Family colds and coughs are pretty much inevitable once the weather turns. They can leave everyone in the house feeling miserable, and they can be slow to shift. We teamed up with Irish company Dr. Clare Apothecary to put together these tips for soothing family colds and coughs this winter.
Colds are viral, so antibiotics won’t touch them — they simply need time to run their course. While you can’t always avoid catching one, there are simple, gentle measures that can ease the symptoms and make everyone a bit more comfortable while it passes.
Tips for soothing colds and coughs
#1. Hydration
Drinking plenty of fluids helps soothe a sore throat and can reduce coughing. Water is best — it helps loosen mucus, eases dryness, and helps keep you cool if there’s a fever in the mix.
#2. Clearing mucus
Mucotone is a Dr Clare Apothecary tincture blended from ingredients that support the health of the respiratory tract and can help ease the mucus build-up that comes with colds and coughs.
#3. Relieving a tickly throat
Kinderkind is a Dr Clare Apothecary blend designed to help reduce inflammation, ease that tickle in the throat and pharynx, and support the immune system. It’s suitable from very young babies right up to adults, making it a handy one to have on hand when a cold or cough strikes.
Both Kinderkind and Mucotone can be ordered online and are stocked in pharmacies and health stores. Ask your pharmacist or health store staff about them next time you’re in.
Dr Clare Apothecary
Dr Dilis Clare is a GP and Medical Herbalist based in Galway. Her range of GP-formulated blends and tinctures offers relief for everything from coughs to bladder infections, combining herbal knowledge with clinical grounding. Along with herbs, speciality teas and other products, they’re available from her store in Galway, from specialist health stores and pharmacies, and online.
You can connect with Dr Clare Apothecary via Facebook and Instagram, or check out the YouTube channel for helpful videos on soothing colds and coughs, allergies, digestion and other everyday health concerns.
#4. Honey
A small teaspoon of honey can help coat the throat and take the edge off that tickly cough feeling. (Honey should not be given to children under 1 year old.)
#5. Rest
It’s an old saying for a reason — rest really does help. Sleep gives the body a chance to repair itself and fight off infection more effectively.
#6. Moisture
Dry, overheated air can make cold and cough symptoms worse. A cool-mist humidifier helps keep some moisture in the room. A hot shower works well too — the steam can help open up the airways and ease symptoms.
#7. Nutrition
Eating well matters at the best of times, but especially when you’re feeling under the weather. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with herbs and spices, can help reduce inflammation and top up the nutrients your body needs to fight off a virus.
Berries, ginger, lemon, turmeric, garlic and dark green vegetables are all packed with antioxidants and can help the body cope with a cold or cough.
#8. Saline
Gargling warm salt water can soothe a sore, irritated throat, while saline nasal drops or sprays can help with the build-up of mucus in the nose.
#9. Sucking
Sucking a hard-boiled sweet or cough drop can help add moisture to the throat and relieve that dry, itchy feeling that sets off coughing. Take care with hard sweets around younger children, as they can be a choking hazard.
#10. Heat
Staying warm and comfortable makes a big difference when you’re not feeling your best — and hot liquids can help soothe symptoms too.
Hot chicken soup, warm water with freshly squeezed lemon, ginger and honey, or a hot herbal tea can all bring some relief. The warmth is soothing in itself, and ingredients like lemon, ginger and honey help top up nutrients that may be depleted while you’re unwell.
#11. Sleeping
Propping yourself up with an extra pillow at night can help sinuses drain more easily and ease congestion, which in turn helps you sleep better while you’re fighting off a cold or cough.
#12. Snuggles
And finally — never underestimate a snuggle on the sofa with Mum or Dad. Sometimes that’s the best medicine of all.
If symptoms persist or get worse, it’s best to check in with your GP for further advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat a cold with antibiotics?
No. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only work against bacterial infections. A cold needs time to run its course — the tips above are about easing symptoms and staying comfortable while it does.
Is it safe to give honey to a child with a cough?
Honey can help soothe a tickly cough, but it should never be given to children under 1 year old. For older children and adults, a small teaspoon can offer gentle relief.
What helps a child sleep better with a cold?
Propping them up slightly with an extra pillow can help mucus drain more easily and ease night-time congestion. A cool-mist humidifier in the room can also help keep the air comfortable.
When should I see a GP about a cold or cough?
If symptoms are severe, persist longer than expected, or seem to be getting worse rather than better, it’s best to get advice from your GP.
Related articles
If this was useful, you might also like our pieces on building a simple family first-aid kit, easy warming meals for cold weather, and cosy indoor activities for sick days at home.
Save this for the next sniffly day
Winter colds have a habit of arriving at the most inconvenient moment, so it’s worth bookmarking this one or saving it to your phone for the next time someone in the house starts sniffling. Browse our family-life section for more practical, parent-tested ideas.
Have you tried any of these tips for soothing colds or coughs? Or do you have a family favourite we haven’t mentioned? Share it with us in the comments below.
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