By our Founder and Herbalist, Adriana Ayales
For millennia, our ancestors have given kids herbs as a first line of prevention, and treatment for all sorts of ails. In fact, most of the well known herbs used today have been used on kids, though it’s all about dosage and harmonized formulations.
Many folks ask me, “How on Earth am I going to get my kid to drink herbs?” Well… it’s actually quite simple.
First and foremost, (trust me on this) kids LOVE herbs. From tea to iced tea, to herbal lemonades, to herbal elixirs, to herbal candy, and beyond. You can create all sorts of goodies for your kids that are super easy, fun and healthy for the whole family.
All the herbs below are delicious, mild tasting, and most importantly, safe. You can’t go wrong with most of these, and know that many of these friendly and soothing allies are actually quite powerful.
HERBS TO HELP WITH MILD ANXIETY + NERVOUSNESS
Most kids feel naturally nervous when going to school, especially now with new COVID-19 regulations, or feel generally tense due to social situations, or personal issues that might be happening at home.
If your kids are feeling tense, or are naturally anxious these are safe nervines (nervous system assistants) that are particularly helpful: Lemon Balm, Tulsi, American Skullcap, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Passionflower.*
These herbs are also great allies for nausea and motion sickness.
Nervousness Paired with An Ongoing Upset Belly
If your child experiences an ongoing upset stomach due to any kind of nervousness, Chamomile, Milky Oats, Lemon Balm, Catnip, Fennel and Ginger are great soothing allies. Using all or a couple of these consistently can greatly help calm an upset or distressed stomach and support digestion.
HERBS FOR COGNITION + ATTENTION
Do you have a child who just can't seem to pay attention? Though most kids are easily distracted, and seem to have only about a 30 second attention span, if you feel like your child could use a little extra boost to pull through their remote learning classes, these herbs might help.
To create a formula for your child keep in mind two aspects:
1. Calm nervousness (if there is any) with herbs like Passionflower, Oats, or Chamomile.
2. Use a cognitive booster that helps with attention, such as Gotu Kola, Tulsi, Lions Mane, or Mint. The mint family in general is known to boost attention span and memory!
HERBS TO SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Keeping children healthy is one of the most important and challenging goals for parents. There are quite a lot of gentle allies that are excellent for the immune system (like garlic!) and are absolutely safe for kids. A classic is Elderberry Syrup, as it’s an exquisite antioxidant-rich superfood that has been used traditionally for centuries for its immune supportive properties. Our particularly Black Elderberry Syrup is made with vegetable glycerin, and supportive antivirals that are also safe for kids, such as Skullcap baikal, Shiitake, Maitake, and Cordyceps. With potent elixirs such as this, we suggest diluting. (We recently reformulated it and would love to hear what you think!)
Medicinal mushrooms, like Reishi, are very safe for kids, and can easily be consumed in a wide variety of ways. I tend to make chai for my kids a few times a week, composed of powerful carminatives that soothe the digestive tract, like cinnamon, cardamom, and clove, combined with a little bit of reishi, or other mushrooms such as Cordyceps, for an added immune protective boost.
Echinacea is also safe year round, particularly during the change of seasons, or when the kids might come down with something. Our signature cold + flu tonic contains a potent blend of our two favorite Echinaceas: Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustufolia, along with supportive allies like ginger, garlic, boldo and more. This is a great blend for kids, and adults too!
Since this formula is extracted in organic alcohol (as well as organic Vegetable glycerin), we suggest evaporating the alcohol by adding this to a tea or hot water, if that’s something that concerns you. This goes for all tinctures or herbal extracts you might be considering for kids.
Are you looking for ways to raise conscious, mindful, socially aware children — even in today’s busy, chaotic, and complex world?
What if all children were equipped with the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual tools they need to meet the demands of their journey through life?
Do you sometimes feel like you’re alone on this journey… and you’d love to find a community of like-minded parents on the same path as you?
If so, this new free, online event is perfect for you…
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a powerful lineup of esteemed presenters, educators, and thought leaders —including Mona Delfino, Grandmother Flordemayo, Adriana Ayales, The Brothers Koren, and many others — who will support your parenting journey with conscious movement practices and music, guided meditations and uplifting teaching stories that point the way to what is possible.
During this unparalleled 5-day gathering, you’ll discover:
- Fun activities for children that double as mindful practices which benefit your whole family
- New ways to create meaningful connection with your kids
- Proven tips and skills to help your child cultivate courage, compassion, and resilience
- How the magic of myth can help your child make sense of the world
- How to harness the power of ritual to supercharge family routines
- Family-friendly music sessions from inspirational artists around the world
- Kids’ yoga you can do at home
- Simple techniques for helping children (and parents) manage and direct their energy
- Daily inspiration and opportunities to set clear intentions
- And much more…
