Spices and Herbs by Elaynn

 

UNSAFE HERBS FOR CHILDREN part three

Here are some more herbs that are unsafe that may cause stomach upset, skin irritation, excessive drowsiness or over stimulation:

ELEUTHERO may cause over stimulation and altered hormonal balance in children

FEVER FEW may cause gastrointestinal irritation in children

FO TI may cause diarrhea in children

GENTIAN ROOT can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation

GINSENG may cause over stimulation in children

GOLDENROD this herb is a diuretic and may cause dehydration

GREEN TEA contains caffeine, which may over stimulate children

GUARANA this herb contains caffeine, which may overstimulate children

GUGGUL may cause diarrhea in children

GUMWEED may cause diarrhea in children

HORSERADISH may cause gastrointestinal irritation in children

HOPS fresh hops may cause excessive drowsiness in children

IVY LEAF may cause skin irritation in children

KAVA KAVA may cause excessive drowsiness

KOLA NUT contains caffeine, may cause over stimulation in children

LAVENDER may cause skin irritation in children

MASTICA may cause diarrhea in small children

MATE this herb contains caffeine, which may overstimulate children

MUGWORT may cause diarrhea in children

MYRRH may cause gastrointestinal irritation

OREGANO OIL external use only, however may cause skin irritation. Internal use causes sever gastrointestinal irritation

PASSION FLOWER may cause excessive drowsiness

PUMPKIN SEED may cause gastrointestinal irritation

PYGEUM may cause hormonal imbalance

ROSEMAY OIL may cause skin irritation

SARSAPARILLA may cause irritation of the skin, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract

SAW PALMETTO may cause hormonal imbalance in children

SCHISANDRA may cause skin rash and stomach upset

SENNA may cause severe diarrhea in children

SOY ISOFLAVONES,, SOY LECITHIN may cause hormonal imbalance and diarrhea in children

STINGING NETTLE LEAF may cause hormonal imbalance.

UVA URSI not for children under 12 years old. Use only occasionally; prolonged use may cause dehydration and urinary tract irritation

VALERIAN may cause excessive drowsiness in children

VERVAIN may cause excessive drowsiness in children

WALNUT LEAF may cause skin irritation in children

WITCH HAZEL may cause skin irritation in children with very sensitive skin

YARROW may cause allergic reactions in children

YELLOW DOCK may cause diarrhea in children

YUCCA may cause an upset stomach in children; can block the absorption of other medications

 

I had previously blogged about herbs that are unsafe, harmful, dangerous or herbs that may create problems for our children. There are other herbs that may cause stomach upset, skin irritation, excessive drowsiness or over stimulation. So let's see what those are this time.

AGRIMONY may cause stomach upset or constipation.

ALOE VERA external use is safe. Internal use of Aloe Vera juice can cause severe diarrhea

ANGELICA may cause hormonal imbalance and sensitivity to sunlight

ARNICA external use is safe. Do not use internally

ASHWAGANDHA may cause hormonal imbalance in children.

BITTER ORANGE PEEL may cause sensitivity to sunlight, especially in very fair skinned children

BLESSED THISTLE may cause gastrointestinal irritation in children

BOLDO LEAF this herb is a diuretic; it may dehydrate children

BOSWELLIA may cause stomach upset and diarrhea

BROMELAIN can cause severe irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and cause excess bleeding

BUCHU this herb acts as a diuretic and could cause dehydration in children

BUPLEURUM may cause stomach upset and diarrhea

BURDOCK not safe for internal use

BUTCHER'S BROOM this herb is a diuretic; it may cause dehydration in children

CALIFORNIA POPPY may cause excessive drowsiness in children

CARDAMOM SEED can interfere with digestion in children

CHASTEBERRY may cause hormonal imbalance in children

CINNAMON and CHINESE CINNAMON can cause gastrointestinal irritation; may damage tooth enamel

CLOVE AND CLOVE OIL may cause skin and mouth irritation

CORIANDER SEED may cause gastrointestinal irritation in children

CORN SILK this herb is a diuretic and may cause dehydration

COUCH GRASS this herb acts as a diuretic and could cause dehydration in children

DANDELION this herb is a diuretic and may cause dehydration

DANG SHEN may cause over stimulation in children DEVIL'S CLAW may cause stomach upset and vomiting in children

DILL SEED may cause sensitivity to sunlight, especially in very fair skinned children

DONG QUAI may cause hormonal imbalance and sensitivity to sunlight

I'll continue with more very soon

 

UNSAFE, HARMFUL, DANGEROUS  HERBS THAT MAY CREATE PROBLEMS FOR OUR CHILDREN

There are many aliments and conditions that herbs can be used quite safely for our children. However, of course, there are many that may simply cause some type of minor problem and some that can really cause problems!

When you find an herb that is agreeable to your child, the way to calculate the right dose is the multiply the adult dose by the child's weight and divide the result by 150. For example, if the adult dose is 1 teaspoon and your child weighs 35 pounds, the dose would be ¼ teaspoon. The same way with teas,make a weak tea  for children from ages 12 down 

Here are some herbs that we don't want our children to use at all:

ALFALFA     do not give this herb to children who have diabetes or autoimmune diseases

BLACKTHORN   may cause dangerously severe diarrhea in children

BLOODROOT poisonous if taken internally. Because small children may swallow toothpaste or mouthwash, do not use any products containing this herb.

BORAGE OIL may cause liver damage

BUCKTHORN BARK can cause dangerously sever diarrhea in children

BUGLEWEED can adversely affect thyroid function in children

CAMPHOR may cause choking in infants

CAPSICUM CREAM can burn the skin

CARAWAY can cause kidney and liver damage

CASCARA SAGRADA can cause dangerously severe diarrhea in children

CELANDINE may cause liver damage

COLEUS may interfere with proper muscle functioning

FENUGREEK do not give to children who have diabetes

GINKGO may cause headaches and lowered blood pressure in children

HAWTHORNE BERRY, FLOWER may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and altered heart function

HORSE CHEST NUT can be poisonous to children

HORSETAIL should not be given to children who have kidney disease

ICELAND MOSS a poor quality product  may contain lead

LICORICE (this is the herb, not sure about the candy licorice that we buy in the stores) may cause dangerously high blood pressure in children.

MEADOWSWEET contains salicylates that have been associated with Reye syndrome

MINT OIL may cause choking and skin irritation

MOTHERWORT can adversely affect heart function in children

 

POPLAR BUD this herb contains salicylates that have been associated with Reye Syndrome

RED CLOVER may cause liver damage in children

SAGE do not give to a child that has a fever

STEVIA may cause reduced blood pressure in children

WILLOW BARK this herb contains salicylates that have been associated with Reye syndrome

There are other herbs that may cause stomach upset, skin irritation, excessive drowsiness or over stimulation and these will be discussed on my next blog

Elaynn