Parents scrambled last fall when the FDA deemed conventional cold medicines ineffective and potentially dangerous for children between the ages of 2 and 5. Help your babe feel back up to snuff with these natural remedies from Aviva Romm, president of the American Herbalists Guild, and Dana Ullman, MPH, founder of www.homeopathic.com.
| REMEDY | SYMPTOM | WHAT IT DOES | HOW TO USE* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antimonium tartaricum 6c (homeopathic) | Loose cough | Improves breathing and relieves rattling coughs. | Follow dose instructions. |
| Belladonna 6c (homeopathic) | Fever | Heals sore throats, ear aches, and high, fevers. | Follow dose instructions. |
| Euphrasia 30c (homeopathic) | Watery eyes | Heals inflammationand redness. | Follow dose instructions. |
| Garlic ear oil | Earache | Kills bacteria. | Heat 4-5 cloves chopped garlic in ½ cup olive oil for 5-10 minutes. Cool and strain well. Put 3-4 drops in ear. Don't use if ear is discharging fluid or if ear drum is ruptured. |
| Herbal steam | Sinus pressure | Loosens mucus. | Boil 2 quarts water. Remove from heat; add 2 tablespoons rosemary, thyme, and oregano; let sit for 15 minutes. Discharge steam and make sure it's not too hot. Place a towel over head, lean partially over pot, and breathe in vapors. |
| Ipecacuanha 30c (homeopathic)** | Nausea | Relieves queasiness when vomiting doesn't help. | Follow dose instructions. |
| Onion syrup | Stuffy nose | Thins mucus. Sulfur compounds work as an antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic. | Slice one onion; sprinkle pure cane sugar over slices and layer in a mixing bowl. Let set overnight to draw out onion's moisture. Take 1 teaspoon of liquid as needed. |
| Additional sources: Timothy Fior, MD; Nancy Welliver, ND. *Consult a health care practitioner for a dose that's right for your child. **Not ipecac syrup. | |||