Kids are vulnerable to infections during monsoon. Some common infections are caused by low immunity and mosquitoes. Apart from cold and cough, stomach flu or gastroenteritis is a common infection seen among toddlers. Orissa POSTasked a few mothers about homemade therapies they useto protect their wards from illnesses like diarrhoea, jaundice, and typhoid among others.
Bhubaneswar-based homemaker Shreyashree Mohapatra said, “Turmeric milk is one of the best remediesto keep infectious diseases at bay during monsoon. Every woman is familiar with the antioxidant properties of turmeric. I make sure to give a glass of turmeric milk to my son,Lohitaksha. That apart, I prepare ‘kadha,’ an ayurvedic home remedy that willprotect my child, make him stronger and help in fighting seasonal infections. Kadha is made with a number of herbs and spices that are boiled, usually in water, to extract their benefits. Besides, I massage my son’s feet with warm mustard oil to beat cold and cough. Massaging feet everyday benefits kids immensely. It not only increases the circulation, but also helps prevent common skin conditions like cracked heels and the chances of bacterial and fungal infections.”
Subhadra Rath, a banker, said, “Being a banker, I find it difficult to look after my baby, Gudu, properly when he falls ill because I have a heavy workload. My mother always comes to my rescue. She comes up with different home remedies for Gudu. My mother gives warm water to protect himfrom infections during monsoon. Warm water or soups not only provide natural heat to toddlers but also keep themhydrated. They help to withstand the cold better, providenutrition and keep sore throats at bay. Warm milk and soup canhelp a toddler’s body fight infections caused by the sudden change in temperature.”
Gitanjali Dash from Cuttack said, “I don’t take my son to the doctor at the slightest sign of cold and cough. I believe in tryingingredients like honey and ginger juice which can be as effective as over the counter drugs. During the rainy season, the weatherfluctuates between dry and humid, which makes kids susceptible to cold. So, I make it a point to give a little honey mixed with ginger juice to my son. Besides, I serve hot food to all my family members so that they can stay fit and fine during monsoon. Colds, cough, flu, indigestion, food poisoning, malaria, typhoid, jaundice and fungal infections are very common during this season. Moreover, mothers can opt for kesar milk which is abundant with natural disease-fighting chemicals. It is a power drink in themonsoon season.”
Doctor’s advice
According to doctor Abhijeet Upadhyaya, “If a kid has a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever, chances are he has the flu or common cold. To avoid spreading cold, one must take preventive measures like washing hands frequently and using tissues while sneezing and coughing. That apart, boiled water intake is a must for kids to keep them hydrated and enable their immune system to fight common flu. Apart from keeping the kids clean all the time, mothers can also prepare salt water gargle which is an easy and time-tested natural remedy to treat a sore throat. It eases tonsillitis, prevents upper respiratory tract infections and treats dry cough.”
RASHMI REKHA DAS, OP