What herbs and/or homopathic meds do you give your children for coughs/colds?

My 7 yo has a cold and very croupy cough. Right now I am giving him vit.C plus, a natural honey based cough syrup, and echinesia. I also have a vaporizer running in his room. Any ideas of what else I could be giving him to help boost his immune system and relieve his caughing? He says that the only time his throat hurts is when he coughs. Oh also he lost his voice for the first time in his life! Poor guy!

[RealLifeMama]

We use Eldertussin or Sambucol Immune Support syrup/

Also, fenugreek tea helps sore throats.

[Mothering by Heart]

We give Emergen-C mixed with OJ. for immunity build-up.
I never have any cough syrup on hand that I want to give like elderberry or anything becasue we don't have any close enough to just run and get. If their throat is really bad, I give Motrin I need to stock up on the "natural" cough medicine so I'm ready.

{{{{poor little guy}}}

[cobluegirl]

We use:
vit c
echincea/goldenseal
elderberry
coloidal silver

and I have some B&T cough syrup ( a homeopathic kind) and a C&F homeopathic pills for colds.... (I think that is what they are called..they are downstairs..and the puter is up)

Remember if using a 'real' homeopathic remedy..you want to not use with anything camphor or menthol like vicks or eo's or peppermint...it will contraindicate it. (not work..void it out)

Remember if using a 'real' homeopathic remedy..you want to not use with anything camphor or menthol like vicks or eo's or peppermint...it will contraindicate it. (not work..void it out)

Ugh!!! We use the B&T cough syrup and he has been drinking peppermint tea. He says the tea helps his throat feel better. I didn't think about peppermint contraindicating homeopathic meds.

I alternate what I use from time to time!

Most recently we used an Echinacea/Astragulus blend, next round we will use Sambucal (elderberry).

I am also big on the kids gargeling salt water and flushing their noses with saline. If anyone's throat hurts, GSE and Tea tree oil are added to the gargle.

We are also fans on eucalyptus/menthol rub. It really helps them to decongest and sleep.

I have seen a cough medicine containing Guaifasin at the health food store. While it is advertised for use with productive coughs (as opposed to dry cough), it is good for colds and sinus problems too, because it gets the mucus moving and cleared out! It is non-drowsey (for most people - there are always exceptions), and does not dry you out.

[Mamatoto]

I think you can do peppermint tea and homeopathics-just not the oil.

We do a Weleda combination sinus homeopathic and a plaintain syrup from our doctor.

[PurpleButterfly]

Eldertussin (herbal version of Robitussin, made w/horehound, licorice, elderberry...) is wonderful for coughs/chest issues - Herbs for Kids makes it. Sambucol is also good (elderberry), but I find it to be really pricey around here.

I also love Sea Buddies Enzymatic Defense Sparkleberries - wonderful immune boosting Vita's A, C, and Zinc. I give it all winter and whenever ickies are going around.

Avoid dairy, oranges/juice, and bananas as they will all thicken and produce mucous in the body and hamper his ability to clear the congestion. Warm brothy soups made with lots of onions, garlic, and ginger will thin mucous and boost the immune system.

Nice steamy baths using essential oils in the tub can be very helpful and soothing for croupy coughs. Depending on what you might have on hand, try eucalyptus, peppermint, lavendar...

A page I made on croup a few years back, with advice from Janet Zand's "Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child".

and

[AKCristyMJ]

Chicken noodle soup and honey tea