Herbal Stress Support for Teens

[liveonearth]

Notes from this talk on pediatric neuroendocrinology by Mary Bove: http://naturalmedicinejournal.com/article_content.asp?edition=1§ion=8&article=331

Stress support for children and teens
help teens deal and avoid pscyhotropic use
usu uses combinations of herbs

SX OF STRESS
nail biting
constipation
poor sleep

ADAPTOGENS
Withania/ashwagandha
Astragalus
Siberian rose: Rhodiola
Holy Basil
Eleutherococcus root
Mushrooms: Reishi

for sleepless thin teen: ashwagandha and skullcap or lemon balm

NERVINES
Scutellaria latifloria, tonifying to nervous system as well as calming
Lemon balm often combined with valerian
Chamomila esp if stress manifested in gut, as a bitter to encourage good flora in gut, often combined with lemon balm

HER FAVE SLEEP FORMULA
lemon balm
skullcap
passiflora
may add chamomile or withania

CI'S: none
all of these herbs on GRAS list
know meds and lifestyle of pt and look

GENERAL ADVICE
tough age group to get to talk or change lifestyle or behavior
let them know the complexity of what causes their experience
know what's up with teen, lifestyle, school, parents, all influences
she uses wagon wheel analogy: pt is hub, spokes are influences
learning to slow down, teach them to meditate, learn yoga