IMMUNE POWER FOR CHILDREN
Leo Galland M.D., F.A.C.N.

Director, Foundation for Integrated Medicine
(Author of Power Healing: Use The New Integrated Medicine to Heal Yourself)

"Our modern world is hard on kids. Smog and air pollution are an unavoidable part of many of their lives. Toxins find a way into the water they drink and agricultural chemicals saturate many of the foods they eat. As these pollutants enter the body they draw energy and building materials away from the immune system causing children to get sick easier. Usually colds and stomach problems are followed by bouts with the flu and other illnesses that just don’t seem to go away." Steven Horne

Asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic otitis media and sinusitis are increasing at frightening rates among children in the United States. There are several measures that parents can take to effectively reverse this trend. These measures are supported by scientific research and have been very effective in my own clinical practice.

The first step is a nutritious diet, which decreases consumption of foods made with added fat and sugar. The National Cancer Institute reports that only one per cent of U.S. children consume a well-balanced diet and only about a third meet the government's food-pyramid targets for fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy. Most surveys over-estimate vegetable intake because they classify French fries and potato chips as vegetables, accounting for about a fourth of alleged vegetable consumption among children. Previous studies from the U.S., Britain and Australia have shown that the eating of fish and tomatoes and the intake of minerals like magnesium and selenium are inversely related to the risk of developing asthma.

Detailed guidelines for feeding children in every age group, along with recipes, are supplied in my first book, Superimmunity for Kids. Recommendations for nutritional supplementation are listed below.

The second step is provision of a hygienic home environment.
The three most important areas to control are smoke, dust and humidity.

Smoke: Children exposed to cigarette smoke at home have a higher frequency of asthma, respiratory infection and otitis.

House dust can contains surprisingly high levels of lead and toxic waste, tracked in and concentrated from roadside soil, accumulating for years despite routine vacuum cleaning, sometimes exceeding concentrations found at superfund sites. House dust is especially hazardous to toddlers crawling on carpets, because carpet pile is a repository for dust.

Excess moisture in the home (a relative humidity of fifty-five per cent or more) encourages the growth of dust mites and of mold. Mites secrete an enzyme which damages the lining of the respiratory tract; children with a high mite exposure are at increased risk for developing asthma. Children who live in homes with visible mildew or moisture are at increased risk for developing repiratory illness and for missing days from school. I describe nine simple steps for parents to take to ensure an environmentally safe home in previous issues of this column.

The third area is regularity of rest and exercise.
Exercise of moderate intensity, such as brisk walking or cycling, thirty minutes a day, improves immune function and mood and prevents migraine headache.

Most older children, high school students especially, are sleep-de-prived. Sleep deprivation or interrruption reduces natural killer cell activity. Parents should help their children plan schedules that permit eight to ten hours of sleep a night. Daytime relaxation also has important health benefits. A period of quiet, focused relaxation each day relieves anxiety, improves nighttime sleep, and stimulates immune function of stressed individuals.

From Mr. Steven HORNE
Here are some of the herbs and formulas which may be beneficial for treating small children or adults. (most are in liquid form)

AL-J
This formula started out as a top-selling respiratory combination in capsule form. It helps to break up and expel mucous or phlegm from the lungs in colds, sinus problems, bronchitis, coughing and other respiratory disorders. It is now available in a liquid form using glycerine as a base, making it suitable for small children. It is especially useful when combined with garlic.

Black Walnut
This single herb helps expel parasites and fight certain types of infections. The alcohol extract is especially useful when applied topically to cold sores and other similar external injuries.

Catnip/Fennel
This is a traditional children’s remedy for colic, gas and indigestion. It can also help to cleanse the bowel and calm the nerves. It is available in the form of a glycerite.

CBG Extract
This is a nervine tincture in an alcohol base. It is especially valuable for use in the ears in cases of infection and pain. Be sure to warm the extract before using it in the ear.

CC-A with Yerba Santa
Another encapsulated formula which has been made into a glycerite for those who can’t swallow capsules. It is a traditional cold remedy, best taken at the onset of a cold and continued in small, frequently repeated doses (like every hour). Yerba santa has been added to this formula because it is a respiratory decongestant and expectorant which helps coughs, sneezing, runny noses and other symptoms of respiratory congestion.

Garlic Oil
Garlic is “nature’s penicillin” and has been used by many parents to treat bacterial infections, colds, respiratory infections, fevers and other ailments in their children. The most effective method of administering garlic to a child is in the form of garlic oil. Garlic oil may be given internally (although children might rebel at the taste) or it can be applied externally. The aromatic compounds in garlic will penetrate right through the skin and into the bloodstream to help fight infection. Hence, rubbing it into the back and chest can help clear respiratory congestion. It can also be rubbed into the throat area to help relieve a sore throat. Garlic oil has also been warmed and used in the ears to treat ear infections. Garlic has also been used in an enema solution to fight infection and bring down fevers.

Goldenseal/Parthenium (Echinacea)
This is a traditional “dynamic duo” for fighting infection and stimulating the immune response. It is available as an alcohol extract. Goldenseal works best against bacterial (not viral) infections. Parthenium primarily fights infection in the urinary system.

Licorice Root Extract
This amazing root is many times sweeter than sugar and usually easier to administer because it makes a fairly good tasting tea or can be easily disguised in other foods. It is also available in the form of an alcohol extract. This valuable herb reduces inflammation. It helps decongest the respiratory system and soothe sore throats. Most importantly, it stabilizes blood sugar levels and can help with hyperactivity, sugar cravings, bed wetting and nervous disorders in children.

Oregon Grape
This herb is a substitute for golden seal. It helps fight infection (especially bacterial) and also helps the liver and blood stream. It is useful for congested lymph nodes and for helping with skin eruptive diseases like measles and chicken pox.

Peppermint Oil
This pleasant tasting herb makes a wonderful tea for indigestion, nervousness, colds and fevers. It is even more convenient and potent to use the essential oil of peppermint. Just a dipped toothpick’s worth in a teaspoon of pure water can calm an infant’s colic in a few minutes. Rubbed externally on child’s back it will relax the nerves.
It’s also antiseptic. Put a drop in some boiling water as a humidifier and it will help a child stop crying while helping to relieve congested lungs. The aromatic oil must not be allowed to get in the eyes or taken internally in large amounts, but small amounts are wonderful.

PREVENTION

Children’s Chewable Elderberry Plus (An excellent combination)
Our modern world is hard on kids. Smog and air pollution are an unavoidable part of many of their lives. Toxins find a way into the water they drink and agricultural chemicals saturate many of the foods they eat. As these pollutants enter the body they draw energy and building materials away from the immune system causing children to get sick easier.

Usually colds and stomach problems are followed by bouts with the flu and other illnesses that just don’t seem to go away. It would be wise to give your children a good immune strengthening formula like Chewable Children’s Elderberry Plus. This combination will give your children the right stuff to keep their immune systems from getting run down and help to rebuild immune systems that have already suffered damage. Here are the three ingredients it contains:

1. Elderberry
Elderberry is an astringent that has been used in England for centuries to help users get over colds and flu as well as to relieve wounds and swelling. It contains a mucilant to clean out the toxins from colds and a sudorific to cause sweating and help bring down temperatures. Elderberry has a natural diuretic that helps bring down any swelling associated with childhood illnesses. The English are not the only ones to find elderberry useful. Russians have used it to restore good health, keep their health up and aid in long life. Currently, elderberry is used for all types of infection and seems particularly helpful in respiratory, inner-ear, sinuses and throat
problems.
2. Reishi
This excellent mushroom was first used in China and Japan. It was believed to lengthen life. Modern research has backed up many of the ancient claims by showing reishi’s ability to fight microbes, relieve arthritis, bronchitis, ease pain and fight cancer. Reishi is also used to help workers adjust to heights, relieve symptoms of asthma and to create a general sense of well being.
3. Astragalus
Astragalus is another immune booster from the Orient. In China it is used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections as well as to improve circulation. Modern science has found that it increases white blood cells and may even fight tumors. Astragalus is also especially good for children because of its mild adaptogenic qualities. Although it is closely related to the loco weed of the American West it shows none of the toxic effects. For best results children should take one tablet of Elderberry Plus once or twice a day with meals.

Parents should always supervise the administration of dietary supplements to young children.