Q&A: How much herbal remedy should I give my child?

You've had such success in treating your common ailments with herbal remedies that you want to use the for your children. But the recipes that you use to make infusions and tinctures are all for adult dosages. And, just as with prescription and over-the-counter medications, the wrong dosage of an herbal remedy could prove harmful So how do you adjust the dosage for your child? HerbalRemediesInfo.com has compiled a chart with adult dosages adjusted for children.

For infusions and teas that call for an adult dose of one cup, adjust the dose accordingly.

• Newborn to 2 Years—One dose equals 1/2 teaspoon.
• 2-4 Years—One does equals 2TBS.
• 4-7 Years—One does equals1/4 Cup
• 7-11 Years—One does equals1/2 Cup

For tinctures that call for an adult dose of 1 teaspoon, dosages for children are:

• Younger than 3 months—One does equals 2 drops
• 3-6 months—One does equals3 drops
• 6-9 months—One does equals 4 drops
• 9-12 months—One does equals 5 drops
• 12-18 months —One does equals 7 drops
• 18-24 months—One does equals 8 drops
• 2-3 years—One does equals 10 drops
• 3-4 years—One does equals 12 drops
• 4-6 years—One does equals15 drops
• 6-9 years—One does equals 24 drops
• 9-12 years—One does equals 30 drops

A nursing mother may also take an adult dose and the herbs will be transmitted to her baby through her breast milk, filtered and diluted to the appropriate strength.