Bath Remedies for Kids With Colds

A common cold can be miserable, especially for a child suffering from a runny nose, sore throat and cough. The best treatment is rest but a warm bath can help soak away aches and pains associated with a cold or flu. There are products you can buy in the form of salts, gels and oils to add to the bath that work to comfort your child. You can also make your own herbal remedies that are equally effective.

Over the Counter Products

• There are several bath products that can relieve your child's cold symptoms. Try the Rocky Mountain Soap Company's Cold & Flu bath salts, a combination of essential oils that eases stress as it works to calm coughs and alleviate congestion. Made from a mixture of essential oils including eucalyptus and lavender, this bath soak eases symptoms as it comforts and relaxes. Kiss My Face has formulated a Cold & Flu bath and shower gel that uses a blend of eucalyptus, fennel and horehound to sooth away symptoms.

  Two other Cold & Flu Bath Soaks are Abra Therapeutic's, a botanical blend of eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint to reduce body aches and chills and C.O. Bigelow's, which uses extracts of willow bark, echinacea and ginger. Just add one to your child's bath water.

Homemade

• Adding herbs to hot bath water releases natural, medicinal oils to treat cold symptoms. While adding a handful of herb to your child's bath will work, it's hard to clean up and may lead to plumbing issues. By first making an infusion, using a sachet bag or simple using essential oils will work as a restorative without all the trouble.

  Infusing an herb is the process of pouring boiling water over it and setting it to steep. Choose the herb you wish to infuse. For an effective infusion, you will need 2 tsp. dried herb or 6 tsp. fresh herb. Chop the herb and place in a bowl or large mug then pour 1 cup boiling water over the herb and let it steep for three hours. To treat sore muscles and aches try making an infusion with comfrey or thyme. To improve mood or alleviate depression use rosemary, lavender or bergamot or to battle sleeplessness use chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram or valerian. Brew an infusion of any one of these then add to the bath.

  Herbal sachets or herbal bath bags are bags made out of cheesecloth, organza or muslin stuffed with herbs and tied at the top. Purchase fabric that will restrain herbal matter but allow the water to flow through then simply stitch the sides and bottom leaving the top open. Stuff the bag with herbs and secure top with a string or cord. Slip cord around faucet allowing the water to run through the bag as bath fills. Then let the bag float in the tub with your child. For a feel better bath sachet, fill with 1/4 cup of thyme, sage, lavender, mint, bay leaves and rosemary.

Essential Oils

• Essential oils are created through a distillation process and when working with these oils, never use more than 10 drops of oil per bath. Essential oils are very strong and can burn the skin on contact. Fill the child's tub with water and add several drops of essential oil under the running tap. As the oil moves through the water, the scent will rise. Instruct your child to relax and breath deep. This method works well to ease congestion. Try adding several drops of essential oil of eucalyptus under the running tap. The scent from the oil will rise in the steam for a soothing inhalant.