Kids on the coast

Many parents dread the winter months not because of the cold, windy, wet weather, but because they know how their children can be affected by flu symptoms.
 
Don’t despair! Look into Mother Nature’s backyard and you will find many answers to these problems.

Your private bodyguard

Inside our body there is an amazing system of immune cells and tissues whose sole purpose is to protect your body from harm. A healthy immune system is like having your private bodyguard or personal army within that helps defend against the invasion by bacteria, viruses, allergens and parasites. When the soldiers in your army are strong and working well, you have a much better chance to fight flu quicker and more effectively. In contrast, when the army becomes disorganised, confused or overworked, you are more likely to suffer from cold and flu related symptoms over a longer period of time.

We are what we eat

Maintaining a healthy diet throughout the year provides the body with all the nutrients that are required to build a strong immune system. It is very important to ensure your child has a well balanced diet rich in Vitamin C and Zinc these are vital to build and maintain a healthy immune system. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly-squeezed orange juice, nuts and seeds will help cover a child’s requirement in those essential nutrients.
 
Zinc deficiency in particular can lead to a weakened immune response, predisposing the child to numerous, more lengthy colds throughout the year, and Vitamin C has been proven to increase the activity of infection-fighting white blood cells. Simply supplementing with Vitamin C at the first signs of a cold may shorten the duration and reduce the symptoms of the infection.

There are many other factors that may also contribute to the weakening of the body’s defence mechanism. You can greatly improve your child’s general health by making the following diet and lifestyle changes:

Establish a wholesome, well-balanced diet

Minimise the intake of gluten and dairy food

Avoid processed food, artificial colouring/flavouring, preservatives

Encourage regular exercise

Limit physical and emotional stress

Give plenty of rest and ‘down time’

Happy bugs protect us

Your digestive system is in constant contact with the outside environment through the food you eat. In your lifetime, you will eat approximately 22 tonnes of food. This food, and the fluids you consume, could be carrying potentially harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, fungus, and parasites. The right balance of good bacteria in our gut flora can help protect us from infections transmitted through food.

Good bacteria help:
 
Break down food

Absorb nutrients

Inhibit the growth of bad bacteria

Maintain a healthy immune system by nourishing the white blood cells

Clinical studies have shown that certain strains of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, improve the immune system and enhance resistance to infections in adults and children by stimulating the ‘immune soldiers’. Of course, prevention is the best form of medicine. The ideal way to prepare for the winter holiday is to stock up on a kit of natural remedies that can be used at the first sign of a sniffle.

Natural flu-busting ideas

Herbal teas Herbal remedies are a safe and natural way to build your child’s immune system. These can be given freely as a tea, either individually or as a tea blend, using equal parts of each one. Elderflower Wonderful remedy to help eliminate excess mucous as in sinusitis and earache. Yarrow Excellent herb to induce sweating, thereby helping to reduce the fever.

Chamomile THE herb for children! A gentle sedative, it helps the upset child to settle down and allows for a better night’s sleep. Hyssop Anti-spasmodic in action, it makes a very useful remedy for coughs and chest infections.
Directions: Simply take 2 tsp of herbs per cup of boiling water, cover with a lid and infuse for 10 min. Strain the tea, sweeten with honey, add lemon or mix with juice.

First aid household remedies

Onion poultice Onion poultices have been around for centuries. They are especially good for painful earaches. Poultices are simple, cheap and give immediate relief. Ingredients: 1 or 2 small onions, 1 piece of muslin, or cotton material (a standard bandage will do). Directions: Chop up the onions, and fold them into the material so that the onion pieces cannot fall out. Place in microwave for one minute, or heat on a plate over a pot of boiling water. Allow to cool slightly then place the onion poultice on or around the sore ear. Hold it in place with a scarf, hat or a headband. Leave it on for up to one hour and repeat procedure 2-3 times daily.

Thyme cough syrup It is so easy to make your own cough syrup. The kids will love the delicious taste of the infused honey. Ingredients: One handful of fresh (ideally organic) thyme herb, 500mg organic or locally grown honey.

Directions: Chop up the leaves, flowers and stalks of the thyme and mix with honey. Store in a dark glass jar. Leave in a sunny spot, and turn the jar daily. After two weeks, strain the honey into an airtight glass container, and store it in the fridge. This syrup can be taken as required, straight from the spoon, or be used to sweeten herb teas.
 
Vinegar socks This is one of my favourite first aid treatments for any feverish infection. The cooling effect of vinegar is well known. By keeping the feet cool, and the rest of the body warm, the child’s fever will slowly be reduced. Keep up the fluids with herbal teas. This will encourage the child to sweat, which will also help lower the body’s temperature.

Directions: Apply a moisturising cream onto the feet to avoid a skin reaction. Soak cotton socks in cider vinegar. Squeeze out any excess liquid. Put socks onto the child’s feet. Cover with another pair of woolly socks. Put the child into bed for at least 20 minutes.

Aromatherapy

Use an electric vaporiser in the child’s bedroom and add a few drops of Ti-Tree, Eucalyptus, or Bergamot pure essential oil to help clear the room from airborne pathogens. You can also create your own chest rub simply by adding 1-4 drops of Eucalyptus oil to a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and massaging it onto the child’s chest.

Aromatic baths are also an excellent way to fight an infection. Add 1-4 drops of a suitable essential oil to a warm bath and allow the child to soak in the water for up to twenty minutes. The heat of the water aids absorption of the medicinal oil through the skin, and the vaporised oil is inhaled into the lungs. A blissfully relaxing treatment that will help settle the sick child and encourage a healing sleep.

At the first sign of a cold

REST If possible, keep your child at home to rest.
 
RESTORE Eliminate wheat and dairy from the diet, since these foods tend to lower the immune system, and promote the production of even more mucous. Don’t force your child to eat! Your body uses up energy to digest food, which would be better used to fight the cold.

REVITALISE Keep the diet simple with Vitamin C-rich fresh fruit, diluted vegetable soup, and plenty of water.

For more information:
Connie Page is a Medical Herbalist based in Peregian Beach. Phone: 0408 185 975 or visit: www.conniepage.com.au