Supporting your Child’s Health…
Healthy Digest
Fennel, peppermint, catnip, ginger, glycerin
…with Herbs: Safe Herbal Remedies for the Whole Family
As a parent, keeping your child healthy and happy is a top priority. When it comes to supporting your child’s health naturally, herbs offer a gentle and effective way to help with common issues like digestion, sleep, and stress. Whether you’re dealing with occasional tummy troubles or helping your child wind down after a busy day, family-friendly herbs can be a great addition to your home wellness routine.
In this post, we’ll explore safe and effective herbal remedies for children, including fennel, peppermint, and catnip. These herbs, featured in formulas like my Healthy Digest glycerite, offer gentle support for digestion and calm, helping to keep your little ones feeling their best.
Why Use Herbs for Children?
Herbs have been used for centuries to support children’s health in a safe, natural way. Unlike some conventional medicines, herbs are gentle and tend to have fewer side effects, making them a great choice for addressing mild health concerns in children.
That said, not all herbs are suitable for children, and it’s important to choose the right ones along with the appropriate dosage. In general, herbs that are soothing, mild, and supportive of digestion and calm are ideal for kids. Let’s dive into some of the most effective family-friendly herbs that you can incorporate into your child’s wellness routine.
Family-Friendly Herbs for Digestion and Calm
1. Fennel: Gentle Support for Digestion
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a wonderful herb for soothing digestive issues in both children and adults. Its sweet, licorice-like flavor makes it a hit with kids, and its mild action on the digestive system helps ease common complaints like gas, bloating, and indigestion.
How It Helps: Fennel seeds contain compounds that relax the muscles in the digestive tract, helping to relieve gas and bloating. It’s also useful for easing stomach cramps and supporting overall digestive function.
How to Use: Fennel can be made into a gentle tea, or you can use it in a glycerite formula like my Healthy Digest, which is specifically designed for children’s digestion.
2. Peppermint: Cooling Relief for Upset Stomachs
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is another excellent herb for digestion. Known for its cooling, soothing properties, peppermint can help relieve nausea, indigestion, and stomach cramps. Its refreshing flavor is also a hit with kids, making it a go-to herb for tummy troubles.
How It Helps: Peppermint contains menthol, a compound that helps to relax the muscles of the digestive tract, reducing cramping and nausea. It also stimulates bile production, which can aid in digestion.
How to Use: Peppermint tea is a simple and effective remedy for an upset stomach. For kids, glycerites like Healthy Digest that include peppermint are a convenient option, providing all the benefits in a kid-friendly, alcohol-free formula, but a yummy peppermint tea is an easy way to enjoy the benefits of peppermint as well!
3. Catnip: Calming and Digestive Support for Children
While many people think of catnip (Nepeta cataria) as an herb for cats, it’s actually a fantastic remedy for kids! Catnip is known for its calming effects on the nervous system and its ability to support healthy digestion.
How It Helps: Catnip helps to calm the nervous system, making it a great choice for children who are feeling anxious or overstimulated. It also supports digestion by soothing the stomach and relieving gas, making it a perfect herb for children who tend to get stomachaches when they’re upset or stressed.
How to Use: Catnip tea is a gentle way to help children relax, especially in the evening. It’s also included in my Healthy Digest glycerite, which is designed to soothe both digestive and nervous system concerns.
Tips for Using Herbs with Children
1. Start with Small Doses: Children don’t need as much as adults to feel the effects of herbs. Always start with smaller doses and adjust as needed based on your child’s response.
2. Choose Glycerites or Teas: Glycerites (herbal extracts made with vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol) are a great option for children because they taste sweet and are gentle on the body. Herbal teas are also a safe and effective way to deliver the benefits of herbs to your child.
3. Use Herbs as Needed: While herbs can be taken daily as part of a wellness routine, it’s also fine to use them as needed. For example, you can give your child a dose of Healthy Digest glycerite when they’re experiencing stomach discomfort or a cup of soothing tea when they need help winding down at bedtime.
4. Watch for Allergies: Always keep an eye out for any allergic reactions when introducing new herbs to your child. If your child has a known allergy to any plant family, it’s best to avoid herbs from that family.
Other Family-Friendly Herbal Remedies
In addition to Healthy Digest, there are other herbal remedies you can incorporate into your child’s health routine to support overall wellness:
Sleepy & Calm Glycerite: For children who have trouble winding down at night, my Sleepy & Calm glycerite combines skullcap, chamomile, lemon balm, and catnip to help your child relax and get a restful night’s sleep.
Herbal Teas: Gentle teas made with chamomile, lemon balm, or catnip can be a soothing bedtime ritual for your child. They support relaxation and help ease nervous tension.
Immune-Boosting Formulas:* During cold and flu season, herbal formulas like Elderberry Concentrate or oxymels such as Fire Berry can help strengthen your child’s immune system naturally.
Herbs offer a safe, natural, and effective way to support your child’s health. Whether you’re looking to soothe digestive issues, promote relaxation, or simply keep your child healthy, family-friendly herbs like fennel, peppermint, and catnip can be powerful allies.
If you’re interested in learning more about how herbs can support your family’s wellness or would like to try my Family Friendly glycerites for your child, reach out for a consultation or explore my range herbal formulas. Together, we can create a personalized herbal plan to help your family thrive!