Natural Remedies to Help Your Kids Through Colds and Flus
When your little ones start showing signs of a cold or flu—glassy eyes, shivers, chills, headaches, and fevers—what should you do to help them recover quickly and comfortably?
Dr. Caroline, a natural medicine physician from Healing Blends Global, shares effective tips in her Healthy Kids series to ease the symptoms of colds and flus in children. Here’s a breakdown of her key advice for parents looking for natural remedies.
1. Act Fast with Herbal Remedies
One of the first steps Dr. Caroline recommends is to give your children Vi-Rid Jr, an herbal supplement designed to help shorten the duration of colds and flus. Vi-Rid Jr is packed with herbs that support the immune system, reduce symptoms like sore throats, and help children feel better sooner. Starting this supplement as soon as the first symptoms appear can make a big difference in how quickly they recover.
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2. Load Up on Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that our bodies need, especially when we're fighting off sickness. Unlike animals, humans can’t produce their own vitamin C, so it must come from food or supplements. Dr. Caroline suggests increasing your child’s vitamin C intake during illness, as it helps bolster the immune system. Since vitamin C is water-soluble, any excess is safely eliminated from the body through urine. If you give too much, the only side effect might be loose stools, which typically signals the body has had enough.
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3. Keep Them Warm and Let Them Sweat
When children start experiencing chills or a fever, the instinct might be to throw them into a shower to cool them down. However, Dr. Caroline warns against this. She explains that cold air trapped in the body can cause aching necks, stiffness, and make the chills worse. Instead, focus on keeping them warm. Cover them with blankets and put socks on their feet, especially if they’re walking on cold tile floors.
The key is to encourage sweating, which helps break the fever. This may feel uncomfortable, but it helps the body expel the illness. Once they’ve had a good sweat and the fever breaks, they’ll start to feel relief.
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4. Use Ginger Tea for Warmth and Healing
For a natural way to boost warmth from the inside, Dr. Caroline suggests ginger tea. Ginger is a warming herb that helps heat the body from within, assisting in breaking a fever. Simply slice fresh ginger and steep it in hot water for a soothing drink that not only warms but also provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
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5. Avoid Cold Foods and Drinks
When kids have a sore throat, it’s common to offer cold foods like ice cream or popsicles to soothe them. However, Dr. Caroline advises against this. Cold foods can promote mucus production, which makes symptoms worse. Instead, try warm broths or soups that are easy to swallow and provide comfort. You can also give them mint tea, a cooling herb that helps soothe sore throats without the negative effects of cold treats.
For kids old enough to safely consume honey, a spoonful of honey can offer relief. Honey has natural antiviral and antibacterial properties that can calm a sore throat and support recovery.
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6. Prioritize Rest and Sleep
Rest is crucial during any illness, so make sure your child gets plenty of sleep. Dr. Caroline emphasizes that sleep is essential for healing, as it allows the body to focus on fighting the virus. Along with rest, providing nutritious foods and plenty of fluids will help their body recover more efficiently.
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Why Natural Remedies Matter
While there are countless over-the-counter medications available, natural remedies can offer a gentler, more holistic approach to healing. Dr. Caroline’s suggestions are not only practical but also aim to shorten the duration of sickness and boost the body’s natural healing mechanisms. From herbal supplements like Vi-Rid Jr to simple home remedies like ginger tea and honey, these strategies are designed to help your children recover more quickly and avoid long stretches of sickness.
Dr. Caroline’s own children benefit from these methods, often recovering in just a day or two while their peers may be out of school for a week or more. The key is understanding how to work with the body’s natural defenses to effectively fight off the illness.
Final Thoughts
The next time your child catches a cold or the flu, consider these natural remedies to help them recover faster. Encourage sweating, avoid cold foods, boost their intake of vitamin C, and keep them comfortable and warm. With these simple yet effective strategies, you can reduce the severity and duration of the illness, getting your little ones back on their feet sooner.
For more tips like these, be sure to subscribe to Dr. Caroline’s newsletter, where she shares weekly advice on keeping your kids healthy naturally. And don’t forget, new subscribers get 10% off Healing Blends Global herbal products!
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