Common Herbs For Children

Here is a list of common herbs for children. While this is not intended to replace advise from your healthcare practitioner, you will want to know exactly which herbs for which age and how much to use. The list can help while shopping health food stores for herbal products. We want to know exactly what we're looking for after all.

Here are some common herbs and their health benefits for children:

• Aloe vera: heals burns and wounds (used externally).
• Arnica: good for bumps and bruises (used externally).
• Astragalus: builds strengthens the immune system.
• Calendula: soothes skin irritations, burns, diaper rash (used externally).
• California poppy: calming; used in children's nighttime formulas.
• Catnip: calming, digestive aid; used for colic, sleeplessness, minor fevers.
• Chamomile: a digestive aid and calming agent.
• Comfrey: good for skin irritations, inflammations (should not be taken internally).
• Echinacea: stimulates the immune system (best taken at the first signs of an illness).
• Fennel: digestive aid; used for stomachache, gas, colic.
• Feverfew: relieves fever and pain.
• Garlic: antiviral, immune support (best taken raw).
• Ginger: relieves nausea; anti-inflammatory.
• Hops: sedative; hops flowers placed in a pillowcase make a good sleep aid for restless children.
• Licorice: soothes sore throats, eases hay fever; antiviral.
• Marshmallow root: immune support; demulcent (soothes inflamed mucus membranes)
• Mullein: demulcent, expectorant; used for sore throats, coughs, asthma.
• Peppermint: warming, digestive, antiviral.
• St. John's Wort: antidepressant, antiviral; used externally on minor injuries and ear infections.
• Thyme: expectorant, antibacterial.
• Valerian: sedative; relieves insomnia, hyperactivity.
• Wild cherry bark: treats coughs; used in many cough syrups.
• Yarrow: anti-inflammatory, promotes sweating; relieves fevers, can be used in baths to relieve chicken pox or poison ivy.