About the Author

Asti Renaut

Asti Renaut (BHSc. Comp Med, BA, Adv Dip Nat, Adv Dip Herb Med, MNZAMH)

Asti Renaut is a degree-qualified medical herbalist and naturopath with over ten years clinical experience. Asti practices in Christchurch, New Zealand, treating a wide range of health issues. She especially enjoys working with infants and children, and finally has one of her own to practice on! One of the cornerstones of Asti's practice and philosophy is the importance of education and sharing information. She believes that empowering clients to understand their own bodies and health, and giving practical tips and tools to use from the garden and kitchen are just as important for wellness as qualified professional care. 

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The start of the school year can be a little bit fraught for many children as they adjust to new teachers, new classmates, and settling down to work and focus after the holidays. For some children it may manifest as sore tummies or butterflies, for some it may be difficulty sleeping at night, and for others it might be a more obvious irritability, tension, or propensity to worry and fret.

Chamomile is a herb that has been used for children since ancient times. It is known to be effective for inducing a feeling of calmness. Chamomile eases tension, calms the nerves, and soothes an overactive mind. 

The beauty of chamomile is that it specifically targets the two areas of the body where we feel stress: the nervous system, and the digestive system. Chamomile has a gentle soothing and relaxing effect on the nervous system, making people feel calmer and less stressed. Because of this it also improves sleep. Some parents find that their children are happier and more focussed when they take chamomile simply because they are less anxious. Many children (and some adults) show their stress with nervous sore tummies or a feeling of nausea. Chamomile, which is the key ingredient in our 'cuddle in a bottle' Kid's Calm, helps on this front too, helping to reduce tension or spasm in the digestive tract and helping to move any trapped wind.

Because chamomile is a very safe herb, it can be used frequently when needed. Herbalists often recommend using it four times daily to start with, and then reducing the frequency of dosing as symptoms improve. Its safety also makes it a useful herb even for babies and infants, so if you suspect that there is any stress affecting your pre-schoolers, organic chamomile is also an excellent option for them.

Many a parent has sung the praises of chamomile once they have seen it work its magic for their child! It is wonderful to have such safe, effective and natural options to offer our children as they face life’s inevitable challenges. Showing children how they can be supported by herbal medicines can be a great part of their health education as they head back into a new school year.