic Health & Parenting Coach and co-founder of nourishMD. She teaches parents how to feed their children REAL food and parent in a more connected way every day - so despite a crazy busy life they can raise healthier, happier children who make the world a better place.
Sources:
1. Rennard, BO. (200, Oct).
Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Chest.118(4):1150-7
2.
Paul, IM. (2011, Sep). Therapeutic Options for Acute Cough Due to Upper Respiratory Infections in Children. Lung. Sep4.
3. Satomura K, et al. (2005, Nov). Prevention of upper respiratory tract infections by gargling: a randomized trial. Am J Prev Med. 29(4):302-7
4. Perfect Health for Kids by Dr. John Douillard
5. Josling, P. (2001 Jul-Aug). Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther. 18(4):189-93
6. Šlapak I, et al. (2008). Efficacy of isotonic nasal wash (seawater) in the treatment and prevention of rhinitis in children. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.134: 67-74
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