alternative remedies

[Emmagee]

Echinachea again...can you take it when breastfeeding?

Emmagee, a recent medical study found no link between taking echinacea in pregnancy and birth defects; but as far as I know, no study has yet looked specifically at breastfeeding and taking it. This study was generally reported in the press because it coincidentally showed that most of the subjects had taken the echinacea without the slightest thought it might damage their unborn child, such is its popularity and effectiveness.

Health professionals are very cautious, for obvious and correct reasons, and if there is no specific research showing that something is safe to take during lactation, then they will advise you against it.

I must admit, the way I looked at it was that if you live in a high-density country such as the UK, you are subjected to all sorts of substances in daily life that are transmitted to your child through your milk. Also, I don't know about you, but during the aftermath of my wonky caesarean, I suspect I was given max strength antibiotics intravenously, and all of that went straight through to my baby. So, after some thought, I took the echinacea, being sure to use it only for a short period and sticking well to the recommended dose.
I hope this helps you make up your mind - it's not really an answer. I found Tigerchild a helpful website generally on parent/child health issues.
And I hope you feel better soon!

Emmagee, try ringing the medicine shop on 01625 599777. They are very good at finding out about all the alternative remedies, I used them when I had glandular fever & the doctors couldn't do anything. The are much better than the standard healthfood shops.
BTW they also told me about the correct dosage of echinacea to gicve children, I use it with both of mine during the cold season.

You can find echinacea in a very low dosage sold specifically for children. I think it is called Ekidnachea, I will check when I go home tonight. I felt better about giving it to my three year old because it had dosage for young children specified on the bottle.
I got it from my local health store.

Thanks Emmagee -How strange, I was going to ask the very same question myself today- am off to buy some now!!

A really good site I would recommend particularly as their service is speedy is www.ThinkNatural.com.

Hi, just got some by Bio-force called simply 'echinachea for children'. It's from age 2-6 (when they can have adult's at reduced dose) and it cost about £5 - it just drops you can put in their juice (no taste what-so-ever)...Hope it'll work so as not to repeat the endless runny noses last year! Got some for me too

Thanks for that Lizzer I will stock up at the weekend. We've always used the adult dose Bioforce as I was told this is the best on the market, so it's good to know they are doing one for children too.

Ah, yes Marina I think I was taken for a ride on the adult stuff I got for myself because I went for a slightly cheaper version than the Bio-force for the same quantity. But, when I got it home you have to take it 3 times rather than twice and you have to use double the amount of drops - so I won't be buying that brand again!

Remember to check the doses before you part with your money- that's my advice folks!

I've just bought the Holland and Barrett childrens echinacea - does anyone know (it doesn't say on the pack) whether you can continue using it right through the winter? One adult version I had last year said 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, and I think in the States that they don't recommend continuous use. Also, does anyone know whether there is a childrens version that tastes any better? At the moment I'm having to disguise it with Ribena, which I don't like doing as he usually only has juice on special occasions and this is needed twice a day.

Paula1

The advice re echnicaea is correct do not take continuously but a couple of weeks at a time.

It is interesting that there is a childrens version I'll have to check that out.

My question is can you take it when you are pregnant? As all my dealings have been when I haven't!

I was advised not to take echinacea whilst pregant or breastfeeding (and I think it says not to on the Holland & Barrett packaging).
A company called "Nature's Answers for Kids" makes a kid' strength echinacea called E-Kid-Nacea although the price may put you off: £10.95 (tel. 01274 488511)
I'm a recent convert to homeopathy. I have started using it in conjunction with rather than instead of conventional medicine - e.g. I've twice used belladonna successfully to reduce a fever in my 9 month old but on another occasion it didn't work and I happily used calpol. I swear by "Medised" once a child is 1. However, my second daughter has had loads of colds in her first year and is too young for medised - I've recently discovered that the homeopathic remedy pulsatilla will clear a stuffy nose and allow her to sleep.
Has anyone tried E-Kid-Nacea ?

Pamina, try the Nelsons or Boots homoeopathic teething granules. Safe for even the smallest baby and contains xylitol (antibacterial natural ingredient, see Robinw for details!) and chamomilla, which is a general soothing and calming homoeopathic remedy.
We use alternative remedies whenever we can and also have reservations about antibiotics unless necessary, but I really would not stint on the calpol or Nurofen (within recommended dosage...) It is such an effective and safe way to reduce a child's fever.
Our son went through this his first winter at nursery too, and it was very depressing at times. If it is any consolation at all, with any luck she will be much, much better next year.
We put "bas oil" under his pillow (Olbas Oil) and burn lavender oil, which is very soothing - and he has echinacea drops (two weeks on, one week off) and Kindervital in his porridge all winter. Kindervital is a Swiss herb tonic available from healthfood shops. It's very good.
Hope she is not passing them all on to you two as well - our ds certainly did, so don't forget the remedies and tlc for the grownups too. Thank goodness you can keep the rum and hot lemon for yourselves.

Pamina

My homeopath doesn't try to treat colds too much as there are so many variations of symptoms and it usually means the body needs to rid itself of 'something' she can prescribe things to speed up the process (she is close to us Balham off trinity road wandsworth common end!and her number is 07050 133896 - Sunita). Pulsatilla is good if your baby is v clingy and you feel sympathy for her and she improves when outdoors. Chamomilla if she is driving you mad and v changeable. I used myrtle oil on a tissue tucked in to my dd's babygrow when she had the snuffles and an oil burner with the same in at night (but put it out bfore i went to bed!!) If they are very snuffly try raising their mattress at night so that are slightly tilted they should find it easier to breathe - i put a pillow underneath my dd's cot mattress to tilt it.

Hope this helps

Sorry, Pamina, did not get back to you on Echinacea drops. I was hoping to use one that Bioforce were introducing for children, as I think their product is the best for adults on the market. But my local health food shop didn't have it at the time and recommended FSC Healthcrafts Echinacea for children. It is manufactured in the US and interestingly has no minimum age marked on the bottle (I wonder if this is the norm for American remedies, does anyone know?). It has a range of dosages and we have started our two year old on just above the minimum.
I think the main difference is that adult versions use alcohol to suspend and preserve the echinacea, children's use something else, called glycerite (safe for veggies according to the bottle I have). I was told you could warm Bioforce gently in tepid water to evaporate the minute quantity of alcohol, but it seemed less trouble to get stuff I could just squirt in his juice.
Hope you are all feeling better.

Pamina

Apologies for delay. I use my homeopath in conjuntion with my Doctor. Usually I make sure it is not immediately life threatening at the GP first!! then when I get the usual take some antibiotics I go to see my homoepath who usually sorts me out. Also if she thought that I needed to consult a doctor or was worried about my symptoms she would advise accordingly. The idea is you go once a month initially to have everyhting ironed out as it were but I tend to go as and when. She has done brilliant things with my daughter who suffered badly with chest infections etc and was diagnosed asthmatic - she is also a qualified healer (which I remain slightly more sceptical of) but the healing on my daughter has worked absolute wonders!

To be honest the whole thing has encouraged mew to train to become a homepath too so hopefully in Sept 2002 I embark on my 4 year course!!

I'm taking echinacea at the minute but I'm a bit confused. My doctor and the health shop where I bought the drops (Bioforce) told me to use them between October and April and only once a day was enough but in a recent Which Report they say they should only be taken for six weeks max. Who is right any ideas? My two year old ds is taking the echinacea for juniors which I bought from Holland & Barrett. Again only once a day as that was all they suggested.

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I too read today in one of the Sundays, not to take them for more than 6 weeks.

Since having my daughter I have become really interested in homeopathy. Nelsons Teetha is so effective and we recently used arnica for a really nasty bump on her head. I'm feeling really bad tho' because she just had her first lot of antibiotics (she was 2 yesterday), had to go to the emrgency surgery 3 hours before her party as she has a really nasty cold and had got completely infected with a horrendous cough which kept all 3 of us up for the entire night before. I knew the doctor would prescribe antibiotics but was at a loss as to what to do otherwise. We can't afford to pay to see a homeopath and I don't know enough to by remedies over the counter. Am I stuck with conventional medicine until we are a bit better off? I know that my daughters health is worth more than money but there just isn't any spare at the moment and the antibiotics have done the job and are free. Can anyone recommend any good books or have any other suggestions?

Fidge, some NHS doctors also treat patients with homeopathy - there is one such in our practice, here. It's also worth asking around at chemists. There is a chemist where we used to live where the pharmacist was very keen on homeopathy. He would often offer a homeopathic remedy alongside the usual suggestions. It might take you a few phone calls or some trekking round shops but their advice is free! HTH

Hi, I've got a book on natural remedies for babies and children and there are some great concoctions in it for colds and runny noses!

Apparently a herb called "hyssop" is an ancient cure for respiratory problems and bronchitis; it is an expectorant. You can use it in essential oil form, very diluted, for a chest rub. Or you can use the dried form to make a tea.

Elderflowers are very safe and effective for colds and chesty coughs. It can also be used in a tea, even for babies. Chamomile is a soothing herb; licorice root is also soothing as well as an expectorant, plus most children like the taste! Thyme is an antiseptic, astringent with anti-fungal properties. Great for clearing congestion in a steam vaporiser/humidifier; use essential oil in an oil burner - you can also add tea tree, lemon, and/or lavender oils.

Add 2 drops of peppermint oil to baby's bathwater, mixing first in almond oil, for bubs with a stuffy nose. For children over 12 months, you can make a decongestant chestrub with 2 drops lemon tea-tree oil and 3 drops of tea-tree oil in a third of a cup of almond oil; or 2 drops juniper oil and 2 drops of lemon oil with a third of a cup of almond oil.

If anyone wants the recipes for the cough mixture or any of the teas, let me know - this is getting a bit long now! Hope this has been helpful or interesting!