10 Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

With Seasonal changes the cough and cold in kids is inevitable.This is a regular affair especially with preschoolers as they are exposed more to outer world apart from their cosy, well protected walls of home. We all know that cold and cough is not only contagious but they often get it from their peers in school.

As a mother, we can’t stop them from going to school but definitely do something to boost their immunity. We can curb cold and cough from simple home remedies that comes straight from the kitchen shelves.

I follow few of them religiously whenever there is seasonal change to safeguard them from this common ailment.

Home Remedies for Cough and Cold for kids (above 2yrs)

1. A mixture of Tulsi, Ginger and Honey –

This mixture is my weapon during seasonal change . The moment I feel the weather is changing , I start giving this mixture morning and evening preferably in empty stomach. Take few washed tulsi leaves and half inch ginger grind it in a marble mortar and pestle . Squeeze out the juice from the ground pulp in a container and add honey to it.

Tulsi or Holy Basil has numerous medicinal properties as it contains Vitamin C and antioxidants that plays a vital role in curing cold and cough.Ginger on the other hand has a substance called Gingerol which has several medicinal properties.

2. Milk and Turmeric

Another religious routine that I follow especially in monsoon and winters is to give warm milk along with pinch of Haldi or Turmeric. Turmeric has an active compound called curcumin which has several scientifically proven health benefits. Its inflammatory and antioxidant properties makes it a immunity booster spice of Indian Household.

3.Massage Mustard oil along with Garlic and Kalonji

Take Mustard oil along with couple of garlic pods and kalonji and heat the oil . Apply it on chest, back, navel and on foot. Garlic and Kalonji ( kala Jeera) both have numerous medicinal properties that helps in combating common cold and flu. Consuming raw garlic also helps in keeping cold and cough at bay.

4. Honey, Lemon and Cinnamon concoction

This concoction is very tasty because of sour and sweet taste of lemon and honey respectively. Kids are not reluctant to take it .Moreover, honey has an array of plant chemicals known as antioxidants. Honey has both antibacterial and antifungal properties and helps from recovering from cold. It also soothes sore throat.

5. Ginger and Honey

If you don’t have basil or Tulsi leaves at your disposal then you can just give honey and ginger. Honey and ginger both soothes sore throat and curbs dry cough especially during night.

6.Ajwain Kada

Kada with ajwain is excellent for cough and cold.

Ingredients:

• Ajwain or Omam – 1 teaspoon
• Tulsi or Basil leaves
• Dry Ginger powder
• Clove – 1
• Black Pepper- 5 kernels
• turmeric -1/2 teaspoon
• Jaggery – 1/3 cup
• Water -1/2 cup

Method :

Take all the ingredients in a heavy bottomed vessel and boil for 10 mins or the quantity reduces to 3/4th. Strain, cool and feed it to your kid. Don’t give the the kada if you are giving allopathic cough syrup. It works very well for 6 plus months babies .

7.Nilgiri Oil

Nilgiri Oil is better known as Eucalyptus oil.The oil is extracted from trees and has several health benefits like clearing sinuses, relieving respiratory issues,providing relief from allergies etc. It is expectorant and hence is used for cold relief too.

Dip a cotton ball in Nilgiri oil and place it near your baby or kid . You can also add few drops in your diffuser, if you have one.

8.Garlic Ajwain Potli

Take few garlic pods and ajwain in a muslin cloth and tie it well making it as potli. It has to be warmed up before use . Place it on a pan or tawa, place it for short duration so that it does not get heated up. This medicated potli helps in removing cough from chest. An effective way of getting rid of congestion and phlegm.

Note:

Before placing it up on kid’s chest check the temperature by placing it on the palm or inside of the wrist.

9.Saffron Milk

Kesar milk or saffron milk is quite effective for cold and cough in toddlers.Add few strands of saffron in 1 cup of boiling milk . Cool it and strain the strands before offering it to your kid at bedtime.

10. Clove Honey mix

It sounds strange but clove works well for cold and cough apart from giving relief from tooth pain. It is an expectorant and helps in removing cough.Roast cloves in a tawa or pan and grind them. Give pinch of powdered cloves with honey.

Tips that can help your baby sleep peacefully with blocked nose and chest congestion

• Keep the chest and head of the child elevated by couple of pillows while sleeping. Elevated upper body helps the child to breathe properly without disrupting sleep.

• Steam Inhalation – Help the child to inhale steam while covering his head with a heavy towel so that the steam does not escapes. Try placing his face over steam. It helps to release mucus blocked in nose and respiratory tract.

• Use a Humidifier – Humidifier moistens the dry air and helps to provide relief from cold and cough.Place the humidifier in Baby’s room while he is sleeping. You need to clean the humidifier regularly, or they begin to house mold and bacteria which can affect your child’s health.

Hope these tips and home remedies would help you to keep cold and cough at bay for your child with every seasonal change.

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