The Best Home Remedies For Cough and Cold for Elders and Kids
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Coughing, a natural reflex, happens when something irritates
your airways or throat. |
Image: Freepik
Overview
Friends, we all face the problem of cough and cold generally in extreme summer or winter seasons. We shall discuss here some home remedies and tips to save ourselves from cough and cold.
Coughing, a natural reflex, happens when something irritates your airways or throat.
Coughing sometimes is normal and beneficial since it helps the body get rid of accumulated mucus and debris.
But that doesn't make them any less uncomfortable or draining.
A healthcare professional should handle the treatment of coughs brought on by allergies, infections, and asthma.
However, there are some suggestions to assist manage your cough at home if it persists after a viral infection or is the result of discomfort.
Many people continue to rely on home remedies to treat the typical cold and cough.
These natural medicines not only effectively heal common colds and coughs, but they also have no negative side effects.
Here, we've included a few of these natural therapies that can help you get rid of a cold or a cough.
The best kitchen remedy to get rid of common Cough and Cold:
Please see the above video for reference- Take 500 gms of Spinach also called paalak in India.
- Also take 250 gms of Turnip, Indian name Shalgam.
- Take 250 gms of Carrots, Indian name gajar.
- And 250 gms of Tomatoes, Indian name tamatar.
- Also take some leaves of Coriander, an Indian name dhaniya.
- Also 50gms of Ginger, Indian name adrak.
- Also take half Red Onion, Indian name Lal Pyaj.
- Wash them all and cut them into small pieces.
- Mix them in one liter of Water.
- Put them in a cooker and give two whistles. Or you can also boil it for 20 minutes.
- Filter to get extract and mix some Salt and Lemon Juice.
- Mix to this some Cumin Powder, called jeera in India, and Black Pepper, Indian name kaali mirch.
- Drink one cup of this hot after every three hours.
- Repeat this for 3 days or as required.
When to avoid treating symptoms
Those uncomfortable sensations you're going through, are a sign that your immune system is fighting an infection and are a necessary part of the natural healing process.
For instance, your body attempts to fight viruses by creating a hotter-than-normal environment when you have a fever.
Additionally, the heat of a fever speeds up and effectively circulates the germ-killing proteins in your blood.
As a result, you might recover more quickly if you put up with a mild fever for a day or two.
Coughing is another beneficial symptom because it clears your breathing passages of the thick mucus that might harbor germs and spread them to your lungs and other organs.
Even a congested nose is best left alone or just gently handled.
The following tips will give you relief:
1. Always Blow Your Nose
When you have a cold, it's crucial to often blow your nose rather than sneeze mucus back into your head.
However, if you blow forcefully, the pressure may force germ-laden phlegm back into your ear canals, which will hurt.
The ideal approach to blowing your nose is to cover one nostril with a finger and softly blow to clear the other.
2. Use warm Salt Water
Warm salt water can help clear nasal congestion. Salt-water rinse helps clear nasal congestion while also clearing your nose of bacteria and virus fragments.
Here is a well-liked recipe:
In 8 ounces of distilled, sterilized or previously boiled water, combine 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
To irrigate the nose, use a nasal irrigation kit or a bulb syringe.
Apply light finger pressure to keep one nostril closed while squirting the salt solution into the other nostril. Flow it out.
After two to three repetitions, move on to the other nostril.
3. Stay cozy and restful
When you initially get sick with a cold or the flu, staying warm and relaxing will help your body focus its efforts on fighting the infection.
This conflict strains the body. So take a break and help it out.
4. Gargle with warm salty water
Gargling might temporarily soothe a sore throat by moistening it.
Gargle with 8 ounces of warm water and a half teaspoon of salt four times a day.
Try gargling with an astringent substance to tighten the mucous membranes and lessen the tickling in your throat.
You might also gargle with a thick, viscous mixture of honey or honey and apple cider vinegar.
Two cups of boiling water should be used to brew one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or one teaspoon of lemon juice.
Before gargling, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
5. Sleep with an additional pillow
Sleeping with an additional pillow under your head will elevate your head, relieving pressure on your nasal passages.
In order to make a more gentle slope, try putting pillows between the mattress and the box springs if the angle is too difficult.
6. Consume Hot Fluids
Hot beverages reduce nasal congestion, keep you hydrated and soothe your throat and nose's uncomfortable irritated membranes.
Try a hot toddy, an age-old cure, if your congestion is so bad that you have trouble falling asleep at night. Brew a hot cup of herbal tea.
One teaspoon of honey and a single shot of whiskey or bourbon (approximately an ounce) should be added. Just one at a time.
How to treat a child's cough at home
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Children under the age of six should not take over-the-counter
cough and cold medications. |
Image: Depositphotos
Ingest heated liquids:
Encourage your child to consume a lot of water. Warm drinks can help break up mucous and ease sore throats.
Examples include caffeine-free tea, broth and hot water with lemon.
Make use of a humidifier:
The cough of a toddler may get worse in dry air. To assist in easing your child's breathing, think about putting a cool-mist humidifier next to where they sleep in their room.
Inhale warm water vapours:
Allow your youngster to do this after a warm bath or shower. As a bonus, this can also relax your child before bed while helping to release mucus.
Can give ice cream:
Give your youngster cool delights like popsicles or ice cream to soothe a sore throat.
Saline and suction:
Saline solutions, including nose sprays or mists, can aid in thinning nasal mucus.
If your child is small, use a suction bulb or have them blow their nose frequently to stop drainage.
Give an older child a tablespoon of honey:
Children above the age of one may be given a teaspoon of honey to treat coughing.
Why giving your child cold medicine isn't always a good idea
Children under the age of six should not take over-the-counter cough and cold medications. Look into various natural remedies to treat your child's cough or cold.
Children typically catch six to eight colds per year.
These viral infections spread when germs from unwashed hands, coughs or sneezes land on toys, doorknobs or other objects.
The spread of colds can be halted by frequent hand washing, avoiding ill people and coughing into your sleeve.
Children's immune systems aren't as fully developed as those of adults, therefore they are still susceptible to illness.
Keep in mind that viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Some medications may have adverse consequences because they are not intended for infants or toddlers.
What parents need to understand about cold remedies for toddlers and young children
Children under the age of four should not take over-the-counter cough and cold medications and children between the ages of four and six should only take them on a doctor's prescription.
The hazards of over-the-counter cough and cold medications may outweigh their advantages for children under the age of six.
The etiology of a cold is not treated by cold medications.
They are ineffective as a treatment and should not be administered to any children younger than 6 years old due to the possibility of adverse consequences.
Children are most susceptible to major negative effects from over-the-counter medications. These may consist of:
- increased pulse rate
- excessive sleepiness
- Convulsions
- Nausea
Children may be more susceptible to these negative effects even up to age 12.
Additionally, you should refrain from giving your child aspirin because of its potentially harmful side effects in kids.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are two more fever-reducers that could be administered to keep your youngster comfortable (for children over 6 months of age).
For advice on your child's dosage, consult your pediatrician.
What essentials should parents have on hand during the cold and flu season?
To keep an eye on your child's health and offer relief, make sure you have these necessities for the flu and cold at home:
1. A thermometer
A fever is an indication that an illness is being fought off by your child's immune system.
Check your child's temperature using a thermometer if they seem hot, are perspiring, shivering or seem agitated.
There are various kinds of thermometers for kids, so it's crucial to have one you feel comfortable using and that is age-appropriate.
2. Nasal bulb syringe or aspirator and saline spray
Thick mucus in a stuffy nose can be loosened with the aid of a saline solution, such as a nasal spray or mist.
If your children are too young to blow their nose properly, assist them to empty their nasal passages by using a suction bulb or a nasal aspirator.
Before going to bed, right after waking up and for infants, right before eating, suctioning can be extremely helpful.
Additional advice for relieving congestion in children:
Taking a warm bath or shower can also help loosen mucus.
3. Medicines that reduce fever
If your child develops a fever, it can be useful to keep children's Paracetamol or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or children's ibuprofen (Motrin) in the house.
These medicines can help with rapid relief even if they won't address the underlying cause of your child's fever.
Several suggestions for parents:
Before using any fever-reducing drugs, check the expiration date.
To determine the appropriate dose for your child's age and weight, check the label or contact your pediatrician.
Always call your pediatrician first if your baby has a fever if they are under 3 months old.
Ibuprofen should not be given to infants less than 6 months.
Young children under the age of 18 should not be given aspirin. Children may get harmful adverse effects from it.
4. Treatment for sore throat
The kitchen is a better place to keep some of the finest remedies for sore throats than the medical cabinet.
Warm drinks can ease pain and loosen mucus.
Examples include hot water with lemon, broth or for older kids, caffeine-free tea.
In addition, children over the age of one can use honey to soothe a sore throat and lessen coughing.
5. Cleaning supplies and soap
One of the best methods to keep your child from contracting a winter illness in the first place is to practice good hand hygiene.
Make sure you keep antibacterial hand soap on hand around the house and stock up on hand sanitizer for emergency circumstances like in the car or attached to children's school backpacks.
To lessen the danger of spreading germs, clean regularly handled things using wipes or sprays.
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Compiled by: Paramjit Singh Rana
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