I am not a doctor!! Don't take my word for it..lol

I don't like giving my child medicines and prescriptions. I firmly believe there are many home made remedies that work just as well. I recognize there are several illnesses that would kill my child without proper medical intervention, but I don't think every cough or cold is one of them! So here is a list of some of the remedies I use to keep my kids healthy, fight off asthma, allergies, etc!

Treating a Cough At Home:

 
Wet Cough
 
*Reduce Intensity of the Cough -> Fill one cut lemon with black pepper and salt and then suck on it.
*Home-made Cough Syrup -> Add a pinch of white pepper to one teaspoon honey. Take 2-3 times a day fir 4-5 days
*Expectorant -> If you've been suffering from a wet cough, eat 1 cup of fresh grapes 4-5 times a day for a few days. They toughen up the 'skin' of the lung and act as an expectorant. You can also mix 1 Tbs of honey into some all-natural grape juice and drink a glass 3-4 times a day - Just be sure there's no sugar or chemicals added to the grape juice. 
*Cough Suppressant -> a pinch of black pepper, long pepper and dry ginger orthe Pulp of Belleric Myrobalan fruit (mixed in equal portions). Take with a teaspoon of honey 2-3 times a day
*Cough Resistance ->I could never do this one myself but my in-laws SWEAR by it - chew on a clove of garlic before bed everyday
 
 
Dry Cough
 
*Decrease tickle ->Gargling with warm spinach juice 5 times a day, or when the contraction/tickle becomes severe. If you don't have spinach juice on hand you can put a few spinach leaves in a cup of water and microwave it for a minute, then let it sit for a few minutes. Then microwave it again for 45 seconds.
*Nightly Asthma Treatment ->Asthma (or a dry cough) is generally worse at night as the bronchial tubes swell with the deeper breaths taken in sleep. To help alleviate night-time coughing, mix 1/2 teaspoon Cuscus grass (khas khas) with 3-4 tsp coconut milk and 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink nightly!
*Daily Asthma Treatment -> when the air turns cold dry coughs increase. Almonds are invaluable to those with this condition. Soak almonds in water until soft. Remove skin and mush into a fine paste. Add 20 grams of sugar and butter. Take spoonful of paste twice a day. 
*All Natural Inhaler -> boil some eucalyptus leaves with some mint leaves (FRESH!). Take off of the heat, place a towel over your head to held in the vapors as you breathe deeply.
*Inhaler 2 -> place a few drops of Essential Oil of Juniper into a few cups of boiling water. Breath vapors in deeply.
 
The Warrior Diet Against Coughs!

*Raisin Soldier -> mix equal parts ground raisins, water and sugar (like 100 grams of each) slowly warm over low heat mixing constantly to form a syrup. Take about 20 grams before bed each night.
*Onion Ninja -> Crush one medium sized onion. Add one tablespoon lemon juice and one cup warm water. Honey can be added to it to taste. Drink mixture 2-3 times a day. (this is also an excellent cough syrup)
*Carrot Juice -> Drink this warm relieves cough and improves immune system and overall health!

 

Sore Throat Treatments:

Sore throats are generally the result of inflammation. They can go hand in hand with coughs/colds or it can be a result of infections.

*Mango Gargle-> 10ml of Mango Bark Extract mixed with about 125 ml of water
*Holy Basil -> Boiling a few fresh leaves of holy basil in water. Can be used  as a drink or as a gargle.
*Amazing Garlic -> 4 cloves of garlic, 1 tbs honey and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper. Mix together. Take a spoonful (chewing well) as needed.
*Chamomile -> You can purchase teas pretty easily these days. But for illness I always suggest making fresh to get the most out of the natural oils. Take a few dried chamomile leaves (1-2 tsp) added to a pint of boiling water. Drink as needed for relief.
*Cinnamon ->Boil powdered cinnamon with a pinch of pepper and some honey in a cup of water for a soothing drink. Or you can use the oil mixed with honey for a lozenge type relief.
*Killing Bacteria/Infection Gargle -> add 2 sprigs coarsely chopped parsley, 3 whole cloves, 1 tsp powdered myyrh, 1/4 tsp powdered goldenseal with 1 pint boiling water. Effective gargle or Mouthwash (not a tea!).
Sage is also a beautiful gargle with a sore throat.

ALL NATURAL ANTI-VIRAL TREATMENTS
 
 
HOW TO USE CHILDREN’S LIQUID ECHINACEA EFFECTIVELY:
1. Use immediately at the first signs of illness
2. Use 4 –5 times per day, for 6 – 10 days
3. Follow label directions for dosage levels
4. If minor illness develops into serious discomfort, see your health care provider
5. Purchase only from reputable natural foods stores. Herbs are very sensitive to proper processing techiniques. Discount brands may not provide the high quality of botanical constituents necessary to ensure reliable results.
 
Other effective antiviral herbs for kids include Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Lemongrass and Ginger root; all have documented antiviral activity. Since the vast majority of childhood illnesses originate from viral infections, look for a good antiviral blend at your natural foods store. Use these herbs regularly as teas or great-tasting glycerine extracts during cold and flu to help your child’s body maintain its ability to fight off viral intruders.
 
 
Best natural antiviral herbal remedies

* Echinacea may be the best general herbal remedy against viruses. Echinacea works by destroying viruses & boosting the immune system so that your own body can then eliminate the virus. Especially good for flu viruses. Take supplements as directed, especially right before flu & cold season. Take in cycles of 6 weeks on & 6 weeks off as needed.
* Hypoxis Rooper (African Potato) improves the immune system according to research.
* Astragalus is also one of the valuable antiviral herbs due to its ability to boost the immune system. Take as directed when needed.
* Agathosma Betulina (buchu) is a natural antiviral that has antioxidant & antiseptic activity & helps the body rid itself of toxins. Good as a preventive.
* Mentha peperita better known as peppermint supports the body’s immune system. Scientific studies show peppermint’s is one of the anti viral herbs that shows a good effect on tuberculosis. Using peppermint essential oil or drinking lots of peppermint tea are pleasant, economical ways of using peppermint.
* Dragon’s blood is a lesser known herbal remedy for viruses. Especially useful against herpes virus. May be available in pill form. Take as directed.
* Solidago Virgaurea (Goldenrod) is one of the traditional antiviral herbs, used for hundreds of years. It seems to increase the ability of the body to fight infections.
* What could you say about garlic, an herb that has so many beneficial effects that it is treated with a reverence by many peoples of the world. Most people find garlic to be delicious too. This natural antiviral can be used for flu, cold & any number of viruses. Consume it raw or lightly cooked in any number of dishes including salads, stir frys, soups etc. Take supplements as directed making sure that supplement has active ingredients.
* Onions are also an anti viral herb though not as effective as garlic. Certainly you could come up with many dishes that contain garlic & onion which go together very well.
* Schizandra Sinesis is a powerful Chinese herb, an herbal remedy against viruses that protects against toxins and cell damage.
* Goldenseal is also an immune stimulant. Many supplements pair goldenseal with with other antiviral herbs like echinacea for a 1 - 2 punch against viruses.
* Olea Europea (from olive leaf) is a very valuable herb & natural antiviral. It helps fight numerous germs. The positive effects of Olive leaf have recently been proven in a variety of clinical studies. Olive leaf also stimulates the immune system.
It may also help stop the production of enzymes that a retrovirus, such as HIV, needs in order to change the RNA of a healthy cell. I’ve used it in place of root canal surgery to good effect. Take supplements as directed but you may need to double or triple dose the first day you are symptomatic.
* Juniper is also an excellent anti viral herbal remedy, excellent against flu & cold virus. Makes a good cold season tea that could be sipped throughout the day.
* Lemon balm also makes a good anti viral herbal tea & is especially valued as anti-herpes.
* Licorice is yet another herb that makes an excellent tea. Effective anti viral herb against many viruses. Take supplement or make a tea out of licorice root.
* Shiitake mushroom is also one of our favorite antiviral herbs. Consume in various dishes or use supplements as directed.
* Ginger, like garlic is a superb herb with numerous health benefits including its natural antiviral effects. Use as a tea or in numerous dishes. Juice a small slice along with fruits like apples, carrots, celery, [parsley - to taste for a wonderfully healthy concoction.

Other natural anti viral herbs

Some other herbal remedies against viruses are not as well known for that purpose but have been cited as antiviral. They include:

* Boneset
* Cat’s claw
* Chamomile
* Cinnamon
* Ginseng
* St. John’s wort
 

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