So your child has a cough, sniffly nose or allergies — don’t reach for the Benadryl, Tylenol or cough syrup just yet. While everyone’s health is different and you do always need to check with a doctor or other health professional before taking steps to alleviate one of your child’s ailments, there are many common and safe, all-natural remedies that, if given your doctor’s green light, can keep your family healthy at home, without any of the nasty chemicals.
Here are 8 all-natural remedies that just may work for your child’s most common ailments.
1. Unprocessed, Local Honey
No, really. Unprocessed, local honey isn’t just a tasty treat. It’s also a good remedy for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Wild honey made by local bees feeding off local plants can help your child better fight off allergies caused by regional pollen. The remedy is also suitable for adults and, while you can take the honey plain, it’s also a good addition to any tea or coffee.
Honey is also a good remedy for a sore throat, when combined with lemon juice and microwaved until warm.
But remember — you should never feed honey to children under the age of 1.
2. Ginger
Does your child suffer from nausea on occasion? Beyond being a delicious addition to your favorite foods, ginger can help those who suffer from nausea, vomiting, and other abdominal discomforts.
Children and pregnant women alike can safely eat ginger, either as a ginger tea or a chew (which you can usually find in your local health foods store). Children may prefer their ginger added to apple juice or apple sauce, to help cut down the potent flavor.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda isn’t just a cleaning wonder. Break out the baking soda from the baking cabinet the next time your child complains of an itchy bug bite, and add it to your medicine cabinet arsenal.
You can mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste, and then dab it onto the bite for almost immediate relief!
4. Cayenne Pepper
You likely already have this natural remedy in your home as well. Cayenne pepper is a good remedy for nosebleeds, as the spice quickens blood clotting.
If your child (or you) is suffering from a nosebleed, pinch their nostrils shut for a few minutes and then rub a moistened Q-tip doused in cayenne pepper inside their nostril, wherever the bleeding is occurring.
It doesn’t hurt — like you’d expect from putting pepper up your nose — and is quite effective.
5. Onions
Onions are stinky, that’s for sure — but they’re also powerful when it comes to all-natural remedies.
Slice a raw onion and place it next to your child’s bed if they have an earache or stuffy nose, and the aroma will help them drain that mucus faster, as well as open up their sinus passageways.
6. Prunes
Dealing with constipation with one of your little ones? Don’t go for the over-the-counter remedy just yet, when an all-natural, milder remedy might work.
Give your child, even a baby or toddler (so long as they’re eating solid foods), some chopped organic prunes. Most kids will like the sweet taste and prunes are an effective, fast remedy for constipation.
7. Oatmeal
Whether your child is suffering from the chickenpox or just about any condition that gives them itchy, dry skin, oatmeal can help.
Draw a bath and sprinkle a half of a cup of ground oatmeal into the water. Mix it up (the water will look a bit gross, but that’s okay) and allow your child to soak. You can actually repeat this a few times a day, as the oatmeal provides much-needed relief and soothing.
8. Chamomile
If your child doesn’t care for ginger, but you’d still like to try an all-natural remedy for their tummy troubles, go with chamomile. If your child is old enough to drink tea, that will work, but even if you have a baby, you can still use chamomile to soothe their tummies.
All you have to do is steep a few bags of chamomile tea in a bowl of warm water, soak a cleansing cloth in the water, and then cover your baby’s tummy with the cloth for 15 minutes or so.
Just Remember…
Just remember — as stated, you want to take your child’s individual health concerns into consideration before you make any decision regarding their health or treatments. While most all-natural remedies are safe for the general public, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and check with your family pediatrician before using any of the above remedies.
We hope you enjoyed these all natural remedies to help with your child’s ailments. Here are other related articles you may love:
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