Chronic coughs, runny noses, sore throats, headaches, tummy aches–with five kids, I’ve seen it all.  My youngest is now a senior in high school and I am proud to say, we never had to treat our sick kids with antibiotics or medical intervention.  We have developed a good reputation in our community, providing natural health care to children. While vitamin C and plenty of water are always recommended for infections, I’m giving you 10 more amazing natural cures you can use to help your sick kids.

1)  Apple cider vinegar

This is an amazing cure for strep throat, one of the most common kid sicknesses.  D.C. Jarvis, M.D. documented his research using apple cider vinegar to heal strep throat and other health problems in his book Folk Medicine: a New England Almanac of natural health care from a noted Vermont country doctor.  The minute your child starts complaining of a sore throat, have him drink 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water every couple of hours.  If he can gargle and swallow, it will minimize the pain of the sore throat.  Dr. Jarvis claimed to be able to change a positive strep culture to negative in 24 hours or less using apple cider vinegar.

2)  Colloidal silver

You can pick this up at any health food store.  It is a tasteless liquid that can be used to prevent sickness as well as helping the body heal from sickness.  It is safe for babies and small children.  It can be used directly in the ear with a drop of olive oil for ear infections.  It is very effective in resolving the pain, infection and inflammation of pink eye or any eye problem.  It is safe and soothing to drop into the eye to aid with infections.  Skin infections also respond very well with colloidal silver.

3)  Eliminate dairy

This won’t cost you anything.  Just in case you didn’t know, kids with chronic ear/nose/throat infections are usually sensitive to dairy.  I’ve seen so many chronically sick kids get well and stay well by simply eliminating all dairy.  You can substitute milk these days with almond milk, coconut milk, or rice milk.

4)  Probiotics

These are the good little bacterial army of scavengers that love to eat all the “dead stuff” your immune system went after. That dead stuff becomes excess mucous for your body to unload.  You can find probiotics at any store that carries supplements; even your local Walgreens.  This supplement will clean up the “mess” of getting over an infection and help the colon stay healthy, too.

5)  Gently rub temples for 30-60 seconds

A fever is the bodies way of killing the bacterial or viral invaders. A fever is your child’s immune system doing it’s job to protect your child.  Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, acclaimed pediatrician and author gives solid advice on when it is advisable to lower a child’s fever.  We learned that you can give your child a 15-20 minute break from a fever by gently rubbing her temples for 30-60 seconds.  This gives the child a short break from the fever without interfering with her immune systems natural defense mechanism.

6)  Peppermint oil

With colds and fever often come headaches.  Use peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, under the nose and a little on the tongue to alleviate the pain of headaches. (be careful to avoid getting it in the eyes as it will sting)  You can also rub peppermint oil on the tummy for tummy aches.

7)  Fenugreek tea

Fenugreek tea is an amazing helper when it comes to excess mucous from sinus, throat and lung infections.  You can buy it in tincture form or tea bag form.  Drink three cups of fenugreek tea per day to relieve the sinus and lymphatic congestion.

8)  Kali Sulph 6x

This is a micro-nutrient known as a cell salt.  Kali sulph is fantastic for eliminating that last bit of croupie cough your child carries around.  It is also good to give for the basic common cold. Take 3-6 three times per day until symptoms are gone.  These are tiny supplements that are dissolved under the tongue.

9)  Kali Phos 6x

Another cell salt, Kali phos is an ancient remedy for those who feel as though they are “falling apart”.  Children who are fretful with chronic headaches or stomach aches can usually benefit from Kali Phos.  It provides micro nutrition to the nervous system to support it in helping the child feel stronger and more able to cope with the stress of life.  A child can take 6 three times a day and as needed for nervousness that causes anxiety and stomach upset.

10) Get regular spinal adjustments

Chiropractic care is about maintaining your structure to positively influence your function.  It’s not just about back pain, but an overall holistic approach to body health.  When your body structure is aligned, your body function is improved.  Chronically sick kids who get adjusted regularly, always get well faster and stay well longer.

If you know some dynamite natural health cures for kids; share them below in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!