Did you know that most people attribute their desire to live more naturally and healthily to having children? It’s true! This month’s Herbal Education post fits perfectly with that theme as it’s all about children and using herbs with them!
Today, I’ll be sharing an overview of what’s taught in the 10th and last unit of the Online Intermediate Herbal Course at the Herbal Academy as well as 3 key takeaways and an herbal formula for Gripe Water in case you need it for a colicky baby at some point.
Herbs for Children
What I Studied
The tenth unit of The Online Intermediate Herbal Course is all about herbs for children, and it covers some of the following topics.
- common childhood ailments
- herbal safety and dosing for children
- herbs to avoid in children and breastfeeding
- formulas and recipes for children
- children’s materia medica
- brief overview of the legality of herbalism
Interesting Things I Learned
Below you’ll find 3 things that stood out to me most about this unit of study in HA’s Intermediate Herbal Course.
- When a child has a cold, ear ache, or other condition where fluids are stagnant in the body, it’s important to use lymphatic herbs in the herbal protocol you’re using with them. This is because lymphatic herbs help to remove waste from the body and bring fresh immune cells to the area, and they also play a role in getting those stagnant fluids moving.
- I also learned about the importance of relaxing and nervine herbs for children. Most times I reserve chamomile to help with a good nights sleep or to help my baby through teething, but I didn’t realize how often we parents can, and should, use these kinds of herbs with our children during situations that are stressful to them. It’s easy to see beyond their stress as an adult, but we must remember that they’re children and don’t understand what we do. These types of herbs can really help them as well as a tight hug and some time talking things through.
- One of the best ways to dose herbs for children is by titrating the dose. Standardized extracts can often times be too strong or concentrated and most dosage recommendations are for adults, not children. Following children’s dosaging formulas, starting with small dosages, and working your way up is the safest, most effective way of determining dosage for our little buddies.
A Recipe To Share
The following is a formula for Gripe Water (adapted from HA) that you can make if you or a friend is expecting a new baby and you want to have something on hand to help in case they need something to calm colic or upset tummies down during those first few months.
Gripe Water
Ingredients:
- 1 TBSP. fennel
- 1 TBSP. lemon balm (optional)
- 1 TBSP. blackthorn (optional)
- 1 TBSP. aloe (optional)
- 1 TBSP. caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 TBSP. cardamom (optional)
- 1 TBSP. chamomile (optional)
- 1 tsp. dried ginger (optional)
- water
Directions:
- Start by decocting 1 TBSP. of fennel in 2 cups of water. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Next, chose any of the optional ingredients (or a combination of them) and steep in the finished fennel tea for an additional 5 minutes.
- Cool and store tea.
To Use: Dosing is recommended at 1/2 teaspoon every 15 minutes with a syringe dropper. You can also put 2 ounces of gripe water in a bottle and let baby drink it all at once. So there you have it! This is what is covered in the tenth unit of The Online Intermediate Herbal Course from the Herbal Academy.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this years series on Herbal Education at The Herbal Academy. I know I’ve sure enjoyed my time studying with them, and I look forward to sharing more advanced herbal studies with you as well! Be sure you check out HA’s online herbal programs, introductory, intermediate, and advanced if you’re interested in getting an herbal education that is convenient, affordable, scientific based, and will meet you wherever you’re at!