Remedies for cough and phlegm in infants

As you would probably be aware, cough is one of the most common ailments that afflict children. Although a cough may sound nasty and the child may feel plenty of discomfort, it is not a very serious ailment. A cough is in fact, a necessary action of the body which helps in guarding the passages of the body's respiratory system against any infections. There are however, rare cases when a cough can lead to more serious bronchial infections and would require the attention of a medical expert.

There are several natural treatments which have many benefits when used to relieve the symptoms of cough and colds in children. This is especially true in the case of infants below three years of age. One of the most effective herbs that can be used as a home remedy to treat cough in infants is Holy basil. Holy basil extracts have a high content of anti oxidant, anti viral and anti bacterial properties which are very effective against cough. Take a sprig of fresh holy basil and crush it well. Extract the juice from the crushed leaves and feed this to your child slowly. You can also take dried leaves of basil and brew it in approximately 4 cups of boiling water. Once the mixture has sufficiently cooled, it can be given to the child at regular intervals throughout the day. Keep in mind that you need to lessen the boiled solution to around half the cup. It may also be beneficial to add some freshly squeezed lemon juice to the basil water. This mixture has been known to be quite effective when consumed in twice daily, early in the morning as well as at night for approximately 8 to 12 days.

Another effective alternative that can be used to treat cough and congestion in infants is through humidifiers. You can also add essential oils such as eucalyptus, thyme or sage to the humidifiers to enhance its effectiveness. It is a good idea to run a hot shower for your child if you notice the congestion in your child appears particularly excessive. The steam created by the hot shower will help in the loosening the congestion in the child's lungs. If the child seems to be suffering from excessive congestion, run a hot shower for the child in the bathroom. The congestion in the child's lungs will be loosened by the steam in the shower.

It is extremely important to remember that coughs are normally caused by viruses and hence antibiotics are not very effective. It is best to make sure that your child has sufficient amount of rest and plenty of liquids. Make sure that you consult a doctor before you use any medical aids including home remedies.

answered by G M

If your baby is suffering from cough and chest phlegm, then try on the following natural remedies:

• One spoon of honey given with cardamom powder can be effective in curing cough.
• A hot-water bottle can also be effective in curing cough for infants. Make sure that the heating pad you use does not have cords or heating elements.
• Use a commercial ice pack or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes. Cover the ice pack with a cloth and put on baby's skin. Do not apply ice pack directly on the baby's skin.
• Prepare a mixture of crushed pepper balls and clarified butter. Feed your child with this mixture at least twice a day.
• Make your baby eat a mixture of ginger juice and honey.
• Feed your baby with plenty of water. If he or she likes any juice then dilute juice with water before feeding him of her.
• Nasal aspiration is another effective measure to reduce intensity of cough in infants. Squeeze the bulb of an aspirator and then place the tip in one nostril. Then you can gradually release the bulb. This will help to pull mucus.
• You can even try salt water irrigation. Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt in a glass of cooled boiled water. Pour few drops of the prepared liquid into each nostril. This will help to draw dry mucus.
• Steam vaporizer or warm-mist humidifier can also be used for reducing the intensity of cough.

answered by J