Herbalism

10 Medicinal Plants for Children’s Health

Every mother should have these 10 important medicinal plants commonly used for children’s health.
These are gentle, evidence-supported herbs traditionally considered safe when used appropriately (in proper doses, forms, and under adult supervision).
Always consult a pediatrician or qualified herbalist before use, especially for infants or children with medical conditions.

1. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

  • Uses: Calms anxiety, aids sleep, soothes colic, relieves teething pain, eases digestive upset.
  • Form: Weak tea, glycerite, or bath infusion.
  • Safety: Very safe; avoid in ragweed allergy.

2. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

  • Uses: Relieves gas, bloating, nausea, and mild stomach cramps.
  • Form: Diluted tea (1–2 tsp per cup), or enteric-coated capsules (older kids).
  • Safety: Avoid in infants <2 yrs (risk of choking sensation); safe in small doses for older children.

3. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

  • Uses: Boosts immunity, shortens duration of colds/flu (supported by clinical studies).
  • Form: Syrup (homemade or commercial, sugar-free for diabetics).
  • Safety: Use cooked berries only; raw can cause nausea.

4. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

  • Uses: Heals diaper rash, cuts, scrapes, eczema, and insect bites.
  • Form: Cream, salve, or infused oil.
  • Safety: Topical use only; very gentle.

5. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

  • Uses: Calms hyperactivity, anxiety, and insomnia; antiviral for cold sores.
  • Form: Tea, glycerite, or bath.
  • Safety: Extremely safe; mild sedative effect.

6. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • Uses: Relieves colic, gas, and indigestion in infants and toddlers.
  • Form: “Gripe water” (fennel + other herbs), weak tea.
  • Safety: Safe in small doses; avoid in epilepsy (rare).

7. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Uses: Eases motion sickness, nausea (from illness or chemo), and mild tummy upset.
  • Form: Ginger ale (real ginger), tea, or chews.
  • Safety: Safe in culinary doses; avoid high doses in bleeding disorders.

8. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia)

  • Uses: Supports the immune system at the onset of colds; may reduce severity.
  • Form: Glycerite or alcohol-free tincture.
  • Safety: Short-term use (≤2 weeks); avoid in autoimmune conditions.

9. Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

  • Uses: Soothes sore throats, coughs, and acid reflux (demulcent).
  • Form: Cold infusion tea, lozenges, or syrup.
  • Safety: Very safe; coats and protects mucous membranes.

10. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

  • Uses: Soothes coughs, sore throats, and stomach lining (anti-inflammatory).
  • Form: Deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) chewables or tea.
  • Safety: Use DGL form to avoid blood pressure issues; short-term only.

General Safety Tips for Children:

  • Use child-specific dosages (often ¼–½ adult dose, depending on age/weight).
  • Prefer glycerites or teas over alcohol tinctures.
  • Avoid honey in children under 1 year (botulism risk).
  • Patch test topical herbs.
  • Never replace prescribed medication with herbs.

Pro Tip:
Keep a “Children’s Herbal First-Aid Kit” with chamomile tea, calendula cream, elderberry syrup, and marshmallow lozenges.

 

Below is a complete Children’s Herbal Toolkit for the 10 medicinal plants 
Everything is evidence-informed, child-safe, and practical for parents to make at home. 

GENERAL RULES BEFORE STARTING

Age
Fraction of Adult Dose
0–1 yr
Never use internal herbs without pediatrician’s approval
1–3 yrs
¼ adult dose
4–6 yrs
⅓ adult dose
7–11 yrs
½ adult dose
12+ yrs
¾–full adult dose

Adult dose = amount listed for a 150 lb (68 kg) adult.
Always round DOWN and use body weight for precision:
Clark’s Rule: Child dose = (Weight in lbs ÷ 150) × Adult dose

1. CHAMOMILE – Calming Tea & Bath
DIY Tea (1–12 yrs)

  • Ingredients: 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers + 1 cup boiling water
  • Method: Steep 5 min → strain → cool to lukewarm
  • Dosage:
    • 1–3 yrs: 1–2 oz (30–60 ml)
    • 4–6 yrs: 2–4 oz
    • 7+ yrs: 4–6 oz
      Up to 3×/day for colic, teething, or bedtime

DIY Glycerite (Alcohol-free tincture)

  • Fill jar ⅓ full with dried flowers
  • Cover with vegetable glycerin + water (3:1)
  • Shake daily × 4 weeks → strain
  • Dosage: 5–15 drops in water, 2–3×/day

DIY Bath Sachet

  • Sew ¼ cup flowers into a muslin bag → hang under tap
  • Use: 1 sachet per bath for eczema or restlessness

2. PEPPERMINT – Tummy Tea
DIY Tea (3+ yrs only)

  • ½ tsp dried leaves + 1 cup hot water → steep 5 min
  • Dosage:
    • 3–6 yrs: 2 oz
    • 7+ yrs: 4 oz
      Max 2×/day

Never give to infants (menthol can cause laryngeal spasm).

3. ELDERBERRY – Immune Syrup
DIY Syrup (Cook to destroy toxins)

  • Ingredients:
    • ½ cup dried elderberries
    • 2 cups water
    • ½ cup raw honey (after cooling)
    • Optional: 1 tsp ginger + ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Method:
    1. Simmer berries 30 min → mash → strain
    2. Reduce to 1 cup of liquid
    3. Cool <100°F → stir in honey
  • Storage: Fridge 2 months
  • Dosage (prevention):
    • 1–6 yrs: ½ tsp daily
    • 7+ yrs: 1 tsp daily
  • Dosage (sick): Same dose every 2–3 hrs (max 5×/day)

4. CALENDULA – Diaper Rash Salve
DIY Infused Oil

  • Fill the jar ¾ with dried calendula flowers
  • Cover with olive or coconut oil
  • Slow method: 2 weeks in a sunny window, shake daily
  • Fast method: 2 hrs in a double boiler (low heat)
  • Strain through cheesecloth

DIY Salve

  • 1 cup infused oil + 1 oz beeswax
  • Melt in a double boiler → pour into tins
  • Use: Thin layer on rash 3–4×/day

5. LEMON BALM – Calm-Down Glycerite
DIY Glycerite

  • Same method as chamomile glycerite
  • Dosage:
    • 1–3 yrs: 5 drops
    • 4–6 yrs: 10 drops
    • 7+ yrs: 15–20 drops
      In water or juice, 2–3×/day

DIY “Happy Tea” Blend

  • 1 part lemon balm + 1 part chamomile
  • 1 tsp blend per cup → steep 5 min
  • Sweeten with glycerin (no honey <1 yr)

6. FENNEL – Gripe Water
DIY Gripe Water (1 month+)

  • ½ tsp crushed fennel seeds + 1 cup boiling water
  • Steep 10 min → strain → cool
  • Dosage:
    • 1–6 mo: ½–1 tsp
    • 6–24 mo: 1–2 tsp
      Before/after feeds, max 4×/day

Store in fridge 48 hrs

7. GINGER – Motion Sickness Chews
DIY Ginger Chews

  • ½ cup fresh ginger juice (grate + squeeze)
  • ½ cup honey
  • Cook to 300°F (hard crack) → pour into molds
  • Dosage: 1 small chew 30 min before travel

DIY Tea

  • ¼-inch fresh slice + 1 cup hot water → steep 5 min
  • Dosage: 1–2 oz for 3+ yrs

8. ECHINACEA – Immune Drops
DIY Glycerite

  • Fill jar ½ with dried root/leaf
  • Cover with glycerin + water (3:1)
  • 4 weeks → strain
  • Dosage (first sign of cold):
    • 1–3 yrs: 5 drops every 2 hrs (max 5×/day)
    • 4+ yrs: 10–15 drops
      Max 10 days

9. MARSHMALLOW ROOT – Sore Throat Soother
DIY Cold Infusion (No heat = more mucilage)

  • 1 Tbsp dried root + 1 cup cold water
  • Soak 4–8 hrs (or overnight) → strain
  • Dosage:
    • 1–3 yrs: 1–2 Tbsp
    • 4+ yrs: 2–4 Tbsp
      Sip slowly for cough/throat pain

DIY Lozenges

  • ½ cup cold infusion + ½ cup honey
  • Heat to 300°F → drop onto parchment
  • Dosage: 1 lozenge every 2–3 hrs

10. LICORICE ROOT – Cough Syrup (DGL version)
Use ONLY Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) powder to avoid BP issues.
DIY DGL Syrup

  • 1 tsp DGL powder + ¼ cup warm water → whisk
  • Add ¼ cup honey or glycerin
  • Dosage:
    • 3–6 yrs: ½ tsp
    • 7+ yrs: 1 tsp
      3×/day for cough/sore throat

CHILDREN’S HERBAL FIRST-AID KIT CHECKLIST

Item
Amount
Chamomile tea bags
20
Elderberry syrup
8 oz
Calendula salve
2 oz tin
Lemon balm glycerite
1 oz dropper
Fennel gripe water
4 oz
Marshmallow cold infusion (pre-made)
8 oz
Peppermint tea (3+ yrs)
10 bags
Ginger chews
12
Echinacea glycerite
1 oz
DGL powder
1 oz

LABEL TEMPLATE (Print & Stick)

Made by: ________ Date: ________
Store cool & dark. Label all jars!
Source: Grok X AI

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