Effective Home Remedies for Kids’ Cough

While modern medicine has made significant strides in treating various conditions, time-tested home remedies remain a popular choice for common ailments – and for good reason. Many doctors even recommend these tried-and-true methods for alleviating symptoms.

One prevalent issue during the winter months is coughs in children, which can linger for weeks. Fortunately, there are several ways to help soothe your child’s cough. Here are 12 of the best home remedies to try:

Home Remedies for Kids’ Cough

1. Steam: A Natural Congestion Relief

Coughing is often the body’s way of clearing congestion caused by dry or thickened mucus. Fortunately, heat and moisture are excellent remedies for thinning out stubborn mucus, making steam an effective home remedy for coughs in kids.

How to Use Steam:

1. Create a steamy environment: Shut the doors of your bathroom and run a hot shower.
2. Spend quality time: Sit with your child in the steamy room for 15 minutes before bedtime.

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1. Repeat the process: Repeat the steam treatment in the morning.
2. Continue until symptoms clear: Continue the morning and evening steam treatments until your child’s cough subsides.

This simple, non-invasive remedy can help loosen mucus, ease congestion, and provide relief from coughing.

2. Orange Juice Popsicles: Nutritious Remedy

Orange juice is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which plays a vital role in boosting the immune system and fighting off infections that can cause coughing. Additionally, orange juice popsicles can help soothe a dry, scratchy throat often associated with prolonged coughing.

Benefits of Orange Juice Popsicles:

• High in Vitamin C to support immune function
• Helps to soothe and calm a irritated throat
• Fun and delicious way to deliver essential nutrients

Instructions:

1. Prepare the mixture: Fill an ice cube tray with organic orange juice.
2. Freeze the mixture: Place the tray in the freezer for at least an hour.
3. Add toothpicks: Remove the tray from the freezer and insert toothpicks into each compartment.
4. Continue freezing: Return the tray to the freezer until the popsicles are solid.
5. Serve: Offer the orange juice popsicles to your child 2-3 times a day.

This refreshing and nutritious remedy is an excellent way to support your child’s immune system while providing relief from coughing and a sore throat.

3. Chicken Soup: Nourishing Remedy

Chicken soup has been a trusted remedy for cold and bronchial symptoms for centuries, dating back to the 12th Century. This comforting and delicious dish remains one of the best home remedies for cough in kids. While store-bought options are available, homemade chicken soup offers the most benefits due to its rich nutrient content.

Benefits of Homemade Chicken Soup:

• Rich in essential vitamins and minerals
• Soothes and calms the throat and chest
• Helps to ease congestion and coughing
• Provides warmth and comfort

Instructions for Homemade Chicken Soup:

1. Prepare the stock: Bring 1 whole chicken and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil in a large stockpot filled with 8 cups of water.
2. Add aromatics: Add 3 thinly sliced medium onions, 2 stalks of sliced celery, and 4 cloves of crushed garlic.

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1. Simmer the stock: Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
2. Add carrots: Remove the chicken breast and set aside. Add 6 sliced medium carrots and simmer partially covered for 40 minutes.
3. Finish the soup: Remove the remaining chicken, allow to cool slightly, and remove the meat from the bones. Cut the desired amount of chicken into small, bite-sized pieces and return to the soup.
4. Serve warm: Allow the soup to cool slightly and serve warm.

This nourishing and delicious homemade chicken soup is an excellent way to provide your child with essential nutrients and comfort while helping to alleviate coughing and congestion.

4. Coconut Oil with Eucalyptus and Peppermint Oil: A Natural Chest Rub

For thousands of years, eucalyptus oil has been used to alleviate colds, coughs, and chest congestion. This natural expectorant helps clear mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract, while also acting as a decongestant. Peppermint oil, a natural menthol, helps open up bronchial airways, making it easier for your child to breathe and potentially eliminating their cough.

Benefits of this Natural Chest Rub:

• Helps clear mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract
• Acts as a natural decongestant
• Opens up bronchial airways for easier breathing
• Can help eliminate coughing

Instructions:

1. Melt the coconut oil: Place 1/4 cup of coconut oil in a small, clean glass jar or measuring cup. Heat it in a saucepan of water over low heat until melted.
2. Add essential oils: Drop 3 drops each of eucalyptus and peppermint oil into the melted coconut oil.
3. Cool and massage: Allow the mixture to cool, then massage it onto your child’s chest and neck.
4. Use as needed: Apply this natural chest rub as often as necessary to help alleviate your child’s cough and congestion.

This natural chest rub is a gentle and effective way to provide your child with relief from coughing and congestion.

5. Honey: A Soothing and Natural Cough Suppressant

Persistent coughing can lead to painful inflammation in the throat. Honey is a natural remedy that not only soothes this inflammation but also helps suppress coughing, making it an excellent home remedy for coughs in kids.

Important Safety Note:

• Avoid giving honey to children under 2 years old, as they lack the necessary enzymes to defend against spores found in honey that can lead to infant botulism.

Instructions:

1. Administer honey based on age:
2. 2-5 years old: 1/2 teaspoon honey before bedtime
3. 6-11 years old: 1 teaspoon honey before bedtime
4. 12 and over: 2 teaspoons honey before bedtime
5. Repeat each night: Continue administering honey until your child’s cough has cleared.

Honey is a natural, safe, and effective way to provide your child with relief from coughing and throat inflammation.

6. Bulb Syringe: A Gentle and Effective Nasal Aspirator

Coughs are often accompanied by congestion in the chest, head, and nasal passages. When children are too young to blow their noses effectively, a bulb syringe can be a lifesaver. This simple tool helps draw out dried-up mucus, providing relief from congestion.

Important Safety Note:

• Limit use to 2-3 times a day: Excessive use can damage the lining of the nasal passage.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the syringe: Squeeze the bulb syringe to remove any air.
2. Insert the syringe: Gently insert the rubber tip into the nostril.
3. Close off the other nostril: Use your finger to close off the other nostril, allowing for better suction.
4. Release the bulb: Slowly release the bulb to draw in air and suction out mucus.
5. Expel the mucus: Remove the syringe and squeeze the bulb into a tissue to expel the collected mucus.
6. Repeat on the other side: Wipe off the syringe and repeat the process with the other nostril.

By using a bulb syringe, you can help gently remove mucus and reduce congestion, making it easier for your child to breathe and recover from a cough.

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