5+1 herbs safe for babies and kids

An issue that is often discussed in herbal groups is the safety to use of herbs in babies and older children. This article is discussing the matter with caution trying to put things in order. Let’s start with a personal experience and my favorite herb. I remember as a child my mom was using chamomile to help with any difficulty I had from stomach or throat pains to skin race and eye infections. Still, to this very day the smell of the chamomile, fresh or as tea gives me this cozy sense of safety and healing just only with the idea that I am going to use it to calm my nerves or rest my eyes under a wet cotton patch of warm chamomile. And truth be told chamomile is one of the panaceas of nature available to us and is harmless. However, when we deal with herbs we have to be extremely cautious especially when we are caring for babies and kids. In the following lines, you will read about 5+1 herbs safe for babies and kids, but before that let’s talk a little bit about how the medical community sees the matter.

In general, we should encourage our children to use herbs because they will not only help them in times of illness but also inspire them with the wonders of nature and the plant world. This way they will be able to get closer to ecological healing and to the love of the planet, which is one of our greatest priorities at the moment. Educating our children to love nature is going to bring us closer to union with it and with other fellow human beings. Although herbal medicine is not taught in medical schools, there are some doctors who have studied phytotherapy and I personally love them a little more. We should say that there are no huge research and studies that have dealt with the safe use of herbs in various age groups, so what we say is based mainly on the long experience of phytotherapy but also on some individual modern studies.

General Instructions

First of all, let’s say that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not using herbs for babies under 6 months of age.

👉From this age and up to the age of 2, it’s not that we can’t give herbs to children, it’s just that the choice is very limited, and maybe some guidance from an expert is needed.

👉From the age of 2 years to 12 years the range of choice grows.

And from the age of 12 and above, the child can take almost any herb that an adult can, in the dose that corresponds to them, as we will see below

🌹Herbs really can provide tremendous support and benefits to children’s health, whether used alone or in combination with allopathic medicine.

👩‍🔬 As the famous and acclaimed herbalist and herbalist Rosemary Gladstar says, when herbs are administered judiciously, they do not disturb the delicate balance of small bodies and can be used safely for many childhood ailments.

🌿An herb can help heal a child.

Children’s bodies are quite sensitive, so they respond quickly and well to herbs. It can offer great action in common colds, flu, and fever to treat problems such as teething pains and colic as well as in more serious childhood problems such as chicken pox and measles.

Herbs can be used when a child gets sick after exposure to germs or even on a daily basis to boost immunity.

Children’s bodies are quite sensitive, so they respond quickly and well to herbs.

🛁You can also give your baby a herbal bath.

  Many herbal formulas are administered through the bath even by professionals so that the skin can absorb the wonderful and healing properties of the herb.

🙏5+1 herbs safe for babies and children

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Excellent in ointment form, calendula is beneficial for use on skin problems such as eczema, red and inflamed skin, dry and itchy skin, as well as wounds, bug bites, etc.

Calendula has anti-fungal properties and can soothe and heal almost any skin-related condition.

If your baby has diaper rash, or tight clothes, using calendula ointment is great.

🌹Echinacea purpurea

Recommended for children over 12 years old

Among the different herbs for children, echinacea is known to boost the immune system and can help relieve colds, flu, and even ear infections.

If you notice that your child is starting to show signs of illness, echinacea will help reduce the duration and severity of the illness.

If you give it to your child during flu season, it will help prevent your child from getting completely sick.

🌹Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Less known to most, but an excellent herb (root) for strengthening the immune system of young and old.

Astragalus tinctures or tea can be used in children 18 months and older during cold and flu season to help reduce frequent infections for up to 6 weeks at a time.

Astragalus is known to enhance the function of the immune system, thereby enhancing the child’s resistance to disease.

It is known to prevent children from contracting any disease and also boosts a child’s immune system after an illness.

🌿Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

The flowers and especially the berries of the elder are rich in anthocyanins which help to stimulate immunity to pathogens.

Elderberry goes one step further by preventing viruses from entering healthy cells and multiplying.

Therefore, it is best to use them often at the onset of the cold or flu virus.

We can make excellent syrup from elderberry flowers or fruits which children love.

From this syrup, we and our children can drink continuously during the winter months for protection.

Here is general information about elderberry

And here’s a recipe for elderberry syrup.

Only for children over 2 years old.

🌿Chamomile ( Anthemis nobilis or Matricaria chamomilla)