Dear Olive,
Onions. Honey. Vitamins. Probiotics*. Cuddles. We keep it pretty simple when there's a cough in the house. I feel very lucky that, on the whole, you've been so healthy. You've only been to the doctor once (for a rash), and to accident and emergency a couple of times (for accidents). Natural health has been hugely important through my life (having been brought up by naturopaths). But now, as a parent, it's even more so. It is my responsibility to give you the best possible start, providing you with the best chance for great health, for life.
A friend told me recently about a great sounding cough syrup she makes from cooking up and straining onions, honey and some herbs - I think I'll try it next time (although I'll have to ask her again which herbs). We always leave a cut-in-half onion by the bed - it stinks the house out but it helps with night time coughing. Onions are apparently even great for clearing up ear infections - just squeeze the drops of juice into the ear. I'd love to know what everyone else uses to treat their ailments naturally.
*We take probiotics everyday, for general health and immunity - everyone should.
Onions. Honey. Vitamins. Probiotics*. Cuddles. We keep it pretty simple when there's a cough in the house. I feel very lucky that, on the whole, you've been so healthy. You've only been to the doctor once (for a rash), and to accident and emergency a couple of times (for accidents). Natural health has been hugely important through my life (having been brought up by naturopaths). But now, as a parent, it's even more so. It is my responsibility to give you the best possible start, providing you with the best chance for great health, for life.
A friend told me recently about a great sounding cough syrup she makes from cooking up and straining onions, honey and some herbs - I think I'll try it next time (although I'll have to ask her again which herbs). We always leave a cut-in-half onion by the bed - it stinks the house out but it helps with night time coughing. Onions are apparently even great for clearing up ear infections - just squeeze the drops of juice into the ear. I'd love to know what everyone else uses to treat their ailments naturally.
19 comments:
Can I ask which probiotic you would recommend? Are you referring to a Yakult type thing?
That's the second time I've heard that onion by the bed remedy in the past couple of weeks. I'm trying it next time! We're big on garlic, honey and lemon drinks here for sore throats and coughs.
I love homeopathy, so so much. I like essential oils too, do you guys diffuse those?
Love to hear that others are into natural remedies too, i love it when they work so well too!
xo
I have never heard of using an onion before. Will have to try to remember it. Do you know of, or can you recommend any hints to help Jarvis with travel? We fly out on Sunday and it is his first 'big' plane ride.
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One remedy that has been in my family for generations and is great for coughs/colds is onion syrup. Dice up,half an onion, mix in a few dessert spoons of brown sugar and leave in the fridge to seep. Administer 1tsp three times a day. Perfect for helping to bring up phlegm.
My Aunty used to make a snail juice for my cousin who was a serious asthmatic by boiling snails in water before straining. She used to mix it with a little juice and I remember her giving it to me when I was flu-ey.
Being a Maori, we were raised on a lot of medicinal plants, many of which are native to NZ. Herbs definitely have a place in our medicine cabinets.
oh, how i wish i'd know about the onion last week when we were all suffering!! i was recommended olive leaf extract, but apparently no good during pregnancy. one to remember though. mmm, manuka honey....
I would love to know the exact recipe for the cough syrup, Oliver has been suffering a cough for months now and it's taking so long to get a paediatric appointment, the doctors have no answer.
And tonight he is sleeping with half an onion next to his bed, I've tried everything else so let's see if this works. Thanks for the tip.
I'd LOVE to read more about this Kell. What things do you take daily? And do you give them to little O daily too?
xo em
We do the onion thing by the bed side table too! I've also bought some Fusion Cough Lung Tonic from the health food store to help Sunny's cough... Children as young as 2 can take it. Can I tell you it worked very well and was out of stock in the store when I went back not long ago!
I definately agree with the daily dose of probiotics. I've gone as far as sourcing natural shampoos, conditioners, soaps and lotions as regular ones contain alot of nasties that are all absorbed through our skin and into our bodies!
Sophie xo
I need to get back to the basics of natural health with my kids I think! My baby boy has had a rough trot this year - throat infections to being hospitaliszed for that nasty Type A flu strand going around. It's been horrible and I want {NEED} good health to be restored and maintained within him...within us all.
When I was about 18 or so, I had a bad cough that surfaced each night. Whenever I'd sleep over at my boyfriend's house {on a mattress on the floor of course} I'd wake up to a cut up onion each morning - that his mother would sneak in during the night to stop me coughing :))) To be honest, I'd forgotton about it, until now. I will try it with my coughing kids next time one surfaces :)
x
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Dear Olive what a lovely blog. I just found you over on pod and three peas and am now following you.
We were always brought up with homeopathy . A cough/cold pick me up that I swear makes me feel instantly better is made from:
Honey (local or manuka), one crushed clove of garlic, a star anise, fresh ginger, fresh lemon/lie juice. More recently I've also added a iittle turmeric, cinnamon and cloves as they also have antisceptic, anti-inflamitary properties...
I've never heard of onions by the bed (I vaguely remember onions or garlic used to ward off vampires though!). These suggestions all sound great. Thanks for sharing. I've been feeding my little girl freshly squeezed orange juice made into jelly (using quality bovine gelatine) and I've noticed her hair is shiny again and her face is glowing. She's a a little bit sick there for a while. xx
We use Bioceauticals baby biotic, it's a fantastic non tasting powder we put in natural yogurt & zinc drops. Olive leaf, lot's of fresh fruit & veg and sunlight when we can catch it xx
I am into my supplements and natural remedies as well, as I was brought up that way.
Just researched my favourite brand isn't available in Australia.
I would love to know which probiotic you are taking!?
going to a naturopath was the best thing i've ever done for my health. I take vit c, a probiotic and herbal tonic daily. Try burning eucalyptus and lemon oil - clears the chest and kills the germs. Love and nurturing cuddles to you x
what kind or probiotic do you take? an manuka honey, yum!
I am big believer in Astragalus, oregano oil(for short periods of time) and grapefruit seed extract for me. Try to keep it simple for the babe with the onions/honey (or sugar, but not a huge fan of sugar) trick. And of course probiotics and green capsules all around.
I too want to learn more of your tricks. The onion by the bed will be on my next get well agenda. Some of these comments are great too. We burn beeswax candles during and post bugs to cleanse the air. Hot showers, wiping things with eucalyptus so it travels through the home. You are a good mama.
x ashley
So many good tips here. Great post!
We make our own kefir and use it in smoothies for all the probiotic benefits. I have heaps of excess grains at the moment. If you're interested in some, i hear they can be posted!
rachel xo
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