When your child has the flu, it can feel miserable. Fever, sore throat, coughing, body aches, nausea — all the common flu symptoms in kids. Plus your child just doesn’t feel like themselves.
As a parent, you want to help your child feel better as quickly as possible. The good news is that while the flu has to run its course, there’s a lot you can do to ease discomfort and support recovery.
Below are pediatrician-recommended home remedies that focus on soothing common flu symptoms — along with guidance on how to use them safely. These recommendations come from pediatrician Laura Agresta, MD, who has a master’s in pharmacology, in addition to her double board certification in general pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. She sees families at Zarminali Pediatrics & Immediate Care - Ann Arbor West.
“Parents often ask us what they can do at home in addition to pushing fluids and giving motrin and tylenol. Natural strategies for specific symptoms can make a meaningful difference in how your child feels while the immune system does its work,” says Dr. Agresta.
Flu symptoms often come on suddenly and can feel more intense than a typical cold. Many children experience:
Symptoms may shift over the first few days. A sore throat early on may turn into a lingering cough. Nausea may come and go. That variability is normal — and it’s why flexible, symptom-based comfort care works so well.
Flu vaccines can help spare your child from the worst, making symptoms milder and giving the immune system an edge against the virus.
For children with cough, sore throat, or a hoarse voice, a drink made with warm water, ginger, lemon, and honey (for kids over one year old) can be especially soothing.
“You can offer this drink as often as your child wants during their illness,” says Dr. Agresta. “You can also find ginger-lemon tea bags at the grocery store — just steep in hot water and add honey.”
Older children who can reliably gargle and spit can get quick relief from warm saltwater gargles.
“Salt helps draw fluid out of swollen throat tissues, reducing pain and swelling,” Dr. Agresta says. “Very warm water adds a soothing effect. Together, they quickly ease soreness and hoarseness.”
Make sure the water is very warm, but not hot enough to burn. Have your child gargle, then spit it out. Swallowing too much saltwater can cause stomach upset, so spitting is important.
This can be repeated as often as needed throughout the day.
Nausea can be one of the most frustrating flu symptoms in kids, especially when they already feel miserable and don’t want to eat or drink.
“Aromatherapy using peppermint, ginger, or lavender essential oil has been shown in clinical research to reduce nausea — and is now used in many hospitals,” says Dr Agresta. The key is to help them smell the oil, not ingest it. Do not give your child essential oils by mouth.”
To use safely at home:
These approaches support the body as it fights off the flu. Honey, lemon, and ginger soothe and fight inflammation. Honey coats and calms irritated throats. Saltwater reduces swelling. Aromatherapy taps into the nervous system’s response to scent, which can ease nausea.
A Few Safety Reminders
These remedies work best alongside the basics:
Most kids recover from the flu with supportive care at home. But it’s important to reach out to your pediatrician if your child:
And if you're unsure — that’s reason enough to contact your pediatrician. You don’t have to make these decisions alone.