At what age can you give mint to children?

Popular for its cooling flavor and calming effects, mint is a herb. Many parents want to know when it’s okay to start giving their kids mints in their diet. Even though mint has some health benefits, it’s crucial to know when and how to give it to young children.

When giving mint to your child, there are a few things to think about, just like with any new food. This covers their age, possible allergies, and method of preparing mint. Having this information at your disposal will enable you to make the best choice possible for the health and welfare of your child.

This post will discuss when it’s appropriate to introduce mint to kids, as well as any possible health advantages and safe ways to include it in their diet.

Useful properties

• The plant is rich in carotene, essential oils, vitamins C, P, B and A, flavonoids, menthol, tannins, calcium, iron and many other compounds.
• Mint tea has a calming effect and the ability to relieve insomnia. Drinking such a drink helps to cope with worries and stress, reduces nervousness and irritation, prevents fatigue.
• Mint has a beneficial effect on digestion. It helps to eliminate nausea and effectively fights flatulence.
• Using mint will help to lower blood pressure, improves the secretion of bile and relieves spasms. In addition, the active components of the leaves help to get rid of cough.
• Menthol present in the plant (about 5% in the leaves) gives mint cooling properties, which are in demand in the production of medicines and cosmetics.
• Mint has the ability to reduce inflammation and eliminate skin itching. Such effects are widely used by dentists and cosmetologists, adding essential oils from such a plant to rinses, toothpastes, creams, tonics and other products.

Harm

• Using mint (and especially its oils) can provoke allergies.
• Excessive menthol in the body leads to drowsiness, dizziness, double vision, breathing problems.
• A large amount of mint provokes heartburn.
• Drinking tea with mint is contraindicated for low blood pressure, chronic liver and kidney pathologies.
• If a nursing mother drinks such tea, it can reduce the production of breast milk.

From what age can children have it?

It is recommended by doctors to introduce a child to mint tea no younger than three years old. Even so, a lot of pediatricians advise against brewing this kind of plant until the child is five years old. The strong calming effect of the leaves is linked to this ban.

It is sometimes suggested to give a baby a mild infusion as this can help relieve colic and bloating. On the other hand, giving mint to kids younger than three without a doctor’s advice can be dangerous. Giving this plant’s infusion or decoction to infants younger than a year old carries a particular risk.

Be aware that children’s teas with calming ingredients, like mint leaves, are sometimes on sale. Among them is Babushkino Lukoshko tea, which says on the package that it is safe to use as early as three months of age.

But, you shouldn’t make this tea right away in an attempt to soothe a 4-month-old infant. Unless you talk to a pediatrician, that is. The baby may develop an allergy to the product or experience breathing or heartbeat problems. When your baby is five to six months old, you can start giving them tea like this after seeing a doctor and making sure there are no contraindications.

In what form to give to a child?

• Mint is most often consumed in the form of hot or chilled drinks. You can brew the leaves for tea separately or together with other plants, for example, chamomile or lemon balm. To make mint tea for a child over 5 years old, you need to brew weak black tea, adding a sprig of mint during preparation and leaving the drink to infuse for about 10 minutes.
• In the summer, mint leaves can be added to cold cocktails, for example, to a classic lemonade made from still water, sugar and lemon juice. Adding a dried or fresh sprig will change the taste of the drink and make it even more refreshing.
• Mint can be used as a seasoning for main courses. Dried crushed leaves highlight the taste of lamb, chicken, zucchini, salmon. The seasoning can be added to salads and various sauces.
• Mint leaves can add zest to desserts. For example, fresh strawberries and chocolate go well with this plant. It can also be added to jam, ice cream or jelly.

Mint for bathing babies

Decoctions of medicinal herbs are frequently added to baths for infants. The most common ones are succession, calendula, and chamomile, but you can also infuse the water with mint, lavender, and valerian. The concentration of the herbal infusion should also be kept to a minimum because medicinal plants can cause severe allergies.

Pour about 4 tablespoons of crushed dry leaves into 0.5 liters of boiling water to make an infusion. The liquid can be strained and added to the bath after 40 minutes, but make sure the water isn’t too hot first. Before going to bed, the baby will quickly unwind and settle after such a bath.

Regarding bathing with peppermint essential oil, a baby up to the age of one year old may safely use such an aromatic product. A baby aged 1-2 years old should take 1-2 drops per bath, while a child aged 2-3 years old should take 3 drops. Before adding the oil to the water, it is first poured onto the baby bath salt and combined.

When added to a child’s diet at the appropriate age and in the right manner, mint can be a refreshing addition. The majority of experts advise against giving your child larger amounts of mints until they are about 5 years old. Small doses, such as those found in teas or mild flavorings, can be administered earlier; just use caution and moderation at all times.

It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any allergic reactions or sensitivities when trying a new food, especially if your child has a history of allergies. Take it slow at first, and see your pediatrician if you have any concerns. While mint can ease mild discomfort and aid with digestion, it should never take the place of expert medical advice or care.

All things considered, when added carefully, mint can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your child’s diet. Just keep in mind to always take into account your child’s specific needs and to see your doctor if you have any worries.

Children as young as 4 or 5 years old can be safely introduced to mint in small doses, but it’s crucial to make sure they don’t have any allergies or sensitivities. Mint has calming properties and can help with digestion, but use it sparingly. Before introducing new herbs to your child, always get advice from a pediatrician, particularly if the child has any underlying medical conditions.

Video on the topic

Peppermint benefits or harm how to properly brew tea with mint

Can you drink tea with MINT? How to brew MINT TEA?

WHY DOES MINT CRY?

Even weak mint tea scrapes 100 diseases out of the body: heart, stomach …

THIS IS WHAT MINT DOES! (Real Benefits and Harms Mint)

From what age can you give mint to children?

TEA FOR CHILDREN | From what age can a child drink tea

Kirill is vomiting, he is sick, he weighs only 7.5 kg! A child is dying!