Article & Recipes: Herbal Child Care by Rosemary Gladstar

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine e-mailed this to me and I thought some of you might

enjoy it, so I am passing it along

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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Herbal Child Care

by Rosemary Gladstar

 

Not only do herbs serve as wonderful teachers for our children, but also

they 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 of their 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

one ounce of each of the following herbs. Store them in glass bottles

with tight fitting 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 their properties best if stored in airtight glass jars out

of direct light and in a cool storage area. It is important that you use

high quality herbs and store them properly for them to be effective.

 

 

Recipes for Childrens Products

I 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 Pillow

Create a very special sleep pillow to soothe your infant into a calm,

peaceful sleep. These herb pillows have proven helpful to children who

have trouble 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 cotton pillow. Use soft natural fabric for your pillow covering;

flannel is wonderful! Place near baby_head to help with a peaceful,

aromatic sleep.

 

 

Baby Bath Herbs

Use the following mixtures in the bath water. Place herbs in a cotton

cloth bag and allow to steep in the water. Use the fragrant herbal bag

for a wash cloth.

 

 

To Make:

1 part Roses

2 parts Chamomile

2 parts Calendula

1 part Lavender

2 parts Comfrey

Mix together and use about 1 small handful for each bath.

 

 

Baby Salve

This is my very favorite salve recipe for diaper rash, cuts and scrapes,

and irritated skin.

 

 

1 part Comfrey leaf

1 part Comfrey root

1 part St. Johns Wort flower

1 part Calendula flower

 

Steep 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

low heat, warm for 1 hour. Strain. To each cup of herbal oil, add 1/4

cup of beeswax. 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 for desired consistency by placing one tablespoon of the

mixture in the refrigerator 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. This salve does not need to be refrigerated and will last

for months (or years) if stored in a cool area.

 

Baby Powder

For an excellent daily baby powder mix the following ingredients

together:

 

2 parts White Clay (Available in natural food stores and ceramic supply

stores)

2 parts Arrow root powder

1/4 part Slippery Elm powder

1/4 part Comfrey root powder

 

Mix 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

essential oils and be certain it is non irritating to a child_sensitive

skin. Orange oil 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 Myrrh

powder, and 1/8 part Echinacea. Apply as a powder, or mix into a thin

paste and apply as a poultice to the rash.

 

Baby Oil

This is an excellent all purpose oil and is wonderful to rub on baby

after baths. It makes a great massage oil for babies also.

 

1 pint Apricot or Almond Oil

1/2 oz Roses

1 oz Chamomile

1/2 oz Comfrey

 

Mix herbs and oil together and let sit in a glass jar with tight fitting

lid for 2 weeks. In a double boiler, slowly warm the mixture over very

low heat for one hour. Strain and bottle. You may lightly scent with a

pure essential oil such as chamomile or orange oil.