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When Bonnie Naulty's 2-year-old son started showing signs of a cold, her husband immediately came home with chewable echinacea tablets for their other two children. "My husband takes it regularly and he really thought it would prevent the other children from getting sick," explains Naulty. Did her other children get sick? No, she says. But neither did five of her sister's six children after one of them caught the bug, and they didn't take the herb. As a matter of fact, when her best friend's youngest daughter got sick, her other two children also avoided the cold without taking the echinacea. "I wouldn't go out of my way to try an herbal remedy again," she concluded. "I don't think it really made a difference." While Naulty's experience may or may not be typical, it does reflect the growing trend for parents to try herbal remedies for their children. In fact, over the past decade herbal products have exploded on the marketplace, creating an industry that now tops $3 billion in sales each year. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes herbal medications in a category along with chiropractors, spiritualists and massage therapists, known as Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM). But the AAP has not yet developed a specific policy statement about the use of herbal remedies, probably because very few traditional doctors recommend them, and, when in a packaged pill form (like the chewable echinacea,), they are not regulated or approved by the Federal Drug Administration. The fact of the matter is, herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years in cultures around the world. Someone has probably even shared a folk remedy or two with you. So it's hard to deny that they may be beneficial when it comes to treating certain childhood maladies. The key, however, is using natural ingredients like herbs while exercising caution and common sense, says Dr. Kathi Kemper, a pediatrician and author of "The Holistic Pediatrician" (Harper Collins 2002). "I don't think herbs are the cure for cancer or the common cold, and I shy away from recommending that any be taken internally," says Kemper. "But items like eucalyptus, aloe vera and a fat, juicy ginger root can be very helpful." Most Californians have experienced the soothing properties of aloe vera after a long day at the beach, but did you know that a hot tea with fresh ginger root and peppermint or chamomile can bring a welcome relief from nausea and vomiting? Or that a eucalyptus oil added to a vaporizer in a coughing child's room can create a soothing smell that may help your child feel better, even though it doesn't actually affect the airflow or infection itself? By using fresh herbs in limited quantities, parents can maintain control over what their child consumes. "When you're looking for eucalyptus, you know what it smells like. You have some sense of familiarity with it," says Kemper. "But when you're looking for something like echinacea, you really don't know what you're getting." Recent studies have in fact denounced the effectiveness of echinacea when it comes to treating or preventing colds, but the herb has become so popular it's readily available as a stand-alone item, as well as a common addition to brand-name cough drops. Although the only negative side effect associated with echinacea so far is minor skin irritation, it's important to remember that many herbal remedies can have adverse and sometimes dangerous side effects. Because these products are not regulated, consumers usually don't find out about health risks until it's too late. Ephedra was initially used as a cold remedy and then widely marketed as a diet aid. However, it was not pulled from store shelves until deaths were associated with the product. If you are intent on including herbs when it comes to maintaining your child's health, consider these important suggestions: • Always advise your doctor when your child is taking herbal products, especially if another medication is prescribed. St John's Wort, for example, can dramatically decrease the effectiveness of other medications while it is in the bloodstream. • Don't just guess, always verify appropriate dosages. For example, when using ginger root powder, instead of fresh ginger, an adult dosage is equal to 5 times that of a young child. • Herbal pills are not a good idea for children. "There's a lack of quality control and purity with herbs in pill form," explains Kemper. "There have been documented cases of herbs imported from China that were spiked with other drugs, and because they're not regulated, the actual quantities of the various ingredients can vary from package to package even from the same manufacturer." The growing demand for herbal products may someday lead to stricter regulations within the industry and more dependable product quality when it comes to packaged herbal remedies. Until then, why tamper with nature. If you want to use herbs, do it the old-fashioned way. Michele Piazzoni is a freelance writer and mother of three living in Folsom. She is a regular contributor to The Early Years and Getting Started. To reach her: mpiazzoni@hotmail.com. |
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