Are Herbs Safe for Kids?

On the subject of giving herbs to our children, many of us are uncertain and anxious. After all, kid’s physiques are smaller than ours, so how can you understand the proper dosage? And aren’t there all sorts of horror stories about children having horrible reactions to herbs? Combined with these worries are doctors and pediatricians who frequently discourage the use of herbs in children.

To begin with, to answer the title question – are herbs safe for kids? The short response is yes. The longer response is it depends upon the herb and the issue the little one is having. Next are some brief guidelines on giving herbs to kids.

Give Less if You’re Unsure
If you are unsure of a dose, give the least possible dosage. You may alter the dosage to suit your child’s bodyweight – the adult dosage is generally for a 150-pound adult, so a 25-pound youngster would get 1/6th the dose. But, if you are not sure, err on the side of a smaller amount. Remember, less is often more with regards to herbal remedies.

Herbal Treatments Aimed at Kids May or May Not Work
There are controversial studies concerning the effectiveness of herbs in a number of children’s remedies. However, remedies and blends marketed specifically for children are generally harmless.
There are herbs that are typically considered harmless for kids, and are still very useful. This is a list of a few of these herbs.

* Chamomile – Peter Rabbit’s mother was correct – chamomile tea does help calm the nerves. As long as your son or daughter doesn’t have a ragweed allergy (the chamomile flower is related to ragweed), this soothing tea can be consumed at regular strength by young kids. You may also brew up some chamomile tea and mix small quantities of it in the little one’s ordinary drinks during the day to help relax nerves and anxiety. Several children enjoy chamomile sweetened with a bit of honey or stevia sweetener.

* Mints – Peppermint and spearmint are safe herbs that are good for kids. For one thing, peppermint and spearmint taste good and can help flavor other teas that may not taste as good. Mint teas may help soothe digestion and they are very safe for children. Once again, honey and stevia make very good sweeteners.

* Lemon Balm – This lemony herb produces a scrumptious drink, hot or iced. It’s very safe, but additionally quite effective – it’s antiviral and will help soothe and calm. It promotes sleep too. It is an herb that can be brewed into a drink and consumed through the day, or it can be prepared hot and enjoyed with honey.

* Fennel – This well regarded solution for colic in babies is considered a safe herb for youngsters. Brewed into a tea, fennel seeds help digestion and soothe the stomach. It has been proven in scientific studies to be as good as commercial gas relief drops. It tastes rather like licorice and produces a pleasant tea.

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