It’s good to know a few herbal allies for creating calm, especially for children, and especially these days. We all do our best to manage the stress and over-stimulation of our modern times, but young people can use a little extra help. Anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of ways, and hyperactivity is one of them.
Thankfully, we can turn to age-old botanicals for safe and effective healing. The herbs in this formula nourish the nervous system rather than heavily sedating it, creating a grounded sense of calm and an increased ability to respond to stress in a healthy way. They are safe and, perhaps most importantly, they taste good!
Let’s take a look at the ingredients:
Chamomile
Matricaria recutita
A time-honored, kid-friendly herb, Chamomile is safe, effective, and tastes good. It has a profound calming effect on the digestive system, a troubled digestive system being a main source of mood and behavioral imbalance. Chamomile soothes the nerves, relieves colic, and counteracts hyperactivity. It calms nightmares in children, so it’s a wonderful bedtime herb. It balances mood swings and anxiety and is generally a relaxing, pleasant-tasting beverage.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm’s gift is that it creates the conditions we need to be calm and happy. It uplifts the mood while calming overwrought nerves. For school kids, it improves cognitive function, focus, and concentration. It instantly soothes anxiety, racing thoughts and irritability, as well as digestive imbalances. For kids, this is a particularly good herb to grow in a pot or garden. The plant itself is a calming, friendly presence, and it’s easy to grow and take care of.
Hawthorn
Crataegus oxyacanthoides
If hyperactivity can be characterized as being “up in the air” and “all over the place”, Hawthorn provides the grounding action to pull us back down to earth. It is one of the best herbs for containing anxiety, especially for people who can’t sit still. It soothes the nerves and regulates the heartbeat, especially in cases of nervous palpitations. One herbalist I know describes Hawthorn as a warm, supportive hug, and I completely agree.
Linden
Tilia platyphyllos
Linden (also known as Lime Blossom) is a time-honored herb for relieving nervous tension. Simply put, it enhances our ability to rest. You can make a warm bath with Linden to calm restless children before bed (or any time). It supports the circulatory system and is commonly found in formulas for stress, anxiety, blood pressure, and circulatory weaknesses.
*This tea will keep in the refrigerator and can be made ahead of time in large batches. You can fill a thermos for school or have it on hand whenever it’s needed.
To make the tea:
1 part Chamomile
1 part Lemon Balm
1/2 part Hawthorn
1/2 part Linden
Use approximately 1 teaspoon of herb per 8 ounces of water
Pour boiling water over your herbs (either in a pot, teapot, or cup)
Steep, covered, for 10-15 minutes, then strain. If you’re using a pot, bring your water to a boil, turn off the heat, cover, and steep.
Drink 2-3 cups a day, spaced throughout the day
This is a brilliant idea Nicole! I’m thankful we can access this now, and wish I had known about it in earlier times!
This is a brilliant idea Nicole! I’m thankful it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator!
How often do i give this to a child? Ages 3 and 4