Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS

Homeopathic Cold Remedies for Infants

According to Dr. Mark Widome, a pediatrician located in Pennsylvania, homeopathic cold remedies for infants work equally well when compared to traditional over-the-counter remedies. While Dr. Widome suggests that ear infections should be treated by a doctor because hearing loss can result if improperly treated, many homeopathic cold remedies offer positive ways for treating infants with colds.

Asa Herschoff asserts in Homeopathic Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Homeopathic Treatments that adults can anticipate getting a cold as often as four times a year while children and infants can get colds as often as six times a year. There are different herbs that can be used as homeopathic treatments, and herb selections are based on the symptoms that a child presents. You might feel safer by discussing your options with a doctor before offering the child a homeopathic remedy of any kind.

Allium Cepa

According to Dr. Dana Ullman, MPH, author of Homeopathic Medicines for Children and Infants, Allium Cepa, also called red onion, is used for children and infants to treat watery, runny noses, minor head pain associated with the common cold, bouts of sneezing, burning eyes, and issues with light sensitivity caused by a cold. This herb is ideal for children two years of age and older. Two tablets can be offered daily and children can easily dissolve the tablets under their tongue for consumption. This herb should not be offered to children with chronic bronchitis or other chronic breathing conditions. You should note that after using this particular remedy to treat a nasal discharge, the cold symptoms might later move into the chest region. You should follow up with a different homeopathic remedy when this occurs.

Calcarea Carb

According to Dr. Dana Ullman, MPH, Calcarea Carb is also a homeopathic remedy suitable for infants as well as older children that have colds on a frequent basis. If the child is often feeling super-sensitive to the cold, sweats excessively and the perspiration is sour, and the child’s stools are foul smelling, then Calcarea carb should be used to treat cold symptoms. A single dose of Calcarea Carb 30, three times a day is appropriate for infants and children experiencing cold symptoms.

Euphrashia

Eyebright, when offered with Echinacea, is a fantastic cold remedy for kids. Echinacea offers immune system boosting properties while the eyebright offers anti-inflammatory agents, an astringent which diminishes mucous secretions, and helps to reduce swollen eyelids, sternum pressure, and to soothe an irritated larynx. Eyebright also diminishes issues related to light sensitivity, sneezing fits, and sleep disturbances too. A blend of Eyebright and Echinacea can be given to a child in the form of a liquid, which is offered online and in stores by natural herbal suppliers. Children ages less than one can have .5 milliliters three times daily. One- to two-years-old and that weight up to 24 pounds can have 1.0 milliliters three times a day; children ages three to six and weighing 24 to 48 pounds can have 1 to 2 milliliters each day three times a day.

Resources

The New York Times for information on the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies for colds at:

Holistic Pediatric Association for information on homeopathic remedies for infants and children at:

http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/153/1/Homeopathy-for-the-Common-Cold

For information about homeopathic remedies:

Homeopathic Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Homeopathic Treatments; Asa Herschoff; 2000.

Global Herbal Supplies for information on Eyebright.

http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/eyebright.htm