Do you often wonder, “Will this cough ever end?” Children’s coughs can be worrisome and exhausting.
You’ve tried Zarbee’s, you’ve tried cough medicine and still, it will not go away. Do you wish you knew WHY this was happening?
#1 Get to the root of the problem
It’s so important to figure out why they are coughing.
- Is it their diet?
- Are they sick?
- Is it an allergy?
- Is it pneumonia?
- Are they on medication?
- Have they had antibiotics?
- Do they have an earache or sore throat?
Once you get to the root cause of the cough, you can treat the cough correctly.
Diet is always first. The common food allergens that produce a cough are:
- Wheat
- Dairy
- Red food dye
- Soy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Nuts
Cockroaches are also the number one allergen for coughs in city areas.
If your child has been suffering for a while, have them tested for allergies.
#2 Heal your child’s gut
If your child is struggling with allergies, eczema, and asthma they may need to remove the allergy that is bothering them and then heal their gut.
Children two and older can try the 4R approach to reduce inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome that may have occurred from too many medications. I teach this in my course: Home Remedies For Children.
#3 Home remedies for a cough for kids
To address a cough think of adding anti-viral botanicals plus, expectorants to support their immune system and release the mucous. ¹
Anti-viral botanicals include:
- Echinacea
- Andrographis
- Licorice
Natural Expectorants for cough include:
- Elecampane
- Hyssop
- Mullein
- Thyme
- Yerba santa
- Ginger
- To purchase: Try Lung expectorant from Herb Pharm for kids 2+, Add Elderberry Glycerine or Lemon Balm Glycerine to the lung expectorant so it makes it tasty
Tinctures For Kids
Tinctures are an extract of a plant in alcohol. When a cold begins, give an Echinacea glycerine tincture and Elderberry Syrup to support their immune system.
Studies show Echinacea may reduce upper respiratory infections in early treatment. ⁴
Tincture Dosing For Children
Dose: When the adult dose is 2 droppersful (60 drops), the following is recommended for children:
Age — Dosage
- Younger than 3 months — 2 drops
- 3 to 6 months — 3 drops
- 6 to 9 months — 4 drops
- 9 to 12 months — 5 drops
- 12 to 18 months — 7 drops
- 18 to 24 months — 8 drops
- 2 to 3 years — 10 drops
- 3 to 4 years — 12 drops
- 4 to 6 years — 15 drops
- 6 to 9 years — 24 drops
- 9 to 12 years — 30 drops
Home remedies for a cough and throat pain
When a cough is dry with throat pain, you’ll want soothing herbs like:
- Licorice
- Slippery elm
- Marshmallow root
- Your toddler can suck on slippery elm throat lozenges
- I’d also give an immune tincture like herb pharm to boost their immunity found here.
- Our favorite tea recipe for a sore throat is found here.
- {This is safe for toddlers who do not have hypertension and they love how sweet it is!}
Read more: 3 Homeopathic Remedies For A Croup Cough
Home remedies for infants
Using botanicals with infants requires more caution. The tincture doses are much less due to their body weight. Please see your free cheat sheet. To administer a tincture to an infant, you can add tinctures to a bottle or place in 1/3 cup of water. Use a syringe or straw to make sure your child gets the full amount.
Home remedies for a cough with toddlers
Toddlers are a little easier, as they love anything new and fun. I would add tinctures to their Sippy cup, use a syringe, or sip out of a fun cup with a straw.
5 Home Cough Remedies
- Slippery elm lozenges
- Licorice & peppermint tea
- Herb Pharm Lung expectorant add Elderberry Glycerine
- Andrographis- to prevent pneumonia
- Echinacea tincture
Conclusion
When using botanicals with children it is very important you’re choosing the right herb and correct dosing for their symptom. With a combined effort of diet, teas, and rest your child will be able to become resilient through the years.
What have you tried for coughs? Let me know in the comments below.
¹ https://chriskresser.com/rhr-treating-viral-pneumonia-and-other-infections/
² Reference used: “Herbal Remedies for Children’s Health” by Rosemary Gladstar
³ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decoction
⁴ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10496642/
