Home Remedies for Sick Kids

Your kid has a sore throat and you feel his pain, but you don't think it warrants a visit to the doctor. Still, you wish there was something you could do to bring him some relief. Fortunately, there is. Your kitchen is full of ingredients that can be combined to bring relief from everything from a sore throat or earache to carsickness or colic.

These home remedies are extremely safe, time-tested, and pediatrician approved. However, if you have any concerns, it's a good idea to put in a quick call and check with your doctor before proceeding.

Sore Throat: Lemon Juice & Honey

Lemon juice helps to dry up congestion, the typical culprit in throat pain, and honey coats the throat to soothe and relieve pain. Mix one tablespoon of honey with one tablespoon of lemon juice, and put it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir it up to make sure there are no hot spots, and give it to your child one teaspoon at a time. Keep in mind that honey is not recommended for babies under one year of age.

Indigestion: Gum

When your little one goes overboard on French fries or Grandma's cookies, give her a piece of sugarless gum to chew on. Gum promotes the production of saliva, which helps neutralize stomach acids that can cause discomfort. Extra saliva also helps keep her teeth clean by washing away food particles and bacteria.

Colic: Chamomile Tea

If your baby has been crying for hours, it could be due to colic. Chamomile tea is a gentle, safe remedy that works by relaxing your baby's intestinal muscles and helps calm him down. Steep the tea bag in hot water for five minutes, let the tea cool to room temperature, and give him one or two ounces in his bottle. To maintain a healthy appetite for milk, don't give your baby more than four ounces of chamomile a day.

Headache: Ice

If your little one complains of a headache, wrap some ice cubes in a dishtowel and hold it gently against the area of the head that hurts. Putting ice directly on bare skin can result in burns, so always wrap it in soft cloth.

Nosebleeds: Cayenne Pepper

You might think applying cayenne pepper to the nostril would burn like blazes, but surprisingly, it doesn't, and it can help stop a nasty nosebleed. Moisten a cotton swab and dip it in a pinch of ground cayenne. Hold our child's head back, pinch the nostrils together for three minutes, and then dab the inside of the nostril with the swab.

Car Sickness: Ginger

Fresh ginger helps stop the stomach contractions that make your child feel nauseated during a car trip. For children older than two years, steep one teaspoon of fresh, shredded ginger in four ounces of boiling water for five minutes. Strain off the liquid, add a little honey to make it taste sweeter, and let it cool. Have your child drink it a half hour before the car trip.