Echinacea syrup for children: instructions for use

The ability of echinacea to strengthen the immune system and maintain the body in good shape has been known for a long time. And so this plant is often included in the composition of both drugs and dietary supplements. One of them is Echinacea Syrup, which is loved for its pleasant taste and reasonable price. Adults often take it during the cold season to help the immune system withstand attacks from viruses. However, in childhood there are limitations to use such a tool.

"Echinacea syrup" is produced by several manufacturers and is not a medicine. It is only an active food supplement, which is usually represented by a slightly viscous sweet liquid. It is sold in glass bottles, has a yellow or brown tint. Such a solution is often transparent, but during storage a cloudy precipitate or flakes may appear, which is not a sign of spoilage.

One of the most popular Echinacea-based syrups is Dr. Vistong. One bottle of this tool contains 150 ml of syrup. This sweet-tasting supplement, in addition to Echinacea extract, contains vitamins C, B1, B6 and B2. In this case, the sugar in this product is absent, and the auxiliary components are fructose, sodium benzoate and water.

Other syrups also contain an aqueous extract of Echinacea herb as the active ingredient, but most of them have sugar syrup. Vitamins may also be present in such supplements and there are usually preservatives, for example, potassium sorbate.

Due to the presence in the grass of echinacea polysaccharides, organic acids, inulin, essential oils, tannins, betaine and other compounds, such a plant can activate nonspecific immunity. In particular, the syrup stimulates the activity of immune cells and the formation of antibodies, as well as a positive effect on metabolic processes. Its reception increases the natural defenses, and also reduces the duration and alleviates the symptoms of a cold, acute respiratory viral infection or inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx.

The most common reason to take Echinacea Syrup is prevention of viral infections of the respiratory tract and frequent colds. In addition, this tool is recommended for patients who have had an infectious disease or surgery. In such cases, Echinacea Syrup helps to recuperate faster.

Some manufacturers indicate on the syrup vial the possibility of use from the age of 14 (it is from this age that the use of the Dr. Vistong series is allowed), others note that the product is recommended for adults only.

Supplement is prohibited in case of hypersensitivity to echinacea, as well as tuberculosis, leukemia, autoimmune processes and other serious diseases. If a teenager has any health problems, it is unacceptable to give him Echinacea Syrup without consulting a doctor.

Some people respond to Echinacea Syrup with allergy symptoms, such as a skin rash. Such a reaction is associated with the plant-based means and requires the termination of its reception. In addition, occasionally syrup provokes nausea or other unpleasant symptoms of the digestive system.In such cases, the drug should also be canceled.

Shake the bottle with syrup, means Dr. Vistong is given to children over 14 years old at 30 ml - so much solution fits in two tablespoons. It is usually taken once a day during any of the meals.

How long to drink "Echinacea Syrup" to a specific patient is best learned from your doctor. Typically, such a tool is taken a course of 14-21 days, and the courses themselves are repeated several times a year.

If you give a supplement in a larger dose than indicated on the package or prescribed by a doctor, this can provoke various negative symptoms, for example, cause nausea or an allergic rash.

It is not required to get a prescription from a doctor to buy Echinacea Syrup, but it is undesirable to use it in children even over the age of 14 without consulting a specialist. One bottle of Dr. Vistong costs 110-120 rubles. The shelf life of such a syrup is 2 years. It is recommended to store the sealed bottle at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees Celsius, but after opening it is advised to put it in the refrigerator and keep there for a maximum of 1 month.

The use of "Echinacea Syrup" is mostly positive. Consuming syrup in winter and spring, patients note that the intervals between colds are getting longer, and viral ailments pass faster and easier. The advantages also include the absence of alcohol in the composition and low cost.

Moreover, among its main disadvantages, parents cite age limits for children and the fact that several packages are required for one course of treatment (the medicine is consumed very quickly). In addition, some patients after taking the syrup had allergy symptoms, which was why they had to refuse to take further.

If you need an analogue of "Echinacea Syrup" for the youngest patients, usually choose "Immunal". This tool acts in a similar way, because its foundation is also Echinacea. However, the main ingredient of the drug is not an extract, but a juice. For children older than a year, the drug is available in liquid form (solution), and from 4 years old it can be used in tablets. In the responses about Immunal, they usually mark its good effect on immunity, but complain about the high price.

To replace it, they can use Echinacea Tincture, which is allowed from the age of 12 and is much cheaper. This tool contains an extract of the healing herb, supplemented with ethyl alcohol, which causes restrictions for children. However, parents who gave the tincture to teens usually respond positively to her.

Another analogue of "Echinacea Syrup" can be called tablets "Immunorm." Like Immunal, this medicine works on dried echinacea juice. However, the dosage of the active ingredient in a single tablet is quite high, so Immunorm, like Echinacea tincture, can be given to strengthen the immune system only for patients over 12 years old.

Dr. Komarovsky will tell you about which vitamins boost immunity in the next video.