MEDICINAL HERBS FOR INANTS & CHILDREN
How do we administer herbal medicine to infants & CHILDREN?
Basic Guidelines
Herbs are often used to treat ailments. Herbs are natural, and thus a safe choice for all. Many plants have been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. Herbs are used to extract their medicinal properties and are used for healing purposes. There are many ways to extract the medicinal benefits from herbs, roots, stems, leaves and flowers etc.
The bodies of children are quite sensitive, and so they respond fast and well to herbs. If it is administered properly, herbs will work in harmony with your child’s system, unlike many of the pharmaceutical drugs available to us today, making them a better option for the little ones. Children under the age of six months have a very different digestive tract than adults or older children. Their digestive tracts aren’t designed to handle solid food until they start cutting teeth. Also, children under the age of two have do not have fully developed livers. What does this mean? This means they have a harder time breaking down substances like alcohol, which means they may have a harder time detoxifying some of the compounds found in medicinal plants.
- According to the CDC an infant is a child in age from birth to 1 years old. [1]
- A toddler is a child in age from 1-2 years old [2]
I always suggest doing a small-dose test. Click here to read more about how to do this → https://yaohheals.com/childrens-health/
Most herbs have a much wider safety window than pharmaceutical drugs. Even something that seems as harmless as Tylenol can cause liver damage at a normal dose. While herbs are generally much safer, it’s still important in my opinion to balance safety and efficacy.
There are various opinions on what’s best in terms of dosage as there are several different approaches. Unlike drugs, herbs work synergistically with the individual to produce the best results. We know through scientific research and decades of practice how much to use of different herbs. Herbalists often tweak the dose to better fit someone’s exact needs, however there are different opinions that determine the start point.
SO WHICH HERBS ARE SAFE FOR BABIES & YOUNG CHILDREN?
There are various opinions on this. Conventional drugs given to children and infants, like Tylenol, are harmful for little ones. Herbs are generally a much safer option when something is needed. Gentle milder herbs are the best first option, yet even strong herbs can be used when dosed properly. I do NOT suggest trying to treat and dose your young one(s) if you are not an experienced herbalist. It is best to consult with a clinical herbalist. I offer FREE consultations for adults and children of all ages. Email for a FREE consultation: Yaohheals@gmail.com
For a young baby, especially one younger than 6 months, the best way to give herbal remedies is through mom’s breastmilk. Mom can take a full adult dose and the beneficial properties are passed through the milk to baby when they nurse.
Mother’s milk is the most effective and the safest way to administer herbs to infants. It is necessary for the mother to drink at least 4 to 6 cups of the tea that contains the herbs daily or if you do not want to drink that much tea daily you may chose to use powdered herbs (be sure to consult with an herbalist first). This will benefit both mother and infant.
But what if I am not nursing?
No problem, if your baby isn’t currently breastfeeding, then you can use Freid’s dosing rule. I suggest converting the adult dose to milliliters (ml) first which makes it easy to give to baby in a syringe or you can add the herbal teas and or tinctures ( I suggest a glycerite) directly to the infants bottle. For babies who are bottle fed, a small amount of tincture or tea can be added to the bottle, or diluted in water, formula, breastmilk, or juice and given via a medicine dropper or spoon. Use a separate dropper to administer diluted tinctures as to not contaminate the tincture bottle. Do not put tincture directly into a baby’s mouth without first diluting.
- ½ tsp = 2.5 ml
- 1 tsp = 5 ml
- 1 TBSP = 15 ml
It is always important to do your research or ask for help if you are not experienced in herbal medicine.
Let's take a look at various methods for administering herbs to children
Herbal Tinctures (Glycerites)
Glycerin based tinctures are much better for children rather than alcohol based tinctures used for adults. Glycerin is sweet in nature and taste far better than a tincture made with alcohol and will be strong enough. Provided they are made correctly.
Herbal Tea & Decoctions
Typically 1 tsp of herb is steeped in 1 cup of hot water will create a herbal tea. More herb is used if its larger or “fluffier,” like mullein and chamomile flowers, generally 2-3 teaspoons. Tough plant material, like bark and roots, are usually decocted (or simmered) for 10-20 minutes to best extract the beneficial constituents of the plant.
There are exceptions to this like marshmallow root which needs steeped in cool water for hours. Be sure you have the right information on the correct preparation.
Herbal Powders
Herbs can be ground into a powder and mixed with things. Not all herbs are best taken as powders though, so be sure you use the best preparation for the condition at hand.
Powdered herbs can be used internally or externally.
Herbal FREEZE POPS
What child do you know that does not love freeze pops?! Herbal pops are a fun way to get your little one to take their medicine. You can even have them help you fill the freeze pops and even add fruit to them. These are great for the summertime. Keep in mind since these are cold herbal treats they are not recommended for ailments such an flu, colic, ear infections or respiratory infection imbalances. But a great way to help those teething little ones!
Herbal "CANDY"
Candy?! I know right. What child or adult for that matter doesn’t like candy? These herbal treats are a fun and tasty way of getting the needed herbal medicine in a child and also great for adults too.
Herbs can be powdered and mixed with ground fruits, nut butters, honey, maple syrup or nuts to create a paste. Have the little ones join in on the fun in making these.
I do not suggest just creating these at home if you are not an experienced herbalist as determining daily dosage, it is necessary to know how much powdered herb you used in the total recipe. I have not give a full recipe here so please do not just used this as a how to. If you would like to know more I do provide these custom made or I can custom formulate a recipe for you and create a kit for you to make at home with the proper herbal amounts.
Herbal BATH
Herbal baths are a great way to sooth and calm children. The warm water opens up the pores of the skin which is the largest organ of the body allowing the herbal nutrients to be absorbed working wonders on the child’s nervous system.
Water temperature is important. When trying to lower a fever, cool to tepid water is best. When trying to relax and or sooth a child, warm water is best.
Calendula, Chamomile, Lavender, Rose and Comfrey are all wonderful herbs for herbal baths not just for children but adults too. I offer custom bath tea for adults and children. Email me for a FREE consultation. Yaohheals@gmail.com
How to administer herb externally?
Herbal poultice/paste
For more serious rashes a poultice, also called a cataplasm, is a paste made of herbs, plants, and other substances with healing properties. The paste is spread on a warm, moist cloth and applied to the body to relieve inflammation and promote healing. Some can be spread directly on the skin by smoothing over the rash and leaving on for 30-45 minutes. To remove be sure not to scrap the paste off but rinse with warm water or soak off in a warm bath. Scraping off the paste may result in further injure to the little one’s irritated skin.
herbal salve
Herbal salves are a litter softer than balms normally containing a little less wax although some may not contain any wax at all. Since salves have a softer consistency, they can penetrate the skin more deeply. This makes salves more ideal for healing wounds. This is great to use for milder diaper rash. You can use a basic salve to help heal dry skin, chapped lips, and even diaper rash. Salves also work to help soothe sunburn, eczema, and cuts and scrapes.
NURSING MOTHERS
If you are a nursing mother there are foods you should avoid that are irritating to the infant’s digestive tract. Although every child’s system is different, some foods are known to be common digestive-tract irritants. Foods high in sulfur as found in the Brassica family, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale etc. creates gas in the intestines. Also, avoiding spicy foods and foods high in sugar is best. These foods slow down digestive action, cause congestion in the digestive tract, and add to the complications of colic. It is also best to monitor your child to determine which foods may be irritating.
Avoiding caffeine is also best practice as it is a powerful stimulate. Due to your young ones system the stimulating properties may cause nervousness and or highly excitability.
In this article I go over some basics. You should not administer any herbal medicine whether internally or externally if you do not know what you are doing. Having basic knowledge of some herbs and the medicinal properties is not enough to take your child’s care into your own hands. It is best to seek someone with experience. I will also remind you again that doing a patch test is very wise when using herbs or new herbs for the first time. Keep in mind this is not just limited to leaves, but to roots, stems, flowers, berries etc.