Back-to-School Herbal Support

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, so we can awaken with a clear mind.

8 cups water

1 oz catnip

2 oz chamomile

1 oz oat straw

½ oz passion flower

½ oz licorice root

1 oz spearmint

Stevia or honey to taste

• Mix dry ingredients together (except sweetener) and store in glass jar.
• Put eight teaspoons herb blend and water in large pot, cover tightly and bring to simmer.
• Turn off heat and leave covered; steep for about 30 minutes.
• Strain and enjoy.
• Store unused tea in refrigerator.
• Drink hot or cold, a cup with breakfast and with dinner, and/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 and 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 the 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 satchel from some vintage material—a favorite pillowcase, grandma’s old apron, or whatever you might have. Fill your satchel with the herb/herbs and put it under your pillow, or on your nightstand or close-by dresser and enjoy the 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 ½ 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, 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.

8 cups water

2 oz Astragalus root

2 oz rose hips

1 oz lemongrass

½ oz cinnamon chips

½ oz nettle leaf

¼ oz orange peel

Stevia or honey to taste

• Mix dry ingredients together (except sweetener) and store in glass jar.
• Put eight teaspoons herb blend and water in large pot, cover tightly and bring to simmer.
• Turn off heat and leave covered; steep for about 30 minutes.
• Strain and enjoy.
• Store unused tea in refrigerator.
• Drink hot or cold, a cup with breakfast and with dinner, and/or put in lunch thermos.

All of the herbs in this article are packed full of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, antioxidants and free-radical scavengers, so using these high-quality organic herbs daily will increase your overall health and well-being.

Kathleen Gould, registered herbalist, and Madalyn Johnson are proprietors of SW Herb Shop and Gathering Place. Gould has been an herbalist for 30-plus years and has extensive experience in herbal medicine. For more information, call 480-694-9931 or visit SWHerb.com or Store.SWHerb.com.

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