Lately parents have been hit with alarming information about potential dangers to their children. First it was lead contamination from toys manufactured by our most trusted companies. This was the topic of Toxic Kids Part I. Next it was super antibiotic resistant bugs that might lurk in day care centers and in schools. The latest, and of greatest concern, is that every study performed in recent years has found that children’s cough and cold remedies are ineffective and potentially dangerous.[1]
Multisymptom OTC Pediatric Cough and Cold Medicines
Richard Abate of the Food and Drug Administration warned that some parents have accidentally overdosed their children with medicines that contain more than one ingredient to treat the multiple symptoms of colds.[2] Abate’s report led to the immediate withdrawal of six Wyeth Robitussin products.[3] Voluntary recalls of Mentholatum cough and cold pads and infant drops containing pain killers, decongestants and cough and cold medicines also occurred.3 The American Academy of Pediatrics subsequently recommended against use of multi-symptom OTC cold medicines in children under the age of three unless parents are advised by a physician.[4]
What are concerned parents to do?
Runny noses, coughs and sleep disruption are the reasons parents have depended on these medicines for years. Most don’t realize that these problems have plagued parents for centuries, but they had a different way of dealing with them. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) syrup is rich in flavonoids, essential oils, vitamin C and organic acids. It reduces mucous secretions, helps ease breathing, and soothes irritated nose and throat.[5] The NOW formula contains Echinacea purpurea extract and zinc citrate to help activate immunity.
A nose that runs frequently might signal food intolerance or digestive problems. Doris Rapp, M.D. describes in her book Is This Your Child the various ways you can recognize “hidden” childhood allergies.[6] Among the classic symptoms is a stuffy or runny nose and young children can be observed doing the “allergic salute.” This involves rubbing their runny nose with their hand to stop the drip. If you are alert to these signs, you can avoid repeated antibiotic therapy for ear and sinus infections.
Dr. Rapp has excellent suggestions for an elimination diet to rule out offending foods.[7] This is usually necessary because food intolerances do not show up on regular allergy tests. NOW offers a great selection of healthy sweeteners, many of them organic. Included are organic maple syrup, organic brown rice syrup, organic sucanat, organic Turbinado sugar, natural date sugar, natural barley malt, and the sweet supplement stevia.[8] Newer sweeteners now available, also from NOW, include agave nectar, erythritol, and sucanat.
Probiotic Defense:
- Bugs, greens, and fermented grains
- Broccology (I-3-C)
- BerryDophilus with FOS
- Mushroom Glyconutrients
[1] Harris, G.; “Ban Complex Drugs for Children, Official Says” The New York Times 10/18/07
[2] “Recalls, Withdrawals, Alerts” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
[3] Traynor, K.; “Dosing Problem Prompts Recall of Nonprescription Cold Medicines” Amer Soc Health-System Pharm. http://www.ashp.org/s_ashp/article_news.asp?CID=167&DID=2024&id=22821
[4] Treating Kids Colds Without Drugs” Amer Acad Ped. http://www.aap.org/new/kidcolds.htm
[5] Wichtl, M.; Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals Boca Raton, FL. 1994. CRC Press. pp. 449-450.
[6] Rapp, D.; “Typical Allergies: Is This Your Child New York 1991. William Morrow & Co. pp.47-51.
[7] Idid. “Diets That Help Quickly” pp. 157-193.
[8] Ibid. “
