No one likes getting a cold or influenza (Flu), but kids have it especially rough. Kids and toddlers’ immune systems aren’t developed enough to reduce many of the symptoms of either of these illnesses, so they often suffer from really intense fevers, respiratory infections, and other virus complications.
No parent wants to watch their kid deal with that alone. So it’s a good idea to know which natural and holistic remedies you can rely on when your toddler or child gets a cold or the flu.
Symptoms of Cold or Flu
If you’re not sure if your child is sick, please visit a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Your child may have a cold or the flu if they are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Body aches or chills
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
Why Get Natural Treatments for Kids with a Cold or the Flu?
Although there are plenty of effective over-the-counter or OTC treatments for cold or flu symptoms, the FDA recommends that kids not be given cold or flu medicine until they’re teenagers. That’s because many of the active ingredients in these medicines are potentially dangerous for young kids.
Furthermore, there’s no telling what types of synthetic additives are included in medicines these days. It’s simply much safer for parents to look for natural or home remedies, particularly since most cold or flu symptoms can be tackled with natural solutions.
If your child has a medical condition and is dealing with a cold or flu, please seek medical advice from a health care provider. Children with medical conditions could be at a high risk of catching a cold or flu virus more easily than others.
Natural Remedies for Cold & Flu Symptoms for Kids and Toddlers
Want to know the best natural remedies and prevention techniques for your child’s cold or flu symptoms? Here’s what we recommend.
Make Immediate Diet Changes
First and foremost, make some immediate dietary changes. This will help to prevent the cold or flu symptoms from worsening or being elongated. In the long run, diet changes can help to prevent viruses or symptoms of viruses from occurring. You are what you eat, and your gut health can significantly impact your overall health. This is doubly true for kids, whose systems are likely a little more sensitive and vulnerable to disruptions or food sensitivities than adults’.
It’s a particularly good idea to:
- Eliminate extra carbs or sugars. Sugar and carbs, which turn into sugar, can make your child feel sluggish or unhealthy even before they become sick with a cold or the flu.
- Cut out any processed meat products like deli meat or hot dogs that contain antibiotics or hormones.
- Focus on healthy fruits and vegetables above all else. Healthy fruits and vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, green apples, and berries can give your child’s body all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to fight off infection and bring on faster recovery.
- Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids, such as bone broth and water. Avoid fruit juice, as they have added sugars that can create inflammation.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is the prime time for your child’s body to regenerate and fight off the illness, including a particularly bad case of the flu.
Sleep also helps your child conserve energy and can help them recover from their illness more quickly.
Many kids find that they’re too uncomfortable to sleep when they get sick. You can help remedy this by providing them with a hot or cold rag (depending on whether they are running a fever), giving them fresh blankets or a cool pillow, or giving them a sleeping aid like caffeine-free chamomile tea.
Prioritize Vitamins C and D, Zinc
It’s also a good idea to prioritize vitamins and minerals. Recommended vitamins are C and D and the mineral zinc for different reasons.
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and one of the most important vitamins your body needs for holistic health. Vitamin C is especially necessary for any virus like the cold or the flu. But note children’s dosage should be determined by their weight.. Kids aged 1 to 3 years should only take 400 mg of vitamin C per day and kids aged 4 to 8 should only consume 650 mg per day.
- Vitamin D is similar in that it’s necessary for overall health and can also enhance the immune system in kids. The recommended daily dosage of Vitamin D for children is 600 International Units (IUs). Zinc is another important mineral for bodily health, but it can also prevent the rhinovirus (one of the most common cold viruses) from multiplying. Even better, zinc can stop rhinovirus cells from lodging in the throat and nose, minimizing respiratory illness symptoms. The best way to give your child zinc is to find a natural supplement they can take without side effects.
Use Colloidal Silver
Lastly, consider using a high-quality colloidal silver either by adding a tablespoon of it to a tea (such as chamomile tea) or orally by spraying it in the mouth.
Colloidal Silver has very strong anti-microbial, and antioxidant properties and can help to treat infections, rashes, fungus, sinuses, fevers, and respiratory symptoms.
Summary
As you can see, there are lots of natural and healthy ways you can treat the symptoms of colds or the flu in your children without toxic OTC medication. These remedies are also great if you have a toddler or very young child who simply can’t take any regular medicine because of their inherent risks.
Sources
When to Give Kids Medicine for Coughs and Colds | FDA
Risk Assessment of Growth Hormones and Antimicrobial Residues in Meat | NCBI
Can vitamin C prevent a cold? | Harvard Health
Vitamin D | Hopkins All Children
Zinc for the common cold—not if, but when | NCBI
Oregano Oil and Its Principal Component, Carvacrol, Inhibit HIV-1 Fusion into Target Cells | NCBI
Is It a Cold, the Flu, or COVID-19? (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth
Influenza and Children | National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
