Medical experts advise that when children have a cough, parents should not let them use antibiotics, but instead apply some traditional folk remedies to treat coughs.

When children have a cough, parents often feel worried. According to Associate Professor Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, Head of the Pediatrics Department at Bạch Mai Hospital (Hanoi), not only the public but sometimes even doctors tend to overuse antibiotics. Cough-related illnesses in children are among the conditions most commonly treated with unnecessary antibiotics. Therefore, parents are encouraged to use the following folk remedies.

Rice Rinsing Water and Fish Mint Leaves

Take a handful of fish mint leaves, wash them thoroughly, crush them, and mix well with a bowl of rice rinsing water. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, then strain the liquid and give it to the child to drink to help relieve coughing.

White Radish and Crushed Ginger

Crush white radish and ginger, place them in a ceramic bowl, add a little filtered water and some honey, then steam for about 10–15 minutes. Give the child 2–3 teaspoons each time, three times a day.

Xương Sông Leaves

Use young buds of xương sông leaves, which not only help treat coughs but also hoarseness caused by laryngitis. Wash and finely chop the leaves together with a small amount of chive leaves, mix with sugar, steam, allow to cool, and give the liquid to the child throughout the day.

Fresh Turmeric Root

Crush fresh turmeric, add filtered water and 5g of rock sugar, then steam for 10 minutes. Give the child ½ teaspoon per dose, depending on the child’s age. Administer three times a day until recovery.

Green Kumquat

Wash 2–3 green kumquats, cut them in half, keeping both peel and seeds. Mix with rock sugar or honey and steam until the kumquats are soft. Mash the peel, remove the seeds, let cool, and give the child small amounts several times a day.

Green Kumquat Seeds

Do not discard kumquat seeds, as they help reduce phlegm and warm the throat when a child has a cough. Since kumquat flavor may be difficult for some children, adding a little sugar can make it easier to drink and more effective.

Pear + Rock Sugar + Fritillaria (Xuyên Bối)

Choose a large pear, peel it, cut off the top, and remove the core. Place 2–3 small pieces of rock sugar and 5–6 fritillaria bulbs (available at traditional medicine shops) inside. Steam for about 30 minutes. Give the child this remedy twice a day. It helps treat coughs, pneumonia, and reduce phlegm.

Boiled White Radish Water

Put 4–5 slices of white radish into a small pot with some water, bring to a boil, then simmer for another 5–10 minutes. Give the child the warm liquid to treat coughs, dry nose, sore throat, dry cough, and phlegm.

White Rose Petals

Wash white rose petals, mix with an appropriate amount of rock sugar and a little filtered water, then steam. Give the child 1 teaspoon per dose, 3–4 times a day.

Steamed Garlic Water for Cough Relief

Crush 2–3 cloves of garlic, place in a bowl, add half a cup of water and one piece of rock sugar, then steam for 15 minutes. Drink the warm garlic water 2–3 times a day. This remedy benefits the stomach and lungs while treating coughs and colds.

Garlic and Honey

Crush two cloves of garlic, mix with two teaspoons of honey, and steam gently. Be careful not to fully cook the garlic; it should still have a pungent aroma. Give the child half a teaspoon per dose, 1–2 times a day. Before taking this remedy, have the child drink some water first.

Chive Leaves and Rock Sugar

Steam 5–10 chive leaves with some rock sugar. Strain the liquid and give it to the child twice a day, 2–3 teaspoons each time.

Ripe Papaya

Peel a ripe papaya (naturally ripened), add 100 ml of honey, then cook and eat. This remedy is used to treat coughs without phlegm.

Licorice Tea

Licorice contains antibacterial properties and helps soothe the throat. Licorice tea has a naturally sweet taste, making it suitable even for infants. It helps warm the child’s body and relieve throat irritation.

Mexican Mint (Húng Chanh) and Kumquat

Take about 15–16 Mexican mint leaves and 4–5 green kumquats, wash thoroughly, and blend until smooth. Add an appropriate amount of rock sugar and steam for about 20 minutes. Give the child this remedy 1–2 times a day until the cough subsides.

Source: Gia Đình