Herbalism

• Coltsfoot can be used to loosen the cough and help to expel the mucus.
• Wild cherry bark has a profound effect on the cough reflex.
• A few drops of tincture of thyme should be taken to loosen and expel the mucus. Thyme also works as an antiseptic.
• Massage comfrey ointment into the chest and back to relax the lungs.
• Elecampane is commonly used for children’s coughs, and can be purchased in easy-to-use syrup form.

Homeopathy

• Aconite can be taken during an attack, or at the beginning of the illness.
• Drosera is useful when the cough is made worse by lying down, and there are pains below the ribs.
• Use Bryonia when there is a dry, painful cough and vomiting.
• Use Antimonium tart, when there is a rattling cough with gasping.
• Use Sanguinaria for a harsh, dry cough, to Arnica is useful when there is bleeding, or the child is distressed before she coughs.
• Pertussin may be given in one dose toward the end of the disease to prevent an “echo” effect.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy is excellent for calming a child who has difficulty drawing breath, and who is frightened by the condition. A few drops on pulse points, or sipped in a glass of cool water, will help.
• Cherry Plum will help if there is serious spasmodic coughing, to Mimulus and Olive are good in the later stages of the condition.

Aromatherapy

• Mix a few drops of lavender and chamomile oils in a light carrier oil and massage into the chest and back area to calm and to relax tensed muscles.
• Tea tree, lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus can be used in a vaporizer to help open up the lungs and reduce spasm.
• A few drops of oil of thyme, in the bath, will soothe and reduce the severity of the cough.

From the  larder

• Honey and licorice can be diluted with a little hot water and drunk to relieve the cough.
• A garlic poultice, placed on the chest and back area, is recommended to help expel the phlegm.
• offer plenty of foods rich in vitamin C to help the body fight what can be a very long and debilitating illness.
• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices should be diluted and drunk for the first few days, but try to avoid citrus juices, which may induce vomiting, to Avoid mucus-producing foods, such as dairy produce.

Self-help

• Plenty of bed rest and comfort are essential to a speedy recovery.
• Try to keep the air clean from smoke, dust, and chemicals, and raise the bed slightly at one end to make breathing easier.

A gentle massage of comfrey ointment on the chest and back can help soothe spasmodic coughing.

CAUTION
There is a risk of secondary infection, in particular pneumonia and bronchitis. All cases of whooping cough should be seen by a physician. If the cough is accompanied by vomiting, make sure there is adequate intake of fluid to prevent dehydration.
Call your physician immediately if your child becomes blue around the lips.

Herbalism

• Marigold can help to reduce the inflammation and swelling; drink as a lukewarm infusion.
• A warm compress with marigold can be applied to the swelling to ease pain.
• Boost immunity and encourage healing with garlic, peppermint, and echinacea, taken internally.

Homeopathy

• If your child has not had mumps, Phytolacca or Parotidium can be taken during an epidemic to reduce severity of symptoms.
• Use Rhus tox. when the left glands are more severely affected than the right.
• Use Belladonna when there is high fever, shooting pains, and a bright red face and throat.
• Mercurius sol. is useful when there is heavy sweating and a coated tongue.
• Pulsatilla may help to prevent orchitis and is useful if fever continues.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy can be used to ease distress and discomfort.
• Cherry Plum, Hornbeam, and Chicory are suggested for all childhood illnesses.

Aromatherapy

• Massage the neck area with chamomile or lavender oil, diluted in a little grapeseed oil. Take care to do so gently.
• Eucalyptus and thyme can be used for steam inhalations and in the bath (use sparingly).

From the larder

• Chop fresh ginger and apply as a compress directly to the swollen glands to provide relief.
• Fruit (not citrus) and vegetable juices can be liquidized and then diluted with fresh, cool water, to encourage a speedy recovery. This will also relieve constipation, which is a common symptom of mumps.
• Cayenne powder mixed with vinegar can be warmed and applied to the affected area.

Self-help

• Bed rest is suggested until symptoms have disappeared.
• A hot-water bottle, wrapped in a towel and pressed on the affected area, will provide some relief.
• If fever becomes high, sponge your child, or place him or her in a lukewarm bath to cool.

Mumps (epidemic parotitis) is characterized by a painful swelling of the parotid salivary glands on the side of the neck. In adult males, mumps may cause sterility because the infection can spread to the testes.

CAUTION
Complications can develop in teenage boys who contract mumps. If the illness is followed by severe headache, stiffness, or fever, see your physician immediately.

Herbalism

• Garlic and echinacea can be taken to improve the immune system.
• Yarrow can be sipped as a tea to bring down fever and ease discomfort.
• Elderflower tea is also useful.
• Add chamomile or marigold to the bathwater to calm your child, and soothe.
• A compress of ginger may be used to help encourage the toxins to be released from the body.

Homeopathy

• The nosode Morbillinum can be taken for three days if you child has been in contact with a sufferer; this will help to reduce the severity of the symptoms.
• Aconite and Belladonna can be taken for high fever.
• Use Pulsatilla when there is diarrhea, yellow discharge, and a cough.
• Use Bryonia when there is a hard, painful cough, and a high temperature accompanied by thirst.
• Use Stramonium when there is a high fever, a red face, and convulsions.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy can be used to ease distress and discomfort.
• Cherry Plum, Hornbeam, and Chicory are suggested for all childhood illnesses.

Aromatherapy

• A few drops of Roman chamomile in the bath will ease symptoms and help encourage sleep.
• Lavender oil can be dropped on the bedclothes or on a handkerchief by the bed to calm. It can also be applied neat to spots, to encourage healing.
• When there is a build-up of phlegm, and other symptoms of a cold, a gentle chest massage with a few drops of tea tree oil in a light carrier oil base will help.
• Essential oil of eucalyptus or chamomile can be used in a vaporizer.

From the  larder

• Garlic will encourage the spots to “come out,” which means that the body is expelling toxins.
• Ginger can be used as a compress directly on the spots.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin C to encourage the immune system.
• Hot honey and lemon drinks are soothing and will encourage healing.

Self-help

• Avoid all solid foods until the fever has gone. Offer plenty of fresh, cool water – fever can lead to dehydration.
• Bed rest is recommended until symptoms are completely clear.

The measles rash is a blotchy brownish red, the spots miming together. It spreads down from the face. It is preceded by distinctive small red spots with white centers, which appear inside the mouth on the linings of the cheeks.

Measles (rubeola; morbilli) is potentially the most dangerous of childhood diseases. This is because it weakens the immune system and leaves the sufferer open to secondary infections. Major measles outbreaks are predictable, occurring regularly every three or four years.

CAUTION
Watch your child carefully as he recovers from measles. There is a risk of complications, including pneumonia, ear infection, bronchitis, and, very rarely, encephalitis. If fever recurs several days after the spots have begun to heal, see your physician.

Herbalism

• Hot yarrow tea, cooled and drunk several times daily, will relieve symptoms.
• An infusion of elderflower combined with peppermint will help cool a fever and calm your child.
• Very high fever can be treated with an infusion of catmint, taken as required.

Homeopathy

• Use Pulsatilla, when there is thick, yellow discharge and hot, red eyes.
• Use Belladonna, for fever, a bright red rash and hot face.
• Use Phytolacca for painful ears and swollen glands, better on taking cool drinks.
• Use Aconite if there is a high fever and not too much mucus.
• Use Mercurius sol. where there is yellow discharge and a fever.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy will ease any distress and calm the child.
• Chicory, Hornbeam, and Cherry Plum are useful for all childhood illnesses.

Aromatherapy

• A few drops of lavender oil on the bedclothes or on a handkerchief near the bed will help ease symptoms and calm the child.
• If there is a buildup of phlegm, use a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil in a vaporizer to encourage easier breathing.

From the larder

• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices will encourage recovery.
• Pound some anise seeds and allow them to steep in boiling water for about thirty minutes, and then offer by the teaspoonfui to relieve symptoms.
• Borage stimulates the kidneys and can help when there is fever present.
• Honey and lemon in a little hot water can be drunk to reduce discomfort of the cold-like symptoms.

Self-help

• Frequent cool baths will relieve any itchiness and bring down a fever.

German measles (rubella) has mild symptoms of fever, swollen lymph nodes behind the ears and a rash. Young girls who do not contract it should be encouraged to be immunized before puberty to protect their future babies from possible damage in the womb.

CAUTION
If you suspect your child is suffering from German measles, keep her at home, even if she seems well, tf a pregnant woman who is not immune to the condition contracts it, there is a serious risk of birth defects and miscarriage.

Herbalism

• Tincture of comfrey or elderflower can be applied directly to the spots to encourage healing and to relieve the itching.
• Add burdock tea to your child’s bath.
• Crush peppermint leaves and apply directly to spots to relieve symptoms.

Homeopathy

• The nosode Variolinum can be taken once in an epidemic of chickenpox, before your child acquires the illness, and symptoms should be less severe.
• Rhus tox. can be taken for a few days after contact with an infected child, and then again as soon as the first spots appear.
• Aconite is useful in the early stages of the illness. » Belladonna is useful for fever.

Flower essences

• Chicory, Hornbeam, and Cherry Plum are usually suggested to help relieve some of the discomfort.
• Impatiens can ease irritability.
• Crab apple may be diluted and applied directly to the spots to encourage healing.

Aromatherapy

• Essential oil of lavender can be dabbed directly on spots to ease the itching and encourage healing. Lavender also has an antibacterial action, which will help prevent a secondary infection.
• A few drops of Roman chamomile can be used in the bath to soothe.

From the larder

• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink raw vegetable juices in order to help cleanse the body, which will reduce the severity of the condition.

Self-help

• Cool the itchy spots with cold compresses and make your child comfortable.
• Try to encourage your child not to scratch the spots, which can lead to bacterial infection and scarring.
• Cotton garments should be worn next to the skin.

CAUTION
When fever lasts for more than a couple of days, or there is an obvious chest infection accompanying the rash, see your physician. Very rarely, chickenpox pneumonia can occur as a secondary infection.

• Herbs to reduce catarrh include chamomile, eWerfkower, and eyebright, and they can be blended or taken separately in a variety of forms to dear congestion.
• Chamomile and echinacea can betaken rrtemafy or added to a foot – or handbath to reduce infection and relieve symptoms.

Homeopathy

• Use Kali bich. if there is mucus in the throat and pain in the sinuses.
• Use Graphites if there is a yellow discharge.
• Use Sulfur if there is a thick, yellow, smelly discharge from the ear.
• Use Calc, carb. if there is discharge with swollen glands and night sweat.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy cream can be rubbed in around the ear canal, or Rescue Remedy can be taken internally to relieve pain and discomfort.

Aromatherapy

• Massage the ear area with a few drops of essential oil of lavender in a light carrier oil.
• A steam inhalation of eucalyptus, chamomile, or lavender can help to reduce catarrh and ease symptoms.
• Apply a hot compress to the nose, ears, and throat using diluted essential oik of lavender, rosewood, or chamomile.

From the larder

• Garlic is excellent at shifting catarrh and cleansing the blood. Offer as pedes, or chop fresh garlic and serve with a teaspoon of honey.
• Honey and lemon drinks are restorative, will soothe a sore throat and are also antibacterial .
• A little cider vinegar with honey in hot water will help to dear infection and boost the immune system.
• Blackcurrant tea is excellent for catarrh and will encourage healing.

Self-help

• Avoid foods that cause mucus to be produced – dairy produce, refined sugars, and wheat are the main culprits.
• Offer foods rich in vitamin C and zinc.
• Ensure that your child is not in contact with cigarette smoke or dust.
• Treat for ear infections accordingly.
• Improve the fmmune system.

Gentle neck massage with diluted lavender oil can help soothe earache.

CAUTION
Glue ear should be treated to avoid later hearing problems caused by scarring of the eardrum.

Herbalism

• A few drops of tincture of myrrh or golden seal in a light oil, warmed, can be dropped into the ear canal.
• Place a cotton ball with a few drops of warmed garlic oil gently into the ear canal.
• Apply a hot compress to the neck and ears using mullein or St. John’s wort.
• Give chamomile tea to soothe pain and distress.

Homeopathy

• Use Aconite early on, if symptoms set in suddenly.
• Use Belladonna, when the affected ear is red and hot and the child is feverish.
• Use Chamomilla when the child is inconsolable.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy or rock rose will ease panic.
• Use olive while recuperating.

Aromatherapy

• Place drops of lavender oil in the ear on a cotton ball, or ease in with a Q-tip.
• Gently massage the neck and head with mullein or lavender oil in a carrier oil.
• Tea tree or lavender oil can be used in a vaporizer.
• A few drops of lavender oil on a cloth by the bed will help your child stay calm.

From the larder

• Mix fresh garlic with honey to fight off infection.
• Get your child to drink honey and lemon, or a little cider vinegar, in warm water to get rid of catarrh.
• Blackcurrant tea helps to boost the immune system.

Self-help

• Bed rest and plenty of fluids are suggested.
• Avoid dairy produce.
• Make sure your child’s diet is rich in foods containing vitamin C and zinc.
• Smoking near your child can exacerbate ear infection.

CAUTION
Untreated ear infection may scar the eardrum and cause permanent hearing damage. Infection may also spread from the ear to other parts of the head, which may be life-threatening.

Herbalism

• Try infusing lavender flowers or chamomile in a bowl of hot water, and then placing your childs head over the bowl covered by a towel.
• Infuse some chamomile and give your child small sips before bedtime and during an attack.

Homeopathy

• Spongia is the traditional treatment for croup and can be taken every twenty minutes during an attack.
• Aconite can be taken at the same time.

Flower essences

• Rescue Remedy will help to calm the child, which will make breathing easier. Parents may also benefit from a few drops! Alternatively, rub a little Rescue Remedy cream into your child’s chest and upper back.
• Rock Rose will help if your child is frightened.
• Olive can be taken after an attack if your child is exhausted.

Aromatherapy

• Essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender, pine, chamomile, cinnamon, and thyme can be added together, or separately, to a vaporizer, or a footbath.
• A few drops of eucalyptus or lavender can be placed on a handkerchief by the child’s crib or bed to ease breathing and encourage the child to relax.
• Rub a few drops of lavender oil mixed with petroleum jelly into your child’s chest and upper back.
• A footbath with some thyme or eucalyptus oil should help.

From the larder

• Olive oil is a good carrier oil for aromatherapy essential oils and has a therapeutic effect when rubbed into the chest and body.
• Offer a hot honey and lemon drink to ease the symptoms. Honey has strong antibacterial properties and will be useful if the cause of the croup is bacterial infection.
• A little bit of cider vinegar mixed with a mug of warm water can be sipped to ease symptoms.
• Blackcurrant tea is helpful and restorative.

Self-help

• Steam will help to open the airways and reduce spasm of the larynx. Sit with your child in a bathroom or shower room with the door shut and the hot water running, or fill a bowl with boiling water and gently place your child’s head over it, covered by a towel.
• Raise the upper end of the crib or bed so that breathing is easier.
• Provide lots of reassurance and comfort and try not to panic.
• Serve only light meals for the first few days after an attack, until your child is entirely clear of symptoms.

Aconite is the source of the homeopathic remedy of the mme name, which is extremely beneficial for any complaint that is accompanied by sudden fear and panic.

Spend a lot of time reassuring and cuddling a baby or young child who is suffering from croup; it is very distressing.

CAUTION
If your child turns blue in the face, call a physician immediately.

Herbalism

• There are many herbs that encourage the body to fight off infections, and they can be taken daily, for as long as your child is suffering from the cough. They include echinacea and thyme.
• If the cough is accompanied by a fever, try infusions of chamomile and yarrow.
• Comfrey and coltsfoot are useful expectorants, which will help to expel the mucus from the lungs and airways – use about ten drops of each tincture and mix with some warmed honey and serve by the teaspoonful as necessary.
• Thyme can be infused and used to treat a wet cough.
• When the mucus is tough to shift, try strong infusions of ginger and fennel or thyme.

Homeopathy

• Belladonna can be taken when the cough rs accompanied by a fever and the child has bright red cheeks and neck.
• Try Aconite if the symptoms come on suddenly.
• Chamomilla will soothe a child who is inconsolable, but better for being held.
• Pulsatilla may be useful if there is a thick yellow discharge and your child is clingy and tearful.
• Antimonium tart, is useful for a cough that causes the chest to rattle and makes breathing painful.
• Bryonia is for a painful, dry cough, which is made worse with movement.
• Spongia is excellent for croup (see opposite), and for a loud, crowing cough.
• Use Drosera for a tickling cough that is worse for lying down.

Flower essences

• Use Rescue Remedy when your child experiences distress, or panics because breathing is difficult. Rescue Remedy will also help your child to sleep. A few drops can be taken internally, or applied to pulse points, and Rescue Remedy cream can be rubbed into the chest.

Aromatherapy

• Add a few drops of eucalyptus and sandalwood to a carrier oil, or some petroleum jelly, and rub into the chest and upper back.
• Myrrh can be massaged in the same way to reduce mucus. Use a few drops on a cloth tied to the crib or bed. Lavender oil on a cloth or pillow will encourage sleep and aid the healing process.
• Use lavender, myrrh, eucalyptus, or thyme in a vaporizer.
• A few drops of essential oil of thyme, pine, cinnamon, clove, or eucalyptus can be used in combination or singly in a footbath to ease congestion.

From the larder

• Give your child lots of honey, which has antibacterial action and will also soothe a sore throat.
• Fresh garlic should be eaten as often as possible to cleanse the blood, improve the encourage healing.
• Lemon and honey will
• soothe a sore throat and ease a tickly cough.
• Blackcurrant tea will ease the pain of a sore throat and help to reduce catarrh.
• Ginger, added to meals, will help to get rid of any lingering catarrh.
• Pineapples are traditionally used for expelling excess catarrh.

Self-help

• Plenty of fluids and bed rest will make it easier for your child to shift a cough. Offer only fluids for the first couple of days, and then just light meals, avoiding dairy produce altogether until the catarrh has shifted.
• Take steps to boost the immune system.
• Try not to use proprietary cough medtones, which will suppress symptoms but not rid the body of the catarrh, which may become infected.
• Cool a fever by bathing with tepid water.

A spoonful of warmed honey will help the medicine go down. Mix it until tincture of coltsfoot or comfrey for an expectorant effect. Honey on its own has an antibacterial action.

CAUTION
If a cough is accompanied by a high fever, and your child has difficulty breathing, he or she may have pneumonia. See your physician immediately.
If a cough does not improve within a few days, see your physician.