LESSON 8- Caring For A Cough
There is nothing like a dry hacking cough caused by a tickle in the back of your child’s throat or that heavy, wet cough that keeps the whole house up all night. If your child comes down with a cough, run through your wellness plan. Check what mucus-causing foods need to be eliminated—namely, wheat, dairy, and sugar—and what environmental changes can be made. Running a humidifier with essential oils helps put moisture back in the air so your child’s throat and sinuses won’t be so dry.
Watch my playlist to learn how to treat coughs and upper respiratory infections with herbs
Throat-soothing teas, herbal popsicles, and lozenges can make a world of difference when you’re dealing with a sore throat, cough, or sinus congestion. Read on for my recipes to help you offer your child relief and comfort.
Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup
Make Your Own Slippery Elm Lozenges
CHILDREN’S RESPIRATORY SUPPORT TINCTURE
Children LOVE the taste of Children’s Respiratory Support Tincture! This sweet, glycerine- based tincture supports their respiratory systems and immune systems when they are congested and coughing.
Elderberry and Thyme are well- documented antiviral, antibacterial herbs that are gentle and safe for children’s delicate systems.
Wild Cherry Bark is an excellent expectorant that helps calm most types of coughs and is also an effective decongestant.
Children Respiratory Support is my go-to remedy, especially when combined with Children’s Healing Herbal Bath.
Order Children's Respiratory Support
CHILDREN’S HEALING HERB BATH- CLEARING LUNG CONGESTION
Children’s Healing Herb Bath is absolutely one of my favorite herbal blends for children of all ages! Whether you use it as a bath, steam, or gargle—or all three for maximum effectiveness—this blend is especially helpful for children experiencing uncomfortable respiratory congestion. It is so effective because it is blended with Thyme and Lavender, which are both powerful decongestant, anti-spasmodic, and antiseptic herbs that are still gentle and safe botanicals for children’s delicate systems. Even just these herbs’ lovely aroma is therapeutic. This is an incredibly comforting way to care for your child and facilitate a swift recovery.
In my practice, I combine Children’s Healing Herb Bath and Children’s Respiratory Support Tincture to combat lung and sinus congestion, throat soreness, and body aches. These remedies complement each other while supporting your child’s respiratory and immune systems.
Read on for directions on how to this lovely blend all 3 ways.
HERB BATH: Put herbs in cotton bag and tie securely. Boil water in a large cooking pot. Once boiling, place the herb sachet in the water, turn off the heat, cover, and let steep for at least 20 minutes. Fill your clean bathtub with warm (not too hot!) water, and pour the contents of the pot in, herb bundle included. Have your child soak for at least 20 minutes. He may love the bath or want to get out, so you may have to find creative ways to keep him in. Massaging the bundle will help release more healing properties into the water. This bath will promote a deep sense of relaxation and may make your child very sleepy when she gets out. So get her jammies on and get her to a warm, dry place to rest.
STEAM INHALANT: Make the bath as described above. Set the pot in a place that is comfortable for you and your child. The bathroom is a good place because it stays warm. To collect the steam, place a towel over your child’s head and encourage him to breathe deeply. Have tissues ready—you’ll need them. Please be careful, as you don’t want your child to get burned by the pot or the steam! Have him continue to inhale the steam until there’s no more.
GARGLE: For children old enough to gargle, scoop out a cup of the Children’s Healing Herb Bath from the pot and start to gargle. Make sure they get the tea on the sore part of their throats. Remind your child not to swallow the salty liquid! Gargle 1-3 times daily, or as needed.
Get your bag of Children's Healing Herb Bath here
HEALING SALVE & VAPOR RUB
Healing Salve is so versatile, you can use it for all types of skin irritations. It’s an all-purpose ointment made of olive oil and beeswax infused with healing herbs. Plantain, Calendula, and Yarrow are well-known for preventing infection, reducing inflammation, and regenerating damaged tissue.
It’s the perfect thing to rub onto your child’s chapped lips and red, sore, runny nose to help relieve the pain and discomfort of the dry, cracked skin. It also helps prevent those nasty nose crusties from developing; in other words, it makes it easier and less painful for you to keep your child’s nose and lips clean and healthy, no matter how bad her cold is.
Healing Salve also works wonders with all manner of cuts, scrapes, scratches, bug bites, burns, and bruises, as well as rashes, including diaper rash. Here's the link for you to order your jar.
Make this salve into a vapor rub by rubbing a little into the palm of your hand, then mixing in 1-3 drops of one or two essential oils, such as Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lavender, or Rosemary. Rub this onto your sick child’s chest, throat, back, or feet, followed by a warm layer (shirt, socks, etc.) Do not apply to the face or hands, though.
* This information is for educational purposes only. This is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any illness or disease. If you are concerned about your child's health seek medical care.