More than 200 different types of viruses especially Rhinoviruses cause these respiratory tract infections. In the cold mucous membrane of the nose and throat inflamed, typically causing runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, and coughing. It is especially in toddlers, with the age of 1 to 3 years old, because of their less immunity. A cold usually lasts about 1 week in children but can continue as long as 2 weeks. Cold cannot be cured easily. However, some home remedies successfully treat colds and coughs. In Asia especially in India people believed that home remedies are more effective for colds and cough. Some home remedies are:
- Lukewarm water
Due to a runny nose or loss of mucous from the nose child's body become dehydrated during the cold. To overcome this dehydration parents, give lukewarm water to their toddlers. Lukewarm water helps in fighting against dehydration, cold, cough, sore throat. It reduces inflammation in the throat and soothes the membranes. It helps in replenishing the fluid of the body.
Vapor Rub is used as a home remedy throughout the world especially in India. The main ingredients of vapor rub are eucalyptus oil, methanol (2.6%), thymol, and several other ingredients. These are cough suppressant and topical analgesics compounds. Parents rub Vapor on the child's chest and nose during cold before bed. It provides them relief from a runny, stuffy nose, breathing difficulties, and coughing. After rubbing vapor rub child enjoy better sleep.
- Lemon+ Ginger drink
Lemon has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C is present in lemon which acts as an active agent in the removal of mucus. It helps children to cope with flu, cold, and cough. When combined with ginger, this drink works like a magic. Adding lemon juice and ginger in hot water helps in removing mucus from the body. Ginger has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help in increasing body immunity. It also relieves body pain during sore throat and coughing.
- Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is one of the best home remedies for kids during cough and cold. Steam is moist warm water along with other ingredients. It provides them relief from coughing. when they inhale steam, it opens their nasal passage. It enhances the removal of mucous from the body. Steam inhalation therapy helps kids in losing chest and nasal congestion. It helps the kid to cough or blow mucous out from the nose. Blocked noses and sore throats of toddlers can also be treated by steam inhalation therapy.
- Turmeric milk
Turmeric or Haldi has a lot of healing properties. For centuries, it remained as a first and ultimate tool for the usual inflammatory and infectious diseases. Warm Turmeric milk is effective for kids during dry cough and cold. Because of the antiseptic properties of turmeric, it is useful for treating viral infection diseases, such as cold and which are caused by a different type of virus especially Rhinovirus. It is also an excellent supplement of food for kids.
References:
- Charan, J. B. (2021). Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and home remedies by COVID-19 patients. a telephonic survey. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, , 36(1), 108-111.
- Imran, M. (2017). The prevalence and patterns of usage of Ayurveda, Unani and home remedies in younger adults of rural North India. International Journal of Green Pharmacy (IJGP), , 11(02).
- W. H. (2001). Cough and cold remedies for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in young children (No. WHO/FCH/CAH/01.02. World Health Organization.
- Sung, V. &. (2009). Cough and cold remedies for children.
Keywords
Rhinovirus, respiratory tract infections, toddlers, Lukewarm water, Vapor rub, Lemon, Ginger drink, Steam inhalation, Turmeric milk
