Echinacea for babies & children- does it work?

[Witchycat]

My dd (15 months) seems to have had a cold permanently for the last 3 months. She eats well (when her apetite isn't poor because of feeling ill) but I want to try something that will help boost her immune system.

I've found an echinacea tincture that says it's ok for her age but she seems to be able to taste it in water straight away -even a drop.

Does anyone know if it's worth persvering with? I.e. anyone else used it & seen an improvemnt?

Any other suggestions for immune system boosting natural things?

thanks

I don't think it works (tried it myself once and saw not one iota of difference)

how about manuka honey? Tastes nice and has powerful natural antibiotic properties. Strength 10+ best. Nice on toast!
And also live yoghurt or probiotics - Solgar do a tasteless powder you can sprinkle on food - boosts natural immunity. HTH.

defintly agreewith ruty's honey idea. pure honey is very good.
almonds are also very good for boosting immunity. at 15 months i should imagine she is ok to have them crushed up in a milkshake. assuming she isnt allergic to them of course. most nuts are actually very beneficial.
vitamin c in any form is always good. and because it is water soluble, ie it passes straight through, you cant overdose on it. and it helps boost immunity.
zinc iss good for adults. i guess finding out what foods contain more zinc and feeding her those?
are you still breastfeeding?

Thanks for these ideas. Have been giving live yoghurt but will try honey too.

No, not still b/f unfortunately. I know it's not a 100% proven link but she was never ill at all while she was b/f (nor was I).

Be careful with honey - because your daughter is so young. I think they tell you not to give them honey under 1 year but I'd want to check it out if I were you.

You can get a juice in Germany called Sanddornsaft (in French 'argousier' - don't know it in English) which is relly good & helps boost immune system. It is some kind of berry judging by the picture on the bottle.It is marketed by 'Weleda' who do various natural remedies. It might be worth looking on their web site. If you add it to orange juice you can't really taste it.

Mine noticed the tincture too. Have given up and resorted to holland & barret echinacea lollies, not particularly potent, but I have to do something about their noses!!

as far as i know honey is fine over one year old.

Ooh, I've got a Weleda catalogue somewhere Chocolateshoes so will try that.

Honey- so far as I'm aware the risk is of infant botullism & I think the risks are pretty low. It's definately pre-one yr old anyway - she's had small amount of standard English honey but haven't tried Manuka yet. It seems so expensive, but if it works, it would be worth it.

Haven't seen the echinacea lollipops in our H&B but will try the independent health food place near us.

I found it worked for me & DP when totally knackered during winter months with new baby, but had to rely on friends & family in Switzerlnd to get it for me. I know that in Quebec they swear by it & you can get lollies etc mde from it. Apparently in recent Olympic Games the Chinese team had it as their team drink. You can get juice or syrup. Hope you find some!