It feels like we’re knee-deep in cough and cold season
While we’re used to hearing that these nasty doses will “run their course” as parents we just want to make things better in the now.
Though we might not be able to rid our kids of colds on command, there are ways we can soothe their symptoms and make them feel just a tiny bit better.
One Irish doctor, Dr Niamh Lynch, took to TikTok to share her home remedy that might ease your child’s irritating cough, and it’s not expensive!
@tiktokkiddydoc A soothing drink for sore throats and coughs #homeremedy #kids ♬ original sound – NOFEELINGS.
Dr Lynch suggests using marshmallow root tea for children over the age of three as it’s “a really good home remedy for sore throats and persistent coughs.”
The healthcare professional explains that tea is really safe and has even been endorsed by the European Medicines Agency because of its traditional uses.
Yet what is in it that’s so helpful? It’s thanks to a protective antioxidant film called mucilage which can coat the inner lining of the throat (mucosa) to help soothe irritation and promote healing.
If you want to try this out for yourself, Dr Lynch provides a list of ingredients and a method to brew your own tea.
You’ll need:
- Marshmallow root
- Cloves which have anti-inflammatory properties
- Honey which not only has its own soothing properties but sweetens the drink making it more palatable
Method:
- Add one or two teaspoons of marshmallow root to a mug
- Add warm, not boiling, water and let it steep for a while. The doctor says she chooses to “leave mine for ten minutes but the longer you leave it the gloopier and more mucilaginous it becomes”
- Then, pop in a few gloves.
- Strain it before giving the liquid to your child to drink so they don’t swallow any of the bits
- Add your honey
Then all you have to do is drink and hopefully feel a bit better!
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