alternative ideas for cold remedies

[ionesmum]

My dds have yet another cold, temperature etc. They've had something or other since about October and I'm really fed up for them. Are there any alternative remedies for colds or to boost the immune sysyem that are safe for little ones (aged 3 and 10 mo)? Also , is there a good book on the subject of alternative health for children?

Many thanks!

Sambucol for Kids when they first get snuffly - it's awesome!!! Look at www.whatreallyworks.co.uk website for lots of other handy tips. Good luck.

there was a talk in london a few weeks ago about healthy ways to build up babies immune systems - I didn't go but maybe put up a thread for those who did go - or try and find who put the first thread up and cat her.

I have just got a book called Homeopathy for Children, by Gabrielle Pinto and Murray Feldman. Have only flicked through but its seems quite good. But nothing can beat an actual visit to a homeopath - I took my dd when she was a sickly 12 month old, and she has been so much better ever since - she didn't seem to get ill at all for about 9 months afterwards, and ven when she does get colds a remedy helps them clear quickly

Thanks everyone

i was just thinking my dd (20mths) hadn't had a cold for ages. I decided to get her some vitamin drops last week as she's not eating as much fruit as i would like and guess what....3 days after taking vitamin drops she's got the worst cold she's had so far. Really high temp and barking cough! Would also love some alternative remedy. hope yours feel better soon ionesmum

thanks, Bonnie. It's rotten, isn't it? We seem to have got more colds since dd1 started pre-school, some mums send their children in with al lsorts of things, even temperatures.

Vitamin C

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Oregano oil if you can get it, is fantastic for colds, chesty ones and head colds. Also, i use hydrogen peroxide 3 in my and ds's ears. You just syringe it in, gently let it sit for about a minute until it froths up and then clear out. Not only does it naturally clear any ear wax out, it finds its way to the eustachian tube and into the respiratory tract and cleans out germs.

Coltsfoot is excellent for a tickly cough. If you can get the herb make it into a tea. I swear by this, though not sure if its ok for children.

Zinc and vitamin C. when the cold is just starting get the Zinc into you it rapidly reduces the symptoms.

Unfortunately ds has had cold/infection since Christmas, on and off. Nothing has worked, not even homeopathy so finally had to give in and give him antibiotics. His life was hell with it, and all i did was worry. If you do give anitbiotics ask doctor for the mildest ones like erythromycin.

If anybody knows where to get oregano oil in U.K. maybe they could let me know. Mine is imported and hugely expensive.

Thanks for all the further advice, now I have lots to go on! I did try dd1 with hot elderberry cordial with added lemon and honey but she didn't like it - it's a shame as I love it even when I don't have a cold!

Bonnie, I hope your dd is better, and your ds mamadadawahwah.

I know colds etc. are only minor but it's so sad for them when they are little.

Yes, its hard to know what to do. My ds was sick for a month. I did not want to use antibiotic and resisted and resisted. When the green snot was hanging down to his toes, I decided it was time to try something a bit more powerful. Babies immune systems arent up to snuff till they are three and sometimes they just cant fight it. dont get me wrong, i am 100 percent behind alternative remedies but i tried everything with my ds and nothing was working and he was getting worse. Feel guilty pumping him with antibiotic but its only been 8 hours and he is better already.

mamadadawahwah, my dd2 has had two lots of antibiotics this winter despite being breastfed. Sometimes they need them, there' sno doubt about it. I'd just like som eideas I can use alongside conventional medicine to give them a boost.

Here's recipe for a natural cough mixture - combine equal parts of honey or golden syrup, malt vinegar and lemon juice, and sip when needed. Good for grownups too.

I find chest rubs are really good for stuffy noses, or if they are very tiny you can put some on a cloth and place it under the sheet/mattress.

Humidifiers are good in the bedroom, esp if you can get some lemon or thyme essential oil to add to the water. Try a couple of drops of peppermint oil in bathwater with a teaspoon of almond oil.

Hope everyone's ill little ones are feeling better soon.

thank you