Homemade Cough Relief for Kids

‘Tis the season to be … coughing and sneezing unfortunately. The winter holidays should really be in the summer, when we could fully enjoy them. Alas, they are during cold, flu and germ season, and we have to adjust. My sister, Michele, has four little boys, and as in most houses with preschoolers, someone is always sick. Cold medicine is not recommended for kids under the age of four, and in general I avoid it with my own older kids, opting for patience, TLC and extra hand sanitizer.

Michele swears by this home remedy for a cough, and I just made a batch for my Charlie, who has been coughing for four days and getting ignored because I am fully entrenched in silly season and can only pay attention to things that can be bought, wrapped, sung or hung. I’ll follow up if it works, but it just helped Michele’s youngest boy get over a bad cough literally overnight.

1. Cut a small onion and place in a bowl.

2. Cover completely with honey. I use local because there is some data that local honey ingestion will help with seasonal allergies, something Charlie suffers from in the spring. Cover tightly with wrap.

3. Leave for at least 3 hours, longer is better.

4. Strain the onions, save the liquid.

Give one teaspoon as frequently as your child will take it, up to once an hour. Michele just shoves the spoon in his mouth every time he walks by.

As a physician, I can’t speak to the credibility of this treatment, but as a mom, I am giving it a try based on the recommendation of someone with great DNA;)

Doc disclaimer: If the cough last more than a few days, is severe or is accompanied by fever, lethargy, rash or other symptoms, seek medical attention.

The Flu is Here!