Imagine a night like this: it’s 1 a.m., you’ve finally entered into a much-needed deep sleep, and suddenly your 2-year-old awakens with the most blood-curdling scream you’ve ever heard. You rush to her side, only to find her crying inconsolably, tiny hands pulling on her ears. You’re bewildered as to how to relieve her pain. Does this sound all too familiar?

How about this scenario: Your 5th-grade son returns home, sneezing, from his swimming lesson with wet hair and a runny nose. How can you prevent the inevitable cold from infecting his irritated sinuses?

Viruses and bacteria live everywhere, especially during the cold and flu season. The microbes that cause colds and flu can exist in an airborne state. These same viruses and bacteria can also inhabit faucet handles, drinking fountains and school desks. In other words, our children are exposed every day to infectious agents. If the child’s natural immune system is in its most effective state, the germs will be less able to colonize and infect them.

According to Dr. W. Paul Glezen, head of the preventative medicine section of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, even a normally healthy child generally has 5 - 7 colds per year. In addition, the common cold or allergens cause excessive mucus buildup and inflammation around the eustachian tube leading to the ear. When the eustachian tube swells, many children come down with a painful bacterial ear infection.

Preventive health care goals, then, include strengthening the child’s own immune system to prevent illness through a healthy diet low in sugary foods, strong sleep patterns and attentive care with natural medicines.

Often, the first medicinal herb parents learn to turn to for immune support is Echinacea root. Botanically known as Echinacea purpurea, this beautiful purple coneflower contains chemical constituents that studies show stimulates the immune system’s response to viral and bacterial invaders. Echinacea can be used preventively to safely curb minor illnesses, but there’s a trick: you must use Echinacea frequently in the first few days of a minor illness, and for several days afterwards. Using herbs is not like using prescription medications; once a day just isn’t enough. Because most children’s herbs contain water soluble constituents, your child will need to intake her herbal medicines once every 3 –4 hours to maintain constant blood levels of the healing agents.

Don’t think that Echinacea is the only herb available for supporting children’s immune systems --- far from it! One of the dozens of other immune system activating herbs safe for children’s use is Astragalus. Astragalus shows antiviral activity, stimulates phagocytic activity of macrophages, and stimulates other antiviral immune functions.¹ Recent research done on the Traditional Chinese Medicine usage of Astragalus membranaceus shows that it is effective when used preventively against the common cold.² Children can enjoy the sweet taste of Astragalus root in a liquid glycerine extract. Dry astragalus root can also be boiled in soups and grain dishes for an additional immune enhancing effect. It is important to note that many herbalists suggest curtailing the use of Astragalus during children’s fevers as it is believed that it could prolong a high temperature.

Other effective antiviral herbs for kids include Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Lemongrass and Ginger root; all have documented antiviral activity. Since the vast majority of childhood illnesses originate from viral infections, look for a good antiviral blend at your natural foods store. Use these herbs regularly as teas or great-tasting glycerine extracts during cold and flu to help your child’s body maintain its ability to fight off viral intruders.

Ear infections are at epidemic levels. Otitis Media (middle ear infections) generally occur as a response to a viral, bacterial or other type of respiratory infection.

Kids who suffer from chronic Otitis Media see the doctor many times per year, and often consume dozens of antibiotic prescriptions over a two- or three-year period. In a study done by the University of Colorado, antibiotic prescriptions for Otitis Media ranged from $3.00 to over $60.00 each.³ Multiply that by the 4 – 6 ear infections some kids get each year, add the cost of 4 – 6 trips to the doctor’s office, and we then have a three billion dollar annual national health expense , with each ear infection costing parents between $60 to $100 in medical bills.

Antibiotics do serve a valuable purpose, but their use in ear infections should be reserved for only the most serious cases, such as those that include vomiting and high fevers . In the past, parents often believed that pain relief from antihistamines and decongestant’s was necessary. However, research has shown these medications are not helpful in relieving ear infections . Herbal remedies can be of great assistance for decreasing the inflammation of Otits Media. A good Echinacea and Oregon Grape Root herbal extract for kids administered 3 – 4 times per day for several days can battle the infection with antiviral and antibacterial activity. If a child is already taking antibiotics, consult a practitioner before combining their usages with herbal remedies.

But the most important aspect of ear infections that parents ask for help healing is pain reduction. To quickly relieve acute pain, parents can apply a few drops of warm herbal oil to each ear made from Willow bark, Garlic or Mullein flowers directly into the ear canal. This natural remedy can be enhanced with repeated applications of warm washcloths to both ears. Of course, follow label instructions on all herbal products, and do not administer if there is any discharge from the ear, or if the child has previously received implanted ear tubes. See your natural health care provider if your child is in severe pain, has a high fever, is vomiting and for an accurate diagnosis.

One of the greatest detractors from health is one of the least obvious: a full night’s rest. While it may sound simple, in daily family life it can be downright difficult to get the kids to bed on time. After an exciting day, some kids just aren’t sleepy at the right time. Other kids nod off easily, but can’t sleep through the night. Some children regularly wake up in the wee hours, seeking the warmth and comfort of mom and dad’s bed. Or sometimes, the burden lies with the adults’ reluctance to enforce strict bedtimes. Either way, millions of children and teenagers wake up without completing a full night of sound sleep cycles making for cranky kids and extra-tired parents.

Fortunately, herbal remedies excel in this department. For young children (under the age of six or so), one dose of a non-alcohol liquid Chamomile extract 20 minutes before bedtime can provide just enough nerve-soothing, lightly sleep-inducing effects to ensure a full night’s rest. For older children or those who need an extra boost, look for an alcohol-free Valerian extract at your favorite natural foods store. Valerian is a safe and effective sedative with reliable results for most kids. Many parents have applauded its use on long airplane trips, too.

Other herbs to help active kids sleep include Lemon Balm, Passionflower, Hops and Skullcap. You’ll find that the easiest and best-tasting way to administer these herbs is in a glycerine-based extract formula.

Sometimes, a child’s minor viral illness develops into a tough cough. Children’s coughs can fall into several categories, but for herbal purposes, you’ll want to choose a remedy that supports the healing of either a dry cough or a wet cough.

Dry coughs in kids need to be treated with moistening antiviral and antibacterial herbs. Instead of using over-the-counter artificially colored syrups to suppress the body’s natural urge to cough, choose an herbal product that includes safe and effective herbs to moisten an irritated throat. Botanical medicines to look for in a children’s cough-relieving formula for dry, tickly throat irritations include Cherry bark, Thyme, Mullein, Pleurisy root and the antibacterial Oregon Grape Root. Continue using your favorite children’s Echinacea product as well, as research shows Echinacea can reduce the duration and severity of respiratory symptoms.

Some of the longest-lasting children’s coughs tend to lodge in the lungs and provoke a deep, moist cough for several days. In this case, the goals in natural therapy include fighting infection, providing deep, healing sleep and encouraging the body’s natural tendency to expectorate excess mucus. Herbs for children’s moist, deep coughs include Horehound, Mullein, Astragalus, Garden Sage and Oregon Grape root. A formula containing these herbs will lightly stimulate coughing to rid the lungs of excess mucus, and will provide antiviral/antibacterial activity to fight infection.

Keep the child’s lungs actively pumping the moisture out with warm drinks and gentle chest rubs with a mild mentholated salve. As with all home treatments, be sure to consult your health care provider if your child exhibits a high fever, severe fatigue or a slow recovery.

Parents who are new to the world of herbal medicine often have a few sensible concerns about the safe use of them. To alleviate these concerns, shop at a natural foods store with a well-educated staff. Have the staff help you select a brand of herbal medicine that’s made just for children. Do not try to use adult remedies on your children, as a number of herbs that are appropriate for adults are contraindicated for kids.

Herbal medicine has a long and safe history of use, documented by a great deal of recent research in countries around the world. Of course, not all herbs are safe for children all the time. But the selection of children’s herbal formulas at natural foods stores contains only the safest, most effective remedies available. Always follow package directions, and work with a qualified herbalist or health care provider under serious circumstances.