Dear Katie: Pediatric Herbal Medicine

I get quite a few messages in my inbox asking about one thing or another and I try to group them into like categories to answer for you guys.  Today's topic is pediatric herbalism as I answer a few common questions about childhood ailments.  Just so you know: I'm not an expert.  I am a practicing nurse who has spent five years studying herbal medicine, but medical advice is cautiously given and just suggestions.  Don't do anything I say if you don't feel comfortable and by all means, consult a doctor first!  Also, please note that these are general guidelines.  Truly, with more specific information I can tailor a plan to your needs and family.  Email me at mkmatthew@hotmail.com and put Dear Katie in the subject line.  

*Most of these remedies are adapted from Demetria Clark, herbalist extraordinaire.  You can get her book on herbal healing for children here.  

I only had time to answer two questions today, so we will make this a multi-parter!  Enjoy...

Dear Katie.  My three year old has severe motion sickness.  I don't like the idea of giving her the pills we can buy because it knocks her out!  Do you have any suggestions?
Poor baby!  I understand how awful nausea can be.  The first herb I would recommend is ginger!  Ginger is an amazing digestive herb traditionally used for nausea for hundreds of years.  For a three year old, I would try candied ginger as well as some iced ginger tea about 30 minutes before the trip.  If your baby doesn't like the taste of the ginger tea, try diluting it with a bit of apple juice.  Also, small simple snacks like crackers can do wonders.  If the body is busy digesting gentle food, nausea seems to be less severe.  Another thing that might help is a bit of peppermint oil on a cotton cloth.  Traditionally, the aroma of peppermint is said to help with nausea.  Also, hard peppermint candies with REAL peppermint oil can help.  Make sure your daughter has plenty of ventilation on her and that she is facing forward.  Hopefully this helps! 

Dear Katie, my 20 month old daughter has been getting chronic Urinary tract infections.  We have tried different antibiotics but nothing seems to help.  I'm at my wit's end.  Please help us! 
First and foremost we should talk about hygiene.  Little girls have a short urinary tract that is very close to the anus, where the bacteria that most often causes UTIs, E.Coli, lives.  When cleaning baby, make sure that you are going from front to back with a clean wipe each time.  If your baby will sit in a bath, try making a strong calendula tea and throwing that into a bath with about an inch or so of water.  Also, limit the amount of sugar that your baby eats.  Bacteria feeds on sugar, so starve that bacteria!  Try and heat up her food with some spices if she will let you by adding things like ginger and cinnamon to applesauce or by adding cinnamon to some water and putting it in her sippy cup. Don't get me wrong-don't add tons and tons, but just a sprinkle here and there could do wonders.  Increase the amount of protein she is eating to beef up the immune system.  Smashed beans, hard boiled eggs, ect.  Natural antibiotic type foods include foods with a high sulfur content like garlic and onion.  If none of this works, email me again and we will do a little more digging into the underlying issue.  

Dear Katie

Hello readers!  From time to time, people email me questions.  I'm not entirely sure why but I love it, and I'll continue to answer them as long as people care.  Just so you know: I'm not an expert.  I am a practicing nurse who has spent five years studying herbal medicine, but medical advice is cautiously given and just suggestions.  Don't do anything I say if you don't feel comfortable and by all means, consult a doctor first!  

Q: Katie, how do you get your hair to grow so fast?  Sometimes it's short and the next post it's long!  

A: It's extensions.  I use the Luxy brand from Europe and it's an incredible frivolous thing to have but I love them.  If you're looking to grow hair fast, try some biotin and lots of protein in your diet. 

Q: Katie, I have an itchy kind of scaly rash on my cheeks.  Do you know of anything that will help it?

A: I would certainly recommend some lavender essential oil.  If you have never directly put lavender oil on your skin, dilute it first, half and half water and then build up to full strength.  It is generally thought to be safe enough to put directly on skin.  Get a good quality, organic oil. Also, calendula infused oil would help, if you aren't allergic to the daisy family.  I infuse mine in extra virgin olive oil for six weeks,  a process I outline here.   Also, I think it's important to say that it is NOT BAD to put oil on your face if it's a good quality.  What do you think cream is made of?  If it aint some kind of oil...it's chemicals.

Q: Katie, what will help pregnancy nausea?

A: Ginger tea or peppermint generally can do the trick, with normal pregnancies.  Make sure the label says it's safe for preggos to drink.   Also, eat smaller meals more frequently.  When you're pregnant, your body shunts blood from non-essential organs (the stomach) to the uterus to make up for extra needs.  This slows down digestion and blood perfusion and can make you feel nauseated.  Smaller meals are easier to handle and keep the "juices flowing". 

Q: Katie, will you do a house tour?

A: Yes, as soon as I clean it...this month, I promise. 

Q: What kind of dog is Leila?  How old is she?

A: She is a white miniature schnauzer and she is three years old.

If you have a question for me, email mkmatthew@hotmail.com and put "Dear Katie" in the subject line.  I can't wait to hear from you:)

All Purpose Skin Salve

This is hands down my favorite salve to make, and the one that my friends all go crazy for.  I usually don't have any left for myself!  It's simple, really, after making the herbal oil.  To make a salve, follow these more detailed instructions here: (Click me!)

All Purpose Skin Salve

Lavender Flowers

Calendula Flowers

Rose Buds

Lemon Balm

Comfrey

Carrier oil like almond oil or extra virgin olive oil 

1 ounce of beeswax

Lavender essential oil

Containers to pour the salve into

Instructions: Create your herbal oil and let it infuse for six weeks in a sunny window.  Then combine one cup of the strained oil with one ounce of beeswax.  Add ten drops of lavender essential oil and pour into your desired containers.  This salve is magical for cuts, scrapes, bruises, bug bites, stings, rashes, itchy skin, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, and other skin-related issues.  I use it for my lips, too.  

How To Make an Herbal Oil

Hello friends!  I made a video today about how to make an herbal oil.  This is half of the oil that I will be putting in a future joint and muscle salve.  I hope y'all like it! 

My recipe, plus I add peppermint essential oil

Rules of Thumb

1. You need a cup of oil after straining so adjust accordingly
2. Use the highest quality oil you can afford
3. Use the highest quality herbs you can afford or forage 
4. The oil will infuse for at least six weeks
5. Use herbs that you know and feel comfortable with
6. Use your instinct!  Put in some tomato leaves...;)

Good Oils to Start With

• Comfrey-Calendula
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• St. Johns Wort
• Rose
• Ginger

Herbal Flowers: Lavender

I have a special love for lavender as it was the first herb I ever used with a medicinal intention.  And can you blame me?  It smells amazing, is beautiful to look at as a plant, and gives an overall sensation of pleasure, courage, strength, and euphoria when smelled.  Lavender is capable and powerful as an herb while being calm and gentle at the same time.  The essential oil is relaxing to the mind and can alleviate insomnia, stress, tense life spells, and melancholy.  Internally, the flowers can be drank as a tea or made into a tincture to treat stomach distress and spasms like those associated with indigestion or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  Topically in oil form or a salve, lavender is antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiseptic.  I often apply it to bug bites, bee stings, or small wounds (cuts, scrapes) to alleviate pain and speed up healing while preventing infection.  Rosemary Gladstar has been reported to use it to wipe down doorknobs or the rims of drinking glasses where diseases are particularly bad.  The essential oil is often called a first aid kit in a bottle, and it can be found quite easily now days.  Think of lavender as your super supportive best friend: calming, uplifting, brave, strong, and ready to go to battle for you. 

I have personally used it with success to treat dermatitis, heat rash, headaches, and melancholy.  I also like to toss it in food whenever apt to foster a peaceful life. ;)

Suggestions for use:

Tea: 2 Tb. in 8 oz water for stomach cramps or spasms

Bath: Essential oil dropped into the water for stress, sadness, headaches or insomnia

Topically: Oil or salve applied as often as remembered for small skin issues like dermatitis, bug bites or stings, cuts, scrapes, rashes, or even sunburns.  

Veggie Chili Recipe

I've been making this veggie chili for about six years now.  It’s a recipe that a friend that I cherish, Elena, found online and we have adapted it from that.  I don’t know where she found it, but it sure is delicious!  The sweet potatoes add a chewy-soft depth to the flavor that matches so well with the beans and spice.  It’s wholesome and filling and it freezes beautifully. 

Ingredients

Olive oil to fill the bottom of a pot, shallowly

1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped fine

2  sweet potatos, peeled and chopped

2 serrano peppers, de-seeded and chopped (This is the main source of heat, so adjust accordingly)

2 6 ounce packages vegetarian ground beef

2 28 oz. can whole organic tomatoes and juice

1 can pinto beans, drained

1 can black beans, drained

3 Tablespoons chili powder

1teaspoon oregano

5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped fine

1 tablespoon ground cumin

Black pepper to taste

1 teaspoon sugar

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons sea salt

*Calendula petals, to taste

Directions

Saute onions, potatoes, peppers, and fake meat until soft, about ten minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  As you add the tomatoes, dump them over your hand, over the pot, and squish them on their way out.   Don’t worry about adding water, as the veggies will release a lot on their own.  Let the chili cook for at least an hour on medium heat, covered.  This makes a lot.  I mean, A LOT.  Like you could serve 12.  I make it in such big batches because it freezes so well and it’s an easy way to get lots of nutrients in one meal.  Serve with extra sharp shredded cheddar, sour cream, tortilla chips, whatever you like!  

* A big part of my health care beliefs are that incorporating herbs into your food is a great way to stay healthy!  When I make this for myself, I usually include some calendula petals, which help soothe the stomach, nervous system, and lymph system.  

White Willow Bark Vs. Aspirin

White willow bark is a great alternative to aspirin and can provide gentle but still powerful pain relief.  Hippocrates recommended that his patients chew the bark for fever and inflammation as early as 400 B.C.  In 1829 Europe, scientist found that salicin was the active ingredient in White Willow Bark, or the ingredient that causes the pain relieving properties.  However, extracting salicin from White Willow Bark was difficult and time consuming. In 1852 a synthetic form was created called salicylic acid.  The body converts salicin to salicylic acid after being metabolized in the stomach.  This is why some believe that White Willow Bark is more gentle on the gastrointestinal system, because the acidic property of salicylic acid never was meant to be actually present in the stomach.  This acid can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.  Then, later, Bayer, a German company, called salicylic acidacetylsalicylic acid, or ASA and marketed it as the aspirin we know today. 

I personally take White Willow Bark in the dry leaf form as a tea.  I brew 1 to 2 teaspoons in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.  I take around 3 to 4 cups a day as needed.  

I buy my white willow bark in bulk, at about $7 per pound.  I usually buy $1 worth and it lasts me six months or so.  I am lucky enough to have a great chain shop that sells bulk dried herbs, but it you don't this website is well respected and ethical for sourcing your herby needs.  

White Willow Bark

Uses: Pain relief, especially pain caused by inflammation. 

Form: Tea

Dosage: 1-2 tsp. in 1 cup hot water for 10-15 minutes.  3-4 cups per day as needed. 

Things to consider: Do not take if you have bleeding tendencies, as it can thin the blood. 

My herbalism disclaimer: While I have been studying herbs for five years now and am a Registered Nurse with a bachelor's degree in allopathic medicine, I do not know you.  I do not know your special body quirks or how you react to certain compounds.  Please do not use my words as concrete fact and realize that these herbs have traditional uses that work for most.