As a penny saved is a penny earned, a cold prevented is misery deterred. Natural remedies and treatments for children's colds make life much easier for the little ones.

While children are not generally quick to share their toys, sharing germs has never been their problem.  Minimizing the spread of germs and keeping the immune system healthy are the best ways to avoid colds.

Washing hands after restroom visits, before meals and when you arrive home from being out for the day makes sense.  Using a natural hand sanitizer is also helpful.  (Do avoid triclosan as using it regularly is not beneficial for long term health!)

Exercise, sunshine and rest: Do not underestimate the value of old-fashioned exercise, sunshine and adequate rest - all very helpful to the immune system. 

Garlic and Astragalus Root: During cold season, or whenever it seems that something is "going around," let your food be your preventative medicine.  Adding some fresh garlic to soup, salads, rice, etc. is a simple preventative measure.  Astragalus root is a great immune booster and can also be added to soups and rice.  My children do not even notice when I have added it to a dish.

Fruits, especially berries, are good preventative medicine.  The old saying "An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away" is not unfounded.

Here are a few things we do around our house to reduce the misery and duration of colds when cold symptoms begin.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Ears - When a cold virus gets into the ears, ear congestion, infection and pain are all quite miserable.  We put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ears several times a day.

Saline Spray for the Nose - Old fashioned saline spray is truly helpful.  You can buy saline spray or make your own. 

• I add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of distilled water. 
• It can be put into a dropper bottle and put into the child's nose a few times a day, or it can be put into an empty nasal spray bottle.  (Each child should have his own nasal sprayer if you use this route.) 
• The salt kills germs and the spray helps the nose to feel moist and not dry.

Salt Water Throat Gargle - Gargling salt water is a cheap and simple solution for sore throats that accompany colds. 

• Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt to 1/4 cup of warm water.
• If a child is too young to gargle, you can add the salt water to a spray bottle and spray his throat a few times a day instead.

Colloidal Silver - If you have colloidal silver on hand, it may be used for the ears, nose and throat instead of the remedies listed above. Once a cold has begun in any form, treating the ears, nose and throat will help even before symptoms develop in those areas.

Healing Baths - I give healing baths to my children for all sorts of conditions, and colds are no exception. 

• 1/2 cup epsom salt or 1/2 cup baking soda (or both) can be added to a warm tub of water.  A child can play in the water for 20 minutes or as desired.
• I sometimes add 1 drop of essential oil to the bath. (Lavender for its relaxing effect, Eucalyptus for congestion, or Peppermint for fever.)

Yes: Soups, broths, teas and juices should be offered liberally during a cold. 

No: Milk, cheese, and ice cream should be avoided during colds as they increase mucous production. 

Vinegar Tea - I often make vinegar tea for my children at the first sign of a cold. For very small children, just a few teaspoons of the tea every hour would be wonderful.

• 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar to a mug;
• 2 teaspoons of honey;
• 4 ounces of hot water.  

Any child's sickness is a special opportunity for parents and caregivers to give some extra love and attention to the child.  Back rubs, extra story time, and just the nurture and attention that comes from bringing curative foods and teas to the child are healing in and of themselves.

Please see the following pages for more information about natural treatments for a variety of specific cold symptoms:

http://www.earthclinic.com/green/homemade-hand-sanitizer.html

http://www.earthclinic.com/cures/coughs.html

http://www.earthclinic.com/children/natural-fever-cures.html

http://www.earthclinic.com/children/sinus-infection-remedies.html

http://www.earthclinic.com/cures/ear-ache-remedies.html

Please keep reading below to see what others have found to be helpful in treating colds in children!  Tell us about your favorite natural remedies for children's colds.