Herbs 4 Kids Romm

Herbal Medicines for Kids by Aviva Romm, MD1

Herbal Medicines forKidsTaking Charge of Your Childs Health...Naturally

AVIVA ROMM, MD


Contents

Meet Aviva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Caring for Your KidsNaturally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Recognizing When Your Child is Sick . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Diaper Rash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Colic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Fever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Colds and Flu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Cough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Earache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Pink-eye (Conjunctivitis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

All material provided on this website is provided for informational or educational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician. 2015 by Aviva Romm

Contents


Meet Aviva

Dear Friends,When I was a little girl anytime I got a mosquito bite it swelled up to the size of a goose egg and itched like crazy. My great-grandmother, a Hungarian herbalist, would immediately apply witch hazel compresses, which brought certain relief from the inflammation and itching. This is just one of many old-world treatments she practiced.

She also had a lot of common wisdom. Now some of the things she did when I was a kid are becoming vogue as we learn the value of supporting our bodys natural healing abilities and of protecting ourselves and our environment from unnecessary chemical exposures.

So who is this woman talking to you about natural health for kids? Perhaps my most important credential is that I am a mom. My greatest joy in life has been raising my four wonderful, creative, lovely children and now I am a grand-mom, too. I understand from a moms point of view how worried and vulnerable a parent can feel when a child is sick, what kind of information a parent needs when things feel like theyre hitting the fan, and how confusing it can be to know how and when to use natural remedies or when to get medical care. I also know how helpful it is to have a trusted resource to turn to when a child is sick.

I am also a midwife who has helped hundreds of babies into the world, an herbalist who has written a half-dozen books on natural health for women and children, translated into many languages, AND I am a medical doctor, trained at Yale, with a specialty in family medicine. My focus is womens health and pediatrics.

I am so glad you have chosen to learn to take care of precious little ones using natural approaches and common sense for common problems. Using herbs for kids health is a win-win choice: kids benefit, parents benefit, and the planet benefits, too!

I hope that my 30 years of practicing natural medicine for babies and children can be of service to you as one of your trusted voices in health care.


This booklet is an e-intro to The Healthiest Kids: A Parents Guide to Natural Medicines, a comprehensive, accessible course that will teach you how to take charge of your kids health!

The Healthiest Kids: A Parents Guide to Natural Medicines is based on the belief that parents can capably manage most of their childrens health concerns and be informed partners when they must consult a health professional. It is built on several key principles: Common kids health problems can be treated

with common, natural home remedies. Pharmaceutical drugs are over-prescribed for

commons kids health problems. Nobody knows a baby or child like his/her own

momma (and often dad, too). Parents can safely and confidently take charge

of their childrens health. Parents need the necessary tools and education

to support kids health and recognize illness. Everyone has a right to affordable health care

and adequate information for making informed decisions.

Further, natural parenting is best supported when: Parenting happens in the context of a supportive

community (your tribe!). Parents can build supportive partnerships with

integrative family docs and pediatricians for times when the going gets rough.

Caring For My ChildrenTwenty-nine years ago, when the first of my four kids was a tiny tot, I was eager to learn everything I could about natural treatments for common kids conditions. There wasnt much information available on how to use natural remedies, and most folks I knew took their kids to the doctors office for every fever and sniffle, accepting whatever medication was handed out as the solution. I knew that there was a healthier way to treat my son rather than to treat every symptom with an antibiotic.

I remember feeling anxious and vulnerable treating that first fever and upper respiratory infection, choosing not to use conventional therapies. What if I missed a dangerous illness? How would I know if my

Caring for Kids... Naturally


little one was really sick and needed a medicine? Could I really trust the bond I felt between my baby and me to guide my intuition and common sense in decision-making around health care issues? Could I really trust herbs and foods to help?

Around that time I took a class with a wise older doctor who told me that in all of his 30 years of practice, hed only once had a case where he found an illness in a child that the momma hadnt picked up on first. Ive since heard this sentiment repeated many times by experienced family doctors and pediatricians. It gave me a lot of confidence to trust myself to take care of my kids, and over the years now as a midwife, herbalist, mom, and medical doctor, I too have experienced a powerful phenomenon: The momma almost always knows her baby best.

Antibiotic OveruseWhen my kids were little, antibiotics were given for every fever, earache, and respiratory infection. Other harmful practices were also commonly recommended, for example, washing kids down with rubbing alcohol and giving aspirin for fever.

Fortunately, these latter practices are no longer done. We now know that rubbing alcohol used as described can cause nervous system damage, and that aspirin given to kids with viral infections can cause Reyes syndrome, which can lead to permanent brain damage. In fact, it is not uncommon in medicine for practices to fall out of favor when it is found that they were not as safe as originally thought. So instead of these treatments, in our home we used herbs like lemon balm and elder flowers for fever, garlic earache oil, and my homemade cough syrup for chest congestion and cough.

But antibiotics remain widely overprescribed today, with as many as 50% of all antibiotics prescribed to kids being unnecessary. New concerns are being raised that early childhood exposure to antibiotics may increase the risk of developing asthma and irritable bowel diseases. There is also new concern that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use in kids, even short-term, can also increase the risk of developing asthma, autism, and ADHD.

While medications are lifesaving when needed, when overprescribed and misused they can contribute to health problems, environmental contamination, and the deadly international problem of antibiotic resistance when antibiotics no longer work for serious infections.

Trust Your Momma Wisdom! You Know Your Child Best!

5 Herbal Medicines for Kids by Aviva Romm, MD


Parents are seeking natural alternatives and even physicians are starting to turn to natural approaches for kids health, realizing that many commonly used medications are ineffective at best, harmful at worst, and that many herbs, minerals, and vitamins can play an important role in promoting health, and preventing and treating common illnesses.

ParentsNOW, THREE DECADES into using natural medicines, I have treated thousands of children, and throu

gh my books and classes,

have supported thousands of families i

n

taking care of their kids naturally. I ha

ve

gained tremendous insight into when a

nd

how to use botanicals and other natur

al

approaches safely and effectively, and

when

medical care is appropriate.

This booklet is a unique mini-preview o

f

updated information that will appear i

n my

full e-course The Healthiest Kids: A P

arents

Guide to Natural Medicines based on t

he

integration of my work as an herbalist

and

medical doctor, combined with experien

ce

gained from raising my own four kiddo

s.

It is my hope that this introductory boo

klet

can help you to feel safe and confiden

t in

caring for your kids with natural approa

ches

for some basic conditions that might co

me up.

It is my hope that others can benefit

from the

knowledge Ive gained using herbs and

foods

as medicine over several decades. I hop

e you

find this booklet to contain informatio

n you can

trust on your own joyous journey of rais

ing

your kids naturally!

Pediatrics Forj



It can be really hard to know when you can treat a condition at home and when you need to take your child to the doctors office or even the emergency room. I get so many calls late at night from patients who are worried about a childs fever, cough, or sore throat. By far, parents come into my office for many more visits than they need to because they feel worried and dont know the signs to look out for that their child is really ill or how to help their child with cold symptoms. It is, of course, always better to err on the side of caution and have a doctors visit you dont need than to miss something serious, but keep in mind, moms generally know when their kids are sick! By spending time with

your child and becoming a good observer, you will know your childs health and illness patterns better than anyone and you will quickly recognize when your child is not feeling quite right. Early signs of illness will become obvious to you. Knowing what is generally considered normal physical health and development in children can bolster your confidence in assessing your childs wellness. In my course you will learn how to do a basic physical exam

on your child, as well as more advanced skills for taking care of your child naturally.

RECOGNIZING WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SICK(and When to Seek Medical Care)

Antibiotics remain widely overprescribed today, with as many as 50% of all antibiotics perscribed to kids being unneccessary.



Common Early Signs of Illness

When your little one is getting sick, she or he may have a few or many of the following common early signs of illness:

Changes in eating habits (eating less, acting picky or not hungry) Behavioral changes (cranky, fussy, whiny, clingy, irritable, uncooperative) Sleepier than usual, sleep disturbances Sore throat, swollen glands, headache, runny nose, stomachache Achiness Chills, fever, quick pulse (or unusually slow pulse), respiratory changes Bowel and urinary changes (frequency, color, odor, consistency) Skin changes (temperature, color, moistness, rashes, sensitivity such as itching) Ears hurt, hearing seems off Eyes watery, glassy; circles under eyes Vomiting Coated tongue Disinterest in play (this may be one of the most significant changes parents

notice) Voice changes (hoarseness, whining)

If any of the above symptoms occur, it is the perfect time for some herbal teas, chosen according to the childs symptoms. It is also a time for extra rest, attention, and perhaps changes in diet such as eliminating sugar and eating a bit more healthily. These steps can offset the illness or at least minimize your childs discomfort and the length of the illness.

Reassuring signs that you can probably continue to treat an illness at home include:

Your child, in spite of not feeling well, continues to play and act generally normal, awake, and alert.

Your childs appetite may be decreased from normal, but he or she continues to take fluids and perhaps a small amount of food.

Your child is peeing a normal amount compared to usual. The symptoms slowly improve over the course of several days.


Here are symptoms to worry about. If you see any of these, bring your child to his or her primary care doctor: Any fever in a baby under one-month old requires immediate medical attention! High (a high fever is over 103.5) or persistent fever (> 3 days) in any aged child If your child is having to work extra hard to breathe or if her breathing is fast, labored, or accompanied by

unusual noises Persistent pain such as an earache, sore throat, severe headache, or stomachache Frequent vomiting or diarrhea: If your child is unable to keep down enough liquids to urinate at least once

every six to eight hours, this could be a sign of dehydration Thick eye discharge that doesnt get better during the day A stiff neck, extreme lack of energy or the illness seems to be getting worse rather than staying the same for

more than five days Blood in the vomit or diarrhea If your child has been exposed to a contagious disease such as mono, pertussis, measles, the flu, or has

travelled out of the country recently If your treatment for a mild condition is not helping, and the condition persists or worsens, seek medical help.

Anytime you feel uncomfortable or worried about your little one it is

appropriate to get support and advice from your family

doctor or pediatrician; remember, trust your

instincts!

Dont be afraid to get medical care when it is

needed!


Diaper RashWhat is diaper rash? Diaper rash is an incredibly common problem it is practically just a normal part of being a baby! It can occur regardless of diapering choices. Babies have soft, sensitive skin that often spends 24 hours a day in contact with a diaper, and has frequent contact with irritating poop and pee.

Most diaper rashes are just due to contact irritation, less commonly they are caused by a yeast infection. A diaper rash is usually not a sign of a food allergy. (see Types of Diaper Rash) If your little one develops a diaper rash, dont fret. There are simple steps you can take to prevent and reduce the risk of diaper rash, and some easy natural remedies to sooth that irritated bottom! Even with the best treatment, it may reappear now and again.

Common sense approaches to preventing & treating diaper rash

Change babys diapers often every 2-3 hours and as soon as possible after baby poops.

Use a warm wash cloth each time you wash babys bottom rather than diaper wipes if possible, and make sure to clean babys bottom well.

If using cloth diapers add cup of white vinegar to your wash to neutralize the acidity of the diapers and help kill germs.

If using cloth diapers, make sure the edges of the diaper covers are not irritating babys sensitive thighs and groin by hugging too close to the skin.

If using disposable diapers change brands to see if another is less irritating to your babys skin.

Let babys bottom air out go naked bums as often as possible!

Apply a thick cream as a barrier on your babys skin. Old-fashioned A&D ointment works really well; zinc oxide is also effective. Both are mild and safe. Herbal salve can be used as a healing agent, emollient, and light skin barrier.

Your little one might benefit from a probiotic in the case of diaper rash from yeast infection as well as when there is an allergy ring.

Another simple home remedy for yeast diaper rash is to slather your little ones bottom with plain, active culture yogurt daily, then rinse off thoroughly.

Types of Diaper RashContact diaper rash is the garden-

variety rash that looks flat, red, irritated, sometimes with peeling skin if more severe.

Intertrigo occurs within the skin folds and creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs together. It looks like a burn.

Yeast usually only occurs if there has been a diaper rash for a long time that then becomes superinfected by Candida. It is a red, raised, and patchy rash with clear edges and smaller patches called satellites at a distance from the main area of the rash.

Allergy ring is a red ring just around the babys anus can be a sign of an allergy to something in his or her diet or in breastfeeding babies, moms diet.


Herbal Treatment

Can be used to heal irritated, damaged skin and as a barrier. There are many possible herbal ingredients for a salve. The following is an example of one I made for my kids bottoms. If you suspect a yeast infection add 20 drops of tea tree oil to your preparation.

Calendula Flowers Chickweed Comfrey Root Chamomile Flowers Plantain Leaf Olive Oil (more if needed to cover herbs) Pure Beeswax To prepare a salve: Place about an ounce of your mix of dried herbs and 1 cup of olive oil in a small pot. Simmer for 1 hour on a very low flame with a flame deflector on the burner, and with the pot semi-covered. Add a bit of oil as necessary for the herbs to remain covered over their surface, and watch carefully to avoid scorching. After cooking, strain the herbs well through a cotton cloth or cheesecloth, squeezing as much of the oil as possible out of the plant material. (You need to let the oil cool first to avoid burning your hands.) Clean and dry the pot (discarding the used plant material), then pour the oil back in, adding 34 tablespoons of grated beeswax. Melt this over a low flame, stirring constantly.

To test for readiness, put a small amount onto a teaspoon and place it in the refrigerator. After a minute it will harden to its finished consistency. Salve should be firm and solid but not so hard that it wont melt easily into your skin. If the consistency is correct, pour your salve into small jars, cool to room temperature, cover, and store. If the salve is too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add more oil.

Healing Salve

When to See Your DoctorBabies rarely need to be seen by the doctor for a diaper rash. If the rash is worsening, baby is very uncomfortable, or you suspect an infection, contact your family physician or pediatrician.

ChamomilejComfreyj


ColicAt about three weeks old my perfectly sweet second baby suddenly started crying out in apparently agonizing pain at sunset almost every evening, and no matter how much bouncing, rocking, swinging we did, shed cry and ball up her little arms and legs in discomfort for sometimes well over an hour.

It was incredibly distressing and since our first child didnt have colic, we were new to the problem. We were lucky daytime was fine, but the next evening wed start all over again. It was worrisome and exhausting for all of us. Our usual lovely bedtime ritual of reading stories to our three-year old was temporarily on hold, and after a couple of weeks of the new evening ritual of our baby crying in pain, we were overwhelmed. Many of you are probably familiar with this story and some of you might have babies that have colic all day long, too!

It took us another couple of weeks to figure out what was making our daughter uncomfortable it seemed that when I ate peanut butter or dairy, it affected her through my breastmilk and to establish some helpful routines that eased her discomfort and brought some balance back to our lives.

In addition to the dietary changes, we discovered that taking her outside or having soothing sounds also helped. Each evening wed put her in the baby carrier and stroll the neighborhood until she fell asleep, or alternately, one of us would wash the dishes while the other rocked her, the sound of the running water eventually soothing her troubles. We also gave her a simple herbal tea with an eye-dropper and I drank the teas hoping theyd make their way to her through my breastmilk. Her symptoms improved almost completely, though now and then shed have a fussy evening. By the time she was several months old, she was her happy self again, day and night.

What is colic? As common a problem as it is, nobody actually knows exactly what causes colic, though it appears to be most commonly due to cows milk sensitivity from either directly eating dairy or through the mothers milk. What we do know is that when a baby has colic he or she is experiencing belly pain and this distresses the baby.

Common signs of colic in a baby include: Episodes of fussiness that start in the first few

weeks after birth and last until about 3-4 months old

Crying in distress, especially with the arms and legs pulled in close to the body (sometimes the baby stiffens up, too)

Crying for several hours at a time or several hours a day; commonly in the evening but it can happen anytime (and seem like most of the time!)

The crying occurs at least several days of the week

The baby tends to be inconsolable during the episodes

Not all crying in a baby is colic. If your baby is crying inconsolably, make sure that the baby is not in pain because of any other reasons. Check for anything that might be poking into or pinching the baby, for example, check for a hair tourniquet a fine piece of hair tightly wound around a finger or toe that is cutting into the skin and must be removed immediately; check for signs of illness for example, an ear infection can cause baby to scream in discomfort.


Stay calm and relaxed while your baby is fussing your baby will pick up on your stress and anxiety, so being upset wont help anyone.

Try to get to the bottom of what is upsetting your baby by keeping a journal of when your baby is having colic episodes; if you are a breastfeeding mom pay special attention to what youve eaten in the previous 24 hours to help you sleuth out any food sensitivities (see Foods that Commonly Upset Baby).

Eliminate any culprit foods you identify. Try taking your baby for a walk some babies

will relax more if you have them close to your body in a baby carrier, others will relax more in a stroller. Try different approaches.

Play soothing music or the sound of running water some babies will respond to this; others will just keep on crying.

If all else fails and baby keeps on crying, and you are getting increasingly upset, put the baby somewhere safe (i.e. crib, bassinette) and take a breather out of crying range. You will return to the baby refreshed and with more compassion, rather than frustration and resentment, which are natural feelings that arise. You might also find that the baby self-soothes to sleep while you are taking some deep breaths yourself!

Take turns sharing the colicky baby responsibilities instead of both of you getting worn out each night, and if you are a single parent, enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to give you a break once in awhile.

Talk with other parents of colicky babies for support.

Be gentle to yourself this is NOT your fault! Remember, this too shall end babies do grow

out of colic!

Herbal TreatmentsSeveral studies have shown that traditional herbal medicines used for colic do have some noticeable benefit in reducing symptoms, especially crying time. The herbs studied include fennel, lemon balm, and German chamomile.

Dairy products Soy products Peanuts Wheat Eggs Corn

Cabbage family veggies (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)

Caffeine and Chocolate (which can also keep baby awake longer!)

Common Colic Causing Foods in Breastmilk

Tummy Ease TeaTo prepare these herbs as a tea, mix ounce of each of fennel, lemon balm, and German chamomile together in a clean, dry glass jar or plastic bag. Take 1 teaspoon of the mixture and place it in a glass mug or French press. Cover with 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the herbs and put the tea into either a bottle if the baby takes one, or use a medicine dropper to give the baby several teaspoons at a time. The tea can be sweetened with a teaspoon of maple syrup; do NOT give honey to babies under 1 year old it can cause infant botulism.

Alternatively, a product such as Childrens Herbal Compound by HerbPharm can be used. It is concentrated and easy to give the baby 5-10 drops every couple of hours, or even as often as every 30 minutes in a crying spell, up to 5 doses a day. Of note, Childrens Compound comes in a glycerin base which tastes sweet but has no sugar; sweet tastes have been shown independently to calm baby and reduce colic symptoms.

What can you do?


When to See Your DoctorIf you are concerned that there is something more serious going on, ask your babys doctor. Your pediatrician or family doctor might be a great resource for you if you are at your wits end. Most doctors dont know a lot about alternatives for colic, and may also not know that standard medications for colic are ineffective.

over the

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Tea Tea is the most basic herbal preparation. Richly scented herbs such as catnip, lemon balm, chamomile, and seeds such as fennel and anise are commonly made into teas. Any combi-nation of these herbs may be used for a colicky baby.

To prepare: Steep 1 teaspoon of the dried herb of your choice in 1 cup of boiling hot water for 10 minutes. A French press makes it easy to strain the tea.

To use: Give several teaspoons up to every hour for a fussy baby, -1 cup every few hours for older kids.


FeverMommy, I dont feel well. Your little one wakes up in the middle of the night, fretful and hot to the touch. You check her temperature and it is 102. Shes had a cold for a few days but hasnt had a fever until now. You feel worried and dont know what to do. Should you give Tylenol, go to the emergency department? Should you call your doctors office hoping to reach someone in the middle of the night? Can you wait until morning? Youve heard about using herbs for fever and thought it sounded good at the time, but now that your child has one, youre not so sure. What should you do?

The answer to the above question for starters is: If your child is under one-month old and has a

temperature of over 100.4, Yes, call your doctor or go to the emergency room!

For everyone else, take a deep breath, relax, and read on

What is a Fever? Most importantly: Fever is not an illness. It is the bodys healthy, natural response that actually helps fight infection! Fevers are not dangerous. A temperature over 100.4 F is considered a fever. Most fevers are in the range of 101-103.5. A high fever is over 103.5!

I know that when my own kids temps got over 103 my mommy alarm bells started going off! But in truth, the height of the temperature does not necessarily reflect the severity of the illness. Most low-grade fevers are not serious and kids can even run high fevers and not have serious illness but it is scarier to parents.

Fevers in kids are generally caused by common viral infections, and most of these are not dangerous. Kids will often have symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, earache, or rash but often the fever comes before the symptoms. Bacterial infections such as strep throat, urinary tract, and ear infections can also cause fever.

What Can You Do? Keep in mind that you do not have to treat the fever. When your child has a fever the most important thing is to keep her comfortable and give plenty of fluids. Fevers may continue for a number of days or go away and come back especially in the afternoon and evening for several days. This is usually not a problem if the child is taking plenty of fluids and seems otherwise well. Let your child rest and sleep as much as she needs

to. Create a quiet environment conducive to healing and recovery.

Keep the childs room fresh and comfortable. Diffuse light, as through a thin curtain on the window, is soothing to feverish eyes.

To freshen the air, put some water with a few drops of essential oil into a clean plant mister and spritz around the room. Rosemary, lavender, thyme, rose, lemon, eucalyptus, and mint make refreshing scents.

Give your child loads of fluids during the fever. Babies can be nursed often and given water by teaspoon, cup, or eye-dropper every 15-30 minutes. If the child is sleeping, you can rouse him periodically for a drink.


Use rosemary essent

ial oil

to freshen the air

Rosemary

Anise seed tea can ease indigestion

Anise Flowers

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Herbal TreatmentsHerbs can be used to help ease the symptoms associated with a fever aches, headache, tummy discomforts, and chills. While fevers dont need to be treated, high fever can be lowered a bit with these herbs. Some classic herbs for feverish kids include: Anise seed tea or a weak tea made from fresh ginger

root can quiet indigestion. Ginger tea can help fight upper respiratory infection and

helps sweat out a fever. For achiness, headaches, or restlessness, strong teas of

catnip, chamomile, or lemon balm can be used alone or in combination. Baths with these herbs are also soothing.

Lavender oil can be added to a warm bath, 5 drops per bath, to bring a sense of restfulness and relief of the above symptoms.

Nursing moms with feverish nursing babies can drink adult doses of these herbal remedies. Some of the benefits of the herbs will pass through the milk to the baby.

Catnip, Chamomile and Lemon Balm TeaMix equal parts of the dried herbs and prepare according to tea instructions. This is very pleasant tasting and very gentle even for little babies. Soothes tummy upset, aches, and eases fever symptoms.

Steep 1/2 oz. of each herb in a covered quart jar of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain and sweeten lightly (no honey for kids under 1 year old; maple syrup is a good alternative). Give as warm as your child will take it, and often, until a sweat results.

Fever is not an illness. It is the bodys healthy, natural

response that actually fights infection

Spearmint Leaf and Elder Blossom Infusion


Infusions Infusions are medicinal-strength teas. More herb material is steeped longer in slightly more water than is usual for a tea. To prepare: Place 1 ounce of chopped, dried herb or 2 ounces of chopped, fresh herb in either a quart or pint jar. Fill the jar with boiling water. Put a lid on the jar and let the mixture steep from a half-hour to 8 hours, depending on desired strength and the part of the plant used. To use: Generally, dosage of an infusion ranges from 1/4 to 1 cup, two to four times daily. Sometimes an infusion is sipped throughout the day.

When to See Your Doctor All babies under one-month old with fever should be seen by a doctor

immediately! This can be a medical emergency! Babies under three months old with a high fever (see above) should be seen

by a doctor. Any kids who are not taking fluids, not urinating a normal amount

compared to usual, or are just not acting right should be seen by the doctor.

Any kids with fever along with stiff neck or neck, persistent vomiting, or severe headache should be seen by the doctor.

If your child has severe ear pain or severe belly pain. If your child is lethargic that is, he just isnt really waking up fully, seems

weak, or just seems sort of limp, is just lying there, and doesnt really make eye contact.

Fevers that stay high for more than 3-5 days. If you feel worried that your child has a serious illness, take your child to the

doctor: Remember, trust your momma intuition (and better safe than sorry)!

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Colds and FluMost parents will recognize the early symptoms of colds and flu children rubbing itchy or irritated eyes, a sniffle or runny nose, a sore throat, skipping a meal, and kids who just arent quite themselves. Frequently a child will say, Mom, my head hurts. An adept hand to the forehead and sure enough, you realize your son or daughter has a fever.

What Are They? A cold is just a simple, common viral infection that affects the upper respiratory passages nose, throat, upper breathing passages, and ears. Most kids with

healthy immune systems get over a cold within a week with nothing more than tender loving care.

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious, acute respiratory infection caused by influenza A or B viruses. Symptoms include fever ranging from 102 to 104F, severe achiness, sore throat, cough, lack of appetite, and extreme lassitude.

In the past, influenza was dreaded and even now it occasionally causes fatalities, but this is usually in the very young, in the elderly, and in those already weakened by malnutrition or other causes, such as underlying diseases.

Most kids with healthy

immune systems get

over a cold within a

week with nothing

more than tender

loving care.



In most kids flu is treatable at home but it can be really exhausting. Be prepared for kids to run high fevers and sleep a lot for a few days. If kids who have the flu seem to get worse instead of better, seek a doctors help. It is essential to provide adequate time, even up to a week, for recuperation after the symptoms of influenza have passed.

Natural remedies can help relieve cold and flu symptoms faster, can prevent what are called secondary infections, for example, pneumonia, that can occur after viral infections, and can help prevent colds from recurring. This is important because believe it or not, the average American school-aged child has about 10 colds each year! Antibiotics do not treat coughs caused by viral infections and are almost always not indicated for coughs due to colds.

What Can You Do? The most important things to do for your child when he or she is sick with a cold or flu are:1. Encourage lots of rest.2. Keep the diet light and healthy.3. Give plenty of water, especially if there is fever;

milk and juice can actually make chest and sinus congestion thicker, so avoid them during an infection if possible, though sometimes if all kids will drink is juice it is better than nothing.

4. Help your child feel as comfortable as possible.

Herbal TreatmentsThere are many herbs that can be used to help your child feel more comfortable when he or she has a cold or the flu, and to support the immune system and fight viruses. Here are several of my favorites. Treatment will be quickest and easiest if you begin at the first signs of illness, but you can begin using the herbs at any time during the course of illness. Combine these herbs with those presented under fever, cough, and other related symptoms and use some of my favorite recipes that do the work of combining for you!

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) is safe, gentle, and capable of both preventing and fighting viral infections. Echinacea can be used in small preventative doses throughout cold and flu season or in larger doses for fighting sickness. Use of echinacea has been shown to shorten the duration of colds. The tincture is the single most effective way to give children this medicine. Many of the newest formulas use vegetable glycerine as a solvent instead of alcohol. For maximum effectiveness during an acute infection its important to give echinacea tincture in therapeutic doses.

I generally recommend 1 drop of extract per 2 pounds of the childs body weight (i.e., a 50-pound child would get 25 drops), every 2 to 4 hours, depending upon the severity of the infection. It can be given diluted in 1/4 cup of water, tea, or diluted natural fruit juice.

Echinacea Dosing

Garlic (Allium satiua) has been shown to exhibit broad range antimicrobial properties, including both viruses and bacterium. Its highly effective for reducing the duration of colds and flu. To give to children try my classic formula:

Finely mince 2 cloves of fresh garlic and place them in a 1-quart mason jar. Fill the jar with boiling water and cover for 30 minutes. Strain out the garlic, and to the liquid add the juice of 1 whole lemon. Sweeten to taste with honey. (Do NOT give honey to babies under 1 year old it can cause infant botulism.) Give warm, and offer as much as the child can drink.

Garlic Lemonade


Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) root is an aromatic, pleasant tasting herb that is easy to find in supermarkets.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a wonderful anti-viral and antibacterial herb effective against upper respiratory infections, particularly coughs. It gently breaks up congestion and eases irritable hacking coughing. It also relieves gas and stomach discomfort. It can be taken as a tea, tincture, or syrup, and is pleasant tasting when lightly sweetened with honey. See Cold and Flu Syrup on the next page.

Any of these herbs or combinations can be continued for up to three weeks after symptoms have cleared up to prevent relapse and strengthen the immune system.

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root. Steep for 20 minutes, strain, sweeten, and drink hot. Repeat as often as desired. Add lemon for taste if the child likes it.

Ginger Tea

Steam BathsSteam baths

can be used

to relieve upper respirato

ry

congestion. Here is a simp

le

method for doing a steam

at

home.

Run the bathroom shower

on

full blast on hot water on

ly,

with the bathroom door cl

osed.

Put 3-5 drops of eucalypt

us or

thyme oil on a washcloth

and

toss into the shower unde

r

the running water. When th

e

bathroom has filled with

warm

steam, bring your child in

and

sit in the steam room fo

r ten

minutes. This can be repe

ated

twice daily.

Thyme


Cold and Flu Syrup Heres a sweet-tasting syrup that is highly effective against viral and bacterial infections. This syrup contains no honey so it can safely be given to children under one.

1 oz echinacea tincture 1 oz elderberry syrup oz thyme tincture oz lemon balm tincture oz licorice tincture oz anise seed tincture

To prepare: Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce dark amber bottle. Shake well. To use: Give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon every 2 hours.

Tinctures Tinctures are concentrated, alcohol extracts of herbs. They are quick acting, convenient (they can easily be transported in a small bottle), and they have a shelf life of many years. Because they are so concentrated, only a few drops are needed, making them particularly useful for children and for serious conditions when a higher dosage of herbs is required. Tinctures are also convenient for working parents who cant easily prepare infu-sions or decoctions every day.

Herbal Baths Herbal baths are used to soothe all sorts of complaints: irritability, congestion, and fever, to name a few. When using baths with chil-dren, be careful to avoid burns from overly hot water. If you keep the bathroom door closed, the aroma of the herbs which is from the antimicrobial volatile oils will fill the air, adding to the relaxing effect of the bath and helping to fight infection. A simple herbal bath, and one of my favorites, is simply to put about 5 drops of lavender essential oil into a warm bath after it has run.

When to See Your DoctorFollow recommendation for when to see your doctor under Cough, Fever, and Earache.

Lavender


CoughIts a common story. Your child has had a cold for a few days and now hes started having a cough. Its midnight and youve been asleep for just about an hour when you hear coughing coming from his bedroom. You know hes having an uncomfortable night, and the coughing isnt letting you get much sleep either. You get up and bring him some water, and it seems to help for awhile, but then the coughing starts again. This is the second night in a row youve both been kept awake by his cough. Youve heard that over-the-counter cough syrups arent really safe or effective for kids, but you both need some sleep. What can you do?

What is a Cough? A cough is a reaction to airway irritation or inflammation, usually caused by viral upper

respiratory infection (also called a cold) or something in the environment, commonly dust. Other problems such as asthma and reflux can also cause coughs. For now well focus only on coughs due to colds.

Coughs can last from days to even weeks. In fact, you might have noticed that sometimes after a cold, a child can have a lingering cough for even six weeks. This can be completely normal and is due to irritation in the upper airway passages that may just take this long to resolve.

What Can You Do? There are many common treatments for cough. A few that I recommend regularly in my practice include: Encourage plenty of fluids, especially water, hot

tea, bouillon broth, and miso broth (available at

While me

dications

are

lifesavin

g when n

eeded, w

hen

overpres

cribed an

d misuse

d

they can

contribu

te to hea

lth

problems

, environm

ental

contamin

ation, and

the dead

ly

internatio

nal proble

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antibiotic

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Whole Foods and most natural food coops, this is a delicious paste made of fermented soy beans that is loaded with live, active enzymes).

Vicks VapoRub applied to the chest (not to the face!) has actually been shown to help children with coughs (and as a benefit, their parents!) sleep better.

Place a humidifier in your childs room to help moisten the air and loosen the cough. (To avoid burns do not place a hot water humidifier anywhere near your child.)

For kids older than one year, honey has been shown to be more effective and safer than cough syrups for relieving cough. Either let your child take -1 tsp of honey directly from a spoon or mix into tea. NOTE: The honey has to be good quality honey which should be from natural, organic sources. Honey in regular supermarkets is usually not of adequate quality.

Over-the-counter cough medications should be completely avoided in children under five and are not recommended for children of any age.

Antibiotics do not treat coughs caused by viral infections and are almost always not indicated for coughs due to colds.

Aunty Avivas Cough Syrup Blend

This remedy is effective and pleasant for use with children. oz dried mullein leaves oz marshmallow root oz licorice root oz thyme oz anise seeds oz wild cherry bark oz slippery elm bark 1 quart boiling water

To prepare: Combine all the herbs. Put 1 ounce of the mixture in a glass jar, add the boiling water, cover, and steep for 2 hours. Strain the liquid into a pot (discard the plant material) and simmer gently until it is reduced to 1 cup. Sweeten with 1/2 cup of honey (for children under one, omit the honey and replace with maple syrup or sugar to taste). After the syrup cools to room temperature, store it in a jar in the fridge. It will keep for up to 2 months. To use: Dosage is 1 teaspoon as needed for children one to three years old, 1 tablespoon as needed for older children, and 2 tablespoons as needed for adults.

Herbal Treatments


This sweet-tasting, glycerin-based t

incture is relaxing, expectorant,

and antimicrobial for the respirator

y passages.

1 oz vegetable glycerin

oz anise seed tincture

oz cramp bark tincture

oz thyme tincture

To prepare: Mix all the ingredients

in a 4-ounce dark amber bottle. S

hake well

before each use. It will store inde

finitely. Refrigeration is not neces

sary.

To use: Give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon up

to every 30 minutes for 2 hours fo

r acute

coughing bouts, or two to four time

s daily for milder or chronic coughs

Quiet Cough Formula

oz elecampane tincture

oz red clover blossom tinctu

re

oz black cohosh tincture

Syrups Syrups are sweetened and concentrated. Children will more readily take a small amount of a sweet-flavored medicine than any amount of an unpalat-able one. The dose is generally 1/2 to 1 tablespoon one to six times daily, depending on age, herb being used, and severity of the condition being treated.

Cramp Bark


When to See Your Doctor If your child has wheezing and no history of asthma If your child has asthma and wheezing that is causing him significant

difficulty breathing, with no relief from prescribed medications Your childs breathing is rapid and labored (fever by itself can cause

breathing to be faster than usual, but it should not make a child work harder to breathe)

Your childs lips or mouth are turning blue due to labored breathing or shortness of breath

Natural re

medies c

an

help relie

ve cold a

nd flu

symptoms

faster, ca

n

prevent w

hat are ca

lled

secondar

y infectio

ns, for

example,

pneumon

ia,

that can o

ccur after

viral infe

ctions, an

d can

help prev

ent colds

from

recurring

.


Earache/Ear InfectionsMiddle ear infections also called acute otitis media can be very painful and can make your child fussy and irritable. They are generally caused by viruses (more rarely by bacteria) and can occur in babies, young children, and teens. There may be fever, swollen neck glands, and your childs hearing may be muffled from the fluid in the ears. Younger children may pull on their ears or may scream or cry suddenly and unexpectedly; older children will generally tell you that they have ear pain. Occasionally a child can have fluid congestion and mild inflammation that causes hearing difficulties without the other symptoms of ear infection; this is called otitis media with effusion.

Ear infections are the most prevalent complaint that land children in the doctors office, and overtreatment with antibiotics is a big problem. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving parents the option of waiting 48-72 hours to see if symptoms resolve on their own before using an antibiotic. Approximately 80% of kids with acute otitis media get better without antibiotics! Antibiotics treatment is considered appropriate for babies under 6 months old with known or suspected ear infections, and sometimes for children ages 6 months to 2 years with severe infection.

What Can You Do? Natural treatment of ear infections can provide symptomatic relief without contributing to problems of antibiotic overuse. Here are a few practical tips: A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel (to avoid

burning your child) can bring a lot of comfort to a painful ear. Let your child sleep on a slightly filled hot water bottle if it is overly full it will be too firm to rest on comfortably (do NOT use a heating pad).

Give firm but gentle massage all around the

jaw and head in the area adjacent to the ear. Massage in a downward direction behind the ear on the neck and apply gentle inward pressure in front of the ear toward the cheek (about where sideburns would be). This will facilitate drainage of ear fluids and stimulate pressure points in the area. It may be uncomfortable to your child so do it a few times a day for short periods.

Kids who drink a lot of juice and dairy products may get more earaches. They encourage the production of a lot of mucus in the upper respiratory system. This can lead to congestion in the chest and ears, a ripe situation for an ear infection. Cut back on juice and milk for at least three days after the earache symptoms are gone.

For very bad ear pain, you can give childrens doses of Tylenol or ibuprofen.


Herbal TreatmentsHerbal treatment can work quite well to relieve earache symptoms and reduce ear infection. Give echinacea tincture to boost the immune system. Chamomile makes an excellent tea to help your child relax during an ear infection. The classic herbal remedy for ear infections is garlic-mullein oil. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial,

addressing infections of both a bacterial and viral nature. Mullein is an analgesic, relieving the pain associated with earaches. This can be prepared easily at home; I make a large bottle annually to have on-hand for patients as needed; you can make your own and store in the fridge for up to a year. If you do not have it ready when needed, good quality Garlic Mullein oil is sold at natural foods stores.

Herbal Oils Herbal oils are vegetable oils in which herbs have been infused. They are different from essential oils. They should be stored out of direct light and heat.

Garlic Mullein OilTo prepare: Place 1 whole bulb of finely chopped fresh garlic and 1 oz. of mullein flowers in a pint-sized jar. Add olive oil until the jar is full. Stir with a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon to release air bubbles. Cover the jar and place in the sunlight for 3 weeks (2 weeks in warm weather). Strain into a clean jar (discard plant material) and store in the refrigerator. This will keep for up to two years. To use: Place 3-7 drops of the oil into the affected ear while the child lays on his side with the affected ear upward. The oil should be at room temperature or slightly warm. To warm it, put the drops in a spoon or a glass eyedropper and briefly hold a lit match close to it. Test the oil against the underside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot. Have the child rest with the affected ear up for 5-10 minutes, keeping a warm hot water bottle on the ear. After this time let the child roll over and rest on the hot water bottle for as long as this brings comfort. Repeat on the other ear if necessary. This treatment can be repeated 2-3 times a day but may only be necessary once or twice as it is very effective.

Garlic

NOTE: NEVER PUT ANYTHING INTO THE EAR IF YOU SUSPECT THE EARDRUM HAS RUPTURED OR IF THERE IS ANY DRAINAGE FROM THE EAR


When to See Your DoctorCall your childs doctor if there is: Pain that wont resolve High fever and persistent ear pain Drainage from the ear Neck pain or stiffness

Ear infections are the most prevalent complaint that land children in the doctors office, and overtreatment with antibiotics is a big problem.


Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)What is Pink Eye?Pink eye is a highly contagious infection that affects the conjunctiva, the inner lining of the eyelids and the outer lining of the eyeballs. It is generally a viral infection, though it can also commonly be bacterial.

Symptoms include itchy, irritated eyes that may have a watery or sticky, yellow-green discharge that crusts over the eyelids, sometimes gluing them shut, especially in the morning. There can also be a feeling that there is sand irritating the eyes, causing a frequent urge to rub them. Allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes starting at the same time and there is clear watery discharge.

Pink eye is not dangerous, but it is very uncomfortable, can be persistent and often recurs, and is highly contagious.

What Can You Do? Encourage the child not to rub his eyes. This will

cut down on the inflammation. Insist on frequent hand washing to prevent the

infection from spreading to other family members (adults are not immune), as it is inevitable that the child will occasionally touch his eyes.

Each family member with pink eye should have his or her own personal towel to avoid spreading the infection around to everyone. Similarly, dont share pillows until after the infection is gone. Wash towels and pillowcases daily.

Breast milk is rich in antibodies that reduce many infections. If you are still lactating, a half-teaspoon of your milk can be placed in the infected eyes of a child of any age. Repeat four times each day.

Note: HIV infection and hepatitis can be transmitted through breast milk, even through the eyes. It is therefore best not to use breast milk other than your own.


Herbal TreatmentsA very simply and effective treatment for conjunctivitis is my Chamomile, Eyebright and Goldenseal Wash. It can be prepared easily at home.

Conjunctivitis symptoms usually start to improve within about 24 hours of treatment, but because reinfection is so high, continue to treat twice daily for one week after symptoms have resolved.

In a teacup steep 1 tsp each of chamomile and eyebright herbs, adding teaspoon of goldenseal powder if the eye discharge is thick and yellow or greenish. Let the herbs steep for 15 minutes then strain very thoroughly.

Soak a cotton ball in the tea. To apply to the eyes, tilt the childs head back or have her lie on your lap and squeeze a few drops into the inner corner of the affected eye. Let the liquid run outward toward the ear rather than toward the other eye to prevent the infection from contaminating the other eye. The excess liquid can be patted dry with tissue paper, gauze, or a cloth (use a clean piece each time). Do not place anything that has touched the eyes back into your remedy and discard the cotton balls after each use. Repeat 4 times daily. When applying, protect clothing and furniture from the goldenseal which leaves a yellow stain.

Chamomile, Eyebright and Goldenseal Wash

Chamomile

When to See Your DoctorPink eye is rarely serious. Call your childs doctor if: There is no improvement in symptoms after several days of

treatment Symptoms get worse, for example, the eye drainage gets worse

even with treatment Your child has swelling around the eyes or pain with eye movement Your child has a new onset of vision problems


Parents are seeking natural alternatives and even physicians are starting to turn to natural approaches for kids health, realizing that many

commonly used medications are ineffective at best, harmful at worst, and that many herbs, minerals, and

vitamins can play an important role in promoting health, and preventing and

treating common illnesses.

Enjoy your parenting journey!

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