ProductsOrderFind a StoreIn DepthCommon QuestionsAbout OHCOContact Us
Building a Balanced Formula
Quality Assurance
Path to the Market
Another Way
Origins of the Four
A Snap for Kids
Out of The Woods
Caps Versus Powder
Contraindications
Safety and Chinese Herbs

There are three ways to remove peanut butter from the roof of your mouth and many creative ways to get powdered Chinese herbs into kids:

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 one more 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 eye dropper 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 eye dropper. 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 I have sent already-mixed doses of tea to school with my daughter when she was younger, caps work best in lunch boxes. They are quick, convenient, and tasteless.

Method 6 - I personally have never had success with the disguise methods. They come from other parents. Mix into a tea as usual, and combine with orange juice. Or, mix as a tea, and add 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?

Guidelines - Doses are fairly consistent with those for an adult. You may want to adjust somewhat for the age and size of the child. Use your intuition, check with your health care provider, and/or write to OHCO with your questions or comments.

When children see results from the herbs, they will be able to realize that a quick sip can mean relief - no more chronically snotty nose, visits to the doctor, pink stuff, and being sick all the time. It's just a short leap from "Yuk!" to "May I have a cup?"