Herbal tea for toddlers: Is it safe?

The safety when using herbal tea for toddlers might be a common concern for many people, especially those being parents. Is it okay for toddlers to consume herbal tea? Which types are good for them?

Contents

Introduction

Herbal tea is a popular drink for adults, with numerous health benefits and distinctive calming and relaxing effects. It is easy to find herbal teas in various forms at stores or supermarkets. Many people want to give herbal tea to their children, but is it safe for toddlers? Let’s find out the answers with FGC in this article.

Is it safe for toddlers to drink herbal teas?

Whether children can consume herbal teas might be a concern for many people. Many teas, especially black or green tea varieties, have caffeine, which has stimulating effects. It is suggested that children under 12 years old should stay away from caffeine to avoid its side effects, such as difficulty sleeping and nervousness. However, herbal teas are not made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis but from other plants’ leaves, roots, and seeds, so normally, they do not contain caffeine.

Another issue that people might be concerned about with herbal teas is allergic reactions. Several symptoms of herbal tea allergies could be difficulty breathing and throat, lips, or face swelling. However, allergic reactions do not occur with all kids and all herbs. Therefore, you should notice which herbs your children are allergic to and let them stay away, whether in tea or any food and beverages.

In general, herbal teas can be a healthier alternative to sweetened beverages for over-2-year old toddlers. It can also help soothe the symptoms of some mild diseases, such as colds and sickness. For kids under 6 months, herbal tea is not recommended since it may contain dangerous bacteria.

is it safe for toddlers to drink herbal tea — Some herbal teas are safe for over-2-year-old children

What herbal teas are good for toddlers?

Toddlers can enjoy herbal teas, but not all varieties. There are certain ingredients which are considered safe for kids, including:

Chamomile tea

It is easy to find chamomile tea at any department store or supermarket, as it is one of the most common and healthy herbs. With a mild and floral flavor, chamomile can be enjoyed by both adults and kids. It is well-known for its calming effect, which can help children unwind and alleviate stress as well as anxiety. Drinking chamomile tea before bedtime is also a great idea to help them sleep well.

Ginger tea

Ginger is another safe option to use for toddlers. Ginger contains numerous anti-inflammatory properties, which help support digestion and ease stomach issues like nausea and gas pain. However, ginger has a distinctive spicy flavor that many kids may not prefer. Therefore, you should avoid brewing too much ginger to make it easier for children to drink.

Peppermint tea

Peppermint has a strong and refreshing note, which might be familiar to children as it is a common flavor in making food and candies. Peppermint tea is packed with numerous potential health benefits, including upset stomach, sore throat, cough, and sickness. If children have a cold, a cup of warm peppermint tea can help to relieve a stuffy nose.

Catnip tea

Catnip is a herb from the mint family, which can be brewed to make catnip tea. It is believed to have the ability to improve sleep quality and ease headaches and pains. However, children should not consume catnip tea in large amounts to avoid possible side effects.

several herbal teas are good for toddlers — Several herbal teas are good for toddlers

What herbal teas are not good for toddlers?

As mentioned above, not all herbal teas are secure for children to consume. It is because the organ system of toddlers has not fully developed, especially the liver and kidneys, which are in charge of breaking down and excreting substances. Those immature organs might not be strong enough to fight toxicity from several herbs to protect the bodies.

Besides, there are various active compounds in herbal teas. As toddlers are more sensitive to certain substances, what is considered safe for adults might be harmful to them. Some herbal teas should be considered when using for toddlers include licorice root, bitter melon, star anise, and valerian root teas. Those teas may support organs’ function and the overall health of adults but might be toxic for children.

what herbal teas are not good for toddlers — Toddlers should not consume those herbal teas.

What are the precautions when using herbal tea for toddlers?

To maximize the benefits of herbal teas for toddlers, there are some precautions to pay attention to:

Expert consultancy

Asking the expert will provide you with useful knowledge about what is suitable for your kids. As the health conditions and needs of each child are different, the experts can give personalized advice about what is best for them. Depending on the purposes when drinking herbal teas, they can let you know the best drinking time and dosage to avoid possible side effects.

Allergy testing

Before letting your children enjoy any herbal teas, make sure they are not allergic to them. Especially if the kids are sensitive to plants, the likelihood will be higher. You should start with small amounts to follow and monitor for any allergic signs. Check the label carefully before buying to be sure that there are no allergic ingredients for your kids.

Moderation consumption

Even though some herbal teas are safe for toddlers to drink daily, they cannot replace water. Therefore, parents should control what their children drink regularly to avoid overconsumption. Besides, as toddlers are often more sensitive to tea’s effects than adults, they should enjoy it in small amounts.

Side effects monitoring

After the child has had the tea, especially for the first time, watch out for any negative effects that might appear. Some signs of herbal tea’s drawbacks are stomach problems, skin rashes, behavior changes, and other indications of pain. Keep an eye on children to detect them early and take appropriate measures.

About Future Generation Co., Ltd

We are FGC, the leading tea and beverage exporter in Vietnam and one of the biggest tea suppliers in the world. Our tea products are diverse in types, grades, and production methods. We provide customers with Loose tea (such as Black tea, Green tea, and Oolong tea), Herbal tea (such as Rose tea, Chamomile tea, and Lotus tea), and Specialty tea (such as Matcha), RTD Tea, and Tea Bags. Our mission is to become Vietnam’s leading healthy beverage company.

We ensure stable tea sources for domestic markets and exports with vast high-grown tea farms and available herb gardens. Our tea gardens and factories also meet international standards such as ISO, HACCP, KOSHER, HALAL, etc. In addition, we constantly innovate our machinery system, strengthen production capacity, and increase productivity. We also provide private label and customized packaging services for small and medium enterprises.

If you are a tea distributor, tea importer, teashop manager, or even tea lover, we are committed to being your prestigious tea source supplier in Vietnam!