Have you ever noticed the dark circles under their eyes?
Skin flare-ups?
Constipation or headaches?
It’s worrisome, I know.
Imagine if you could clear up these symptoms with diet and supplements.
I know, I’m not a fan of supplements either, and sometimes they feel like too much! But the truth is – these supplements fill the nutrient gaps.
Read that again 👆
If our diet, digestion, and gut health were “ideal”, we wouldn’t need so many supplements. This means, including herbs into our diet every single day.
But don’t forget, we can reverse these allergic symptoms and even “asthma-like” breathing – when we address their gut health. ¹
My son began his life with milk intolerance and as he grew, I noticed he had a gluten intolerance as well. When we addressed his gut health – his symptoms changed.
his energy increased
his skin cleared up
stomach pains went away
the nagging cough stopped
So what can you do about it?
Here’s my promise to you. By the end of this post, you’ll understand how to reduce your child’s allergic response – naturally.
But wait! Always check with your doctor before adding any supplements to your child’s diet.
What is an allergy anyway?
When your child’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance – like an insect bite, pets dander, or cockroaches, their immune system produces a substance called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction or inflammation.
This inflammation can be as little as red, rosy cheeks, or as severe as anaphylaxis – a potentially life-threatening emergency.
Why allergies are bad right now
*While most food allergies cannot be cured, you will see an enormous change in your child’s health and symptoms when you address these 7 things:
Your child’s gut health – heal their gut with the 4R approach
Reducing inflammation naturally with herbs, diet & supplements
Boosting their immunity with herbs & supplements
Removing any food sensitivities to reduce inflammation*
Promoting healthy digestion and elimination {no more constipation}
Avoid medications and antibiotics – this affects their gut health
Reducing toxins in their environment and food
What are the 6 types of allergies?
Insect sting
Pet dander
Drug
Mold
Cockroach droppings- This is the #1 cause of breathing trouble with children in the city
Hay fever
What are the top food allergies in children?
A food allergy produces an increase in IgE and possible anaphylactic shock. **You would NEVER re-introduce these foods into your child’s diet if they have a true food allergy to them.
Food Sensitivity is when your child’s digestive system is triggered. An elimination diet is the gold standard way to discover which foods bother your child and may even be causing behavioral problems. But, it will not “fix” the symptoms.
By integrating the 4R approach to reduce inflammation, you may notice fewer allergic responses and asthma attacks. If your child has a food sensitivity (not a food allergy!), you could re-introduce the food into their diet again or may keep it out for good. == I teach this method within my course: Allergy-Free Kids
What are the top food allergens & food sensitivities?
Wheat
Dairy
Eggs
Soy
Crustaceans
Fish
Tree Nuts
Peanuts
Food Allergy Symptoms
Tingling in the mouth
Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
Hives
Anaphylaxis²
Food Sensitivity Symptoms
behavioral problems (dairy, wheat)
chronic belly aches, gas, bloating
dark circles under their eyes (dairy)
acne on the back of their arms (gluten)
bed-wetting
chronic sinus and ear infections (dairy)
hearing problems (occasionally accidentally diagnosed as ADHD)
headaches
sniffles
swollen lymph nodes & more
colic
chronic cough (gluten)
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can cause:
Sneezing
Itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
Runny, stuffy nose
Watery, red, or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)
The top 9 foods to add to your child’s diet to reduce inflammation include:
green leafy vegetables
organic purple fruits
fiber
probiotics
Tumeric
B vitamins: eggs, poultry, and lentils
Chlorella: sea vegetables
Culinary herbs to support detox: garlic and onion
Quercetin: Cherries, strawberries, and broccoli
7 Supplements To Reduce The Allergic Response
>>Pro tip: Keep in mind, that when kids are young and cannot swallow pills – you’ll want to open the capsules and pour the powder into a juice or smoothie and stir well.
You’re making a sort of “concoction” for them. Try one herb at a time, to see if there are any adverse reactions, then add a second botanical.
Little DaVinci products and Herb Pharm for kids are great choices for young children.
#1 Freeze-Dried Stinging Nettles
Better than Claritin!
Stinging nettles, are a prickly green herb you’ll find outside on the outskirts of your yard in the summertime.
They have a mean bite, but this bite, these hairs are known as a natural antihistamine – helping to reduce allergies naturally.
And the sting? That goes away when the greens are cooked or dried.
IMPORTANT: When you purchase nettles, it has to be the “freeze-dried” version because this is where the antihistamine is located – with the sting!
For children 4 or older: you can break open one of the freeze-dried stinging nettle capsules and add it to a shake or drink.
Pro tip: Open the capsule for young children who cannot swallow the pills
#2 Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant pigment (flavonoid). It is found in many plants and foods, such as red wine, onions, green tea, apples, berries, Ginkgo biloba, St. John’s wort, American elder, and others.
Quercetin has been shown to reduce inflammation and inhibit histamine release; reducing allergic response. ³
Add quercetin foods or supplements to your diet to reduce inflammation.
Pro tip: Look for liquid quercetin supplements if your child cannot swallow pills.
#3 Curcumin
Curcumin was reported to have an anti-allergic property with an inhibitory effect on histamine release from the mast cells. Naturally found in Turmeric, you can add this orange spice to your little one’s hot chocolate or orange juice or add a supplement.
Probiotics can help heal the gut, which can be the source of many inflammatory diseases – including allergies.
Look for ones with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species for healthy immunity.
Download the FREE gut health questionnaire to see if your child is experiencing the symptoms associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome – in order to know if they need to heal their gut.
My clients and I have noticed quality matters when purchasing a probiotic. Klaire probiotics is a company I love.
#6 Butterbur
Butterbur is known to reduce migraines and seasonal allergies.
When purchasing Butterbur, choose one that is PA-free.
Here is the one we used with my son.
# 7 Grapefruit Seed Extract- Xlear
Nasal rinses have been used for years to clean out the pollen in your nasal passages.
As the neti pot is challenging for little kids, Xlear has worked well for us.
This is a great alternative to any nasal sprays your doctor has suggested.
This blend uses grapefruit seed extract, which is also known as a natural antibacterial to treat and prevent infections.
Conclusion:
When your child is struggling with allergies, you’ll want to address their gut health. Often, they’re not eating enough vitamins and minerals, or they’re consuming a food that they are sensitive to; causing an inflammatory response. Typically, gluten and dairy – are the top two foods kids love!
By reducing inflammation and the inflammatory response, you can reduce the seasonal allergy symptoms your child is experiencing and boost their health for years to come.
Strain and add honey ONLY if mom is drinking the tea
Drink the tea before breastfeeding
If you are offering the tea to your baby, strain and cool the tea. Add the cool tea by dropperful to the baby while feeding or add to bottle if bottle fed.
Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) or Asteraceae Anthemis nobiles (Roman Chamomile)
Chamomile calms the spirit and is the number one botanical for both mom and baby. As a nervine, it will soothe anxiety and restlessness. It calms digestion and soothes nervous stomachs. It also can treat fevers, colds, flu, and headaches and relieve cramps from birth or menses. This botanical is safe and calming and one of the best herbs for crying, restless babies. Use it in the baby’s bathwater to clear up diaper rash, heal wounds or cuts.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel seeds are warming and a little spicy; aiding gas and bloating for both mom and baby. Mom can eat them directly, if feeling bloated, and make a cup of colic tea to feed to the baby by dropperful throughout the day. This after-meal tea can ease gas, indigestion, abdominal pain, and spasms.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Known as the gladdening herb, Lemon balm lifts the spirits, and as a carminative; it aids digestion and relieves gas. The yummy lemony taste is well-loved by both women and children and when your little one is old; make a cup of Lemon balm tea with milk and honey. It is also antiviral, so it is very effective for breaking fevers and treating colds and flu.
The slight minty taste may lower the mom’s breastmilk, but will certainly do no harm to the baby. And, as a combined tea blend, it may relieve moms’ anxiety and restlessness and lift their spirits.
What if we could reduce asthma attacks, by addressing our gut health?
I know it seems far-fetched, but if your child has been struggling with colic, eczema, seasonal allergies, and now asthma – this is called an Allergic Triad.
And, functional medicine doctors are teaching us how this is all connected to our child’s gut health.
**Always use an inhaler as suggested by your doctor and see my precautions below as to when to call the doctor. Plus, you would never use these remedies with an acute asthma attack. *
So what can you do about asthma?
In this post, I’m going to share how we stopped all our medications for asthma-like breathing by addressing my child’s gut health.
First, What is Asthma?
Asthma usually occurs when a substance, that the body sees as a foreign invader creates an overreaction of the body’s own immune system.
During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi (small airways in the lungs) constrict and impede the outward passage of air.
Symptoms of Asthma:
coughing
wheezing
shortness of breathing and chest tightening
it can last for a few minutes or several hours
***always use the medicine suggested by your doctor for an asthma attack
70% of children with allergies also have asthma – Dr. Aviva Romm
Two types of Asthma
Types of asthma are allergic and non-allergic; although the two often occur together.
Common asthma-provoking allergens include:
animal dander
cockroach droppings – children in city living have higher incidents of asthma
pollens
mold
pet dander
chemicals
drugs
dust mites
environmental pollutants – The Amish environment provides protection against asthma. ²
feathers
food additives
seafood
dairy products
nuts
yeast-based foods
fumes
mold
tobacco smoke/fireplace
Factors that trigger nonallergic asthma attacks include:
adrenal disorders
anxiety
temperature changes – cold weather
exercise
extreme dryness or humidity
fear
laughing
low blood sugar
stress
viral infection
gut health ¹
Gut Health & Asthma
We know children born via C-section have lower levels of healthy gut bacteria like Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides ¹
Which can create what’s called gut dysbiosis; the bacteria in your child’s gut becomes unbalanced
And.. some moms cannot breastfeed for the suggested 6-9 months and begin adding alternative milk, that does not provide the necessary fatty acids that protect against allergies and asthma – This happened to us!
This imbalance continues into your child’s early life due to diet {or lack of probiotics} and increased antibiotic use.
This gut imbalance has also been connected to eczema²
Asthma development is also associated with respiratory tract infections when children are young
Natural Asthma Treatment
**Please keep in mind, that you should continue to use all medications until you and your pediatrician decide it is safe to come off all medications.**
Here are the 6 steps we took to reduce “asthma-like” breathing.
Step #1 Remove all allergens
Has your child been tested for allergies? If so, have you removed all allergens big and small?
For example, my son has a small allergy to wheat, dairy, red dye, and cockroaches. The allergist suggested not to remove these foods, but when he eats them his immune system is lower and he gets sick more often.
PLUS, he had a nagging cough.
When he is mostly gluten and dairy-free, he doesn’t have a nagging cough and he thrives with health. So even if the food sensitivity is small, try removing this from your child’s diet.
Here are the common food sensitivities your child may have:
milk and dairy
eggs
chocolate
soy
nuts
wheat {gluten is linked to nagging cough, see source}
corn
Step #2 Reduce Toxins In Your Environment
Use a Hepa Air Purifier: A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter; it works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke.
Use dust covers on pillows and bedding
Use natural cleaning products as much as you can
Remove foods from plastic as soon as you get them home
Have your child drink out of a stainless steel water cup and clean any straws often
Consider a water filter for your water system
Step #3 Reduce Stress
Encourage herbal teas of Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Stinging nettles, and Elderflower
Encourage activities like yoga- to reduce stress
My kids love this video!
Step #4 Improve Your Child’s Diet
Encourage a rainbow of foods or sneak them in with smoothies
To support detoxification look for foods with vitamins A, E, and C
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the heart, kidneys, and lungs work properly. Vitamin A can be found in:
cod liver oil {the #1 source}
eggs
orange and yellow vegetables
Vitamin E supports immune function and reduces inflammation
add foods with seeds like sunflower, almonds, peanuts, avocado, and spinach
Vitamin C reduces colds, flu, and asthma attacks. Vitamin C food sources include:
rose hips
broccoli, cauliflower, and green and red peppers
6 Supplements to reduce an Asthma Attack
B6 supplements
In one study, patients were given 50 mg of vitamin B6 twice daily and reported a dramatic decrease in the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Omega 3
an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation
Food Sources: salmon, sardines, and herring
Dosing
Age 2-12: 1/2-1 tsp. day
We like nordic naturals
Vitamin D
Proven to boost immunity and reduce the common cold & flu. Reducing the risk of secondary infections.
Dosing
Age under 7: 400-800 IU
Age 7+: 800-1,000 IU
Age 12+ 2,000 IU
Zinc
Dosing
Age under 1 year: 2-3 mg
Age 4-8: 5mg/day {check with multi-vitamin}
Age 9-13: 10 mg
Age 14-18: 10-15 mg
Zinc helps prevent Upper Respiratory infections
Vitamin C
Dosing
Age 2-5: 200 mg
Age 6-11 250-500mg
Age 12+ 500-1,000 mg
Buffered Vitamin C to reduce exercise-induced asthma daily – given with food.
Probiotics
Look for a probiotic with Lactobacillus alone or with Bifidobacterium to reduce asthma attacks. Take regularly if your child is taking medication or has taken a probiotic.
Step #5 Reduce Medications
Your child’s gut health is connected to their overall health. When your child takes antibiotics, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen it affects their gut bacteria.
We also LOVE Little Davinci’s migrashield for migraines, allergies, and to reduce asthma attacks. :
Little Davinci’s, which has Butterbur in it. When purchasing Butterbur look for PA-free. Butterbur is known for reducing migraines and coughs.
Personalized tincture blend. I also created a custom tincture blend for my son, based on his inability to breathe in. The breathing in led me to add Ginseng to his tincture.
Personalized tincture blends included: Ginseng, Reishi, and Astragalus.
Book a health consultation to learn about your child’s unique needs for asthma.
Work on healing your child’s gut, removing triggers in the environment, and reduce medications can help reduce asthma symptoms for years to come.
When to call the doctor
Always air on the side of caution and trust your momma instincts when your child does not feel well
If something doesn’t feel right, go to the ER right away
Always use your child’s inhaler; as directed by your doctor
TRUE food allergies; need medical care ALWAYS
Warning signs for allergic reactions:
blue lips
difficulty breathing or speaking
change in voice
swelling of lips and tongue
exposure to true food allergy
fainting, weakness, severe abdominal pain
as well as.. high fevers and screaming sore throats {sign of Strep}
Conclusion
I believe your child can overcome Asthma by healing their gut health and adding in the appropriate botanicals for their unique symptoms.
Begin by addressing your child’s gut health and adding probiotics and additional supplements they may need. Next work on healing their gut with the 4R approach, last add in the appropriate herbal remedies for your child’s health depending on their age and symptoms.
Did you know, eczema is linked to other respiratory illnesses like asthma later in life?
What if we could reverse this -naturally?
Picture this.
not worrying about searching and buying lotions that don’t work
not worrying about breathing problems and inhalers later in life
feeling confident that you know what is right for your child
Here’s the thing.
These Atopic conditions; colic, seasonal allergies, asthma, and food sensitivitiescan change by addressing our children’s gut health.
**But don’t forget. Read my precautions below for when to call the doctor and never stop any medical treatment without talking to your doctor first.
It all comes down to this.
==We need to address your child’s gut health to stop eczema and the Atopic triad: seasonal allergies, eczema, and asthma.
Are you ready?
In this post, we’ll talk about the EXTERNAL and INTERNAL herbal remedies needed to heal eczema.
Eczema: What causes it?
Children typically develop Eczema in their first year of life and it is triggered by top allergen foods like; milk, eggs, soy, and wheat.
In Chinese medicine, they suggest Eczema is due to the surface of toxic heat from the mother’s uterus.²
**When Eczema is triggered by the consumption of peanuts, nuts, or shellfish this suggests a food allergy and you would want to get your child tested.
>>>>You would NEVER reintroduce a true food allergy into your child’s diet unless monitored by your doctor!
There are two ways to address your child’s allergies:
#1 Have your child tested for allergies.
Even if it is a small food sensitivity, remove the food that is bothering your child.
Typically, it would be gluten or dairy.
If the mom is breastfeeding, she can remove these foods from her diet as well.
#2 Try an elimination diet for 2-4 weeks.
Remove gluten and dairy and see if there is a change. {If there is no change, you’ll want to heal your child’s gut with the 4R approach when they are a toddler or older}
Eczema is defined as dry or weeping skin; characterized by severe itchy and possibly burning, cracked, or red skin that can blister and ooze when scratched.
In atopic dermatitis, conventional medicine typically wants to cover the skin up with vaseline or a steroid, but functional medicine doctors are teaching us otherwise.
Plantain salve is a must when you have little kids in the house. Great for poison ivy, scratches, and ANYTHING itchy!
You can try honey and beeswax – Make this combination at home and caution with children under 1 year of age or make this healing salve at home by Wellness Mama
Try this Salt Bath for your child to reduce inflammation and improve Mg levels- just make sure the salt is stirred up first!
Internal Remedies For Eczema
#1 Add a probiotic with Lactobacillus Rhamanosuslike Klair infant
Step #4 Reduce medications and integrate natural remedies
Step #5 Reduce toxins in your environment
When to call the doctor for eczema
Always air on the side of caution and trust your momma instincts when your child does not feel well
If something doesn’t feel right, go to the ER right away
When they’re older, always use your child’s inhaler; as directed by your doctor
TRUE food allergies; need medical care ALWAYS
Warning signs for allergic reactions:
blue lips
difficulty breathing or speaking
change in voice
swelling of lips and tongue
exposure to true food allergy
fainting, weakness, severe abdominal pain
as well as.. high fevers and screaming sore throats {sign of Strep}
Conclusion
Eczema in children is a result of poor gut health caused during pregnancy {moms gut health}, by birth {higher in C-section babies}, and if your child has had medications in the first few months of their lives. This is no fault of your own. Addressing your child’s gut health will get to the root cause of itchy, dry skin and may prevent further problems as they get older.
had fewer allergies, asthma, or autoimmune conditions
had little need for Ibuprofen or Tylenol (these drugs impact their gut health)
need fewer surgeries (like a tonsillectomy, etc.)
experienced fewer secondary infections; like pneumonia
This is what is possible when our children are fully nourished and don’t have any nutrient gaps. They’re resilient.
The truth?
Diet is always first, but we all know how our children are picky eaters – they love bread and cheese.
So, how do we keep them healthy all year?
First, sneaking in veggies to their shakes and sweet treats. But, second integrating herbal medicine can help fill this nutrient gap they’re experiencing.
Before we dive in, try to avoid these seven things that weaken your child’s immunity.
7 Things that weaken our immune system
Before raising resilience, we have to ask, “Why are our children so sick?”
Reduce the number of toxins in their environment & pesticides. There is an increase in the number of pesticides in our food. Even when washed, these chemicals remain and are known to cause negative effects on our bodies and affect our immune systems. Children absorb more chemicals due to their size and immune system.
Reduce C-sections. The rate of C-sections has increased three times since the 1990s. Studies have shown that children delivered via C-sections have lower immunity than natural birth.
Reduce stress. There may be increased stress in the home with both parents working.
Improve their diet. Children are notorious for being picky and having a poor, unbalanced diet.
Improve pregnancy diets. During pregnancy, a mom’s diet changes. She’s eating less wheat, dairy, peanuts, and other top allergens.
Try breastfeeding. Your child may or may not have been breastfed. Mother’s milk contains rich nutrients that not only nourish a child completely but also boost a child’s immune system.
So, what can we do to improve our children’s health?
How to boost your child’s immune system quickly
#1 Diet is always first
We know 70-80% of all adult cancers can be avoided with a plant-based diet. But picky toddlers are known to choose processed foods over natural, plant-based, healthy foods.
An increase in their sugar and processed-food consumption decreases their immune response and may lead to a condition called “Leaky Gut Syndrome.”
This condition happens when gaps develop in the intestinal wall start to loosen and allow harmful substances like bacteria, toxins, and undigested foods to pass through into the bloodstream.
It would be ideal to have our children eat 2-3 fruits and vegetables at each meal. This can be a huge challenge when you’re a working parent and have more than one child.
Try offering a chocolate shake blended with chocolate dairy-free milk, banana, spinach, avocado, and cherries, or check outYummy Toddler Food’s recipes!
#2 Reduce Medications
Some medications can lead to a condition called “Leaky Gut Syndrome.” If your child is experiencing this, you may notice that they have more food sensitivities, more allergies, more rashes, and may have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
Medications that lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome in kids are:
Antibiotics
Steroids
NSAIDs
Acid reducing medication
10 Signs of Leaky Gut Syndrome In Children
Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating
Nutritional deficiencies
Low immune system
Headaches, brain fog, memory loss
Excessive fatigue
Skin rashes and problems such as acne, eczema or rosacea
Cravings for sugar or carbs
Arthritis or joint pains
Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease
#3 Add in supplements
As children’s diets are typically poor, we may need to give supplements to “fill the gap”. The three supplements I would add to your child’s diet if their eating is poor are:
#1 Zinc Citrate
Zinc Citrate is an essential trace element responsible for the proper immune function and the health of the gut
Zinc citrate, given continuously for more than 3 months, has been proven to decrease the risk of pneumonia in children under 5 years of age. ²
Food sources: Oysters and Pumpkin Seeds are two rich sources of dietary zinc
#2 Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 has been shown to reduce cold & flu symptoms by 45%
This is found inoily fish (tuna, salmon, etc.), butter, and eggs, sunlight
Vitamin D3 supplements
kids under 7: 400- 800 IU
kids 7-12: 800-1000 IU
kids 12+ and adults: 2,000 IU
#3 Probiotic
Taking probiotics during pregnancy and giving them to infants, especially to children delivered through C-section may reduce allergies in our children. ¹
ProbioMax ENT has been shown to help reduce strep infections in kids ²
#4 Add in botanicals
Herbal teas provide many minerals and nutrients your child lacks in the classic American diet.
A safe, effective herbal tea is called Astragalus.
It has been said… if you take astragalus daily in the fall and winter, you will not get sick!
Read more about making this nourishing juice for your child here 👇
https://taragregorio.com/astragalus-apple-juice/
#5 Heal Leaky Gut in Children
If your child has Leaky Gut Syndrom and/or allergies, you may want to consider healing their gut with the 4R approach. See this post.
You also will want to learn about integrating natural remedies to reduce antibiotic use.
Healing the gut is more than an elimination diet.
You remove the top allergens and then you add back in nutrients and gut-healing herbs to soothe the digestive tract.
Your child doesn’t have to suffer, learn how to heal their gut so they have fewer…
food sensitivities
allergic reactions
behavioral problems and
fewer asthma attacks
Conclusion
Getting to the root of your child’s immunity is important. Have they had antibiotics? Have they taken many doses of NSAIDs? Do they have any allergies? Do they need to heal their gut?
Once we figure this out, then adding in botanicals can “boost their immunity” and reduce food sensitivities for years to come.
Obsessed with natural remedies, Tara Gregorio is a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator located in Cold Spring, NY. She loves helping women reduce their medications with botanicals. Her favorite herbal recipes can be found on Pinterest and Instagram. https://taragregorio.com/
