Expert: dr meenakshi joshi - 2/8/2012

Question
Hello Dr,

My 3 and 1/2 year old daughter is having cough due to allergies for the past 4 days. She is taking anti histamine and that seems to be helping her. It started with a dry cough at night and in the morning after waking up and now she is somewhat congested but no runny nose. Her cough seems to get worse in the morning after waking up. I am giving her turmeric honey milk before bed. Are there any other home remedies I can do to help with the allergies/cough.

Thanks in Advance,
Isha Kalbhor

Answer
Dear Isha

That is what i will say side effects of antihistamines. They cause profuse rebound dryness and infact cause more discomfort. Runny nose will immediately dry up but so will be all normal lubricating secretions of the lungs which cause dryness and irritation particularly during sleep and early morning.
Now if you feel she is better remove the antihistamines with your dr s advice. Give her some massage with mustard oil putting some rock salt in it before sleep and give steam inhalation. Keep giving her any warm liquid drink frequently.In between this give her garlic water. boil 2 cloves in 50 ml of water crush and sieve it. Give her to drink 3- 4 times in day. gradually once congestion is better you can reduce. For taste add some honey she wont mind drinking it. Try to boil an inch piece of ginger in milk for drink. Put plain saline water in nose as nasal drops. Give her as much warm water as she can. Dont give anything cold. try to give whole grain cereals and soups and skip all kind of junk. I t will surely help.

Health & Peace

Dr Meenakshi Joshi

www.vedichealers.com