It has been over a year since Presley has had any congestion, so I had to get back into my books and notes to remember all the natural ways we can assist the body to recover when she developed some congestion this week. I thought I would consolidate it here for myself and others who may be interested. Please know there are times to take your child straight to a doctor for an evaluation and treatment, such as high fever, persistent fever, worsening or persistence of symptoms, refusal to eat or drink, ear pain, shortness of breath and more. However, when it is mild congestion, I like to try using a natural approach. The following list could be discussed with your doctor at your next visit, so you are ready the next time your child gets the sniffles.
1. Homemade Vapor rub - I tend to stay away from chemicals, and I like being able to pronounce all of the ingredients being placed on my children's skin, since it is the largest organ in our body. Over the counter Vick's Vapor rub is lavender, rosemary, and euchalyptus PLUS petroleum, we don't need that last ingredient. I like this recipe from Wellness Mama:
Ingredients
•½ cup olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil
•2 level tablespoons of beeswax pastilles
•20 drops of Eucalyptus Oil
•20 drops Peppermint Oil
•10 drops Rosemary Oil
•10 drops cinnamon or clove oil (optional)
1.Melt beeswax with oil of choice in a double boiler until just melted.
2.Add the essential oils (use half the amount for a baby version or dilute with coconut oil before using)
3.Stir until well mixed and pour into some type of container with a lid to store. Little tins work well, as do small jars. I also always make a few in lip chap sticks to keep in my purse or use on baby feet.
4.Use as needed to help sooth coughing and congestion.
Notes: Make sure to dilute for babies and children and use as little as is needed. Can also make with the herbs instead of essential oils by infusing the oil with 1 tablespoon of each of the herbs in a double boiler over medium heat for 2 hours. Many essential oils, including these, are not considered safe for babies or small children. Always check with a doctor or healthcare provider about using herbs or essential oils on young children.
2. GOOT - this is a mixture of 3T coconut oil, 3T olive oil and 3T chopped garlic. I obtained the recipe from Dr Jullian Neil. It is easy to make and can be used for different types of infections. This is an "old school" type of healing recipe. I used it on my daughter's feet and covered them with socks while she was asleep. See recipe here:
3. Diffusing essential oils - I like to change it up throughout the day, but
my go to oils are:
(I have no affiliation with Hopewell oils and receive no
compensation). Tricia enjoys Young Living products.
recommendation, I just really like their products)
- Breath Rite - works like magic on congestion
- Frankincense - I also mix this with fractionated coconut oil and
apply to bottoms of feet and down the spine and over the sinuses
- Euchalyptus
- Plague defense - this is like YL Thieves
- Respiratory Relief - this is like YL RC
- Breathe Easy is a more gentle oil for smaller children
4. Myrtle - myrtle essential oil can be placed on a Qtip and inserted into each nostril. For us, this has always worked immediately and given relief for several hours. It does however sting your nasal mucosa somewhat, so you may want to try it on yourself first. From Heritage essential oil website: Myrtle can be diluted and swabbed in the nostrils for babies and used undiluted when a child is older. Follow with an appropriate salve such as Golden Salve* or Comfrey/Calendula Salve* to keep the nostrils moist.
NeilMed Sinus Rinse Pediatric Kit:
First make up the salt mix. Each time you use the NeilMed, you'll make up a fresh batch.
Sea Salt Mix
8 TB very fine Sea Salt
10 drops Rosemary ct. verbonone
6 drops Tea Tree or Manuka or Mytle
Mix well and store in a glass jar.
When needed, mix the following until the salt has dissolved and use in NeilMed to flush sinuses:
1 tsp of the Sea Salt Mix recipe
1 ½ cup warm (body temperature) distilled water
5. Detox bath - a nice warm bath always helps soothe achy muscles, so add a few ingredients to help detox whatever irritation is causing the congestion. My bath mixture contains 1 cup Epsom salt, 1/4 cup baking soda, 3-5 drops lavender, 3-5 euchalyptus and 1 drop of frankincense. The Epsom salt contains magnesium, so it is best to soak for 15-20 minutes. Here are 10 other great detox bath recipes from Dr Axe: http://draxe.com/detox-bath-recipes/
I also use bentonite clay every other bath when one of us isn't feeling well. Kids get two baths a day when sick.
6. Humidifier - we use a humidifier year round. Too little moisture contributes to dry cracked skin and thick mucous, but too much moisture can encourage fungal and bacterial growth. We can measure our humidity levels via our thermostat and aim for 30-55%. During times of congestion, it is important to help keep the secretions thin. I also add a drop or two of Lugol's soluation to help clean the air. Some even add hydrogen peroxide. We also do a long bath with epsom salt and make the entire bathroom really steamy. We do this first thing in the morning to use the steam to break up any dried or accumulated congestion from the night.
7. Elderberry syrup - this is usually given once a day, but I increase it to once every 4 hours during an illness. I can also mix this with 1-2 drops of these essential oils: Lemmon, Lavender, and Peppermint to boost the immune system. It is commonly referred to as "LLP". Tricia also places it inside a capsule or suppository (mixed with coconut oil) to treat allergies or congestion. See elderberry recipe here: (so easy to make!) Here is a government study supporting that elderberry helps combat virus/influenza.
8. Potato Peeling broth - it is very important to hydrate well with this broth or water during any illness. I have personally witnessed this broth restore health to individuals. My girls drink it each day mixed with a very small amount of organic apple juice. See Tricia's previous post
for recipe.
9. Rest - I support their body when they do not feel well by encouraging lots of rest. These are the days we do no therapy, go nowhere, and watch Minnie Mouse on tv to keep them from being too active.
10. Diet - stay away from dairy, which could encourage mucous production. We initially used goat milk, but more recently switched to coconut/almond milk. We always try to avoid processed foods. We eat real foods, it helps the body to take care of itself. You could also increase their Vitamin C intake via diet or supplementation. Vitamin D supports the immune system also. Avoiding sugar and high starch foods is important, since can weaken the immune system. Read another post with all the information you need to support the immune system, detox, and do a diet overhaul, read HERE.
11. Chiropractor - do your own research, but I personally believe in our chiropractor and routinely take the girls to see him. At the first sign of illness, we make an extra appointment. Learn more with this pediatric chiropractor website.
12. Andi Durkin from the website "A Day to Day Guide to Down Syndrome" has a great article about the importance of keeping congestion away, and why it is so important to keep our children breathing through their nose.
13. Ear infection - keep an eye out for congestion to lead to an ear infection as children's ear canals are more parallel than the slanted anatomy that occurs as they get older. Children with DS typically have smaller canals anyway, so it takes even less mucous to create an infection. Some signs of congestion progressing to an ear infection is the low grade temperature increases and no longer responses to Ibuprofen; the crying increases or occurs for no obvious reason; pulling or pointing at their ears; drainage from the ears; one or both eyes turning inward as fluid accumulates. If you suspect an ear infection, please contact your physician for treatment.
14. Hydrogen peroxide in each ear - this is not for anyone who has a ruptured eardrum or children who have tubes in their ears. Discuss with your doctor if you have any questions. Here is what Dr MercolDa says.
15. Herbal medicine - Dr Aviva Romm is a Yale trained MD and herbalist. She has a lot of information on her website such as:
Natural Medicine chest for kids super immunity
Natural Medicine vs Antibiotics for Kids
Kids and Ear Infections
We use the tinctures ecchinacea ultra, umckaloabo, and ashwagandha tinctures from Mountain Rose Herbs at the first sign of illness.
16. Wellness Mama has lots of awesome suggestions in her blog here.
17. Tricia did a great post earlier and can be found here.
18. Frequent handwashing, even if you are at home. When we have to go somewhere, we use a homemade sanitizer as soon as we get to the car and wash hands with soap and water as soon as we get home. We also change clothes so that the clothes they crawled all over the buggy with or used to sit on public spaces are not worn on our couches during the sick season.
19. Recommendations from others: saline nasal rinses or spray mists, raindrop technique using essential oils, and sinus washes, colloidal silver and xyitol, peroxidizer, N acetyl cysteine, black cumin seed oil, increasing vitamin C, and craniosacral therapy.
UPDATE Nov 2019:
20. Read this post about N-acetylcystiene HERE to learn how it may help during an acute respiratory illness to thin secretions and support glutathione.
21. Read more about colostrum HERE.
Healthy blessings to you and yours,
Robin
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