Kid’s natural remedies for cold and flu season

Thirty something years ago, like most parents, my parents took me to the doctor’s office for fever, sniffle, cough, sore throat, ear ache and accepted antibiotics each time I went. Do you remember going home with that pink bubblegum flavored suspension? Can you blame our parents for hoping they were doing the right thing. There wasn’t much information about how to use kid’s natural remedies or alternatives for cold and flu season to these medications like we have today.

When I had my first son, I knew there was a healthier way to treat and alleviate any of these minor symptoms, including ear aches.

So before the season began I stocked up on a few of my favorite over the counter medications, some homeopathic favorites, herbs, and some teas. A lot of these I chose because they are free of artificial dyes, artificial flavors, artificial sugars and other unnecessary fillers. Some I have noted have active ingredients as some of the over the counter products I prefer not to use, but I listed a cleaner alternative.

1. Cold and flu like symptoms

Genexa Kids Honey Cough , and Genexa Kids Cold Crush.

Wellement’s Children’s Cough Syrup for Daytime and Wellement’s Children’s Cough Syrup for Nighttime

Wellement’s Baby Cough Syrup Day and Night Combo

Wellement’s Decongestant Rub

Boiron’s Cold Calm Kids is the one I loved using for my 6 month old. If I used it early on in the symptoms, I noticed the cold would not last as long. There’s also a dissolvable tablet version that I like to use with my older son, Boiron’s Cold Calm Meltaway Tablets. The other favorite Boiron product for the whole family I use when symptoms start to show is the Boiron’s Oscillococcinum for body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue.

Herb Pharm Kids Throat Spray

Hyland’s Natural Cold and Cough Day and Night Combo

Hyland’s Natural Baby Cold Day and Night Combo

And our all time favorite tea Throat Coat!

2. Fever and Pain Reducers

Genexa Kids’ Pain and Fever and Genexa Infants’ Pain and Fever. Keep in mind that this is still the same active medication as Tylenol (acetaminophen). It is a cleaner alternative for those seeking one without the added ingredients of dyes, artificial flavors, artificial sugars, and other fillers.

Here’s a great article by a doctor I love about fever. It really helped me understand what I was facing when we had our first son.

Herb Pharm Kids Mullein and Garlic Oil has saved us four times from going into urgent care. It has been very effective in keeping ear aches from coming back after the first three doses. This is a must have product in our medicine cabinet.

Boiron’s Camilla Teething Drops for Baby has been my favorite since day one! My son has been teething for the last month and a half. This has made the process much easier for all of us. I also have tried the Hyland’s Natural Baby Soothing Tablets, which I love as well for teething babies.

I use a lot of the Boiron’s products for fever and pain as well depending on the issue, like Belladona is a good one I have all year round.

These are just a few of the things I like to have in my medicine cabinet.

Of course there’s the usual advice of a proper and nutritious diet that we follow, but with a six year old boy in first grade, germs are inevitable in our household.

When my boys do get sick, we make sure there’s plenty of rest, hydration (we love Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water) and some sipping bone broth by Kettle & Fire when they don’t have an appetite.

Please listen to your instincts and do what is best for your family. This is not medical advice. Always discuss with your provider.