With relaxing plants such as chamomile, lemon balm, elderberry or poppy we can prepare infusions for children that will serve as natural tranquilizers and that will help them sleep better without causing them dependency.

Difficulty sleeping is one of many examples of mild disorders that can be improved with plants, but It is recommended to inform the pediatrician firstfor approval and guidelines on how to use them.

4 plants to sleep children and babies

In this article, four plants have been selected that, due to their characteristics and the absence of any risk in their use, if used in the correct doses, can be used to make relaxing infusions that can be administered without problems to children. to promote sleep.

1. Chamomile

Chamomile (Chamomilla feverfew) is an easy resource that children like very much for its mild flavor. It can be administered without problems if the doses are not exceeded. It is generally intended for relieve belly painwhich causes crying, and to combat diarrhea, gastrointestinal spasms and other common disorders such as nausea, vomiting, gas and lack of appetite.

But it is also a sedative planteffective in calming nervous excitement or difficulty sleeping.

• How to prepare chamomile infusion for children: It can be prepared alone or with lemon balm and poppy. For children 2 or 3 years old, infuse a small teaspoon (of coffee) of dried flowers per glass of water. For older children, a dessert spoon.
• How to take it: You can give them 2 or 3 cups a day, depending on whether they are less or more nervous or restless.

In this video we reveal an aromatherapy formula to help your baby relax at night or when he needs to sleep:

2. Elderberry

The flowers of the modest and ubiquitous elderberry (Sambucus nigra) constitute a useful herbal resource to combat enuresiswhich many children suffer and which causes them great distress. It involves taking the infusion during the day to increase urination and learn to control the bladder muscles. At night, the elderberry infusion is replaced by fennel infusion, for example.

• How to prepare elderberry infusion for children: Infusion alone or combined with plantain to treat enuresis. Use a teaspoon of coffee or dessert (depending on age) per cup of water, infuse for 10 minutes and strain.
• How to take it: Two cups a day should be given, the last one hour before bedtime.

An alternative is the application of cold compresses, soaked with this infusion, on the backwhich will calm the bladder impulses.

Cranberry berries, taken with yogurt or alone, also work well in case of enuresis and problems going to the bathroom.

3. Melissa

The lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a mild sedative effectcalms the nerves and reduces hyperactivity. It can be administered in case of sleeping difficulties, and is useful to combat gas and gastrointestinal spasms.

In general terms, to induce sleep and relax the little ones. A six-month-old baby needs about 14 hours of sleep. At three years old, you will not need more than 12 hours, at four years old, 11, and at twelve, no more than 9 hours. Difficulty sleeping can have many causes. Along with nutritional advice, the administration of this medicinal plant can be a good help.

• How to prepare lemon balm infusion for children: A simple infusion or an infusion of lemon balm combined with chamomile and green anise is prepared. The amount to be used is a dessert teaspoon of the chopped plant per half a glass of water.
• How to take it: The child is given 2 or 3 cups a day, the last one half an hour before going to bed.

4. Poppy

The petals of the poppyPapaver rhoeas), bright red, contain alkaloids, from which their slightly sedative and hypnotic actionand also mucilage in abundance, which gives them a clear demulcent and softening effect on the respiratory mucous membranes.

It is an excellent remedy for combat throat irritation and calm cough, especially when it is persistent and irritating. Administered to children in small quantities, it calms nerves, tantrums and induces sleephelping them sleep better.

• How to prepare poppy infusion for children: As a cough formula, poppy is given alone or combined with thyme, violet, marshmallow and plantain. For nervous states, the infusion of poppy with chamomile and green anise is prepared. One teaspoon of coffee is used per glass of water.
• How to take it: Take two cups a day, in case of great restlessness, the last one half an hour before going to bed.

And aromatherapy for crying and night fears

Crying and nighttime fears are common in children. Aromatherapy can offer simple solutions based on relaxing essential oils to alleviate these problems. Experts recommend essential oils of lavender, bergamot, geranium, sandalwood, lemon balm or neroli.

Simply apply a drop of these oils on a tissue, put it under your pillow or vaporize the room with the essence. If the fear is intense, those over 6 years old can inhale a handkerchief impregnated with a drop of essence for a few minutes.

In this other video we give you more details: