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Remember the thrill and the fear we felt as we prepared to go back to school?  Excitement of seeing our friends again, shopping for clothes and school supplies, fears about new teachers and stress about new classes, early morning wake up calls…  It also means being confined in close quarters with many people, flu bugs and other bacteria and viruses.  No worries though because there are some herbal remedies that can help our children (and parents) stay healthy, well-rested and alert.

SLEEP TIGHT

We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep.  Using simple herbs can propel us into a peaceful, regenerative sleep and awaken us with a clear mind. 

1 oz Catnip

2 oz Chamomile

1 oz Oatstraw

½ oz Passion flower

½ oz Licorice root

1 oz Spearmint

Stevia or honey to taste

Mix herbs together and store in glass jar.  Put 8 teaspoons herb blend and 8 cups water in large pot, cover tightly and bring to simmer. Turn off heat and leave covered overnight.  Strain and store in refrigerator.  Drink hot or cold, a cup with breakfast and with dinner, or put in lunch thermos.

DREAM PILLOWS

Another fun way herbs can assist in sleep is using Dream Pillows. Herbs such as chamomile, lemon balm, rose buds, mugwort, catnip, hops have been used for centuries to promote sleep AND to encourage dreams. It is also a fun family activity and gets your child involved in their sleep journey. Simply choose the herbs you’d like to use and place them in a muslin bag, a large tea bag or if time permits, make a sachel from some vintage material – a favorite pillowcase, grandma’s old apron, whatever you might have. Fill your sachel with the herb/herbs and tuck it inside your pillow, on your nightstand or close-by dresser and enjoy their essence all night long.

CHAMOMILE/LEMON POPSICLE

Who doesn’t like a bedtime snack? If your child is anxious for the day ahead, a nice relaxing snack might just do the trick.

Juice and zest of 1 large lemon

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp chamomile flowers

2-1/2 cups boiling water

In a heat-proof bowl, mix all ingredients together and let steep for 30-45 minutes, or until cool. Strain and pour into popsicle molds and freeze completely.

*If your child starts to feel a scratchy throat, you could add a 2” piece of fresh ginger (thinly sliced) to this mix for a soothing added bonus.

IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN

Need a little extra brain power for those grueling tests? Herbs like ginkgo biloba, gotu kola and rosemary have been shown to help improve memory.  You can make these into a tea but many people prefer the liquid extract preparation or tincture.  Check with your local herbalist for dosages depending on the age/weight of you or your child.

IMMUNE SUPPORT

A joyful, positive attitude goes a long way in creating a strong healthy immune system.  Look for herbs that are rich in vitamin C and herbs like Astragalus to boost your immune system. 

2 oz Astragalus root

2 oz Rosehips

1 oz Lemongrass

½ oz Cinnamon chips

½ oz Nettle leaf

¼ oz Orange peel

Stevia or honey to taste

Mix herbs together and store in glass jar.  Put 8 teaspoons herb blend and 8 cups water in large pot, cover tightly and bring to simmer. Turn off heat and leave covered overnight.  Strain and store in refrigerator.

Finally, all of the herbs in this article are packed full of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, anti oxidants and free radical scavengers so using herbs daily will increase your overall health and well-being.  Enjoy and be nice to your new teacher, they are as scared as you!

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