ance and give the advantage to tiny organisms known to promote a strong immune system and overall health.
Many medical professionals now recommend probiotics to older people who are at risk of dying from the flu, but probiotics are also available for children.
Look for chewables and gummies that have at least two probiotic strains. You can also feed your children more yogurt and fermented foods that are loaded with natural probiotics.
Make sure to fill them up with raw veggies as well because that’s what your healthy microbes eat.
4. Nasal Saline Irrigation
Did you know that nasal irrigation systems are now made just for children?
These products allow you to wash out the nasal passages, reducing inflammation in the mucus membranes and relieving the symptoms of the common cold and flu.
There are also saline sprays that are puffed into the nose without the messier wash process.
Not only can nasal irrigation relieve congestion, sneezing and other uncomfortable symptoms of the flu, but research has found that they may reduce the length of illness when used consistently.
A study revealed in a 2009 issue of the journal American Family Physician found that irrigation is safe, effective and affordable for many people suffering from upper respiratory infections.
Honey is one of the oldest and most trusted natural remedies for the flu and common cold, and we now have scientific evidence that it has medicinal value.
For instance, one 2014 study published in the Archives of Medical Research found that Manuka honey can effectively inhibit the flu virus.
This study was in the lab not in humans, but it backs up what people all around the world have believed for hundreds of years.
One of the simplest ways to use honey is to mix it with hot tea and sip away your sore throat and cough.
There’s also some scientific proof that giving children honey about 30 minutes before bed will help them sleep better. That may help tired parents get some rest as well.
There’s a lot of controversy over the use of zinc lozenges to treat colds or the flu, but some scientific studies have showed that zinc can reduce the length of illness for many people.
One study even found that supplementing with zinc shortly after the onset of symptoms can reduce the severity of symptoms as well.
While you can’t expect young children to suck on zinc lozenges, there are zinc supplements made just for children.
There are also some that combine zinc with other ingredients, including elderberry extract.
7. Rest, Relaxation & Cuddle Time
Your comfort is one of the best natural remedies when your child is suffering from the flu.
You can take preventative measures if you’re worried that you will also get the virus, but it’s important to take the risk and spend time holding your child or rocking through the most miserable hours of the night.
Just knowing that you’re there whenever they need you will help them feel better, but you will also notice immediately if more severe symptoms are presented.
This allows you to seek medical treatment right away if your child starts to run an extremely high fever, develops a rash or has other symptoms that seem more than the standard run of the flu.
These natural flu remedies aren’t just for your children. If another member of your household or a caregiver comes down the flu, all children in the home are at greater risk of catching it as well.
It’s important to use these preventative strategies yourself, and it all starts with washing those hands and paying attention to doorknobs, ink pens, keyboards and other items that you share with others who may have the flu.