All parents want their kids to be healthy – physically and emotionally. Physically, their bodies bones, organs, muscles will be strong and emotionally, they will be stable and perform better in everyday tasks. And really, when our kids are healthier, our jobs as parents are much easier. That is a good thing.

Being aware of your child’s everyday health and being aware of upcoming stresses ( back to school or a school holiday where more sugary foods maybe eaten) can make a profound preventative effect on how your child will handle an illness.

Besides encouraging healthy eating with whole colorful foods, keeping your children hydrated and sleeping well, there are a few tips I suggest when you suspect your child maybe coming down with a cold or being exposed to one.

To Prevent a Cold

•From the health food store, purchase an immune tonifying herbal mixture. Look for herbal combinations with elderberry or arabinogalactan ( larch). Take a smaller dose than what they suggest.

• Increase your daily vitamin c intake. The Alacer C Emergen-C packets are wonderful, convenient and give a great dose of vitamin c.

 

If You Do Get a Cold

Commit to doing one of the below suggestions, every 3 hours for 3 days straight. ( don’t worry about the night time). For example, alternate the below:

Vitamin C

Try this: Take 1000mg each time. You may take more but be aware that one side effect may be loose stools.

Botanical herbal medicines

For centuries, people have been using plants and herbs for medicinal purposes.

Try this: At the healthful store, look for the brands Gaia herbs and Herbs for Kids. They both great companies and have immune tinctures.

How much to take: Follow the directions on the back of the label.

Hydrotherapy or “water therapy”

Father Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century monk, is said to be the father of hydrotherapy. He believed the healing properties of water optimize health by helping the body eliminate waste. There are many different types of hydrotherapy treatments but my favorite at-home is the application of hot and cold compresses. The body reacts profoundly. Hot water causes blood vessels to dilate or open and increases blood flow, allowing the body to remove waste from tissues. Cold application initially creates contraction or slight closure of the blood vessels, which pushes stagnant blood away, making room for renewal. Alternating hot and cold water improves elimination, decreases inflammation and stimulates circulation.

To learn about Hydrotherapy click here

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine first defined by Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century. Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing that gently stimulates the body’s own healing powers to aid in the recovery of an illness. It is ideal for everyone. Homeopathic remedies are diluted natural substances.

My favorite homeopathic remedies to keep on hand are:

Arnica 30 C for bumps and bruises
Arsenicum 30C for stomach aches
Belladonna 30 C for a fever
Bryonia 30C for a dry, painful cough

How much to take: Dispense 3 pellets into the cap and place under tongue. It’s important to take away from food.

Keep hydrated with a lot of fluids – herbal teas and water infused with lemons and oranges will aid the body in flushing out the pathogens and allow you to recover faster.

Be mindful, that these supplement suggestions are to help educate and not to diagnose. They are a perfect place to begin with when learning and exploring the options of alternative medicine. It is best to visit a professional health care physician if you have or think you might have a health problem.

Be well,

drheather

Visit drheathernd and Human Body Detectives series for kids, to learn more about dr. heather and her mission to have families be more proactive and healthy in their lives. You can also join in on the conversations in twitter @drheathernd and HBD on facebook