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    • #48131
      A B
      Student

        Does anyone have any knowledge om herbs that shouldn’t be given to kids? A few herbs I have read that shouldn’t be given to kids are comfrey, lobelia, skullcap, and wormwood.

        A few herbs that were mentioned to use with caution was echinacea, ginseng, and st.johns wort because they can cause immune, bleeding, and cardiac issues. Licorice it said could increase blood pressure along with other issues.

        Can anyone help me out with any of this? I was very surprised about the echinachea. I just want to make sure I don’t give my children anything that could potentially cause them any harm.

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      • #48618
        Kelly Clemmer
        Student

          I also am interested in this! I never thought echinacea would be unsafe…I have given it to my kids. I have three littles of my own and friends with their own, we are all sharing herbal knowledge on how best to nurse our families through everyday sicknesses.

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        • #58496
          Sarah Miranda
          Student

            Wish Doc would chime in on this one.

          • #58745
            Bonnie Randall
            Student

              this is a really good question! i did a little research and echinacea had mixed reviews, but most said it was safe – but with all things in moderation… so now I’m a little confused. I just made elderberry syrup & muscle tested what to put in it and echinacea was approved lol… so I don’t know! i did see licorice root was in SMALL quantities & st johns wort was suggested to be avoided too.

              I found an article that was pretty helpful it said these ones aren’t recommended for kids: aconite, aristolochus, belladonna, blue cohosh, borage, broom, calamus, chaparral, coltsfoot, comfrey, germander, life root, lobelia, pennyroyal, poke root, sassafras, skullcap, tansy ragwort, and wormwood. Supplements that require extra caution and that should be discontinued prior to surgery include echinacea, ephedra, garlic, gingko, ginseng, kava, St. John’s wort, and valerian. Risks with these various supplements include cardiac and bleeding complications, as well as sedative effects.

              here’s a link to that article https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/herbs-are-helpful-use-caution-children

              that’s probably not super helpful as I’m just a student & have no practicing knowledge at this point… so I agree doc jones should comment on this.

              I also have 4 kiddos (6,7,9 & 10) and I’m about to make some tinctures all with friends with young kids! so we obviously don’t want to poison our littles!

              is there are way to tag doc on this post? there are so many posts that he probably can’t keep up with everything but this one seems important since so many of us have kids or grandkids we want to help feel better.

              • #62191
                tracy retter
                Student

                  I drank sassafras tea as a kid and had no issues.

                  I would like to go deeper with this also. My daughter in law wants to know what she can give my granddaughter to help her focus. and I would also like to know what else they can do to help her sleep. They’ve been giving her melatonin for a few years. When she is with us she doesn’t get it and we have no issues with her going to sleep, but we keep her busy outside. She helps with the flowers and the garden. So we just simply wear her out.

                  Tracy Retter

                • #62204
                  Michelle Higgs
                  Student

                    Yes It would be mos helpful to have an expert input . I have grandchildren. I have given my 5 year old grandson Echinacea glycerine 1/2 tsp, without any averse response. What age is considered safe?

                  • #62205
                    Michelle Higgs
                    Student

                      Yes It would be most helpful to have an expert input . I have grandchildren. I have given my 5 year old grandson Echinacea glycerine 1/2 tsp, without any averse response. What age is considered safe?

                  • #62192
                    Katherine Holton
                    Student

                      No one is just anything……..  You do your best, research and ASK Questions.  That is how we learn.  Getting together with a friend/s helps it sink in. 

                      Not bragging to much, but this is one of the best places to learn.  in Nursing school there is a saying  ” the only question is the one you didn’t ask”   Good luck learn lots and enjoy the experience along the way.

                      Katherine Holton

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