How to Make a Natural Cough Treatment for Children

There have been numerous warnings to the public about potential risks associated with giving children cold and cough medications. As a result, many parents are choosing to use alternative cough treatment options for their little ones. Natural treatments can work just as well as medicine. However, it is important for parents to know that a child's cough can be caused by a number of health issues and a visit to the doctor may be necessary before treating a child with natural remedies. Natural cough remedies should be used for the purpose of bringing relief to the child and not for stopping the cough altogether. The National Institutes of health points out that coughing helps clear allergens and mucous from the airways.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Give your child plenty of fluids. You can keep your child hydrated with warm tea, soups, water, and juices. This will help wash away phlegm and mucous. It can also help rid the body of toxins.

2. Soothe your child's throat with a mixture of honey and onion. This mixture will have an anti-inflammatory effect that will help reduce coughing spasms and relieve congestion in your child's lungs. To make this remedy, combine a shredded yellow onion, one teaspoon of thyme leaf and a cup of honey. Put the mixture into a pan and heat it until it becomes soft. You can pour a teaspoon of the mixture over your child's favorite food. Refrigerate the rest and use as needed. This cough treatment is for older children. Honey should never be given to children under the age of one because it can cause botulism in babies.

3. Reduce inflammation in the lungs using herbal cough remedies. Kelp is a type of seaweed that is native to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This herb helps keep the lungs moist and reduces the build up of mucous. Bamboo, which is in the grass family, is another herb that helps clear out the lungs by eliminating phlegm and decreasing inflammation. Mulberry and wild cherry are also effective remedies for cough and cold symptoms.

4. Moisturize the air to reduce coughing spasms. Turn on the shower or a humidifier and have your child inhale the moist air. Keep the child in close proximity to the humid air for several minutes.