Herbal Child Care

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Herbal Child Careby Rosemary GladstarNot only do herbs serve as wonderful teachers for our children, but alsothey provide an effective gentle system of healing for them. Children are so

sensitive and respond naturally and quickly to the healing energy of herbs.Administered wisely, herbs do not upset the delicate ecological balance oftheir small bodies, as does much of modern medicine, but rather work in

harmony with their systems.If you have small children in your household, I suggest having on hand oneounce of each of the following herbs. Store them in glass bottles with tightfitting lids. Be sure to label the jars for it is almost impossible to

remember them all once they are neatly tucked away. Herbs will retain theirproperties best if stored in airtight glass jars out of direct light and ina cool storage area. It is important that you use high quality herbs and

store them properly for them to be effective.Recipes for Children's ProductsI wanted to share some of my favorite recipes for baby products with you.All are 100% natural and are easy and fun to make.

Sleep PillowCreate a very special sleep pillow to soothe your infant into a calm,peaceful sleep. These herb pillows have proven helpful to children who havetrouble sleeping deeply and restfully.To make: Mix equal amounts of chamomile, lavender, roses, and hops together.

Use about 4?6 ounces of herb per pillow and sew into an 8 x 8 inch cottonpillow. Use soft natural fabric for your pillow covering; flannel iswonderful! Place near baby_head to help with a peaceful, aromatic sleep.

Baby Bath HerbsUse the following mixtures in the bath water. Place herbs in a cotton clothbag and allow to steep in the water. Use the fragrant herbal bag for a washcloth.To Make:1 part Roses

2 parts Chamomile2 parts Calendula1 part Lavender2 parts ComfreyMix together and use about 1 small handful for each bath.Baby SalveThis is my very favorite salve recipe for diaper rash, cuts and scrapes, and

irritated skin.1 part Comfrey leaf1 part Comfrey root1 part St. Johns Wort flower1 part Calendula flowerSteep 2 oz of herb mixture in 1 pint of olive oil for two weeks. At the end

of two weeks, place mixture in a double boiler and slowly over VERY lowheat, warm for 1 hour. Strain. To each cup of herbal oil, add 1/4 cup ofbeeswax. Grate the beeswax and add to warm oil. You may need to warm the oil

a little longer to melt the beeswax. When the beeswax is melted, check fordesired consistency by placing one tablespoon of the mixture in therefrigerator for a few minutes. If the salve is too hard, add a little more

oil; if too soft, add a little more beeswax. Pour into a glass jar. Thissalve does not need to be refrigerated and will last for months (or years)if stored in a cool area.Baby PowderFor an excellent daily baby powder mix the following ingredients together:

2 parts White Clay (Available in natural food stores and ceramic supplystores)2 parts Arrow root powder1/4 part Slippery Elm powder1/4 part Comfrey root powderMix the powder together and place in a shaker bottle such as a spice jar.

You may wish to lightly scent your baby powder but use only pure essentialoils and be certain it is non irritating to a child_sensitive skin. Orangeoil is light and refreshing and often used as the scent for baby powders.

For diaper rash:To the above mixture, add 1/8 part Golden Seal powder, 1/8 part Myrrhpowder, and 1/8 part Echinacea. Apply as a powder, or mix into a thin pasteand apply as a poultice to the rash.

Baby OilThis is an excellent all purpose oil and is wonderful to rub on baby afterbaths. It makes a great massage oil for babies also.1 pint Apricot or Almond Oil1/2 oz Roses1 oz Chamomile1/2 oz Comfrey

Mix herbs and oil together and let sit in a glass jar with tight fitting lidfor 2 weeks. In a double boiler, slowly warm the mixture over very low heatfor one hour. Strain and bottle. You may lightly scent with a pure essential

oil such as chamomile or orange oil.-- Diana Gonzalez Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown