Because of the many negative news and side effects that is caused by over-the-counter medicines and cough syrups out there, parents are having a hard time thinking which medicine to use to treat their children. Cough is a very common disease, especially in children because of the change in climate and other external factors.

Recent studies have shown that there is a natural remedy which can be safely used by parents to treat the coughs and sore throat of their children – honey. Honey comes from the nectars of flowers which are collected by the bees and process the same by means of regurgitation, and then finally stored in honeycombs.

The Healing Prowess of Honey

There are mainly two types of honey sold in the market today – the dark colored honey, and the light colored or buckwheat honey. Though studies have shown that dark colored honeys have more antioxidants than light colored honeys, but both of them are effective in treating cough all the same. Buckwheat honey is said to be very common in local supermarkets and they are actually cheaper than most cough medicines out there. Furthermore, studies revealed that giving your kids a small dose of buckwheat honey before bedtime increases their chance of having better sleep and better relief from nighttime cough compared to any other OTC drugs for coughs.

Honey has been used during ancient times as an overall cure for sickness, insect bites and wounds. Some of the side effects involved when using honey as a medicine for cough is hyperactivity, which is also possible when taking most cough medicines.

Other Benefits of Honey

Aside from making your child sleep better during the night because of their relief from nighttime coughs, honey also soothes your child’s mucous membranes that are irritated. This is the same irritation which makes children cough, and by taking honey, the throat is properly lubricated and the sore throat and cough is relieved. Another benefit of honey is that compared to other medicines and cough syrups, honey can be easily administered as medicine to children because of its sweet taste.

Honey can be directly given to the child as a medicine or it can be combined with other natural remedies like lemon, tea and ginger. You can use them as sweetener to these remedies, but its healing powers will still be the same.

Health Issues about Honey

Honey is known to have one of the lowest water activities which are at 0.6. This makes honey one of the safest remedies for kids because microorganisms do not breed in it. On the other hand, even if this is true, experts recommend not giving honey to children below one year old because they sometimes contain small amounts of the bacteria called clostridium botulinum which could pose a danger to babies. Studies reveal that these endospores present in honey could turn into toxin-producing bacteria inside the baby’s underdeveloped intestines which might lead to illness or even death. In children aged one year and above however, these spores are destroyed by their digestive system.

Eating disorders are a group of conditions and serious behavioral problems that go with anxiety, depression and substance abuse, as described by National Institute of Mental Health an organization supported by the National Institutes of Health. There are several types of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder where in the person refuses to eat despite being too thin because of the perception that he’s too fat. Bulimia nervosa is also a psychological condition in which the person has periods of over eating followed by purging, self-induced vomiting and the excessive use of laxatives. Binge eating is a behavior where in the person eats almost anything in an out of control manner, even items that are not edible like soap, card board, paper and chalk pieces. Eating disorders are more common in women compared to men and this usually starts during the early teenage years, when the person becomes self conscious about his looks and physical appearance. The teenage years is also the time when the person is faced with a lot of personal, emotional and social issues putting him at risk for developing depression and anxiety disorders. Eating disorders gradually causes negative effects on the body. It can lead to severe malnutrition, muscle wasting, and chronic diseases in the heart, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Eating disorders are treatable. Interventions like psychological therapy, calorie replacements and medicinal management are known to help treat eating disorders.

Currently many young boys around the world are experiencing body image issues and low self-esteem. Perfection of the human body and the perception of beauty have a lot to do with this. Teenage boys are not only disturbed by how they look, their also very particular about how much they weigh. Here are some warning signs that may indicate that a teenage boy is suffering from an eating disorder.

1)      Excessive weight loss in a short span of time – Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and development and normally for teenage boys; they grow taller, develop muscles and put on some weight. A teenager who is excessively skinny may be suffering from anorexia or bulimia

2)     Frequent skipping of meals – Meals are usually eaten 3 times a day, for teenager who make excuses to skip meals frequently, they might have some form of eating disorder. These teens may join the table but only eat a very small amount of food.

3)     Very restrictive diets – Teenage boys with eating disorders limit the number of calories they ingest per day. Their limitations and food restrictions are very unhealthy and unreasonable. Some boys would even eat 1 piece of fruit or bread for the entire day.

4)     Unhealthy focus on body weight – Boys who always complain about their weights even though they weigh as light as a piece of cotton may be suffering from an eating disorder. These teens also exercise excessively in order to shed off pounds.

5)     Physical symptoms – Teens with eating disorders have dry skin, thin and brittle hair as well as eroded teeth. They easily tire and have no interest in doing anything recreational. They also wear baggy clothes to cover their bodies.

Herbal medicines are any plant parts or products used for therapeutic purposes and treatment for certain medical conditions as described by Medline Plus, a website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Herbal medicine can be considered as dietary supplement which is used as an alternative for prescription and over the counter drugs. This type of medication has various preparations which include tablets, capsules, powders, liquid extracts, and dried or fresh plants. Most of the herbal medicine manufacturers claim that this drug alternative is inexpensive, safe, effective, and doesn’t have a lot of side effects. These claims are not 100% proven yet, since most herbal drug do not undergo standard and high quality testing procedures. Some herbal medications can even aggravate existing medical conditions or even start a new one. Safety of such alternative is determined by various factors including age, health status, herbal medicine source and preparation. Generally, the use of such must be done with care and caution most especially in children.

These are some of the herbal medicines considered safe for pediatric use. Echinecea, oregon grape and astragalus are all immunity boosters. These herbs can potentially help the immune system fight off certain bacterial infections such as sore throat, urinary tract infection, fever and ear infections. Lemon grass, lemon balm, hyssop and ginger are not only great for cooking but also treating viral infections. These anti-viral herbs can treat flu, cough and colds. Ginger, when used as a tea can help relieve upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. When ginger tea is incorporated with peppermint, fennel or chamomile, it will become a remedy for colicky babies. Flaxseed, an omega-3 rich plant which can be made into infusion drinks, capsules or tablets is observed to be an effective remedy for constipation. This herb has high contents of fiber and when mixed with juice or water will relieve bowel impaction within 48 hours. Children who experience diarrhea can count on a plant called slipper elm. This herb is an excellent alternative to anti-diarrheal drugs. If diarrhea is bacterial in nature, instead of slippery elm, the plant called golden seal will be more suitable. For children who have problems and difficulties falling asleep at night, drinking a warm cup of chamomile tea will do the trick. The best time to do this is within 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime. Not only does this tea help the child rest and fall asleep it will also calm his nerves and promote relaxation.

Before trying this alternative form of medicine, it is always best to be on the safe side. The patient will be able to benefit a lot if he consults the matter to his primary health care provider. If needed, this form of treatment must be taken under the supervision and guidance of a trained medical professional. The correct dosage should be followed at all times, avoiding medication misuse and abuse. In majority of cases it is recommended to use herbal medicine as a compliment to standard medical procedures and practice. Both will go well with each other in achieving the optimum therapeutic effect, meeting the patient’s needs.

Alternative medicine also known as complementary medicine is the definition used for medications and medical practices that are not included in the standard of care according to Medline Plus, a website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and medical practitioners all practice standard care. Any means of treatment that doesn’t involve standard care is classified under complementary and alternative medicine. There are several alternative therapies practiced all over the globe and these therapies include acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal medicine. The efficacy, safety and usefulness of these therapies are not a 100% proven yet, further studies and investigation are constantly conducted to reassure patients receiving such therapies.

As mentioned, there are various types of alternative therapies. The first type is called mind and body medicine, as the word implies this therapy covers activities that involve prayers, tai chi, meditation and other healing practices that focus on the mind and its effect to the body. The second form of alternative therapy is termed as biologically based practices, this type of therapy includes herbs, dietary supplements and healthy food items that treat certain deficiencies and promote the body’s general well being. A manipulative and body-based practice is the third type of alternative therapy. This practice involves the manipulation of certain body parts and its movement to realign posture and minimize physical symptoms such as pain and muscle spasms on the bones and spine. Therapeutic touch and massage therapy are among the activities this alternative treatment modality practices. The fourth type of alternative therapy is called energy medicine, which is based on the theory that energy and magnetic fields surround and interact with the body and its structures. Alternative healing practices such as qi gong, bio-electromagnetics and reki are all included in energy medicine.

Alternative medicine also has quite a few drawbacks and some of its practices have risks involved. Herbal remedies might pose a threat to children because unlike prescription medications and over the counter drugs, these medicines are not strictly regulated by the food and drug association or FDA. Also the manufacturing of herbal drugs does not adhere to the quality standards of care. Most of the time, the products and materials used in alternative medicine are natural; these resources can sometimes cause allergies and hypersensitivity reactions to children. Despite being inexpensive, alternative medicine is usually not covered by medical insurance companies, and only a few mainstream hospitals offer this type of therapy.

Alternative medicine is a good option for children, provided that they’re used together with standard care. This medical practice is safe to use, inexpensive and doesn’t cause too many adverse drug interactions. Alternative medicine can promote healing, wellness, rest and relaxation without the use of chemicals and inorganic material. Alternative therapy can be coordinated and complemented with traditional medicine, provided the doctor or primary healthcare provider doesn’t contradict its practice. Parents need not choose either one of the therapies but instead can practice both of them for as long as it doesn’t have any adverse effects.

US House Democrat reps, John Dingell and Bart Stupak, are looking into whether a certain chemical used in the packaging of baby formula products poses a danger to infants.

The chemical in question is called ‘bisphenol A’, known to be used by some companies in the lining of baby formula cans and bottles they produce.

Although bisphenol A has long been used in food packaging, consumer activists last year voiced concerns that trace amounts of the chemical that leak into the formula could pose a danger to babies.

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is in the process of reviewing how safe bisphenol A is, but have however said that they see no reason why the chemical should be banned or restricted in the meantime.

(source)

Folic acid, known to be high in vitamin B, plays an important role in preventing birth defects in children such as spina bifida.

And now a study, recently published in the US, has shown that folic acid plays an added useful role. It has discovered that women who take folic acid supplements for a minimum of a year before they conceive are, as a result, less likely to give birth prematurely.

The study which followed approximately 35,000 pregnant women between 1999 and 2002 found that those women who took folic acid for at least a year before pregnancy reduced the risk of having their babies prematurely by about 70%, compared with women who hadn’t taken the supplement.

(news source)

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It’s understandable. Your microwave is like a member of the family!

However, with debates and concerns about the possible risks of using microwaves (e.g., decreased nutritional value, creation of unnatural substances), is it really worth you and your family using them?

Only you can decide that.

But while you’re at it, why not set your family a challenge and see if you can do without using your microwave for a day? And then, the following week, see if you can go 2 days without using it. The next week, go 3 days without it.

If you can, keep a family diary while you’re on the challenge.

Pause the challenge after the 4^th week, call a family meeting and take stock of how you all feel. Do your children seem more alert? Do you feel healthier, fitter? Have your taste buds sharpened?

Or was it all just a waste of time? Not worth it?

At that point, you can take a ‘family vote’ to decide whether  to continue the challenge or not.

Noni juice is made from the fruit of the noni tree and has been used as traditional medicine for many years in the islands of the south and central pacific. The native Polynesians were the first to use noni as part of their medicinal healing, traditional uses include use as a painkiller, anti-inflammatory, skin treatment, treatment of burns, intestinal problems, food poisoning treatment, treatment for bowel problems, and to combat bites from insects.

Today, noni juice is taken as a daily tonic by people worldwide, although most of the production is still concentrated in the Pacific.

Noni juice has been approved by the FSA, providing proof that use of noni juice is safe and non-addictive.

Children can experience the benefits of noni juice as well as adults, although they require a slightly smaller dose (there is no overdose potential, don’t worry!). As a supplement noni juice can have many health benefits for children, if you think noni has the potential to help your child you should read more about noni juice.