Q: As young children start nursery school for the first time – they tend to get sick more often. I have been told by several GPs and paediatricians that kids must/or will get sick but it is a way of building up their immune system. Is that true?
A: Great question! Micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses live in our bodies and move in and out of our bodies all the time – yet they do not harm us until our system is weakened by an internal stressor such as fears, worries, anxiety, jealousy, resentment, anger, or an external stressor or circumstance such as poor sleep; poor diet or nutrition; physical or mental excesses/labour; environmental pollutants, toxins (including some conventional medicines), emotional upset or trial, or poor living habits.
Now consider these issues in the context of a young child in nursery school. Are there more germs floating around a nursery school, or is it that a young child experiences some of the above stressors and may be thinking/feeling … “where’s my Mum; where’s my blankie; I’m thirsty; I don’t like that other child screaming or pulling the toy from me; where’s my bed – I would like to sleep right now (not wait) in my own little bed; I’m already hungry – why do I have to wait. Why has my Mum left me here again? I don’t know all these people around me … I want to go home now.”
Until the child gets used to being at nursery school, she may feel more stressed than usual, and for this reason, the system becomes disordered, allowing a virus or bacteria to more easily thrive in her body, and she gets sick.
To build a child’s immune system at nursery school, I would turn to our Symphony range of formulas which cover every imaginable negative human emotion. eg:
Aconitum – your typical ‘panic attack’ remedy and homeopathy’s Rescue Remedy. To be used for a sudden and intense feeling of fright, panic, anxiety, worry and foreboding. Accompanied by oppressed breathing, racing heart, palpitations with stitching pains in the chest, flashes of heat, sweating. Panic tends to be worse at night.
Kali Phos – an essential brain, nerve, heart and lung nutrient which improves symptoms of anxiety, panic, hysteria, nervous dread, dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nervous tension, night terrors, insomnia, diarrhoea, lethargy, irritability, depression and hyper-sensitivity.
Lycopodium – for lack of self-confidence and courage. Apprehensive about forthcoming events. For a feeling of terror and panic before school.
Pulsatilla – for fear or anxiety about separation which leads to clinginess, tearfulness and emotional changeability. Fear of a loved one being harmed. A great remedy for emotions of panic that are connected to separation anxiety, including in babies and children. This is a great remedy for the toddler who hangs onto mom or dad’s leg for dear life at the school gate!
Anxiety, worry and fears formula – this formula helps to relieve and overcome overwhelming and deeply ingrained feelings of anxiety and worry, unfounded fears, insecurity, fear of the unknown, nervousness and phobias.
Exam stress and stage fright formula – for symptoms of exam stress, stage fright, performance anxiety, or nervousness before a speech, presentation or a big event, such as a wedding or the first day of school! Promotes calm, clear-headedness, focus and mental clarity. To be taken before and during the event as often as necessary.
Panic disorders formula – this formula helps to relieve symptoms associated with the sudden onset of panic and panic attacks, severe anxiety, and fears such as the fear of dying or of losing control. This formula assists with adrenal fatigue and encourages potassium balance, bringing about a sense of calm, peace, order and being in control.
Separation anxiety formula – this formula is a potentised solution of several homeopathic remedies known to assist with fear or anxiety about separation which leads to clinginess, tearfulness and emotional changeability. Fear of a loved one being harmed. A great remedy for emotions of panic that are connected to separation anxiety, including in babies and children. Another great remedy for the toddler who hangs onto mom or dad’s leg for dear life at the school gate!
Try to understand/determine how your child is feeling emotionally and help him/her at that level, and you will do much to boost their confidence and sense of wellbeing – thus building the whole child, including the immune system.
If your child does get sick, treat their symptoms with the appropriate remedy (for runny nose, cough, sore tummy, etc), rather than using conventional medicines to mask and suppress the symptoms. All homeopathic remedies boost the immune system and strengthen our resistance, both on an emotional and a physical level, helping to restore balance to the body once more.
