Poisoning

Eighty percent of all poisonings occur in children under five years old. Small children use their mouths to learn about the world. Anyone who has watched an infant knows that everything-clothes, toes, fingers, toys-goes into a baby's mouth.

Accidental poisonings in childhood most often occur as a result of ingesting harmful substances found around the home. Medicines, cleaning products, paints, varnishes, pesticides, hobby supplies, and cosmetics all contain harmful chemicals. Worse, these products are often packaged in bright and attractive colors that catch the eye of an exploring child. The chemicals they contain can cause serious injury or even death if a curious child ingests them.

Another type of childhood poisoning occurs as a result of a child receiving too much medication, or an incorrect medication. This can happen if a child is given a prescription originally written for another person. To share medications is to risk the possibility that your child may receive a toxic dose of a medication.

Some common houseplants and outdoor plants are poisonous. A number of children are poisoned every year by ingesting a toxic leaf, flower, or berry from a plant.

Supplements and herbs

Herbal treatment for poisoning is directed at helping your child recover once the acute phase of the crisis is over. If you suspect poisoning, seek emergency treatment for your child immediately.

See age-appropriate dosages of herbal remedies

• Once your child is well enough to come home from the hospital, give her Echinacea to help detoxify the blood and ginger tea to stimulate a return to proper functioning of the digestive system. Give her one dose of each, twice daily, for five days.
• Ginger tea helps to "clean" the digestive tract. Give your child one to two doses of ginger tea daily for three to five days after a poisoning episode.