10 ways in Easing Children’s Cold Symptoms Naturally -Part Two

Scientific research clearly illustrates that cold medications are not the answer to relieving childhood cold symptoms. And, since the common cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics (which fight bacteria, not viruses) are not effective. But there are still ways to provide your child relief, without resorting to drugs. 

All natural cold relief for children 

6. Focus on prevention 

     The ideal way to get some sniffle-free time this winter? Stop colds before they start. Cold viruses are spread from one person to another by hand contact, coughing and sneezing. Make hand washing a habit in your house, teach kids to sneeze and cough into a tissue or the crook of their arm (never into their hands) and avoid exposure to sick friend and relatives.

7. Chill out  

Psychological stress has also been linked to the common cold. Investigators at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh inoculated 276 people with the common cold virus. Subjects who reported high levels of chronic stress had a much greater chance of developing a full blown cold, compared with less- stressed individuals (Heath Psychology 1988;17:214-23). How can you keep your kids from "stressing out?" Talk to them - ask direct questions regarding their feelings about potential stressors such as schoolwork, relationships with peers and family issues.

8. Honey for your honeys

One remedy  to try for children's coughs over the age of 1: Honey ( Never give a child under the age of 1 honey due to the risk of infantile botulism.)

Study's in the Achives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found honey to be more effective than cough medicine or no treatment for children's coughs. 

Based on parental surveys , researchers reported that "significant differences in symptom improvement were detected between treatments groups, with honey consistently scoring the best and no treatment scoring the worst." The researchers also found that "comparison of honey with dextromethoorphan (a drug used in over-the-counter sough suppressants) revealed no significant differences." (Arch pediatr Adolesc Med 2007;161:1140-6.)

9. Zinc sulfate 

The mineral zinc also has antioxidant effects and is vital to the body's resistance to infection and for tissue repair. Zinc is also thought to stimulate the immune system.

A study in 2207 in the Journal Pediatrics International looked at 150 children with cold symptoms who revived  either oral zinc containing zinc sulfate or placebo. The researchers concluded that zinc sulfate "appears to be effective in reducing the severity of the cold symptoms in healthy children. (Pediatr Int 2007;49:842-7.)

10.Antioxidants

A wealth of research associated antioxidants with disease prevention. Antioxidants are essential nutrients. They help protect the body against life stressors and play a role in the body’s cell protection system.

 Eating food high in antioxidants – beta carotene and other carotenoids, Vitamin C, E,  , may be a good way to help build a strong immune system. Glutathione is another nutrient that has been found to strengthen the immune system so it can fight infections. Foods high in phytochemicals are also important for wellness.