Use of echinacea for children: dosage and modalities

The preventive method of using echinacea is to take 50 drops of echinacea mother dyeing each morning in a little water and to start at the end of autumn, continuing all winter.

For children, the recommended dose depends on age and weight; we can generally indicate that the amount is half the adult’s dosage then 20 or 30 drops in the morning in preventive phase or 2 or 3 times a day in acute phase.

For children, it is better to choose non-alcoholic extracts, i. e. without the presence of alcohol; in addition to the mother tincture of echinacea it is possible to find extracts and capsules containing echinacea. In this case, the intake indications will be indicated on the label and are usually 1 or 2 tablets or single dosages per day.

There are many of these echinaceous products specially formulated and prepared for children; the most common are syrups to help the wellbeing of the throat and the first airways in case of coughing, colds, flu and symptoms of cooling diseases.

We remind you that naturopaths and experts of medicinal plants recommend the intake of echinacea for prolonged periods as a preventive form but with withdrawal times. The mode is to use the echinacea for 21 days and suspend it for a week, then start again until the end of winter.

This mode of naturopathic cycles is important in order not to make the body accustomed to the presence of an external but natural remedy.

In this way, the immune system has moments in which it works autonomously without the support of the echinacea and thus allows it to learn and perpetuate the good work of our immune defences.

Warnings

Echinacea may have several side effects. It is not indicated in persons allergic to plants of the asteraceae family. Furthermore, it cannot be used for treatment with immunosuppressive drugs because it would interfere with the activation of the immune system.

The same warnings apply to children and according to a latest study, a possible increase in allergy onset of allergy for some people under 12 years of age has been reported. If this is confirmed, the information on the label of echinacea products will be indicated and a warning message with a minimum age and a specific dosage will be indicated.

The so ancient use of echinacea, however, gives a very wide historical background that leads to a safe use of echinacea respecting the times and dosages.

However, it is always important to inform your paediatrician about the use of natural remedies and to discuss possible advice and health claims for your children.