Some people prefer using herbal remedies over conventional medicines to treat acute ailments in children. When used according to directions, herbal remedies are gentle and may be effective in resolving a variety of ailments. In many cases, herbal remedies are less expensive than conventional medicines and are available without prescription. Because herbs can cause side effects, always consult a health practitioner familiar with their use before using herbs to treat children.
Garlic
Because of its antibacterial properties, garlic makes an excellent remedy when mixed with vegetable oil for the treatment of earaches. Garlic oil has been used for centuries to relieve ear pain in children and adults. Have your child lie with his painful ear pointing toward the ceiling. Place a few drops of warm garlic oil in the painful ear followed by a piece of cotton. Tell your child to remain in that position for about 10 minutes to allow the oil to penetrate the ear and not flow out. Repeat on the other ear if necessary. Always store leftover garlic oil in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of botulism spores. Heat to body temperature before using in the ears. Do not place liquids into an ear if you think there may be a broken eardrum.
Parsley
Fresh parsley can be mashed into a paste and made into a poultice to apply to insect stings, according to the El Paso Community College newsletter "Borderlands." It possesses compounds that removes the venom from the site of the sting and soothes the skin, reducing redness and inflammation. Use the leaves of a fresh parsley plant. Dried parsley will not work for this remedy.
Cinnamon
Germany's Commission E, similar to the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S., has approved the use of cinnamon for the treatment of intestinal spasms in infants, according to the University of California San Diego Complementary Medicine website. Colic is caused by trapped gas and the resulting spasms, which may be relieved by using cinnamon as an herbal tea. Some people are allergic to cinnamon and may develop a rash or mouth inflammation. Use only small doses of cinnamon tea for your infant until you are sure she does not react to it. Only administer cinnamon tea to infants under the supervision of a qualified herbal practitioner familiar with its use.
Onions
Onions contain compounds that make them suitable for use for the treatment of coughing, according to Phyllis Balch in "Prescription for Herbal Healing." Slice an onion and restack the slices in a bowl, alternating each slice with a layer of brown sugar. Cover and allow the bowl to sit overnight. In the morning, the onion and brown sugar will have formed a sweet syrup that can be used to relieve coughs in children and adults. Sweet syrups soothe away a tickle in the throat that triggers coughing.
References
- University of California San Diego: Complementary Medicine: Colic
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Garlic
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
- El Paso Community College; Borderlands; Food, Spices Double as Folk Cures; Robbie Fields; 1991
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