healthykids
Sniffle Patrol
Easy Tips to Keep Kids Healthy This Winter
by Dr. Lauri Grossman
A
ccording to the National Insti-
n Steamed vegetables and soups fortify
tutes of Health, children can
the body with minerals.
get six to 10 colds a year, but
n Miso and chicken soup, herbal teas
with the Food and Drug Administra-
and water flush away toxins and
Echinacea ~ This popular herb en-
tion’s recent warnings about the safety
keep the respiratory tract moist.
hances immune function. The dose for
of over-the-counter cold medicines n Ginger, onions and garlic warm the
a 150-pound adult is 500 milligrams, or
for children, many parents are looking body and boost the immune system.
2 to 4 milliliters of tincture, four times
for new ways to find relief. Here is a
n Hot water with lemon and honey
a day. For children, give a proportional
rundown of some of safest and most
soothes the throat and chest and
amount, based on the child’s weight.
effective alternatives.
thins mucous.
Lomatium ~ Given in the same dose as
n Mint tea and peppermint candies
echinacea, lomatium also has antiviral
Prevention
help with tickling coughs.
properties.
Colds, like most illnesses, tend to affect
Foods to Avoid ~ Sugar depresses the
Elderberry ~ Used for centuries,
children whose immune systems are
immune system and keeps white blood
elderberry syrups are still popular in
weak; the best defense is to take steps
cells from being able to fight infection,
Europe for fighting the common cold
to support the body’s natural defenses.
so it is to be avoided. Although many
and boosting the immune function.
Having children eat well, drink plenty
people drink orange juice for its vitamin
(Elderberry is also one of the best herbal
of water, exercise and get ample rest
C content, 100 percent fruit juices are
remedies for the flu.)
helps keep their immune systems
also high in sugar. Switching to water or
strong. A recommended diet includes
teas or diluting juices is a good idea.
whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables,
Homeopathy
Milk encourages the buildup of
and lean proteins. Good basics work to-
Evaluating a child’s symptoms at the on-
mucous, so it’s best to avoid dairy dur-
gether to keep kids healthy and active.
set of a cold offers clues for remedies that
ing the healing process. Pass on the
can speed up the healing process and
milk or switch kids to soy or rice-based
Treatment
lessen the severity of symptoms. Give the
milks for the duration of a cold.
child two or three pellets of the appropri-
Recommended Foods ~ If a child
ate remedy (as noted below) that match-
comes down with a cold, encourage
Herbal Remedies es his or her symptoms in a 30C potency,
them to eat lightly. This allows their
Medical doctor James Balch, co-author
four times a day. Stop when improve-
body to concentrate on healing, rather
of Prescription for Nutritional Healing,
ment becomes noticeable and begin
than on digesting a three-course meal.
and naturopathic doctor Mark Stengler
again only if symptoms return. If there is
Choose foods wisely; some of the best
are leading natural health experts. They
no improvement within 24 hours, select
natural medicines are found at home in
recommend the following herbs to
a different remedy and/or consult with a
the kitchen cabinet:
counter a cold:
professional homeopath.
12
Southwestern Virginia
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