Article: Caring for Your Children Naturally this Cold and Flu Season

[Guest guest]

FYI ...

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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Caring for Your Children Naturally this Cold and Flu Season

By Sunny Mavor, Herbalist, AHG

 

http://herbsforkids.botlab.com/parents/caring.php

 

Imagine a night like this: it's 1 a.m., you've finally entered into a

much-needed deep sleep, and suddenly your 2-year-old awakens with the

most blood-curdling scream you've ever heard. You rush to her side,

only to find her crying inconsolably, tiny hands pulling on her ears.

You're bewildered as to how to relieve her pain. Does this sound all

too familiar?

How about this scenario: Your 5th-grade son returns home, sneezing,

from his swimming lesson with wet hair and a runny nose. How can you

prevent the inevitable cold from infecting his irritated sinuses?

It takes a host

Viruses and bacteria live everywhere, especially during the cold and

flu season. The microbes that cause colds and flu can exist in an

airborne state. These same viruses and bacteria can also inhabit

faucet handles, drinking fountains and school desks. In other words,

our children are exposed every day to infectious agents. If the

child's natural immune system is in its most effective state, the

germs will be less able to colonize and infect them.

According to Dr. W. Paul Glezen, head of the preventative medicine

section of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine

in Houston, even a normally healthy child generally has 5 - 7 colds

per year. In addition, the common cold or allergens cause excessive

mucus buildup and inflammation around the eustachian tube leading to

the ear. When the eustachian tube swells, many children come down

with a painful bacterial ear infection.

Preventive health care goals, then, include strengthening the child's

own immune system to prevent illness through a healthy diet low in

sugary foods, strong sleep patterns and attentive care with natural

medicines.

First defense is a purple flower

Often, the first medicinal herb parents learn to turn to for immune

support is Echinacea root. Botanically known as Echinacea purpurea,

this beautiful purple coneflower contains chemical constituents that

studies show stimulates the immune system's response to viral and

bacterial invaders. Echinacea can be used preventively to safely curb

minor illnesses, but there's a trick: you must use Echinacea

frequently in the first few days of a minor illness, and for several

days afterwards. Using herbs is not like using prescription

medications; once a day just isn't enough. Because most children's

herbs contain water soluble constituents, your child will need to

intake her herbal medicines once every 3 –4 hours to maintain

constant blood levels of the healing agents.

HOW TO USE CHILDREN'S LIQUID ECHINACEA EFFECTIVELY:

1. Use immediately at the first signs of illness

2. Use 4 –5 times per day, for 6 – 10 days

3. Follow label directions for dosage levels

4. If minor illness develops into serious discomfort, see your health

care provider

5. Purchase only from reputable natural foods stores. Herbs are very

sensitive to proper processing techiniques. Discount brands may not

provide the high quality of botanical constituents necessary to

ensure reliable results.

 

Don't think that Echinacea is the only herb available for supporting

children's immune systems --- far from it! One of the dozens of other

immune system activating herbs safe for children's use is Astragalus.

Astragalus shows antiviral activity, stimulates phagocytic activity

of macrophages, and stimulates other antiviral immune functions.1

Recent research done on the Traditional usage of

Astragalus membranaceus shows that it is effective when used

preventively against the common cold.2 Children can enjoy the sweet

taste of Astragalus root in a liquid glycerine extract. Dry

astragalus root can also be boiled in soups and grain dishes for an

additional immune enhancing effect. It is important to note that many

herbalists suggest curtailing the use of Astragalus during children's

fevers as it is believed that it could prolong a high temperature.

Other effective antiviral herbs for kids include Hyssop, Lemon Balm,

Lemon Thyme, Lemongrass and Ginger root; all have documented

antiviral activity. Since the vast majority of childhood illnesses

originate from viral infections, look for a good antiviral blend at

your natural foods store. Use these herbs regularly as teas or great-

tasting glycerine extracts during cold and flu to help your child's

body maintain its ability to fight off viral intruders.

Ear Infections – The #1 reason kids visit the doctor

Ear infections are at epidemic levels. Otitis Media (middle ear

infections) generally occur as a response to a viral, bacterial or

other type of respiratory infection.

Kids who suffer from chronic Otitis Media see the doctor many times

per year, and often consume dozens of antibiotic prescriptions over a

two- or three-year period. In a study done by the University of

Colorado, antibiotic prescriptions for Otitis Media ranged from $3.00

to over $60.00 each.3 Multiply that by the 4 – 6 ear infections some

kids get each year, add the cost of 4 – 6 trips to the doctor's

office, and we then have a three billion dollar annual national

health expense , with each ear infection costing parents between $60

to $100 in medical bills.

Antibiotics do serve a valuable purpose, but their use in ear

infections should be reserved for only the most serious cases, such

as those that include vomiting and high fevers . In the past, parents

often believed that pain relief from antihistamines and

decongestant's was necessary. However, research has shown these

medications are not helpful in relieving ear infections . Herbal

remedies can be of great assistance for decreasing the inflammation

of Otits Media. A good Echinacea and Oregon Grape Root herbal extract

for kids administered 3 – 4 times per day for several days can battle

the infection with antiviral and antibacterial activity. If a child

is already taking antibiotics, consult a practitioner before

combining their usages with herbal remedies.

But the most important aspect of ear infections that parents ask for

help healing is pain reduction. To quickly relieve acute pain,

parents can apply a few drops of warm herbal oil to each ear made

from Willow bark, Garlic or Mullein flowers directly into the ear

canal. This natural remedy can be enhanced with repeated applications

of warm washcloths to both ears. Of course, follow label instructions

on all herbal products, and do not administer if there is any

discharge from the ear, or if the child has previously received

implanted ear tubes. See your natural health care provider if your

child is in severe pain, has a high fever, is vomiting and for an

accurate diagnosis.

Healthy sleep prevents colds and flu – it's more than a bedtime story

One of the greatest detractors from health is one of the least

obvious: a full night's rest. While it may sound simple, in daily

family life it can be downright difficult to get the kids to bed on

time. After an exciting day, some kids just aren't sleepy at the

right time. Other kids nod off easily, but can't sleep through the

night. Some children regularly wake up in the wee hours, seeking the

warmth and comfort of mom and dad's bed. Or sometimes, the burden

lies with the adults' reluctance to enforce strict bedtimes. Either

way, millions of children and teenagers wake up without completing a

full night of sound sleep cycles making for cranky kids and extra-

tired parents.

Fortunately, herbal remedies excel in this department. For young

children (under the age of six or so), one dose of a non-alcohol

liquid Chamomile extract 20 minutes before bedtime can provide just

enough nerve-soothing, lightly sleep-inducing effects to ensure a

full night's rest. For older children or those who need an extra

boost, look for an alcohol-free Valerian extract at your favorite

natural foods store. Valerian is a safe and effective sedative with

reliable results for most kids. Many parents have applauded its use

on long airplane trips, too.

Other herbs to help active kids sleep include Lemon Balm,

Passionflower, Hops and Skullcap. You'll find that the easiest and

best-tasting way to administer these herbs is in a glycerine-based

extract formula.

Supporting a healthy respiratory system: dry or wet cough?

Sometimes, a child's minor viral illness develops into a tough cough.

Children's coughs can fall into several categories, but for herbal

purposes, you'll want to choose a remedy that supports the healing of

either a dry cough or a wet cough.

Dry coughs in kids need to be treated with moistening antiviral and

antibacterial herbs. Instead of using over-the-counter artificially

colored syrups to suppress the body's natural urge to cough, choose

an herbal product that includes safe and effective herbs to moisten

an irritated throat. Botanical medicines to look for in a children's

cough-relieving formula for dry, tickly throat irritations include

Cherry bark, Thyme, Mullein, Pleurisy root and the antibacterial

Oregon Grape Root. Continue using your favorite children's Echinacea

product as well, as research shows Echinacea can reduce the duration

and severity of respiratory symptoms.

Some of the longest-lasting children's coughs tend to lodge in the

lungs and provoke a deep, moist cough for several days. In this case,

the goals in natural therapy include fighting infection, providing

deep, healing sleep and encouraging the body's natural tendency to

expectorate excess mucus. Herbs for children's moist, deep coughs

include Horehound, Mullein, Astragalus, Garden Sage and Oregon Grape

root. A formula containing these herbs will lightly stimulate

coughing to rid the lungs of excess mucus, and will provide

antiviral/antibacterial activity to fight infection.

Keep the child's lungs actively pumping the moisture out with warm

drinks and gentle chest rubs with a mild mentholated salve. As with

all home treatments, be sure to consult your health care provider if

your child exhibits a high fever, severe fatigue or a slow recovery.

Safety issues with children's herbal medicines

Parents who are new to the world of herbal medicine often have a few

sensible concerns about the safe use of them. To alleviate these

concerns, shop at a natural foods store with a well-educated staff.

Have the staff help you select a brand of herbal medicine that's made

just for children. Do not try to use adult remedies on your children,

as a number of herbs that are appropriate for adults are

contraindicated for kids.

Herbal medicine has a long and safe history of use, documented by a

great deal of recent research in countries around the world. Of

course, not all herbs are safe for children all the time. But the

selection of children's herbal formulas at natural foods stores

contains only the safest, most effective remedies available. Always

follow package directions, and work with a qualified herbalist or

health care provider under serious circumstances.

References:

1 Pizzorno, J and Murray, M. Textbook of Natural Medicine, Vol. 1,

Churchill Livingstone, 1999.

2 Chang, HM, But PPH eds. Pharmacology and applications of Chinese

Materia Medica. Singapore: World Scientific. 1987: p 1041-46.

3 " Otitis Media-related Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns, Outcomes,

and Expenditures in a Pediatric Medicaid Population, " U.S. Agency for

Healthcare Research and Quality, http://www.ahcpr.gov

 

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Sunny Mavor has been involved in herbal medicine for over 20 years.

In 1990, Sunny founded Herbs for Kids, a company dedicated to

formulating safe, glycerin-based herbal extracts developed for the

gentle health needs of children. In 1999, she co-authored Kids, Herbs

and Health with Linda White, MD (Interweave Press, 1999) and is now

in private practice in Bozeman, Montana.

 

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For more information about the safe use of herbal medicine, contact:

American Herbalists Guild

(770) 751-6021

www.americanherbalistsguild.com

Herb Research Foundation

www.herbs.org

(303) 449-2265.

[Guest guest]

This article talks alot about glycerin based syrups. Where and how do I get

these.... or can I make them myself.

 

Karen J