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 Natural Babycare
by Stephanie Berry
How
are your kids doing this season? Allergies? Cuts and scrapes?
Rashes? Tummy aches?Chances
are you saw a rash this year. I sure did. Luckily you can
reach into your herbal medicine cabinet and find a few remedies to get
you through.
ALLERGIES&
RASHES: If your child displays allergic symptoms(coughing,
sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose), try a few drops of fresh Echinacea
tincture in water for the 2+ crowd. If you are a breastfeeding
mom-simmer 1oz of the root in a quart of hot water and drink the 1/2 a
cup of tea up to 3 times a day. The properties will come through
in your breastmilk and help stimulate the
child's immune system and even prevent associated colds or ear
infections that can sometimes follow. Along with allergies this year, I
treated a viral rash that was going around. Echinacea and other
lymph cleansing herbs such as Cleavers will help move the rash out of
your child's system. Dosage depends on your child's size. Topically,
you can apply Calendula cream or try the Bach Rescue Remedy cream to
help relieve itching or pain from severe rashes.
CUTS
&SCRAPES: Bumps and bruises are a natural part of growing
up. Arnica oil can be used to rub on those owies
with no broken skin. Also try Yarrow or Plantain on cuts
or scrapes to stop bleeding and Comfrey to help the skin quicken the
healing process (Use Comfrey after 1 or 2 days to prevent trapped
infection). I especially like the Healfast salve from Wild
Spirit Botanicals
TUMMY
ACHES: Is your child having tummy troubles? Use fennel seeds-chew
them yourself (If breastfeeding) or administer them to children in what
is called a glycerite to help a gassy
stomach. Another option is chamomile tea,
it is soothing to the digestive tract, a gentle anti-inflammatory and
calms spasms. If your baby gets nausea, you can simmer ginger root for
20 minutes to make a soothing tea for nausea. Make sure to
consult with an herbalist about dosage.
When administering
herbs to babies and children, you can often use teas mixed into bottles
or even make herbal tea popsicles or jello
for older children. Many herbs are prepared in vegetable glycerin
for children or people with sensitivity to alcohol. You can find
preparations like gripe water for colic, fennel catnip glycerite for other tummy aches, and many of the
remedies mentioned in this article at Wild Spirit Botanicals
Gathering
fresh herbs from the garden or neighborhood to apply to wounds or use
as a tea is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon with your little one.
Spend an some time identifying plants close to
your home or go on a plant walk with your local herbalist, the kids
will probably like it too.
If you
are interested in taking a class about herbs for children and how to
prepare them. Check out the Wildflower
School's top 25
herbs and single classes we provide.
Stephanie
Berry is the Office and Apothecary Assistant for the Wildflower School
and Wild Spirit Botanicals and Bodywork. Stephanie has apprenticed with
Susun Weed and Nicole Telkes,
completing several hundred hours of training. She uses her
training to treat her daughter Kira and
continuing her studies in a doula
program. Stephanie
will be teaching a class this summer through the Wildflower School:
Herbs and Natural Bodycare
for Babies. This is a hands-on class for parents to
learn not only what remedies are safe and effective for use on
children, but how to make some basic remedies at home.
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