by Peggy O’Mara
Editor and Publisher of peggyomara.com. Longtime natural living advocate, award-winning writer, and independent thinker. She is the mother of four and grandmother of three. Please check out her website for more on parenting, activism, and healthy living.
“When our children are sick, they are often not sick enough to require a doctor’s visit, but nonetheless would benefit from something to soothe their discomfort. As a mother of four, over time I developed a repertoire of foods, vitamins, herbs, homeopathics and other safe and natural remedies that I could give my children at home. Here are some ways to naturally soothe your children.”
AROMATHERAPY
Do not use essential oil with babies younger than three months and be cautious using them with children.
- Lavender oil is antibacterial and antiviral. It provides immediate relief for sunburn or the sting or itch of insect bites, and also helps in healing burns. Use lavender oil undiluted on the skin, or put a few drops in a lukewarm tub. A rag soaked in cool water with a drop or two of lavender oil added is soothing on the forehead of a sick person.
- Make an aromatherapy ear rub with several drops of lavender oil, and chamomile oil in one ounce of olive oil. Rub the oil mixture around the outside the ear and over the lymph nodes on the side of the neck, or dab a cotton ball in the oil, gently place it in the ear, and leave it in until the discomfort is relieved, replacing it with a fresh cotton ball several times a day.
- A warm massage is very comforting to a child who is sick with the flu or a chest cold. To one ounce of grapeseed or almond oil, add a few drops of lavender, and chamomile essential oils. Gently massage the chest, rubbing from the middle of the chest out toward the armpit to help loosen mucus. In addition to relieving discomfort, these oils have anti-infectious properties.
- Fennel and chamomile oils are soothing to an upset stomach. Put a few drops in water to take when tummy-aches strike (add a few drops clove, caraway, or anise oil for a pleasing taste). Or, add a few drops of chamomile and fennel essential oils to an ounce of almond or grapeseed oil and massage your child’s tummy with some of this oil mix.
FLOWER REMEDIES
I found that my children responded well to flower remedies as they are gentle and treat the emotional body. There are many helpful flower remedies and they are easy to learn about. See The Bach Flower Remedies by Edward Bach and FJ Wheeler. The most popular flower remedy and one that every mom should have in her purse is: