Do you have a friend that you don’t get to see very often, but even so, you just kind of pick up where you left off when you do get together? A friend who just gets it and you? Someone you can talk with and she understands exactly what you are saying on so many levels? A forever friend?

 

Well, I am happy to introduce you to my forever friend, Susan. We met in school a while back and even though we live two hours apart, we make it a priority to meet up once or twice a year to catch up. Not to mention, a few emails in between.

 

And, not only is she my forever friend, but she is also incredibly knowledgeable about many wellness topics. So, I asked her if she would share some of the wealth with you.

 

Susan has an extensive background and experience with herbs, including an apprenticeship at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. So, welcome to today’s post, The Best Fall Herbs For Healthy Kids, where she shares her favorite Fall "flavors" and how to use them.

 

NOTE: The info here is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any condition. Always check with your doctor first.

 

THE BEST FALL HERBS FOR HEALTHY KIDS with Susan McDermid

Question:

Tell me a bit about your life-long passion for wellness.

Answer:

I'm a long time herb enthusiast and I took an apprenticeship at The Boston School of Herbal Studies, which I highly recommend to everyone. Many years ago some health problems were NOT being solved at the doctor's office and with my pets at the vet's office. That's what led to learning about many alternatives that I now rely on every day.

 

It started with a friend inviting me to a reiki class, then I moved on to other energetic modalities like kinesiology and energy medicine. That led me to find a whole world of remedies, with no dangerous side effects, at the local health food store. It became my life long journey to learn all I can about alternatives. Taking personal control of my health in this way has been the most empowering thing I've ever done.

Question:

Why should I use natural herbs with my kids? What are the benefits?

Answer:

1. My number one reason to use natural herbs with kids is that they’re likely to help while not causing any negative side effects.
2. Number two is that you know exactly what you are getting when using a reputable source or wildcrafting your own herbs.
3. Lastly, when you use a plant, you are using it's complete innate ability to promote good health. An over the counter remedy may only contain a part of the plant, which does not work as well as the whole plant. It's best when all of the components of the plant work synergistically. We humans cannot duplicate that intelligence.

There was a time when humans only had herbs available for promoting health and solving health problems. It makes total sense to learn these old traditions now, which gives us so many more helpful, instantly accessible tools in our toolboxes when our kids don't feel well.

 

Nibbling on a few caraway seeds, mint, marshmallow root or motherwort beats taking Tums in my opinion. And, Manuka honey applied to a cut finger will work better than antibiotic creams, again my opinion and observation.

 

Question:

What should I look for when buying herbs to ensure good quality?

Answer:

Always use organic, look for small batch, and local sourcing. If you buy bulk, take a look and ensure you see the vibrant green of the leaves, so it is fresh. The best herbs in the world will lose their efficacy if they are stored in sunlight, in hot places, or for too long on a shelf.

 

Question:

Can you share a few Fall favorites and their unique benefits?

Answer:

The most relied upon herb for families at this time of year is elderberry. Not only is it beneficial to help beat a cold, but you can take it before you get a cold so you can perhaps avoid the illness completely. The flavor, like most berries, is pleasant so it goes down well with the kids. Even the local pharmacy carries it, sometimes called Sambucus or Sambucol.

 

Another all-time favorite is fire cider. It's so easy to make yourself. Get some organic raw cider vinegar, a little raw local honey and add any number of beneficial herbs of your choice. Let it sit for a couple of weeks and you will have an amazing immune booster that is delicious, too. It can be used in salad dressings or just consumed by the spoonful.

 

The ingredients I use most often are garlic, citrus peel, hot peppers, ginger, horseradish, sometimes pine needles, sometimes turmeric or sumac. It just depends on what I have on hand. The best part is that kids can be involved in making this and have loads of fun making "their own special remedy".

 

• Toss in a stick of astragalus root when you heat up soup or applesauce. It will infuse the broth with immune boosters without changing the taste.
• Turmeric powder can be added to applesauce, mashed potatoes, and even hot cereal in the morning.
• Slip some slippery elm and marshmallow into jello or a pudding cup for a sore throat or a tummy ache.
• Cook vegetables with seaweed for added of vitamins and minerals.

Question:

What is the best way to use these Fall herbs for kids?

Answer:

For kids it's all about pleasant tastes. Lots of herbal remedies come in an alcohol base, which is tough on the taste buds, and well... it's alcohol. You can choose a glycerite base which is sweet. The kids love it.

 

There are so many ways to mask herb flavors, too. You can add them to soups or hot cereal or even hide them within homemade popsicles.

 

If all you have is an alcohol based remedy, you can boil off the alcohol and the remaining herbs can be added to applesauce, for instance.  There is no limit to the creative ways of getting good helpful herbs into our kids' diets.

 

FALL-INSPIRED HERB & FOOD COMBOS FRIDGE GUIDE

I created an easy access fridge guide for you, so all of this info is right at your fingertips. I added it to the Mindfulness Library, so click the button below, and I will send you the password. If you already have a password, you can go straight to the Mindfulness Library.