Knowing that there are kid-friendly herbs that you can give your little ones in a time of need can be incredibly comforting. Too many over-the-counter medications have negative side effects and fillers that are difficult to pronounce. Mother Earth’s medicine is the first medicine there ever was and in my opinion, the best medicine available.
Today’s walk through Mother Earth’s Medicine Cabinet will take us down the kid-friendly herbs section. Here you will discover herbs and natural medicine that are great for what ails your little ones. These medicines are for different things like nausea, cough, cold, and even earaches. These herbs are good for toddlers and older children as well. Babies are a bit different when it comes to what they can tolerate and what they can’t. It is no fun when the kiddos are sick so let’s get to what will cure them and make them feel better!
Dosage
Before we move on I’d like to take a minute to explain how to find out the proper dosage that is right for your children. There are two different methods that can be used, Young’s Rule and Clark’s Rule. Young’s rule is based on the child’s age while Clark’s rule is based on the weight. There is some mathematics involved but it isn’t too difficult; the equations and explanations can be found here.
Herbs for Kids: Nausea & Upset Stomach
Chamomile: Both Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) and German (Matricaria chamomilla) chamomile are great for upset tummies for adults and kids alike. Chamomile is actually known as a super herb for the many healing benefits it provides. It is gentle and very mild; in fact, it is great for babies with colic. The carminative properties help relieve gas or flatulence, as well as easing indigestion and heartburn. The mild sedative properties help relax the entire body, including the digestive tract. Chamomile contains antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that help heal a tummyache and can also be used to relieve diarrhea. Just make some sweet chamomile tea or give an all-natural chamomile lozenge!
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Gingerol is the active ingredient found in ginger that provides healing. Gingerols have the ability to relieve nausea and ease the general discomfort of the stomach. Not only is ginger great for nausea but it also helps relieve diarrhea and gas. Ginger is ideal for kids who deal with motion sickness, helping to eliminate nausea and possibly vomiting. Drinking a cup of ginger tea can prevent vomiting, stomach cramps, colic, and stomach problems associated with the flu. If you can’t get the kids to drink ginger tea try giving them a little piece of crystalized ginger (it’s more like candy).
Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Peppermint tea is amazing for easing stomachaches. It helps soothe and calm nerves, in turn, helping to relieve an upset stomach caused by anxiety and nervousness. The volatile oils found in peppermint can ease indigestion and also eliminate gas. Tea works the best but candy can be used, too. Beware of artificially flavored candy because it won’t help—you have to find natural candy that uses real mint flavor.
Herbs for Kids: Earaches, Sore Throat, Fever, Cough & Colds
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): Mullein is great for dealing with coughs but it’s even better for earaches. Mullein blossom oil can relieve earaches and pain naturally. It reduces inflammation and irritation in the ear. The antibacterial properties found in the flowers, roots, and leaves are also great for treating earaches due to ear infections. The extract from the leaves contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, making it super efficient at knocking out an ear infection.
Honey: Raw honey is known by many healers as a cure-all. It is amazing for easing and relieving a sore throat. Honey is a natural antibiotic and contains antibacterial and antiviral properties that help treat throat infections, as well as easing the pain associated with them.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): I know ginger is on the upset stomach list but it provides several different types of healing. Ginger root tea can help reduce a low-grade fever in children. The fact that ginger contains antimicrobial properties makes it effective for easing fevers by killing the rhinovirus responsible for most colds!
Garlic (Allium sativum): Raw garlic might not be many kids’ favorite but it is extremely helpful in staying healthy! The compound allicin found in garlic contains antibacterial properties that are beneficial for fighting off cold and flu, as well as protecting against them. Garlic is like nature’s penicillin. It is full of antioxidants along with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, just to name a few. If you can’t get your little ones to take raw garlic try giving them a garlic and honey combo. If you mince the garlic up super tiny and mix it with honey you can administer it similarly as you would cough syrup.
Being sick sucks for everyone but especially the little ones. It can be almost as rough on the parent as it is for the kids. We can only do so much to help them heal so why not help them heal as naturally as possible. Mother Earth’s medicine is meant for everyone, even the children. I hope today’s walk through the medicine cabinet finds you and your little ones well and in a good way! Happy Healing!
