The Medicine Mom By DR. Tara Kompare, Pharm. D.

Handle with Care Herbal Remedies and Your Child

A scrape on the knee is easily fixed with a Band-Aid and gentle kiss. Parents look forward to these rare moments when we can help mend our children without too much trouble. And when our children become ill, we really try our best to make them well.
 
Lately, a lot of parents have been turning to over-the-counter (OTC) herbal products to help fight infections, boost immune systems and cure a variety of ailments.
 
While the intentions are good, the results can be tragic. An extreme case involved an eight-week-old infant who suffered from multiple organ failure and swelling of the brain after ingesting a toxic home-brewed mint tea. The parents unknowingly used the toxic pennyroyal plant to treat a suspected viral illness and their baby later died as a result.
 
Herbal products are often mistakenly associated with “safe and natural cures” for a variety of conditions. The term “herbal” just refers to the fact that the product in question came from a plant. Many dangerous drugs are derived from plants, such as the potent blood thinner warfarin, which was originally used as a rat poison.
 
While many herbals are relatively harmless, there are some important reasons for emphasizing caution, especially when using them in children:
 
 
Insufficient studies in the pediatric population
There are not enough well controlled studies to substantiate the safety and effectiveness of most over-the-counter herbals in children. And kids in general are more sensitive to adverse effects from herbals since their central nervous and immune systems are still developing.
 
 
Lack of standardization
In the United States, herbal products do not have to proven to be safe or effective. It is only after a product has been proven to cause harm that it is taken off the market. Hard to believe, but true. A given batch of product can vary in strength, purity and effectiveness, setting the stage for a potential overdose or bacterial contaminant.
 
Potential for allergic response
Since herbals are derived from plants, there is always potential for an allergic response, especially in children with a history of allergies. For instance, kids who are allergic to ragweed should avoid any herbals containing chamomile since both plants are members of the Compositae family.
 
How to use herbals appropriately
There are times when conventional therapies have failed and parents turn to herbals for offering relief. In these cases, there are a couple of important tips to follow:

-Always consult your child’s pediatrician: Your child’s doctor will help you weigh the benefits against the risks when it comes to utilizing OTC herbals. He or she can also make an informed, professional decision based on published studies and references concerning the proper dose and duration of therapy if an herbal remedy is warranted.
 
-Look for the USP seal: A handful of herbal manufacturers have agreed to participate in the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) verification program. Under this program, the USP evaluates a product for its integrity, purity, dissolution and safe manufacturing processes. Those that pass receive the USP-verified seal on their bottles. In other words, those herbals that contain the USP seal are not likely to cause harm, while those products without the seal are purely a case of “buyer beware.”

 
It’s tempting to reach out and buy the latest and greatest products touted to cure the common cold and prevent your family from catching the flu. Just remember that old and very wise saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” When it comes to our children’s well-being, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
 
P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): Visit the FDA website (www.fda.gov) for the latest information on food and drug recalls. 

Tara Kompare lives in Virginia and is a doctor of pharmacy as well as the mother of two amazing little girls. Her book ,“The Colic Chronicles” (Da Capo Lifelong) is scheduled for release in summer 2008. Her website is www.themedicinemom.com.

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