middle of the night? At times, medications are warranted, says McClafferty, particularly in the case of strep throat, which can lead to serious health problems when left unchecked. But routinely medicating away symptoms can interfere with the body’s natural protective mechanisms, McClafferty says. For instance, cough medicine can inhibit the body’s natural effort to clear mucous from the lungs, prolonging congestion; also, suppressing mild fevers with drugs can sabotage the body’s own defense against infection. “Even the conventional medical world has begun to focus on this. They are realizing many of these drugs are not very effective and they can cause toxicity in young patients,” says Matthew Baral, a doctor of naturopathy and president of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians. For example, according to a 2011 review in the online journal of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatri- cians, antihistamines can lead to sedation, constipation, drying of the mucous membranes and at higher doses, hallucinations in kids. Decongestants can increase heart rate and lead to “rebound congestion,” or a worsening of symptoms after a child stops taking the drugs. Proton-pump inhibitors, approved in 2008 for GERD in babies as young as 12 months, have been shown to boost levels of harmful intestinal bacteria and may increase fracture risk later in life, according to a study recently published in Annals of Family Medicine.
In 2008, the FDA advised that cough and cold medi- cine should not be used for children under 2, and called on companies to revise their dosage instructions to indicate this more clearly. In March, 2011, it went so far as to pull hun- dreds of prescription cold medications off the market, with FDA spokesperson Deborah M. Autor telling The New York Times that, “We don’t know what’s in them, whether they work properly or how they are made.” While McClafferty is pleased with the FDA’s recent actions, she remains leery, saying, “I approach all over-the-counter medications for children with great caution and rarely recommend their use.”
Here are some alternatives to try. Remember that many herbs have not been tested for safety specifically for children, so check with a health prac- titioner first.
Bug Bites
For quick relief, grate a potato or some leaves of plantain to create a poultice and place it on the spot of the bite. “It will draw off some of the itching and swelling,” says Baral. Don’t forget two of the lowest-tech and natural rem- edies, mud and ice.
Fever
“It’s important to know that most fevers don’t need to be treated unless
they are really bothering the child,” advises Sears. “Fever helps the body to fight off infection and may keep the child subdued so she can rest and recover.” He recommends tepid baths, cold cloths on the forehead, and calling the doctor if a fever persists for three days or if it rises above 103 degrees. Herbalist Brigitte Mars, author of The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, suggests diaphoretic herbs like peppermint, ginger and elderflower, in teas, which prompt perspiration and enable the body to cool down naturally.
Cough and Congestion
Apply an herbal vapor rub of menthol and tea tree oil to the bottom of the child’s feet and put their socks back on. The decongesting menthol vapor will help them to breathe and the antimicrobial properties of the tea tree oil will be absorbed through their skin, says Mars. For nasal deconges- tion, try irrigating the child’s nose with a cleansing neti pot. Sears recommends kid versions of herbal remedies Sinupret and Bronchipret
Diarrhea and Constipation
“Probiotics are the most extensively researched remedy we have out there for diarrhea,” says Baral. Studies in the journal Pediatrics have shown probiotics to shorten bouts of diarrhea in infants and school-age children, and prevent the onset of antibiotic-induced diarrhea in kids. Look for yogurt, powder or capsules containing 10 billion colony- forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus GG. Sears suggests the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) to quell di- arrhea. For constipation, reach for apricots, peaches, pears, plums and vitamin C.
Earache
Drop four drops of warm mullein garlic oil into the ear. Sears says the warm oil will calm the inflamed eardrum and the antibiotic in the garlic will get to work on the infection. Olive oil will work in a pinch.
Growing Pains
While it’s common for kids between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12 to complain of dull aches deep in their legs, there is little consensus about what causes them. Mars has found that it helps to supplement their diet with calcium and magnesium supplements in kid- friendly powdered form, or foods that contain these nutrients.
Heartburn
Deglycerrhizinated licorice (DGL), slippery elm and aloe all may be able to help soothe inflamed esophageal tissue, says Baral, “But they need to be given under a doctor’s supervi- sion.” Also take a hard look at dietary
natural awakenings August 2011 33
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