Author: Jane Sheppard

Randall Neustaedter, OMD, Lac, CCH Homeopathic treatment for children can be separated into two categories: self-limiting, acute conditions such as colds, sore throats, and stomach flu, or persistent, chronic conditions such as allergies and eczema. Homeopathy is successful in both categories. First, the acutes. For simple illnesses, parents can often learn to treat symptoms at…

By Jane Sheppard I recently had the pleasure of spending a glorious afternoon in a beautiful herb garden with my 4-year-old daughter and one of her friends. The children played happily while I roamed around and took in the lush splendor of the plants. It was an exquisite day, and I marveled that I could…

By Susan Perri, Clinical Herbalist Breastfeeding is the best option for feeding your newborn, if circumstances allow, for many reasons. Nursing your baby is a natural and normal conclusion to the experience of pregnancy and birth. In fact, it serves as a powerful link from the period of gestation to parenting. It is the new…

By Susan Perri, Clinical Herbalist Your little one is finally here, to enjoy and cherish. In the cozy space of the first intimate moments of growing into each other, both mother and baby can benefit from natural and non-invasive remedies for the common postpartum complaints. Colic Current research shows no link between colic and digestive…

By Susan Perri, Clinical Herbalist The following herbs are for use throughout the whole pregnancy, well suited to all of its different phases, with emphasis on their long-term nutritive effects. These plants act as tonics, deeply nourishing to strengthen, restore, and enrich. These herbs are not only renowned for their beneficial action as uterine and…

By Jane Sheppard More and more parents are beginning to look to chiropractors to complement their children’s health care. Chiropractic care involves diagnosing spinal misalignments and correcting them by adjusting the spine. A slight pressure is most commonly used with children rather than the more forceful manipulation sometimes used with adults. Chiropractors attempt to get…

By Jane Sheppard In my quest to find viable ways to strengthen a child’s immune system, I have discovered essential oils. These oils are volatile substances extracted from plants. Pure essential oils have powerful therapeutic effects. Most of them are natural antiseptics, and certain oils have highly effective, immune-boosting, disease-fighting properties that can kill airborne…

By Jane Sheppard An important element in health and healing is finding the right doctor or health practitioners for your child. You may decide to work with a holistic pediatrician (MD) or you may choose one or more natural healing modalities. In any case, you will need to find the right practitioners to meet your…

By Jane Sheppard We all want our children to be vibrantly healthy and happy. Children will inevitably get sick at times, but some children are dealing with illness on a continual basis. Unfortunately, an increasing number of children are burdened with chronic illnesses or disorders that can make their lives pretty challenging. The current system…

Principles of Holistic MedicineBy American Holistic Medical Association Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. This condition of holistic health is…

By Jane Sheppard Antibiotics have saved many lives over the past 45 years. We are truly fortunate to have them available for serious bacterial infections. Unfortunately, antibiotics are excessively prescribed, especially to children. The Center for Disease Control estimates that of the 235 million doses of antibiotics given each year, between 20 and 50 percent…