Natural home remedies to relieve flu symptoms in children
The use of medication in children has a number of pros and cons. In order to minimise possible side effects, many parents first try out tried and tested natural home remedies. Here is a small selection of natural home remedies that have helped my child and myself many times and have therefore passed the acid test.
At nursery, at school, when shopping, at friends' houses - there are many places where our children can get infected. But running straight to the doctor every time is unthinkable for many parents. After all, there are quite a few colds that you go through over the course of time. And if we're honest, cold symptoms don't always appear between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday. It is therefore often necessary to bridge the night or even the weekend to avoid a hospital visit. Well-tried, natural home remedies come in handy alongside loving care and plenty of rest. However, it is still important to seek medical help at the right time.
Fever
Bed bottle
Does your child complain of chills? Then put it under the duvet with a water bottle. But be careful: never fill the hot water bottle with water that is too hot, otherwise the child could be scalded. Extra caution is required here, especially with babies and small children. They cannot simply remove the hot water bottle if it gets too hot. I recommend pre-warming the bed with the bottle and only putting the child in after removing it. If necessary, it can be placed at the foot end. Alternatively, you can use a cherry stone cushion or make a warming foot bath.
Tea
Whenever a child has a cold, they should drink plenty of fluids, as the defence against viruses consumes more fluids than normal. This fluid must be replenished. Warming drinks such as teas are preferable here. The tea can be flavoured with a little lemon or a spoonful of honey. However, use honey from the first birthday at the earliest!
Therapeutic teas: elderflower, lime blossom, peppermint leaves (unsuitable for babies) and lemon balm
Pyretic vinegar compress
When the fever thermometer reads over 40°C, parents can get a bit worried. Most of the time, the little body is literally glowing, the child can't sleep and is restless. Who can blame them, as we all know what a fever feels like. A vinegar compress can help here. Prepare some lukewarm water (approx. 30°C) and add a sip of vinegar. Then dip a tea towel or gauze cloth into the water, unwrap it and wrap it tightly around the lower leg. Tie a terry towel over it. Do the same with the other leg. Change the compress every 20 to 30 minutes. Ten minutes is often enough for babies and toddlers, as they cool down quickly. It generally takes around two hours to lower the body temperature by one degree.
Attention: This temperature-reducing wrap must not be used on a cold body! As soon as the legs, hands or feet are cold, the cold compress can even become dangerous and cause the circulation to collapse. Warm the legs evenly for the time being with a bed bottle or a warm foot bath.
Sore throat
Hot milk with honey
If your throat hurts badly, hot milk with honey can help. When I was a child, Ricola herbal tea with rock candy and, if necessary, a little honey also helped.
Quark compresses
Nasty, moist and smells nasty - but it helps! Take a large gauze cloth, place household paper on it and put two to three spoonfuls of quark on top. Wrap it around your neck. As curd is anti-inflammatory, it takes the inflammation out of your throat. The curd hardens and can then be removed or replaced. If pus has already collected on the tonsils, the cold compress should be replaced with a warm compress (e.g. potato compress).
Saline solution
If your child complains of a sore throat, you can have them gargle salt water. The salt cleanses and has a disinfectant effect. If salt tends to cause nausea, as it did for me, simply use sage or camomile tea to gargle
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Sage lozenges
Sage lozenges are recommended if you have a sore throat. Sage has a disinfectant and antibacterial effect and relieves pain in an instant. Inflammation in the mouth and throat can be treated efficiently and quickly before the pain gets worse.
Cough
Cold ointments
For example, the potato balm from "santénatur" is ideal for babies and toddlers. It consists of potato juice, minerals and essential oils and can be massaged onto the chest and back.
Inhalation
If your child has a cough, you can have them inhale thyme - in tea form, for example. Water with a little cold ointment is also an option. You will need an inhaler or simply a bowl and a tea towel. Fill the bowl with the appropriate tea and place the cloth over it. Your child then puts their head underneath and breathes in the resulting vapours, which relieve the cough.
Tea
Whenever a child has a cold, they should drink plenty of fluids, as the defence against viruses consumes more fluids than normal. This fluid must be replenished. Warming drinks such as teas are preferable here. The tea can be flavoured with a little lemon or a spoonful of honey. However, use honey from the first birthday at the earliest!
- Irritation-relieving teas: marshmallow root, mallow, ribwort plantain and Iceland moss
- Mucolytic teas: thyme, fennel and primrose root
Sniffles
Sliced onions
Whether you put them in an old stocking and hang them up or simply put them on a plate next to the bed. The sliced onion quickly takes effect and helps with a stuffy nose. OK, the room may smell impossible, but it works.
Saline solution
Using a saline solution moisturises the nasal mucous membranes. The salt cleanses and has a disinfectant effect. When it is introduced through the nose, the saline solution flows directly down the inside of the throat and treats it at the same time. You can remove the remaining secretions with a nasal aspirator.
Cold ointments
For example, the potato balm from "santénatur" is ideal for babies and toddlers. It consists of potato juice, minerals and essential oils and can be massaged onto the chest and back.
Inhalation
If your child has a cold, you can let them inhale camomile, sage or thyme - in tea form, for example. To do this, you need an inhaler or simply a bowl and a tea towel. Fill the bowl with the tea and place the cloth over it. Your child then puts their head underneath and breathes in the resulting vapours, which loosen the cold
.
Tea
Whenever a child has a cold, they should drink plenty of fluids, as the defence against viruses consumes more fluids than normal. This fluid must be replenished. Warming drinks such as teas are preferable here. The tea can be flavoured with a little lemon or a spoonful of honey. However, use honey from the first birthday at the earliest!
Teas for colds by inhalation: camomile, sage or thyme
Wet cloths
High humidity in the room helps with colds. To achieve this level of humidity, you can hang the laundry you have just washed or simply a wet cloth in the room
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Recommended reading
I bought the book "Förderung der Eigenheilkräfte" myself and have used it several times. It shows in a simple way which home remedies to use and in what form. It also contains additional tips for babies and small children. Which was perfect for my initial situation. [[product:6508630,7105222,2378872]]
These natural home remedies are a selection that I know from my own experience and have used several times in self-tests. Please always make sure to use the home remedies correctly, for example when applying a compress. As soon as you are not sure, your child's condition is not clearly definable or it deteriorates quickly, you should definitely consult a doctor.
I’m the cook, cleaner, police officer, nurse, entertainer, motivator, author, storyteller, coach, organiser, chauffeur, lawyer and judge. To put it simply, I’m a mum to a daughter and not just a (Content) Manager at the office but also at home.