Herbs for Kids

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Herbs for Kids

Herbs for Kids

Homsted

Chrissy Lee-Manes

Herbal Teas

Infusions: Use one tablespoon herb to one cup water. Let steep 20 min to 24 hours depending on plant with
the lid on.

Decoctions: Use one tablespoon herb to one cup water. Let simmer 20 min with the lid on.

Dosages:

Suggested tea dosages for children (when adult does is 1 cup):

Up to 5 lbs. – 1 tablespoon
5-15 lbs. – 2 tablespoon
16-35lbs. – 1/4 cup
36-65 lbs. – 1/2 cup
66-80 lbs. – 3/4 cup
81-110 lbs. – 1 cup (adult dose)

Suggested tincture dosages for children (when adult dose is 1 teaspoon/ 60 drops):

Younger than 3 months: 2 drops
3 to 6 months: 3 drops
6 to 9 months: 4 drops
9 to 12 months: 5 drops
12 to 18 months: 7 drops
18 to 24 months: 8 drops
2 to 3 years: 10 drops
3 to 4 years: 12 drops
4 to 6 years: 15 drops
6 to 9 years: 24 drops
9 to 12 years: 30 drops

Teas are a great way for children to take herbs. Make some fun out of it and have a tea party with the whole family!

Building your herbal home medicine chest

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Part used: root

Benefits: Adaptogenic (resistance building). It strengthens the deep immune system by helping rebuild the bone marrow reserve that regenerates the body’s protective shield.

Suggested uses: used best for long term illness, low energy and to build and support immunity. You can decoct for a tea, make a cold infusion, use in soup or you can just chew on root!

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Part used: flower

Benefits: It is tissue healing and a soothing anti-inflammatory which makes it great topically for scrapes and burns. As an antimicrobial and lymphatic enhancer it is beneficial for treating colds, upper respiratory infections and ear aches. Since it is a digestive bitter it is also beneficial for diarrhea and hemorrhoids (for those mamas).

Suggested uses: Infusion: 1 tablespoon herb per one cup boiling water. Steep for 15 min and drink 1/4 to 1 cup daily or use externally as a wash.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Part used: leaves, flower

Benefits: It is a great calming herb for all types of stress. It helps with lowering fever and for the pain of teething. It also helps aid with indigestion and diarrhea.

Suggested uses: Serve as a tea throughout the day to help with teething. It is a little bitter so it is a great one to mix with lemon balm and oat straw. Give a few drops of tincture before meals to act as a digestive aid or before bed to help with a fussy child.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Part used: flowers, leaves can be used.

Benefits: Great anti-inflammatory, soothing for a nervous system, helps with digestion and is the best herb for colicky babies.

Suggested uses: Serve throughout the day (great to mix with honey if your child is not too young) to calm nerves. A carrier oil mixed with the essential oil also has calming effects and can help with sore muscles. A great one to add to a bath for a soothing wash

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia)

Part used: roots

Benefits: best immune enhancing herb. This herb increases the macrophage T-cell activity, increasing the
bodies shield—whaammm! Great to grow in garden!

Suggested uses: at first sign of cold or flu use as a tea or tincture to boost immunity. Make sure to take in small but frequent doses. It can also be used for bronchial infections. Decoction: simmer 1/2oz in one quart of boiling water for 20 min. Strain and enjoy. Tincture: Dosage ranges from 1 drop per 5 lbs of body weight to 1 drop per lb, up to every 2 hours, depending on severity of condition.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Part used: mostly seeds but can use leaves and flowers

Benefits: Since ancient Greek times this herb has been used to increase breast milk in nursing mothers! It also acts as an antacid and helps with flatulence.

Suggested uses: great as a tea or to eat the seeds whole! Great to mix with sugar for a small after dinner snack. To increase and enrich the flow of milk drink 2 to 4 cups a day. Use a warm fennel tea for any eye inflammations.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Part used: root

Benefits: Great for treating chills, fever, gas, nausea and congestion.

Suggested uses: Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh grated ginger root or 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder in 1 cup boiling water, covered for 10 min. Give 1/4 to 1 cup up to 4x daily.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Part used: Leaves

Benefits: Can be taken to relieve stress and to promote sleep. It can also be used to lesson stomach cramping and flatulence.

Suggested uses: Steep 1 tablespoon herb in 1 cup water for 10 min while covered. Give 1/4 cup to 1 cup as often as needed.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Part used: Leaves

Benefits: Use for bronchial congestion, sore throat, coughs, and inflammation in digestive tract (such as ulcers)

Suggested uses: use in syrups, mix in teas and crew on stick.

Caution: Don’t use if you have hypertension, kidney/bladder problems, or are on steroids.

Marshmallow (althaea officinalis)

Part used: Root

Benefits: soothing, mucilaginous herb. It can also help with ulcers or inflamed gut. It is one of the best for sore throats.

Suggested uses: make as a cold infusion. Mix with oatmeal for a soothing bath for irritated skin.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Part used: Root

Benefits: A very nutritive herb. It also promotes the elimination of waste and can help stop bleeding and diarrhea.

Suggested uses: Nettles is a natural anti-histamine making it great for allergies.

Oats (Avena sativa)

Part used: seeds, herb

Benefits: the milky liquid can be applied topically to itchy irritated skin from chicken pox, measles, poison ivy and rashes. The fresh milky oats is great to treat stress, fatigue, insomnia. Dried oat straw is high in calcium and other nutrients.

Suggested uses: put a handful of rolled oats in an old sock, tie top closed with rubber band and squeeze under water until oak milk begins to come through sock. Do this in the tub so your child can “wash” with sock. Tincture 1/2 to 1 teaspoon twice daily.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Part used: leaves, flowers

Benefits: Blast of energy! A digestive aid, eases nausea and stomach cramps.

Suggested uses: use as a tea, tincture and mouthwash.

Stevia (Stevia rebundiana)

Part used: leaves

Benefits: Sweet as sugar! Use for pancreatic imbalances and high blood sugar levels. Diabetics can have it too!

Suggested uses: use it to enhance flavors of other teas.

Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Part used: inner bark

Benefits: An expectorant herb best for calming most types of coughs.

Suggested uses: use in teas, syrups, and tinctures for coughs and colds.

Other Supplies:

Activated charcoal: can be used as an antidote in some types of accidental poisonings. Can also use Ipecacalways contact poison control.

Apple cider vinegar: internal and external antiseptic and is used to treat fungal infections such as thrush and ring worm. Very rich in B vitamins.

Green clay: great for drawing out abscesses and stingers.

Herbal salve: soothing for minor cuts, scrapes, rashes and bug bites.

Vitamin C: Can help help prevent or reduce infection.

Hydrogen peroxide: cleans wounds and brings dirt to surface.

Local honey: Great antiseptic and good for allergies. Note: do not use for children under 15 months.

Sea salt: Keep about 2 cups on hand. Use in mouth rinses for toothaches and mouth inflammation.

Aromatherapy

Essential oils are the volatile substances extracted from various plants, most commonly through steam distillation. These aromatic oils act quickly to affect our physical and emotional states and are powerful healing allies for babies, kids and mama. We recommend to only use essential oils externally.

Ways to use aromatherapy: mixed with a carrier oil, body sprays, compresses, creams, liniments, bath salt, salve, steam inhalation, massage oils, palm inhalation, nasal diffuser, diffuser.

Carrier Oils:

  • Dilution is Key!
  • Apricot Kernel oil is suitable, even for those with nut allergies. Full of vitamins and minerals.
  • Sweet Almond oil is closest to Baby’s own oil and works well for those who are not sensitive to nut-derived carrier oils. Great to relieve dry skin.
  • Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax that has a long shelf life and is easily absorbed. It is nourishing to skin and hair.

Infused Oils:

Pack a jar full of a plant material such as lavender, calendula, plantain or chamomile. Fill the jar (so it is about an inch above the plant material) with carrier oil such as olive oil, apricot or sweet almond oil. Put lid on it shake every day and let sit for a couple weeks. Strain out plant material and bottle.

Essential oils dosage:

Dosages per 1 oz carrier oil:

Newborns 1 drop
2-6 months 1 drop
6-12 months 1-3 drops
1-4 years 1-5 drops
5-7 years 3-6 drops
8-12+ years 5-10 drops

Bath Dosages:

Always mix essential oils into a carrier oil before putting into the bath. The essential oil otherwise can float on top and not disperse.

Babies: 1-5 drops, depending on oil
Kids: 3-7 drops, depending on oil
Mom: 5-10 drops, depending on oil

Home Essential Oil Kit:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Use on burns, headaches, rashes, eczema

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Use on rashes, bug bites, fungus, head lice, cold sores, acne, thrush, bronchitis

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Use for asthma, eczema, arthritis, acne, fever, wound healer, bug bits, nervousness

Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica): Use for muscular pain, chicken pox, colds, flu, muscular pain, swollen lymph glands

Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia): Use for colds, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata): Use for nervous tension, irritability, insomnia, anxiety

Eucalyptus radiata (Eucalyptus radiata): Eucalyptus radiata is the only eucalyptus suitable for children. Use for bronchitis, coughs, colds, flu, fever, headaches, asthma, insect bites, rashes, acne

Essential Oils for Babies

1. General Fussiness: mandarin, neroli, chamomile, lavender
2. Digestive distress: chamomile, lavender, fennel in belly massage
3. Sleeplessness-mandarin, chamomile in diffuser, bath or baby massage
4. Diaper rash: lavender, chamomile, tea tree/niaouli in cream
5. Teething: Jawline rub: 1 drop each lavender and chamomile in 5 tablespoons sweet almond
oil. Frozen washcloth: chamomile tea or diluted lavender hydrosol

Essential Oils for Kiddos

1. Ear ache/ear infection-lavender essential oil compress and rubbed around outside of ear in carrier oil
2. Upset belly: chamomile, lavender, fennel rubbed over belly
3. Nausea: peppermint inhaled on a tissue
4. Eczema/rashes: chamomile, calendula, lavender, palmarosa in cream
5. Athlete’s foot-tea tree, niaouli, in foot spray or in white clay
6. Warts-tea tree, lemon oils dabbed on wart with q-tip 2-3 times per day until disappears
7. Allergies-chamomile, eucalyptus radiata, niaouli, ravensara
8. Hyperactivity-chamomile, mandarin, neroli
9. Cold Flu Prevention-eucalyptus radiata in bath water, diffuser or rubbed on bottoms of the feet daily
10. Sunburn/kitchen burn-lavender essential oil “neat” on small spot or in aloe gel if larger area

Mama’s Self Care

Essential Oils for Mama

1. Mastitis: lavender, bergamot, rose geranium, grapefruit as a compress
2. Galactogogues (Increase milk supply): fennel
3. Antigalactogogue (Decrease milk supply-used for weaning only): sage and peppermint
4. Engorgement: lavender, geranium in breast massage oil and warm breast compresses
5. Hormonal Balance: clary sage, rose geranium
6. General mood support: lemon, bergamot, neroli, ylang ylang, clary sage
7. Healing after Cesarian: lavender, helichrysum & castor oil packs
8. Perineum healing: cypress and lavender in sitz bath (with OK from caregiver)
9. “Baby Brain”: Lemon, peppermint

Stretch mark massage oil:
3 tablespoons sweet almond
2 tablespoons avocado oil
10 drops mandarin essential oil
10 drops neroli essential oil

Mamas peaceful bath salt:
1 pint sea salt
1 drop clary sage
1 drop jasmine
1 drop lavender

Mamas inner love bath salt:
1 pint sea salt
2 drops rose
2 drops sandalwood
1 drop yang ylang

Facial Mask:
1/2 teaspoon kaolin clay
Water
5 drops rose essential oil
Combine clay with enough water to make a paste. Apply face to feel sighting and stimulating properties.

Relaxing bath:
2 drops lavender
2 drops chamomile
2 drops ylang ylang

Mood up lifting bath:
2 drops grapefruit
2 drops bergamot
2 drops rose

Stimulating bath:
2 drops rosemary
2 drops peppermint
2 drops lemon

Backache massage oil:
2 oz carrier oil
2 oz St. John’s Wort Oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rosemary
10 drops peppermint

Herbs for Breastfeeding:

Milk Supply: Herbs to increase milk supply: alfalfa, fennel, dandelion, marshmallow, oats, nettle, raspberry leaf, fenugreek Foods to encourage milk supply: beets, barley, oats, carrots, almonds, winter squash, brown rice, leafy greens. Thick grain based soups.

When weening baby off breastmilk and want to dry it up, drink several cups of peppermint tea a day.

Sore Nipples: use cocoa butter, almond oil, vitamin E or lanolin for sore nipples. Wipe off before feeding. Fresh air and sunlight!

Plugged ducts and mastitis: a lot of times it happens when sleeping on a full breast or wearing a sleeping bra. Fluids! Drink a glass of water every hour. Nurse baby often on the effected side to drain duct. Use compresses (ginger, chamomile, marshmallow) and heat to breasts. Apply grated raw potato 2-3x daily for about 20 min.

Take 1 teaspoon echinacea every 2-4 hours for 24 hours. Take 500 mg vitamin C every 2-4 hours.

Preferred Herbs based on Symptom

Allergies:

Nettle leaf: steep for at least 2 hours and drink 1/2 – 3 cups daily.

Essential oil blend:

Eucalyptus radiata 2 drops
Lemon 4 drops
Lavender 2 drops
Place into a nasal inhaler. For children over 2 years of age.
Eat foods rich in beta-carotene and vitamin a orange and yellow veggies and fruit.
Vitamin c 250-500 mg 1-4x daily

Bug bites and stings:

Immediately apply with clay or plantain to draw out venom or stinger. Echinacea can be given
internally for inflammation and mild reactions. Cool baths and cool witch hazel can can help with
itching. Apply blue chamomile essential oil to reduce inflammation.

Burns (mild):

Run under cold water then add lavender essential oil to cool aloe vera gel and apply several times.
For second degree burns you can add calendula oil, raw honey or your aloe vera mix under gauze.

Car Sickness:

Crystallized ginger chews or ginger tea. Peppermint/fennel essential oil in a nasal inhaler.
Charcoal tablets can relieve indigestion, nausea and related headaches.

Chicken Pox:

Give 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of skullcap tincture as needed. Oatmeal, burdock comfrey root, salt or
baking soda bath. Apply a healing salve after bath.

Baking soda bath recipe:

1 cup baking soda
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop German chamomile

Salt bath:

1 tablespoon sea salt
1 drop lavender
1 drop tea tree

Cold and Flu:

Echinacea tincture every 2 hours (1 drop per every 2 lbs of body weight). Vitamin C 250-500 mg
with every dose of echinacea. Elderberry syrup.

Essential oil blend:

10 drops eucalyptus radiata
10 drops ravensara
5 drops tea tree
3 drops lavender

Conjunctivitis:

Echinacea tincture every 2 hours (1 drop per every 2 lbs of body weight). Breast milk or
chamomile/Oregon grape root tea compress.

Constipation:

Warm cereals such as oatmeal and cream of rice and bran muffins made with molasses and raisins
are natural laxatives.

Slippery elm mix:

Mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon powdered slippery elm to 1 cup warm apple juice. Add a pinch cinnamon
powder. Great for babies and children.

Abdominal massage oil:

1 teaspoon warm apricot kernel
2 drops chamomile
2 drops mandarin
1 drop lemon

Diaper rash:

Things that could be causing the diaper rash is a yeast infection thrush (usually the case if the bum is red, sore and bumpy), chemicals in disposable diapers, laundry detergent in cloth diapers, something the mother is eating, too long without diaper changes, or from food or formula baby is eating/drinking. If it is yeast (happens a lot especially if mama took antibiotics during birth) Mom will need to go on a special diet (candida diet).

Make a baby bum salve with beeswax and infused oils of calendula and comfrey.

Diarrhea:

During diarrhea make sure they get adequate amount of water through intake and warm baths. It is not necessary to eat solid foods but teas, broth, miso, diarrhea tea. If they do want solid food kefir, potato soup, cream of wheat/rice or apple sauce with cinnamon. Give 1/8 teaspoon of acidophilus culture until it stops. Pediatric electrolytes can be helpful.

Tea:

2 tablespoons raspberry leaf
1 tablespoon licorice root
1 tablespoon slippery elm
Combine all herbs in a glass jar and add 1 pint boiling water and let sit 1/2 hour. Give 2 teaspoon
to 4 tablespoon (depending on age) every 1-4 hours.

Ear infection:

Apply heat to outer ear and perform lymphatic massage. Make garlic, mullein flower olive oil mix
(do not over heat garlic as you do not want to ruin the allicin compound). Place 3 drops in each ear
be sure oil is room temperature or warm but not hot.

Fever:

Some fever is good. It is the body natural response to fight infection. Usually after a fever the body is stronger. If you need to provide some relief, drink some fever reducing tea

Reduce fever:

1 part spearmint
1 part catnip
1 part lemon balm

Lice:

Avoid sharing hats, brushes and pillows with other children as lice can be easily transferred. Comb hair with a fine tooth comb. Wash clothes towels and linens everyday with hot water.

Hair rinse:

4 cups apple cider vinegar
4 cups water
20 drops tea tree
20 drops lavender
20 drops niaouli
5 drops clove

Hair oil:

1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 drops tea tree
3 drops lavender
3 drops niaouli
1 drop clove
Apply to scalp and cover in shower cap and let sit 1/2 hour.

Sore throat:

Make a tea of mucilaginous herbs (slippery elm, marshmallow). Honey, lemon and ginger tea. Echinacea tincture every 2 hours (1 drop per every 2 lbs of body weight). Vitamin C 250-500 mg with every dose of echinacea.

Stomach ache:

Soothing tea:

1 part catnip
1 part chamomile
1/2 part fennel
1/2 part ginger
1/2 part peppermint

Teething:

Soothing Tea (soothing to the nervous system and helps relive acute pain):

2 parts catnip
1 part chamomile
1 part passionflower

Calcium Tea (most effective given several weeks before teething)

1 part nettle
1 parts oat straw
1 part raspberry leaf
2 part rose hips
1/4 part cinnamon

Give the above as warm tea, cool tea or herbal pops. Rub valerian tincture directly on gums.

Fun Family Recipes:

Herb Candy (great way to administer herbs):

1. Grind raisins, dates, apricots, and walnuts in food processor. Or if you don’t have a
processor mix nut butter and honey (or maple syrup)
2. Stir in shredded coconut and carob powder
3. Mix in the herb powders well
4. Roll into balls. Roll again in powdered carob or coconut. Store in refrigerator.

Dream pillow

For hundreds of years people have used herbs under their pillows at night to help sleep. Herbs to use: yarrow, lemon balm, rose petals, lavender, chamomile. Hops and mugwort are good too.

A good size to use is 6″ x 8″. Put herbs in pouch or bag. Be sure to tie it or sew it up. Place bag under pillow or by your nose at night.

Herbal bath:

Fill a cotton cloth bag or muslin bag with chosen herbs. Use 1 1/2 cups of herbs to a bathtub full of water. Tie the bag shut and hang it from the bathtub faucet directly under the flow of water. You can also place the herb bag right into the tub with you. Herbs to use: chamomile, calendula, lemon balm, ginger.

Fennel tooth powder:

Powder 1 tablespoon roasted fennel seeds in coffee grinder, blender or processor. Make sure it is very fine. Pour into a fine strainer and sift out any coarse grains. Mix powder with 1 teaspoon baking soda. Store in a glass jar and it will keep up to 6 months. Another option is to add a few drops of fennel essential oil to some baking soda. Mix to form a paste. Add cinnamon to whiten teeth, Echinacea fights infection, and licorice gives a sweet flavor.

Exfoliating hand and foot scrub

1 cup dirt preferably gritty
1 cup Epsom salt
1 cup carrier oil- apricot kernel oil is good
Herbs such as calendula, lavender, peppermint, orange peel
Any essential oils- lavender, mandarin, pink grapefruit