A Snap for Kids

There are three ways to remove peanut butter from the roof of your mouth and many creative ways to get Chinese herbs into kids. For powdered herbal concentrates, either loose or encapsulated, we offer six methods below.

A dose is usually two capsules, but for a kid it could be just one cap. When using the powder, a dose is usually 1/4 teaspoon, but it could be 1/8 teaspoon for a little person. You will want to adjust the dose for the age and size of the child. Always consider the stage of illness. Early in the disease process you will need less herbs. Start slowly and increase the frequency of the dose rather than the amount of herbs. If you are getting the desired results, you are on the right track. Use your intuition, check with your health care provider, and/or contact OHCO with your questions or comments.

Method 1 

Set out two cups. Place one measure into each cup, and add just enough hot water to make a one-gulp dose in each cup. Mix well with a wooden chopstick. Prepare two chasers. Grape juice works especially well. Sit down with your child. Each of you holds your nose. Say together, “This is yuk! Yuk! Yuk! Yuk! It will make us feel better and keep us healthy.” Chug the herbs, chase with the grape juice, let go of your nose, chant once more a big “yuk,” and give each other a hug. 

Method 2 

(If you don't like bribery, skip to #3. Also, this method probably won't work with kids under 2 1/2.) Say to your child: “These herbs are good for you. Nature has provided these herbs to keep you healthy. I want you to be healthy. After you drink these herbs, I will play three games of ‘Go Fish’ with you.”

Method 3

Mix up the herbs into a tea by combining them with hot water. Place them in an eyedropper or one of those medication spoons you won’t be needing any more. Very young children don’t have the same prejudice against the herbs (appearance, taste) that their older siblings might. Assume s/he will like them. Some babies have been known to suck the herbs enthusiastically from an eyedropper. Administer with love and confidence.

Method 4 

Create a Japanese tea ceremony. Emphasize the spiritual aspects of drinking tea. Mix with a full cup of water. (Some do find the herbs taste better more diluted.) Approach with sincerity and purity. Be in harmony with nature. Know that you are practicing another way of achieving health and well-being.

Method 5 

Capsules are a necessity with teens. Although we have sent already-mixed doses of tea to school with our daughter when she was younger, caps work best in lunch boxes. They are quick, convenient, and tasteless.

Method 6 

We personally have never had success with the disguise methods. These suggestions come from other parents. Mix into a tea as usual (Method 1), and combine with a fruit smoothie. Or, mix as a tea, and add to peppermint tea sweetened with honey (no honey for children under one). Or . . . sprinkle into a peanut butter sandwich! This sounds almost unbelievable, but it does bring us around to the ways to remove peanut butter from the roof of your mouth. Blow it out, shake it out, and when that doesn’t work, remove it with your finger. Now, how do you remove peanut butter from your finger?

Well, there are three ways to remove peanut butter from your finger: blow it off, shake it off, and, when that doesn't work, lick it off. Now, how do you remove peanut butter from the roof of your mouth? There are three ways . . .

When children see results from the herbs, they will be able to realize that a quick sip can mean help. It’s just short leap from “Yuk!” to “May I have a cup?”

Related: Learn Everything About Traditional Chinese Medicine