A boon for every mom: Complete Guide to Home Remedies for Cough & Cold

My son was born in October last year & winters arrived even before we could complete the first 40 days together as a baby & mother. When he caught cold for the first time, I went into a doomed phase where I declared to the world that I am not worth of taking care of a baby. I am an idiot who couldn't save my child from a cold/cough bout in his first winter.....Oh my God so much drama I did by crying and calling my mom & friends that I can't stop myself from passing a smile as I write this post.....

But now, one year down I am a more confident mother - who knows you cannot avoid your child from getting any cold/cough/fever but yes one can take measure to avoid or practice home remedies to cure the baby.

So after doing some homework, seeking guidance from people of old school of thoughts & other experienced momma's; I bring to you guys a handy reference guide of Home remedies for Cough/Cold in children.

1. Saline Drops: Saline Drops are not a medicine but a means which assists the child in clearing up any dried or present mucus in the small nasal passage they have; which are really tiny to clean. I recently did a post on DIY - Homemade Saline Nasal Drops & how to use them. As it is not a medication it can be used multiple times to comfort the baby.

2. Humidifier: It is a beautiful invention, which keeps the air of the room moist enough for the baby to sit, eat, sleep, play comfortably in the cold-struck days. But note that the humidifier should be at a distance from the child and not in direct contact.

3. Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil works in opening up the nasal passage temporarily and could be either put of the baby's pillow or clothes while sleeping or awake. I personally even put a few drops of oil in the humidifier to keep it in the air and also sometimes put it in the bathing water when he has cold.

4. Tulsi/ Basil:  Boil 2 leaves of tulsi in water or milk and strain and feed the baby. Tulsi is considered the 'Magic Plant' and can be given to the baby all throughout winters too. It should be had by adults too to build on their immunity levels.

5. Honey: Honey is recommended for the baby only after their first birthday's. It has a soothing effect for cough and a congestion filled chest. 2-3 drops of ginger juice can also be mixed in one spoon of honey and given to the baby twice a day.

6. Steam: Steam is a very good home remedy for babies, toddlers & adults for cold & congestion but their methods differ. A baby could be given steam in a closed bathroom by running hot water shower. A toddler can also be given the steam in a similar way or from a steamer placed at a distance. Please be very careful while giving steam, as direct steam and hot water contact could lead to burns.

7. Warm Liquids: Warm liquids always help in giving soothing effect to the throat. It could be in form of warm water, milk (with turmeric-mentioned below) or soups. Soups especially Chicken Soup or any vegetable soup is good and can be served to babies of 6 months + age.

8. Cinnamon: Cinnamon could be given upon seeing the early symptoms of cold/cough. Give one teaspoon of honey with 1/4th spoon of fine cinnamon powder twice a day to baby or in winters cinnamon powder could be added to porridge, kheer, etc before serving the baby. Its warm in nature and is beneficial for the baby.

9. Mustard Oil: Mustard Oil massage i.e. Heat Mustard oil with some grated garlic and ajwain and strain. Massage the baby's chest, back, throat and feet with the warm oil for relief. It can be done twice a day too, once in morning and once before going off to sleep. Please note that the oil should not be hot but warm so always check the temperature before starting the massage..

10. Ghee: Well we are Punjabi's and it is said in our house, "Jo kare na Ma, na Pyo, oo kare Desi Ghyo" and it is said to have the maximum strength for all problems. My grand mom sometimes taunts us by saying that these days people fall ill easily because they eat less of Desi Ghee...... Coming to usage of Desi Ghee for babies is first for massage by warming it a little and secondly children of 2yrs+ of age can be given 1 tablespoon of ghee with 2 (grinded) black pepper.

11. Kesar: Kesar again is warm in nature, it also can either be given by boiling it in milk and serving to drink or kesar tilak's can be applied on baby's soles, temples & chest at night for relief.

12. Ajwain Potli: Roast Ajwain on low flame and wrap it in a cotton cloth/handkerchief to make a potli. Babies of 6m & below should only be given the fumes of the same from a distance by placing it next to their pillow, etc & for older ones (6m+) the hot compression from the potli can be given on babies chest & back. Pls take note of the temperature before touching babies bodies with it to avoid burns.

13. Baby Vicks: Baby Vicks is now readily available in the medical stores. Though  I have friends who have used the regular vicks too without any issue so I leave this upon your choice....Vicks helps in opening up the blocked nose; for Nevan I use it at multiple places - sometimes I put it in the humidifier, on his clothes while he is asleep, on his pillow/bed so that it helps in opening his nasal passage for having a sound sleep. Also it gives out warmth so in peak winters or severe cold I rub it on soles of his feet and make him wear socks at night. It has given me good response always.

14: Garlic Garland: When I heard about it for the first time I laughed but again this is one of the things I can swear upon. Use 5 or 7 garlic's to make a garland using any normal thread available at home & make your child wear it. I make Nevan wear it on his vest so that there is a layer between his skin & garlic. It is said to dry up all the congestion from within, especially suitable for running nose.

15. Camphor: Heat a little Coconut Oil with a pinch (very little) of powdered camphor. Apply 5-6 drops of the same on the baby's chest to give some warmth. Keep the chest covered after applying this mix.

16. Lemon: Against all the misconceptions people have built around having Lemon in cold, it is very good for the body during cold & cough. Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C, which in turn helps in building immunity. Serve baby with a little mix of lemon drops+honey+warm water during the initial phase of cold.

17. Gud (Jaggery) & Ajwain Water: Well, this one I have never tried personally but have others friends who always try out this for their lo's. A mix of Jaggery & Ajwain water - boiled & cooled should be given to baby (which is a tough job). This helps in taking out the phelgm in the body either through vomiting or passing out stools.

18. Sauf & Ajwain Water: Boil & cool a little water boiled with sauf & ajwain. Further, strain and add a little bit of this mixture to some warm milk and serve the baby. Be ready for some rejection initially but it helps for sure...

19. Ginger: Ginger can either be given with honey (refer point 5 above) or a small piece of ginger can be added to hot boiling water for around 10 mins. It can further to cooled and strained and served to child. The water may not taste very good so is preferred to be given to around 2 year old's. Ginger in any form helps for blocked nose & thinning the mucus.

20. Turmeric: Again to be  served directly to 2yr+ kids. Burn the dried turmeric on a candle and allow infant to inhale the smoke very briefly 2-3 times in one sitting. It can also be mixed with hot milk and made to drink at night, before sleep.

21. Lady Finger: This one comes from one of my aunts who followed this for her children and now for her grandchildren. She puts small-cut pieces of lady finger in hot boiling water for 10 minutes. It is then strained and cooled and given to the child in sips. It should be given to 1yr+ children and the slimy lady finger helps in removing mucus & throat infection.

22. Brandy: I had once given 2-3 drops of brandy in a little bit of water post a Delhi-winter wedding to give some cosy-ness to Nevan.....he slept well, got up well so you can try with your kids at your own risk and should not be tried for children below 1yr of age. But safely, a few drops of brandy can be rubbed on babies toes at night to give a nice warm winter sleep.

23. Nutmeg (Jaifal): Nutmeg is concerned warm in nature, it can be grated and made to taste the baby (only a tip) and it helps in soothing cold. Also Nutmeg can be mixed with some warm mustard oil and applied on babies soles, chest, back, etc.

24. Munakka(Currant): Manakka (bigger sized raisins) can be put in the babies milk while boiling or water used for formula milk. It can be strained and used, it helps in keeping the body warm during cold and coughs.

25. Gur (Jaggery), Turmeric & Ghee: Mix Jagerry+Turmeric+Ghee and make small balls for kids. They can be eaten as sweets for Itchy Throat. Should be served to babies above 2 yrs of age.


PLEASE NOTE: These Home Remedies are shared out of personal experience, gathered experience and some guidance from adults. All these remedies should not be tried at one go. The above post is for information only so please choose before trying them on your child as every child is different. Take precautions for any allergies.

Always consult a pediatrician before trying out anything new.

Mommy's please share your thoughts and experiences for other home remedies....


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