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WHAT ABOUT THE KIDDOS
Just like adults children have been using herbs since God created us. There are many ways to get children to take herbs, make teas into popsicles, gummies, jello, and smoothies. As long as you are not heating herbs beyond enough for steeping you can add to anything.
Tinctures for children? I’m on the yes bus. The amount given is not enough to do anything mentally or physically. I guarantee what you get from your doctor or the grocery store is much more damaging than 1-3 ml of vodka. Adding it to hot teas or water will burn some alcohol off and then you can make it into popsicles or whatever it is you are making. You can also make glycerites or oxymels, although getting a child to drink vinegar may not work especially if they are feeling off already.
As in adults, it is the same for children, we can come across a herb that does not agree with us. It is important to watch for signs, even though this list is very widely used for children, I will be adding to it in the future. Some herbalists like Rosemary Gladstar say all herbs are safe for children in the correct dose, I personally don’t go that far unless there’s an extreme situation. One way you can test a herb is a scratch test. If concerned take a small amount of the herb that has been tinctured or steeped in a tea and rub it on the inside of the bicep, and wait 24 hours for any negative reactions.
How to dose kiddos? Common ways Herbalists use to calculate dosage amounts.
The first is called “Clark’s rule” it is based on the weight of the child and assumes that the adult dosage is for a 150-pound adult.
For Clark’s rule take the weight of your child and divide it by 150.
For example, if your child weighs 32 pounds you would divide 32 by 150 = .213 so your dosage would be 1/5-1/4 of the adult dosage (White et al., 1998).
The second is “Young’s rule” it is based on age.
You add 12 to the child’s age and divide the child’s age by this number.
For example a 4-year-old child: 4+12 = 16, then divide 4 by 16 = .25 you then can calculate the fraction of the adult dosage to use. So here the dosage would be 1/4 of the adult dosage. (Gladstar, 2001).
Some of the Child-safe herbs for internal and external use.
Alfalfa Aloe Vera
Burdock Catnip
Chamomile Cinnamon
Dandelion Echinacea
Elderberry Garlic
Lavender Lemon Balm
Nettle Oat Tops
Peppermint Raspberry
Rose Stevia
Thyme Yarrow
Recipes
A great mellow-down treat.
Lemon balm 2 part
Elderberry 2 part
Stevia ½ part
Make a tea and freeze into popsicles or ice cubes and blend for a slushie consistency.
Teething
For a little one teething soak a washrag in Chamomile tea and freeze. Once frozen give to child to gum and suck on. Chamomile is an amazing herb with its properties as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative is perfect to calm a sore mouth.
Conjunctivitis or pink eye
1-3 drops of colloidal silver per eye every 4 hours.
Extra strength chamomile tea-soaked cotton balls placed on the eyes for 20 minutes for soothing and healing every 4 hours.
Eye wash with breast milk will work fantastic, every 4 hours.
Always use distilled water for eye treatments.
Cradle cap and body cream
Calendula oil 2 parts
Comfrey leaf oil 1 part (external only)
Cocoa butter 2 parts
Fresh Aloe vera gel 1 part
Melt cocoa butter and blend with calendula and comfrey-infused oils. Once thoroughly blended and cooled, mix in aloe with an immersion blender, you will end up with a creamy consistency. Store in an airtight, glass jar and keep in a cool area.
Baby powder
Arrowroot 2 part
White or Kaolin clay 1 part
Marshmallow root powder 1 part
Optional lavender essential oil, 5-10 drops per cup of finished product. Whisk in, and leave uncovered for 8 hours or overnight to allow EO to dry completely. Once dried whisk well and store in an airtight jar.