minor ailments - if in doubt phone or pop into a good pharmacy and pharmacist will help - home remedies are often very effective, here are some of ours
cough - many gps and pharmacists will suggest that you dont pour useless chemicals down child's thoat (strong words!) - glycerine type syrup or honey and lemon water may help a bit but if you want to help your child ask pharmacist if there is anything useful available
chesty cough and congestion - hot shower for vapours, damp towels on radiators in winter for same, vicks or similar, raise pillows at night
chicken pox - bicarb in bath water, age appropriate antihistamines
high temp or not respondiung to calpol - give ibuprofen as well and use tepid water but not icy cold water
ear ache thats not discharging and not really painful - drop of olive oil inside the ear plus calpol plus see how it goes
colds and coughs etc - drop of lavender and teatree oil mixed with olive or kitchen oil and rub into chest and back (stimulates imune system and helps combat viruses and bacteria)
minor cuts and grazes - try not to dress it unless needed to keep clean/avoid pain as it will heal much better without a plaster. If plaster required and doesnt need to be waterproof cut out a bit of plain dressing pad and tape on with micropore tape as this allows it to breathe and really speeds up healing time
sprains - ibuprofen (an anti inflammatory to reduce swelling), witchhazel or bag of frozen peas, homeopathic arnica tablets for bruising and swelling - if quite bad strap with stretchy bandage to make them more comfortable