5 Effective Home Remedies for Cold and Flu in Kids

The common cold is more common in children than in adults because their immunity is not fully developed. If your baby never stops sniffing and coughing, here is a list of homemade remedies for the most common symptoms of flu, cold, and cough in children.

What can be the symptoms of a common cold?

Common cold symptoms in a toddler start with a runny nose, sneezing and a throat tickle but ends up with a lingering cough that often flares up resulting in sleepless nights. Here’s what you should look for –

1. Runny nose (discharge is watery at first, then the mucus becomes thicker, and opaque)
2. Dry cough
3. Sneezing
4. Congestion 
5. Watery eyes
6. Sore or scratchy throat (which can be difficult to spot in a toddler)
7. Mild fever (101 to 102 degrees F), especially in the evening
8. Loss of appetite
9. Restlessness

Home remedies which will help to relieve your kid from cold 

1. 1. Garlic and Ajwain Pouch- Garlic and ajwain are both powerful cough and cold medicines because of their  antibacterial and antiviral properties. This mixture is one of the best herbal remedies for colds in kids. 

• Take 2 cloves of garlic and 1 spoon of ajwain, and roast them dry. 
• After cooling, place them in a muslin cloth and tie them. 
• Keep this bag at a safe distance from the baby to make them feel comfortable. 
• This pouch will help clear any blockages the baby may have caused by a cold.
• Alternatively, you can rub the pouch on the bottom of the baby's feet to get the result.

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1. 2. Mustard Oil Infused With Garlic and Carom Seeds- Mustard oil, garlic and ajwain all have antibacterial and antiviral properties and also have a soothing effect on the baby as they ease congestion. 

• Heat 1/4th cup of mustard oil and add 2 cloves of crushed garlic and carom seeds to it. 

• Once they turn brown, take it off the stove. 

• Try massaging this oil on the baby’s chest and under his feet.

1. Tulsi-Ginger Kwath- Tulsi and ginger have known benefits balancing Kapha dosha and treating phlegm. 

• Start taking a handful of Tulsi leaves and crush them well in a mortar and pestle.

• Now put this in a boiling pan with two cups of water and boil until the water has reduced.

• Try adding two pinches of ginger powder to it. Allow the mixture to cool down and give this to your child three to four times a day.

1. Peppermint Steam- Add two to three drops of peppermint oil to a large bowl of steaming water. Place it safely and conveniently for your child to inhale the steam. This will open up nasal congestion.

1. Dry Roasted Turmeric Rub- Turmeric can help in relieving cold symptoms as it has antiviral and antibacterial properties. 

• Burn a dry turmeric stick till it is charred on a stove and then make a paste by adding some water. 

• Applying it on the bridge of the baby’s nose can provide relief.  Avoid applying the paste inside the baby’s nose.

Precautions to Take While Using Remedies-

1. The baby needs 18 hours of sleep, and toddlers or older kids get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep when they have a cold  and cough.
2. Avoid giving honey to children who are less than 1-year-old. This could lead to a disorder called infant botulism which is a form of poisoning.
3. Ensure that your child is not allergic to any ingredient you will be using in your home remedy.
4. Try to feed the baby warm fluids that will help in flushing out the mucus, hydrate him, and provide him relief from the cold.
5. Wash your and your baby’s hands frequently during this time to avoid infections. 80% of infections spread through touch.