Naturally
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Herbal M
AVIVA ROMM, MD
1
Contents
Contents
Meet Aviva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Caring for Your KidsNaturally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
Colic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Fever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Meet Aviva
Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl anytime I got a mosquito bite it swelled up to
the size of a goose egg and itched like crazy. My great-grandmother,
a Hungarian herbalist, would immediately apply witch hazel
compresses, which brought certain relief from the inflammation and
itching. This is just one of many old-world treatments she practiced.
She also had a lot of common wisdom. Now some of the things she
did when I was a kid are becoming vogue as we learn the value of
supporting our bodys natural healing abilities and of protecting
ourselves and our environment from unnecessary chemical exposures.
So who is this woman talking to you about natural health for kids? Perhaps my most important credential is
that I am a mom. My greatest joy in life has been raising my four wonderful, creative, lovely children and
now I am a grand-mom, too. I understand from a moms point of view how worried and vulnerable a parent can
feel when a child is sick, what kind of information a parent needs when things feel like theyre hitting the fan,
and how confusing it can be to know how and when to use natural remedies or when to get medical care. I also
know how helpful it is to have a trusted resource to turn to when a child is sick.
I am also a midwife who has helped hundreds of babies into the world, an herbalist who has written a halfdozen books on natural health for women and children, translated into many languages, AND I am a medical
doctor, trained at Yale, with a specialty in family medicine. My focus is womens health and pediatrics.
I am so glad you have chosen to learn to take care of precious little ones using natural approaches and common
sense for common problems. Using herbs for kids health is a win-win choice: kids benefit, parents benefit, and
the planet benefits, too!
I hope that my 30 years of practicing natural medicine for babies and children can be of service to you as one of
your trusted voices in health care.
Antibiotic Overuse
Trust
Your M
omma
Wisdo
m! Yo
u Kno
w
Your C
hild B
est!
Parents are seeking natural alternatives and even physicians are starting to turn to
natural approaches for kids health, realizing that many commonly used medications are
ineffective at best, harmful at worst, and that many herbs, minerals, and vitamins can play
an important role in promoting health, and preventing and treating common illnesses.
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your kids natu
It can be really hard to know when you can treat a condition at home and when you need to
take your child to the doctors office or even the emergency room. I get so many calls late at
night from patients who are worried about a childs fever, cough, or sore throat. By far, parents
come into my office for many more visits than they need to because they feel worried and
dont know the signs to look out for that their child is really ill or how to help their child with
cold symptoms.
It is, of course, always better to err on the side of caution and have a doctors visit you dont need than to miss
something serious, but keep in mind, moms generally know when their kids are sick! By spending time with
your child and becoming a good observer, you will know your childs health and illness patterns better than
anyone and you will quickly recognize when your child is not feeling quite right. Early signs of illness will
become obvious to you.
Knowing what is generally considered normal physical health and development in children can bolster your
confidence in assessing your childs wellness. In my course you will learn how to do a basic physical exam
on your child, as well as more advanced skills for taking care of your child naturally.
Antibioti
cs
remain w
i
dely over
today, wit
h
prescribe
d
as many a
s
50%
of all anti
biotics pe
rscribed t
o
kids bein
g unnecce
ssary.
If any of the above symptoms occur, it is the perfect time for some herbal teas, chosen according to the childs
symptoms. It is also a time for extra rest, attention, and perhaps changes in diet such as eliminating sugar and
eating a bit more healthily. These steps can offset the illness or at least minimize your childs discomfort and the
length of the illness.
Reassuring signs that you can probably continue to treat an illness at home include:
Your child, in spite of not feeling well, continues to play and act generally normal,
awake, and alert.
Your childs appetite may be decreased from normal, but he or she continues to
take fluids and perhaps a small amount of food.
Your child is peeing a normal amount compared to usual.
The symptoms slowly improve over the course of several days.
Here are symptoms to worry about. If you see any of these, bring your child to his or her primary care doctor:
Any fever in a baby under one-month old requires immediate medical attention!
High (a high fever is over 103.5) or persistent fever (> 3 days) in any aged child
If your child is having to work extra hard to breathe or if her breathing is fast, labored, or accompanied by
unusual noises
Persistent pain such as an earache, sore throat, severe headache, or stomachache
Frequent vomiting or diarrhea: If your child is unable to keep down enough liquids to urinate at least once
every six to eight hours, this could be a sign of dehydration
Thick eye discharge that doesnt get better during the day
A stiff neck, extreme lack of energy or the illness seems to be getting worse rather than staying the same for
more than five days
Blood in the vomit or diarrhea
If your child has been exposed to a contagious disease such as mono, pertussis, measles, the flu, or has
travelled out of the country recently
If your treatment for a mild condition is not helping, and the condition persists or worsens, seek medical help.
9
Diaper Rash
Contact diaper rash is the gardenvariety rash that looks flat, red,
irritated, sometimes with peeling skin if
more severe.
10
Herbal Treatment
Healing Salve
Can be used to heal irritated, damaged skin and as a barrier. There are many
possible herbal ingredients for a salve. The following is an example of one I made
for my kids bottoms. If you suspect a yeast infection add 20 drops of tea tree oil
to your preparation.
Calendula Flowers
Chickweed
Comfrey Root
Chamomile Flowers
Plantain Leaf
Olive Oil (more if needed to cover herbs)
Pure Beeswax
Comfrey
Chamomile
To prepare a salve: Place about an ounce of your mix of dried herbs and 1 cup
of olive oil in a small pot. Simmer for 1 hour on a very low flame with a flame
deflector on the burner, and with the pot semi-covered. Add a bit of oil as
necessary for the herbs to remain covered over their surface, and watch carefully
to avoid scorching. After cooking, strain the herbs well through a cotton cloth or
cheesecloth, squeezing as much of the oil as possible out of the plant material.
(You need to let the oil cool first to avoid burning your hands.) Clean and dry the
pot (discarding the used plant material), then pour the oil back in, adding 34
tablespoons of grated beeswax. Melt this over a low flame, stirring constantly.
To test for readiness, put a small amount onto a teaspoon and place it in the
refrigerator. After a minute it will harden to its finished consistency. Salve should
be firm and solid but not so hard that it wont melt easily into your skin. If the
consistency is correct, pour your salve into small jars, cool to room temperature,
cover, and store. If the salve is too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add
more oil.
Babies rarely need to be seen by the doctor for a diaper rash. If the rash is
worsening, baby is very uncomfortable, or you suspect an infection, contact your
family physician or pediatrician.
11
Colic
At about three weeks old my perfectly sweet second
baby suddenly started crying out in apparently
agonizing pain at sunset almost every evening, and
no matter how much bouncing, rocking, swinging
we did, shed cry and ball up her little arms and legs
in discomfort for sometimes well over an hour.
It was incredibly distressing and since our first child
didnt have colic, we were new to the problem.
We were lucky daytime was fine, but the next
evening wed start all over again. It was worrisome
and exhausting for all of us. Our usual lovely
bedtime ritual of reading stories to our three-year old
was temporarily on hold, and after a couple of weeks
of the new evening ritual of our baby crying in pain,
we were overwhelmed. Many of you are probably
familiar with this story and some of you might have
babies that have colic all day long, too!
It took us another couple of weeks to figure out
what was making our daughter uncomfortable
it seemed that when I ate peanut butter or dairy,
it affected her through my breastmilk and to
establish some helpful routines that eased her
discomfort and brought some balance back to our
lives.
In addition to the dietary changes, we discovered
that taking her outside or having soothing sounds
also helped. Each evening wed put her in the baby
carrier and stroll the neighborhood until she fell
asleep, or alternately, one of us would wash the
dishes while the other rocked her, the sound of the
running water eventually soothing her troubles.
We also gave her a simple herbal tea with an eyedropper and I drank the teas hoping theyd make their
way to her through my breastmilk. Her symptoms
improved almost completely, though now and then
shed have a fussy evening. By the time she was
several months old, she was her happy self again, day
and night.
12
What is colic?
Herbal Treatments
Dairy products
Soy products
Peanuts
Wheat
Eggs
Corn
Cabbage family
veggies
(broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower)
Caffeine and Chocolate
(which can also keep
baby awake longer!)
sa
ow a
n
s
year
om,
e
m
h
,
t
t
er
alis
ov
oo,
herb
,
e
r, I t
f
i
o
t
w
c
l
o
mid
erfu
al d
w
c
i
o
d
p
a
me
a
and
nced
e
i
r
omm
e
m
p
x
e
The
er
have
on:
n
e
ws h
o
m
n
o
k
n
ys
phe
alwa
t
s
st.
o
alm
y be
b
a
b
If you are concerned that there is something more serious going on, ask your
babys doctor. Your pediatrician or family doctor might be a great resource for you
if you are at your wits end. Most doctors dont know a lot about alternatives for
colic, and may also not know that standard medications for colic are ineffective.
Tea
Tea is the most basic herbal preparation. Richly scented herbs such as catnip, lemon balm,
chamomile, and seeds such as fennel and anise are commonly made into teas. Any combination of these herbs may be used for a colicky baby.
To prepare: Steep 1 teaspoon of the dried herb of your choice in 1 cup of boiling hot
water for 10 minutes. A French press makes it easy to strain the tea.
To use: Give several teaspoons up to every hour for a fussy baby, -1 cup every few
hours for older kids.
14
Fever
Mommy, I dont feel well. Your little one wakes up
in the middle of the night, fretful and hot to the touch.
You check her temperature and it is 102. Shes had a
cold for a few days but hasnt had a fever until now.
You feel worried and dont know what to do. Should
you give Tylenol, go to the emergency department?
Should you call your doctors office hoping to reach
someone in the middle of the night? Can you wait until
morning? Youve heard about using herbs for fever and
thought it sounded good at the time, but now that your
child has one, youre not so sure. What should you do?
The answer to the above question for starters is:
If your child is under one-month old and has a
temperature of over 100.4, Yes, call your doctor
or go to the emergency room!
For everyone else, take a deep breath, relax, and
read on
What is a Fever?
Herbal Treatments
Fever
is not
an illn
the bo
ess. I
dys h
t is
ealthy
,
respo
natura
nse th
l
at act
u
ally
fights
infect
ion
Rosemary
ial oil
nt
y esse
r
a
m
e
os
Use r hen the air
s
to fre
Anise
Flowers
16
Infusions
a
or
f
e
y
tinu
n
awa
o
c
o
g
y
ly
r
ma
cial
s o
e
y
s
p
r
a
s
e
g
of d k e
Fev
nin
r
e
e
v
c
b
e
a
s
and
num ome b
is i
h
n
T
o
c
.
no
he
ays
and
fter
d
if t
a
l
e
a
m
h
er
le
ds
in t
rob
sev
flui
p
f
r
o
a
fo
ty
not
len
ell.
p
y
l
w
l
g
a
e
n
is
ki
usu
s ta otherw
i
d
s
chil
em
e
s
and
17
All babies under one-month old with fever should be seen by a doctor
immediately! This can be a medical emergency!
Babies under three months old with a high fever (see above) should be seen
by a doctor.
ny kids who are not taking fluids, not urinating a normal amount
A
compared to usual, or are just not acting right should be seen by the
doctor.
Any kids with fever along with stiff neck or neck, persistent vomiting, or
severe headache should be seen by the doctor.
If your child has severe ear pain or severe belly pain.
If your child is lethargic that is, he just isnt really waking up fully, seems
weak, or just seems sort of limp, is just lying there, and doesnt really make
eye contact.
Fevers that stay high for more than 3-5 days.
If you feel worried that your child has a serious illness, take your child to the
doctor: Remember, trust your momma intuition (and better safe than sorry)!
18
Echinacea Dosing
Herbal Treatments
19
G
arlic (Allium satiua) has been shown to exhibit
broad range antimicrobial properties, including
both viruses and bacterium. Its highly effective
for reducing the duration of colds and flu. To
give to children try my classic formula:
Garlic Lemonade
G
inger (Zingiber officinalis) root is an aromatic,
pleasant tasting herb that is easy to find in
supermarkets.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a wonderful antiviral and antibacterial herb effective against
upper respiratory infections, particularly
coughs. It gently breaks up congestion and eases
irritable hacking coughing. It also relieves gas
and stomach discomfort. It can be taken as a tea,
tincture, or syrup, and is pleasant tasting when
lightly sweetened with honey. See Cold and Flu
Syrup on the next page.
Ginger Tea
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1
teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
root. Steep for 20 minutes, strain,
sweeten, and drink hot. Repeat as
often as desired. Add lemon for
taste if the child likes it.
Thyme
hs
Steam Bat
e used
ths can b
a
b
m
a
e
ory
t
S
r respirat
e
p
p
u
e
v
e
ple
to reli
ere is a sim t
H
.
n
io
t
s
e
cong
a steam a
g
in
o
d
r
method fo
home.
shower on
m
o
o
r
h
t
a
Run the b
ater only,
w
t
o
h
n
o
full blast
or closed.
o
d
m
o
o
r
ath
r
with the b
calyptus o
u
e
f
o
s
p
ro
d
Put 3-5 d
shcloth an
a
w
a
n
o
r
thyme oil
wer unde
o
h
s
e
h
t
o
the
toss int
ter. When
a
w
g
in
n
n
arm
the ru
ed with w
ll
fi
s
a
h
and
bathroom
r child in
u
o
y
g
in
r
ten
steam, b
room for
m
a
e
t
s
e
peated
sit in th
can be re
is
h
T
.
s
e
minut
y.
twice dail
20
Heres a sweet-tasting syrup that is highly effective against viral and bacterial
infections. This syrup contains no honey so it can safely be given to children
under one.
1 oz echinacea tincture
1 oz elderberry syrup
oz thyme tincture
oz lemon balm tincture
oz licorice tincture
oz anise seed tincture
Tinctures
Herbal Baths
der
Laven
21
Cough
Its a common story. Your child has had a cold for
a few days and now hes started having a cough.
Its midnight and youve been asleep for just about
an hour when you hear coughing coming from his
bedroom. You know hes having an uncomfortable
night, and the coughing isnt letting you get much
sleep either. You get up and bring him some water,
and it seems to help for awhile, but then the coughing
starts again. This is the second night in a row youve
both been kept awake by his cough. Youve heard
that over-the-counter cough syrups arent really safe
or effective for kids, but you both need some sleep.
What can you do?
What is a Cough?
are
s
n
n
io
whe
,
cat
i
d
d
de
d
me
use
nee
ile
s
i
h
n
m
W
he
th
and
eal
gw
h
n
d
i
o
ibe
sav
l
te t
scr
u
life
e
nta
b
i
r
e
r
p
t
r
onm deadly
con
ove
r
i
n
v
a
yc
, en
the
d
of
the blems
n
a
m
,
e
o
n
l
r
p
tio
ob
ina
l pr
a
ce
m
n
n
a
t
o
a
i
t
n
t
is
co
rna
res
c
i
inte
t
ibio
ant
22
23
Herbal Treatments
Aunty Avivas Cough
Syrup Blend
This remedy is effective and pleasant
for use with children.
oz dried mullein leaves
oz marshmallow root
oz licorice root
oz thyme
oz anise seeds
oz wild cherry bark
oz slippery elm bark
1 quart boiling water
To prepare: Combine all the herbs.
Put 1 ounce of the mixture in a glass
jar, add the boiling water, cover, and
steep for 2 hours. Strain the liquid
into a pot (discard the plant material)
and simmer gently until it is reduced
to 1 cup. Sweeten with 1/2 cup of
honey (for children under one, omit
the honey and replace with maple
syrup or sugar to taste). After the
syrup cools to room temperature,
store it in a jar in the fridge. It will
keep for up to 2 months.
To use: Dosage is 1 teaspoon as
needed for children one to three
years old, 1 tablespoon as needed for
older children, and 2 tablespoons as
needed for adults.
ormula
F
h
orant,
g
u
o
C
laxing, expect
re
is
re
u
Quiet
ct
n
ti
d
glycerin-base
sting,
ges.
This sweet-ta
iratory passa
sp
re
e
th
r
pane tincture
fo
l
bia
re
oz elecam
and antimicro
ssom tinctu
lo
n
b
ri
r
ce
e
v
ly
g
lo
c
le
b
oz red
1 oz vegeta
cture
ure
ct
n
ti
d
k cohosh tin
e
c
se
la
e
b
is
z
n
o
a
z
o
bark tincture
e well
oz cramp
r bottle. Shak
e
b
m
a
re
rk
u
a
ct
d
n
ti
4-ounce
oz thyme
cessary.
gredients in a
in
e
th
tion is not ne
ll
a
ra
e
ix
ig
M
fr
:
e
R
re
.
a
cute
p
ly
To pre
2 hours for a
ore indefinite
r
st
fo
l
il
s
w
te
u
It
in
.
m
se
very 30
before each u
ronic coughs
spoon up to e
a
ch
r
te
o
1
r
e
to
d
il
/2
m
1
r
daily fo
To use: Give
to four times
o
tw
r
o
,
ts
u
o
coughing b
Syrups
24
Bark
can
ies
d
e
flu
m
nd
a
l re
a
d
r
u
ol
n
Nat
ve c ter, ca
e
i
l
e
s
r
d
s fa
alle
help
tom t are c
r
p
, fo
sym t wha
s
n
o
cti
,
ven
infe
pre
onia
y
r
m
a
u
d
r
on
pne
sec
afte
le,
r
p
u
n
m
cc
exa
d ca
no
n
a
a
c
t
ns,
tha
rom
ctio
e
ds f
f
l
n
o
i
c
l
ent
vira
rev
g.
p
rrin
u
c
help
re
25
Earache/Ear Infections
Middle ear infections also called acute otitis
media can be very painful and can make your
child fussy and irritable. They are generally caused
by viruses (more rarely by bacteria) and can occur
in babies, young children, and teens. There may be
fever, swollen neck glands, and your childs hearing
may be muffled from the fluid in the ears. Younger
children may pull on their ears or may scream or
cry suddenly and unexpectedly; older children
will generally tell you that they have ear pain.
Occasionally a child can have fluid congestion and
mild inflammation that causes hearing difficulties
without the other symptoms of ear infection; this is
called otitis media with effusion.
Ear infections are the most prevalent complaint that
land children in the doctors office, and overtreatment
with antibiotics is a big problem. Even the American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving parents
the option of waiting 48-72 hours to see if symptoms
resolve on their own before using an antibiotic.
Approximately 80% of kids with acute otitis media
get better without antibiotics! Antibiotics treatment
is considered appropriate for babies under 6 months
old with known or suspected ear infections, and
sometimes for children ages 6 months to 2 years with
severe infection.
Herbal Treatments
Herbal treatment can work quite well to relieve earache symptoms and reduce ear infection.
Give echinacea tincture to boost the immune system.
Chamomile makes an excellent tea to help your child relax during an ear infection.
The classic herbal remedy for ear infections is garlic-mullein oil. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial,
addressing infections of both a bacterial and viral nature. Mullein is an analgesic, relieving the pain
associated with earaches. This can be prepared easily at home; I make a large bottle annually to have onhand for patients as needed; you can make your own and store in the fridge for up to a year. If you do not
have it ready when needed, good quality Garlic Mullein oil is sold at natural foods stores.
To prepare: Place 1 whole bulb of finely chopped fresh garlic and 1 oz.
of mullein flowers in a pint-sized jar. Add olive oil until the jar is full. Stir
with a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon to release air bubbles.
Cover the jar and place in the sunlight for 3 weeks (2 weeks in warm
weather). Strain into a clean jar (discard plant material) and store in the
refrigerator. This will keep for up to two years.
To use: Place 3-7 drops of the oil into the affected ear while the child
lays on his side with the affected ear upward. The oil should be at room
temperature or slightly warm. To warm it, put the drops in a spoon or
a glass eyedropper and briefly hold a lit match close to it. Test the oil
against the underside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot. Have
the child rest with the affected ear up for 5-10 minutes, keeping a warm
hot water bottle on the ear. After this time let the child roll over and rest
on the hot water bottle for as long as this brings comfort. Repeat on the
other ear if necessary.
This treatment can be repeated 2-3 times a day but may only be
necessary once or twice as it is very effective.
NOTE: NEVER PUT ANYTHING INTO THE EAR IF
YOU SUSPECT THE EARDRUM HAS RUPTURED OR IF
THERE IS ANY DRAINAGE FROM THE EAR
Herbal Oils
27
Garli
Ear infe
ctions a
re the m
prevale
ost
nt com
p
l
a
i
nt that
land ch
ildren i
n the d
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octors
and ov
ertreat
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tibiotics
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problem
.
28
29
Herbal Treatments
A very simply and effective treatment for conjunctivitis is my Chamomile, Eyebright and Goldenseal Wash. It
can be prepared easily at home.
Conjunctivitis symptoms usually start to improve within about 24 hours of treatment, but because reinfection is
so high, continue to treat twice daily for one week after symptoms have resolved.
omile
Cham
30
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