We are well into the cold + flu season, and if you're anything like our household...you're feeling it, or have felt it already.
We were hit a few weeks ago when our 4 1/2 year old came down with the flu + RSV (never diagnosed, but her dada and I are pretty convinced). Luckily, this was only the second time we have ever had to deal with her falling ill (we are so grateful for that!). Needless to say, it was BRUTAL.
Luckily, we had all of the right stuff on hand to help her recover and get back to her normal (crazy) self in no time - okay, well it wasn't no time, it was about 6 days....but still.
Here are a few of my favorite products to have in your medicine cabinets during cold + flu season for kiddos (and adults too!):
1) Elderberry: The berries & flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system, tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too!
I was incredibly blessed to have a sweet friend bring me some homemade elderberry syrup after she found out Lucy was sick. But if you aren't as fortunate, I highly recommend Mary Ruth's Organic Elderberry Liquid Drops. I love all of Mary Ruth's products, but these are especially great to have on-hand this time of year.
2) Boiron Oscillococcinum Homeopathic Medicine: Homeopathic multi-symptom flu medicine and works best at the onset of symptoms. It's non-drowsy + non habit forming + won't mask symptoms of more serious conditions.
3) Rest. The absolute best thing for your child (and you!) when they are sick, REST! Seems like a no-brainer, but we often seem to forget that proper rest can boost your child's immune system to get them feeling better sooner. Sleep helps their little bodies better fight infections that cause them to get sick.
4) Epsom salt: Epsom salt baths can help relax muscles + relieve body aches associated with colds + flu. They can also dilate blood vessels, which increases white blood cell production to help speed up recovery. I either buy plain Epsom salt and add a few drops of lavender essential oil or eucalyptus, or I buy it with oils already in it.
5) Hydrate. Again, it seems like a no-brainer. But keeping your children hydrated is so important when they are fighting off an illness, and one of my favorite ways to keep Lucy hydrated is Coconut water. Our favorite brand is Harmless Harvest, but there are a lot of other good brands out there - just make sure you look for 100% coconut water, nothing added. Coconut water is hydrating, and with naturally occurring electrolytes it’s a good source of phosphorus and potassium.
And if you're thinking about giving your kids Gatorade or Pedialyte when they are sick...
Think again...
Ingredients in Gatorade: Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Monopotassium Phosphate, Gum Arabic, Glycerol Ester Of Rosin, Natural Flavor, Yellow 5
And Pedialyte? The #1 Doctor Recommended Brand for hydration???...
Ingredients in Pedialyte: Water, Dextrose, Citric acid, Artificial flavor, Sucralose, acesulfame potassium, Red #40 and Blue #1.
Have I mentioned that some of these ingredients are banned (yes, I said banned) in other countries, and this is what we are told to give our children when they are sick?!
Thanks doc, I'll pass...
Ingredients in Harmless Harvest Coconut Water: Organic coconut water.
**all content + information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does NOT constitute medical advice.
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