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I recently had the pleasure of spending a glorious
afternoon in a beautiful herb garden with my 4-year-old
daughter and one of her friends. The children played
happily while I roamed around and took in the lush
splendor of the plants. It was an exquisite day, and I
marveled that I could feel so relaxed and wonderful just
from sitting in the midst of healing plants. I thought
about the incredible gifts these plants offer and how
vital they are to our existence.
The herbalist I met there passed on to me some of her
wisdom and knowledge of the healing properties of herbs,
just as women have been doing for centuries. Herbs have
been used safely all around the world since ancient
times to prevent and treat disease. At last the emerging
scientific study of their value is beginning to confirm
what herbalists have always known. Now with a strong
history of research and clinical use, herbs are being
welcomed back into our healthcare system. Training in
phytomedicine (herbal medicine) is being introduced in
medical schools across the U.S. In France and Germany,
doctors and pharmacists have been trained in using herbs
for many years and herbal medicine is a core part of
their treatments.
Benefits of Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can clearly benefit children in many
ways. Using herbs to strengthen a child's constitution
can make them more resistant to illness. Treating a wide
range of childhood problems herbally can be a gentler
and sometimes more complete way of healing. Herbs can
also give children a true sense of the life-giving
wonders of the earth. Now more than ever, children
growing up in a toxic world need the ecological
equilibrium of herbs. In addition to physical and
emotional balance, herbs can assist a child (and the
parents) in getting back to Mother Nature and living
more in harmony with the earth.
One of the most beneficial uses of herbs is in
strengthening the immune system to protect your child
against disease. Certain herbs, including echinacea,
astragalus, and garlic, have been found to have
remarkable immunological effects in both the lab and
clinic. These herbs support the body's own process to
stay at the peak of vitality and prevent development of
disease. Keep in mind that herbs are not "magic bullets"
designed to combat a specific disease. Rather than
fighting an illness directly, herbs act to strengthen
the functioning of the body so that it can repair the
problem. We "catch" a cold or flu when conditions in the
body are opportune for a virus to take hold. Many of us
view illness as an inconvenience to be suppressed or
combated as soon as possible. We just want to take a
pill to make it go away. But when we can recognize the
illness as an indicator that something is out of balance
in the body, we can work on building and strengthening
the body to function at its best. Herbal medicine is
most successful when used in a broader holistic context
of addressing the cause of the problem and looking at
all aspects of creating health. These aspects include
good nutrition, rest, exercise, nurturing, and reducing
emotional stress.
This article will focus on immune-building herbs that
have been found to be very safe for children. The herbs
described here have gentle, yet profound effects upon
the body. They are natural sources of vitamins, minerals
and other substances that the body uses to nourish and
strengthen resistance to illness as well as to create an
environment for healing.
Echinacea
With antiviral, antibacterial and other immunological
properties, echinacea is well-known for its use in
treatment of infections and as a blood purifier. 50
years of research in Europe and more than 400 published
studies has established its safety and proven the
clinical use of echinacea in boosting immunity and
strengthening resistance to infection. A recent review
of research concluded that echinacea is well-tolerated
and appropriate for long-term use and confirms that it
is safe for people of all ages, "from infants to
adults". It has been shown to reduce the incidence and
duration of colds.
There is much controversy as to the effectiveness of
echinacea taken over the long term – as to whether or
not it continues to work in stimulating immune function.
Many herbalists think that echinacea should be used to
support the body's natural healing ability just long
enough to increase the function of the immune system to
work effectively on its own. So echinacea is best used
at the first signs of a cold or flu. This is the time to
take echinacea often, perhaps even every two hours to
stimulate the immune function of fighting the infection.
Another good time to use echinacea (two or three times a
day) is when you know your child has been exposed to
viruses or when their immune function is not at its
best. Echinacea can be given to children as a tea or in
tincture form. If you are nursing, your child will
receive the echinacea you take through your breastmilk.
Astragalus
Astragalus is a tonic herb that boosts immune function
and strengthens resistance to disease. It increases the
activity of infection-fighting white blood cells and
boosts the production of interferon, an antiviral agent.
Astragalus is used to prevent colds and flu and to
restore immune strength once an illness is over. It is
safe for long-term use and can be taken consistently
throughout the cold and flu season. Astragalus is
considered a warming herb in Chinese medicine suitable
only for cold conditions. Depending upon the symptoms, a
cold or flu may be considered hot or cold. If you don't
know if your child's illness is hot or cold, consult a
practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine to find out
if astragalus should be used. Otherwise don't use this
herb during the illness.
Sliced, dried astragalus root looks like a wooden tongue
depressor. To make a tea, simmer 6 slices in 3 cups of
water for 1 hour. Strain and serve. You can also add the
"tongue depressor" directly to your soup, stew, or rice
pot and let it cook into the dish. Discard the
astragalus before serving. It does not change the taste
of the dish and your family can receive the immune
boosting properties directly from their food. Astragalus
is sometimes available in a dried, shredded form. Simmer
3 tablespoons of this and 3 cups of water in a covered
pot for 30 minutes and strain.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the safest of medicinal plants. With
its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and
carminative properties, this tonic herb is used for a
variety of things. As a gentle sedative and nerve tonic,
chamomile can help children to get the rest they need. A
warm bath with an infusion of chamomile can relax an
unsettled child. It is a great digestive aid and
appetite stimulant. It helps gas, stomach cramps,
diarrhea, colic or any other stomach upset. Wounds,
diaper rash and other skin problems can be washed with
an infusion of chamomile flowers. Chamomile tea is even
safe for infants. If you are a nursing mother, drinking
a couple cups of chamomile tea each day will calm a
fussy, colicky baby (along with your own nerves).
Nettle
Also known as stinging nettles, nettle is one of the
most mineral rich plants on earth. Particularly high in
calcium, iron, protein, chlorophyll and vitamin C,
nettle is a delicious food as well as a medicine. Nettle
strengthens and supports the whole body, and is
nourishing, diuretic, tonic, astringent and
antihistamine. Clinical studies of nettle (in the form
of freeze-dried capsules) show that it relieves the
symptoms of hayfever and other allergies. Nettle is also
beneficial for childhood eczema. It is an excellent
nourishing herb for pregnancy, it can enrich the quality
and increase the flow of breastmilk and restore a
mother's energy after childbirth. Nettle can be powdered
and added to smoothies or drunk regularly as a tea or
infusion.
Garlic
Known for centuries as a potent medicine, garlic is one
of the most effective anti-microbial plants available.
It has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity
and works to stimulate the immune system. While
eliminating pathogenic organisms, garlic supports the
development of the beneficial bacteria flora in the
digestive tract. Garlic is a basic food that will
enhance the body's health and protect it in general.
Garlic oil is very helpful for ear infections. The
active constituent of garlic is the sulfur compound
allicin, which is produced with crushing or chewing of
the fresh garlic. Drying and cooking garlic leads to a
loss of a large portion of the allicin. It can be served
raw in salad dressing and many other dishes. If your
child cannot handle the strong taste of garlic, mince a
clove and mix it in with mashed potatoes or your child's
favorite-tasting food. Some people may have a
sensitivity to garlic. It may cause heartburn or
flatulence and of course the odor can be a real
drawback.
Combining Herbs with Conventional
Medicine
It's easy to incorporate herbal medicine into a child's
existing health plan. The question of whether to use
herbs or pharmaceuticals does not have to be an
either/or issue. A good holistic healthcare plan can
combine wise use of herbal medicine with the knowledge
of when it may be best to consult a health professional.
Keep in mind, though, that herbs contain active
ingredients that may interact negatively with
pharmaceutical medications. Always inform all of your
child's doctors and practitioners about any herbs your
child may be using. Unless you have done your own
in-depth study of herbs, it's best to stick to
nourishing, tonic herbs for strengthening and
prevention, and consult a qualified herbalist or other
health care professional for treating specific problems.
Herbs and pharmaceutical drugs have very different ways
of arriving at the end result. Pharmaceuticals usually
suppress an action while herbs work with the body to
support or influence balance and create healing on a
deeper level. Herbs are more subtle and may take longer
to act, but this does not necessarily mean they are less
effective than pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals may be
faster acting, but using the right herb or combination
of herbs at the right dosage can produce as good or even
better results than pharmaceuticals, without the harmful
side effects.
Many pharmaceuticals are highly toxic. Their potential
hazards include kidney failure, permanent liver damage,
immune system depression and even death. Most herbs have
few, usually mild, side effects that affect a small
minority of people. The chance of wasting your money on
ineffective, low quality products is greater than
experiencing any serious side affects from herbs.
However, it is always possible to have an allergic
reaction to any new substance, and herbs can be toxic if
overused or used improperly. Sometimes herbs will
facilitate the body ridding itself of accumulated
metabolic waste or toxins. This process can show up in
the form of sinus drainage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
headaches or rashes. Even though this cleansing can be a
sign of healing, go slowly and with caution if your
child has this experience
Standardization of Ingredients
Herbs are made up of a complex mixture of chemical
ingredients that cannot be duplicated in any lab.
Chemists are now able to isolate the active ingredients
of certain herbs and standardize the potency of these
constituents, making them, in theory, more powerful
medications. This is called standardization. Many
herbalists, however, believe that nature has perfectly
combined the ingredients in plants for good reason, and
the whole herbal compound is safer and more effective,
especially for use with children. Since all the
different chemical ingredients of a single herb interact
and work together, separating any one ingredient may
produce an effect that is different than what the whole
herb would have on the body. Most of the important
ingredients of many herbs have not yet been identified
or synthesized in a lab.
Quality of Herbs
The quality of herbs can vary widely. Look for reputable
companies that strive for purity and use organic or
ethically wildcrafted (harvested from wild plants)
herbs. Herbs are under the governance of the FDA, which
has mandated a standard of manufacturing called Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) on the entire dietary
supplement industry. The purpose of these standards is
to provide the consumer with safe dietary supplement
products. Many companies choose their own standards of
manufacturing practices and quality controls that are
even more rigorous than those mandated by the FDA. You
have every right to call a company and ask about these
practices.
Use and Dosages of Herbs
Herbs are available in liquid extracts (tinctures or
glycerites), capsules and tablets. You can also buy or
make your own teas or infusions from dried or fresh
herbs. Tinctures or teas made from dried or fresh herbs
work especially well for children. Dosages for children
over age one are usually calculated by weight. The
dosages listed on bottles or in books are usually
designed for a 150 lb. person, so you would need to
divide your child's weight by 150 to get the percentage
of the recommended dosage. If your child weighs 75 lbs.,
the dosage would be ½ the dosage listed on the bottle. A
child under a year old has an undeveloped and sensitive
digestive system, but if they are nursing, they can
receive some herbs safely through your breastmilk. You
can take the adult dose 15-30 minutes before nursing and
the herb will be in your milk for up to 48 hours. Some
herbs are not safe for pregnancy or lactation so it's
important to avoid them. Medications in Mother's Milk,
by Thomas Hale, Ph.D., is an informative book with
information on herbs for lactation.
Learning More About Herbs
If you are new to the world of herbal medicine, it can
all seem a little overwhelming. Appropriate,
discriminate use is essential for safety. Don't believe
everything you read about herbs or assume a product is
safe just because it is natural. Since there are many
different facets to an herb, it is important to know as
much as possible before giving it to your child.
Embarking on your own study of herbs can be fun,
rewarding and empowering. A good way to begin is to
consult a qualified herbalist or read several different
medicinal herbals (books with information about herbs)
that are written by practicing, experienced herbalists.
To get a comprehensive view of a certain herb, read
about it in at least three different herbals. Using
herbs wisely can be a very rewarding experience,
especially when you can see positive changes in the
health of your children. |
