Children drink herbal medicine, is it okay or not? & bull; hello healthy

When can children start drinking herbal medicine?

Jamu is a herbal concoction made from various spices and plants such as leaves, roots, fruit, stems, tubers, or flowers.

The results of Riskesdas 2010 showed that the percentage of Indonesia's population who had ever consumed herbal medicine was 59.12 percent. Meanwhile, those who regularly drink herbal medicine are around 95.60 percent.

The percentages of medicinal plants and spices most commonly used are:

Ginger: 50.36 percent
Kencur: 48.77 percent
Temulawak: 39.65 percent
Meniran: 13.93 percent
Pace (noni): 11.17 percent

Jamu does not use chemical additives such as paracetamol, preservatives, artificial flavors, or other additives. So, basically herbal medicine is safe for consumption by anyone.

However, something different was conveyed by dr. Aldrin Neilwan, Head of the Integrative Medicine Unit at the Dharmais Cancer Hospital Jakarta.

He explained that babies who are still exclusively breastfeeding should not drink herbal medicine first.

If the baby has separated from the exclusive breastfeeding period, which is around the age of 6 months, you can start giving herbs.

However, giving herbs for babies aged 6 months must consult a doctor.

Usually on products that have been registered by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), there is information about the recommended dosage for infants, children and adults.

However, if it is not listed or if you are making your own herbs at home, adjust the dosage according to the child's age.

The adult portion is 150 ml a day.

Children under 12 years of age need only half the adult dose (75 ml).

Meanwhile, for children under the age of five (toddlers), you should give one-fourth of the adult dose (35 ml).

Herbal ingredients that children can drink

There are various types of plants that can be used as raw materials for making herbal medicine.

In children, herbal medicine is often given to boost the immune system so they don't get sick easily.

In addition to increasing endurance, herbal medicine is also effective for:

Increase appetite.
Relieves symptoms of certain diseases such as diarrhea and influenza.
Relieve pain because the teeth are about to grow.

Getting children to drink herbal medicine is also good for preventing dependence on medical drugs or resistance to antibiotics.

Here are some herbs that are suitable and often given to children:

Ginger

The health benefits of ginger are widely known.

Ginger can help expel colds, flatulence, and various digestive disorders in children.

If you want to make ginger as a medicinal ingredient that children drink, it should not be given to children under 6 years of age.

Although ginger is beneficial for digestion, the taste that is too sharp can cause heartburn in your little one. Especially when given in sufficient quantities.

You can still give ginger to children under 6 years old by mixing it in tea or soup.

Turmeric

This spice is often used in various recipes in Asia, including Indonesia.

Quoting from Emedicinehealth, turmeric is one of the spices that can be used as a treatment to reduce symptoms of the disease.

Some of the benefits are:

Overcoming indigestion
Colon irritation
Bloating after eating
Gastric disorders
Complaints of the liver and gall bladder
Increase appetite

You can process turmeric so that it can be used as herbal medicine for children to drink. The trick, boil turmeric with young guava leaves and give it 2 times a day.

There is no definite dose in giving turmeric to children and adults. However, turmeric can only be given to children aged 12 years and over.

The reason is, turmeric can prevent iron absorption in the intestines. This can lead to iron deficiency anemia in children.

It would be better if you don't eat it too often. Give pause for one week to see the effect on your little one's body.

Curcuma

Temulawak or curcuma has a shape similar to turmeric with a yellowish color.

Temulawak has various health benefits. Quoting from the Scientific Research Journal, ginger extract has benefits to protect the liver from hepatotoxins.

Hepatotoxins are chemical compounds that have an adverse effect on the liver.

So, temuawak is suitable for use as a natural remedy for helping liver health.

Not only for the liver, ginger is also often used for children who have no appetite.

You can mix ginger with half a cup of warm water and honey, then let the children drink this herbal medicine.

Give herbal medicine ginger every other day or according to the needs of the child.

Supplements containing ginger are also widely available now. Always pay attention to the dosage listed on the package.

Galangal

The use of kencur as a traditional drink is not in doubt.

For children, jamu nasi kencur is often used to increase the little one's appetite.

According to Toxicology Reports, kencur contains protein, fiber, iron and zinc.

Kencur rice is made from a mixture of herbs that have a strong aroma such as ginger, tamarind, pandan leaves, and palm sugar.

Children can drink jamu nasi kencur regularly every day, with a dose of half an adult's portion.

Quoting from the book Making Fresh Herbs, freshly made herbal medicine should be consumed one day after its manufacture. However, usually it can still be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2-3 days.