The three main staples of hydration, rest and hand washing are critical! You could do everything I mention in this article today, but if your child is touching desks, tables, door handles, and every other imaginable surface at school and not washing their hands multiple times a day, with soap, for a proper length of time..some say as long as it takes to sing happy birthday, best of luck to ya.
So, work on those three. My youngest tries to skip out on hand washing, heck he is even the kid to wet his hands briefly to show me, see they are wet! (he has been caught in the shower doing this too….KIDS) I remind him how shitty feeling shitty feels…albeit gently as I can, no mommy dearest antics over here…and he tries to do better.
What else can parents do? Quite a lot actually.
#1 Vitamin D-The sun is our friend. Research suggests three-quarters of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in vitamin D… leaving them with less-than-optimal health [1].
Your skin naturally produces your body’s supply of vitamin D from direct exposure to bright midday sun with a mere ten or fifteen minutes’ exposure per day. What is one of the symptoms of low Vitamin D? You guessed it….a greater incidence of cold and flu.
Taking a low amount of Vitamin D is perfectly safe if you are not able to get this amount of sunshine a day. It is said that fair-skinned individuals, especially redheads, can absorb and utilize Vitamin D much easier than others. Where you live also plays an important part. The closer to the equator you live, the better.
*Since Vitamin D is NOT a water-soluble vitamin, please be sure to get your Vitamin D levels checked by your doctor before taking large amounts via a supplement.
#2 Eat a healthy diet– Eating healthy will boost your immune system. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds which will provide your body with the nutrients your immune system needs. Simply put, illness and dis “ease” thrives on sugar. Consuming too much sugar suppresses the immune system cells responsible for attacking bacteria.
#3 Probiotics– Probiotics are a form of healthy gut bacteria. Their job is to stimulate naturally forming enzymes in the gut to keep out digestive system happy and healthy, and to keep us well. Keep your gut flora in check and in good balance by consuming plenty of fermented foods or by taking a quality daily supplement. Here is the one I use for my children.
#4 Echinacea– Echinacea stimulates the body to produce more infection-fighting white blood cells, such as T-lymphocytes and killer white blood cells [2]. Echinacea also seems to search out and destroy some viruses, such as the common cold and flu viruses. There have been many studies performed on echinacea with mixed results. Some say that echinacea should be used periodically as a preventative, others say use echinacea when you get sick. Do some research for yourself!
*Echinacea is NOT for you if you have an autoimmune condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes. I recommend taking it for no more than 2-4 weeks, respectively, without taking a break.
Read more on echinacea here.
Most health food stores have Echinacea in a tincture form either on its own or combined with astragalus, another great herb for an immune boost. You can also buy this on Amazon, like here and here. Add the dose to their juice in the morning, or a glass of water right before bed.
#5 Elderberry Syrup– Used for its antioxidant activity, boosting the immune system, and is great for coughs, colds, and flu, elderberry syrup is a must have in your home. There is research to back up this powerful little berry, here is one study on PubMed. Elderberries contain amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries.
Here are some additional studies that speak to the benefits of elderberry. You can purchase at your local CVS, Walgreens, or buy on Amazon. I prefer to make my own.
*Kong F. Pilot clinical study on a proprietary elderberry extract: efficacy in addressing influenza symptoms. Online Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics. 2009;5:32-43.
*Roschek B, Fink RC, McMichael MD, et al. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry. 2009;70:1255-61
*Ulbricht C, Basch E, Cheung L, et al. An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower(Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. 2014;11(1):80-120.
*Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004;32:132-40.
#6-Great First Essential Oils to Support Wellness
Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis)
Go stand in the middle of an apple orchard and close your eyes, take a big deep cleansing breath. You are smelling Roman Chamomile. R. Chamomile is very high in esters, therefore it is a very calming essential oil. It is also very soothing to irritated skin of all varieties and is a great tummy soother.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
The aroma of Lavender is fresh and sweet, floral and slightly herbaceous. Lavender is superior for supporting mental wellness, promoting a good night sleep, supporting a healthy stress response, and is great to soothe sun-kissed or irritated skin.
*Special note: Lavender is a favorite of many and used often, therefore, we should pay attention to how much we are using it (As we really should with any oil we use). Less is more.
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Lemon smells amazzzing! Super sweet, fresh, and fruity. Due to the phototoxic risk of this essential oil, I recommend diffusing only unless you are very well-versed in how to use oils topically that are phototoxic.
Diffusing lemon essential oil is a great support for a healthy immune system. It can also be utilized in school-aged children as a pick them up to get them started in the morning, or just to alleviate “Grumpy Gus” syndrome.
Orange (Citrus Sinensis)
This is by far the most used oil in my household. It calms my 12-year-old like no other oil. It is known as both uplifting for the mood, yet calming on the nervous system. Lavender is often called the Swiss Army® knives of essential oils, but I can easily apply that term here as well for sweet orange. Sweet orange is not photo-toxic to the skin, yay!. A few other varieties are Bitter orange Citrus aurantium var. amara, Wild orange Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck and Blood orange Citrus sinensis (not all-inclusive).
Steam distilled vs cold-pressed is often misunderstood when it comes to photo-toxicity. If you are unsure what you have, please reach out to your essential oil provider.
Mandarin Red (Citrus nobilis)
This is hands down one of my favorite citrus essential oils. Citrusy and tangy, super sweet and fresh. I would diffuse this oil when my oldest (probably 3 at the time) was going through a “Mom don’t you dare leave this room” phase. I would sit and rock him and Mandarin would have him resting in no time, but is great for all ages.
Mandarin Red is a superior, mood-lifter, and promotes all the happy go lucky feelings of being a kid. It is a great addition to a diffuser blend when under the weather, supporting a quicker recovery by providing comfort. Helps to calm thoughts so sleep can come. This essential oil is not phototoxic.
Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia)
Rosalina is herbaceous, medicinal, robust, warm, and slightly spicy.
There are even times when our little ones need assistance to push their bodies toward homeostasis. They need support. It is important to note that essential oils are not a cure, but there are times where essential oils are called on to give the immune system a little extra oompf. Rosalina can be used here.
A powerhouse for supporting a healthy respiratory system, Rosalina is a great oil for kids, has calming properties like Lavender as well as is soothing to skin bites and various irritations like tea tree. A very well-rounded essential oil, and a must-have for your wellness kit.
*Special note: If you are utilizing Rosalina between the ages of three months to one year to support a healthy respiratory system, I recommend light diffusing only. Save must-have topical use for Chamomile Roman, Lavender and Mandarin Red.
Respiratory Support
Most (not all) back to school illness needs some form of respiratory support. I do not hesitate to use the big guns like Eucalyptus, but seeing as many of my readers are newer to essential oil use, here are a few oils that you can use to provide the support you are looking for, without having to reach for Eucalyptus if you have concerns about doing so.
Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus Atlantica)
Cedarwood Atlas is a great oil to support respiratory wellness and is safe for kids. Cedarwood can help to reduce spasms, address spastic coughs, and is an expectorant helping to combat phlegm. It is a great aroma for fall and winter, so in a diffuser, it has a dual purpose.
Here is a great blend for your diffuser when needed:
Cedarwood Cedrus atlantica 3 drops
Cypress Cupressus sempervirens 2 drops
Sweet Orange Citrus sinensis 5 drops
*This amount is suitable for a 400ml water reservoir diffuser. Adjust accordingly.
Fir Needle/Siberian (Abies sibirica)
The uplifting forest-fresh scent of Fir Needle supports a healthy respiratory system. Fir Needle helps ease congested breathing associated with typical seasonal illness. I feel this essential oil is a fantastic replacement for oils high in 1,8 cineole.
Steam Tent for Respiratory Support
Master blend
Fir Balsam 5 drops
Rosalina 5 drops
Spruce 5 drops
Pine (Pinus Sylvestris)
Pine is known for its ability to help support a healthy respiratory tract, and in a diffuser helps to clear/cleanse the air. It is also a powerful addition to cleaning products to help purify the home. You can add Pine to Lemon essential oil in a spray bottle if Pine-sol is a scent that you love. Make sure if only using essential oils and water than you use it quickly without a preservative.
I have given you a lot to think about today, if you have any questions, you can reach out to me anytime at Lifeholistically@gmail.com.
References
[1] Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004. Retrieved from
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/414878
[2] Benefits, uses, and side effects of echinacea. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684.php
*There are affiliate links within the article. You do not pay any more for the suggestions made.
