What Herbs should i Avoid Giving my Kids?

Not all herbs are safe for children. Understanding which herbs to avoid is crucial for keeping your child safe while exploring herbal wellness.

Herbs to Completely Avoid

Never give children:

Ephedra

Contains stimulants that are dangerous for children; banned from many products; can cause serious side effects even in small amounts.

KAVA Can cause liver damage; not appropriate for children; better alternatives exist for the purposes it serves.

Comfrey

Contains compounds that may harm the liver; internal use especially dangerous for children; banned in many countries for internal use.

Licorice (in High Amounts)

While small amounts may be okay, high-dose licorice can affect blood pressure and electrolytes; especially risky in children.

Goldenseal

Can interfere with nutrient absorption; may cause side effects; not proven safe for long-term child use.

Colloidal Silver

Not proven safe; can accumulate in body; many concerns about safety in children.

Pennyroyal

Toxic to the liver; should never be given to children; dangerous even in small amounts.

Borage (seed Oil Specifically)

Seed oil contains potentially problematic compounds; leaf in small amounts may be okay but seeds should be avoided.

Herbs Requiring Caution

Use only with pediatrician approval:

Ginkgo Biloba

Not enough research on childhood safety; may affect blood clotting; avoid without medical guidance.

St John's Wort

Interacts with many medications; can cause photosensitivity; not appropriate without professional guidance.

Valerian

May cause side effects; not enough research on childhood use; better alternatives exist.

Echinacea

Some evidence of safety but some experts recommend waiting until age 12; avoid long-term use without guidance; short-term use potentially okay for older children.

Ginseng

Stimulating; not appropriate for young children; reserved for older children if used at all.

Mother's Milk Tea

Contains herbs that may not be appropriate for all children; better formulations exist for children.

Feverfew

Not recommended for children under 2 years; may affect medications; require caution even for older children.

Turmeric

While culinary amounts are safe, medicinal amounts may not be appropriate for children without guidance.

Herbs with Allergic Potential

These herbs have higher allergic risk:

Chamomile

Safe for most but may cause reactions in children with ragweed allergies; can cause drowsiness.

Valerian

Can cause headaches and drowsiness; not recommended for children.

Peppermint/spearmint

Can cause heartburn; may not be appropriate for very young children; wait until 5+ years typically.

Ginger

Not usually problematic but strong ginger can upset young stomachs; use mild amounts for children under 5.

Herbs to Avoid During Specific Conditions

Avoid if child has:

Blood Clotting Disorders

Ginkgo, ginger, garlic, feverfew (may increase bleeding)

Diabetes

High-dose herbs affecting blood sugar

Heart Conditions

Herbs affecting heart rate or blood pressure

Allergies

Herbs in the same family as child's allergen

Eczema or Sensitive Skin

Herbs that might trigger flare-ups

Caffeine Sensitivity

Black tea, green tea, yerba mate, guarana, kola nut

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Medications

Check interactions before using: - Blood thinners: avoid ginger, garlic, ginkgo - ADHD medications: avoid stimulating herbs - Diabetes medications: avoid blood-sugar-affecting herbs - Sedatives: avoid sedating herbs

Always consult when your child takes medications.

Age-inappropriate Herbs

Even safe herbs have age minimums:

Under 1 Year

Avoid all herbal teas except under pediatrician guidance

1-2 Years

Very limited herbs: mild chamomile, weak rooibos only; avoid all others

2-3 Years

Can expand to mild ginger, lemon balm, etc.; still very weak

3-5 Years

More herb options available; still use conservative amounts

5 Years

Much broader herb selection available

Herbs Requiring Pediatrician Approval

Before using these, check with your pediatrician: - Echinacea (controversial about safety age) - Feverfew - Valerian - Ginseng - Ginkgo - Any strong medicinal herb - Combinations of multiple herbs

Herbal Combinations to Avoid

Be cautious of: - Multiple stimulating herbs together - Too many strong herbs - Unproven combinations - Proprietary blends lacking ingredient clarity - Products without child safety information

Quality Concerns About Safe Herbs

Even generally safe herbs can be problematic if: - Contaminated with pesticides or heavy metals - Improperly processed - Too strong for child's age - From untrusted sources - Stored improperly - Too old/expired

Quality matters even for safe herbs.

Red Flags in Herbal Products

Avoid products that: - Won't disclose all ingredients - Make unrealistic health claims - Aren't tested for purity - Lack age recommendations - Don't provide safety information - Are marketed for multiple purposes - Seem too good to be true

Transparent, properly labeled products are safer.

Researching Herbs Safely

Before using any herb: - Check HerbsforKids.com or similar resources - Consult PubMed for research - Talk to your pediatrician - Ask herbal practitioners - Cross-reference multiple sources - Don't rely on single source

Good research prevents problems.

When in Doubt

If uncertain about any herb: - Don't use it - Consult your pediatrician - Ask an herbalist with child-specific experience - Wait until your child is older - Stick to proven child-safe options

Safety is more important than experimentation.

Natural Safe

Remember: - Many plants are toxic - Natural doesn't mean automatically safe - Children are more vulnerable - Small amounts can cause problems - Assumptions are dangerous

Approach herbal use thoughtfully and carefully.

Build Trust with Your Pediatrician

Use your pediatrician as resource for: - Herb safety questions - Childhood-specific guidance - Interaction concerns - Medical history considerations - Approval before use

Partnership ensures safety.

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