Flu and cold season may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean your child’s respiratory system won’t throw you a curve ball when you’re least expecting it — and probably after the doc’s office has closed for the day. Here are a few home remedies to calm the airways.*

1.) If you’ve already introduced honey, this a great throat soother and natural cough suppressant for kids before bedtime.

2.) Get as much clear (preferably warm) liquid down as possible to thin the mucus. If you can get them to drink warm water with squeezed lemon juice, double bonus. (You can add honey here, too.)

3.) Herbal teas thin mucus, ease congestion & offer additional medicinal qualities if you find one your kiddos will sip. In our house, mint is the go-to (antioxidant, soothes airways, inhibits certain bacterial growth, relieves congestion, antiseptic, etc.) along with lemon-ginger (eases sore throat, anti-inflammatory, eases symptoms of colds & other respiratory issues, antiseptic). Teas with slippery elm are especially helpful in soothing sore throats.

4.) Horehound reduces mucus and breaks up congestion — this one seems to work especially well for my kids. We use children’s drops although lozenges are available for older ages.

5.) Cherry bark reduces throat and bronchial inflammation and dries phlegm. It can be given as drops or in lozenges.

6.) Give a warm bath with about 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, placed while running the water.

7.) Use a carrier oil (olive oil, almond oil, etc.) and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Rub on the chest and also on feet before pajamas/socks are pulled on. I also add a few drops of lavender to ease crankiness and stress for the little ones. It doesn’t hurt for me to get a whiff since I’m a little sleep-deprived and cranky by then, too.

8.) For a more intense coughing episode, spend time in a closed restroom (not in the water) with the shower going at its hottest and a few drops of eucalyptus oil dropped in the tub to create a eucalyptus steam room. This can also be effective without drops.

9.) Use books or boards to prop the head of the bed up an inch or two (or three) to support drainage.

10.) Astragalus/echinachea herbal drops can offer a boost to immune systems when fighting a particularly nasty infection.

11.) Increase anti-inflammatory foods (that you’ve already introduced so you have no allergy surprises to add to your plate), such as berries, garlic, grapes, onions, nuts, seeds, kiwi, edamame, ginger, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, olive oil, avocado, fish and seafood, beans and legumes.

12.) It’s not recommended prior to age two, but the honey-based homeopathic syrup Chestal is worth checking out for older children. It eases coughing and tightness for our whole family, as well as when my son faces an asthmatic coughing episode. It can be used in conjunction with other remedies and is now carried in many mainstream drugstores.

Do you use any home remedies not listed here? Share them below!

*Home remedies mentioned in The Dandelion are never meant as a replacement for your doctor. As always, keep an open line of communication going with your doc and let her/him know alternative and complementary remedies you are using.

photo credit: Ryan Hyde @2010