A Child’s World
- Herbs for kids -
Maria Noël Groves
Maria Noël Groves invites adults and children to learn about herbs at Wintergreen Botanicals in New Hampshire. For information about her clinic and education center, visit www.WintergreenBotanicals.com
Enjoy Herbal Activities with Children
Once children were regularly led into the natural world to harvest food and medicinal plants. We’ve lost this education in recent generations and, with it, an appreciation for the healing power of our environment. Many children do not even know what dandelion or plantain look like, even though they grow between the cracks in the walkway to most front doors.
Our nation’s children rarely spend any time outside—let alone learning about useful and medicinal herbs. However, it need not be this way. With just a little inspiration, parents, grandparents, teachers, and program directors can lead children back out into the gardens, forests and meadows. You don’t have to be an experienced herbalist to take on these projects—together adults and children alike will awaken their senses and appreciation for the healing plants around them.
“Children shouldn’t miss out on (herbal activities),” says Nancy Phillips, author of The Herbalist’s Way (Chelsea Green, 2005) who runs the Nature and Spirit Camp in northern New Hampshire. “In many cultures, even today, this is just a part of their lives and it really isn’t for our modern American kids. I feel it’s my calling to make sure kids know how to connect with nature and add that richness to life, especially with the healing plants.”
Herbs for Kids
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) ~ The fresh root (technically a rhizome) helps sooth tummy troubles, increases circulation and helps to fight off colds. Dry powdered ginger can also be used. It makes great herbal honey, soda, bath, tea, cookies, and candy. Buy it at the grocery store or plant it in the garden.
Burdock (Arctium lappa, A. minor) ~ Children will love the large leaves, Velcro-like burrs, and difficult-to-dig root. The nutritive root is often used for spring cleansing and as a wild food. Harvest the wild root or purchase in the produce section, wash thoroughly, and slice up for stir fries, soup, and teas.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) ~ Plant these bright yellow and orange flowers in the garden or purchase them dried in the store. They are a source of carrot-y carotenoids, are slightly antimicrobial, and topically can help with rashes and itchy skin. Add fresh petals to salad and other recipes. Simmer fresh or dried flowers in soup stock. Use the flowers to make an herbal oil.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) ~ Catnip is a prolific garden plant that both children and cats will enjoy. For children, the slightly bitter tea can help with digestion, fevers, and to calm the nerves. Use it for tea or dry the herb and make cat toys with it.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) ~ This flower self-sews readily in the garden and smells like pineapple when crushed between the fingers. It is a classic children’s herb for teething, to calm, and for poor digestion. It blends well with mints, ginger, and/or fennel. Consider it for tea, honey. Children may want to take a nap in a “bed” of chamomile. (Caution: It may aggravate seasonal allergies in some people.)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp) ~ Most children love the spicy sweet taste of cinnamon. The herb can be helpful in blends for colds and flu or mixed with apple sauce for diarrhea. Use cinnamon sticks or “chips” to simmer in tea—let the kids see how sweet it gets if you let it sit for an hour or more. Drink the tea with meals, use it to make oatmeal or herbal soda. Cinnamon also makes a delicious herbal honey.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) ~ Almost everyone has dandelions in the front yard! The root is used as a liver and digestive tonic and the leaves as a diuretic. However, children will enjoy the edible nature of this common weed. Harvest the bitter spring leaves to add to salads, sautés, and stir fries. Dig, clean, chop, dry, and roast the root to make a coffee-like tea. Or simply let them connect the flowers into garlands that the children can wear while gardening or walking in the woods.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) ~ This plant is sweet and licorice-y. It is used to ease tummy troubles and gas. The fresh bulb and leaves can be added to roasts, sautés and salads. The seeds can be added as a spice to dishes or tea. The fresh bulb and/or dry seed make delicious honey and herbal soda.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) ~ Lemon balm may be a member of the mint family, but it smells quite lemony. The herb is helpful to uplift the mood, calm the nerves, improve digestion, and possibly help fight viruses including herpes (responsible for cold sores and chicken pox). On its own, it’s slightly bitter, but it’s nicely lightened by the minty mints as well as other lemony herbs including lemon thyme, lemon grass, and lemon verbena for tea and soda. Also consider it for herbal baked goods and honey.
Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) ~ These tall flowering plants with fast-growing roots were once a main ingredient in real marshmallows. (The Kid’s Herb Book has a recipe!) The roots, leaves, and flowers turn slippery when they get wet, and this slimy property makes sooth stomach and skin woes. Familiar, and related, hollyhock leaves and flowers may be used similarly. Try in tea or make old-fashioned real marshmallows.
Mint (Mentha spp) ~ Peppermint and its relatives spearmint, pineapple mint, chocolate mint and orange mint are all delightful treats for children since they can eat fresh leaves straight from the garden. The mint family is helpful for tummy troubles and the smell of mint helps increase attention. Great for tea, soda, honey, snipped into salads or added to chocolate-y baked goods.
Pine, Spruce, Fir, or Hemlock Trees (Pinus spp, Picea spp, Abies spp, Tsuga Canadensis) ~ These common wild trees are distinctive year-round and easily identified by children. The needles contain some vitamin C and their aromatic properties help warm the lungs to help with colds and coughs. An herbal steam helps clear the sinuses. Great “camp tea” during the winter, herbal honey, or steam. The branches make garland and wreathes.
Resources for Grown Ups
A Kid’s Herb Book by Lesley Tierra (Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2000) $19.95
Kids and adults will enjoy and learn the myriad of activities Lesley has created and laid out in this book. It contains stories, recipes and healing tips and songs.
Walking the World in Wonder by Ellen Evert Hopman (Healing Arts Press, 2000) $19.95
Song of the Seven Herbs by Waling Night Bear & Stan Padilla (Book Publishing Company, 1983) $11.95
These seven Native American-inspired stories each tell a story of a common medicinal herb. The book instills an appreciation for nature and earth-based spirituality. Read it to children inside or outdoors, or have children act it out in plays.
Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Cornell (Dawn Publications, 1998) $9.95
This classic book teaches parents and teachers how to actively get children involved and moving in nature. The activities take place in the wild and are not specifically herbal (they can easily be adapted). Geared primarily for children aged seven and up. Visit www.sharingnature.com for some online resources and activities. Dawn Publications (www.dawnpub.com) specializes in nature-inspired children’s books.
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv (Algonquin Books, 2006) $13.97
This book impresses on adults the importance of time spent in nature for children’s development. He cites research and anecdotal experiences to suggest that obesity, attention disorders and depression in children are linked to the lack of outdoor time. This represents a call to action that has been heard throughout the country. Visit the Children & Nature Network at www.cnaturenet.org to find a movement in your community.
