The Daily Mail warns that echinacea can “cause allergies” in children, while BBC News states that echinacea cure is inappropriate for children under the age of 12.
According to a press statement from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), parents and caregivers should avoid giving oral herbal products containing echinacea to children under the age of 12 years. The danger of uncommon allergic reactions, which the MHRA states “may occasionally be severe” in this age group, has led to the warning being issued.
According to the MHRA, licensed echinacea products that were approved for use in kids between the ages of 6 and 12 are currently having their product information updated, and any stock that is still on hand will have new labels attached that provide this updated information. The MHRA cautions that there are unauthorized versions of echinacea products available, and it requests that they be similarly labeled.
According to an MHRA spokeswoman, the action was “precautionary in nature” and parents shouldn’t be concerned if they have previously administered echinacea to kids under the age of 12.
What is echinacea and what is it used for?
According to popular belief, echinacea boosts immunity and guards against illnesses.
Many people believe that echinacea plants, the root, seeds, and other elements of them, can guard them against colds. Numerous research have been conducted to determine the effects of echinacea, but no conclusive results have been found.
Why can’t children consume echinacea?
Echinacea study is still in its early stages. While some studies show benefits for kids, others do not. There may even be proof that echinacea makes some disorders worse in some circumstances.
For colds
Echinacea is occasionally used by parents to treat their child’s cold. According to a meta-analysis of 14 research, echinacea significantly lowers the risk of catching a cold by 58%. Echinacea supplementation was also reported to shorten common colds by 1.4 days.
However, a different meta-analysis that examined 24 randomized controlled trials with a total of 4,631 participants discovered that the benefits of echinacea products for treating colds was marginal to nonexistent.
Echinacea was proven to be ineffective for treating upper respiratory infection symptoms in children between the ages of 2 and 11. Additionally, it was discovered that kids who took echinacea had a higher risk of developing a rash than kids who didn’t.
Allergies may be to blame for this negative affect. According to a different study, echinacea can occasionally cause infants to experience acute hypersensitivity responses (an excessive immunological response).
According to a meta-analysis by American Family Physician, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of echinacea to treat childhood colds.
For ear infections
Children’s ear infections are frequently diagnosed. According to one study, echinacea not only had little effect for treating ear infections, but it actually slightly raised a child’s risk of developing them.
Echinacea may boost the immune system, according to an older systematic evaluation of 26 controlled clinical trials. Researchers claimed that the technique used in the majority of these studies was subpar and unreliable. They came to the conclusion that more study is required in this area.
For acne
Echinacea purpurea was discovered to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation in an in vitro laboratory research.
To ascertain whether this result can be reproduced in individuals, echinacea and acne experiments in humans are still required.
Can a child drink echinacea tea?
June 26, 2000 — If you stroll inside a health food store, you’ll likely see a dizzying selection of herbal products intended for kids. The same substances frequently appear repeatedly on the labels of the medicines despite the fact that they come in a wide variety of packages and make a wide variety of promises.
What is the opinion of science? The Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research at Children’s Hospital in Boston is directed by Kathi Kemper, MD, who has examined the research supporting each of the herbs that are most frequently administered to kids. Furthermore, the verdict is still out in the majority of cases, she wrote in the journal Pediatrics in Review’s February 2000 issue.
Based on Kemper’s review and the insights of other top herbal specialists, below is the most recent information on the plants that are most frequently used in child remedies:
- Catnip. Catnip has never been properly tested on humans, despite the fact that its effectiveness on cats is undeniable. However, it is frequently used to treat indigestion, headaches, colic, low-grade fevers, upper respiratory infections, anxiety, and sleep difficulties in children. It is also known to relieve menstruation cramps. Although serious adverse effects seem to be uncommon, Kemper notes that at least one toddler experienced extreme drowsiness as a result of using it.
- Chamomile. Peter Rabbit’s worries were soothed by a hot cup of chamomile tea, and your youngster might have similar results. According to research, chamomile is a moderate sedative that appears to be suitable for kids of all ages. (However, if a youngster is allergic to ragweed, it could cause an allergic reaction.)
- Echinacea. On the grounds that it strengthens the immune system and helps ward off colds, this herb sells like hotcakes off the shelves. Contradictory findings have been reported in scientific investigations, though. Echinacea can cause dermatitis, according to Kemper, but for kids who aren’t sensitive to it, it appears to be generally safe.
- Liqueur root. In contrast to those red and black imposters in the sweets section, real licorice is a serious medicine. Licorice root can aid in easing pulmonary congestion and even has the potential to hasten the healing of stomach ulcers, according to the Complete German Commission E Monographs, a reliable source on herbal medicines. Licorice is perfectly safe when used in little amounts to flavor teas and other items, according to the monographs.
But be careful not to overdo it: Large doses of the root can result in headaches, weariness, salt and water retention, potassium loss, high blood pressure, and even cardiac arrest, according to Varro Tyler’s description in his book The Honest Herbal. Adults should take no more than 15 grams of licorice root daily for no longer than six weeks, according to the Commission E Monographs. A youngster shouldn’t consume more than 4 or 5 grams of licorice per day, according to the Herb Research Foundation’s general rule that a child’s dose should be one-fourth to onethird of an adult’s.
Bottom line: It’s okay in moderation, but proceed with extreme caution. Be sure to inform your child’s doctor of this as well.
- Weed of St. John. Kemper’s review suggests that this well-known herb may benefit adults with mild to moderate depression, despite the fact that little research has been done on its effects on children. Children who use St. John’s wort may experience lightheadedness, nausea, sleepiness, or confusion, according to Kemper. The herb can interact with numerous prescription medicines, the Food and Drug Administration recently cautioned.
Is it okay to offer echinacea to infants?
Researchers in the study examined the effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea to a placebo in treating colds in a group of 407 children. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on December 3.
About half of the 700 colds the kids experienced over a four-month period were treated with echinacea, and the other half with a placebo. Treatment started as soon as the symptoms appeared and lasted no longer than 10 days.
There was no difference in the length of colds between the two treatment groups, according to the research. Both the echinacea and placebo groups reported an average cold duration of nine days. The general level of symptom severity showed no variation either.
Despite the fact that both groups experienced a similar number of adverse events, the study found that 3 percent of children receiving a placebo got a rash, compared to 7 percent of children receiving echinacea.
Researchers claim that their findings do not support the use of Echinacea purpurea in children 2 to 11 years old due to the lack of evidence of benefit in treating children’s colds and the higher risk of rash.
However, they claim that more research is required to ascertain whether other echinacea formulations, dosages, or dosing frequencies may be useful in treating childhood colds.
How does echinacea benefit children?
Vicki Martin, a naturopath, responds to parents’ questions regarding whether they should feed their kids echinacea.
Many parents are unsure if natural herbal medicines are safe for children to use because they are becoming more and more popular among adults. One of the most well-liked herbs for preventing coughs, colds, and flu is echinacea. Therefore, it makes sense that parents would want to know if they may give it to their kids.
An Introduction to Echinacea
Echinacea, often called Purple Coneflower, is a herb that has its roots in the United States. For hundreds of years, American Indian healers have utilized it to help treat illnesses. It belongs to the same family as ragweed, marigolds, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers, which is the daisy family. The root or the flower are used to make the majority of Echinacea supplements (or both).
How Echinacea works
Echinacea promotes immune cells that fight off bacteria, fungus, and viruses, which lowers the risk of infectious diseases and their symptoms. Colds, the flu, and other respiratory diseases are now most frequently treated with it as a preventative measure.
What the research says about Echinacea and children
One group of parents in a recent study offered their children aged 1 to 5 an Echinacea and Vitamin C product. For 12 weeks, the kids took the product twice daily. A different set of parents administered a placebo to their kid. Compared to the children receiving the placebo, those receiving the Echinacea supplement experienced a considerable reduction in cold incidence—roughly by half. This implies that combining Echinacea and Vitamin C may help prevent childhood colds and flu.
Are there any cautions?
Giving children natural treatments is always a wonderful idea, but not all plants are safe for younger bodies. Echinacea, however, appears to be safe for the majority of kids.
A few reports of adverse reactions have been made; these are often rashes that go away as soon as the herb is stopped. However, youngsters who have allergies to any plants in the daisy family shouldn’t use echinacea since allergic reactions can be more severe.
Do young children take elderberry?
Elderberry syrup is a popular natural remedy that many people swear by. Its reputation has grown thanks to word-of-mouth and the efforts of parents who will do anything to keep their children well throughout the cold and flu season. But the research isn’t always as clear-cut as it is with these kinds of things. Elderberry extract was found to shorten the length of the flu by an average of 4 days in two experiments conducted a few years ago, however this finding was not supported by a subsequent (and larger) investigation.
The FDA does not regulate elderberry products because they are considered supplements, so it’s vital to buy from a trustworthy retailer (like the ones we recommend below!) and be aware that there may be significant variation between different brands.
It’s also important to remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics maintains that healthy children receiving a typical, well-balanced diet do not require vitamin supplementation above and beyond the prescribed dietary requirements. They continue by reminding us that megadoses of vitamins, such as excessive levels of vitamins A, C, or D, can have dangerous side effects.
That is to say, see your personal pediatrician before administering any supplement, regardless of the type, for safety reasons and also because supplements are costly and it is worthwhile to ensure that the money was spent wisely.
Elderberry products, like many natural cures, are not a panacea and shouldn’t take the place of other preventative measures like hand washing and advised vaccinations (such the flu shot), which are the true keys to keeping healthy. While some medical professionals are reluctant to suggest elderberry due to the unregulated nature of the products, others think it is probably safe in small quantities (these are considered a health supplement, which is not regulated by the FDA).
Conclusion: Before taking elderberry products, see your own pediatrician, who can consider your child’s particular needs, just as you should for any new supplement or prescription.
In addition to seeing your child’s doctor about this, make sure to follow the elderberry syrup’s individual brand’s directions. The gummies and powders often have slightly older age recommendations, whereas the majority of the syrups listed below are suggested for children 1 and up. (Some of the syrups also include honey, which is not suggested for children under 1 years old.)
Elderberries are known to have antiviral and antioxidant effects and are quite strong in both fiber and vitamin C. Because of this, a lot of people use the syrup as a supplement to strengthen their immune systems and combat the typical cold and flu.
In whom should echinacea not be taken?
Consult your doctor before using echinacea if you regularly take other medications. Additionally, if you smoke, use illegal substances, drink alcohol or caffeine-containing beverages, you should disclose this to your doctor. These might impact how echinacea functions.
If you have an autoimmune ailment (like lupus), an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, echinacea may not be beneficial to you (AIDS). Before beginning to use echinacea, you should discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Echinacea allergy risk may be increased if you have a history of allergies to daisies, ragweed, marigolds, chrysanthemums, or other related plants.
Which herbal teas are OK for young children?
Typically, herbal tea, or tea produced from herbs and fruits, is caffeine-free. Mint, chamomile, fruits, and other spices are commonly used to make herbal tea. Herbal tea can assist children over the age of 2 manage the symptoms of some mild diseases, such as colds, allergies, or motion sickness, and is a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. A newborn under six months old should never be given herbal tea since it can contain dangerous microorganisms or trigger an allergic reaction.
Herbal tea can be used by children over the age of 2, and some experts note that it may be a healthy option for kids because it is hydrating and doesn’t contain sugar like juice or soda.
Some herbal teas can be used to treat children’s minor illness symptoms. Consult your child’s doctor if you are unsure whether it is okay to give them a particular brand of herbal tea. Tea for children should be served with fewer infusions (and at a lower temperature) than tea for adults. The following varieties of tea are advised for young ones:
tea with peppermint. This herbal tea can relieve motion sickness, nausea, sore throats, coughs, and upset stomachs. Additionally, it might ease a congested nose brought on by a cold or allergies.
ginger brew. Both adults and children can benefit from ginger’s effectiveness in reducing stomach discomfort. Additionally, it can reduce nausea or gas pain.
the chamomile tea. Chamomile, a relaxing drink, can assist youngsters in unwinding and preparing for sleep or in reducing mild anxiety. Since chamomile and ragweed are connected, it is advisable to avoid chamomile tea if your child is allergic to ragweed. Before giving your child chamomile tea, it’s crucial to understand the risks because chamomile also reacts with chrysanthemum family members.
flavored tea. Younger kids may like flavors like raspberry, blueberry, or peach tea. These teas can be a great and hydrating substitute for soda, juice, and other sugar-rich beverages when served at a safe temperature. Fruit teas can be consumed either hot or cold.