Back to School Immunity: Herbal Support for Kids
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Time to read 7 min
As kids head back to school, their immune systems face new challenges—from busy schedules to classroom germs. Gentle, kid-safe herbs like Echinacea, Larix, and Elderberry can help build resilience, support digestion, and keep little ones thriving all season long.
Back-to-School, Back to Wellness
September brings sharpened pencils, packed lunches, and the excitement of a new school year. But the classroom also means crowded spaces, shorter nights, and more stress on young immune systems. Between homework, after-school activities, and the excitement of busy days, bedtime often gets pushed later—and those lost hours of sleep can leave kids more vulnerable to every passing sniffle.
As a mom, a naturopath, and the owner of Eclectic Herb, I know this all too well. Like many parents, I want natural tools I can rely on to help my child stay strong through the season. That’s why I turn to gentle herbal allies that have stood the test of time—plants that bring both peace of mind and daily resilience.
Echinacea – The Classic Defender
Echinacea has long been revered for its ability to strengthen the body’s natural defenses. Indigenous peoples such as the Cheyenne and Sioux turned to Echinacea angustifolia for wounds, infections, and conditions where resilience was needed most. When European settlers arrived, they quickly adopted the herb into their own remedies, recognizing its role in helping the body stay strong during seasonal challenges.
Echinacea has long been revered for its ability to strengthen the body’s natural defenses. Indigenous peoples such as the Cheyenne and Sioux turned to Echinacea angustifolia for wounds, infections, and conditions where resilience was needed most. When European settlers arrived, they quickly adopted the herb into their own remedies, recognizing its role in helping the body stay strong during seasonal challenges.
Today, Echinacea remains one of the most trusted herbs for children and adults alike. Modern research has confirmed what our ancestors knew intuitively—Echinacea encourages the activation of immune cells and helps the body respond swiftly and effectively when support is needed.*
Key Benefits of Echinacea
Supports immune health during seasonal stressors*
Encourages immune cell activation for a rapid response*
Promotes respiratory comfort with its cooling, drying energetics*
Supports healthy inflammatory balance for overall wellness*
Offers gentle topical use for skin and minor irritations*
How We Prepare It
Our ancestors most often used Echinacea fresh, knowing it delivered the strongest results. At Eclectic Herb, we honor that tradition by freeze-drying the whole plant, preserving delicate compounds like alkamides and polysaccharides that are easily lost with other methods. The result is a product that delivers the same benefits as fresh Echinacea—potent, pure, and ready to support your family whenever seasonal stressors arise.
Our Freeze-dried Echinacea capsules are made with love from organically grown Echinacea right here in Oregon, ensuring you get the freshest, most potent version of this amazing herb.
What makes us different?
We use a freeze-drying process that locks in all the goodness of the plant, keeping it just as fresh as the day it was picked. Freeze-drying preserves the full range of active compounds that support your immune system, so you get the same benefits as using the fresh herb—something other drying methods just can’t achieve.
Give your immune system a boost and grab a bottle today! 🌿
Elderberry: A Traditional Immune-Boosting Powerhouse
Few herbs win kids over as quickly as Elderberry. With its rich purple hue and naturally sweet flavor, it has been a beloved remedy for centuries. Traditionally used in Europe and North America to support resilience through the colder months, elderberry has earned its place as a family staple.
Modern research highlights its antioxidant power—elderberries are packed with flavonoids that help defend cells against oxidative stress while supporting healthy immune responses. Parents love it because it’s safe, effective, and kids actually enjoy taking it.*
It also happens to be one of my own child’s favorites. At the Junior Herbalist Camps I’ve taught, elderberry syrup was always the recipe the kids wanted to make. I’ve shared this remedy at schools as well, and without fail, students light up when they realize medicine can taste this good. Elderberry is often the gateway herb that shows children how joyful herbal wellness can be.
Here in Oregon, we’re lucky— blue elderberries grow wild almost everywhere. Every fall, I gather them with my son, and together we make syrup for the season ahead. It’s one of the most tangible ways to show kids that the plants around us can be both delicious and powerful.
Key Benefits of Elderberry
- Supports seasonal wellness by strengthening immune resilience*
- Provides powerful antioxidants to help protect against oxidative stress*
- Promotes respiratory comfort during seasonal transitions*
- Kid-friendly taste makes daily wellness easy*
Why Kids Love It
Elderberry is one of the rare herbs that children actually look forward to. Its natural sweetness makes it feel more like a treat than a remedy, which means no struggles at the kitchen counter. Whether as a spray, syrup, or homemade creation, elderberry is the herb that wins smiles while supporting wellness.
Our Elderberry Kids Glycerite is made with sustainably wildcrafted elderberries from the pristine forests of the Pacific Northwest, ensuring both quality and environmental responsibility. What makes our product truly special is the use of our Lloyd's Extractor, a unique piece of equipment designed by the legendary pharmacist John Uri Lloyd. We’re proud to have the only one still in use, allowing us to create a highly potent elderberry extract that retains the full spectrum of benefits this incredible berry has to offer.
Created by a naturopathic physician with his own children in mind, this glycerite is gentle enough for kids, yet powerful enough to offer real support during seasonal challenges.
Larix (Larch Arabinogalactan): Dual Immune and Gut Health Support
Larix – Gentle Gut-Immune Support
When it comes to children’s wellness, few people realize just how much the immune system begins in the gut. In fact, more than 70% of immune cells live there. That’s where Larix (Larch Arabinogalactan) comes in.
Larix is a soluble fiber made from the larch tree. Long valued in traditional herbalism for soothing the respiratory system, modern research has shown that it also nourishes the gut microbiome and gently stimulates immune cell activity. It’s a quiet but powerful ally for resilience—supporting the body’s defenses from the inside out.*
This is one herb that’s truly amazing because it’s so versatile. It can be added to juice, smoothies, or sprinkled into food. At home, I often stir it into the miso soup we eat regularly, or I’ll send my son off to school with a thermos of hot miso soup infused with Larix. It’s an easy, invisible way to add daily immune support into a routine kids already enjoy.
Key Benefits of Larix
Supports immune cell activity for steady, everyday resilience*
Nourishes the gut microbiome, the foundation of strong immunity*
Promotes respiratory comfort and seasonal wellness*
Flavorless & versatile, easy to mix into kid-friendly foods*
Trusted Through Time
Though it may feel like a modern discovery, Larix has deep roots in herbal tradition. Native peoples of North America used larch for respiratory and immune support long before it was studied in modern labs. Today, research validates those traditional uses—showing how this tree-derived fiber helps strengthen immunity in a gentle, sustainable way.
Our Larix (Larch Arabinogalactan) is one of our most powerful immune-supporting products. Derived from the larch tree, Larix is known for its exceptional ability to both stimulate and modulate the immune system, helping to promote a rapid and effective immune response. This potent herbal ally supports the body's natural defenses, enhancing the function of key immune cells like macrophages and natural killer cells, which play a vital role in maintaining strong immunity.
What sets Larix apart is its dual action. Not only does it boost immune function, but it also acts as a prebiotic, supporting gut health, which is critical for long-term immune resilience. Since 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, Larix helps create a strong foundation for overall wellness. It’s safe for daily use and is gentle enough for kids, making it a family-friendly option for those looking to maintain a robust immune system throughout the year.
Two More Back-to-School Must-Haves
This formula has a special place in Eclectic’s history. It was created by our founder—and my late husband—naturopathic physician Ed Alstat, with children’s wellness at heart. He designed a gentle, alcohol-free blend that could give kids extra support during seasonal challenges, without ever being harsh on their systems. Today, I continue to use it with my own child, and it remains one of those remedies that has truly stood the test of time in our family.*
This is one of the remedies I never let our family be without during the school year. When my child comes home with a scratchy throat or an occasional cough, this gentle, alcohol-free blend is what I reach for first. It’s formulated with soothing herbs traditionally used to calm the throat and bring comfort, and I love that it’s safe, effective, and kid-friendly. For us, it’s become a must-have on hand for those unpredictable school-season days.*
Strong Starts for a New School Year
As a mom and naturopath, I know the school year brings both excitement and extra challenges for our kids’ health. Herbs like Echinacea, Elderberry, and Larix offer gentle, time-tested ways to strengthen children’s natural defenses, while formulas like Kid’s Herbal Biotic and Kid’s Herbal Cough Elixir provide added peace of mind during seasonal stress.
With kid-friendly flavors, alcohol-free formulas, and Eclectic’s freeze-dried purity, these remedies have become essentials in my own family’s toolkit. They’re the same allies I’ve shared at herbal camps, schools, and in my own home—simple, natural supports that help kids stay strong and resilient, all season long.
Because every child deserves to step into the classroom healthy, confident, and ready to thrive.
The Author: Christine Alstat
Meet Chris Alstat, an internationally acclaimed naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, whose profound expertise in plants and natural health has garnered recognition worldwide. As the dedicated owner of Eclectic Herb, Chris seamlessly intertwines her deep-rooted commitment to the Earth with her business, cultivating a space where her passion for plants is ever in full bloom. Her influential voice on herbal wisdom resonates across the globe through publications and panels, reflecting a lifetime commitment to nurturing both the plant kingdom and the earth.
