Kids and colds

[MoTappin]

With all the scuttlebutt about cold "medicine" not being safe for kids, I thought it might be helpful to start a thread where everyone can post their favorite home/natural remedies for colds/flu. I don't like giving my kids that OTC stuff anyway, and any other helpful hints might be good to have, especially with the cold season approaching!

One thing that really helps a cough (and maybe a cold too) is to put Vapor Rub on the bottom of their feet before they go to bed, and put their socks on. Works better than any cough suppressant! I also like to make my kids a hot lemon drink with water, lemon juice, and honey. They like it and it soothes their throat.

I'm sure Joan has plenty of ideas!! Anyone else?

Meredith--Down from a 14 to a 6!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweat may be gross, Sweat may be stinky... But I'd better keep Tappin' or I'll look like a Twinkie!!

Kiddo #3 (a girl!) BORN 6/21/07

[trcg]

Garlic capsules work great around here. I've busted out more ear infections doing this. My youngest son is very prone to ear infections so I'll do 2-3 days of the capsules 3-4 times a day and we'll beat the infection every time. We start as soon as he says his ear is a bit sore. Haven't used on antibotics with him for 4 years now.

I personally really like the night time airbonne the hot apple cider flavor. It has work great for me.

However, when the kids are really stuffy and coughing and can't sleep I give them Tylenol Cold Plus cough (liquid) only comes in grape flavor. Heck I my husband and I use this product as it works better than any of the adult stuff. None of us use the product during the day, but when sick if the kids can't sleep because they can't breath and can't stop coughing I give them this and in 20 min they are resting and helping to beat the bug.

From what I read the med's the pulled were due to parents giving too much. Too much of anything is bad. Again, we only use at night so the kids can sleep during the day they get to deal with everything. Our bodies do need to have a fever to beat the bug-a fever within reason of course, our lungs need to be able to break the stuff up etc.

Renee

[MoTappin]

So do you put the garlic stuff in the ear, I'm guessing? I'll have to try that.

Meredith--Down from a 14 to a 6!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweat may be gross, Sweat may be stinky... But I'd better keep Tappin' or I'll look like a Twinkie!!

Kiddo #3 (a girl!) BORN 6/21/07

[trcg]

No, I get the soft gel capsules and they swallow them. I just pour some in my hand and give them out. When busting out the ear infection I've been known to give him 8 capsules at once. This same son at one time would not swallow them so he would chew them up. I don't know how he would do it..smelled terrible. He learned quickly how to swallow and we like the soft gels much better over the hard white tablets.

I'm sure using real garlic would be better, but it is not going to happen in this house so the capsules are the way we go.

Renee

[trcg]

Here is an informative story about garlic:
http://www.seagateproducts.com/page39.html

This is 25 min. long.

Renee

[JoanS MH]

Oh boy, I've been waiting for this type of post! Thanks Meredith!

Four drops of garlic oil in BOTH ears and plug with cotton at night will heal ear infections. Always treat both ears even if the infection appears to only be in one ear.

Taking oral garlic is awesome! Dr. Christopher developed a formula that would eliminate the plague! http://herballegacy.com/Super_Garlic.html This can be taken daily as a tonic. When I get sick, I will drink the whole 16 ounces in one day - and am fine after that. DH hate's the smell of garlic! Too bad![}:)]

Red Raspberry Leaf tea - one cup daily for everyone, helps with hormones, and as a preventative for colds & flu. Once the cold/flu symptoms START consume only RRL tea for 2-3 days - this will stop the cold/flu from progressing.[^]

Coughs - Dr. Christopher's Herbal Cough Syrup is awesome. It does not SUPPRESS the cough - it makes it more productive while soothing the chest so it does not hurt. Get the junk up & out!![:0] http://herballegacy.com/Coughs.html

Vapor rub on the feet - yup! Using petroleum jelly on the soles of the feet with crushed garlic (cover with plastic & socks) will rush anti-bacterial properties through the whole system! Do not go up the sides of the feet.

Reflexology points on the hands, feet, head, whole body to relieve congestion.[:0]

Elimination, elimination, elimination!![}:)][:p]:D This should have been first!!;)

Strep throat - mix 3-6 crushed cloves of garlic with raw honey and 1/4 - 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Eat to coat the throat. The cayenne will bring the blood to the area (this is a good thing). The honey has anti-viral & anti-bacterial properties but is really used to keep the cayenne & garlic in place and make it possible to get this mix past the tongue.[:0];) The garlic is the real anti-bacterial factor. Do not drink after this. Children have no problem with this mix and the results are amazing!:D

Fevers - when we suppress a fever we do a few things. First, we stop the body's natural defense system that is designed to eliminate the bacteria. Second, by killing the bacteria in place - we end up with tons of bacteria corpses left behind.[xx(] Last, we have not eliminated the cause of the fever in the first place.:( Working WITH the fever in a hot tub and drinking lots of liquid - preferably a diaphoretic (heat producing) tea you raise the fever, cause faster multiplication of the bacteria that, in turn, these critters eat up more of the mucus in the body - thus eliminating the cause. When the mucus is gone, they die and the perspiration gets them out! Cool, huh? [:0] Here is an extended program for fevers, pneumonia etc. http://herballegacy.com/Cold_Sheet.html

Pneumonia, chest congestion - chop an onion, heat it to a slimey state, put olive oil on the chest then the onions (make sure they are just cool enough to prevent burning), wrap with an ace bandage or tight shirt, go to bed. Usually by morning the congestion has broken up.:)

Cayenne pepper is also good (daily) when cold/flu symptoms start.[}:)]

There are several herbal formulas for chest congestion, allergy related conditions, Immune function, lymphatic system, etc. Go here http://herballegacy.com/Ailments_&_Programs.html and page down to an ailment, click on that and find lots of natural remedies![:p]

Did I mention Elimination?[B)][}:)]:D[:0][^]


Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
For a true mother, unspeakable joy and unbearable pain are the twin handmaidens that come with each child. Inherent in one is the possibility of the other. It is the price a woman pays to fulfill the measure of her creation.
- Ron Carter

[Tina71]

Thanks, Joan! You are wonderful. **reminder to self to call Joan to order products ASAP**:D

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away[8D]

[trcg]

"Pneumonia, chest congestion - chop an onion, heat it to a slimey state, put olive oil on the chest then the onions (make sure they are just cool enough to prevent burning), wrap with an ace bandage or tight shirt, go to bed. Usually by morning the congestion has broken up."

Oh my! My husband often has performances and gets bad congestion at critical rehearsal times. I do wonder what he would do if I did this to him one night. He would think I really lost it...but when he wakes and would be cleared up....maybe he would actually thank me. lol

Renee

[WendyD]

Meredith - Thanks for this thread. Forget the kids, what about we moms with little ones, who get sneezed on (that includes our food too), runny noses wiped all over our shirts and wet/slobbery fingers stuck up our noses. Can you tell I have a 16 mo. old???? So much for keep the germs to yourself.

Great ideas Joan!! You know I love you...BUT...that honey, garlic, cayenne mixture just about did me in! [xx(][xx(][xx(](I had a swollen toncil, yes just one[:I]) First I started coughing - HARD, then my stomach started killing me...oh, not good, not good at all! I had to eat and drink to recover. Then, later that day, I did it again with the same result. (The first time wasn't enough pain for me. :D) GRRR!

What did work, was taking 2T of coconut oil before each meal and in 2 days the swelling was down and I cancelled my doctors appointment! It was much less painful solution.

Reflexology - yup, when I get sick I can feel that different points on my feet and hands are sore. Keep rubbing those out until they aren't painful anymore. (Right Joan?)

Hugs!



Wendy

You can learn something from everyone you meet. Just listen...

[MommyRose]

OOOH lots of good info for the winter! [8D] Great idea Meredith!

Thanks for all the great tips Joan! :) I'm very intrigued by quite a few of them!

I've got to second the garlic drops in the ears for ear infections. What a wonderful thing that has been for us! [8D] I've had little ones wake up screaming with fevers from naps or at nighttime with blazing red ears. After adding the drops I've been able to put them back to bed within' 10 minutes and they sleep the rest of the night...peacefully. :)[^] I've always got liquid garlic capsuls on hand...prick it with a pin and squeeze it in the ear. Takes the pain away quite quickly. :) The odorless works too. ;)

I've said it before and I'll say it again...:D...had GREAT success with Dr. C's Herbal Cough Syrup stopping a croup attack!! :D:D I've got some stashed for the winter. ;)

~Rose

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zacharaiah-age 3

[JoanS MH]

Oh Wendy, what will I do with you??[?];)[B)] Might it be possible that your ratio of cayenne was more than your honey??[}:)] Sounds like it!! And, you are right on the reflexology. Actually even when you are not actually sick, working out any sore spot will often times prevent a condition from settling into the bod! Kids love having their feet rubbed. You can even rub the garlic oil into the feet after working the reflex points!;)

FYI - odorless garlic does not have the healing properties that regular garlic has. The "scent" contains the good stuff!:) Sorry Rose!!

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
For a true mother, unspeakable joy and unbearable pain are the twin handmaidens that come with each child. Inherent in one is the possibility of the other. It is the price a woman pays to fulfill the measure of her creation.
- Ron Carter

[MommyRose]

Hmmm...didn't know that about the scent of garlic is where the healing properites is. However...the odor less STILL worked! ;) I will say, however, I've always felt it didn't work as well...its never been my first choice. It's just what I've bought when there wasn't another option. I don't mind the smell of the garlic at all. Got me lots of Italian babies when there are ear aches going around. :D

I took the garlic, honey and cayenne concoction when I had a sore throat and it did stop my sore throat issue. I don't think I had an infection just a precursor to a cold. Those sore throats can hang on me for days. I also didn't mind the concoction...call me crazy I guess! :D Plus, I didn't get sick like Wendy...I think it just proves how sensitive Wendy is! ;):D


~Rose

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zacharaiah-age 3

[drtgrbr]

Hi Joan, my 9 year old daughter just had a bad round with her asthma. I would love to treat her naturally. My concern would be to know how much to give her. Do you have any recommendations as to what and how much? She is presently taking steroids and breathing treatments using a nebulizer.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Renae

[JoanS MH]

Renae - one thing I really like about herbs in their whole state is that they are food and the body will eliminate what is not needed!;) Most herbal remedies are based on a 150 pound adult so factoring the weight for someone smaller or larger would make the dosage just right!!:D

This was posted someplace else...brain cramp...but this has lots of info for asthma http://herballegacy.com/Asthma.html

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
For a true mother, unspeakable joy and unbearable pain are the twin handmaidens that come with each child. Inherent in one is the possibility of the other. It is the price a woman pays to fulfill the measure of her creation.
- Ron Carter

[drtgrbr]

Thanks Joan, I'm going to check out what it has to say. I would love to try something else to give her relief.

Renae

[Tina71]

Joan-

If you had to pick the top few things to have on hand for the "Germy" cold/flu season for the family, what would they be? I plan to place an order tomorrow. And want to get the best few things. thanks!

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[MommyRose]

Tina, I just want to put a vote in for Dr. Christopher's Cough Syrup on your top list. Again, it has shown to be invaluable to me the last two nights. I've had two with croup issues again and it works so well to stop an attack short and help to heal the problem. I'm on my 2nd bottle and will be ordering two more upon my return from our Thanksgiving trip. I won't be without it. ;) :D I'm sure its just as handy for coughing issues as it is with croup! :D Oh...and my kiddos don't have a problem with the taste...from the 2 yo to the 8 yo! [^]

~Rose

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zachariah age 3
Proud homeschooling mom of 4 very interesting boys!!!

[Tina71]

The cough syrup was a definite on my list. I want to order all kinds of stuff, but need to only get a few things right now. :) Thanks Rose! I am glad that it has helped your kids. I wish I would have known about it when my older son had croup so much

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[JoanS MH]

Tina - here is a link of Dr. Christopher's with lots of options. Many you probably already have at home!! Yeah! http://herballegacy.com/Colds_Catarrh_Coryza_Influenza.html

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
In life's adventure to find ultimate peace one must harmonize body and mind. Take control of your health ~ by increasing in wisdom. Increase in wisdom by improving your health.

[Tina71]

Thanks Joan [^]

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[Tina71]

Thanks Joan! I just placed for order (finally) I hope I got the right things :D

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[lucia]

Tina,

I agree with the Dr. C Cough Syrup... I have one open and one spare... it's a miracle worker for coughs and chest congestion. I also love Love LOVE Kid-e-Well... I find it cuts a cold down by several days AND it won't let a cold progress to something nastier as used to be the case in the past for us. I would also add Oil of Oregano for older children...amazing at stopping throat infections. On a daily basis I give my 2 yr old the Dr. C. garlic syrup (immune Boost I think it's called) and she takes it straight. Amazing how it stops post nasal drip.

If canker sores are an issue (as they are with my young ones after a fever) then try sage tea... it gets rid of a canker sore within 24-36 hours. I mix it with mango juice to get them to drink it.

Finally, (I think it's already been mentioned though) for ear infections garlic oil drops in both ears works really well along with holding an onion against the ear that's been boiled for about 3 minutes - sorry,.. boil the onion, not the ear... boil with skin then remove and I put it in some cheesecloth. So comforting for the child.

Colds used to stress me out so much but I've already gone through a couple of rounds since school started and I'm smiling all the way through. I actually have enough energy now to hold my children and cuddle them instead of running around like a headless freaking out chicken. I find Dr. C. is also helping my kids have healthy colds... you know, where the immune system gets to exercise a little and then all is back to normal with 2 to 3 days
.
HTH
lucia
P.S. I have to add I also give my 2 daughters Kid-e-Reg because they were not having normal bowel movements as per Joan's description. I think this helps with prevention.

P.P.S. I hope all this makes sense... been typing while my 2 year old is giving me a facial massage :D

[JoanS MH]

Don't forget the Red Raspberry Leaf tea. At the onset of cold/flu symptoms consume ONLY RRL tea for 2-3 days (you won't starve). This will generally stop the condition from progressing further! (No PMS is a bonus!)[^]

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
In life's adventure to find ultimate peace one must harmonize body and mind. Take control of your health ~ by increasing in wisdom. Increase in wisdom by improving your health.

[Tina71]

I have a sick boy today. Fever and what seems like strep throat. I don't have cayenne though. :( I hate when he doesn't feel well.

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[JoanS MH]

Tina - Is your son feeling better today? Buy some Cayenne! Mix the cayenne, garlic, honey - have him eat it. Don't drink anything afterwards.;)

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
In life's adventure to find ultimate peace one must harmonize body and mind. Take control of your health ~ by increasing in wisdom. Increase in wisdom by improving your health.

[Tina71]

Yes he is still sick. How much garlic to you mix in? I hate to say this, but I have only ever bought minced garlic in the jar. I have never bought a garlic bulb.[:I]

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[JoanS MH]

Tina - from page 1....

Strep throat - mix 3-6 crushed cloves of garlic with raw honey and 1/4 - 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Eat to coat the throat. The cayenne will bring the blood to the area (this is a good thing). The honey has anti-viral & anti-bacterial properties but is really used to keep the cayenne & garlic in place and make it possible to get this mix past the tongue. The garlic is the real anti-bacterial factor. Do not drink after this. Children have no problem with this mix and the results are amazing!

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
In life's adventure to find ultimate peace one must harmonize body and mind. Take control of your health ~ by increasing in wisdom. Increase in wisdom by improving your health.

[Tina71]

Thanks Joan. He is running a fever tonight. I have him in a bath right now

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[JoanS MH]

Make sure it is drinking lots of liquids.

If he breaks a sweat-good! Before he goes to bed, close his pores with a cool shower...tell him I'm sorry for that but it will keep the heat in! Let the bacteria multiply and eat up the junk![xx(][}:)]

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
In life's adventure to find ultimate peace one must harmonize body and mind. Take control of your health ~ by increasing in wisdom. Increase in wisdom by improving your health.

[Tina71]

Thanks Joan! You are the best! :)

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[Zeenabean]

The first "feeling" or sign of a cold, sore throat etc. I put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear and let sit for 5 mins. I do this up to 3x daily. It does lessen or stop the cold in it's tracks. My DD lets me (6 yrs) but my DS (5 yrs.) gives me a hard time. (He hates ANY kind of meds. etc.)

For a sore throat (my father swears by this and made me a believer too) gargle with salt water and peroxide. 3 parts salt water to one part peroxide. It breaks up the junk and stops the soreness too.

Beth

P.S. Great ideas, Ladies...I loathe medicating my family for every little thing.

[Tina71]

Thanks, Beth! ;)

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[lauren]

Oh Joan. Wow! Have a sore throat so logged on the forum to try the garlic, honey and pepper mix. Whew! That was intense. I will let you know tomorrow if it's gone. I have an instant headache though - toxins?

Hugs to you!

Have a great day!

**lauren**
T-Tapp Staffer/ T-Tapper
Questions? Contact me:
1.877.TAPP.FIT


Taking my own advice - Started at a 14 on 4/26.
Now in a 10 and working my way down!
1 more sizes to go! Yay me!

[Tina71]

Hope your sore throat is better tomorrow, Lauren!

Tina

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

[MoTappin]

Bump! DH and my 5 and 3 year old are both coughing up a storm since last night, and stuffy. Joan, do you know if Dr. C's cough syrup can be found at Wild Oats or Good Earth? I wanna get it fast...like yesterday.:D

So far the baby and I are okay. I think I actually had this a week or two ago, but it stayed mainly in my nose and I didn't cough much. Of course, I'm willing to do things (like eating garlic...yep...fresh cloves if I have to...with lots of juice to wash it down) that DH and kids aren't willing to do. So I think I fought it off. For the baby, whenever there's a hint of stuffiness I clean out her nose and give her Xlear nasal wash 2-3 times a day. It works!

Meredith--Down from a 14 to a 6!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweat may be gross, Sweat may be stinky... But I'd better keep Tappin' or I'll look like a Twinkie!!

http://www.pondiferous.blogspot.com/

[JoanS MH]

Don't forget that mucus forming foods will plug the colon:([xx(] and ultimately the upper respiratory as well. Keep the bowels moving and avoid foods that are the problem - dairy, eggs, sugars, meats, etc. Lots of fresh juices, veggies, fruits, etc. And, great on the garlic!!;):D

I do not know who carrys which of Dr. C's products - just call and ask. The cough syrup is called Herbal Cough Syrup.

Meredith - are you nursing? If so, the baby will get the garlic through you![:p]

Joan Schrader, MH
Health And Wisdom
www.health-and-wisdom.com
In life's adventure to find ultimate peace one must harmonize body and mind. Take control of your health ~ by increasing in wisdom. Increase in wisdom by improving your health.

[MoTappin]

Yep, I'm nursing. So I'm sure the garlic thing has helped little Eliza. I'm soooo glad she hasn't gotten sick!!

Hoping to run out tonight when DH comes home and find some Dr. C!

Meredith--Down from a 14 to a 6!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweat may be gross, Sweat may be stinky... But I'd better keep Tappin' or I'll look like a Twinkie!!

http://www.pondiferous.blogspot.com/

[MoTappin]

Well, DH took our DD to the pediatric ER today. She had started complaining of ear pain. She has one ear that is "almost infected." They gave DH a prescription for antibiotics, but I'll be darned if I'm going to give her antibiotics for an ear that is "almost" infected. I know my regular pediatrician (love him) might have written the scrip, but then he'd have said said, "wait 2-3 days before you fill this and see if it gets better with such-and-such home treatment."

When the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics say that most ear infections will clear up without antibiotics, I don't know why the write prescriptions for ears that are "almost infected." Then they wonder why we have resistant bugs from overuse. DUH!

We're gonna do the garlic thing, and probably some colloidal silver drops in the ears for a couple of days. I did some silver drops right before they went to the doc, and by the time they got seen, it didn't hurt anymore.

Meredith--Down from a 14 to a 6!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweat may be gross, Sweat may be stinky... But I'd better keep Tappin' or I'll look like a Twinkie!!

http://www.pondiferous.blogspot.com/

[john5]

Wonderful info, thought this would be a good info during cold/flu season

[john5]

Bumpin this thread, great information. My twin boys are fighting fever/ear infection right now and looking for some help and I found it.