Herbs can be safely and effectively used to treat many minor childhood ailments. Probably the easiest way to administer herbs to young children is in the form of liquid extracts. Many are made with alcohol, but the small amounts of liquid needed per dose have no more alcohol than you would ingest by eating a ripe banana. Some herb extracts can be made with glycerin which is sweet and non-alcoholic. As a rule of thumb, the extract dosage for children is 1 drop per 4 pounds of body weight up to 4 times daily.
Here are some of my favorite herbal remedies for children:
Calendula/Mullein/St John's wort/Garlic Oil
Just 3-4 drops in each ear can be used for ear infections, earache; swimmer's ear; and to loosen earwax. The garlic and calendula will inhibit or destroy bacteria or fungus present in the ear canal. The mullein and calendula help to control inflammation, swelling and itching. St. John's wort has a pain relieving effect. The oil helps to soften and disperse accumulated earwax. The overall effect is to act as a restorative tonic to the blood vessels in the ear.
Echinacea or echinacea/goldenseal extract
For the treatment of colds and flu - especially when aggravated by congestive nasal and respiratory symptoms. Echinacea alone can be used as a strengthening, preventative tonic for those who catch colds and flu easily and for chronic ear infections. When using echinacea for chronic conditions, it is best to use it for no more than 8 weeks at a stretch. Another herb to try for restoring good immune function is astragalus. These are usually available in flavored, glycerin extracts.
Calendula/St John's wort Cream
This topical preparation is excellent for minor cuts, burns and scalds, abrasions, diaper rash, chafing skin, eczema and cracked lips. Especially good for conditions that are slow to heal. It is really an herbal first-aid cream - herbal-aid cream!
Ginger extract or tea
Make a tea with a piece of the fresh whole root (about a 1/4 inch slice, cut in several pieces) or ginger powder (1 teaspoonful), sweeten with a little sugar or honey and use for motion sickness, nausea, indigestion, gas, colds, flu and sore throat. Ginger is very warming and is especially good for winter colds. For motion sickness, make sure you give it about 45 minutes before a car or boat trip and repeat every 2 hours if needed.
Peppermint tea
Most kids like peppermint candy, so administering a peppermint tea shouldn't be too difficult. Mints are good for indigestion, gas, dizziness, anxiety, fever and nausea.
Chamomile tea or extract
Remember what Peter rabbit's mother gave him before she put him to bed? A cup of chamomile tea! And with good reason. Chamomile is a gentle, effective sedative to help kids get to sleep. It's anti-inflammatory action makes it excellent for soothing teething gums and also settling a colicky stomach. Use as a gargle for sore throats. It is also soothing to cuts and scrapes. Also use it for fevers and headaches. All in all a most useful herb.
There are also some herbs that are used homeopathically to treat minor illnesses. These include:
Belladonna
For colds; flu; cough; sore, red throat; earaches; fever; colic; dry mouth and throat; headache; bedwetting (during profound sleep).
Useful for conditions that come on violently and suddenly. The child is overly excited and sensitive. There is considerable congestion in the sinuses and ear canal. The child has a red face, dry mouth and glassy eyes.
Arnica
For sprains, strains, falls, blows, bruises. This is a good for sports injuries, black and blue marks, headache. Also useful for pain and inflammation of soft tissue (like gums after dental work) and muscles. Arnica will aid relaxation and peaceful sleep after trauma.
Chamomilla
For teething in infants; colic; irritability and peevishness; earache; pain; stomach ache; insomnia.
Best guides to this remedy are mental and emotional symptoms: peevishness, irritability, excessive sensitivity, inability to bear pain. Good for the cross, angry child who wants to be rocked or carried all the time.
Try some of these simple herbal remedies the next time your child has a minor ailment. You won't have to worry about overdosing or side effects with these safe, gentle remedies.
| 
