Hello Parents,
Wondering why did I come up with this topic on Home Remedies for Cold and Cough for kids?
I have been receiving many emails and messages to share the home remedies for cold and cough for kids.
Well, being a Bengali, who use Sarso Tel ie., Mustard Oil in everything which includes food as well as for massage of the baby. Yes, we Bengalis are a big fan of Mustard Oil and all our food has to be cooked in Mustard oil for it gives a unique flavor to the food due to its pungent and smoky smell.
Now, why am I stressing on Mustard oil here?
Mustard oil has a heating property that helps relieve chest congestion. Its strong pungent taste helps provide heat to the body and release the mucus formation in the body
We also ensure that once the baby is born, we massage the baby with Mustard Oil. Mustard oil due to its pungent flavor and smell and also considered to heat the body. It also ensures that cold and cough are at bay when the baby is massaged regularly with Mustard oil.
Since the time my baby is born, I have ensured that he is massaged with Mustard oil every day half an hour before showering.
Thanks to our Traditional and age-old spices that India is blessed with, there are many ingredients that are available in our Kitchen that can be used as a medicine and serve as home remedies for colds and cough for Kids as well as for adults.
Information you will find in this article are:
Home remedies for Cold and Cough for kids as well as for adults
How to prevent cold and cough in kids
Let’s explore the Home Remedies here:
Chayawanprash:
My mother was right when we were given chayawanprash every day since our childhood. Chyawanprash is an ayurvedic mixture that has great medicinal value. It is made up of Amla, various spices, and is rich in vitamin C.
Tulsi & Ginger with Honey:
Tulsi or holy basil, ginger, and honey have excellent medicinal, antibacterial properties. For kids above the age of 1 year, make a paste of ginger and Tulsi. Take 2 to 3 drops of this mixture, mix it with ½ teaspoon of honey and tell your baby to gulp it down. If they are unable to gulp it, mix it with ½ teaspoon of water and give them.
Turmeric & Honey:
Kids love honey. Turmeric has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties and Honey has a healing and soothing effect on the throat. Mix a pinch of Turmeric with ½ teaspoon of Honey and feed it to your child.
Ajwain or Carrom seeds:
Ajwain has a slightly bitter to pungent taste hence it is better to give steam of Ajwain to the baby.
Ajwain has an amazing medicinal property starting from pain relief during period cramps to providing relief to sore throat, relief from Bronchitis, Asthma, indigestion, and nausea. To give an Ajwain steam, put water to boil, put a sieve or colander on top, place the napkin and once the napkin is sufficiently heated, check the temperature for the kid and place it on the chest of your baby. Repeat this process to provide relief from chest congestion
Garlic, Onion and Ajwain paste:
Make a paste of Garlic, Onion, and Ajwain paste and apply it on the chest, forehead, and on throat to provide relief from cold and cough.
Salt water Gargle:
If your child is more than 3 years and more then encourage your child to take a warm saltwater gargle. This will provide relief from a sore throat.
Ginger water:
Ginger has anti-septic properties and helps relieve sore throat. Boil some coarsely chopped ginger in water for 5 to 7 minutes. Once the water cools down, mix some honey and let your child drink this water.
Dry Ginger or Sonth ladoo:
This ladoo is made with dry ginger powder, jaggery, and ghee. This is my grandmom recipe that helps especially during colds and coughs. I remember my grandmom used to prepare this ladoo during winter to help protect us from cold weather.
Lots of liquids:
This one was my favorite. When we used to fall sick in my childhood, my mother used to prepare Tomatoes Soup, pepper soup, and Chicken soup.
Anyway, the point here is, keep your baby hydrated. You can prepare various types of soup and let the baby have it. This will help relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration, and soothe the nose and throat.
Take a hot water bath:
A hot water bath moisturizes the nasal passage and releases the mucus formation to remove it out from the body. If your baby is more than 6 months and less than 2 years, you can also give a hot water sponge bath.
Blow the nose:
It is important to blow the nose of your baby the right way. If possible, use a soft tissue to blow and wipe the nose and immediately dispose off the tissue.
Lot of rest and stay warm:
Ensure that your baby gets a lot of rest and stays warm during the day and night to ensure the body gets the opportunity to recover fast.
Summary:
I hope this post has given you enough ideas on how to take care of your little one when they are down with a cold and cough.
Till then
Cheers
Sapna