Natural remedies for colds and flu go well beyond herbs and supplements. Good lifestyle and hygiene habits are proven to reduce your risk of getting sick. Let your child eat healthy foods and get regular exercise.Teach your child to cover his mouth when he coughs. Make sure your child properly washes his hands. Washing with soap for the time it takes to sing two rounds of “Happy Birthday”.

Try these gentle, effective, and safe home remedies when your child comes down with a cold or the flu: 

Honey (12 months and up)

Honey coats and soothes the throat and helps tame a cough. If your child is 1 to 5 years old, give him 1/2 teaspoon of honey. If he's between 6 and 11 years old, give him 1 teaspoon. Some people mix their honey with hot water and add a squeeze of lemon, which provides a little vitamin C along with the soothing honey.

Seawater nasal spray (4 years and up)

Salt water simply helps clear the mucus and trace elements in the water are beneficial. Saline nasal wash solutions were also found to be of benefit. By tilting your child's head sideways over the sink and placing the spray in the top nostril, you can run water through the nasal passages to clean and moisturize them. Don't force a child who's not interested. This needs to be a very gentle procedure, to prevent both traumatizing him and damaging his nasal passages if he struggles.

Nose blowing (2 years and up)

Clearing the nose of mucus helps your child breathe and sleep more easily and generally makes him feel more comfortable. If your child's nose is sore from all the sniffling and blowing, you can rub a little petroleum jelly around his nostrils. Many kids don't master this skill until after age 4, but some are game by age 2. Click here for tips for teaching nose blowing.

A bulb syringe (best for babies)

Clears the nose of kids who are too young to blow their nose. A bulb syringe really comes in handy if a stuffy nose interferes with your baby's breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Try using it about 15 minutes beforehand. You will need a rubber bulb syringe and saline (salt water) solution. Don't use nasal decongestant sprays on your baby unless her doctor tells you to. They may work for a bit, but they can also cause a rebound effect, making congestion worse in the long run.

Vapor rubs (3 months and up)

Vapor rubs may help kids sleep better at night. Research suggests that ingredients like eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol vapor rub actually have no effect on nasal congestion, but they make the cold sufferer feel as though she's breathing better by producing a cooling sensation in the nose. Massage the vapor rub into your child's chest, neck, and back. Don't put vapor rub on broken or sensitive skin or apply it to your child's mouth or nose, around her eyes, or anywhere on her face, for that matter.

Gargling with salt water (4 years and up)

Gargling with salt water is a long-standing way to soothe a sore throat. It also helps clear mucus from the throat. While scientists haven't determined exactly why it works, studies have shown that the remedy is effective. Simply combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and stir. If your child doesn't mind the taste, a squirt or two of fresh lemon juice can be a soothing addition. Your child must be old enough to learn to gargle. For many kids, that means school age or older. But some children can manage it sooner.

Elevating the head (all ages)

Elevating your child's head while he rests can help him breathe more comfortably. If your child sleeps in a crib, place a couple of towels or a slim pillow between the head of the mattress and the crib springs. Never put towels or pillows in the crib with your baby, as they could suffocate him. You can do the same trick for older kids as this creates a more gradual, comfortable slope or you may add an extra pillow under his head.

Lots of rest (all ages)

It takes energy to fight an infection, and that can wear a child out. When your child's resting, she's healing, which is what exactly she needs to do. Studies show that stress plays a role in illness, too. If your child is under pressure -- because of school or friends, or something happening at home -- giving her a break may be just what she needs to fight off her symptoms. You will need a comfortable place for your child to rest and things to occupy her. Let your child watch his favorite video or television program. Or bring her a new set of crayons and paper or coloring book. Even a puzzle can be manageable while at rest.

Extra fluids, Chicken soup and other warm liquids (6 months and up)

Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration, and flushes and thins your child's nasal secretions. Plain water is great. Try fruit smoothies and other favorite healthful beverages. Warm liquids can be very soothing and help relieve congestion. Studies have shown that chicken soup actually relieves cold symptoms like aches, fatigue, congestion, and fever. If your child is at least 6 months old, she may enjoy some weak, tepid chamomile tea. Stick to breast milk or formula for babies younger than 6 months old unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Babies that young don't need water, and too much could even be harmful.