A is for Australian Bush Flower face, hand and body essence cream. In our house we call it “magic cream”. It literally soothes every kind of skin trouble- insect bites,sunburn,burns,cuts and grazes, eczema and rashes, wasp and even jellyfish stings.

B is for Baby Signing for babies from 6-18 months. You’ll be amazed what your baby is telling you. By learning to understand and communicate in their very own sign language you’ll soon be able to realise what your baby is trying to express to you . You also learn to develop new gestures to expand their ability to communicate and further ease their frustrations. www.singandsign.com

C is for Cranial Osteopathy. No such directory on children would be complete without some reference to this. It is probably one of the most marvellous therapies available to use for aiding our children. Whether it be for birth trauma, colic, teething difficulties or any developmental hiccoughs to learning and behavioural problems. Whatever the issue most children benefit. Contact Osteopathic Centre for Children on 0207 490 5510 or www.occ.uk.com

D is for Dyslexia – recognizing it early is essential before the child’s confidence is damaged. Realising that dyslexic people are visual, multi-dimensional thinkers, intuitive and creative. If not understood they spend school years feeling inadequate and dysfunctional simply because they need to learn in a different way. I would recommend The Gift of Dyslexia by Ron Davis to any parent that has an inclination that they may have a dyslexic child. Type Dyslexia into Google to realise how much help is available.

E is for Echinacea. A herbal supplement for children and adults that certainly helps to boost the immune system. It is a blood purifier and a natural anti biotic. It helps ward off colds and flu, sinus and chest infections, and also a good healer of wounds and skin infections. Ideally should be taken as a cycle of 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. However if one should have signs of illness in the 2 weeks off it can be reintroduced. Bioforce do a chewable junior Echinacea.

F is for freedom, free time, fresh air, fun and frolics. I think these days there is a tendency to try to do too much for our children. We are inclined to over stimulate them and find ourselves running around to classes and therapies to ensure we give our kids the best. Be selective, trust your child’s intuition. They’ll soon know themselves if there’s a ballerina inside them bursting to be awakened and enjoy simplicity.

G is for Goat’s milk. Nowadays either there’s a much greater awareness of allergies or our systems are immunologically more sensitive. Whatever a huge number of childhood conditions such as colic, digestive trouble, eczema, rhinitis, hay fever, asthma etc could be dramatically improved by a swap from cow’s products to goat’s. There is a wonderful product called Vitacare Nanny Infant Formula Goat’s Milk suitable from birth, but all ages can use it. Also goat’s milk products are widely available in most supermarkets.

H is for Homeopathy. I work every day as a homeopath but today my 13 year old daughter had to have 2 adult teeth extracted under local anaesthetic thanks to the advise of the orthodontist. So we used Arnica 30c to prepare her for the physical shock Aconite 30c for the emotional shock Silica 200c for the fear of needles and to help prevent infection afterwards Phosphorus 30c to help abate the bleeding afterwards Staphysagria 30c for the feeling of violation 2 tablets of each every 15 minutes for 1 hour before the extraction and then just one of each an hour afterwards. She was remarkable and bounced back really quickly.

I is for Indigo Essences. These are fantastic gem essences for children made by the most wonderful Irish Lady. They come in drop form so can be added to drinks, baths, creams or in sprays. They cover being bullied, anger, nerves, loneliness, fear, boredom, sense of isolation etc. Best of all they work. The website is brilliant . www.indigoessences.com

J is for Juicing. Great fun and a great way of getting the kids to eat loads of goodness and you’ll notice it really will keep them looking healthier and far less likely to pick up bugs. It also cleanses the body so helps to detoxify our little darlings of the less healthy items in the diet, as well as keeping their digestive tracts in good order. If they do get poorly it’s a wonderful way of providing a tonic to bring them back to health. There are loads of books available. One I use is Super juice by Micheal van Straten. ISBN 1- 84000-148-8

K is for Kinesiology for kids. A gentle, non invasive treatment testing and balancing muscles to restore equilibrium in the body. Can be used for all kinds of health issues and is best known as a way of allergy testing. Educational kinesiology can be used effectively to treat dyslexia, hyperactivity, co-ordination and many other learning difficulties.

L is for Lavender Oil. This can be diluted in a base oil such as almond oil, added to the bath, burnt in vaporisers and can be applied neat sometimes to the skin especially on burns and scolds when it’s healing powers are remarkable. It is also a natural anti-biotic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, sedative. On all skin it promotes healing and prevents scarring. A few drops on a handkerchief under the pillow can aid sleep as well as help to ward off any infections. Every household should have a copy of The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Wormwood. ISBN 0-553-40397-4

M is for Mozart for babies or Music therapy ( for all kinds of learning and developmental problems). Mozart and Bach seem to be the 2 most used composers in the field of music as a therapy. Research has shown playing babies such classics not only aids restful sleep but stimulates brain function and increases intelligence. With older children this type of work has had dramatic effects on a wide spectrum of cases from Autism to Speech impediments.

N is for Neal’s Yard Products. www.nealsyardremedies.com
They do loads of very useful kits such as cold and flu kit. There essential oils are very high quality. There is a great range of Mother and Baby products including a lovely massage oil for baby as well as one for stretch marks. Delicious oils and talcs for bath time. Also remedies to roll which you apply to wrists for sleep or for travel sickness.

O is for Omega 3 oils. There has been significant research with very positive results to indicate that giving this oil to children with learning difficulties as well as behavioural problems , such as ADHD or ADD , is beneficial. Studies have been done comparing it in comparison to Ritalin and again results are excellent. A well known and well designed product is eye Q which has a blend of oils and great results have been achieved not only with learning problems but even using it for teenagers doing GCSEs to improve concentration and for adults with depression.

P is for Popcorn. Great fun to make especially with all the lovely popcorn makers available that simply heat the corn without any need for oils. Add maple syrup or honey for a very healthy snack. Popcorn is one of the richest sources of the mineral Zinc which we need for our immune systems, nervous and digestive systems. Deficiency is linked with poor growth ; skin problems, digestive weakness, hyperactivity, sleep disturbance as well as a tendency to infection.

Q is for Quality Time. A very important concept in the crazy world we live in. Making time in our own busy schedules to hang out with our children doing something nice. I particularly love clay modelling, painting or drawing. All stimulates right brain function which is the imaginative and emotional side of the brain. Art work often helps kids to spill out their emotion and gives us time to listen.

R is for Rescue Remedy. No home should be without a bottle of this remarkable medicine. Useful for any trauma from a bump on the head to the anxiety of a forthcoming exam or visit to the dentist. Always keep in your handbag.

S is for seeds. Sunflower, sesame, pumpkin all a fantastic source of healthy fatty acids including omega 3 and 6, vitamins and minerals. A really good snack for kids ( and adults) Sprinkle a little tamari on them and toast them under the grill for a few seconds for a really tasty treat. The roughage of the hulls also cleanses the bowel and helps constipation.

T is for Tea tree oil. An antiseptic par excellence. The Aborigines have been using this Australian tree in their medications for hundreds of years. It has undergone a lot of research and is an excellent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Very good for all kinds of skin infections including ringworm, athlete’s foot, acne, warts, verukas, sunburn and thrush.

U is for Unicorns are Real; a right brained approach to learning. by Barbara Meister Vitale. A wonderful book with 65 simple activities that draw on the special intuitive, non verbal, creative ability of the right brain so often overlooked in school. A lovely book to use with all kids but especially nice for the dyslexics, autistics etc.

V is for Vaccination decisions. In the world of complimentary medicine we tend to believe that vaccination is not necessarily right for all children, nor is the way it is administered . In susceptible children, particularly where there is a family history of allergic conditions, tendency to infection or learning or behavioural problems one should delay vaccination and spread them out. Homeopathic alternatives can be used very effectively.

W is for Wheat and wholegrain products. Wheat is very much over used in our diets. I feel it should be limited to one meal a day. Whole grains such as wholemeal bread, brown pasta, brown rice, whole oats etc are far superior nutritionally. Most white flour products ate really empty calories with very low vitamin and mineral content.

X is for xxxxxxx lots and lots of kisses. Love is what we all need more than anything. Two lovely psychology books for helping us to perceive our children’s emotional needs are The Drama of Being a Child by Alice Miller and The Child, the family and the outside world by D.W.Winnicott

Y is for Yoga. Yes, yoga for kids is fantastic. It gets them in touch with their bodies and teaches them how to breathe. Correct breathing has a profound effect on our well being as it is oxygen that carries all the nutrients through our body and our out breathe gets rid of so much of the rubbish.

Z is for zzzzzzzzzzzzzs. Sleep. Important for us all. Well I have a few suggestions for starters:

• Sleep Easy – an Indigo essence. Amazing
• Lavender burning or a few drops on the pillow
• coffea 30c – Homeopathic – especially good if over excited
• valerian 30c- Homeopathic – for when they just can’t switch off
• nux vomica 30c – Homeopathic – for when they’ve been over stimulated at bedtime by fun or food.