After a phone call this morning from a concerned mommy about the FDA warning against cough syrups and children. I decided to give a little info on COUGHS. It seems another string of the cold/flu bug is going around. A cough when related to a cold is caused by the sinuses draining down the throat and irritating the throat and bronchial tubes. The mucus is trying to be expelled through coughing. The FDA warns that OTC cough syrups don't even work and there is more risk of death so they should not be given to children under the age of 6. Ok, so we know that the runny noses will run there course and soon our little ones will be back to their happy little selves. I agree that it is better to let a cold run its course than offer medication. However, if yo
u'd like to offer relief, in the meantime, here are a few suggestions. The more mucus forming foods we eat the worse the congestion will become so
#1 Limit the intake of diary (ie cow's milk, cheese,yogurt,ice cream,etc.)
#2 Drink lots of fluids to help flush the system
#3 Eucalyptus oil. Add a few drops to a humidifier and keep it in child's bedroom to open up the passageways. It can also be diluted in olive oil (almond oil, apricot kernel oil or other massage oils) and applied to chest, back and feet. ALWAYS DILUTE
I love this oil!! It is awesome for the respiratory system it influences and promotes health and well-being. As a child my mom would rub Vick's Vapor rub on my chest and it's key ingredient was eucalyptus. I choose not to use it now because of the other ingredients it contains. I fill my bathtub with hot water and add between 10-20 drops and just let the bathroom become steamy. I will stand in there with Haven and allow her to breathe it in. This is mainly because I don't own a humidifier but it helps every time she seems congested.
#4 Make your own Cough syrup. Here's how:
Adults: Slice a large onion and place in a bowl. Cover with honey and let stand for 24hrs. Strain off liquid and you have a powerful cough elixir.
Kids: 3 TBS Thyme leaves in a quart jar. Add 2 cups boiling water. Close lid and let steep until cool. Strain off liquid and add 1 cup honey, a 1"piece of ginger or a piece of orange peel. Refrigerate. Take 1 tsp as needed.
(Linda Page's Healthly Healing 12th edition)
3 comments:
Can you make the cough syrup ahead of time, or does it go bad after a certain time?
For best results make it fresh, but it wouldn't hurt to make it and keep it for up to 2 weeks. Don't forget to refrigerate it though!
Wowzers Jill. This is seriously the first time that I have checked out or even known about this blog. You and Adam ARE blogger maniacs. Interesting stuff you've got here. Dave's gramps was just telling us about onion and Honey for the cough. A lot of these could be considered "old wives tales" because they were used SO much more in the olden days....They didn't have a nyquil or robitussin. you know? it's interesting to me. anyways. Good to see you guys and I'll be checking in. good luck
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