Healthy homemade ice pops are a fantastic way to ensure your children stay hydrated while also benefiting from the natural healing properties of herbs. Unlike store-bought versions loaded with artificial flavors and sugars, these homemade treats are packed with nutrients and medicinal benefits. By using herbs known for their soothing and immune-boosting properties, you can turn a simple ice pop into a powerful remedy that supports your child’s health during illness.
This is a great anti-dehydration remedy, as well as a tasty, fun treat that makes it easier to get herbs into sick kids.
Start with a strong herbal tea , selecting herbs that are particularly effective for your child’s specific needs. Sweeten the mixture with raw honey, which not only adds a delicious flavor but also provides natural electrolytes, probiotics, and immune-boosting benefits. A splash of lemon or orange juice can further enhance the nutritional value with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Herbal Ice Pop Recipe:
- Make a strong infusion or decoction (instructions).
- Sweeten generously with raw honey for electrolytes, probiotics, and immune-boosting properties, as well as palatability.
- Add a taste of lemon or orange juice for vitamin C and electrolytes.
- Freeze and store as for the regular infused ice cubes, sticking toothpicks into each ice cube cell as a handle, or use silicone popsicle molds for extra fun.
Immune Boosting Ice Pops
Immune boosting herbal ice pops are a fantastic way to support your child’s immune system naturally while they enjoy a tasty treat!
Start by making a potent infusion or decoction with herbs such as elderberry, bee balm, ginger, and rose hips, all known for their immune-enhancing properties.
Sweeten the infusion with a generous amount of raw honey, which adds natural antimicrobial benefits, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics (+deliciousness).
For an added nutrient boost, blend in some fresh berries rich in antioxidants–think lusciously colored berries like blueberries or blackberries–before freezing the mixture in popsicle molds.
These ice pops provide a fun and effective way to help your child’s body fight off illness and stay healthy.
Fever Reducing Ice Pops
These ice pops can help reduce viral fevers and provide relief from the discomfort associated with illness, especially combined with a nice cool bath…and if kiddo’s fever still gets too high, it’s okay to give a drug like acetaminophen even if they have been taking these herbs.
Infuse herbs such as chamomile, peppermint, and catnip, known for their antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties and safe for children, into a strong tea. Sweeten with raw honey and add a splash of lemon juice for electrolytes.
In high doses, these popsicles might make a small person sleepy.
Digestive Upset Ice Pops
When a child has a stomach bug, dehydration is a major concern, especially if they have diarrhea–and often it is hard to get fluids into someone with a tummy ache!
Choose soothing digestive herbs safe for kids, that can calm nausea and rumblings and gas and discomfort, and will help relieve common causes of non-infectious diarrhea like anxiety, stress, and food sensitivities.
Infuse herbs like peppermint, chamomile, and fennel, plus hibiscus for a strong dose of hydrating electrolytes.
Avoid strong astringent and antidiarrheal herbs like blackberry for any diarrhea that might be due to an infection, because it can be a protective mechanism if there is an active infection!
Additional Tips for Making Herbal Ice Pops
Picky eaters: If your child is a discerning food connoisseur and can be hard to please, you can customize the flavors of the herbal ice pops to make them more appealing–and sneak in more fruit, which is always a plus. Add natural fruit purees like mango, strawberry, or blueberry to the herbal mixture. Or you can add pieces of fruit to the popsicle mold before freezing—blueberries suspended in a popsicle is a real crowd-pleaser that enhances the taste PLUS provides additional vitamins and antioxidants. Involving your child in designing and making the popsicles helps, too.
Make them beautiful: For a creative twist, consider layering different herbal infusions in the same ice pop mold to combine multiple benefits and flavors. Freeze the first layer in the bottom of the popsicle mold, then add the second layer when it has cooled. Or consider adding something exciting like a pretty edible flower (violet, rose, nasturitum…) or some berries suspended in the popsicles.
Adding Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: To further boost the health benefits of your herbal ice pops, consider adding nutrient-rich ingredients such as coconut water or fruit purees. Coconut water is packed with natural electrolytes that help keep kids hydrated, while fruit purees like mango, strawberry, or blueberry add vitamins, minerals, and fiber. aloe vera juice provides soothing properties and supports digestion. Mixing these with your herbal infusions can create a more substantial balanced and nutritious treat.
Always research the herbs you plan to use and ensure they are safe for children! Honey should NOT be used under the age of 1 due to the risk of infant botulism. When selecting herbs for your ice pops, always consider any potential allergies or sensitivities your child may have. It’s also a good idea to consult with a knowledgeable herbalist to ensure the chosen herbs are safe and appropriate for your child’s age and health condition.