Ask Ayurveda

/
/
/
What are the best Indian home remedies for throat infection in toddlers, and how can they be safely used?
FREE! Just write your question
— get answers from Best Ayurvedic doctors
No chat. No calls. Just write your question and receive expert replies
1000+ doctors ONLINE
#1 Ayurveda Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 24M : 57S
background image
Click Here
background image
Pediatrics
Question #12333
352 days ago
656

What are the best Indian home remedies for throat infection in toddlers, and how can they be safely used? - #12333

Thomas

My toddler has been suffering from a throat infection, and I’m looking for safe and natural remedies that can provide relief without harsh medications. I know that home remedies passed down through generations can be very effective, but I want to make sure they are safe for my little one. I’m especially interested in Indian remedies for treating throat infections in toddlers. One common remedy I’ve heard about is honey and warm water. Since honey has antibacterial properties, can it be used to soothe the throat and reduce irritation? How much honey can be safely given to a toddler, and at what age is it safe to use honey for children? I’ve also read about Tulsi leaves for treating throat infections. How does Tulsi help in relieving throat pain and reducing inflammation in toddlers? Should it be boiled with water and given as a tea, or can Tulsi juice be used directly for relief? Another remedy I came across is saltwater gargles. While this is commonly used by adults, is it safe to use for toddlers? If yes, how can it be safely administered to a toddler to reduce throat infection and ease discomfort? Lastly, I read that warm soup made with ginger and garlic can help in soothing a sore throat and boosting immunity. Can this remedy be used for toddlers, and how should it be prepared to make it safe and palatable for young children? If anyone has tried any home remedies for toddlers with throat infections, I’d love to hear about your experience. What worked best for your child, and how did you ensure the remedies were safe and effective? Looking forward to your insights!

FREE
Question is closed

Doctor-recommended remedies for this condition

FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7, 100% Anonymous
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
background-image
background-image
background image
banner-image
banner-image

Doctors' responses

Dr. Priya Sharma
Dr. Priya Sharma is a renowned Ayurvedic practitioner with a wealth of expertise in lifestyle consultation, skin and hair care, gynecology, and infertility treatments. With years of experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through a balanced approach rooted in Ayurveda’s time-tested principles. Dr. Priya has a unique ability to connect with her patients, offering personalized care plans that cater to individual needs, whether addressing hormonal imbalances, fertility concerns, or chronic skin and hair conditions. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Priya is a core content creator in the field of Ayurveda, contributing extensively to educational platforms and medical literature. She is passionate about making Ayurvedic wisdom accessible to a broader audience, combining ancient knowledge with modern advancements to empower her clients on their wellness journeys. Her areas of interest include promoting women’s health, managing lifestyle disorders, and addressing the root causes of skin and hair issues through natural, non-invasive therapies. Dr. Priya’s holistic approach focuses on not just treating symptoms but addressing the underlying causes of imbalances, ensuring sustainable and long-lasting results. Her warm and empathetic nature, coupled with her deep expertise, has made her a sought-after consultant for those looking for natural, effective solutions to improve their quality of life. Whether you’re seeking to enhance fertility, rejuvenate your skin and hair, or improve overall well-being, Dr. Priya Sharma offers a compassionate and knowledgeable pathway to achieving your health goals.
351 days ago
4.83

For toddlers with throat infections, several gentle and natural remedies can offer relief. Honey is an excellent option for soothing the throat and has antibacterial properties. However, honey should only be given to children over one year of age, as it may pose a risk of botulism in younger infants. A small teaspoon of honey mixed with warm water is effective. Tulsi (holy basil) can help reduce inflammation and ease throat pain. For toddlers, you can boil a few leaves in water and give it in small sips as a tea, ensuring it’s not too hot. Saltwater gargles are not recommended for toddlers, as they may not be able to gargle effectively. However, you can use a saline nasal spray or gently rinse the throat with saline water. Warm soup made with mild ginger and garlic can be beneficial in boosting immunity and soothing the throat, but it should be prepared in a way that is easy for the toddler to consume—perhaps with a little mild seasoning and in a diluted form to avoid strong flavors. Always ensure that any remedy is age-appropriate and start with small amounts to observe how your child reacts. If symptoms persist, it’s important to consult with a pediatrician.

13739 answered questions
68% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies

Hey, trust me, you’re not alone in looking for gentle remedies for your toddler’s throat infection. It can be a tricky balance, wanting to provide relief without going down the heavy medication route.

You mentioned honey and warm water. You’re right; honey does have those amazing antibacterial properties, but remember, it’s not safe for kids under 1 year due to the risk of botulism. For toddlers 1 year and up, you can give a small spoonful mixed in warm water—maybe once or twice daily. It soothes irritation for sure.

Then, there’s Tulsi, or holy basil. It’s kinda magical in Ayurveda. It reduces inflammation, has antibacterial properties, and relieves throat pain. You can boil a few leaves in water, let it cool to a lukewarm tea. No need for anything fancy! Just like that, this tea can be sipped slowly. Though, some kids have a taste fuss, so manage those who might not love the taste.

Saltwater gargles, while great for adults, might be a tad challenging for toddlers since they can easily swallow it instead of spitting it out. It not toxic, but not recommended. Maybe skip this one if your little one’s on the younger side.

About ginger and garlic warm soup, oh yes! They have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting stuff going on. Make it simple, you know, just ginger and garlic boiled in a bit of broth or water, maybe with some mild veg like carrots. Make sure the strong flavors aren’t overwhelming, a sip of this warm broth can be comfy.

I’d say, always keep an eye out for any reactions. And if the symptoms persist or get intense, checking in with a healthcare professional is a smart move. It’s better to be safe. I hope these tips bring some ease to your kiddo!

1742 answered questions
27% best answers

0 replies
Speech bubble
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymous

600+ certified Ayurvedic experts. No sign-up.

About our doctors

Only qualified ayurvedic doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions

Doctors online

Dr. Suraj Amber
I am practicing Ayurveda for about 8 years now, feels strange saying that because honestly the learning never stops. My work is all about finding balance in the body, not in some abstract way, but literally working with each person’s unique prakriti and the vikriti they’re dealing with at that moment. I follow the classical principles — herbal formulations, Panchakarma therapies, diet corrections, lifestyle tweaks — but nothing is “one size fits all”. Each treatment plan is shaped by the person infront of me, their health history, and the small details you only catch when you really listen. Over time I’ve worked with people dealing with digestion troubles, joint pains, hormonal shifts, stress-related health dips, and even stubborn chronic stuff that didn’t respond much to other methods. My approach is to go for the root cause first, because treating just the symptoms feels like putting tape over a crack... it hides it for a while but doesn’t fix it. That’s also why I focus on prevention — if you stop the imbalance before it grows, you save a lot of pain later. I keep my learning alive by reading classical Ayurvedic texts and joining continuing education whenever I can fit it in (sometimes late nights with too much chai). And I try to pass that clarity on to patients, explaining why a certain herb or therapy is chosen, what changes they might notice, and how they can keep supporting themselves after treatment ends. For me, this is more than just work. It’s a way of living… making choices every day that keep the mind, body, and emotions in some kind of harmony. My goal is still the same as day one — offer care that’s authentic, safe, and actually works for the long run, while making sure the person feels heard and understood through the whole process.
5
8 reviews
Dr. Sara Garg
I am someone who believes Ayurveda isn’t just some old system — it’s alive, and actually still works when you use it the way it's meant to be used. My practice mostly revolves around proper Ayurvedic diagnosis (rogi & roga pariksha types), Panchakarma therapies, and ya also a lot of work with herbal medicine — not just prescribing but sometimes preparing stuff myself when needed. I really like that hands-on part actually, like knowing where the herbs came from and how they're processed... changes everything. One of the things I pay a lot of attention to is how a person's lifestyle is playing into their condition. Food, sleep, bowel habits, even small emotional patterns that people don't even realize are affecting their digestion or immunity — I look at all of it before jumping to treatment. Dietary therapy isn’t just telling people to eat less fried food lol. It’s more about timing, combinations, seasonal influence, and what suits their prakriti. That kind of detail takes time, and sometimes patients don’t get why it matters at first.. but slowly it clicks. Panchakarma — I do it when I feel it's needed. Doesn’t suit everyone all the time, but in the right case, it really clears the stuck layers. But again, it's not magic — people need to prep properly and follow instructions. That's where strong communication matters. I make it a point to explain everything without dumping too much Sanskrit unless they’re curious. I also try to keep things simple, like I don’t want patients feeling intimidated or overwhelmed with 10 things at once. We go step by step — sometimes slow, sometimes quick depending on the case. There’s no “one protocol fits all” in Ayurveda and frankly I get bored doing same thing again and again. Whether it’s a fever that won’t go or long-term fatigue or gut mess — I usually go deep into what's behind it. Surface-level fixes don’t last. I rather take the time than rush into wrong herbs. It’s more work, ya, but makes a diff in long run.
5
103 reviews
Dr. Maitri Bhavesh Kumar Acharya
I am Dr. Maitri, currently in my 2nd year of MD in Dravyaguna, and yeah, I run my own Ayurvedic clinic in Ranoli where I’ve been seeing patients for 2 years now. Honestly, what pulled me into this path deeper is how powerful herbs really are—when used right. Not just randomly mixing churnas but actually understanding their rasa, virya, vipaka etc. That’s kinda my zone, where textbook knowledge meets day-to-day case handling. My practice revolves around helping people with PCOD, acne, dandruff, back pain, stiffness in knees or joints that never seem to go away. And I don’t jump to giving a long list of medicines straight away—first I spend time figuring out their prakriti, their habits, food cycle, what triggers what… basically all the small stuff that gets missed. Then comes the plan—herbs (single or compound), some diet reshuffling, and always some lifestyle nudges. Sometimes they’re tiny, like sleep timing. Sometimes big like proper seasonal detox. Being into Dravyaguna helps me get into the depth of herbs more confidently. I don’t just look at the symptom—I think okay what guna will counter this? Should the drug be snigdha, ushna, tikta? Is there a reverse vipaka that’ll hurt the agni? I ask these questions before writing any combo. That’s made a huge diff in outcomes. Like I had this case of chronic urticaria that would flare up every week, and just tweaking the herbs based on sheetala vs ushna nature... helped calm the system in 3 weeks flat. Not magic, just logic. I also work with women who are struggling with hormonal swings, mood, delayed periods or even unexplained breakouts. When hormones go haywire, the skin shows, digestion slows, and mind gets foggy too. I keep my approach full-circle—cleansing, balancing, rejuvenating. No quick fixes, I tell them early on. What I’m hoping to do more of now is make Ayurveda feel practical. Not overwhelming. Just simple tools—ahara, vihara, aushadha—used consistently, with some trust in the body’s own healing. I’m still learning, still refining, but honestly, seeing people feel in control of their health again—that’s what keeps me rooted to this.
5
652 reviews
Dr. Snehal Vidhate
I am Dr. Snehal Vidhate, born n brought up in Maharashtra—and honestly, for as long as I remember I’ve felt this pull towards Ayurveda. Not the fancy version ppl throw around, but the deep, real kind that actually helps ppl. I did my BAMS from YMT Ayurvedic Medical College in Kharghar. That’s where I got my basics strong—like really studied the shastras, understood prakriti, doshas, the whole deal. Not just crammed theory but started to see how it shows up in real lives. After finishing BAMS, I got into this one-year certificate course at Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Delhi—honestly a turning point. I was super lucky to learn Kerala Ayurveda from my Guru, Prof. Dr. G.G. Gangadharan. He’s got this way of seeing things... simple but deep. That time with him taught me more than any textbook ever could. It kinda reshaped how I look at health, healing n how precise Ayurveda can be when you respect its roots. Right now I’m doing my MD in Panchakarma from SDM Ayurveda College, Bangalore. This place is like a hub for serious Ayurveda work. The Panchakarma training here? Super intense. We go deep into detoxification & rasayana therapy—not just theory again, but hands-on. I’m learning to blend classical techniques with today’s clinical demands.. like how to make Vamana or Basti actually doable in modern patient setups. My current practice is really about merging tradition with logic. Whether it’s chronic skin issues, gut problems, stress burnout or hormone stuff—my goal is to get to the root, not just hush the symptoms. I use Panchakarma when needed, but also a lot of ahara-vihara tweaks, medhya herbs, sometimes just slowing ppl down a bit helps. I really believe Ayurveda’s power is in its simplicity when done right. I don’t try to fix ppl—I work *with* them. And honestly, every patient teaches me something back.
5
472 reviews
Dr. Abhishek Nadda
I am a BAMS doctor who has completed 2 years of practice, and honestly I still catch my self learning new things everyday because Ayurveda is bigger than what any of us think. I work mainly with common health concerns using a mix of classical Ayurvedic principles and a bit of practical judgment that I got from daily OPD flow… sometimes I feel like I explain too much to patients but then again clear understanding helps them follow the treatment beter. My focus stays on holistic assessment—diet, digestion, sleep cycles, those small habits people forget but they matter for long-term wellness. I try to guide patients with personalized plans, maybe a little messy sometimes when I adjust medicines or timings becaus someone’s routine isn’t matching the textbook, but that’s real life. I rely on Ayurvedic diagnostics like nadi-pariksha and basic clinical observations to make sure the care feels grounded and safe. In these 2 years I handled a wide range of issues: acidity, stress-related complaints, skin flareups, mild joint pains, even general preventive care. Nothing dramatic, just steady hands-on experiance that slowly shaped my clinical approach. I keep following evidence-informed practices inside Ayurveda and try to share practical tips whenever possible, even if the wording comes out a bit tangled now and then! I aim to make treatment approachable, not intimidating, because patients already come to us with enough confusion. Sometimes I rewrite their routine twice or misplace a note (which annoys me), but the intention stays the same—help them heal in a way that fits their day. My practice may be young, but it’s honest, careful, and committed to improving with each person I meet.
0 reviews
Dr. Anjali Sehrawat
I am Dr. Anjali Sehrawat. Graduated BAMS from National College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Barwala (Hisar) in 2023—and right now I'm doing my residency, learning a lot everyday under senior clinicians who’ve been in the field way longer than me. It’s kind of intense but also really grounding. Like, it makes you pause before assuming anything about a patient. During my UG and clinical rotations, I got good hands-on exposure... not just in diagnosing through Ayurvedic nidan but also understanding where and when Allopathic tools (like lab reports or acute interventions) help fill the gap. I really believe that if you *actually* want to heal someone, you gotta see the whole picture—Ayurveda gives you that depth, but you also need to know when modern input is useful, right? I’m more interested in chronic & lifestyle disorders—stuff like metabolic imbalances, stress-linked issues, digestive problems that linger and slowly pull energy down. I don’t rush into giving churnas or kashayams just bcz the texts say so... I try to see what fits the patient’s prakriti, daily habits, emotional pattern etc. It’s not textbook-perfect every time, but that’s where the real skill grows I guess. I do a lot of thinking abt cause vs symptom—sometimes it's not the problem you see that actually needs solving first. What I care about most is making sure the treatment is safe, ethical, practical, and honest. No overpromising, no pushing meds that don’t fit. And I’m always reading or discussing sth—old Samhitas or recent journals, depends what the case demands. My goal really is to build a practice where people feel seen & understood, not just “managed.” That's where healing actually begins, right?
5
462 reviews
Dr. Prasad Pentakota
I am Dr. P. Prasad, and I’ve been in this field for 20+ years now, working kinda across the board—General Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology—you name it. Didn’t start out thinking I’d end up spanning that wide, but over time, each area sort of pulled me in deeper. And honestly, I like that mix. It lets me look at a patient not just through one lens but a whole system-wide view... makes more sense when treating something that won’t fit neatly in one category. I’ve handled everything from day-to-day stuff like hypertension, diabetes, or skin infections to more serious neuro and cardiac problems. Some cases are quick—diagnose, treat, done. Others take time, repeated check-ins, figuring out what’s really going on beneath those usual symptoms. And that’s where the detail matters. I’m pretty big on thorough diagnosis and patient education—because half the problem is ppl just not knowing what’s happening inside their own body. What’s changed for me over years isn’t just knowledge, it’s how much I lean on listening. If you miss what someone didn’t say, you might also miss their actual illness. And idk, after seeing it play out so many times, I do believe combining updated medical practice with basic empathy really shifts outcomes. Doesn’t have to be complicated... it just has to be consistent. I keep up with research too—new drugs, diagnostics, cross-specialty updates etc., not because it’s trendy, but cuz it’s necessary. Patients come in better read now than ever. You can’t afford to fall behind. The end goal’s the same tho—help them heal right, not just fast. Ethical practice, evidence-based, and sometimes just being there to explain what’s going on. That’s what I stick to.
5
1001 reviews
Dr. Jatin Kumar Sharma
I am a BAMS graduate and currently running my own clinic, where I see patients on a regular basis and try to give them honest, practical care. My daily work involves understanding different health concerns, listening properly to what the patient is going through, and then planning treatment in a way that actually fits their routine. I believe treatment should not feel confusing or rushed, and sometimes even small changes make a big difference. Running my own clinic has taught me a lot about responsibility and consistency. Some days are busy, some are slow, but every patient brings a different challenge and learning. I focus mainly on Ayurvedic treatment methods, lifestyle correction and long-term health balance, rather than quick fixes. There are times when progress takes longer, but I stay patient and keep working with the person step by step. I try to keep my approach simple, practical and honest. For me, real success is when a patient feels better in daily life, sleeps better, eats better and slowly regains balance. That is what keeps me going and improving every day.
5
48 reviews
Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi
I am working right now as a Consultant Ayurvedic Ano-Rectal Surgeon at Bhrigu Maharishi Ayurvedic Hospital in Nalgonda—and yeah, that name’s quite something, but what really keeps me here is the kind of cases we get. My main focus is managing ano-rectal disorders like piles (Arsha), fistula-in-ano (Bhagandara), fissure-in-ano (Parikartika), pilonidal sinus, and rectal polyps. These are often more complex than they look at first, and they get misdiagnosed or overtreated in a lotta places. That’s where our classical tools come in—Ksharasutra therapy, Agnikarma, and a few other para-surgical techniques we follow from the Samhitas...they’ve been lifesavers honestly. My work here pushes me to keep refining surgical precision while also sticking to the Ayurvedic core. I do rely on modern diagnostics when needed, but I won’t replace the value of a well-done Nadi Pariksha or assessing dosha-vikruti in depth. Most of my patients come with pain, fear, and usually after a couple of rounds of either incomplete surgeries or just being fed painkillers n antibiotics. And I totally get that frustration. That’s why I combine surgery with a whole support plan—Ayurvedic meds, diet changes, lifestyle tweaks that actually match their prakriti. Not generic stuff off a handout. Over time, I’ve seen that when people follow the whole protocol, not just the procedure part, the recurrence drops a lot. I’m quite particular about follow-up and wound care too, ‘cause we’re dealing with delicate areas here and ignoring post-op can ruin outcomes. Oh and yeah—I care a lot about educating folks too. I talk to patients in OPD, sometimes give community talks, just to tell people they do have safer options than cutting everything out under GA! I still study Shalya Tantra like it’s a living document. I try to stay updated with whatever credible advancements are happening in Ayurvedic surgery, but I filter what’s fluff and what’s actually useful. At the end of the day, my aim is to offer respectful, outcome-based care that lets patients walk out without shame or fear. That’s really what keeps me grounded in this field.
5
859 reviews
Dr. Shalini Sreedharan
I am an Ayurvedic physician graduated from Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda College, Kerala, and sometimes I still feel that the years I spent learning there left a kind of rhythm in my mind—the way Kerala clinical traditions flow into every thought I have during a consult. I carry that depth of ayurvedic medicine into my practice, mixing it with a slightly modern lens whenever needed, though I admit my thoughts jump around a bit and I end up rewriting a sentence or two while explaining something. My main work sits at the intersection of musculoskeletal health and cosmetic aspects in Ayurveda. It sounds like two different worlds, but clinically they overlap a lot. A joint imbalance shows on the posture, a skin dullness links back to agni, and sometimes a patient tells me one tiny complaint that makes me rethink the whole plan. I pay attention to those small clues even when my notes look a bit scrambled or a comma goes missng somewhere. Panchakarma plays a big role in my approach—deep-acting therapies that work slowly but shift things from the inside. I like understanding why a particular procedure suits one person and not the next, and I sometimes pause midway through planning thinking *wait, that detail matters more than I thought*, then adjust the regimen with more care. Personalized wellness routines also matter a lot to me… diet tweaks, daily habits, simple corrections that people often underestimate. When it comes to cosmetic wellness—radiance, glow, natural rejuvenation—I focus on restoring balance rather than masking the issue. Ayurveda treats beauty as an outcome of internal harmony, and that idea guides most of my choices, even if my words come out a little tangled when trying to explain it fast. My intention is always to help you reach a place where your body feels stronger, lighter, more aligned, and yes, where your natural beauty shows without forcing it. I know healing takes patience, sometimes more than we expect, but I walk through it with you… step by step, with clarity, honesty, and a few typos here and there that sneak in when I’m typing too quick.
0 reviews
Dr. Rajan soni
I am working in Ayurveda field from some time now, started out as a general physician at Chauhan Ayurveda Hospital in Noida. That place taught me a lot—how to handle different types of patients in OPD, those daily cases like fever, digestion issues, body pain... but also chronic stuff which keeps coming back. After that I moved to Instant Aushadhalya—an online Ayurveda hospital setup. Whole different space. Consultations online ain’t easy at first—no pulse reading, no direct Nadi check—but you learn to ask the right things, look at patient’s tone, habit patterns, timing of symptoms... and yeah it actually works, sometimes even better than in person. Right now I’m working as an Ayurveda consultant at Digvijayam Clinic where I’m focusing more on individualised care. Most ppl come here with stress-related problems, digestion issues, joint pain, that kind of mix. I go by classic diagnosis principles like prakriti analysis, dosha imbalance and all, but also mix in what I learned from modern side—like understanding their lifestyle triggers, screen time, sleep cycles, food gaps n stress patterns. I don’t rush into panchakarma or heavy medicines unless it’s needed... prefer starting with simple herbs, diet change, basic daily routine correction. If things demand, then I go stepwise into Shodhan therapies. My goal is to not just “treat” but to help ppl know what’s happening in their body and why its reacting like that. That awareness kinda becomes half the cure already. Not everything is perfect. Sometimes ppl don’t follow what you say, sometimes results are slow, and yeah that gets to you. But this path feels honest. It’s slow, grounded, and meaningful.
5
31 reviews

Latest reviews

Quincy
3 hours ago
This answer was super detailed and really helpful. It cleared up a lot of my confusion on using the Nityam tablets and gave me some solid long-term tips. Thanks!
This answer was super detailed and really helpful. It cleared up a lot of my confusion on using the Nityam tablets and gave me some solid long-term tips. Thanks!
Leo
8 hours ago
Thanks a bunch for the clear advice. Was feeling pretty lost there but your suggestion gives me a solid place to start.
Thanks a bunch for the clear advice. Was feeling pretty lost there but your suggestion gives me a solid place to start.
Sebastian
8 hours ago
was super helpful, the explanation was spot on. Got clear advice tailored to my issues. Really appreciate how thorough it was. Thanks!
was super helpful, the explanation was spot on. Got clear advice tailored to my issues. Really appreciate how thorough it was. Thanks!
Lucas
14 hours ago
Appreciate the straight-to-the-point advice! Sometimes the simplest answer is what you need. Thanks for cutting through the clutter!
Appreciate the straight-to-the-point advice! Sometimes the simplest answer is what you need. Thanks for cutting through the clutter!