Herbal Remedies For Various Children’s Ills

Herbal Pops

Make a tea by combining one teaspoonful of dried herbs or one tablespoonful of fresh herbs with one cup of boiled apple juice. Cover the cup. Let the herbs steep for twenty minutes. Strain out the herbs. Use the tea to make frozen pops. Herbal pops provide fluids to children who are reluctant to drink.

Children dehydrate quickly so it is essential that you keep ill children hydrated. Signs of dehydration include lack of energy, decreased urinary output, sunken eyes and tenting of the skin. Children who experience vomiting, diarrhea, or high fevers are at risk of dehydration. If you think that your child is dehydrated, seek professional assistance immediately.

If your child has a sore throat, an herbal pop is a great way to soothe it. Use slippery elm to make the pop. If your child has a tummy ache, employ the use of chamomile, fennel, or lemon balm.

Herbal Salves

Make or purchase herbal salves and keep them in your first aid kit. Salves containing chickweed, comfrey, or calendula are excellent when used as barrier creams to prevent and relieve diaper rash. Herbal salves relieve itchy skin, prevent infections, and facilitate the healing of minor cuts, abrasions, and scratches.

Herbal Syrup

Make herbal syrup by combining equal amounts of warm herb tea with pure vegetable glycerin. You may make syrups with pure unfiltered honey if your child is over the age of one year. Honey offers healing benefits in addition to a sweet taste. Herbal syrups are excellent for the treatment of sore throats and coughs.

Try making a tea of lemon thyme, sage, oregano or rosemary. These herbs possess antimicrobial actions which help to heal many types of infections. You may use herbal syrups to disguise the flavor of less tasty herbs.

Make a tea of echinacea root by boiling 2 teaspoons of dried root in one cup of water. Simmer, covered, for twenty minutes. Strain out the herb and make the syrup as described above.

Through Breast Milk

If you are breastfeeding, you may take an herbal remedy yourself. The remedy will be transferred to your child via your breast milk. Fennel and catnip tea is a highly effective remedy for colic and teething. Dill may be used instead or in addition to the fennel. If using the breastfeeding method, consume a normal adult sized amount of a remedy.

Conclusion

Herbs are excellent gentle remedies for a wide variety of childhood ills. Always consult with a health care provider if you have any questions about using herbs and home remedies for children.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in 2014 by Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for almost forty years in a wide variety of settings. As a Registered Nurse, she realized that conventional healthcare was not meeting the needs of all patients. She became an herbalist and obtained a PhD in Natural Health. Patricia is a professional member of the American Herbalist’s Guild, passing the stringent peer reviewed process to become a Registered Herbalist.

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