It starts with the pink cheeks. Then come the bright eyes, the hoarse whisper and your shirt being used as a tissue. Last fall, the FDA recommended that children under the age of two not take any cough or cold medicines as they have not been proven to be effective and may have adverse effects. So how do you help a tiny nose?

Bea Kunz of Sage Hill Farms in Petersburg, TN, suggests taking a more natural route to better health through teas and herbs that are easily added to your diet.

“If we focus on prevention when children are small and treat the everyday and minor ills with herbal and natural means, more than likely they will never have to deal with many of the issues that seem to follow from childhood into adulthood,” Bea said, “asthma and eczema being two of the biggest culprits.” She adds, “The herb world abounds with gentle and effective plants that can help respiratory problems and leave your child stronger and healthier in the end results. Wild Cherry Bark, Horehound, Hyssop and Coltsfoot are a few to think seriously about getting acquainted with.”

So how do you incorporate these great herbs in your meals? Bea shared with us on of her family’s favorite recipes:

Herbi Egg Bake
2 Tbsp real butter
1/2 tsp chopped chives
1/2 tsp dried parsley
dash of dried tarragon
dash of dried thyme
4 eggs
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pre-heat oven to 325F degrees

Combine butter with dried herbs and divide into the cups.

Place cups in a shallow baking pan

Place in oven until butter is melted

Break an egg into each cup

Top with 1 TBSP cream and 1 TBSP cheese per cup

Bake 12 to 15 minutes just until the eggs are done.

Serve these alongside your child’s favorite fruit and toast with a wee bit of honey or jam.

When illness does invade your home, a soft cuddle, a warm kiss and plenty of love are the best cold remedies. Heck, you don’t even need to struggle with the childproof cap…