2024-01-13 09:36:01
If children have a cold or stomach ache, teas can help. However, experts today view a “classic” critically, says the Lower Saxony Chamber of Pharmacists. She names a selection of beneficial teas and advises parents to pay attention to their child’s age when choosing and to seek advice from the pharmacy.
Thyme for colds
Children aged one year and over can drink a cup of thyme tea up to three times a day. Thyme tea helps symptomatically with colds, bronchitis and whooping cough. It can promote coughing by dissolving mucus and at the same time alleviate the urge to cough. Thyme is also a common ingredient in cough syrups. Other medicinal plants that can be used as tea to provide relief from colds and coughs include linden blossoms, elderflowers and marshmallow leaves and roots.
The glorious three for stomach pain
Anise and caraway seeds, individually or in combination, can effectively help with stomach pain and are also suitable for infants. For example, the tea can be added to the bottle. Anise tea can help with stomach cramps and caraway tea can promote digestion. Both types of tea also help against flatulence. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) advises against giving fennel tea to children under the age of four and only recommends it very cautiously to children under the age of eleven. She has classified fennel teas with a high estragole content as liver-damaging and carcinogenic. In addition, there is not enough evidence of the effectiveness of fennel tea on restless infants.
Other medicinal teas for stomach pain
For children aged six and over, peppermint leaf tea can be recommended for stomach pain. This can relieve abdominal cramps and promote bile production. Lemon balm leaves can have an antispasmodic and calming effect, which is why they can be recommended for children with nervous stomachs or who have trouble falling asleep.
Chamomile has a special role
Chamomile flower tea contains oils that can have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is particularly helpful against flatulence and stomach pain. In addition, steam inhalation with chamomile flower tea can relieve colds. Chamomile tea is generally well tolerated, although in very rare cases allergic reactions may occur.
What is the difference between medicinal teas and food teas?
Medicinal teas, which are only available in pharmacies, are subject to strict testing according to the pharmacopoeia. They meet strict criteria for identity, purity and content and are free from pollutants. For example, chamomile tea that is sold as a medicinal tea must consist exclusively of flowers because the effective chamomile oil is obtained from them. In contrast, chamomile tea sold as a dietary tea may also contain parts of the herb as well as stems in the tea bag. Therefore, the active ingredient content of chamomile essential oil in food teas varies.
Parents should always follow the dosages and age limits recommended by the manufacturer when using medicinal teas. If you have any questions or uncertainties, you should contact the specialist staff at local pharmacies to select the appropriate types of tea for your children.
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