Supplements to Build Your Child’s Immune System

Your immune system is your bodies defense system to fight invaders. These days, I see more and more children with weak immune systems. They are repeatedly sick and go thru one medication after another all winter long. I want to encourage you that things don’t have to be this way and that you can help strengthen their immune system as well as learn how to fight infections and viruses naturally. Our own children ages 6 and 9 rarely carry a cold for more then a few days, this is because I immediately support their systems with herbs and vitamins, and monitor their diet so that can quickly overcome the invaders. Our boys know that when they have a cold the snack choices are very limited. In the past 6 years I think I may have only needed one antibiotic, and only twice did we need to take one of them to a doctor for a diagnosis.

There are several factors to consider to help build a healthy immune system, I will cover some of these points in this article and perhaps we can build on them later in a future article. Be patient, rebuilding the system takes some time as there are often many factors involved. And your knowledge and confidence on how and when to use your herbs will grow over time. Just be excited, if you prevent a few less colds from taking hold, and use a few less antibiotics this winter you are on the way to better health for your children. Over time you will get better results as you gain more wisdom, knowledge, and confidence.

Step 1 - Improve the diet : Food is our source of nutrients which allows the body to function properly. In building your child’s immune system you need to first consider what your child is eating, and is it providing ingredients to strengthen or weaken the immune system.

Refined Sugar weakens the immune system because it…

1. Depletes B vitamins, and calcium

2. Decreases immune activity by 50%

3. Provides a sense of having eaten something but is void of vitamins and minerals.

4. Causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, creating blood sugar imbalances through out the day.

5. Sugar causes an imbalance in the friendly bacteria in the intestinal system, allowing yeast to overgrow. 60% of the immune function comes from the intestinal system.

Note: Avoid high sugar foods like colas and ice cream when your child is sick, these foods may be craved when we are feeling ill but they prolonge the time period required to overcome the invaders. A healthy diet low in refined sugar, and high in natural fruits and vegetables helps to provide nutrients for a healthy immune system. Don’t let your child start his day with a high sugar, low protein breakfast.

Good Choices:

Eggs (hard boiled is quick and easy) with a slice of whole grain toast or bagel with butter.

Zone Bars or Balance Bars (available at Walmart)

YoPlait Nouriche Yogurt Drinks (6 grams fiber, 10 grams protein)

Dannon "La Creme" Yogurt ( has a good balance of crabs, protiens, and fats)

Shop at your local Health food grocery store for healthy breakfast alternatives.

Note: Exercise is very important for a healthy immune system, you need to get your child outside and active. Exercise is needed to keep your lymphatic system cleared of excess fats and mucus which clogs it up. Your lymphatic system is very important to fighting and eliminating invaders.

Note: Fiber is important to your immune system as well. It helps to keep bowel movements regular which keeps the digestive system clean and healthy. Your lymphatic system eliminates a lot of mucus thru the digestive system, if your child is constipated then the mucus backs up in the system and can create constant sinus or lung congestion. One hint to provide more fiber is to give your child some raw veggies to munch on just before dinner when they are very hungry. Since they are hungry, and there is nothing else to choose from, they tend to eat them up quickly as apposed to giving them with the meal.

Step 2 - Supplement the diet with vitamins and minerals . Even the best intentions will rarely supply your child with enough of the nutrients he or she needs especially if the child is starting with an already weakened immune system. Our food supply is low in minerals, and few of us have enough time to prepare natural foods made from scratch. Not to mention that children in general are picky eaters and just won’t eat the wide variety needed to obtain the “perfect” diet.

Start their supplement program with a multiple vitamin and mineral source to provide the basic nutrients that are typically low in the average American diet.

Aloe Vera Juice (#1680-4) is a good choice as a multiple vitamin and mineral. This food is very high in A, C, B-vitamins, and 200 nutritional substances. 2 tsp. Twice e daily for the average child 5-12 years old. Keep Refrigerated. It tastes like tangy lemon water so it is easy to give them mixed in a small amount of juice if needed. You could also use the Children’s Chewable Multiple Vitamin and Mineral (#1593-0) instead of Aloe Vera juice, I offered the juice as many children don’t care for chewable vitamins and the Aloe Vera actually contains more nutrients. Since calcium demands are very high for growing children and like to use Colloidal Minerals (#4013-6) which provide 66 trace minerals (more then any multiple vitamin would ever provide) along with the macro minerals Calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This gives a little more minerals than just the chewable multiple or Aloe vera alone. 2 tsp. once daily for the average child 5-12 years of age. Keep refrigerated, taste like Mountain Dew pop.

Step 3- Provide a Daily Immune Building Herbal Formula.

VS-C (#3167-6) This combination of 10 Chinese herbs strengthens the immune system against bacterial and viral infections. It also helps to clean the blood and eliminate toxins. VS-C is effective against the herpes virus, parasites, staph and strep infections, viruses and candida. This formula works best taken on a daily basis through out the school year. The dose can be increased at the first sign of fighting a invader. Typically ¼ to ½ tsp. Daily would be good. VS-C can periodically be substituted with Ultimate Echinacea liquid (#3181-2) at the same dosage, or Chewable Elderberry Plus (#3300-9) at 2 per day. Each of these formulas strengthen a weak immune system and help fight invaders. They are all good formulas, it best to try each of them over time as one may work better for one child than another. It is also possible to give a combination of them.

L-Reuteri (#1559-0) This chewable supplement is a friendly bacteria that helps to repopulate the intestinal tract with good bacteria after antibiotic use. L-Reuteri also helps to strengthen the bodies natural defenses against bacteria. 1 tablet daily for the first month, then use 1-2 tablets daily for 2 weeks following any antibiotic use. For children that can swallow capsules you can use the Bifidophilus Flora Force (#4080-4) instead. Keep the Bifidophilus formula refrigerated.

Step 4 - Boost your child’s fighting power at the first sign of a cold, or allergies. When you first see the signs that your child may be fighting something such as: runny nose, more tired than usual, achy all over, or dark circles under the eyes, increase the daily immune booster listed in step 3 and add the appropriate formula from below to help the body with symptoms.

CC-A w/Yerba Santa (#3165-0) This formula is designed to assist the body in fighting the common cold, it is best used for symptoms of runny nose, dripping in the throat, fever, chills, and achy muscles. The herbs stimulate the bodies ability to fight infection as well. ½ teaspoon 4 times daily, or as needed.

ALJ - (#3166-5) This formula is wonderful for congestion, mucus, coughs (mild), and for allergies in children it works very well. I also use this regularly for children that have asthma and it really helps with their breathing. ½ teaspoon 4 times daily or as needed.

Zinc Lozenges (#9337-8) These chewable lozenges contain zinc and Vitamin C as well as some herbs that are useful to soothe a sore throat. Chewing these just at the onset of a cold or sore throat can help stop it in it’s tracts. They don’t taste bad but the don’t taste great either so they may not work for the pickiest of children.

Note: Any of these 3 formulas can be combined with each other, and you may find that different children will prefer different formulas.

Step 5 - Have stronger formulas available if needed. Be it the flu or an infection the bacteria or viruses that trigger the immune response normally enter the body thru the nose and throat which triggers the body to create symptoms to flush the invader out. If the body is unsuccessful, the invader moves internally in the body and triggers symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, loose stool, or an infection in places like the inner ear. A fever is normally triggered to create an environment which the bacteria or virus can not live in. At this point, you need to add herbs or supplements that have an anti-viral and anti-biotic property, to help kill the invader.

Colloidal Silver (#4074-7) Is a powerful broad spectrum anti-microbial, well known to be effective against over 650 disease causing microbes including Staphylococcus aures, streptococcus pyogenes, salmonella typi, ringworm, thrush, parasites, and viruses. When it comes to fighting infection this supplement almost always wins. It is in liquid form, tastes basically like water, and the dose is low, making it an ideal supplement to use with children. 1 tsp. 3 times daily when it appears your child is not overcoming his cold and it appears to be worsening or he develops a fever. Colloidal Silver is non-toxic and is safe for babies, and pregnant women. Goldenseal, or Oregon grape are also powerful antibiotic herbs that help fight infection and can be used in place of silver. These herbs are often combined with Echinacea or VS-C for their viral fighting properties. ½ teaspoon 3-4 times daily of one antibiotic herb and one Anti-viral herb works good.

Note: Garlic is a powerful antibiotic, anti-viral as well. If your shelves are bare of any of the above, fresh garlic cloves can easily be purchased at the grocery store. Chop one clove of garlic and combine in ¼ cup olive oil, let sit 10 minutes. This formula can be rubbed on the chest, throat, or dropped into the ears to fight infection and clear mucus.

Blue Vervain Liquid (#3160-8) This herb is powerful at stimulating the immune system when a cold or virus starts to enter the body creating a cough or flu. It is very good for quieting a cough, bringing down a fever, and allowing a sick child to sleep and relax. ¼ to ½ teaspoon 3-4 times a day.

At first, as you work on building your child’s immune system you may find that you are not that successful in stopping full blown infections or viruses. Don’t be discouraged. This will take time for both your child’s run down immune system to get stronger, and for you to build your knowledge and confidence in using the herbs and supplements . Don’t avoid the Doctor a diagnosis is important and helpful, find a doctor that is open to working with you and is pro-preventative medicine. In the beginning, I often took my children to the doctor to see what I was dealing with, then I would ask him to let me use herbs instead of antibiotics for 5 days and then bring the child back in or call for an progress report at that time. We only used antibiotics if it was absolutely necessary. Overall, as you use the supplements and improve the diet you should see an almost immediate reduction in the times your child gets sick, and the times it takes for him to recover. An on top of this you will have a happier, healthier, and more energetic child!

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We at Herbal Answers for Health feel that every person has a God given right and responsibility to seek out knowledge and study on how to properly care for their body to help maintain good health. We feel they have a right to use the knowledge obtained from all sources; including orthodox and conventional medicine, along with alternative health information sources, to do what they can to obtain good health. We at Herbal Answers for Health are not licensed physicians and can not diagnose diseases, prescribe drugs, or recommend treatments for specific disease conditions. We do not claim or imply that any instruction, advice, counsel, recommendations or products that we provide will cure, treat, prevent, or mitigate any disease condition. They are provided solely for nourishing and strengthening the natural function of the various body organs and systems so that they will have a greater capacity to heal themselves.