A useful guideline in relation to the medical treatment for children is ‘first, do no harm’ which is an often quoted fundamental principle and component of the Hippocratic Oath. There are sound reasons for this. Children’s bodies are still developing. Children are often more sensitive to substances as their immune systems are developing which means they can react acutely and dramatically to an immune assault, a sometimes frightening situation to witness. On the other hand, children have a natural vitality and resilience giving them the ability to recover quickly also. Importantly, dosages for children require special consideration and need to be adjusted to suit the individual child and weight.  

 

Herbs are ideally suited to treating children when they are administered as simple, pure botanical products and a suitable dosage given. Unlike pharmaceuticals which are often isolated synthetic compounds, pure powdered herbs remain with the complex matrix of substances they exist in naturally, similar to foods in their natural state. Herbs in this form are easily assimilated and less likely to cause reactions or be considered a foreign substance by the child’s system.

 

 

In Herbal Medicine an adult is considered 12 years of age and can therefore take the adult dosage recommended on the label. The general rule of thumb is that the dosage should be halved for children aged 6-12 years unless the label specifically states 'Not recommended for Children'. For children aged under 6 years it is always wise to consult a professional health care practitioner before administering herbal medicines, particularly when dealing with sedative or laxative herbs.

 

 

Slippery Elm is the powdered bark of a plant which contains mucilage, a gelatinous substance which draws water, expands and has a soothing effect, making it ideal for calming an irritated digestive tract. This herb is particularly suited to children as it can be mixed with banana, grated apple or yoghurt and eaten ensuring that Slippery Elm has direct contact with the mucous membranes where it can provide an anti-inflammatory action and act as a barrier for irritated tissues. Children are prone to upset stomachs and bowel disturbances so Slippery Elm is a valuable herb to have on hand for these times.

Add nutrient content – so it can be useful as an easily digested  food when little interest is shown etc.- neutral taste.

 

 

Licorice is a great herb for children’s coughs and colds. Licorice acts as an expectorant helping to loosen and expel mucus therefore relieving upper respiratory tract congestion so commonly experienced in colds. The added benefit of giving Licorice to children is that they usually like the taste.

 

 

Marshmallow is another useful herb for coughs. Marshmallow is especially suited to the irritating coughs which can keep a child coughing at night and disrupting their sleep. Like Slippery Elm, Marshmallow has a high mucilage content imparting a soothing effect on the mucous membranes.

 

 

Golden Seal is a fantastic herb for upper respiratory tract infections in children. Its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticatarrhal actions work well in any congested states of the ear, nose, mouth and throat commonly experienced by children as their immune systems adjust to the increased exposure of allergens and other infectious agents in their environment.

 

 

Children often complain of having a ‘sore tummy’. Sometimes the cause is obvious if a particular stomach virus is doing the rounds but other times a cause is not so obvious. Meadowsweet is a gentle yet effective treatment for any stomach complaints in children as it acts to normalise stomach secretions and improve digestion.

 

 

Eyebright does indeed live up to its name, being a herb to make eyes bright. If there is any inflammation or infection in the eyes such as conjunctivitis, Eyebright is the herb of choice. It is also useful wherever there is head congestion or excess fluid such as in sinusitis, hayfever and sneezing, and middle ear problems.

 

 

Ginger is a well known food and spice that has been used in cooking for its pungent and warming properties for centuries. It has also been used medicinally for all sorts of motion sickness, for increasing circulation in cold hands and feet and by women for the nausea of pregnancy. Children can also benefit from Ginger in small doses for upset stomach or other digestive upsets and where travel sickness is an issue.

 

With children’s health, it is best to keep it simple where possible. A good, clean, healthy diet with lots of fresh food, pure water, enough sleep, sunshine and exercise lays the foundation for raising healthy children. Then when they succumb to the usual colds, coughs and upset tummies of childhood, they will be in the best position to deal with the illness as quickly as possible. By giving simple, pure and effective herbs at these times, we can assist this process without compromising their vital health.

 

Nature's Sunshine herbal products consist of the pure, whole powdered herb encased in capsules with no added alcohol, solvents, maltodextrin and no other fillers. For children who are unable to swallow capsules, it is a simple process of opening the capsule and mixing the herbal contents with juice or foods such as yoghurt, banana, mashed vegetables or another food to your child’s liking.