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Sick Kid? Here’s EXACTLY What I Do First (Natural Remedies That Actually Work)
- KhadiYah Preciado
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
When one of my babies wakes up with a stuffy nose or a little cough, I don’t panic—I go into action.
As a mama and an herbalist, I’ve built a rhythm around what to do when sickness hits our home. It’s not complicated, and it doesn’t require a cabinet full of fancy products. These are just a few trusted remedies, some homemade goodness, and the knowledge Yah has already made available to us through His creation.
In this blog, I’m walking you through the exact steps I take—from what I put in the diffuser to the syrups I always have stocked—so you can feel more prepared the next time your little one needs support.
Sick Day Staples: What I Do First When My Kids Get Sick
When my children start showing signs of being under the weather, the very first thing I do is turn on the diffuser. Not just with plain water—but with a little herbal twist. Instead of using filtered water, I like to pour in a hydrosol. If you’ve never used one before, it’s basically a gentle herbal water that captures both the water-soluble and some of the oil-based parts of the plant. I actually have a video showing how to make your own hydrosol (I'll drop the link below).
One of my favorites to use is goldenrod hydrosol, which I happened to have on hand. I added just a few drops of essential oil—nothing fancy, no precise measuring. Just enough to gently scent the room and support their little lungs. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out, so start small. And don’t skip this if you’re a mama trying to take care of yourself too—it helps us breathe easy, literally and emotionally. I talk more about herbs like lavender, goldenrod, and eucalyptus in my book Everyday Herbs, especially how to use them safely with children.
The Chest Balm That Brings Instant Relief
After the diffuser’s running, the next thing I grab is a balm. You can totally make your own (and I highly recommend reusing jars you already have!).
A balm is a semi-solid salve that melts into the skin when you rub it—kind of like herbal butter. As soon as I rub it onto my children’s chests, I can feel the congestion loosening up. They love it, especially when I massage behind their ears, which always makes them giggle.
This balm can be made with things like eucalyptus, thyme, or rosemary—but please check that the oils you’re using are safe for children. If you’re unsure, I list out kid-friendly options in Everyday Herbs along with recipes for salves, oils, and chest rubs. Don’t just slap anything on their skin—some oils are too strong or not appropriate for little ones. We go over all of that inside the book so you feel confident and not overwhelmed.
Our Go-To Herbal Syrups
(And Why I Always Keep Them Stocked)
The final thing I always make sure we have? Herbal syrups. I don’t wait until someone’s already sick—I try to stay one step ahead. I keep two syrups on hand: our Immunition Syrup and an Elderflower Syrup. Both are in my book Everyday Herbs, and they’ve been absolute staples in our home. The elderflower one is great when there’s a fever or congestion. The Immunition Syrup is what I use daily to support the immune system—and a lot of folks say it helps stop coughing too, especially those deep, nagging coughs.
Syrups are easy to make in small batches, and you can rotate them based on what’s going on. My kids actually like taking them, which is saying a lot! Prevention really is key
You don’t want to be scrambling when your little one’s nose is running and the stores are closed. The recipes in Everyday Herbs are simple, tested, and flexible. I walk you through how to make them, how to dose them, and how to store them for later.
Want to Feel More Prepared Next Time Sickness Hits?
Everything I just shared—hydrosols, essential oils, salves, and syrups—are inside my book Everyday Herbs. It’s packed with recipes, safety info for kids, and real-life tips to help you actually use what you have, not just collect herbs on your shelf.
Grab your copy of Everyday Herbs today and feel confident the next time sniffles show up at your door.
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