Just as in adults and in aged persons,It’s just not good enough any more to insist that a child eats their veges! Using culinary herbs regularly in your cooking is one way of getting some health back into your meals. Also regular use of herbal teas in the home, is another way to get the vitamins that a child needs into them. Regular use of herbs in the home will help your child develop their immune system that is so essential to fight off all the childhood aches and pains that will occur. Always remember that an ounce of prevention is worth much more than a pound of cure! No childhood would be complete without runny noses, coughs aches, pains and skinned knees and elbows. Some experts have calculated that kids under six with immature immune systems and regular contact with other kids catch approximately 7 colds a year! Usually such bouts last three to five days.
According to some doctors, all a traditional practitioner can do is treat symptoms and wait for the cold or flu to run its course. Treatment will include a cough suppressant, a decongestant, antihistamines to dry out the nasal passages, and an analgesic. Sometimes these drugs have side effects.
Natural medicine involves a different approach, using herbs vitamins and other nature based remedies to assist the body rid itself of the offending virus, and soothe some symptoms. Many doctors now caution parents against using antihistamines and decongestants. Dr Bob Roundtree from Colorado suggests that these drugs, and over the counter remedies, can actually perpetuate symptoms and interfere with healing. Roundtree recommends giving children a combination of herbs and vitamins, which will boost the immune system, and make the child more comfortable during the course of the illness.
He goes on to recommend giving the child lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, and for elimination of mucus. He recommends several herbal teas, including chamomile, ginger tea, and sage tea. He also recommends avoiding dairy products during the illness.
For fevers, he recommends plenty of fluids, vitamin C, and a combination of echinacea and golden seal to help fight underlying infection. To alleviate chills and increase perspiration, a herbal tea with equal parts of the following, lemon balm leaf, chamomile flower, peppermint leaf, licorice root, and elder flower. Lots of ginger tea is good also, according to Roundtree. Dr Henry Hochenburg, a holistic family physician from Washington suggests that parents interested in using natural remedies should examine their own belief systems before seeking treatment for children. He says parents can get into trouble when they have a rigid mindset, either demanding antibiotics for every childhood malady, or categorically refusing them. He says parents should keep an open mind about treatment options, and build a trusting relationship with their child’s doctor.
When treating a child with herbs, it is important to base dosages on the child’s age, weight and condition. Seek the advice of a duly qualified and registered medical practitioner before attempting to cure an illness with herbs only. Herbs work well with traditional medicine, and provide relief from symptoms. While Roundtree states that alternative medicine is safe and effective for many common childhood aches and pains, if any parent thinks something serious in happening they must contact a conventional doctor. In the final analysis all parents must make their own decisions regarding their children’s care. Share with your doctor what you are doing, and what you have found to be effective. Parents who use alternative approaches can take comfort in the fact that they are really helping their children get better. By doing more than just administering pills, parents who brew teas, cook up cough medicines, bathe fevered children, and give regular doses of herbal remedies, are teaching their children the time honored lessons in healing and caring.
|
