From infancy to adolescence young people are developing quickly and, at times, unpredictably. Accordingly, it is well recognized in Chinese traditional medicine that the illnesses of young children require different therapeutic strategies than those for older children, adolescents and adults. Several general statements can be made about the usual physiologic behavior of infants and young children which influences the characteristic features of their health and their illnesses.

• They are extremely active metabolically, but at the same time their capacity for adaptation is limited: they do not have the endurance and stamina that older children and adults have. While they consume large quantities of food and fluids (relative to their size) and generate an abundance of Qi and Blood, including Nutritive (ying) and Defensive (wei) Qi, they are also eliminating a great deal of metabolic waste and reacting to the stresses of rapid growth and environmental flux with delicate respiratory, digestive, nervous, and immune systems. These conditions underlie the tendency of children to become ill quickly and intensely and also to recover rapidly. On the other hand, if an illness becomes protracted, it is easy for the youngster to become exhausted, sicker, and require a lengthy convalescence. The reason for this is that the Triple Burner, which is the primary governor of the body's physiological and psychological processes, is in an immature phase of development during childhood. At this time, the Middle Burner-- i.e. the Stomach and Spleen--maintains a predominant influence.
• Because of their limited capacities and voracious appetites, infants and young children easily develop congestion of food, fluids, and Qi which in turn may evolve into patterns of Qi stasis, Dampness, Phlegm, Damp Heat, Heat, and Internal Wind.
• Infants and young children are quite vulnerable and respond very quickly to internal and external influences, both positive and negative.
• Minor interventions can provoke dramatic responses, and major interventions can impair a young child's delicate homeostasis.

Some of the most common circumstances that create a susceptibility to childhood illness include absent or early termination of breast feeding; overfeeding; over-reliance on milk or soy based infant formula; early introduction of solid and complex foods, early or excessive feeding of sugar, honey, wheat, corn, soy, eggs, milk products, and raw fruits or vegetables; multiple vaccinations, especially in a short time period; early or frequent use of antibiotics; excessive physical, mental and emotional stimulation.

Chinese traditional medicine has a particular bias regarding the optimum physical, mental and emotional environment for infants and young children. Basically, it is felt that youngsters should be kept very comfortable physically and not over stimulated mentally or emotionally by the overenthusiastic verbalization and playful behavior of older children, parents and grandparents. Over-stimulation of the mind and senses will tend to accelerate intellectual development to the detriment of physical and emotional growth, thus creating an imbalance between psyche and soma that can later develop into what is, in the current jargon, popularly known as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, dyslexia, behavior problems and failure to thrive.

There are a few simple and supportive measures that can be employed to help prevent developmental problems from occurring.

• Allow infants to wean themselves. When breast milk no longer satisfies the child's hunger or growth needs, it is appropriate to begin introducing other foods.
• Do not hurry to substitute cow's or even goat's milk for breast milk, as these can induce allergic reactions and immunological changes in the small and large intestine. Contrary to the conventional wisdom among laypeople and medical experts, it is not essential for children to continue drinking milk in order to maintain adequate calcium levels for proper growth. Sufficient calcium is highly bioavailable in other foods including, green vegetables like kale and collard greens, sprouted barley and quinoa, black and pinto beans, almonds and hazelnuts, sunflower and sesame seeds, tofu and sardines.
• Introduce new foods slowly, one at a time. Emphasize simple, easy to digest, non-allergenic foods: rice cream; cooked and pureed carrots, yams, spinach, apples, pears, or bananas; diluted, unsweetened fruit juices, vegetable or meat broths. Never give infants or young children iced or refrigerated foods or liquids, because the coldness can damage the stomach and intestines, inhibiting the capacity to digest, assimilate, and eliminate. Liquids and soft, cooked foods served warm or at room temperature are the most desirable and beneficial, especially when children are sick.
• Do not immediately add flavorings or condiments like salt, soy sauce, pepper, garlic, ginger, sugar, oil or vinegar unless it is for specific nutritional or medical reasons. It is important for children to develop the faculties of taste and smell at their own rate for healthy mental and neurological development.
• Resist exposing infants and young children to challenging intellectual activities like prolonged conversation or reading and intense or complex visual and auditory experiences like television, movies, loud music, fireworks and other events that may be overwhelming to their sensitive nervous systems.
• If it is necessary to give children vaccinations, antibiotics, or other strong medications, be sure to supplement these treatments with ample doses of beneficial intestinal bacteria (non-milk based acidophilus, bifidus, sporogenes) and warm fluids. The effect of strong medications on the sensitive intestinal tract can easily upset the child's immunological equilibrium, digestive efficiency and mental tranquility.
• Have faith in the child's ability to recover from mild or non-serious illnesses. One of the most common health crises in youngsters--the dreaded otitis media--results in great confusion and panic. During the normal process of teething, children often exhibit symptoms such symptoms of a hacking or phlegmatic cough, clear or purulent runny nose and eyes, sore throat, fever, painful ears and, of course, the key indications of drooling and sore, swollen gums. This does not mean that an infection is the root cause of their distress. Inflammation temporarily generates conditions in the body that simulate or even promote bacterial overgrowth--namely, the appearance of yellow or green mucus secretions. However, when the inflammation subsides, so does the mucus. Parents as well as practitioners are often swept away by the child's misery and their own fears and doubts. There is still much controversy concerning the conventional medical treatment of sore throats and ear aches in children. Simply stated, it furthers one to feel for an erupting tooth before reaching for an antibiotic.

For the multitude of childhood illnesses that do not involve severe congenital problems (e.g. heart defects, neurological impairments, or immune deficiencies) or dangerous infections (e.g. meningitis, rheumatic fever, or pneumonia), the use of a limited repertoire of medicinal herbal remedies is not only safe, but surprisingly fruitful. The primary difficulties to be overcome are the skepticism and anxiety of parents and the young patient's resistance: the parents have to administer the medicine and the children have to swallow it.

In general, it is easiest to administer herbal medicine to children in the form of liquid extracts and as part of their morning, mealtime, and evening rituals. For small children and for those who are averse to strange tastes, the extracts may be squirted into the back of the throat where there are fewer taste buds and it is easier to elicit the swallowing reflex. Of course, herbal extracts should never be given chilled from the refrigerator, but warmed if the child is weak or chilly and at room temperature if the child is overheated or febrile. The extracts may also be mixed with appropriately cool or warm fruit juice, soy milk, rice milk, cereal, and mashed fruits or vegetables to facilitate ingestion and further improve the taste. However, if herbal remedies become diluted by more than small quantities of food or liquid, the overall dosage or frequency may need to be increased to obtain the expected effects, unless a very slow and moderate action is desired.