What Is Herbal Medicine?
Immune support made simple with echinacea extract
A gentle guide for parents who want natural support for their children
Not long ago, a mum sat across from me at her child’s naturopathy consult and said:
“I’ve seen herbal teas in the shops — is that what you mean by herbal medicine?”
It’s such a common and beautiful question.
Because when we talk about using plants to support children’s health, we’re not just talking about chamomile tea at bedtime (though that’s a lovely start). Herbal medicine is a time-honoured, evidence-informed system of healing that taps into the power of nature and it can be gentle, safe, and incredibly effective for little ones.
Let’s explore what it actually is, how it works, and how I use it in clinic to help children feel well, calm, and strong in their bodies.
So, What Is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine is the use of specific plants to support the body’s natural healing processes.
It’s not the same as just grabbing a tea off the supermarket shelf or taking a multivitamin with some herbs added in. Clinical herbal medicine is:
Targeted and personalised
Backed by tradition and modern research
Prepared in specific forms and strengths
Matched to your child’s unique constitution, needs, and sensitivities
It’s about more than symptoms — it’s about finding what your child’s body is asking for, and choosing herbs that bring balance, nourishment, and resilience.
How I Use Herbs to Support Children
In my clinic, I use herbal medicine to gently support:
Recurrent colds and infections
Tummy pain, worms, and digestive upsets
Sleep challenges
Mood and emotional regulation
Eczema and skin flare-ups
Immune resilience
Hormonal and developmental changes
Some children need calming herbs. Others need immune-strengthening, liver-cleansing, or gut-soothing plants. Every remedy is chosen carefully, with your child’s age, energy, temperament, and overall health in mind.
Is Herbal Medicine Safe for Children?
Yes — when used properly, absolutely.
Children are highly sensitive and responsive to herbal medicine, which means we don’t need to use large doses. In fact, I often start with low doses in liquid form, carefully calibrated for their weight and constitution.
I only use practitioner-grade herbal extracts that are:
Free from fillers, sweeteners, or additives
Ethically sourced
Safe for paediatric use
Prepared in age-appropriate strengths
And of course — herbs are never prescribed in isolation. We also look at food, rhythm, sleep, emotional needs, and the home environment to create a plan that truly supports your child.
What Forms Do Herbal Remedies Come In?
You won’t be forced to brew bitter teas (unless you want to!). I work with:
Liquid herbal blends – customised and easy to hide in juice or smoothies
Herbal powders – mixed into yoghurt, muffins or porridge
Teas – for older children who enjoy a warm drink or foot bath
Gummies or syrups – a child-friendly option for calming or immune blends
Topical herbs – creams, oils, or bath infusions for skin support
I always help parents find the easiest, most realistic way to get herbs into their child — because I know life is full enough already.
Some of My Favourite Gentle Herbs for Kids
Each child is unique, but here are a few of the plant allies I often reach for:
Chamomile – calming for both tummy and nervous system
Lemon balm – mood-lifting and antiviral, great for anxious or unsettled kids
Elderberry – immune support with antiviral action
Calendula – beautiful for gut healing and skin repair
Albizia – helpful for allergic kids or those with eczema
Passionflower – for kids who feel “wired and tired” and struggle to wind down
Liquorice – a sweet herb that soothes coughs, tummies, and adrenals
These herbs may be combined in blends — always tailored for your child’s age, needs, and sensitivities.
A Little Story from Clinic
A mum came to see me recently about her 4-year-old daughter who’d been struggling with frequent tummy aches, mild constipation, and lots of bedtime worries.
We started simply. A few tweaks to her diet. A small herbal blend with chamomile, lemon balm, and marshmallow root to soothe both her digestion and her nervous system. A dropper bottle she could use at home — a ritual before bed.
A few weeks later, her mum emailed me:
“She’s sleeping better, and we’ve had no tummy complaints. She asks for her drops every night — calls them her ‘dream drops’.”
That’s what herbal medicine can do.
Not just symptom relief, but real shifts in how a child feels in their body — calm, steady, and well.
Is Herbal Medicine Just for Kids… or Can I Use It Too?
Herbal medicine isn’t just for little ones — it’s for the whole family.
In fact, many of the herbs I use in children’s care are just as helpful for mums, dads, and caregivers. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, stress, poor sleep, low energy, or immunity struggles — there are plant-based remedies that can support you, too.
When I work with families, I often find that a child’s healing journey invites the parent to slow down and care for themselves as well. Herbal medicine can be a beautiful way to nourish everyone in the home — gently, safely, and in rhythm with nature.
A Gentle Word
If you’ve been searching for a more natural, gentle way to support your child’s health, you’re not alone. Parents are asking more questions, tuning into their instincts, and wanting tools that don’t come with long lists of side effects.
Herbal medicine isn’t about doing it all yourself or turning your home into a forest apothecary.
It’s about having a trusted guide to walk alongside you — someone who can choose the right herbs for the right time, and make them easy to use.
That’s where I come in.
Ready to Explore Herbal Support for Your Child?
If your little one is struggling with sleep, immunity, digestion, mood, or just doesn’t seem quite themselves — I’d love to help.
Let’s create a simple, evidence-informed herbal plan that brings their body back into balance and helps them thrive.
Book a Children’s Naturopathy Consultation
So we can explore your child’s needs — gently, thoughtfully, and naturally.
With care,
Ayelet x
