Mother Knows Best
Peppermint Twist
In addition to honey, peppermint is another remedy moms stand by. A favorite of Marci Loehner—a mom of three and founder of My Heavenly Recipes—is peppermint green tea. All it requires is a green tea bag and one drop of essential peppermint oil, she describes. Loehner also prefers giving her kids natural peppermint candies over cough drops since they provide longer relief without any artificial ingredients.
Herbal Blend
Whether it's "just a cough" or full-blown bronchitis, Jill of Jill's Home Remedies has just the ticket to cure all sorts of respiratory issues: "DIY Lung Formula," which has been known to cure her daughter's coughing fits in the same day, she says. A blend of ground herbs—such as marshmallow (to sooth irritated membranes), mullein (to loosen and expel mucus and calm spasms) and chickweed (to reduce inflammation and remove toxins)—can be brewed into a tea, sprinkled on applesauce or added in juice to help kids drink it down.
Suck on a Lemon
Your kids' faces may pucker at the thought of it, but sucking a lemon is a remedy Robin Rue, the mom behind the blog Masshole Mommy, tested herself after a friend passed the trick along to her. She promises it offers quick relief when you've reached your cough-toleration max.
Herbal Cough Syrup
If you have any ailment, chances are Wellness Mama has a remedy for it, and her herbal cough syrup proves no different. In addition to (surprise, surprise) honey, her recipe includes ginger root (either fresh grated or dried) for its anti-inflammatory effect, chamomile flowers for soothing a "tickle" in the throat, marshmallow root for its mucus-dislodging ability and cinnamon as an added immune booster. For children under the age of one, maple syrup can be substituted for honey.
Honey-Cider Syrup
Loaded with antioxidant and antimicrobial goodness, make apple cider vinegar a staple in your kitchen pantry. Mary Younkin of Barefeet in the Kitchen uses it as a base for her go-to remedy when easing her kids' coughs and sore throats. Combine 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of local, raw honey, 2 tablespoons of water, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger. Shake well before use and swallow a spoonful whenever your cough calls for it.
Steam Tent
At the first tickle of a cough or sore throat, Lisa Kuhlman—a mom of five—will start constructing an herbal steam "tent." Bring water to a boil in a pot, remove from heat and add a few drops of essential oil (she suggests lavender, rosemary, mint, tea tree or thyme). Cover the back of your head with a towel to keep the steam contained, lean over and inhale deeply. If your child is too jittery or placing them over a steaming pot of water makes you nervous, make a "tent" by draping a sheet over a couple of chairs and sit next to the steaming pot with him in your lap.
