Mother Knows Best
When it comes to curing what ails our kids, moms have utilized some pretty ingenious DIY methods that may come from many generations back. Such methods have even gotten a nod from the American Academy of Pediatrics in recent years, which advocates trying home remedies for coughs before resorting to over-the-counter meds (especially for children under the age of four). Take a look at 10 moms' favorite coughing cures—from honey to peppermint tea to a kick-the-cough smoothie—to add to your remedy repertoire.
A Spoonful of Honey
For children over the age of 12 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends ingesting honey due to its ability to thin out mucus. But that isn't news to Cherie Corso, founder of G2 Organics and a longtime creator of DIY organic remedies. The key ingredient in all of her creations? Wedderspoon honey. "I use this honey because I know it's pure and not mixed with other ingredients," she explains. "I can't stress enough to use good honey. It's worth the little extra money and you will see the results." To make her favorite "cough medicine," add four drops of essential lemon oil and four drops of lavender oil to four tablespoons of Wedderspoon Manuka Honey. Mix in a glass jar and take every two hours, she suggests.
Peppermint Twist
In addition to honey, peppermint is another remedy moms stand by. A favorite of Marci Loehner—a mom of three and founder of My Heavenly Recipes—is peppermint green tea. All it requires is a green tea bag and one drop of essential peppermint oil, she describes. Loehner also prefers giving her kids natural peppermint candies over cough drops since they provide longer relief without any artificial ingredients.
Herbal Blend
Whether it's "just a cough" or full-blown bronchitis, Jill of Jill's Home Remedies has just the ticket to cure all sorts of respiratory issues: "DIY Lung Formula," which has been known to cure her daughter's coughing fits in the same day, she says. A blend of ground herbs—such as marshmallow (to sooth irritated membranes), mullein (to loosen and expel mucus and calm spasms) and chickweed (to reduce inflammation and remove toxins)—can be brewed into a tea, sprinkled on applesauce or added in juice to help kids drink it down.
Suck on a Lemon
Your kids' faces may pucker at the thought of it, but sucking a lemon is a remedy Robin Rue, the mom behind the blog Masshole Mommy, tested herself after a friend passed the trick along to her. She promises it offers quick relief when you've reached your cough-toleration max.
Herbal Cough Syrup
If you have any ailment, chances are Wellness Mama has a remedy for it, and her herbal cough syrup proves no different. In addition to (surprise, surprise) honey, her recipe includes ginger root (either fresh grated or dried) for its anti-inflammatory effect, chamomile flowers for soothing a "tickle" in the throat, marshmallow root for its mucus-dislodging ability and cinnamon as an added immune booster. For children under the age of one, maple syrup can be substituted for honey.
Honey-Cider Syrup
Loaded with antioxidant and antimicrobial goodness, make apple cider vinegar a staple in your kitchen pantry. Mary Younkin of Barefeet in the Kitchen uses it as a base for her go-to remedy when easing her kids' coughs and sore throats. Combine 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of local, raw honey, 2 tablespoons of water, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger. Shake well before use and swallow a spoonful whenever your cough calls for it.
Steam Tent
At the first tickle of a cough or sore throat, Lisa Kuhlman—a mom of five—will start constructing an herbal steam "tent." Bring water to a boil in a pot, remove from heat and add a few drops of essential oil (she suggests lavender, rosemary, mint, tea tree or thyme). Cover the back of your head with a towel to keep the steam contained, lean over and inhale deeply. If your child is too jittery or placing them over a steaming pot of water makes you nervous, make a "tent" by draping a sheet over a couple of chairs and sit next to the steaming pot with him in your lap.
Spinal Roll
As a pediatric acupuncturist, founder of Kids Love Acupuncture and mom to two boys, Robin Green turns to massage to treat her kids' coughs as naturally as possible. Specifically, she employs the Tuina "Spinal Roll" technique—a Chinese pediatric massage developed thousands of years ago that stimulates acupuncture points connected to immunity and recovery. Place your thumbs and forefingers on your child's lower back on either side of the spine. Gently pinch the skin and rapidly move up the spine, as she demonstrates in her instructional video.
Homemade Cough Drops
These DIY cough drops—courtesy of mom Kresha Faber of Nourishing Joy—will take you less time to put together than making a trip for the store-bought ones (especially if you can set aside a stash of the herb blend). Gather elderflowers, horehound, hyssop, lemon balm and spearmint, and combine with water and honey over the stove. Or, choose your one or two favorite herbs among the bunch and customize them to your liking.
Image via NourishingJoy.com
'Kick the Cough' Smoothie
As moms know all too well, the best remedies for kids are the ones that don't appear to be remedies at all. With that in mind, something like the "Kick the Cough" Smoothie, as created by Victoria of Green Plate Rule is exactly what any Mommy MD wants to have at the ready. The ingredients include an orange, half a lemon, half a cup of pineapple, honey, ginger, apple cider vinegar and cayenne (feel free to leave out if you don't want any hint of spice). Blend together with ice until smooth and serve with breakfast, lunch or as a nighttime snack.
