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Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness

 

 

Home remedies for common kids sicknesses (fever, flu, cough, sore throat, diarrhea)


I'm pretty sure all moms know what common kids sicknesses are: fever, flu, cough, sore throat, stomach flu, diarrhea, Roseola, hand-foot-mouth-disease (HFMD), chicken pox. So far, my 18.5-month old little one has had all except HFMD and chicken pox.

About home remedies, after reading up information from fellow mommies in FB groups, I believe every household should have at least these three must-have items ready in their pantry:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
2. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO): Read up about VCO's health benefits
3. Raw Honey e.g. Manuka Honey (UMF >10)

Other good to-have ingredients include lemon, garlic, small red onions, ginger.


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Disclaimer: When in doubt, you should always consult your child's pediatrician before attempting home remedies. Every child is different and might react differently to the ingredients in the home remedies. Please do your own research well. 


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Fever

From MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or above one of these levels: 38°C measured in the bottom (rectally); 37.5°C measured in the mouth (orally); 37.2°C measured under the arm (axillary).

Fever is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Although a fever signals that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for, not against the person.

Note: Do follow your motherly instincts. If you think you should send your child to his pediatrician or ER, please do so. Home remedies are only recommended for very mild fever in order to sooth the child, not to combat underlying causes of the fever.

This is the guide that I always follow. Go to the clinic if your child:
  • Is 3 months or younger and has a rectal temperature of 38°C or higher
  • Is 3 to 12 months old and has a fever of 39°C or higher
  • Is 2 years or younger and has a fever that lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours
  • Is older and has a fever for longer than 48 to 72 hours
  • Has a fever of 40.5°C or higher, unless it comes down readily with treatment and the child is comfortable
  • Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, or cough
  • Has had fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if these fevers are not very high
  • Recently had vaccination

Here are some home remedies for fever that I learned from fellow mommies.

#1: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

ACV reduces fever quickly because its acidity helps to draw heat from the skin.

Add 1/2 cup ACV to lukewarm (NOT cold) water in a baby bath tub. Soak in this bath solution for 5-10 minutes. I usually do this twice a day - late morning and early evening.

Soak a washcloth in a mixture of one part ACV and two parts tepid water. Wring out excess solution and place it on your forehead and tummy. Change the cloth when it becomes warm. Repeat as often as required until fever reduces.

Soak socks in a mixture of one part ACV and two parts tepid water. Wring out excess solution and wear the socks. Change the socks when they become warm. Repeat as often as required until fever reduces.

#2: Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

Drink neat, 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.

#3: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated

Example: plain water, fresh coconut water, barley water, clear broth.


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Flu & cough

Here are some home remedies for flu & cough that I learned from fellow mommies.

#1: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) + raw honey

Mix 1 tablespoon ACV and 1 teaspoon raw honey in a cup of warm water. Drink 3-4 times a day. This remedy is NOT suitable for babies below 1 year old.

#2: Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

Drink neat, 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.

#3: Ginger + lemon juice + raw honey

Cut a thumb-sized ginger into slices and crush them slightly. Boil them in a cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon raw honey. Drink 3-4 times a day. This remedy is NOT suitable for babies below 1 year old.



#6: Chinese double-boiled pear (Chinese golden pear or Korean pear)
1 Chinese golden pear or 1 Korean pear + 1 luo han guo + 3 large Chinese honey dates + 2 soup spoonfuls Chinese almonds (north & south) + 600-900ml water. Double boil for 3 hours.

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Sore throat

Here are some home remedies for sore throat that I learned from fellow mommies.
 
#1: Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

Drink neat, 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.

#2: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) + raw honey + lemon juice

Mix 1 tablespoon ACV with 1 teaspoon raw honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a cup of warm water. Drink 3-4 times a day. This remedy is NOT suitable for babies below 1 year old.

#3: Homemade popsicles

Mix fresh fruits with plain or Greek yogurt and freeze them into popsicles. Eat as and when needed.

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Diarrhea

Here are some home remedies for diarrhea that I learned from fellow mommies.
 
#1: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated

Example: plain water, fresh coconut water, barley water, clear broth.

#2: Eliminate dairy products

Especially fresh milk, cheese, and cow's milk-based formula milk.

#3: Eat plain yogurt

Dairy products should be eliminated because they worsen diarrhea. However, yogurt is an exception. Yogurt contains live-cultures, i.e. gut-friendly bacteria that provides protection in the intestines and helps generate lactic acid to flush out toxins.

#4: Eat BRAT food

These are bananas, rice, applesauce (cooked apples), and toast. Clear broth and watery rice porridge are okay too.

#5: Take a course of probiotics after diarrhea is over

A course usually lasts two weeks, with 1 serving a day. Here's my toddler's experience. 


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Feel free to suggest other home remedies that you're using.

Thank you!


7 comments

  1. I never like the taste of coconut oil. Used to drink it neat as believe to be good for your brain and skin.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great tips, thanks. I love apple cider vinegar. Is there anything it can't do?

    ReplyDelete
  3. My son only 10months.. He seldom get cough..What remedy u recommend to cure it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If his cough is really bad, you should bring him to see a pediatrician. If the cough is not serious, can try feed him virgin coconut oil neat, i.e. straight from the bottle.

      Delete
    2. If his cough is really bad, you should bring him to see a pediatrician. If the cough is not serious, can try feed him virgin coconut oil neat, i.e. straight from the bottle.

      Delete