Boosting Childhood Immunity With
Foods And Herbs

Isn’t it amazing how your children can stay healthy and ener-getic for a solid three months during the summer, but during the school year seem to be sick almost every month? And it’s not just because they didn’t finish that book report.

They really do encounter a lot of extra stressors during the school routine, never mind all the extra organisms that go floating around the highly populated school environment. What’s a parent to do? Starting now, before cold and flu season sets in, to build a stronger immune system, will help.

Naturally, a diet full of organic fresh fruits and veggies, good whole-grain fiber, high quality oils and fats, lowered saturated fats, reduced refined and processed foods, sugars and addi-tives is, of course, the place to start. However, we all know that in today’s world, sometimes it’s just not possible.

An occasional stop at the local junk food palace is as inevitable as late-night whispering and giggling at a pajama party. You just do the best you can on a day-by-day basis and trust that you’ve built up your child’s system enough to hold them in good stead.

Vitamin and Minerals: Where to Find Them

Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant which prevents a number of eye disorders including night blindness, skin disorders including acne, protects against pollution and tumor formation, and is important in the formation of bones and teeth.

Vitamin A is manufactured in the body by the liver every time you eat foods containing beta carotene. Vita-min A and its precursor beta carotene are found in alfalfa, apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, Swiss chard, dandelion greens, garlic, kale, mustard, papayas, parsley, peaches, red peppers, sweet potatoes, spinach, spiru-lina, pumpkin, and yellow squash.

Moving down the alphabet, the B complex (it’s best to take them as a group) helps maintain healthy nerves, skin, eyes, hair, and liver; it is essential for energy production and useful for depres-sion or anxiety. B6 is especially important for the maintenance of healthy mucous membranes (our first line of defense against those germy invaders), and helps in the production of B and T lymphocytes.

To be effective, B6 needs its trusty companion, Zinc. Sources for B complex include: beans, brown rice and other whole grains (including wheat, rice and oats), brans and germs, eggs, fish, peanuts, peas, soybeans, carrots, nutritional yeast (delicious on popcorn), sunflower seeds, and nuts, to name a few.

New evidence shows that when Vitamin C and E work toge-ther, they have a far greater effect than when one is in low supply. Vitamin C is essential in the healing of wounds, and in the production of anti-stress hormones.

It reduces cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, counteracts the harmful effects of pollution, repairs tissue and supports adrenal gland function — need I say more? Vitamin E prevents cancer and cardiovascular disease, promotes normal clotting, reduces scarring, and (take note, budding Olympians) improves athletic performance.

Think fresh fruits and veggies for Vitamin C, includ-ing: berries, citrus fruits, avocados, beets, papayas, greens of all kinds, onions, sweet peppers, and those delicious persimmons. Look for Vitamin E in cold-pressed vegetable oils, whole grains, dark green leafy veggies, nuts and seeds, beans and peas, brown rice, cornmeal, eggs, milk, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and wheat germ.

Vitamin E, like B6, works best in the presence of Zinc, which is found in some of the same foods, including fish, beans and peas, nutritional yeast, soybeans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, egg yolks, mushrooms, and lamb.

Zinc is probably the most important mineral in a healthy immune system, as it is involved in T-cell production and has strong antiviral activity. Other minerals of importance include Magnesium, which is key in the metabolism of essential fatty acids (EFAs) into prostaglandins, a hormone-like substance which helps to regulate the activity of the white blood cells so necessary in immune function.

Diets high in refined foods, additives, preservatives, and other man-made chemicals tend to be deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is found in apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, brown rice, figs, garlic, kelp, lima beans, millet, nuts, peaches, salmon, sesame seeds, tofu, green leafy veggies, whole grains, fish, meat, seafood, and dairy.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), are crucial to the normal func-tion of lymphocytes and the production of antibodies. They are used in the maintenance of the protective cell membrane that surrounds each cell, and are the building blocks for endocrine hormones and prostaglandins, as well as the healthy functioning of the heart, kidneys, blood and nervous system, including brain function.

EFAs are readily available in supplement form, but also are found in flaxseeds, which are delicious ground and sprinkled on cereal, in yogurt, salads, soups, beans and stews. They are also found in high-quality vegetable oils (except for palm kernel or coconut) that have not been heated or hydrogenated. Fish found in cold, deep water (including salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines), are also good sources.

Allergic Reactions Take a Toll

In many cases, those seemingly near-constant ear or sinus infections and the rounds of antibiotics that go with them can often be traced to allergic reactions to a number of items, including: milk and all dairy products, wheat, gluten, eggs, soy, peanuts and/or other nuts, corn, tomatoes, pineapple, shellfish, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruit and drinks, refined sugars, additives, preservatives, and others.

Food intolerance is on the rise and one theory as to why includes an increased stress load on the immune system due to pollutants and chemicals; earlier weaning and introduction of solid foods to infants; and less variety of foods. One good place to start, even if your child is not “allergic,” is to reduce dairy consumption. Dairy is a high mucous-producing food, and one of the most chem-ically contaminated.

Even if your child doesn’t suffer from allergic reactions or intolerances, cutting down on dairy consumption will reduce toxic overload of the liver and help boost immunity. Experiment by removing or reducing consumption of it and other well-known allergic triggers for a period of three to seven days.

If you see an increase in mucous when they are returned to the diet, you know it is best to reduce consumption of that item long term.

Besides a chronic runny nose, postnasal drip or nasal congestion, other symptoms of food intolerance and allergic reaction include: asthma, eczema, hay fever, headaches, hives, dry rough skin, skin rashes, frequent respiratory infections, cough, earache, tonsillitis, chronic colic, chronic diarrhea or constipation, gas, chronic swollen glands, dark circles or puffiness under eyes, food cravings or fussy eating, tiredness and fatigue, restlessness and hyperactivity, poor sleep patterns, bedwetting and muscle and joint pains.

The cycle of immune suppression begins with a constantly runny nose, postnasal drip or other congestion, that with the stressors of everyday life mushrooms into infection in their delicate little systems.

The rounds of antibiotics spiral down immune function, cause the destruction of friendly bacteria in the child’s system, in some cases causing yeast overgrowth, urinary infection and the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Herbs for Health

Utilizing Echinacea at the onset of infection is always bene-ficial, taking 5-20 drops every two hours depending on the age and weight of the child. Remember, for very young children still at the breast, mothers can take the herbs, which will then come through in her breast milk in a most usable form for the baby.

There is much discussion on daily consumption of Echinacea reducing its usefulness when the body is under attack. Better herbs to use as daily immune tonics include Astragalus, Cleavers or Garlic.

Nettles is probably the premier herb for reducing allergic reac-tion and is most beneficial, even in non-allergic children. It acts to stabilize the histamine response, reducing allergic reactions, hay fever, hives, eczema and asthma.

The plant has a long history of use to cleanse and tone the body, is high in iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, Vitamin C, and bioflavonoids. Nettles stimulate the lymph system, making it effective in reducing swollen glands. Another beneficial herb is Elder flowers and berries, which are rich in flavonoids and act as immuno-tonics. They are anti-inflammatory and strengthen and tone the mucous membranes.

Eyebright is not only good for treating eye complaints but contains tannins, glycosides and volatile oil com-pounds, which have antiinflammatory, astringent and antihista- mine properties. Plantain Leaf is used to reduce irritation and cartarrh of the upper respiratory tract, and decreases excessive mucous production.

Fenugreek, with its pleasant maple-like flavor, is easy to give children and acts to loosen congestion, reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and soothes irritation of the sinuses and throat. Anise seed has a sweet licorice-like flavor and is warming and antiseptic to the respiratory system, as well as soothing to the digestive tract. Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic expectorant and antibacterial actions, is always a welcome addition to a tea.

Combining nettles, elder-flowers and berries, eyebright, plantain, fenugreek seeds, anise seed and ginger, steeped with a little stevia to give it that extra sweetness children love, will make a lovely herbal beverage, reminis-cent of ginger ale if you add a bit of bubbly water.

Just pour boiling water over the herbs and steep for 20 minutes. Drink as a hot or cold beverage; it is both good-tasting and effective. Add Echinacea drops of tincture or flowers when a cold is coming.

They will look beautiful, floating in a clear glass cup and make your tea more appealing.