Do you want to have the best chances of keeping your children healthy this winter?
Keep your kids healthy this winter – Naturally! Great! So, let’s get started. First off, we have to remember that what we are achieving is PREVENTION – why get sick and then start working on it? Why not do your best to prevent it in the first place? Well, if you already see the signs of sickess, get started immediately to minimize the duration of the illness.
Children generally react positively to herbs, relatively quickly and with minimal to no side effects. For cases where the doctor usually prescribes Tylenol, herbs can easily be utilized to take care of the situation. Not only will the herb clear up the mild illness but the illness may likely return less often and with less severity in the future. Plus, remember that the herb also has less potential side effects and causes less damage to the internal organ systems within the body.
Without further ado, here is a list of herbs which you can safely administer to your children this and every winter!
Stevia
This is a plant based, natural sweetener and alternative to sugar. Sugars (including those naturally found in fruits) suppress the immune system by raising the insulin level within the body and thus inhibiting the release of certain growth hormones. An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body’s blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin which the body uses to keep the blood-sugar at a safe, constant level. Besides supressing the immune system, sugar can also upset the body’s mineral balance, contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety and depression, promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol and increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Astragalus
An immune boosting herb, Astragalus is often used for common colds and sore throats. It can also be used for the treatment of infections, Alzheimer’s disease and as an adjunctive support for persons undergoing chemotherapy. Research conducted by the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, confirms this herb’s immune-potentiating actions. Astragalus appears to restore T-cell (a specific type of white blood cell that is part of the lymphocyte family) counts to relatively normal ranges in some cancer patients.
Echinacea
This herb has been used by Native Indians for centuries to treat colds, flu, and many other ailments. Hundreds of scientific studies have documented the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications of echinacea. The most consistently proven effect of echinacea is in stimulating phagocytosis – encouraging white blood cells and lymphocytes to attack invading organisms. Specifically, echinacea increases the number and activity of immune system cells.
Elderberry
This herb contains anthocyanins which enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines. These unique proteins act as messengers in the immune system to help regulate immune response, thus helping to defend the body against disease. Elderberry is useful against both viral and bacterial infections and can be used long term.
Oregano
Not to be confused with the standard oregano spice found in your kitchen, concentrated Oregano extract is a highly effective herb which will help keep your body in tip top condition this winter. Oregano is one of the best anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral products in the world. Usually found as a concentrated oil or in capsule form (but also as a juice), Oregano should be kept easily accessible in the household as it can be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes, sore throats, treat internal and external infections and more. Just make sure to not get any Oregano in your eyes and do your best to keep it from touching your mucus membranes as it is a very spicy herb.
Olive Leaf
The main constituent of olive leaf is the phytochemical oleuropein, which breaks down to elenolic acid, and has a powerful anti-bacterial effect, plus the ability to interfere with critical amino acid production essential for viruses. Olive leaf extract is often used to treat the common cold, flu, cold sores (herpes), ear infections, eye infections, nose and throat infections and a host of other viral and bacterial infections.
All of the above herbs can be used to treat viral, bacterial and fungal infections in your children (and adults too!). Length of administration would generally continue until 2 days after the symptoms are gone. If your child puts up a fuss and doesn’t want to take anything you are giving them, you can safely add any of these products to their food or drink.
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