The most worrisome thing for a mother is when her little one catches cold. From the moment she hears a small sniffle, she becomes aware that she needs to deal with the nose wiping, screams, checking the temperature and sleepless nights for weeks to come. It is advised not to give cold medications to infants because they are not safe for the child. Cold in infants are said to last for at least two to three weeks. It is sad to watch your child cry aloud not knowing what to do, but just a sympathetic look seeking help.
The immune system of babies is not completely developed, hence these little ones are prone to various infections and the most common among them is the common cold. The slightest of changes in season can pave way to irritation and illness in infants. In the first year, babies tend to catch a cold or develop cough frequently and this makes the baby uncomfortable. The respiratory tract and the nasal passage tend to swell up and produce mucous leading to running nose, wheezing and difficulties in breathing. Sometimes mild fever, sneezing and watery eyes may also occur. While instant relief is not possible, there are a few herbal remedies discussed below which are worth trying.
The oil extracted from peppermint is an excellent herbal remedy to decrease fever. Take a drop of this oil and apply it at the reverse side of the infant’s feet. You will notice that the fever reduces within a few minutes. We apply the oil on the feet because it’s in this part of the body that the absorption of the oil into the bloodstream is fast.
Peppermint oil can be made mild and also used in a diffuser allowing the baby to inhale the smell, which helps in clearing the nasal passage and congestion caused due to cold.
Lavender oil possesses a soothing and calming effect and it is popularly referred to as”nature’s sedative”. Take some distilled water and add a few drops of lavender oil, which is diluted. Spray it on the place, where the baby sleeps.
This lavender oil helps the baby have a sound sleep, which is normally disturbed when the baby suffers from cold. Good sleep can make the baby feel better and lavender does that magic. A drop of this oil can be rubbed on the infant’s feet too.
Tea tree is the common term used for melaleuca. Take a few drops of this oil along with a carrier oil like coconut oil and mix it well. Gently rub this combination on the baby’s back and chest to relieve baby cold by acting as a decongestant. You can also diffuse this oil into the air using a vaporizer or humidifier, which can effectively help in the treatment of cold in infants.
Ginger is known to possess great healing powers. Take a small piece of ginger, add one teaspoon of honey, and grind it to make a juice and give the syrup to the baby. Doing this helps in clearing sore throat and relieves the baby from cold.
The anti inflammatory and soothing qualities of chamomile prove to be very effective in treating cold in infants. Brew a mild tea and give small portions to your baby to alleviate the symptoms and help your baby get rid of cold.
Saffron is very effective in relieving congestion in infants. Take a few strands of saffron and add a few drops of water to it. Grind this to make it into a paste. Apply this paste on the forehead, throat and neck of the baby.
Leave it overnight for it to act on the problem. Doing this helps the baby get relief from chest and nasal congestion. Apply this paste every day, till the baby gets completely cured from cold.
Herbs such as slippery elm, wild cherry bark, sage leaves, mullein and licorice root can be used to make tea. A little honey can be added to this tea to sweeten it. This is an excellent remedy to treat cold in babies. Echinacea is an herb that enhances the immune system of the body. Herbalists consider Echinacea, as a ‘mother’s helper’. The herb can be used in the form of tincture or tea.
It can be administered when you notice the first symptoms of flu or cold. Mullein flower is quite effective in treating problems such as bronchial congestion or ear infections that are associated with flus and colds. Catnip is another effective herbal relaxant, which soothes the agitated nervous system. A few drops of this herbal tincture before bedtime is a great way to calm fussy children and relieve cold.
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