Natural Remedies for Sick Kids
A story from a Momma of 5!
I am a Momma of five children that rarely see a medical doctor. How is that even possible you ask? Well, let me tell you how my mindset has changed over the years.
When I had my first son at age 17 I remember carrying him through the hospital bawling my eyes out thinking he was going to die when he had his first real sickness. Once I got to the hospital it took me FOREVER to get him back there to be seen, and once I got back there and they looked him over and listened to him they told me to give him ibuprofen, and Tylenol and alternate them to bring down his fever. Along with let him rest and this will pass.
In that moment I was so disappointed, I had just waited about 4 hours and they did something I could have did at home! They weren't thinking he was dying. They didn't rush him in when we got there in urgency like I felt he needed. We went home and dealt with the fever and of course he was fine. His next adventure to the hospital was when he busted his chin open in a fall, and of course, a different hospital, another 4 hour wait and no urgency to stitch it up and then sent him home.
My second kid, once went to the doctor for an ear ache. The one and only ear infection he had ever had. They put him on antibiotics and his little tummy got super bloated. I remember posting in a Natural Mom group explaining the situation and everyone yelling at me to "stop the antibiotics NOW". Of course, I did. They explained to me that he did not need the antibiotics for the ear infection, and that there are other ways to treat them at home. That was the last time ANY of my kids ever got antibiotics again. The thought that you could cure your body with out medication or antibiotics was a real eye opener.
It did bring back memories of my mom always candling our ears and putting garlic ear oil in our ears with cotton balls when our ears hurt. We also only saw a doctor maybe 5 times our whole life, mostly for physicals.
I used to take my kids to the doctor for regular wellness check ups (aka vaccine visits that my kids didn't get), and they were always perfect. Rarely sick, growing appropriately, developing normal, etc. If they were ever sick I would take them to the doctor and say "I already know what it is, but tell me what you think so I know if I am right". I had always researched it based on the symptoms and knew what it was prior to going to the doctor but their validation that I was correct allowed me to treat my kids appropriately. I remember I had the best pediatrician that never pressured us into anything and that always respected my thoughts, opinions, and desires. He would ask me what I wanted to do, and said "if it doesn't work then I can always send in a prescription". I loved that. He was truly one of a kind, and if you have a pediatrician I hope he is just like him.
One day I began to think. "What is it that they are doing that I can't do myself at home?" The answer to that was nothing. Although I enjoyed the validation, I figured I would try to treat the symptoms of any illness at home. Not focusing on a label but just what is happening to their little bodies.
I went online and bought all the "things", an otoscope, oxygen reader, thermometers (better quality), stethoscope, super glue etc. I then continued to purchase every natural remedy I could find that would help support and help heal my kids bodies in the way God designed it to.
I can not even tell you the last time my kids were sick enough to NEED to see a medical doctor and maybe they never were sick enough to need one? But maybe just maybe I allowed others to get into my head and tell me that when your kid is sick "they need a doctor" and then "they need the medicine the doctor prescribes in order to get better." This is actually how majority of people think.
I also want to note that I am not telling you not to take your kids to the doctor because their may be a time where they need one, maybe something you didn't catch, or a weird growth, or an injury beyond your scope. If this is the case then yes, please take your child to the doctor or hospital as I would as well. BUT for minor sickness, or injury (such as a small cut that can be cleaned and glued at home) or something that their body just needs to fight off with rest, fluids, etc then you may not need a doctor.
Now that we have that out of the way here are some successful natural remedies that we use at home!
Natural Remedies for Sick Kids
Mullein Garlic Oil (EAR INFECTIONS)
Garlic ear oil is one of the most popular remedies for ear infections. This is what my Momma used for me and my siblings growing up and it always worked for us. I began using this after my first antibiotic scare and since I have my own otoscope I am able to tell when they have an infection, or start to an infection (what it looks like before and after using garlic ear oil). It is AMAZING! Always works so quick and after one day of using it then they are pain free!
Clove Oil (EAR PAIN)
Another remedy that I have used for ear pain is clove essential oil behind the ear. It is ideal to dilute all essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. One time we were at a friends house and my son was complaining about ear pain, I did not have my tools on hand nor the garlic ear oil but I just so happen to have my clove bottle in my van. I grabbed it and applied it just being hopeful and immediately he didn't have anymore pain. I retested this method on one of my other sons and again it worked successfully. YAY!
Dr. Talbots Tummy Ache Relief Liquid Medicine (Stomach Pain)
This is my go to for any stomach pain associated with any of these symptoms: Diarrhea, Stomach Acid, Gas & Bloating, Upset Stomach, Nervous Tummy.
Activated Charcoal (food poisoning and more)
Any type of stomach pain, gas/bloating, food poisoning, or ingesting of something toxic we use Activated Charcoal. It is helps support healthy digestion!
The dose of charcoal has to be administered as soon as possible (preferably within one hour after ingestion of the toxic compound) and swallowed within a limited period, e.g., in 15 to 20 minutes:
Child under 1 year: 1 g per kg
Child from 1 to 12 years: 25 g
Child over 12 years and adult: 50 g
https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/en/viewport/EssDr/english/activated-charcoal-oral-16683292.html
Boiron ColdCalm Kids
We use cold calm in addition to immune boosting with vitamin c or elderberry syrup. Cold Calm is good for symptoms sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. Begin using as soon as symptoms arise, be constant with frequency. Please see my blog on "Guide to using Homeopathy" prior to using homeopathic remedies.
Guide to using Homeopathy Blog:
Boiron Oscillococcinum Homeopathic Medicine (Flu)
Boiron Oscillococcinum Homeopathic Medicine is amazing for flu symptoms of fever, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Take this remedy as soon as you notice symptoms that match. Please see my blog on "Guide to using Homeopathy" prior to using homeopathic remedies.
Guide to using Homeopathy Blog:
Colloidal Silver (Natural Antibiotic)
We use Colloidal Silver very often, it is one of our favourites! This is something we give out as Christmas gifts and is highly favoured because of its many uses. We most commonly use colloidal silver for sore throats (sprayed in the throat), cough/congestion (ingestion or through nebuliser), stuffy nose (sprayed in the nose), pink eye (drops in the eyes), bug bites (sprayed on the bites), infections (made in a salve for detoxing and healing or sprayed on the wound), fungal (topical use), cleaning cuts, scrapes, puncture wounds, etc (sprayed on) and more!
*It is ideal to use 10-20ppm for ingestion for best absorption and 30-60ppm for topical use.
*Colloidal silver can be used topically and through ingestion safely every couple hours.
*Make sure to use glass, or plastic when consuming, no metal utensils.
We actually use Silver so often in our house with our family and pets that I make my own! It's so easy and cost effective! It is a must have in our First Aid Kit!!
Belladonna Homeopathic (Headaches/Migraines/Sudden Symptoms)
We use Belladonna for anything that is sudden from headaches, migraines, to fever! It works quick and affectively and is one of my favourites in my first aid kit!
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries are a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C which make it great for immune support! Especially to use as a prevention or treatment during cold/flu season.
Vitamin C
This form of vitamin c we personally mix with water and ingest. It has a salty taste. Half of my kids like it and the others tolerate it. lol. When we are sick or becoming sick then we take 3000mg a day. Vitamin C is awesome to take everyday, but especially when feeling sick or sick because it's an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. It is great for boosting the immune system.
Essential Oils for immune boosting/cough/congestion/skin
*Diffusion is acceptable for children around 6 months old
Lemon has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is good for mind clarity, boosting the immune system, and respiratory conditions.
Eucalyptus (take caution with young children) has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is commonly used for coughs, to help clear chest congestion, breathing, bug repellent, and cold sores.
Lavender has anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. It makes it great for helping to heal wounds, sunburn/burns (mix with aloe), bites, irritation, or itchiness.
When my kiddos are sick my go to in the diffuser is one of these 3 or a combo. I will use Lemon and Eucalyptus or Lavender and Eucalyptus.
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