6 Natural Ways to Treat Your Child’s Cold

This post is sponsored by Boiron® and PTPA. As always, all opinions and statements are my own and were not influenced in any way.

It’s officially summer, and we’ve been hit with a mild cold over here, at least, my 1-year-old daughter and I have. Colds are always a downer, especially in the summer when you have a bunch of plans and then one mysteriously pops up right before a trip. Luckily, we’re just staying home this time, but it’s still no fun to have to endure when you’re sick yourself and have to take care of kids who are also sick.

Although colds are not ideal around here, they’re actually a good thing since they build up the immune system. A strong immune system is able to fight off the bugs quicker and more efficiently. I believe the body is capable of great things and healing itself is one of them; below are some natural ways we can help build up the immune system or kick the colds quicker!

6 Natural Ways to Treat Your Child’s Cold

Boiron ColdCalm for Kids

Since we like homeopathic medicine, we use Boiron ColdCalm Kids Liquid Doses since it’s safe for use in children 6 months and up. I like it because it helps relieve cold symptoms within the first couple days of taking it and I feel good knowing it has homeopathic ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, flavors, dyes or preservatives. It comes in a box of 30 liquid doses and can be bought over the counter. ColdCalm Kids temporarily relieves cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and minor sore throat.*

The active ingredients are:

• Allium cepa 3C HPUS – Relieves sneezing and runny nose
• Apis mellifica 15C HPUS – Relieves nasal congestion
• Eupatorium perfoliatum 3C HPUS – Relieves aches associated with colds
• Gelsemium sempervirens 6C HPUS – Relieves headaches associated with colds
• Kali bichromicum 6C HPUS – Relieves nasal discharge
• Nux vomica 3C HPUS – Relieves sneezing attacks
• Phytolacca decandra 6C HPUS – Relieves mild fever
• Pulsatilla 6C HPUS – Relieves colds with a loss of taste and smell

Another great thing is it’s completely tasteless. My kids dislike flavors of other children’s medicines, so this was a plus as it pretty much tastes like water which in turn, makes them happy to take the liquid drops.

Saline Drops

If you don’t know what saline drops are, it’s basically saltwater. It helps loosen up the mucus so that it drains out the nose after you give a squirt up the nostril. This is a must for us during nursing time since she can’t breathe well when suckling. Which brings me to my next point, if you are still breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed as they get immunity from you through breastmilk on top of important vitamins like D.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries are high in vitamin C but don’t eat them raw. You should also avoid the sugary concoction that you’ll see in stores and I recommend making some yourself. I just bought all the ingredients that I found over on Amazon and plan on making a batch pronto with WellnessMama’s tasty recipe that my sister uses and shares with me.

You will need:

Dried Elderberries
Raw Honey (only add honey if your child is over 12 months)
Fresh Ginger
Cloves
Cinnamon Stick
Distilled Water

Fresh pineapple

It is said that pineapple or more specifically the pineapple juice will reduce mucus and soothe the throat which is perfect for the nasal drip that causes a cough. I put some in a blender with banana, ginger, and turmeric and make a smoothie. My daughter will sometimes drink that or I will make it thicker and she’ll eat it with a spoon. Pineapple has a lot of natural vitamin c, ginger is great for the mucus as well and turmeric helps with inflammation. It’s a concoction of yummy goodness!

Humidifier or Steam the Bathroom

A cool-mist humidifier goes a long way in relieving dry, stuffed up nasal passages by adding moisture to a room. If you don’t feel like buying one, steaming up the bathroom with a hot shower and then sitting in there while the kids take a bath for 20 minutes will help too.

Rest

Sleep is after all the best medicine. So make sure you and your children are resting as much as possible since depriving yourself of sleep can actually handicap your immune system.

Hope these natural tips helped and your littles feel better soon!
*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.