What can you do to help your kids resist the numerous bugs that they’ll be exposed to in the coming months? From my experience, it seems it all starts towards the end of October after we put the clocks back and for most of us that means less daylight. Resistance to infection is really a question of vitality. As you know yourself, you are far more likely to get a cold or flu if you are overworked or exhausted, had too many late nights or generally neglected yourself. It is the same for children, added to which their immune systems are less established so they are that much more susceptible. Throughout this article I will mention just a few homeopathic remedies that will assist most families but, as homeopathic remedies treat the person not the condition, you will see the same remedies recommended for many different reasons. The most important factors in maintaining a healthy immune system are:

Plenty of sleep:
This sounds obvious but it is so easy for children to find more and more cunning ways of staying up late. If you think that they can’t get to sleep because they seem to have a second wind and they are rather hyper, try Nux Vomica 6c. Give one tablet about an hour before bed. If they keep getting up to check you are still there or can only nod off with long cuddles, it is worth trying Pulsitilla 30c. Give one about an hour before bedtime. Many children are frightened of the dark so you could try putting a nightlight in their bedroom. Also a piece of cotton wool with a few drops of essential oil of lavender can knock them out. All of the above are safe for babies as well. If you are breastfeeding, then take the remedy yourself as you will pass it onto your baby. Otherwise, crush the tablet between 2 spoons and rub the powder onto the baby’s gums.

Diet:
Eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables is definitely important. Equally important is restricting the amount of junk food – we all eat far too much of it and it really does clog up the system. Sugar is known to weaken the immune system, so keep biscuits, cakes, sweets, ice creams and chocolate as a treat. Whilst we can’t put our children on detoxification diets, we can use two homeopathic remedies that will encourage the body to eliminate its toxicity. This is particularly beneficial if your child has been taking medication, such as antibiotics and antihistamines. It can be repeated twice yearly. The detoxification regime means taking homeopathic Sulphur 6c each morning and Nux Vomica 6c each evening. For under 5s do this for one week. For 5–12 do this for 2–3 weeks. For 12–adult for 4 weeks.

Foods that are particularly good for the immune system are:

Live yoghurt which helps maintain healthy bowel flora naturally protecting us from tummy bugs;

Honey

Foods rich in vitamin C eg kiwi fruit, oranges, red peppers, dried apricots, green vegetables.

Foods rich in zinc sesame seeds, popcorn.

Wrap up well and keep children warm:
They should be protected from the wind and rain as much possible. You are particularly susceptible to catching a cold if you go out with wet hair e.g. after swimming or just get caught in the rain.

Stress:
This definitely weakens the immunity. I think modern-day stresses on children are often linked to doing too much. We should try and create time just to let our children be. Also, if there are problems in the home, try not to hide the difficulties but be sensitive to what you say in front of the kids and how it is said.

The essentials for the medicine cabinet through the winter
Lavender oil: This is a multifunctional oil, being a natural antiseptic and antibacterial, as well as aiding restful sleep. You could regularly add 10 drops to the bath or put 10 drops in a burner or vapouriser in the bedroom. Alternatively, add 10 drops to a cupful of almond or grapeseed oil and massage it into the shoulders and neck. This is good if a cold is going onto the chest.

Echinacea drops in the form of a herbal tincture. These can be used from 2 years and are the most fantastic immune tonic hugely helping to prevent us from picking up bugs.

Nux Vomica 6c: as described above for aiding sleep and detoxification.
Sulphur 6c for detoxification. Also good to give 1 a day for 4 days after a tummy bug to help restore bowel flora.

Aconite 6c at the first sniff of a cold, fever, or bug give 1 every 2–3 hours. Often this is enough to stop it developing. If the illness does develop it is still useful to give 3–4 times a day.

Pulsitilla is probably the most useful homeopathic remedy for children. It helps colds, coughs, ear infections (especially left sided). The main indication for prescribing is that the child becomes more clingy.

All of the above are available in Boots, most good chemists and health food stores.

Helen Johnson is a leading health expert, specialising in Cranial Osteopathy and Homeopathy.