Page 60 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2020

the good life | herbal help

HERBAL ALLIES for Little Ones

brie malarkey, founder and ceo of sun god medicinals

he anatomical make-up of children may seem like a no brainer. capabilities that have been utilized by the first people of the area for
TThey’re just tiny adults, right? Not exactly. So can they use the same centuries to treat both adults and children alike for a variety of ail-
herbal therapies as adults? While most herbal remedies are considered ments. Recognizing the herbs and plants used by those before us helps
gentle enough for children’s use, there are some precautions to con- us to preserve these vital medicinal remedies. These included herbs such
sider before utilizing just any herb out there. Things to think about may as Chamomile and Yarrow, which are gentle vulanaries that may help to
include whether the herb could cause allergic reactions, or if they con- soothe an upset stomach and calm emotional disposition. Peppermint
tain constituents that may interact with other medications. Always keep and Lavender were also used in many folk remedies to treat inflamma-
in mind that our little one’s bodies are much more sensitive than those tion, increase mental focus, and combat fatigue.
that are fully grown, and may react differently when given the same herbs
at the same serving size. There are certainly many approachable herbal By responsibly cultivating and harvesting these plants, we can preserve
remedies that have both traditional and modern context, adding to the their traditional uses and highlight their much-needed reintroduction
empowerment of our health choices and the health of our families. back into our ecosystems and medicine cabinets for the whole family
to enjoy.
There are many bioregional plants in Southern Oregon, rich in healing

58 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2020