It is inevitable – at some point your child will get sick. More often than not, they will acquire their illness while at school. They could come home with a runny nose, a nasty cough, or even lice in their hair. The sooner you treat the problem, the sooner they can get back to school.
If your child brings home something gross, use the following natural remedies to treat the situation.
#1 – Cold and Flu
The most common illness that your child is likely to get is the cold or flu. You may notice the telltale signs, of a runny nose, fever, or a constant cough. The best natural remedies for dealing with a cold or flu, in addition to drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest, include apple cider vinegar and lemonade.
Giving your child a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, or even honey, can help soothe a sore throat and keep their cough in control. Drinking lemonade can help settle their stomach and help with their digestion. It will also boost their immune system, helping them to get rid of the cold or flu quicker.
#2 – Pink Eye
At some point in your life, you have probably had to deal with this one yourself. Pink eye is a fairly common virus that causes redness and irritation around the eyelid. It is also very contagious and a child with pink eye will often not be allowed to return to school until the situation has passed.
To cure pink eye, or at least ease the symptoms, combine three essential oils – tea tree oil, lavender, and eucalyptus. Either use a diffuser with these three oils or rub them along the boney area around the eyelid. If you apply these oils topically, avoid direct contact with the eye.
#3 – Ringworm
Ringworm is a nasty fungal infection that looks like a small red ring on the skin. It is normally found near the scalp, but it can show up anywhere on the body. It is also contagious and can be difficult to treat.
As with pink eye, the most used natural remedy involves a combination of essential oils. Combine tea tree oil, chamomile, lavender, sandalwood, geranium, and patchouli. Apply topically. Another recipe simply requires 1 drop of lavender along with 2 drops of tea tree oil and 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Swab the infected area and cover the ringworm with a bandage.
#4 – Lice
Lice are one of the most dreaded illnesses that your child could bring home. It is incredibly common. According to the CDC, one in four elementary school children in the United States end up with head lice each year. It is typically contracted from direct contact with other children, either by sharing combs, headphones, or other items.
If your child has lice, try this natural remedy as soon as possible. Combine 2 ounces of carrier oil with 15 drops of an essential oil (tea tree oil, lavender, thyme, rosemary, or eucalyptus). Apply the mixture to the scalp, using cotton balls.
Leave the mixture in the child’s hair overnight – for a total of at least 12 hours. Comb the mixture out of their hair and then shampoo and rinse their hair. Repeat the process until the lice are gone.
Keep these natural remedies in mind, the next time your child comes home from school with anything gross. From lice or pink eye to the cold or flu, these natural remedies are proven to work. Save this article for later use, so that you will be prepared for any illness your child brings home from school.
References:
http://wellnessmama.com/podcast/natural-remedies-for-back-to-school-podcast/
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2014/08/natural-remedies-7-common-back-school-ailments.html