Hey mamas! Today’s post is from Stephanie Heald from Naturally Mindful. More on her below. Enjoy!
Enter Stephanie
It is very disheartening to watch your child in discomfort due to a rash or hives. Rashes are for the most part a mystery even to western medicine, we know it is an inflammation of the skin but finding the exact cause can be difficult. Thankfully, we can relieve the symptoms (redness, inflammation, pain, itching) with the help of alternative medicine.
Epson salts has been used for centuries since Hippocrates used to treat ailments with salt water, and it is widely recommended by practitioners of both western and holistic medicine. However, it’s use for kids has not been well-researched. Magnesium sulfate, the name for this naturally occurring compound, helps in many ways from regulating over 300 enzymes in the body to eliminating toxins from the cells. And because there is no doubt of it’s therapeutic properties it is okay to use for children but always err in the side caution. My rule of thumb is to use half a cup per bath tub for kids over 12 months, and 1/4 cup for babies under 12 months.
Calendula, chamomile, and lavender are widely known for their healing properties; they soothe the skin, relieve itching and irritation, as well as inflammation.
Children’s herbal bath for rashes and hives
What you’ll need
- 1/2 cup Epsom Salts (where to buy)
- 1/2 cup dry calendula petals (where to buy)
- 1/2 cup dry chamomile flowers (where to buy)
- 1/2 cup dry lavender flowers (where to buy)
- Small muslin bag, or cheesecloth and ribbon (where to buy)
How to use it
Put all the dry flowers and petals in the muslin bag, if using a cheesecloth put them in the center and tie all the ends together with a ribbon.
Fill the tub with warm water (not hot, it only makes it worse) and hang the muslin bag or cheesecloth from the faucet and allow the water to run through it. During bath squeeze the bag directly over the affected areas.
After the bath, it important to dry the skin by only gently dabbing and applying a moisturizer. My favorite for cases like rashes and hives is an herbal infused baby oil (see the tutorial here).
What about you?
What herbal remedies have you used with your children? Share with us in the comments below!
Stephanie Heald is a mom, a wife, and a currently a nursing student with a focus on alternative medicine. She writes at Naturally Mindful, where she makes going green and healthy attainable to families getting started in the wonderful world of eco-consciousness. She believes in real food and living as natural as possible…and why not, leaving behind a better planet for our children. Visit her on Facebook or on Pinterest.
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