Holistic parents are concerned about the health of the bodies, minds and spirits of their children. They know that wellness must occur at all of these levels for our kids to be truly healthy and balanced. They pay attention to physical health, mental/emotional health and the care of the soul helping their offspring live happy and healthy lives. Here are a few tips that I have found helpful on my path to raising my family naturally and holistically.

Become an educated consumer of natural child-care products. Caring for your child’s physical health in a way that encourages it’s own natural immune defenses is very important. There are wonderful echinacea syrups in pediatric dosages available at your local health food store. Rosemary Gladstar has wonderful recipes in her book Herbal Remedies for Children’s Health. I highly recommend it for parents who want to raise their children with natural medicines. Below is a recipe for High Calcium Tea that I found in this very useful reference book.

There are many herbs that can be made into healthful teas for children. Nettle (Urtica dioica) and oat straw (Avena sativa) can add lots of vitamins and minerals to a child’s daily diet. Nettle has lots of iron and calcium and many herbalists recommend it for relief from allergies and hay fever. Oat straw is rich in silica, calcium and magnesium. It is considered a nutritive tonic for the nervous system and it is being studied for use as an alternative to the usual drugs given for childhood attention issues. Another calming herb is lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Its delicate citrus flavor makes any tea blend taste pleasant. Use lemon balm with prudence. Extremely high doses of melissa for long periods of time has been shown to slow the activity of the thyroid. Raspberry leaf (high in vitamins and minerals) and rose hips (lots of vitamin C, a great antioxidant and disease fighter) are also wonderful herbs for children’s teas and tinctures.

Red clover tea is very popular for children in Europe. Herbalists recognize its use for children who experience chronic respiratory complaints. Red clover is also rich in minerals including calcium, nitrogen and iron. Europeans consider it an effective remedy for most skin conditions since it is a classic detoxifier. The tincture is used externally for cysts and tumors.

Organic food is a must for growing youngsters. I found great joy in mashing organic bananas and carrots as the sun rose. Read every label on every food item that you purchase for your family. Get involved in organic food cooperatives. You save money while you promote the noble cause of organic farming. Keep your child away from toxic pesticides, fungicides, growth hormones, etc. These things do cause cancer and other ailments. Fortunately prepared organic baby foods can be found at most health food stores. The more we create a demand for organic, the more available it will become.

Over scheduling of our youngsters’ free time creates a lack of spontaneity and creative group play. This creates mental and emotional stress for them. Set limits for time spent in front of the television. Plan arts and crafts projects. Too much solitary time in front of the computer does not teach us about how to interact with people face to face. Show your child the power and joy of friendship. Pleasant human interaction has been shown to favorably affect the brain chemistry.

Spiritual development is important for the holistic health. Whether you engage in organized religion or simply celebrate nature with personal ritual, your children will benefit by some sort of regular spiritual practice. Family meals (a rare event in this day and age) provide a time of family reflection and thanksgiving. This special time is precious and sacred. Children’s meditation groups are becoming very popular. Teaching children to meditate can help them to relax, focus and feel balanced. Contact your local community center for classes in your area. Another spiritual activity is the nature walk. Expose your child to the wonders of nature. The appreciation of nature is a healing experience. Taking in art and music is also great for the soul.

In times of extreme stress I have found homeopathic and Bach flower remedies very helpful for getting my girls to settle down. Rescue Remedy was developed by Dr. Edward Bach, MD, in England during the 1930s. His energetically formulated tincture is made of five flowers. They are:

Clematis is for clear thinking.

Impatiens for pain, mental stress and tension.

Rock rose for terror and great fear.

Cherry plum for fear of losing control.

Star of Bethlehem neutralizes the effect of trauma at the cellular level.

Flower remedies are easy to administer to a child. The dose is usually a couple of drops under the tongue (follow package directions) and is virtually tasteless. Dr. Bach’s Rescue Remedy has been an incredible blessing for me during bouts of teething, nightmares and emotional trauma.

High Calcium Tea
(from Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Remedies for Children’s Health)
Combine in a glass jar or canister:

1 part nettle
3 parts rose hips
2 parts oat straw
1/2 part ground cinnamon
1 part raspberry leaf
a pinch of stevia to sweeten (optional)
2 parts lemon grass
2 parts lemon balm

Place one teaspoon of well-combined herbal tea for each 8 oz. cup of tea that you are making into a teapot. Pour one cup of boiling water into your pot for each serving. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or cold. For kids ages 2 to 4 serve 2 teaspoons. For age 4 to 7 years serve 1 tablespoon. For 7 to 11 years, 2 tablespoons. You can mix the tea with fruit juice to make it more appealing. Safety precaution: Allergies to herbs do occur so start out with a tiny dose at first to avoid a serious allergic reaction, especially if your child tends to be allergic to pollens and other plant materials.

Karen Stokes, RN is an aromatherapist, herbalist and homecare/hospice consultant who has been involved in natural healthcare for 25 years, (248) 651-8636.