Today I had to nurse on my son he has a really stubborn cough due to over indulgence on valentines day treats. It got so bad that he was crying every time he coughed due to the pain. Here's what I do to combat non-productive coughing and it usually works overnight. In order to losen up the phlegm and combat inlamation this is what I do:
1. Water!! I know this is a reoccuring theme in my posts but I can't stress it enough! Being properly hydrated is key to fighting any kind of ailment plus it helps to break up mucus.
2. Vitamin C! I think people tend to forget about our good old friend vitamin C. Your body can't store it nor can it produce it. It helps to catch free raqdicals that are produced when food is broken down or your body comes into contact with certain pollutants. According to the National Library of medicine's website vitamin C deficency can lead to:
•Anemia
•Bleeding gums
•Decreased ability to fight infection
•Decreased wound-healing rate
•Dry and splitting hair
•Easy bruising
•Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
•Nosebleeds
•Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism
•Rough, dry, scaly skin
•Swollen and painful joints
•Weakened tooth enamel
3. Garlic. I use garlic for many things and using it for coughs is deffinantely one of them. I use half of a clove of garlic chopped into smaller pieces I swallow them as I would a tablet. Although my children won't do this I do also keep a jar of honey or Agave with a few fresh garlic cloves in it for them. After sitting for a few hours the garlic infuses itself into the honey or agave it's like sweet garlic juice:)you can give your child one or two tablespoons of the honey when needed.
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4. Last but not leaste. A heating pad! I usually try to do the vitamin C and garlic right before I go to bed then top it off with a heating pad on my chest. This usally clears up any chest pain or stubborn mucus over night. Heat works wonders! Hope this helps! Love N Lite!
