Natural Ways To Boost Your Child’s Immune System This Winter

Have you ever noticed that some kidlets catch every bug that goes around, while other seem to stay healthy year round? Children with a strong immune system rarely get sick, and when they do, the duration of the illness is generally much shorter. So as cold and flu season approaches, I thought I’d share a few tips &  remedies I use to give my kidlet’s immune system a natural boost during this time of year…

Homeopathy- Homeopathy is the second most widely used form of medicine in the world, and it’s a wonderful way to boost your children’s immune system quickly and naturally.

We use Muco coccinum. It comes in tablet form, has no taste and it’s proven to be at least 55% more effective at preventing the flu than the flu shot.

Muco coccinum is safe for all ages, and has no side effects. We give one tablet to all of our kidlets (ages 1 year to 12 years), once every two weeks to boost immune health. If anyone does start showing signs of cold or flu symptoms, we give them one tablet every three hours. (For little children: crush the tablet, dissolve it in a bit of pure water, and administer it with a spoon.) This remedy is amazing at stopping the cold & flu when taken immediately at the first sign of a symptom.

Essential Oils- Over the last decade, laboratory researchers around the world have found many essential oils are capable of directly eradicating viruses. Further, they may even prevent viruses from moving between cells within the body and limiting the spread of infection.

Some of the best essential oils for boosting immunity and preventing viruses are:

• Tea Tree- a very broad spectrum antiviral/antimicrobial
• Rosalina- also known as Lavender Tea Tree
• Lavender- supports immune system function, also having antiviral action
• Bay Laurel- Laurel Leaf, reported effective against SARS
• Ravensara aromatica, Eucalyptus Radiata- one of many Eucalyptus species, this one is most often noted as “antiviral”
• Frankincense- considered by some the most effective immunostimulant oil available
• Thyme, and Hyssop- a highly regarded antiviral

We use this recipe to help boost our children’s immune system, and prevent cold, flu and other viruses:

4 Parts Lavender, 3 parts Rosalina, 1 part Ravensara, 1 part Eucalyptus and 3 parts Bay Laurel. Including this simple remedy in your child’s daily bath or nightly vaporizer is a simple and inexpensive way to protect from viruses and treat symptoms. Plus there are no negative side effects!

Probiotics- A healthy digestive tract is key to building a strong immune system and staying healthy. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating a good quality probiotic into your family’s daily routine. Probiotics are included in many forms of yogurt, kefir, and other cultured milk products, such as sour cream.

Probiotics and digestive enzymes help prevent colds and flu. They are the healthy bacteria that live in the intestines. Studies have shown that probiotics help the immune response by both preventing colds and flu, and speeding recovery time.

Our kidlets love keifer, we call it a “yogurt smoothie”. I give them a small glass twice daily, in the morning with breakfast and again later in the day as an afternoon snack. Taking Probiotics daily is the simplest and most effective way to keep the digestive tract healthy, which in turn will help build a strong immune system.

Breastfeed- Breastfed babies experience fewer infections & viruses than bottle fed babies. Breast milk is also vital in building your baby’s immunity and protecting against disease. It provides a complete nutritional balance, including essential fatty acids. I chose to breastfeed all of our children until they self-weaned, which was between 18 and 40 months and the immune benefits have been amazing. Our kidlet s rarely get sick, and when they do they usually fight if off quickly. If little ones do catch a bug, breastmilk is the best “medicine” around.

Limit Sugar Intake- Excess sugar depresses immunity. According to Dr. Sears “An overdose of sugar. Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of two- and-a-half 12-ounce cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40 percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours.”

The American Heart Association advises that children ages 4 to 8 who get about 1,600 calories a day should limit their sugar intake to 3 teaspoons — or 12 grams — a day.

Avoid Exposure To Toxins- We do not use any toxic chemicals in out home. Exposure to chemicals can damage the immune system and make it more difficult to fight off common infections.  Even though these toxins are everywhere, you can take the steps to create a healthy home environment and therefore reduce the amount of chemicalsyour kidlets are exposed to.

Today, there are affordable, non-toxic alternatives to all lawn and garden pesticides and wonderful natural household cleaners and personal care products. Use natural fibers in your bedding, furniture and carpets to create a cleaner, fresher environment with less static electricity. Buy organic foods. This will greatly decrease your child’s overall exposure to pesticides and help to create a healthier environment for everyone.

Give A Daily Dose Of Mother Nature- Make sure your kidlets are getting plenty of fresh air and time outdoors. Go for walks, play outside and take children to the park often. Let your child run, jump, dance and climb. Nature is an excellent immune stimulator and being exposed in a happy, healthy way does wonders to all aspects of your child’s life. Staying inside the house all day isn’t healthy for anyone. I make sure we plan outdoor activities weekly, and make it a point to take the kidlets outside to play daily, even during winter.

 Sleep- Your child’s body regenerates, repairs and renews itself while sleeping. Experts recommend that children younger than 12 should log 10 hours of sleep a night, one- to three-year-olds should get 12 to 14 hours, and those younger than 1 need 14 to 15 hours. To help put your little one, and colds  to bed, create an evening ritual that signals it’s time for sleep, like reading a favorite book or doing a few easy stretches.

I never cease to be amazed at how the earth can provide us with everything we need to care for ourselves and our children. All of these natural remedies are proven to be effective, and have no harmful risks or side effects. Don’t you just love Mother Nature?!

Please feel free to share any natural remedies you use in your home to gear up for cold and flu season.

 This post is a part of Green & Natural Mama Thursday!