J.H. asks from Austin, TX on November 29, 2008
What Do You Do for Colds?
My daughter is almost 3. She began pre-school in August and loves it and is doing very well, except for the constant colds and congestion. We've already had one round of penicillin when one of these colds morphed into a nasty infection. I realize that is is all fairly inevitable and that she's developing antibodies that will only strengthen her immune system over time, but in the meantime, what do folks out there do for colds and congestion that works? I've thrown away too much money on Mucinex, kids Sudafed, kids Claritin, etc., and I know that the medical advice is not to use this stuff now.
Any other remedies that anyone has found work well?
Thanks,
J.
So What Happened?™
Thanks, everyone, for the many good suggestions about beating my daughter's colds. We are doing the saline thing and I agree that it works. She also takes showers with me and the steam really helps, too, though, mysteriously, the cool mist humidifier my pedi recommended really was awful - not only didn't work but I think made her worse. I give her a cough suppressent at night, which has no sedating or other effects, and it really helps her to get a complete night's sleep. Other than that, I'll experiment with some of the things you've all suggested. I should add that my daughter is a recent arrival to the U.S., from Southern China, where she spent her first two years, so she really is developing antibodies in an entirely new environment. Many thanks, again.
Featured Answers
S.O. answers from San Antonio on December 01, 2008
Humidity! Vicks. Fluids.
I am trying Berry Well and Grapeseed Extract this year. So, I can't recommend it on experience, but I am going to try it. You can get it at Beeyoutiful.com. They have the descriptions online.
V.H. answers from Houston on December 01, 2008
Go get Robitussin CF, or the generic store brand. Adult yes
1/2 tsp. morn. afternoon and before bed. My son stays well thru the winter and Spring
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D.B. answers from Houston on December 03, 2008
Whole Foods, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Astralagus. Ask for advice from the gurus at the herbal medicine section at Whole Foods and get an herb book. Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch and Balch. This saved my kids. We don't do ear infections, flu, respiratory infections, UTIs, more than once. They don't even have a pediatrician, they have never been to one in 12 years. All with herbs and adjustments.
God Bless
1 mom found this helpful
L.E. answers from Houston on December 01, 2008
I have 3 kids 15, 13 and 11. The 2 younger ones were premature and prone to bronchitis. We heard about putting vicks vaporub on the soles of the feet and putting socks on at bedtime to help ease coughing and congestion. I prefer to slather the arch area so that they don't slip if they get out of bed. My oldest will even tell you that it works.
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C.H. answers from Houston on December 01, 2008
Hi J.,
I have a holistic treatment for colds that worked like a charm for me. I know of no reason why you couldn't give it to your child since it is food.
The single most important thing to remember is not to let DD get chilled once she begins to sweat, but to change her damp clothes into dry ones.
This remedy will cause the body to "sweat out" the cold.
1 piece fresh ginger root (about 1")
1 green onion bulb with roots attached (cut off green ends)
1/4 teas salt
about 4 WHITE peppercorns, crushed
about 1/2 teas. BROWN or RAW sugar
Bring to boil in about 1 C. water, steep for about 10 mins. Strain. Drink warm as a tea. Should start sweating in 5-10 mins. I used this remedy 3 times the first day and only two times the second day, because I was then well.
It doesn't have a strong taste as you might think. It is not yummy, but neither is medicine. I was able to breathe freely after one dose of this tea. My nose ran like a faucet when I started sweating. Each time I drank it, I changed into dry pj's after about 10-15 mins of sweating which just stops on its own. I was relaxed and able to rest. I slept all night after the second day of tea.
My husband and I both had this same cold last spring. He took 3 rounds of antibiotics from the dr. and I drank 2 days of tea. We did not have the flu.
Caution: Do not get chilled during or after the sweating. No fan or cold cloth to stop sweating. Can make the cold worse.
The Chinese girl who gave me this recipe said her family never has to take it more than 3 days.
HTH you as much as it did me. C.
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J.K. answers from Austin on November 30, 2008
I second the response for nasal saline if you can get it in there. Keeps things cleaned out and flowing. Little Noses also puts out decongestant drops as well. Use a humidifier at night. None of these are miracle cures, but at this age I think those are the best things to do along with some Tylenol for the aches!
D.M. answers from Austin on November 30, 2008
Real fruit juice w/ 100 vit C, soups with broths to eat for meals, lots of rest, early bedtime, naps. I give mine 2 sips a day out of my cup of Airbourne that I make up to keep the holiday illnesses away for all of us.
Hope this helps. As an adult I take Airborne if I feel like I'm coming down with something at the start 3 times a day and the sickness goes away. You have to drink a lot of water all day long with this though. The kids get the 2 sips each a day.
H.O. answers from Austin on November 30, 2008
Try the gummies...........they are great!
M.Z. answers from Austin on November 30, 2008
acidopholus. find it at your nearest health food store. needs to be refridgerated. 2 every morning before breakfast. and she may never get sick again. i live by this stuff. that or you can add more garlic to her diet and give her a tablespoon of honey everyday. good luck
A.J. answers from Killeen on December 02, 2008
well just FYI, it's "normal" to get 10 colds a year! and most colds last between 1-2 weeks. i think the main thing is just to keep her hydrated, get lots of sleep, and blow her nose instead of sniff. at night, use a little Vick's on her chest to help her breathe, and/or a humidifier. and make sure she washes her hands often, because touching mucous from her nose and then touching her eyes could give her pink eye (my 4 year old just got that last month...no fun at all!)
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