How To Treat Your Children From Cough And Cold Using Simple Ayurvedic Home Remedies?

Introduction

How to treat cough in children and infants may be one of the everyday things that every mother may wonder about. Although many options are available to treat cough or cold, the safety of these options for treating cough in children may constitute an obstacle to their use.

Many infants and children suffer from cough, which may be either a dry cough or may be accompanied by the presence of sputum. The cause of coughing may differ from child to child, and accordingly, the method of treating cough in a child may vary.

For example, the causes of sudden coughing in infants may include respiratory infections or allergies. Asthma, GERD, or postnasal drip may cause a persistent cough in infants that lasts more than four weeks.

Some may ask what helps treat cough and cold for children quickly.

Or what is a good home remedy for a child's cough?

In this article, we talk about the causes of coughing in children. And home remedies for cough and cold in children.

 

What are the causes of cough & cold in children?

The viral infection invades the cells in the airway, and this causes irritation and inflammation that may lead to coughing or sneezing. A child may contract a virus from inhaling particles in the air, in addition to many other reasons, which are:

1- The Colds

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colds caused by rhinoviruses are one of the leading causes of cough in children.

2- The Flu

Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease that is more dangerous than the common cold for children, especially those under the age of five. It is one of the causes of coughing in children.

Influenza can cause complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, brain impairment, and, rarely, death.

While symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue.

3- Pneumonia

A child may develop pneumonia from a virus, bacteria, or fungus, all of which cause coughing in children.

Globally, pneumonia is the leading cause of death among newborn children under five.

The symptoms include the following:

- Rapid breathing

- snoring or wheezing

- Cough

- Fever

- Chest pain or pain while coughing

 

4- Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a common viral infection in infants and children under two years of age. Swelling of the small airways (bronchioles) makes breathing difficult, causing wheezing and coughing.

 

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, preschool children who attend daycare can have approximately eight respiratory viral infections a year, usually lasting ten days each.

 

If a child's cough occurs near the end of an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, and goes away within one to two weeks, parents do not need to do anything.

Coughing during a cold can help clear body mucus from the airways and protect the lungs.

However, if the cough is dry or unproductive, the caregiver should ensure that the child drinks plenty of fluids and warm drinks; To help soothe the throat.

5- Surrounding Irritants

Children may breathe in irritants in the environment that irritate the airway and cause inflammation, leading to a dry cough. These irritants include:

- Air pollution

- Cigarette smoke

- Steam

- The dust

- Dry air

The child usually recovers quickly from the irritants of the cough, but if exposed to them repeatedly, he may develop a chronic cough.

 

What is the best ayurvedic home remedy for cough & cold in children?

1- Honey

Honey contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, which may contribute to its relaxing effect. For children older than one year, honey works to soothe sore throats, relieve congestion, treat cough and its duration, reduce cough frequency, and enhance sleep. These properties help fight infections and can boost your child's immune system.

Because honey is so viscous, it works like a cough drop. When ingested, it coats the lining of the throat, relieving pain or itching.

Doctors recommend not giving honey to children under one year of age to avoid the risk of infant botulism. To use as a remedy, it can be taken alone or mixed with warm water or lemon.

2- Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil cleanses the body of harmful microorganisms and toxins that cause colds and flu. It also helps with sinus and allergies due to its antimicrobial properties, so it is recommended to use it as a room freshener to kill airborne germs.

And you can allow your child to inhale eucalyptus oil, which can also be sprayed on the children's bed.

3- Inhale the steam

Steam inhalation helps relieve nasal congestion. This will make blowing the nose easier. If your child has a postnasal drip, let your child inhale the water vapors from a warm bath or shower. This can help loosen mucus and coughing. And since steam can moisturize a sore throat, it may relieve pain.

But do not let the child do the steam inhalation as it is for adults. Fill buckets or a bathtub in the bathroom with hot water and hold the baby in his arms for 10 minutes in the steamy bathroom to loosen the phlegm.

4- Ginger

Ginger is a tropical plant commonly used as a food supplement. It can help treat many health issues, including nausea, colds, or symptoms of chemotherapy.

Ginger also loosens mucus and is very useful in treating a stuffy or blocked nose.

Grate a small piece of ginger, add it to the hot water, and let it cool for 10 minutes. This can be given to children over two years of age.

The bioactive compounds in ginger have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties like honey. Ginger also has a spicy taste that stimulates saliva production and can help improve dry mouth or throat.

5- Milk and Turmeric

Turmeric milk is an easy and beneficial remedy for every mother. Make this golden drink for children over the age of 1+ by adding half a tablespoon of (turmeric) to one cup of boiled milk and having your child drink it at an average or lukewarm temperature before going to bed. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

For infants, take a dry piece of turmeric, burn it in a candle or diya flame, and allow the child to inhale the burning turmeric smoke for a minute. The smoke from the burning turmeric will only be like a thread, so there is no fear of inhaling the smoke!!!

  A little turmeric can be added to milk and given. Turmeric milk is a lifesaver and can quickly help eliminate a young child's cough.

6- Thyme consumption

Thyme has medicinal and culinary uses and is a commonly used remedy for coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, and digestive problems. And it's used for kids and adults; this herb adds flavors to dishes and can also be very effective in relieving coughs. Because thyme is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, the herb can help relax and soothe inflamed airways and membranes.

7- Menthol or peppermint oil

Peppermint oil can be used for young children over two years of age, as menthol is available in the form of a cream and is used by applying a thick layer on the chest, neck, and feet and massaging the oil on the child's chest.

It may be safer to place it on the baby's feet than on the chest. Because young children can touch it and then put it in their eyes, and it is not placed on the face or under the nose. It is also considered safe for children two years of age and older.

Inhaling the oil's aroma helps improve airflow through the nasal passages and relieve coughing symptoms, enhancing the ability to sleep at night.

8- Lemon

Lemon is rich in vitamin C and helps in developing immunity. For children over a year, mix lemon juice with honey and plenty of water. Using a mixture of honey and lemon helps to soothe the throat and the inflammation that results from coughing.

Lemon contributes to the elimination of phlegm that accompanies coughing significantly, which gives comfort to the child, and lemon also helps treat congestion associated with severe colds.

 

Finally, there are several possible causes of coughing in children. If your child has a known underlying condition, then treating that condition should help clear up the cough. However, if the caregiver does not know the cause of the cough or the child has a high temperature, fever, or other symptoms, a visit to the doctor is a must.