Surprising Natural Cold and Flu Remedies for Kids
Has your family been attacked by the cold or flu virus yet this winter? Nothing makes me feel more helpless than when my kids are sick with a virus. Here are some of the natural ways I keep my kids safe and comfortable while helping them fight their battle with the cold and flu viruses.
Natural Cold and Flu Remedies for Kids
Use the Wet Sock Treatment
Yes, I said wet socks. When anyone in my family shows the first sign of a cough, fever, stuffy nose, it's wet sock treatment for them that night. Just follow these 5 easy steps:
- At bedtime wet white cotton socks with very cold water.
- Wring them out.
- Put them on your child's feet.
- Cover with wool socks. Both Fox River Mills, and Wigwam manufacture wool socks for kids in the USA.
- Put your patient to bed.
- In the morning the socks will be dry. Repeat for at least 3 nights.
My daughter cannot stand wet socks on her feet, so I wait until she is already asleep and then I put them on her. Sneaky mommy! The cold socks are said to increase circulation and strengthen the body's immune system. Check with your doctor before trying the wet sock treatment as some existing medical conditions might not be compatible.
Apply a menthol rub 
to help relieve congestion.
In business since 1868, and located in Minnesota, J.R. Watkins is one of America's oldest apothecary manufacturers. J.R. Watkins Menthol Camphor Vapor Rubis 95% natural and paraffin and petroleum free. Menthol Vapor Rub works wonders when rubbed on the chest and back of my kiddos when congested. Rubbing some Vapor Rub on the bottom of your kiddos feet before putting on the wet socks in the "wet sock treatment" will also help with coughing. I have no clue how, but it works!!
Soothe chapped, irritated skin.
My kiddos get sore, irritated patches under their noses and around their mouths practically all winter long. Runny noses from cold and flu make these dry patches even more painful. Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company Calendula Salve has worked wonders on their sensitive skin! All of Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve products are organic and Eco-friendly.
Use an eye pillow to help relieve a headache or insomnia and to help your cold and flu patients relax.
Herbal Animals are the neatest little buddies ever! We have recently adopted Abra K Zebra. Abra's lavender scent is known to relieve headaches and aid in relaxation, and he was originally meant to be used as a "sick buddy", but his cuteness instantly made him my daughters new BFF.
Invest in an American made air purifier.
During the winter months, air in our home gets stale while germs, dust particles, and other air pollutants are trapped. Invest in an American made air purifier to ensure that the air you and your family breathe in your home is clean all year long. The made in New York Intellipure Ultrafine air purifier is the only air purifier on the market that combats all three air pollutant categories- Micro-organisms, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Particles. Intellipure air purifier users have noticed overall improved health; better breathing, less snoring, allergy relief, among other benefits. Read my Intellipure Ultrafine 468 review here.
Disclosure: USA Love List received some products in this post unconditionally for review purposes. Our opinions are always our own, and we aim to write fair and balanced reviews to promote only the very best of American-made.
Written by Tracey Hanson
Disclaimer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Intellipure is supporting hundreds of medical and educational facilities. We have needed to increase our production and source our products from our other various wholly-owned manufacturing facilities around the world. Each unit is still inspected, individually tested, and certified in our Pulaski, New York manufacturing facility prior to shipment to ensure our quality and performance standards are met 100%.
