IMPORTANT
Unless otherwise stated on the package, most supplements and herbal remedies aren’t suitable for children under 12.
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Pneumonia

What you need to know:

There’s no alternative to conventional treatment for this uncomfortable condition, but it’s important to boost the child or teenager’s immune system.

Dietary changes that may be beneficial:

To do this, you need to make sure they have a well-balanced diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates - wholemeal cereals, pasta, wholemeal bread, rice - at least five portions (500 g in weight) of fresh fruit and vegetables and two litres of fluid a day. Obviously the quantities will vary with the age of the child, and if they’re very poorly and off their food try to give them smaller meals every two or three hours.

It’s tempting to give them sweet foods which they may find more appealing, but remember that sugar makes the body less efficient at destroying bacteria, so does too much fat. Live bio-yoghurt, however, produces acids that destroy invading bugs, so try to get them to have at least one carton, preferably organic, a day.

Getting enough sleep is important, too, especially for older children and teenagers who, no matter how ill you know they are, can still muster up the energy to sit in front of their computer or television late into the night.

You should also try to make sure that, if they’re well enough, they get some fresh air every day and, where possible, do some sort of exercise - even if it’s just taking the dog for a quick walk.

The most useful Herbs:

Herbs to help the immune system include:

Echinacea
Garlic
Thyme
Green tea

They can all be taken by children of all ages - but look at the appropriate doses on the packaging. And try to get the under-12s to get their Garlic in food - or as Garlic-enriched pasteurised honey.

The most useful Supplements:

Vitamin C - standard pills for the over-12s, effervescent or chewable tablets for the over-sixes. Younger children and babies should get extra Vitamin C from fresh fruit juice diluted in equal parts with water
Vitamin A - over-12s only
Bioflavonoids - over-12s only
Carotenoids - over-12s only
Zinc - over-12s only
Children younger than 12 should have a child’s multivitamin and mineral supplement, chewable if they prefer it
Toddlers and babies should be given special formula liquid drops

BUT NEVER EXCEED THE SUGGESTED DOSES

There are also a number of herbal expectorants and other remedies that can be used as a complementary aid to other prescribed medication, but they need to be made up by a qualified medical herbalist and used only with the knowledge and consent of the child’s doctor.

Naturopathy is the most effective natural therapy and many practitioners would suggest using hot packs and postural drainage. This encourages the infected mucous to drain out of the lungs, so you’ll need to have a small bowl and a packet of tissues handy. Older children can do the exercise themselves; with babies and toddlers, lay them over your knees.

Put a heated pad or a well-wrapped hot water bottle on the chest for 20 minutes
Lie face down on a bed with the head and chest over the side and the weight supported on the forearms or hold the child or baby chest downwards over your lap
The mucous should then be loose enough to spit into the bowl
You can help by patting the child’s back with your cupped hands

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This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk).
The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.