Child Headache and Cure

Maybe your child didn't get enough sleep or needs to eat. A number of factors, singly or in combination, can make your child headache-prone. But head pain can be a symptom of something more serious. That's why it's important to pay attention to the specific symptoms of your child's headache, and to see a doctor if the headache seems out of the ordinary or occurs frequently.

What Causes child Headaches?

In general, kids get the same types of headaches as adults. And headaches often are hereditary, so if you or your partner get them, your child may get them too.

Once your child's physician discovers the cause and type of the headache, there are many safe and effective approaches or medications that can prevent a headache from occurring or stop it after it has attacked.

Herbs for child headaches

Many people ask if the dosage of dried herbs should be different from fresh herbs. As the loss of chemicals in drying may balance the greater concentration due to loss of water, it is best to simply use the same amounts whether fresh or dry.

Some herbs such as lemon balm, chamomile and basil taste better when fresh and are slightly more effective but most herbs keep their medicinal qualities very well if dried carefully. Roots and barks often improve their taste with drying as they lose their' acrid components and become sweeter.

Measurements
1ml = 19
1 teaspoon = 5ml
1cup = 165ml
Tinctures are usually 1: 5, or one part herb to five parts alcoholic liquid.

Doses for children with Headache

Children require smaller doses. There are some formulae which can be used, based on a child's age. For example, divide the child's age by twenty, to give the proportion of an adult dose, i.e. 6 (years) divided by 20 =3/10 adult dose. You also have to take into account the child's body weight, giving less if a child is underweight for his/her age.

Common doses for teas are: a tablespoon of tea to a child under 5, half a cup for a child from 5 to 10 years and a full cup from 11years onwards. Beatrice Potter seems to agree, as Peter Rabbit was given a large spoonful of chamomile tea after he had over-eaten in Mr. McGregor's garden!

When your child has a splitting headache, it's easy to worry. Rest assured, though, that only very rarely are headaches a symptom of something serious. However, you should see your child's doctor if your child has unexplained or recurring headaches over a short period of time or on a regular basis.