Thursday, March 13, 2008
Children & Herbs
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Many children don't like to take herbal remedies. For most of them, herbs are unfamiliar and the fear of the unknown will keep them from wanting to take a sip from that steamy mug of tea or take the drops of tincture under the tounge. So, here are some tips that will help you to get your children on the road with you to better health and less medical intervention. #1. Stick with the more child friendly herbs that are less bitter and better tasting. These would include chamomile, rose hips, lemongrass, nettle, red clover, catnip, peppermint, lemon balm, licorice, oats, slippery elm, marsh mallow, elderflower & berry, ginger, and dill. Any other herbs that must be given can be disguised in a blend with some of these and in smaller amounts. The above herbs are safe for children and pose no threat of dangerous side effects. Keep in mind, this is only a partial list of the many wonderful herbs that are suitable for children. #2. Disguise tinctures in a glass of fresh apple, pear, or orange juice. #3. Make herbal tea popsicles by making a stong infusion of herbs and diluting it with 50% fresh fruit juice. Freeze these in molds until solid. #4. Make sweet syrups by making a very concentrated herbal infusion, simmer on the stove until it is thick and strong. Strain herbs out and add one cup of honey, maple syrup, vegetable glycerine, or fruit juice to each pint of liquid herbal infusion. Refrigerate for up to 2 months. #5. Give your children herbal baths. Wrap your herbs up in a cotton rag and tie the ends together to form a sort of "tea bag". Let the herbs simmer and brew in a very warm tub. You can also add one cup of sea salt or finely ground oats and let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes. If you can get them to sip on a cup of peppermint & chamomile tea while they are soaking, all the better! #6. Make herbal candy! Simply grind up some dried fruits in the food processor, add some honey and shredded coconut, and mix in your powdered herbs well. Roll these into balls and store in the refrigerator. Remember, if you begin giving your children herbs when they are very young, they will grow up liking them. Babies who are given sips of chamomile tea won't fight you when they are older. It is the same with other foods. My youngest son, Quinn, is the only one of my children who enjoys plain kefir because he has taken it since he was just a baby. The others still insist on mixing in a bit of honey. Train up a child in the way he should go... |
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