What is your favorite "Healing Tonic" when your child is sick?

[TSomm]

So it's only December and my poor little girl is sick with a light fever and in bed.  She's always been so healthy but this is the second time this season she's been ill.

What do you give your children to keep them from getting sick or even while they are sick?  Short of the standard clear fluids, BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, and Toast), etc. and healthy foods when they are well.  Do you make any magical "healing tonics"?

[luckiest]

A good, well-gelled bone broth. It's perfect when they're sick (and when they're well!). Just let some marrow bones and a knuckle bone simmer in a stockpot or slow cooker for a reeeaaally long time. Like 12-24 hours. Some recipes call for garlic, onions, carrots - don't add them at the start. It makes the broth too sweet. Add in some minced garlic and salt when you serve it. My 2yo CHUGS the stuff. It's very nutrient dense, and since it's liquid it's great for when they don't feel like eating.

[mommariffic]

Yes! I second bone broth -- we also do miso soup, or homemade chicken noodle for meals during sickness. Anything with loads of GARLIC! I can get DD to take a spoonful of raw honey with crushed up garlic but DS is not too keen on it (although I've tricked him before..) 

I also swear by Elderberry - we normally do a homemade syrup for a few weeks leading up until the "flu season" and that helps prevent a lot of the yucky illness. If the kids do fall under the weather we repeat a few times a day with Elderberry syrup OR this other syrup I have which is raw honey, garlic, tumeric, goldenrod, elderberry, and a slew of other things. That has literally stopped colds in their tracks. We also love our essential oils and I do theives + coconut oil on the bottom of feet to boost immune systems (I do that literally all winter long..) and for when they are congested I use coconut oil + eucalyptus + theives and I use lavender + peppermint for fevers. 

When either kid is sick we do loads of water or tea + soups. Baths are great and if they are super congested we do a shower and with a few drops of oil to help get those boogers running/to clear up and help breath. Birthsong Botanicals on Etsy (I believe that's the shop) makes a great bundle of kids tinctures we use, and I couldn't rave enough about them! 

[skycheattraffic]

We are a soup family too. Chicken noodle with loads of carrots, parsnips and peas is my go-to sicky food. If she's not well enough for solids then I just give her the broth in a cup and she drinks it as fast as her tummy lets her and asks for more. If she's a bit better I also make a smoothie with loads of fruit and berries and she will gladly drink that.

[sassyfirechick]

Loads of Vit C!  My dd is 13mos, her only cold thus far was at 4mos.  DH came down with it first and he was sick for over 2wks - DD was taking btwn 2000-5000mg of vit c a day (whatever I could get into her through drops and I myself was taking about 15,000/day to boost anything going through via nursing) and it was a total of 5 days, only 1-2 of those being 'bad' before her nose cleared up.  I've since started her on daily Vit D drops, and use the C anytime someone in the family is sick or in contact with someone who is.  I love elderberry when I have a cold and we also steam up the bathroom a few times a day for any congestion.  I use a nettipot, DH has but he doesn't love it lol!  I've heard - but not tried - placing an onion next to the bed while you sleep to absorb toxins in the air.  I'd love to try it but with cats and dogs hanging around it might be tricky! 

[Asiago]

Sodium ascorbate, every time I have used it I note dramatic improvement within 24 hours, whether administration is begun upon onset of symptoms or later into the infection.

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by mommariffic 

Yes! I second bone broth -- we also do miso soup, or homemade chicken noodle for meals during sickness. Anything with loads of GARLIC! I can get DD to take a spoonful of raw honey with crushed up garlic but DS is not too keen on it (although I've tricked him before..) 

I also swear by Elderberry - we normally do a homemade syrup for a few weeks leading up until the "flu season" and that helps prevent a lot of the yucky illness. If the kids do fall under the weather we repeat a few times a day with Elderberry syrup OR this other syrup I have which is raw honey, garlic, tumeric, goldenrod, elderberry, and a slew of other things. That has literally stopped colds in their tracks. We also love our essential oils and I do theives + coconut oil on the bottom of feet to boost immune systems (I do that literally all winter long..) and for when they are congested I use coconut oil + eucalyptus + theives and I use lavender + peppermint for fevers. 

What is Elderberry? I would love to find something to give my 3 yr old. She keeps picking up the least little thing at church and at the sitter when she goes. Is it something they drink?

[sassyfirechick]

It comes in a syrup, tastes pretty good, You can order online thru vitacost or similar places, or whole foods has it too.

[LeighPF]

Mine like "hot juice" - warm water, honey (after on year, local, unpasturized if you can find it), with lemon or grated ginger. Great particulalry for a sore throat. I make it for me with hot water.

A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to hug or lie with also does wonders.