4 natural remedies to help children sleep better

The main drugs that are dispensed to children are antitussives, antipyretics, antihistamines and tranquilizers. In all these cases, phytotherapy offers equally effective and much less aggressive alternatives. With relaxing plants such as chamomile, lemon balm, elderberry or poppy we can prepare infusions for children that will serve as natural tranquilizers and that will help them sleep better without causing dependency.

Insomnia or difficulty sleeping is, along with colds, flu, allergies, stomach pain, diarrhea, food intolerances, worms, gastroenteritis, gas or hyperactivity, are one of the many examples of mild disorders that can be treated with plants, but It is recommended to inform the pediatrician beforeso that he gives his approval and designs the treatment guidelines.

In this video we reveal an aromatherapy formula to help your baby sleep:

4 plants to sleep children and babies

In this article, four plants have been selected that, due to their characteristics and the absence of any risk in their use, if used in the correct doses, can be used to make relaxing infusions that can be administered to children without problems. to promote sleep.

1. Chamomile

The chamomile (matricaria chamomilla) is an easy resource that is very popular with children due to its mild flavor. It can be administered without problems if the doses are not exceeded. It is generally intended for relieve stomach painwhich causes crying, and combat diarrhea, gastrointestinal spasms and other frequent disorders such as nausea, vomiting, gas and lack of appetite.

But it’s also a sedative planteffective to calm nervous excitement or insomnia.

How to prepare chamomile tea for children: It can be prepared alone or with lemon balm and poppy. For children 2 or 3 years of age, a small teaspoon (coffee) of dried flowers is infused per glass of water. For older children, a teaspoon of dessert.How it is taken: They can be given 2 or 3 cups a day, depending on whether they are less or more nervous or restless.

2. elderberry

The flowers of the modest and ubiquitous elder (Sambucus nigra) constitute a useful herbal resource to combat enuresis, which many little ones suffer and which causes them great anguish. It is about taking the infusion during the day to increase urination and learn to control the muscles of the bladder. At night, the elderberry infusion is replaced by an infusion of fennel, for example.

How to prepare elderberry infusion for children: Infusion alone or combined with plantain to treat enuresis. Use a teaspoon of coffee or dessert (depending on age) per cup of water, infuse 10 minutes and strain.How it is taken: You should be given two cups a day, the last one an hour before you go to bed.

An alternative is the application of cold compresses, soaked with this infusion, on the backwhich will calm the impulses of the bladder.

American cranberry berries, taken with yogurt or alone, also work well in case of enuresis and problems going to the bathroom.

3. Melissa

the lemon balm (melissa officinalis) has a mild sedative effect, calms the nerves and reduces hyperactivity. It can be administered in case of insomnia, and is useful to combat gas and gastrointestinal spasms.

In general terms, to induce sleep and relax the little ones. A six-month-old baby needs about 14 hours of sleep. At three years she will not need more than 12 hours, at four years, 11 and at twelve, no more than 9 hours. Difficulty sleeping can respond to many causes. Along with nutritional advice, the administration of this medicinal plant can be a good help.

How to prepare lemon balm infusion for children: A simple infusion or an infusion of lemon balm combined with chamomile and green anise is prepared. The amount to be used is a teaspoon of the chopped plant for half a glass of water.How it is taken: The boy or girl is given 2 or 3 little cups a day, the last half an hour before bedtime.

4. Poppy

The petals of the poppy (papaver rhoeas), fiery red, contain alkaloids, from which their slightly sedative and hypnotic actionand also mucilages in abundance, which gives them a clear demulcent and softening effect on respiratory mucosa.

It is an excellent remedy for combat throat irritation and calm the cough, especially when it is persistent and irritating. Administered to children in small amounts, it calms nerves, tantrums and induces sleephelping them sleep better.

How to prepare poppy infusion for children: As a cough formula, they are given the poppy alone or associated with thyme, violet, marshmallow and plantain. For states of nervousness, an infusion of poppy with chamomile and green anise is prepared. A teaspoon of coffee is used per glass of water.How it is taken: Take two cups a day, in case of great concern, the last one half an hour before going to bed.

And aromatherapy for crying and night fears

Crying and night fears are common in children. Aromatherapy can offer simple solutions based on relaxing essential oils to alleviate these problems. Experts recommend lavender, bergamot, geranium, sandalwood, lemon balm, or neroli essential oils.

Simply apply a drop of these oils to a handkerchief, put it under your pillow, or mist the room with the essence. If the fear is intense, those over 6 years of age can inhale a handkerchief impregnated with a drop of essence for a few minutes.