Colds

Common cold is a very common illness in children which can be treated easily with home remedies. But if it becomes severe help of doctor may be needed. Read on to learn more about cold in children and home remedies for treating it. No medicine is needed for cold because it is caused by a virus that cannot be treated completely. The virus has to be overcome by the bodys own defence mechanisms, which take anywhere from 10-14 days, regardless of which medicines are taken. Colds are common in young children, and five or six colds a year are quite common. Babies under 6 months of age are less likely to catch colds because of the antibodies they receive from their mothers, especially if they are breastfed.But a cold can cause a lot of distress, especially in young babies, because a blocked nose can make breathing difficult during feeding. Therefore, consult a doctor as soon as possible for a recommendation on nose drops. Nose drops will help clear the nasal passage and provide significant relief to the child.Nose drops can also be prepared at home, in the following way: To 4 ounces (120 ml) of water, add 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix the solution, boil it and let it cool. You can put 2-3 drops into each nostril.Since colds in children can rapidly lead to sinusitis or bronchitis, if your child complains of a sore throat or an earache, consult your doctor immediately. In this articleHome Remedies for Cold in ChildrenTulsi and Honey RemedyTurmeric MilkSpicy MilkLemon Grass MilkKadhaHome Remedies for Cold in ChildrenHome remedies can prove very effective for treating cold in children. Let us take a look at such home remedies.Tulsi and Honey RemedyTreating cold with Tulsi leaves and honey is an age-old remedy. Take some fresh Tulsi leaves and grind it using a grinder. Extract the juice from of Tulsi leaves after grinding them. Mix this juice with honey. Honey reduces the bitterness of Tulsi leaves making it easier for children to have it. Feed 1 teaspoon of this syrup 3 times a day for 2 to 3 days and see the difference. Do not store this syrup for more than 2 days.Turmeric MilkTurmeric milk is also one of the traditional home remedies used since ages. Adding a pinch of turmeric to a glass of milk can help to get relief from cold, cough, sore throat etc. For best results, take raw turmeric and boil it with milk. After boiling for few minutes, you can strain it and let it cool down before you give it to your child to drink. For making it a tasty drink, you can add sugar to it.Spicy MilkAdd spices like cinnamon and clove to milk along with a pinch of turmeric in it. Boil it for few minutes and then strain it. Give it to your child after it cools down. You can also add sugar for taste. This spicy milk helps to deal with cough, cold and sore throat in children.Lemon Grass MilkPut some clean lemon grass leaves in milk and boil it for few minutes. Add a little sugar for taste. Give this drink to your child after it cools down.KadhaKadha is also a traditional home remedy for treating cough, cold and sore throat. It can be prepared by boiling black pepper, ginger and Tulsi leaves in few cups of water for few minutes. Drinking this Kadha can provide relief from the symptoms of cough, cold and sore throat immediately.Home remedies are very effective but you must consult your doctor before using them for your children. It is easy to use home remedies as well as they come with almost zero side-effects.