Herbs for Kids: Safe, Simple Remedies to Make Together

It’s not every day I get to introduce another Juliet—but today I am delighted to share the work of Juliet Howard, a mother, author, and herbalist, much like myself.

In this “Herbs for Kids” article, Juliet offers tender stories of parenting with herbalism, along with gentle recipes and creative activities that children will love. From soothing first-aid remedies to playful projects that spark curiosity, her words remind us that raising children with herbs is not only practical but also a way of passing on plant-based knowledge.

So with pleasure, I’ll let Juliet Howard’s voice carry the story forward.
– Juliet Blankespoor

Creating a life among the green world is both empowering and full of depth. Read on to learn about simple ways to connect with plants, herbs that are helpful for children, first aid preparations, and herbal recipes you can make together.

When you know the plants, you always have friends. Years ago, I went on a retreat in England where I didn’t know anyone in the group. Shortly after arrival, I thought I had made a huge mistake and figured I’d need to hop on the next flight out. But I took a deep breath and ventured out onto a walk in the rolling green hills nearby. Soon after, I saw mugwort popping up everywhere, walked under hawthorn branches, smelled lemon balm, and saw sweet sprigs of red clover emerging in the meadow below my feet. I felt at home. I felt loved. I felt seen. My friends were here, and I knew I could get through anything. And the trip ended up being a magical and restorative moment in time.

Getting to know a plant isn’t quite the same as getting to know a person, but there are some commonalities: It’s important to spend time together, engage in reciprocity, and listen with an open heart.

When we take the time to sit with a plant, to allow ourselves to slow down, to hug a tree, to lay down in the grass, we give our bodies permission to rest. We allow our vibration to sync with the vibration of the earth, which operates at a much slower, more resonant pace.

Let’s Meet the Plants + Make Some Magic Together

Now that we have learned some ways to connect with plants, let’s meet some plants that are especially wonderful for children, as they are gentle, nourishing, and endlessly helpful.

Children’s Health Safety Notes for Parents and Caregivers

You are your child’s best advocate and greatest comfort. If your doctor or health care provider says or does something that just doesn’t seem right, speak up. Trust your gut. You have valuable insights into your child’s health that can benefit your health care provider’s decision-making or diagnosis. If your health care provider doesn’t answer your questions, doesn’t value your insight, or at all belittles your opinion, find another provider! Here are a few scenarios in which we recommend seeking conventional medical care. Sometimes, we need care other than herbal home remedies. Be careful not to let natural health dogmatism compromise anyone’s health!

Please call your doctor or seek emergency medical care for any of these potentially serious symptoms:

• Pronounced lethargy, with or without a fever. If your child is totally disinterested in playing and/or eating food and just seems seriously “off,” call your doctor.
• Fever over 100.4°F (38°C) in a young baby (under three months old).
• High fever over 103.5°F (39.7°C) or persistent fever (for more than three days).
• Difficulty breathing, with rapid, shallow breathing and wheezing sounds.
• Persistent or extremely painful earache, sore throat, severe headache, or stomachache.
• A red streak emanating from a wound.
• Frequent vomiting or diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in infants. If your child hasn’t urinated at least once every 8 to 12 hours, they may be dehydrated. Other symptoms of dehydration include a lack of tears when crying, dry mouth, soft fontanel (soft spot on a baby’s skull), and sunken eyes. Blood in the vomit or in diarrhea is also cause for concern.
• Fever, stiff neck, and headache are symptoms of possible meningitis. A child with meningitis often exhibits only two out of the three previously listed symptoms. In babies, a bulging fontanel (soft spot) can be an indicator of meningitis or other potentially serious conditions. When an infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, the fontanel may bulge, but it should return to normal when the infant returns to a calm, head-up position. Immediate emergency care is called for if any infant exhibits a bulging fontanel, especially with lethargy or fever.

Determining Dosage in Children by Weight

To determine the child’s dosage by weight, you can assume that the adult dosage is for a 150-pound adult. Divide the child’s weight by 150. Multiply that number by the recommended adult dosage.