Herbs for Fevers in Children

When your child starts to complain of having a fever, a good rule of thumb is to have an observation period in which you do nothing. This makes sense before you proceed with any plan of action for a child's fever. To determine if your child is seriously ill, watch his behavior and whether or not he is lethargic, eating well, or feverish, then proceed to treat the symptoms. Fever often accompanies infections, which you can treat using herbal remedies. Make herbal remedies into soothing teas suitable for children over the age of two years old.

Boneset

• Boneset continues to be an herb that is favored for treating fevers in children. Boneset is optimal for treating infections that are accompanied by aches, pains and fevers. Depending on a child's weight, make boneset into a tea and give it three times a day. Steep about 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain.Typically, you want to limit a 40-pound child to no more than 3/4 of a cup at a time, three times a day. Give this tea to your child for three days. Overuse of boneset may cause vomiting.

Echinacea

• One of the most common herbs used to treat infection and fever in children is echinacea. Echinacea has powerful immune enhancing capabilities along with being able to fight off viruses and kill bacteria. These reasons make it useful for treating a child's fever. Echinacea is available in supplement form, as well as in tea form. Determine which form of echinacea is best for your child depending on her age. Give your child echinacea tea to help her stay hydrated during a cold or flu. Follow dosing instructions carefully on the package. Echinacea is generally considered safe for children.

Catnip

• Catnip is a useful herb when it comes to treating fever in babies. Infants under three months old should be treated by a physician if they are experiencing fever. However, if your child is over three months of age, and has a low fever, or is suffering from teething pain, catnip tea is a good remedy. Catnip has a sedative and calming effect on humans. Look for dried catnip in health food stores. Follow dosing instructions.

Oregon Graperoot

• The herb called Oregon graperoot has substantial amounts of something called berberine, which is a powerful fighter of infection. Although many herbalists think of the ingredient berberine only as an antibacterial agent, it can also work for lowering fevers as an anti-inflammatory. Flavored varieties of this supplement are available in health food stores. Follow dosing instructions carefully.

Herbal Water Spritzes

• Along with making sure your child has ample rest and is comfortable, sometimes a simple application of a cooling herbal spritz can cool off the skin and relieve fever.

  Make herbal water spritzes to lower fever and calm your child by combining 2 drops of chamomile, lavender, ylang-ylang or rose essential oils in 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Along with having antibacterial properties, these essential oils are calming.

  Spray the herbal water on your child's arms, legs, chest and back, avoiding the eyes.