Parents are becoming increasingly wary of administering potent pharmaceutical drugs to their children for minor ailments, or even for more serious conditions, if there is a proven alternative. Responsible physicians are equally reluctant to prescribe pharmaceuticals and antibiotics for children if there is a likelihood that the condition will prove transient and get better without intervention. The trouble then is that the child receives no treatment other than the frustrating “if it gets any worse come back and let me know” response.

Nearly all children will, from time to time, get cranky, overtired, anxious, moody, overstressed, and so on. Although such symptoms, if excessive and persistent, should be checked out by a qualified medical professional, they are usually not considered to be sufficiently serious malaises to require medical intervention. Fortunately, many natural, herbal supplements are regularly, effectively and safely used to address these problems.

What are the safest and most effective herbs for children? There are many on the market. For example, to calm the overstressed child, chamomile (which is a component of half of the selected products, has proven to be consistently effective. Also, skullcap and liquorice root has a sedating effect on overwrought children. Upset tummies can be helped with supplements containing peppermint leaf, fennel or horsetail; moodiness and anxiety have been alleviated using avena sativa and catnip; runny noses, coughs and colds will respond to echinacea and milfoil; the immune system is strengthened using astragalus and milfoil, and general vitality enhanced with licorice root. Gingko biloba and gotu kola are well known to stimulate a child's (or adult's) state of alertness and cognitive function. Rooibos contains minerals magnesium, zinc and iron and promotes a healthy nervous system.

The products listed on this page contain these herbs, and some others, including Lemonbalm, Catnip, Burdock, Meadowsweet, Feverfew, Anise and Coriander.