How To Keep Your Child Healthy This Monsoon?

I love rains. Well, initially at least. After being tortured by scorching heat and unrelenting humidity for 4 months, who wouldn’t welcome those cold drops of water falling from the heaven, the scent of the earth and the clean and green surroundings? But much as I appreciate the cooler climes, I also know that monsoon is the harbinger of many illnesses and health problems.

Let’s see the most common health problems and how to keep your child healthy this monsoon:

Digestion: Because of near-absence of sunlight, our digestive system is at the weakest during the rainy season. No wonder people observe fast for these four months. Much as we feel like having fried pakodas, vada pavs and chaat, it’s like an open invitation to health problems.

• Add ginger, asafoetida and ajwain (Oregano) to your regular cooking. Not only they power appetite but also aid digestion.
• Cut ginger into julienne. Squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and finely cut green chillies. Now shake well and put it in the refrigerator. Eat a little along with meals.
• Boil ajwain leaves in water. Only a couple of leaves are enough. Tip: Bring an ajwain plant. Ajwain is very easy to plant and grows tremendously fast.
• Add asafoetida in all dals and legumes.
• Give your child a bowl of yogurt every day.
• Avoid rich, fried and spicy food.
• Avoid green, leafy vegetables or wash them thoroughly before use.

Cold and cough: An adventurous soaking in the rains might lead to cold and cough in your kids. It’s a sign of weak immunity.

• Tulsi (Holy Basil) is your saviour. Boil tulsi leaves in water and give this water daily to your child. If you suffer from low immunity, then it might be a good idea for you to have it too. But remember, you can’t build immunity in a day. It’s a long process. So start now.
• If your little one is finding it difficult to sleep because of excessive coughing, make him sip a little warm water or give him a spoonful of honey. That should do the trick.

Worms: A child can get infected by worms in any season but in the monsoon, there are heightened chances of getting infected with tapeworms, roundworms and pinworms.

• Asking your child to maintain proper hygiene is a big step towards fighting worms.
• Always wear shoes whenever the child steps out of home.
• Wash their hands and feet every time they come home.
• Avoid uncooked food from outside; especially fruits, salads, juices and street food.
• Boil neem leaves in water. Now bathe your child with this water a couple of times in the week.
• If your child is complaining of tummy ache or vomiting, you’d better rush to a doctor.
• Ask your doctor for de-worming your child.

I now realize that these tips are not for kids alone. Even adults can benefit from it.

Do you have more tips that can benefit all of us? Please share. 

Aslo read: Boost Your Immunity During Monsoons

Explore the entire collection of articles: Monsoon

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