common childhood ailments

Illness rarely just occurs. Usually, it is a result of a stressed immune system, emotional imbalance, lack of sleep, poor hygiene or poor nutrition. Although this isn’t an exhaustive list here are some common childhood ailments and what may help.

TEETHING:

Often when a child has difficulty teething, various symptoms will arise such as intermittent fever, diaper rashes or other skin irritations, diarrhea and crankiness are not uncommon. 

Catnip Tea is both soothing for parent and child. It is soothing to the nervous system and helps relieve acute pain as well as helpful for teething related fever. The taste isn’t so great so try mixing other herbs like chamomile, roses, passionflower or lemon balm. Which all act as a gentle nervine.

Rose Hip Syrup can often relieve teething symptoms. Give 4 to 6 drops of the syrup every hour for infants. For older children add 100mg to 200mg vitamin C along with frequent teaspoon doses of rose hip syrup daily.

Frozen Herbal Pops made from chamomile or catnip are also great for teething children to suck on. The cold helps numb the gums and relieve the pain.

CRADLE CAP:

Cradle cap (infant seborrheic dermatitis) is scaly patches on a baby’s scalp. Cradle cap isn’t serious, but it can cause thick crusting and white or yellow scales. Some babies can also have seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper area, and on the face, neck, and trunk. Cradle cap usually clears up within the first year.

You can remove the “cap” and help regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands by gently massaging a mixture of herbs and olive oil into the scalp tow or three times daily. Be sure not to pick the scab or be too rough.

Herbal tea made from burdock root, mullein leaf and red clover flower may help if the cradle cap continues to be persistent.

 

COLIC:

Colic is when a healthy baby cries for a very long time, for no obvious reason. It is most common during the first 6 weeks of life. It usually goes away on its own by age 3 to 4 months. Up to 1 in 4 newborn babies may have it. 

Often times colicky children are extremely sensitive to their environment. Quiet, peaceful music during mealtimes may be helpful. Drinking a calming nervine tea before breast feeding may also be helpful.

Nursing mothers should avoid food that may be irritating to the infant’s digestive tract. Colic is generally caused by the painful spasmodic contractions of the infant’s immature digestive tract or by air and gas trapped in the intestines. The digestive tract of an infant generally takes about 3 months to mature. This is the time period in which most colic clears up.

Soothing warm bath made with chamomile or lavender. You can make an herbal tea with chamomile and lavender and soak a washcloth and put in on the baby’s stomach to sooth it as well. The warm water and soothing essence will often help stop the muscle spasms. Even try chamomile and lavender essential oil in the bath water, a drop or two will do.

Other herbs that are most helpful are anise, catnip, dill, fennel and slippery elm. 

 

 

DIAPER RASH:

Diaper rash is the most common skin problem among infants. It is generally caused by moisture in the diaper area causing a wet environment that promotes bacterial growth. There are treatments, but the best thing is prevention. Some causes of diaper rash may be, spicy foods, citrus foods or other high acidic foods. Which are major irritants for the digestive system of small children whether they eat them or absorb them through mother’s milk. 

Leave those diapers off as much as possible. The exposure to air and even some sunlight ( make sure to protect baby’s skin) will be beneficial. 

Herbal powders also help aid as a remedy for diaper rash. Arrowroot powder, clay/herb mix (try comfrey root powder and marshmallow root powder) for your baby powder or even pure cornstarch (cornstarch is not recommended for rashes that are yeast-related). Never use commercial baby powder as it is made with talc, which is a possible carcinogen. Try mixing your herbal powder with some comfrey tea and making a paste out of it. Leave on about 30-45 minutes then gently rinse off with warm water in a relaxing bath. Do not scrap or peel off the past as this will cause further irritation.

 

CONSTIPATION:

Children experience constipation for the same reasons adults do. Constipation is one of the most common problems adults suffer from.  If your child suffers from constipation, the first step is to avoid foods that contribute to the problem. High-fat dairy foods, cheese, wheat, eggs, and refined processed foods are generally the most common food culprits; watch your child for constipation after consuming these foods. If you are nursing the mother should avoid these foods in her diet as well, until the constipation clears up. Cow’s milk can be constipating to some children (if bottle feeding) as well as adults. Try goats’s milk as an alternative.

Foods that contributeto good elimination: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, water (try not to use tap water), juices made from fruits and veggies, dried fruit and molasses just to name a few. There are several herbs that should be included in the diet of a child who is prone to develop constipation.

These can be powdered and added to meals. Use 1 to 4 teaspoons, 3-4 times daily or as needed during constipation flare ups. Use smaller doses for children under 10 years of age. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water.

EARACHES:

Children’s ear canals are not fully formed until around 3 or 4 years old. Because of this the ear canals do not drain well resulting in earaches and or infections. When a child gets a cold or is congested, the ear canals get plugged up with excess mucus, which results in poor draining.

Ear infections can result from allergies. If your child has recurring ear infections consider the possibility of allergies. 

  • wheat
  • citrus
  • dairy products
  • milk
  • cheese
  • ice-cream 

These are some of the most common offenders. Avoid congesting types of foods such as eggs, dairy, wheat, sugar, orange juice, all refined and processed foods.

Warming Tea made with fresh grated ginger, lemons and honey or maple syrup is a wonderful decongesting blend.

Herbal Oil made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, fresh chopped garlic and mullein flowers, is one of the best herbal remedies for ear infections. The oil not only helps fight the infection but also relieves pain. Make sure it is warm NOT hot.