During cold season, cough among kids is widespread. Persisting coughing is uncomfortable and irritating for your little ones. It disrupts their sleep and can make them up the entire night. It is downright bothersome but it is the body’s approach of expelling the bugs and clearing out the phlegm that clogs up your kids’ breathing tract.

Upon hearing your child suffering from cough, your first step might be giving them over-the-counter cough medicine. But be careful, over-the-counter cough medications for kids are not effective as you think. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t advise the intake of cough syrup in children below age six because they are not effective, unsafe and have serious side effects. The majority of cough medicines has Dextromethorphan (DXM) that can be detrimental and even fatal in children who cannot correctly metabolize it.

Cure Your Kid’s Cough Naturally

So, if medicine doesn’t work what else can parents do to help treat their children’s cough aside from ample rest and fluids? Here are five natural ways to treat this dilemma.

1. Honey Lemon Mixture (12 months and up)

According to the research conducted by Pennsylvania State University, a mixture of honey lemon is more effective compared to over-the-counter medicines for decreasing the severity and occurrence of coughing in kids during nighttime. Honey has natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents that aid the body in fighting germs that cause colds. Due to its natural sweetness, honey promotes salivation, which is helpful in breaking up excess mucus and/or soothing a dry throat. Lemon juice has the same effects with honey and at the same time, provides vitamin C. Many experts suggest giving one-half teaspoon of honey for children ages 1 to 5 and a teaspoon of honey for ages 6 and up.

Important Tip: Do not ever give honey to children below 1 year of age because it can possibly lead to a severe bacterial infection known as infantile botulism.