Pediatrics. 2003 Jul; 112(1 Pt 2): 240-6.

Herbal remedies and children: do they work? Are they harmful?

Woolf AD.

Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. woolf@tch.harvard.edu

More parents are considering the use of herbal remedies to maintain their children's good health and to treat their illnesses. They look to pediatricians and other primary care clinicians for advice concerning the safety and efficacy of herbal products for children. This article reviews principles for the clinician to keep in mind while investigating the literature on herbal medicine and addressing the use of herbal medicines with parents.