Childhood Fever

Preparation:

• Simmer homemade or low-sodium stock with fresh ginger slices.
• Strain.
• Serve in small amounts, frequently.
• Add a squeeze of lemon (for children 2y+).

Dosage:

• 120–240 ml every 1–2 hours during fever, as tolerated

Universal

Preparation:

• Blend elderberry syrup + apple juice + mashed banana or mango.
• Pour into popsicle moulds.
• Freeze.
• Serve as needed.

Dosage:

• 1–2 popsicles as needed, particularly when child refuses fluids

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Offer small pieces of cold watermelon.
• Give room-temperature coconut water (not ice cold — cold drinks can cause gastric cramping in ill children).

Dosage:

• Alternate between watermelon pieces and small sips of coconut water throughout the day

Ayurveda / Mediterranean

Preparation:

• Steep 1 tsp elderflower + ½ tsp yarrow in 250 ml boiled water, covered, for 5 min.
• Strain well.
• Serve warm with honey (1y+).

Dosage:

• Children (2–5y): 60–90 ml warm, every 3–4 hours during fever.
• Children (6–12y): 150–180 ml every 3–4 hours.

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Steep 1 tsp chamomile + 1 tsp lemon balm + ½ tsp fresh grated ginger in 300 ml boiled water for 8 min, covered.
• Strain.
• Cool to warm temperature.
• Sweeten.

Dosage:

• Children (2–5y): 60–90 ml, 3× daily (especially before sleep).
• Children (6–12y): 120–180 ml, 3× daily.

Western Herbalism / Ayurveda

Preparation:

• Paediatric glycerite — use commercial preparation or make your own using vegetable glycerine extraction.
• Dose via dropper or spoon.

Dosage:

• Children (2–5y): 1–2 ml in warm water, 3× daily during fever (use elderflower + yarrow only, no peppermint under 5).
• Children (5–12y): 2–3 ml of full blend, 3–4× daily.

Avoid if:

• Peppermint for 5y+ only — menthol can suppress respiration in young children
• Not for under 2 years

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Guduchi (Giloy) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Ayurveda

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Vasaka and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established

Ayurveda

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Kutki and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Ayurveda

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Sandalwood and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Significant kidney impairment — diuretic herbs may worsen renal function

Ayurveda

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Chinese Skullcap (Huang Qin) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Bupleurum (Chai Hu) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast/ovarian cancer, endometriosis) — phytoestrogenic activity possible

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Coptis (Huang Lian) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Diabetes medications — may enhance hypoglycaemic effect; monitor blood glucose closely

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Forsythia (Lian Qiao) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Yarrow and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Pre-surgery — discontinue at least 2 weeks prior (potential antiplatelet effect)

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Boneset and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Catnip and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Meadowsweet and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established

Western Herbalism

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried African Ginger and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

African Traditional Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Neem (African) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established

African Traditional Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Fever Tree (Acacia) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established

African Traditional Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Guinea Pepper and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established

African Traditional Medicine

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Wild Bergamot and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Indigenous / Native American

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Elderberry (Native) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Indigenous / Native American

Preparation:

• Fill a jar with dried Yarrow (Native) and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
• Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
• Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

Dosage:

• 20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Avoid if:

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
• Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
• Pre-surgery — discontinue at least 2 weeks prior (potential antiplatelet effect)

Indigenous / Native American

Preparation:

• Dilute 2 tbsp elderberry syrup in 150 ml fresh orange juice.
• Dilute with water 50:50 for children under 3 to reduce sugar load.

Dosage:

• Children (2–5y): 80–100 ml diluted, 2–3× daily.
• Children (6–12y): 150 ml, 2–3× daily.

European Folk / Modern Integrative

How to make:

1. Melt beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil together in a double boiler on low heat.
2. Add calendula-infused olive oil and stir until combined.
3. Remove from heat and cool to 40°C — mixture begins to thicken.
4. In a separate bowl, combine aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil.
5. Slowly pour the oil mixture into the aloe while blending with a hand mixer.
6. Blend until a smooth, creamy lotion forms.
7. Pour into sterilised glass jars immediately — do not add essential oils.
8. Allow to cool completely before sealing.

How to make:

1. Melt beeswax in a double boiler until liquid.
2. Add coconut oil and shea butter, stirring until fully combined.
3. Remove from heat and cool to 45°C.
4. Add essential oils at this point — adding to very hot oil destroys the therapeutic compounds.
5. Pour into tins or wide-mouth jars and allow to set.

How to make:

1. Blend rolled oats in a food processor or blender until a fine flour-like powder forms.
2. Test colloidal consistency: add 1 tsp to a glass of warm water — it should turn the water milky white and feel silky.
3. Grind dried calendula flowers to a fine powder.
4. Brew 2 chamomile tea bags in 500ml boiling water for 10 min. Cool.
5. Run a lukewarm bath (NOT hot — heat worsens eczema and itch).
6. Pour chamomile tea directly into bath.
7. Sprinkle oat powder and calendula powder into water while swirling.
8. Add baking soda if using.
9. Swirl bath water to distribute evenly.

How to make:

1. Make the elderberry decoction and thyme infusion separately. Strain both very thoroughly — no plant particles.
2. Cool completely to room temperature.
3. Combine both teas in a clean bottle.
4. Add honey and stir until completely dissolved.
5. Add lemon juice and mix.
6. Transfer to a small spray bottle.
7. Refrigerate and use within 5 days.