[Threefold]

We have a formula from Herbs For Kids (Valerian Super Calm) with Valerian and chamomile. We got it in the fall and ds (3.5 yo) has had it several times. But lately he's had loose stools and complained of a tummy ache (though doesn't act or look ill) after taking it. Of course the loose stools, etc, could be something else, but I am just wondering is anyone knows of Valerian causing this? I can't find any reference to Valerian causing these side effects in any of my books. I am fairly certain it is not the chamomile causing this b/c he's long been given chamomile in both tea and tinture form and has had a dose of the Herbs For Kids Chamomile Calm (no Valerian) last week and did not develop loose stools, etc.
TIA

 

[Mama Lori]

Hi Dalai Mama, I've given Eli valerian (for calming or pain) and have never noticed it causing loose stools or tummy ache. I doubt valerian would cause these...maybe it's something else in that forumula? Maybe he needs less of it? Good luck!
Lori

 

[rainsmom]

Ive used the same product........mostly when dd was having night terrors. I never had that reaction. I know flower remedies are very pure and usually have little if any negative side affects.

 

[Threefold]

Since we've used this before with no tummy troubles, I am doubtful too, but I just can't figure out what else may be causing it. I suppose it is possible that the tinture has been contaminated, b/c unlike echinacea, which I always dose with a clean dropper and clean the dropper again before replacing it, I just use the dropper in the bottle and don't rinse with this b/c he isn't ill when I give him this remedy. Hope this isn't the case b/c we still have a good 1/2 oz left!
This formula also has:
skullcap, chamomile, fennel seed, hops, and catnip.

Anyway, really hoping it isn't the Valerian b/c it is such an effective way to ease those difficult bedtimes.
Thanks!

 

[rainsmom]

Do a search on Chamomile.......I just remembered reading something (thought it was here) regarding Chamomile causing tummy aches if given on a daily basis. I know, its suppose to be good for that.......

Ill try to find the info for you on it.....

 

[mountain mom]

Hi there,
If the tincture is an alcohol based tincture it is doubtful that it is contaminated, as the alcohol with burn off any bacteria.

Valerian is a relaxant herb thus relaxing any body part. It is possible that it loosened your sons stools but more than likely it was to purge out some bacteria or food that was upsetting the digestion. Herbs work in areas that need the work, for lack of a better scientific explanation. So if the digestion needed to have a kick start or there was some material that needed to be purdged the valerian could relax the intestines and bowel and allow the body to flush out the material.

Was it painful or irritating to your son?

Is he taking probiotics?

 

[Threefold]

It was not painful or irritating to ds.
He is taking probiotics, but I have not been good about remembering to give them to him on a daily basis, beyond yogurt.
Thanks for the info about the valerian relaxing and helping to purge his system. I had that thought in the back of my mind as well.
It is a glycerin based tinture. Does that make any difference?
Thanks so much everyone!
And Mountain Mom, I always eagerly read your posts here!

 

[ian'smommaya]

i am fairly careful with my tintures and have never had a problem with non alcohol based tinture going bad. i also do not wash the dropper off everytime i use it. glycerine is a common presevertive in tincture and in my experience works well.
hopw this helps. hth
maya

 

[mountain mom]

As far as tincture perservability, glycerine offers about a 6 mth to 1 year shelf life, vinegar (as in Apple cidar) offers about the same and alcohol offers a unlimited shelf life as long as the dropper inside the tincture is glass not plastic.

It is important, no matter what the tincture is carried in, that the dropper does not come in contact with the mouth or lips. A certain level of enzymatic activity could occur if this happened. If a very young child is in need of tincture I suggest that you put the recommended drops into a glass adding a bit of purified water then draw into another washable dropper and squit that into the child's mouth.

Thanks Dalai Mama for the kind words!

Maya, I noticed on your sig. line that you are a herbalist student. I am curious with who you are studying? If you don't mind me asking

 

[ian'smommaya]

me???

i am studying herbs with a couple of ppl. cindy a friend of mine and a wonderful herbalist, my grandpa who knows the medicinal parts of plant , my mom, and demetia clark at birthlove who is an incredible lady.

(i didnt mean to say i touched the dropper in a tincture to anything, sorry if i was misunderstood.)

wow. thanks for asking. right now i am so busy trying to find a nursing school that i forget about studying herbs or that ppl might read my sig line. lol. but just for a minute
maya

 

[Threefold]

Thanks for the info about not allowing the dropper to touch anything! I knew that about flower remedies, but not herbal tintures. The droppers that come in the Herbs For Kids bottles are plastic. I have some glass ones that I can use to dose the tincture, but is there a problem with leaving the plastic ones in there since they are essentially the cap to the bottle?
Thanks again!
Oh, and after a 2 day break and several normal stools I gave him a dose of the valerian again, we'll see what happens!

 

[mountain mom]

If you plan to use the tincture with the plastic dropper within about 6 months there is no issue with the dropper. It is only if the tincture is a alcohol based tincture that you want unlimited shelf life that you want to make sure that the tincture dropper is glass.

If the tincture is glycerin based you will want to use it up within 6 months anyway so a plastic dropper is okay. KWIM?

Good luck with this dosage!