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Herbs for Kids
Kids...they are cute, adorable and playful. At the same time they can be the source of parental headaches. Who says taking care of children is easy? Sleepless baby-night-watch, diaper changing, difficulty getting them to eat their greens and unpredictable tantrums. If all these are enough to make parents' heads to ache, children getting sick would likely to cause parents to have 'migraines'. Treating children's ailments and sickness is quite an uphill task for some parents.
The common child-related (in this case includes infants right up to 12-year olds) ailments are such as infant colic, indigestion, lack of appetite, teething, cold, flu and irritable bowel syndrome. The more serious ones are hyperactivity disorders, allergic reactions and asthma. Seeking medical advice from paediatricians for treating their children should always be the main priority (besides consulting your mother or
mother-in-law for housewife's remedies). Often, modern medications can help in treating various child-related ailments. Besides, there are also some herbs that can serve as alternative treatment options.
Now, why don't we take a peep of what kind of herbs that can be useful to help ease your (in reference to the parents here) woes?
Star anise (Illicium verum)
Not to be confused with anise (Pimpinella anisum), star anise can be found in the tropics and sub-tropics. Its dried fruits are often used to treat colic and indigestion among children.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Not star anise but just anise. It is native to Mediterranean. Its seeds are good for indigestion and help to relieve flatulence. Anise is traditionally used for treating colic among children.
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
The mere mention of this herb springs up the word chamomile tea. One of the most popular herb around, besides Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile syn. Anthemis nobilis), an infusion tea of German chamomile flowers can be given to children to help calm down their nerves and promote sleeping (Foster and Johnson, 2000). Children are also given this herb's infusion to ease teething complaints. Yet, some are against using chamomile for children. As always, consult your paediatrician.
The common child-related (in this case includes infants right up to 12-year olds) ailments are such as infant colic, indigestion, lack of appetite, teething, cold, flu and irritable bowel syndrome. The more serious ones are hyperactivity disorders, allergic reactions and asthma. Seeking medical advice from paediatricians for treating their children should always be the main priority (besides consulting your mother or
mother-in-law for housewife's remedies). Often, modern medications can help in treating various child-related ailments. Besides, there are also some herbs that can serve as alternative treatment options.
Now, why don't we take a peep of what kind of herbs that can be useful to help ease your (in reference to the parents here) woes?
Star anise (Illicium verum)
Not to be confused with anise (Pimpinella anisum), star anise can be found in the tropics and sub-tropics. Its dried fruits are often used to treat colic and indigestion among children.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Not star anise but just anise. It is native to Mediterranean. Its seeds are good for indigestion and help to relieve flatulence. Anise is traditionally used for treating colic among children.
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
The mere mention of this herb springs up the word chamomile tea. One of the most popular herb around, besides Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile syn. Anthemis nobilis), an infusion tea of German chamomile flowers can be given to children to help calm down their nerves and promote sleeping (Foster and Johnson, 2000). Children are also given this herb's infusion to ease teething complaints. Yet, some are against using chamomile for children. As always, consult your paediatrician.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
A popular expectorant and herb found in most European culinary, fennel seeds (star anise and anise likewise) are used for enhancing good digestion. Other digestive-related complaints among children like flatulence and stomach bloating can also benefit from the intake of fennel seeds. Besides, its infusion can be given to babies to treat baby colic.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Generally used to treat digestive problems due to its anti-spasmodic properties, its usage has been approved by the German Commission E to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (Charrois et. al., 2006)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Used widely in culinary dishes (not to forget in kids' favourite cookie; Gingerbread), ginger can help in promoting good digestion, treat flatulence and nausea. Ginger can be taken as a tea infusion or in the form of dried ginger snacks to appeal the kids more.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Branded as the herb for brains, Ginkgo is also used in herbal treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The common stimulant medications usually prescribed to children with ADHD. About 30 percent of children and adolescent may not respond to these medications as well as not being able to cope with the potential side effects (Noorbala and Akhondzadeh, 2006). Thus, this herb's extract, when combined with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) can be an alternative for stimulant medications. A preliminary study conducted in 2001 on ginkgo has shown to treat ADHD-related symptoms and of course, more intensive research of its effectiveness should be accompanied (Lyon et. al., 2001).
Continue (Continium readare)
For your information, this is not a herb, but just merely a SUBTITLE to ask you to keep reading. Well, after reading the above, we must not take for granted that giving herbs to children as part of their health care is a breeze. We do have to remember that physiologically, they are not similar with adults, in terms of herbs' effect, its consumption and applications. Reason being is that children's body systems have not fully mature. Thus, tolerance and reaction towards herbal remedies and herbal
medications would be different. As a rule of thumb, the dosage given to them should not be exceeding the recommended dosage. In fact, it has been recommended that the dosage should be at the lowest dosage (between one-third and one-fourth of the
adult dosage). Besides, herbal product in the form of alcohol-tinctures (herbal extract), teas, liquid glycerites, lozenges, capsules and tablets will dictate the form of dosage administrations in children. It is best that parents to seek the advice of paediatricians when wanting to give herbal products to children.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Branded as the herb for brains, Ginkgo is also used in herbal treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The common stimulant medications usually prescribed to children with ADHD. About 30 percent of children and adolescent may not respond to these medications as well as not being able to cope with the potential side effects (Noorbala and Akhondzadeh, 2006). Thus, this herb's extract, when combined with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) can be an alternative for stimulant medications. A preliminary study conducted in 2001 on ginkgo has shown to treat ADHD-related symptoms and of course, more intensive research of its effectiveness should be accompanied (Lyon et. al., 2001).
Continue (Continium readare)
For your information, this is not a herb, but just merely a SUBTITLE to ask you to keep reading. Well, after reading the above, we must not take for granted that giving herbs to children as part of their health care is a breeze. We do have to remember that physiologically, they are not similar with adults, in terms of herbs' effect, its consumption and applications. Reason being is that children's body systems have not fully mature. Thus, tolerance and reaction towards herbal remedies and herbal
medications would be different. As a rule of thumb, the dosage given to them should not be exceeding the recommended dosage. In fact, it has been recommended that the dosage should be at the lowest dosage (between one-third and one-fourth of the
adult dosage). Besides, herbal product in the form of alcohol-tinctures (herbal extract), teas, liquid glycerites, lozenges, capsules and tablets will dictate the form of dosage administrations in children. It is best that parents to seek the advice of paediatricians when wanting to give herbal products to children.
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