Are Your Kids
Getting Sick Too Often?
Week 4: My 3 Favourite
Immune Herbs
for Kids
Plants are medicines.
Here are 3 herbs that heal. You can buy them at your health food store in dried herb form to make a tea or as a liquid herb, ready to use.* Tea is a great way to take these herbs, so go to the end of this articles for some perfect tea tips.
1. Mullein
This herb has a soothing action that you desperately need when you have an irritable cough. When we have a cough or infection like bronchitis, the respiratory lining becomes inflamed and Mullein is called for. Another excellent herb for an irritated throat is marshmallow — yes, that’s a herb, not just confectionery!
Good for:
All coughs including irritable, tickly throats.
Bonuses:
Helps clear mucous.
2. Echinacea
Ever since the Native Americans used this herb to treat wounds, abscesses, insect bites and sore throats, it has been treasured. Today it is still a herb of choice in Australia, Europe and America for it’s gentle but effective action in overcoming infections.
Good for:
Children and adults getting sick too often.
Bonuses:
If you take a high quality echinacea with a high level of active constituents you will get a “tongue buzz” (unique, temporary tongue buzzing sensation) after taking it, particularly in tincture (alcohol extract form).
3. Thyme
I love this herb for all things respiratory!
It’s probably in your pantry already. It is strongly antiseptic and is great for sore throats and irritable coughs.
Good for:
Sore throats, coughs.
Bonuses:
Take it daily for several days and you will see that it gets rid of worms too!
Perfect tea tips
Brewing the herbs above into a warming cup of tea is one of my favourite ways to take them.
To make perfect tea:
- Boil filtered or spring water.
- Add about 1 teaspoon of each of the herbal teas to a teapot or into an infuser.
- Allow to steep for 10 minutes covered.
- Add honey if desired. (I don’t recommend honey for children under 12 months due to the small risk at this age of Clostridia.)
You can mix your prepared tea with a little fruit juice if your child will not drink it straight.
For a sore throat, once your tea has cooled you can use it as a gargle. Hey presto!
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Happy tea-sipping!
* Examples of good liquid herb formulas are Kiwiherb’s Organic “Children’s Cough and Chest Syrup” for ages 3+ and “De-Stuff For Kids” from newborn.
Larn Lau Bland is an independent Naturopath, and is not paid to endorse any brand or product. Larn’s practice, Natural Balance, is located Melbourne, Australia.
Header photo by Albert Comper Photography.
