5 dye-free cough syrups for the season of sniffles

“Spread Kindess, Not Germs,” reads a sign I once saw in my children’s preschool. If only we had such a choice! In reality, as all parents know, there’s nothing so efficient as “kindness” — sharing, playing nicely together, greeting friends with enthusiasm — when it comes to spreading sickness, especially at this time of year.

For crunchy moms, the situation poses an issue. Overuse of OTC anti-inflammatories like Tylenol and Nyquil as well as of antibiotics has been shown to correlate with the long-term suppression of kids’ immune systems through damage of the gut. So how do we provide our kids some relief without messing with their microbiomes? The true blue homesteader mamas will make their own elderberry syrup, fire cider, or honey-fermented onions.

But what of our suburban queens, who may not be ready to experiment with home brew? Here are five dye-free, organic cough syrups for the season of sniffles. Keep in mind that formulations and availability may change, so it's a good idea to check the latest information and product labels:

Zarbee's Naturals Cough Syrup:

• Known for using honey and other natural ingredients.
• Some formulations may include additional herbal extracts.

Maty's All-Natural Cough Syrup:

• Emphasizes natural and whole-food ingredients.
• Often contains ingredients like honey, apple cider vinegar, and various herbs.

Nature's Way Umcka ColdCare:

• Uses pelargonium sidoides root extract, a traditional herbal remedy.
• Available in syrup form to help relieve symptoms associated with the common cold.

Boiron Chestal Honey Cough Syrup:

• Contains natural honey and other homeopathic ingredients.
• Designed to relieve both dry and productive coughs.

Gaia Herbs Bronchial Wellness Herbal Syrup:

• Formulated with herbal extracts like plantain leaf, grindelia, and helichrysum.
• Intended to support overall respiratory health.