Is it possible to take echinacea for children 4 years old. Echinacea: about the benefits of a medicinal plant. The composition of the medicinal plant includes a complex of useful substances

We all know perfectly well that immunity needs to be strengthened from childhood. But the problem of weakened immunity and frequent colds in children is still relevant. Due to the high employment of most parents today it is impossible to create "greenhouse conditions" for the child. Visiting kindergartens, secondary schools, everyday communication with peers create favorable conditions for various infections to enter the fragile children's body. And the immunity of many children is at a very low level.

Currently, there are a large number, but it is important for a child to choose a safe remedy. These can be safely attributed to preparations based on echinacea, which have the ability to block the activity of virus cells. They are available in a variety of dosage forms (tablets, syrups, lozenges), but many parents are wondering if echinacea tincture is safe for children to use?

What is echinacea?

Echinacea is native to North America, where the Indians have long used its roots and leaves as a healing agent for wounds. Today, the bulk of medicines are made from the plant Echinacea purpurea, although Echinacea pallidum and Echinacea angustifolia are also used in medicine. This unique plant contains vitamins A, C, E, trace elements (manganese, magnesium, sodium, potassium), resins, flavonoids, polysaccharides. Polyenes and phenolic acid have a negative effect on bacteria, viruses and fungi, and mineral salts activate metabolic processes in the body.

The benefits of echinacea tincture for children

Echinacea tincture can be used for children, but only with some restrictions, which will be discussed below. The main purpose of this natural stimulant is a general strengthening effect. Taking echinacea tincture increases immunity and, accordingly, the resistance of the child's body to infectious and viral (influenza, SARS, tonsillitis), bacterial, urological, autoimmune diseases. After a powerful attack of viruses, echinacea will support the child's body during the recovery period after an illness. In addition, this tincture stimulates the nervous system and can be used to treat long-term non-healing wounds as an external agent.

Echinacea tincture restrictions

Parents are most concerned about the presence of alcohol in echinacea tincture. It really is. Together with the active substances of the plant itself, alcohol has an additional stimulating effect on the child. Therefore, the instructions for use of the drug indicate that children under 12 years of age should not take this tincture. But many doctors believe that with a very weakened immune system, a potent remedy is still needed and ignore this rule, using echinacea tincture to treat children who have reached the age of 7. In such cases, the most important thing is to strictly observe the dosage prescribed by the pediatrician. Doctors no longer risk giving tincture to children 3-7 years old, and it is strictly forbidden to use this natural tonic for children under 3 years old.

How to give echinacea tincture to children?

Thus, it is allowed to use echinacea tincture to increase immunity in children 7-12 years old, but only in a diluted form. The proportion is 1:3 - one part of the remedy to three parts of water. In this diluted form, the kids take a few drops of the tincture three times a day. To strengthen the immune system, the duration of the course is 2 weeks, and in the treatment of diseases and further recovery of the body - 2 months. Of the side effects when using echinacea tincture for children, only one negative manifestation is known - rare cases of allergic reactions.

But what about very young children, how can they strengthen their immunity with the help of echinacea? It turns out that this is also possible. Today, various syrups, orange-flavored tablets are produced on the basis of echinacea, and the most popular immunostimulating agent is Immunal, a solution of which can be given to babies up to a year old.

In childhood, the body's immunity or protective barrier is not completely formed. Only by the age of 16, when the hormonal background normalizes, the immune defense unfolds in full force. To maintain the health of the child's body, natural remedies are used, since they support a fragile body without side effects. Echinacea for immunity children will come in handy.

The eye-pleasing flower of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) looks like a camomile and hides a lot of useful substances in its composition. This is a mineral complex, which includes a good half of the periodic table, so the flower is called metal.

And if you add phytosteroids (plant hormones), flavonoids, lipids, vitamins A, C, E, organic acids and fatty acid derivatives to the list, then such a “cocktail” can saturate the body with vitamins and create an impenetrable barrier to infection. This is possible by strengthening the natural defenses in the child's body.

On a note: The mechanism of the immunostimulatory effect is associated with the production of leukocytes (immune blood cells) that resist bacteria and viruses.

Echinacea preparations are prescribed as a means of:

• prevention of colds during the off-season;
• in the treatment of diseases of an infectious nature in the form of additional protection;
• alleviate the symptoms of the disease and speed up recovery;
• restoring immunity after treatment with antibiotics or hormones.

A natural stimulant is also suitable as a remedy for ENT diseases and infectious diseases, fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes.

Note: Echinacea purpurea is effective for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract, help with acute respiratory viral infections, skin diseases and inflammation of the urogenital area.

Echinacea use in children

Children get sick a lot and often because of a weakened and unformed immune system. The children's body needs to take the herb echinacea to maintain immunity, which:

• activates phagocyte cells capable of absorbing and destroying foreign bodies;
• increase the production of interferon - proteins formed during the invasion of the virus;
• activates the functions of T-lymphocytes;
• inhibits the reproduction of pathogenic microflora.

Immunity boosting and disease prevention is associated with an anti-inflammatory effect that alleviates symptoms and reduces body toxicity.
For five age categories of children, Echinacea purpurea is used in various forms and dosages, as shown in the table:

Pediatricians prescribe to babies 1-6 years old the use of this natural remedy, if the treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor who prescribes the dosage. The duration of treatment is 8 weeks. One-year-old children are prescribed an immunostimulating course. But at this age it is rarely used.

The immune response of three-year-old children to syrup is ambiguous, since the composition contains auxiliary components that can cause an allergic reaction or diathesis due to sugars in the composition. Children should not use echinacea as a tincture.

Benefits of echinacea for children

For a child, the herb Echinacea purpurea, when taken correctly, becomes a "panacea for many ills." The plant helps in cases of:

• depression and chronic fatigue;
• inflammation of the respiratory system;
• skin lesions: purulent infections, ulcers, wounds, burns;
• some pathologies of internal organs;
• inflammation of the ear or nose: use nose drops and prepare ear drops.

Important: If the disease is advanced or severe, then complex treatment is required with the use of drugs and physiotherapy. When recovering, use only a medicinal plant.

Echinacea tea or decoction

The herb is either bought at a pharmacy, or the raw material is dried at home. Two options for preparing a decoction:

Recipe 1. Pour 1 tsp. dried herbs with 2 cups of boiling water, let it brew and take it warm, filtering it in advance.

Recipe 2. For 0.5 l of water we take 10 g of dry raw materials and boil for 10 minutes. We insist 2-3 hours and filter.

Used as a prophylactic for colds. How to take a decoction extract for immunity? Freshly prepared warm decoction is used three times a day before meals. It is prescribed in the amount of 25 ml for children from 1 to 2 years old, 25-50 ml up to 7 years old, 50-100 ml from 7 to 14 years old. Duration of admission - 2 weeks.

Dry raw materials are packaged in tea bags. Such a set can be purchased at a pharmacy. If we use a self-dried product, then 1 tsp. dry collection, pour boiling water (1 cup) and insist 15 minutes. To make the raw material strong, prepare tea in a thermos. For this, 2 tbsp. l. dry grass pour 1 liter of boiling water for 30 minutes. Tea drinks from a year and older are prescribed to a child 25-50 ml three times a day before a meal. The duration of the course is up to one and a half months.

A decoction prepared at home is used as a compress, applying a tissue soaked in decoction to the back or chest of a child with pathologies of the respiratory system. The tool heals scratches, abrasions and other defects that occur on the skin.

echinacea syrup

The syrup has the properties of other preparations with Echinacea purpurea. But the composition of the syrup includes glucose, so if a red rash appears on the baby's cheeks, this indicates an allergy to sugar (diathesis). In this case, the syrup will have to be abandoned, informing the pediatrician about it.


The drug contains a group of vitamins B and PP, which enhances the therapeutic effect. Admission recommendations are as follows:

• children after 12 years - 1 tbsp. l. 2 times a day after meals;
• from 3 to 12 years - 1 tsp. 2 times a day;
• up to 3 years - 2-4 drops twice before meals.

The form of release and the volume of the bottle with the syrup is different, since the syrup is produced by different pharmaceutical companies.

Echinacea purpurea tincture will help to cope with intestinal dysbacteriosis. Violation of the normal microflora can be the result of taking antibiotics for colds, so the use of tincture of 1 tsp. three times a day for 1-2 weeks will come in handy.

Since alcohol tincture cannot be used in childhood, Primadophilus will help overcome dysbacteriosis. It is a source of bifido- and lactobacilli that inhabit the intestinal mucosa. Beneficial microorganisms are needed for the digestion of food.

How to take children's Primadophilus? Children from birth to 5 years old are recommended 1 tsp. powder 1 time per day during meals. On the eve of application, the powder is diluted in boiled water or milk. Reception continues from 2 to 4 weeks until the intestinal microflora is restored.

From the age of 4, children are allowed Echinacea purpurea tablets. Contains dried plant extract. For ease of assimilation, it is advisable to crush the tablet. As a means of prevention for colds in the off-season, the drug is prescribed, based on the instructions, 3 times a day: at 4 years old - 1 pc., From 12 years old - 2 pcs. A 5-time intake is allowed if the child is ill with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections.

Important: A substitute for echinacea is fish oil, which, due to vitamin D, strengthens bones, normalizes the central nervous system, and maintains the body's protective barrier. Children are prescribed fish oil to strengthen immunity in winter with a lack of vitamin D.

Contraindications

When taking Echinacea purpurea, the age of the child is taken into account. So, up to 12 years old, alcohol tincture is prohibited, and tablets are allowed only from 4 years old. In the first year of a baby's life, treatment with this medicinal plant is undesirable and is prescribed in rare cases.

Contraindications for use:

• autoimmune diseases, HIV infection, AIDS, leukemia;
• tuberculosis at any stage;
• organ transplantation with the appointment of immunosuppressants;
• liver dysfunction;
• individual intolerance to substances from plants of the Compositae family.

When treating with antibiotics (cephalosporins), do not prescribe concomitant medication with echinacea. The extract of a medicinal plant is incompatible with taking immunosuppressants, as they weaken each other's action.

Side effects when taken include allergic reactions of a local nature, which are expressed in the form of itching or skin rashes, manifested in the form of Quincke's edema, bronchospasm or anaphylactic shock. Side effects are extremely rare.

Reception of medicinal raw materials (syrups, decoctions, tablets) does not last more than 2 months. After the second month of taking, the reverse process begins, when the number of leukocytes (protective blood cells) does not increase, but decreases. This condition is called leukopenia.

During the treatment of children, you need to adhere to the prescribed dosage. An overdose is dangerous and leads to unwanted symptoms: insomnia associated with increased excitability and irritability. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes are possible.

Products containing echinacea

Echinacea purpurea is included in a large number of medicines. Decoctions and teas are prepared from raw materials (dry parts of the plant). In the form of tablets, Immunal, Estifan, Immunorm preparations produced in different countries are produced. Alcohol tinctures are diverse and are produced with various additives.


The medicinal plant is part of the combined means:

• "BabyProp with echinacea" (Italy) with the addition of propolis and honey;
• "Echinacea Plus" (USA) with "ascorbic acid";
• "Sanasol Echinacea" (Italy), which additionally contains ascorbic acid, elder flowers and rose hips;
• Dr. Vistong. Echinacea syrup with vitamins "(Russia) is prescribed for children from 14 years of age.

Note: For a decade, drugs with echinacea in the composition have become in demand. Echinacea purpurea is one of the top ten popular plants. On its basis, 250 drugs in various dosage forms have been created.

So that the child does not get sick during the off-season and the “rampant” of colds, parents need to drink syrup, decoction or tea with echinacea as a preventive measure so that the immune system can withstand viral attacks. Then the baby will be vigorous, cheerful and healthy.

The problem of weak immunity in children worries every parent, as against its background there are frequent colds, viral infections, and allergies. The issues of increasing the body's resistance to pathogenic microflora continue to be studied by physicians. Echinacea for children is recommended by therapists as a phytoimmunomodulator that does not cause side effects. For the prevention and treatment of one-year-old babies, schoolchildren and adolescents, pharmaceutical preparations based on this healing herb, homemade infusions and decoctions are prescribed.

Echinacea (from lat. Echinacea) is a perennial plant of the aster family, whose homeland is considered to be North America. For medicinal purposes, a subspecies is used - rudbeckia purpurea, which is cultivated throughout Russia. This plant has gained worldwide fame as a natural immunomodulator, allowed for children from one year old.

According to WHO Russia, ARVI is diagnosed in every third child under 12 years of age. In 2017, 16.6 million children were vaccinated, but incidence rates continue to rise. Pediatricians urge parents to think about the body's resistance to viruses from an early age.

Rudbeckia purpurea increases the protective functions of the child's body by cleansing the blood and stimulating the growth of new healthy cells. The reproduction of bacteria, fungi and viruses gradually stops, their death occurs. Benefits of medicines based on echinacea:

• the production of interferon - a protein that blocks the reproduction of pathogens;
• increased activity of phagocytes - cells absorb foreign particles;
• replenishment of vitamin deficiency;
• participation in blood circulation;
• production of antibodies.

Indications for use

Aerial parts and rhizome are used to reduce inflammatory processes, alleviate symptoms and prevent acute respiratory viral infections. Phytotherapists claim that echinacea is an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs that provoke side reactions.

The tactics of admission depends on the dosage form: homemade decoctions, tinctures, tablets, drops or ampoules. Pediatricians prescribe children to take rudbeckia purpurea for treatment:

• nasal congestion;
• infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis);
• inflammation of the tissues of the ear (otitis media);
• blood poisoning;
• infections of the respiratory and urinary tract;
• skin viral diseases (herpes);
• external treatment of ulcers, superficial and deep wounds on the body.

More often, echinacea is prescribed for preventive purposes, to restore the internal microflora after antibiotic therapy. It is important to take into account age restrictions on the use of medicinal herbs.

Alcohol tinctures are allowed for children over 12 years of age, subject to dosage standards. One-year-olds are given weak herbal tea, and from 4 years old - tablets according to the instructions.

Pharmaceutical preparations of echinacea

This immunomodulator is sold in various dosage forms. The choice depends on the age of the child and the purpose of admission. The duration of therapy for more than 3 months leads to an overdose.

Tincture

The pharmacy sells concentrated extracts from the rhizome of purpurea rudbeckia from manufacturers: Ternopharm LLC, Rosbio LLC, St. Petersburg Pharmaceutical Factory.

The composition of the drug contains medical alcohol, so it should not be given to children under 12 years of age.

Instructions for use of echinacea tincture are required to study to determine the frequency of use. When treating adolescents, give 5-10 drops three times a day, half an hour before meals. Dilute the tincture with water based on proportions 1: 2.

To heal wounds, ulcers on the body, use therapeutic compresses. To do this, prepare a mixture of 20-60 drops of echinacea and 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride. In the resulting solution, moisten compresses and apply to the affected areas of the skin for 5-6 hours. Repeat the procedure twice a day.

Tea

For children under 1 year old, give 25-50 ml of tea three times a day. For teenagers, brew sachets per day with 200 ml of boiling water. The duration of admission is 1-2 months.

Syrup

Children over 14 years of age are prescribed a pharmaceutical plant extract from the following manufacturers: Doctor Tays Naturvaren, VIS LLC, Galeno Pharm LLC. The composition of the preparations is additionally enriched with vitamins of groups C and B.

Children drink echinacea syrup once, 30 ml each, with meals. The drug "Immunal", produced in Slovenia, is prescribed for babies up to 1 year old, 2-4 drops in the morning and evening. The course of prevention of colds is one month. After a break, it is repeated if necessary. Doctors allow the intake of echinacea from 3 years and older in the form of syrup, 1-2 teaspoons twice a day.

Tablets

Pharmacies sell dry echinacea extract in the form of capsules, dragees (LLC "Valeant", "Biokor", "Vifitekh"), which are taken three times a day, 2 pcs.

Pediatricians remind: if a child starts drinking a drug based on rudbeckia from the moment the first signs of a cold appear, recovery will come faster.

With an exacerbation of an infectious disease, the use of echinacea is combined with antibiotic therapy. The general course of treatment lasts 2-8 weeks. For prevention, children over 12 years old are given 1-2 tablets for 10-20 days.

For the treatment of sinusitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, homeopathic granules "Echinacea forte" are suitable, which dissolve under the tongue. Doctors prescribe the drug at the age of 5-7 years - 3-4 granules, and from 10 years old - 4-5 pieces.

Injections

With the development of acute infectious and inflammatory processes, the use of potent herbal preparations is required. With severe intoxication, damage to the mucous membranes, skin, a course of injections with the medicine "Echinacea Compositum C" is prescribed:

• from 1 to 3 years - 0.6 ml;
• from 3 to 6 - 1.0 ml;
• from 6 to 12 - 1.5 ml;
• older than 12 - 2.2 ml.

Folk recipes

In the midst of colds, phytotherapists recommend preparing echinacea medicines on your own to strengthen children's immunity. The protective functions of the body are 99% dependent on lifestyle and only 1% is associated with the intake of drugs of plant or synthetic origin. Before using traditional medicine recipes, you need to consult your doctor.

Decoction

Pour 2 teaspoons of dried leaves with 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes in a water bath. After straining, give the child 100 ml 2-3 times a day before meals.

For convenience, use a thermos. Pour two tablespoons of dried herb into a glass of hot water and leave to infuse for 2 hours. In the cooled broth, add lemon, honey (if there is no allergy to it) and drink the child twice a day.

Tincture

To prepare a concentrated extract, you will need a liter of medical alcohol, 200 g of fresh or 50 g of dried leaves and inflorescences of rudbeckia purpurea. Pour vegetable raw materials into a glass jar and fill with ethanol.

Remove the container with liquid in a dark and warm place for one month. Strain the finished alcohol tincture and give to adolescents over 12 years old 20 drops three times a day. Dilute the medicine with water before taking.

Tea

Pour 5-10 g of dry rudbeckia into the teapot, add 200-250 ml of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 15 minutes. After straining, drink tea according to the following scheme:

• children under 12 years old - 1 tablespoon per day;
• older than 12 - 50-100 ml once a day.

Interaction with other drugs

Echinacea belongs to phytoimmunomodulators and simultaneous use with immunosuppressants, glucocorticoids leads to a weakening of the therapeutic effect.

When using homeopathic preparations from purple rudbeckia, avoid medicines with cytokines in the composition, which increase the effect on the body.

Pharmaceutical company Drugs.com has published a list of 40 safe medicines to use when combined with Echinacea. These include the following popular means: Zirtek, Xanax, Singulair, Lipitor, Nexium, Aspirin. With liver pathologies, it is forbidden to take echinacea along with drugs such as Ketoconazole, Amiodarone, Methotrexate.

Contraindications

Phytotherapeutists swear that Echinacea purpurea is safe for children, but immunology remains an understudied science. For this reason, herbal medicines that cause allergic reactions should not be prescribed to children on their own.

The risk of side effects is present in people with sensitivity to the components of the plant. Doctors remind that echinacea is forbidden to be taken with the following diseases:

• bronchial asthma;
• hypersensitivity to other plants of the aster family (chamomile, daisy);
• chronic atherosclerosis;
• acute and chronic leukemia;
• damage to the lungs with a Koch stick;
• autoimmune pathologies;
• HIV AIDS;
• after an organ transplant;
• liver dysfunction.

Echinacea is dangerous for breastfeeding women - this leads to allergies in the child (itching, hives, rashes). Contraindications gynecologists include pregnancy, it is especially dangerous to drink medicines from this plant in the first trimester.

The realities of modern life are such that we have to think about immunity, immune disorders, etc. very often. This topic becomes even more disturbing when it comes to children's immunity and how it can be strengthened. Of course, there are reasons for such fears: environmental degradation, not very healthy nutrition, as well as violation of the regime.

If we also take into account that we and our children are constantly attacked by viruses, bacteria and fungal infections, then the conversation about immunity is very relevant. So, in this material we will talk about what means can be strengthened with syrup for children for immunity.

Echinacea syrup to strengthen the child's immunity

What are the best ways to boost your immune system? The best protection in this case is to strengthen the susceptibility to foreign bacteria and viruses. Most parents are skeptical about chemicals used to boost immunity.

However, you can use natural remedies known to our grandmothers, they are effective and safe for children's health. Such proven medicines include echinacea syrup. This is one of the most effective drugs for strengthening the immune system of a child, featuring a rather impressive list of useful properties. Despite the fact that echinacea syrup practically does not cause allergies and is generally safe for the child's body, you should consult a doctor before using it.

Echinacea, a plant belonging to ancient times, has been used by both traditional doctors and folk healers. The effect of taking this drug is expressed in an increase in immunity, an increase in the activity of macrophages (cells that are active against pathogenic bacteria).

In addition, echinacea syrup has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects, increases the body's defenses in the postoperative period and after a serious illness. Immunity syrup for children is very useful.

It increases resistance to infectious diseases, softens cough and improves the general condition in case of bronchitis, compensates for the lack of vitamin B, removes salts of heavy metals from the body.

Medicinal properties of echinacea

The drug has a pronounced antiviral effect, its action is to destroy the bonds between microbes and cells. In addition, the syrup potentiates an increase in the content of lymphocytes and neutrophils, the main function of which is to protect the body.

Echinacea also contains active substances that take part in the process of cell membrane repair and help in wound healing. In addition, the presence of certain components in the composition of the syrup enhances the production of interferon, which significantly increases the body's ability to resist infections.

Also, echinacea is a storehouse of essential oils that slow down the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria. Many experts believe that syrup for children for immunity also has a powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer effect.

Indications for use

This tool is indicated for use in:

• chronic fatigue syndrome,
• depression,
• inflammatory diseases of the hearing and upper respiratory tract,
• decreased immunity of the skin,
• purulent infections,
• ulcers
• furunculosis,
• old non-healing wounds,
• burns.

In addition, the syrup is used for tonsillitis, pharyngitis and stomatitis.

Dosage

Children are prescribed syrup, as a rule, from the age of two, in exceptional cases from one year. The syrup is contraindicated for use in babies who have allergies, because it contains a large amount of sugar.

The syrup is produced in bottles of 50 and 100 ml. In addition to echinacea extract, it contains some sugar, distilled water and preservatives.

Adolescents over the age of 12 take the drug one tablespoon twice a day. Children from 3 to 12 years old are prescribed one teaspoon twice a day. Babies under 3 years old receive 3-4 drops of syrup in a dessert spoon with water also twice a day.

In what cases should you not drink syrup to increase immunity in children?

Contraindications

Echinacea syrup is tolerated by the children's body quite well, but contraindications still exist. These include cases of individual intolerance to the drug, the presence of autoimmune diseases (AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis). In addition, this drug should not be used in combination with other immunostimulants.

Consider the most popular syrups for children for immunity.

"Help"

The syrup is available in 100 ml dark glass bottles. This drug to strengthen the immune system is used in children from 3 years. The composition of this medicinal product includes sugar, an extract of a mixture of plant materials (sea buckthorn leaves, rose hips, nettle leaves, pharmacy calendula flowers, infusion of black currant fruits, propolis, citric acid).

How is this syrup useful for boosting immunity in children?

Medicinal properties of syrup "Help"

The drug has an immunostimulating effect, and also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Such a wide range of effects is due to the components of the drug, each of which has a very strong effect on the body.

Also, Pomogusha helps to improve metabolism, increase the body's resistance to infectious diseases. In addition, the drug helps to restore the body's strength, has a tonic and vascular strengthening effect, promotes tissue regeneration and replenishment of vitamins (C, A, E) in the body. Potentiates the absorption of vitamin A and D 3.

This is recommended by experts as a prophylactic agent for restoring immunity, as well as a supplier of vitamins and trace elements. Contraindication for use may be individual intolerance to the components of the drug. The advantages of this syrup include the fact that it does not contain flavors, dyes and alcohol. That's why kids like him so much. Reviews of rosehip syrup for immunity abound.

Dosage

Children from 3 to 11 years old can receive the drug at a dosage of 10 ml or 2 teaspoons per day. Adolescents from 11 to 14 years old are prescribed 15 ml or 3 teaspoons per day. The medicine can be taken with non-hot tea or mineral water. The duration of the course of treatment is two weeks. Reception is recommended to be repeated after 7 days to consolidate the effect.

How to protect a child from bacteria, infections, how to strengthen his already weakened immunity? This is the main question that worries modern parents. Consider why pediatricians today recommend echinacea. Is echinacea harmful to children? Or is it just a myth, wandering among anxious, frightened parents?

The child's body is very fragile, helpless in front of bacteria, infections. And if you consider that the child is always in a large team (in kindergarten, at school), it is clear why children get sick all the time.

Especially today, medical statistics (children's pediatricians) are sounding the alarm. There are several in one pediatrician classify practically healthy children, in another - children with minor complications and there is a risk group. So, after all the children in recent years have been divided into these groups, it turned out that there are no healthy children at all. Every child has some kind of health problem.

So it turns out that our younger generation needs protection, but you can't put them in a golden cage. Therefore, it is necessary to direct all efforts to protect immunity.

Some mothers, having seen enough advertisements, buy yogurts. And rightly so. The child's food should be varied. And if there are no special health problems, the child does not go to the hospital every 3-5 months, receives vitamins in the right amount, then he does not need additional means to strengthen immunity.

But in other cases, doctors first of all strongly recommend that parents give their child echinacea. Modern parents have stopped blindly obeying the advice of doctors (sometimes it’s even right), so let’s figure it out for ourselves: is echinacea useful for children, how and when to use it.

for kids

Most often, children are prone to colds: acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza. Echinacea intake will increase the body's resistance to these and many other viral, infectious diseases. Strengthen immunity. It will allow you to fight chronic diseases, inflammatory processes, autoimmune, urological diseases. It will support the body during the rehabilitation period, after a powerful attack on the body with therapeutic methods (radiation, antibacterial). Those. The action of echinacea can be called a tonic. And it helps in most cases. Even to stimulate the work of the nervous system, and for external use (for long-term non-healing wounds). In addition, echinacea is rich in vitamins, in combination with it, for example, enrich the body with essential beneficial vitamins. The only question that remains is how to apply it in the case of children.

Echinacea for children: instructions for parents

Echinacea is produced in different forms, there are also special ones for children: in preparations, in granules, in dried form, in tincture.

On alcohol, therefore, it is suitable only for older children (from 12 years old), and then in a diluted form, in proportions of 1 to 3 (one part of the tincture and three parts of water). At a time, the child can drink a few drops of diluted tincture. It should be taken before meals, 3 times a day. To strengthen the body, it is enough to drink the tincture for 1, 2 weeks. In order to help in the treatment of a certain disease - 3-8 weeks (as the doctor says!). Side effects are minimal - only an allergic reaction and then rarely! The main thing is to observe the dosage and not exceed the maximum duration of the course.

Echinacea for children from 4 years old is suitable in a safe tablet - Immunal (modern drug). One course in accordance with the instructions and the child will not get sick for several months. And if you are already sick, you will recover faster. Immunal solution can be given to children from 1 year old: 20 drops maximum 3 times a day.

For the smallest children (from a year old), echinacea is used in the form of tea leaves. You can buy dried flowers, leaves or roots of echinacea at the pharmacy and brew according to the instructions on the package.

If an allergic reaction occurs (yes, echinacea is not always suitable for children), remember the benefits of physical activity, hardening, other natural means of strengthening immunity, maintaining strength in the body (rose hips, raspberries, lingonberries, blueberries).