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The most important factor in
dealing with any illness, whether acute or chronic, is
diet. A proper diet goes a long way
to alleviating problems and illnesses that stem from inadequate
nutrition. Were you aware that medical studies are proving that diet
can profoundly affect illness in children? It has also been proven
that a lot of dietary factors are responsible for worsening such
problems as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, asthma,
and others. A child who is getting what his or her body needs
through good nutrition is going to develop more normally, be less
prone to illness, and the duration of common illnesses is shortened.
Remember too that our children today
are under a lot of stress, just as
us adults are. Peer pressures, pressures in the classroom, dealing
with separation anxieties and broken marriages are just some of the
things creating stressful situations for our youngsters. This stress
can manifest itself in many mysterious physical and mental ailments.
Teaching your children when young how to meditate and relax is an
important building block for their young lives, and is a useful tool
that they will carry with them through adulthood.
Anxiety, Stress,
Excitability
Externally, these problems can be alleviated
with a warm herbal bath at bedtime. Combine a handful of lavendar
and a handful of chamomile in one quart of water. Bring to a boil,
cover, and let steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, then add the
liquid to a warm bath for the child. This is good for colicky
infants as well. Allow the child to bathe and relax in the warm
water. Internally, a cup of the infusion of chamomile and/or
scullcap can be very beneficial and calming.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox usually strikes in young
children, but older ones do get it as well. To relieve the itching
that usually makes the pox so unbearable, you can make a decoction
of chickweed, comfrey, and rosemary. Apply the warm mixture with a
clean cloth. Don't rub, as this will irritate the sores and can
cause them to leave scars, but gently pat the solution on. Allow to
air dry. This can be applied several times per day to relieve the
itching. Internally, the child may benefit from a mild infusion of
echinacea, catnip, chickweed, and yarrow. After the illness, and
after any illness, the child's digestive system will benefit from
acidophilus, or a cup of yogurt, to aid getting the beneficial
bacteria in the digestive system back in balance.
Colds
Most of the same herbs used to treat colds in
adults can also treat colds in children. You will want to reduce the
dosages, however, or make milder infusions than normal. Steam or
inhalant therapy can also help, using essential oils of lavendar,
tea tree, eucalyptus, and/or peppermint. Make sure the child is
getting plenty of vitamin C in their daily diet for the duration of
the cold.
Colic
Colic is torture for the baby and the parent.
There are easy ways to alleviate the problem, however. Give the baby
a small amount of peppermint, chamomile, or catnip infusion in a
bottle at the first sign of distress. It also helps to give the baby
a warm bath that has lavendar essential oil added. The vapors have a
calming, soothing affect on baby and parent. Breastfeeding mothers
will want to add some fennel to their diet for a couple of days to
help alleviate the colic.
Cough
Coughs in children are common, and usually
accompany many of the normal childhood illnesses. A cough that
continues for several days, or increases in severity, should be
immediately checked by a physician to rule out other diseases. A
mild infusion of mullein and coltsfoot usually helps the mild cough.
Horehound and/or ginger can be added if a stronger combination is
needed for older children. The child can also benefit from chest
rubs of tea tree oil or peppermint oil. Both should be diluted in
olive or sesame oil, and remember to do a patch test first to
determine sensitivity. Inhaling the vapors of the essential oil of
lavendar, and/or a warm bath that includes lavendar oil, can also
help clear a cough. Cut back or eliminate dairy products in children
that have a lot of mucous with their coughs, as dairy often adds to
the production of mucous.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap usually appears in the first
month of an infant's life. Make a decoction of calendula and comfrey
root. Rinse the baby's head with the warm solution each night,
allowing it to air dry on the scalp. It may take a few days for this
to clear up the problem. You can also massage olive oil into the
scalp each night, washing it away thoroughly with a mild soap and
water each morning. Leaving the oil on the scalp continually can
actually increase the problem.
Diaper Rash
This is a common problem that is easy
to deal with. It is usually caused by irritating diapers, prolonged
contact with wet or dirty diapers, or even a reaction to the soap
used to wash cotton diapers. Some foods and juices ingested by the
infant can raise acid levels in the urine and stool, causing a skin
reaction. Wash the baby thoroughly and dry thoroughly at each diaper
change. Use plain mild soap and water, as some of those baby wipes
can irritate, due to the chemicals in them. Leaving the diaper off
for a while each change can also help clear up the rash. You can
apply a cream made of calendula
and/or aloe vera. You can also add to that mixture comfrey and/or
chickweed. Remember that problem will not go away with herbs alone.
You also need to determine the cause and eliminate it.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can cause dehydration rapidly in
small infants and very young children. It can be treated with a mild
infusion of meadowsweet, rosemary, and/or red raspberry. If diarrhea
continues for more than three days, or is accompanied by blood in
the stool, or severe cramping, seek emergency medical care
immediately.
Hyperactivity, ADD
There is strong evidence that
chemicals such as heavy metal pollutants, dietary allergies such as
to wheat, corn, dairy, etc., and artificial colorings,
preservatives, or flavorings, play a role in these problems. As
such, you will want to treat by supporting both the nervous system
and the liver, aiding in detoxification. A treatment plan should
consist of chamomile, gotu kola, scullcap, red clover, milk thistle,
and gingko biloba. A daily supplement of flax seed and/or grape seed
oil has also shown to be beneficial. The herbal bath above can help,
as well as inhaling or massaging with a calming essential oil such
as lavendar. And most important, look at changing the diet to one
that supports the body. Natural diet is best. Eliminate foods that
could cause an allergic reaction, and add them back to the diet one
at a time, watching for any changes in the child's behavior. Be sure
the child gets adequate amounts of zinc and B-complex vitamins as
well.
Influenza
Flu can be treated internally with
boneset, fenugreek, peppermint, echinacea, and mullein. Eucalyptus
or tea tree oil can be inhaled to open blocked sinus passages, or
rubbed on the chest to help open the bronchial tubes. Additional
vitamin C and zinc are also beneficial.
Lice
Lice can be treated by placing drops of tea
tree oil on a fine toothed comb, and comb the hair thoroughly every
day for two weeks. Wash the hair nightly with a mild shampoo that
has oil of thyme and tea tree oil added. Alternatively, you can mix
together 4 cups of apple cider vinegar, 4 cups of water, 1/2 ounce
oil of thyme; use nightly as a shampoo.
Measles
Measles is usually treated herbally in the
same manner as chicken pox. Eye strain and discomfort is common with
the measles, so keep the child in a darkened room. A mild infusion
of eyebright may be used to ease discomfort in the eyes. This can be
used as a wash for the older child, or for young children you can
soak a clean cloth in the eyebright infusion and apply as an
external compress over the eyes.
Mumps
Mumps can be treated internally with a
combination of echinacea, clover, chamomile, and peppermint.
Externally, fresh chopped ginger applied as a compress can alleviate
the pain of the swelling. Gentle massage of the swollen areas with
chamomile oil is also beneficial. Inhaling eucalyptus oil also
helps.
Teething
Teething pain can be soothed by giving a
chamomile and/or lemon balm infusion internally. Mix a teaspoon of
powdered slippery elm bark with a little water to make a paste, and
rub it gently on the gums.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis can be treated with
echinacea, mullein, chamomile, and sage internally. A gargle of salt
water, honey and lemon (if the child is over the age of three), or
sage infusion can greatly ease the
discomfort. |
