This safe, all-natural cold remedy can soothe sore throats and comfort you and your kids when medication isn’t an option.

Is there a natural way to cure a cold?

Bad news folks – there actually isn’t a way to cure a cold (yet).  But there ARE natural cold remedies to help provide your kids with relief and help with symptoms.  Here are a few tips to help:

• Did you know that having your kids blow their nose actually helps? Clearing out excess mucus helps your body instead of sniffling it back in, plus it can relieve a lot of sinus pressure. Keep tissues handy and make sure your kids wash their hands after they blow their nose.
• Drink hot liquids like this honey lemon drink.  Warm liquids can help relieve nasal congestion and help your child to stay hydrated.
• Apply hot or cold packs around your sinuses.  Heat a damp washcloth in the microwave for 20 seconds and apply.  Make sure you test the heat before applying to your child.  For cold, a small bag of frozen veggies works great!
• Have your child sleep with an extra pillow under their head to help drain nasal passages.

Why is Honey Good for a Cold and Cough?

If you read about honey and colds there is a lot of information!  I read a research article where they gave 105 children with colds either honey, honey-flavored cough medicine, or no treatment. All of the children got better, but honey consistently scored best in parents’ rating of their children’s cough symptoms.  The researchers said that honey may work by coating and soothing an irritated throat and it is believed to have antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Dark-colored honey, such as the buckwheat honey used in the study, is particularly high in antioxidants.

Just make sure if you are going to give honey to a child, that they are older than a year. *Honey should not be given to babies younger than 12 months. *  

How to Make our Honey Lemon Cold Remedy:

All you need to make this simple drink is honey, lemon, and water!

1. Juice your lemon (you will need about 2 teaspoons of lemon juice).
2. Heat the water on the stove, in a kettle, or microwave safe mug.
3. Add honey and lemon juice to the water, stirring until the honey is dissolved.
4. Test to make sure it isn’t too hot. You can also add more honey or lemon to taste, if desired.

How to Help Your Kids Through the 5 Stages of a Cold

Stage 1: Onset

After about 1-3 days when your kiddo was first exposed is when you will begin to show mild symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, mild fatigue and a sore throat.  When your child is in this stage don’t ignore the symptoms – help them get plenty of rest and stay well hydrated.

Stage 2: Progression

This is when the cold has really started settling in.  Your child may have moderate congestion and a cough.  This is when it is time to bust out your natural cold remedies, honey lemon drink (see recipe below), chicken soup, soft tissues, and vapor rub.  Also zinc is part of a healthy immune system, so make sure your child is eating zinc rich foods like eggs, garbanzo beans, pumpkin seeds and whole grains.

Stage 3: Peak

Your child’s cold is in full swing.  They might have a low-grade fever, body aches, major congestion and a full blown cough.  Double up on the liquids, water, broth, juice to make sure they stay hydrated.  To relieve congestion and sinus pressure use humidifiers, hot steam from a shower, and possibly a saline nasal spray or rinse.

Stage 4: Remission

When the severe symptoms start to lesson, that is when you know your child has turned a corner.   This is a good time to stop the germ machine.  Sanitize surfaces, wash bedding, clothes, hand towels and even sanitize personal items like toothbrushes and phones.

Stage 5: Recovery

This is when your child is feeling almost 100%.  It is a good time to really get some healthy immune boosting foods into their system and back to a regular sleep and eating pattern.

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• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoon honey
• 1 medium lemon

• Juice lemon.  You will need 2 teaspoons of juice.

• Heat water on the stove, or in a microwave-safe mug.

• Add honey and lemon juice to the heated water, mixing until honey is dissolved.

• Test with a spoon before sipping to make sure it isn’t too hot.

Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg