Back-to-School Health: A Holistic Playbook for Happy, Resilient Kids

When the school bell rings, it’s not just pencils and lunchboxes that get packed — classrooms also carry a full lineup of new germs. Between new routines, bus rides, shared snacks, and playground scrapes, kids’ immune systems get a real workout. The good news? With the right preparation and a few time-tested remedies, you can help your kids sail through germ season with energy to spare. This guide blends old-fashioned kitchen wisdom with the trusted teas, tinctures, supplements, and essential oils we love at The Lamb Shoppe & Wellness Center.

Build Immunity Before Sickness Hits

Think of this stage as “training camp” for your child’s immune system.

Daily Immune Supports:

• Daily Tea Ritual: Brew a cup of Immuni-Tea — a cozy blend of elderflower, rosehips, elderberries, astragalus, peppermint, and more. The herbs work quietly to strengthen defenses while offering a soothing daily habit.

Immuni-Tea

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• Friendly Flora: ProbioMed Kids—packs 11 diverse probiotic strains and 10 billion CFUs per chewable. A healthy gut = a ready immune system. Shop online for ProbioMed Kids or stop in the Shoppe.

• Vitamin C: C + BioFizz —a fizzy, tasty way to boost daily vitamin C.

• Elderberry: Rotate between our Lamb Shoppe Elderberry Tincture and Elderberry Syrup or homemade syrup—both rich in antioxidants and immune vitality. Check out how to make your own elderberry syrup.

• Nutrient Back-Up: Vitamin D Supreme + Zinc Supreme are seasonal immune powerhouses (check with your practitioner for dosing).

• Lifestyle: Consistent bedtimes, unhurried mornings, and daily fresh air and sunshine go a long way.

  
  

At the First Signs (Sniffles, Scratchy Throat)

Early action can keep small symptoms from turning into week-long sick days.

Natural Interventions to Take Early:

• Elderberry & Mushroom Support: One of our ultimate favorites for immune support for children is ImmunoBerry Liquid. It is a unique combination of organic herbs and mushrooms to support optimal immune responses in a berry-flavored liquid, sweetened with organic glycerine. Ingredients such as organic elderberry, astragalus, wild cherry bark and organic mushroom extracts are known for their beneficial effects for maintaining a healthy immune system.

• Syrup: Pranarōm Essential Syrup delivers concentrated botanical and essential-oil support for the whole family.

• Super Tonic: A great powerhouse to stop germs in their tracks! Add honey to make more tasty for children.

• Throat Care: Pranarōm Throat Spray—soothing and ideal for older kids/adults.

• Vitamin C Boost: Add another scoop of C + BioFizz for quick nourishment.

• Herbal Infusions: Sip teas featuring elderflower and yarrow; traditional supports for mild fevers and discomfort. Try our Gypsy Cold Care Tea for support!

Gypsy Cold Care Tea

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Super Tonic

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When Fully Sick (Runny Nose, Cough, Congestion)

The focus here: comfort, hydration, and steady nourishment.

Soothe, Support, Recover:

• Teas: Gypsy Cold Care Tea, Immuni-Tea, or chamomile (with honey for kids over 1 year).

• Essential Oils for Breathing Ease:

  • Ages 2+: Diffuse Pranarōm Purify for clear breathing.

  • Ages 6+: Use Immune Defense Solution (diluted) or diffuse Good Samaritan.

  • All children: Rub Pranarōm Soothing Chest Rub or Vapor Rub on chest and back for comfort.

• Cough Relief: Ginger-Tussin Organic Syrup (Designs for Health)—soothes and supports mucus clearance.

• Healing Soups: Simmer bone broth with garlic, ginger, and carrots — let kids sip from a mug.

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Onion Syrup for Cold & Cough Season

A classic, old-fashioned remedy that supports the respiratory system and eases coughs:

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, chopped

• ½ cup raw honey (or enough to cover onion)

Instructions:

1. Place chopped onion in a clean jar.

2. Pour honey over the onion until it’s fully covered.

3. Let sit for 6–12 hours (or overnight) at room temperature.

4. Strain or use as-is, taking 1 teaspoon every 1–2 hours as needed.

Why it works:

• Onion contains antimicrobial compounds and supports the body’s natural clearing of mucus.

• Honey soothes the throat and also has antibacterial properties.

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Upset Stomach (Vomiting, Low Appetite)

Gentle, Nourishing Recovery:

• Hydration: Offer coconut water, weak chamomile or peppermint tea, and diluted elderflower tea. You can also try adding Rehydration from Energetix to help hydrate.

• Gut Reset: Reintroduce ProbioMed Kids once they’re tolerating food.

• Bland Foods: Applesauce or bone broth help ease digestion.

• Calming Herbs: Chamomile and peppermint are soothing and widely tolerated.

Fever Care

Support the process, don’t rush to suppress.

Treat for comfort, not suppression:

• Hydration: Herbal teas and broth.

• Fever-supportive Herbs: Elderflower + yarrow + peppermint (Gypsy Cold Care Tea) tea help encourage healthy sweating and comfort.

• Bath: Warm (not hot) Epsom salt bath with Pranarōm Lavender Essential Oil (age 2+) relaxes muscles and promotes rest.

  • Try adding elderflowers to the bathwater to help bring down a fever.

• Cool Compress: Cool cloths on forehead/back of neck offer comfort without rapid cooling.

Ear Discomfort

Gentle relief when colds travel upward:

• Ear Oil: Wally’s Ear Oil or Herbs for Kids Willow/Garlic Ear Oil—warm gently, never hot, and apply per directions.

• Note: Always consult a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or persist.

Lifestyle & Home Support for Immune Health

While herbs and supplements are powerful allies, daily habits play a huge role in keeping the immune system strong. Prioritizing 7–9 hours of sleep allows the body to repair and recharge, while staying hydrated with water and warm herbal teas helps flush toxins and supports lymphatic flow. Nourishing the body with colorful vegetables, protein-rich meals, and fermented foods keeps the gut microbiome thriving. Gentle daily movement boosts circulation and immune activity, while even 15 minutes of fresh air and sunlight supports mood, vitamin D levels, and overall resilience. Finally, managing stress is essential, since chronic stress can suppress immunity; simple practices like deep breathing, journaling, or spending time in nature help both kids and adults stay balanced.

Supportive Foods—What to Avoid & What to Add

• Avoid: Processed sugars, excessive dairy (if mucus increases), and junk snacks.

• Add: Bone broth, garlic, ginger, turmeric, fermented foods (if tolerated), and antioxidant-rich seasonal produce.

  
  

Taking your health seriously means avoiding packaged foods and dietary sugar. Think about making your own nutrient packed foods like traditional bone broth, grass-fed meats and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Here are some more tips:

• Foods rich in Vitamin D – wild caught salmon, fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms and cheese (if tolerated)

• Foods rich in Vitamin C – oranges, kiwis, strawberries, papayas, organic green leafy vegetables, peppers

• Foods rich in Vitamin A – liver, mackerel, wild caught salmon, sweet potatoes, winter squash, carrots

• Foods rich in Zinc – seafood, pumpkin seed, sea vegetables, beans, lentils, and legumes

• Eat plenty of fermented foods – raw sauerkraut, kimchi, raw pickles, beets

• Add plenty of sulfur-rich foods to your diet – garlic, onions, leeks, broccoli, cabbage

• Drink plenty of water

Bonus Wellness Tips for the School Year

• Encourage proper handwashing—especially after school.

• Make time for daily outdoor play—it supports mood, immunity, and sleep.

• Limit overscheduling—rest is essential for healing and resilience.

Your Local Wellness Resource

All teas, tinctures, essential oils, and supplements mentioned here are available in our store or online. Visit us or browse our Lamb Shoppe e-shoppe and Designs for Health section to stock up before school starts.

For educational purposes only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.