Herbal Support for Children
There is an array of gentle herbs that can be incredibly supportive for children, particularly for calming anxiety and settling hyperactivity.
A guiding question for me when working with a child is, “how can we help them feel more at ease in their world?” How can plants, nutrition, and supplements be of potential support?
It is said that children are often very receptive to herbs because their emotional layers and walls are way less dense than those of adults.
Working with an herbalist is a wonderful way to figure out the herbs, herbal preparations, and doses that are indicated and appropriate for your child based on the particular ways you are hoping to support them.
An herbal consultation takes into consideration many facets of a child’s wellbeing, including nutrition, digestion, sleep, and immune system health. We really want to get an idea of the dynamics in their body and their environment that may be contributing to their symptom picture.
For example, irritants in the diet, as well as deficiencies in the diet, have been linked to various emotional and behavioral symptoms. The removal of an irritant or correcting a deficiency can have big impacts on a child.
So much of our psychological profile is engaged in an intimate relationship with our gut microbiome and digestive health. I do not think it is a coincidence that so many of the herbs that are useful for emotional support are also herbs that have various beneficial effects on the digestive system.
Some herbs that I use frequently within my herbal practice for children include:
Milky Oats (Avena sativa) - This is an herb that is food for the nervous system, as it is so nutrient-rich. Children who experience emotional lability, outbursts, who cry at the drop of a hat, or overall have very big reactions to small things may benefit from the support of this plant. It of course offers similar support to adults as well. Milky oats is an herb that is taken longer term to feel the full benefits. It is a slower acting remedy that is a tonic for the nervous system. The fresh tincture of this plant is the most potent medicine, and the drops can be added to water or mixed with a little juice to conceal the taste if needed.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - A child (or adult) who may benefit from chamomile usually has consistent patterns emerging emotionally as well as digestively, in particular an agitated or irritable state of restlessness and discomfort both mentally and physically. It is a gentle remedy for children with anxiety and hyperactivity. This is an herb that can be taken in the moments you need it for more immediate support (as opposed to an herb that has more of a cumulative effect when taken longer term such as milky oats). The tincture, tea, or glycerite of chamomile may be useful. Herbal ice pops (which are a mix of the tea preparation and unsweetened fruit juice) can be a nice delivery method, useful for both compliance and convenience.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) - Lemon balm is nice for calming agitated, overstimulated states. It is often referred to as a “gladdening herb,” that is gently uplifting for people of various ages. This is an herb that may also be helpful for children experiencing constipation, as lemon balm is an autonomic visceral relaxant, helping to release tension. The tea, tincture, or glycerite may be helpful preparations. Similar to chamomile, it’s also a great herbal tea to use for making ice pops.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - This is an effective herb for children who develop GI symptoms when they get upset. It can help ease pent up tension in the stomach arising from anxiety. A particular indication for catnip is for someone who internalizes their stress and tends to be under-expressive about it, whereas a child who is more vocal and expressive when distressed may benefit more from chamomile. Catnip can also be useful for hyperactive states accompanied by restlessness, irritation, and/or overwhelm.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) - Hawthorn is a gently calming herb for the nervous system. It is considered a specific remedy for children (or adults) whose mind wanders and cannot focus, for those lost in their imagination. Herbalist & Alchemist’s solid extract of the hawthorn berry can be very beneficial for children and adults who have difficulty sitting still, are fidgety, can’t stop talking, and find it difficult to concentrate. For an herbal preparation such as this one, compliance is generally excellent as it has a delicious taste! A small amount of the solid extract (~ ¼ teaspoon) is taken a couple of times per day.
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When working with any human being, there is individuality and nuance. When working with children that are struggling in their way of navigating the world, we can tread with care, compassion, and curiosity when seeking ways to support them. There are so many gentle, holistic tools at our disposal if we ourselves are open to them first.
If you’re interested in learning more about an herbal consultation for your child, please reach out.
The information discussed in this post is for educational purposes only. It is my hope that this information gives you something to consider and inspires you to research further. 🌿
Consulting with an herbalist is a wonderful way to discover the herbs and preparations that are indicated for your presenting concerns. An herbal protocol is personalized for you (or your child!) and includes detailed recommendations and sourcing information.