Healing Your Family with Medicinal Fruit

The old adage that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" has been forgotten by most American parents. In our culture, sick children are more likely to be given sugary sodas and MSG-laden soups than a healthy dose of fruit, but modern research is revealing what grandmothers have known for generations: fruits are among the safest, cheapest, most effective natural medicines available anywhere in the world.

When it comes to choosing natural medicines for our children, few are safer than fruit extracts. While pharmaceutical drugs are often necessary, they inevitably carry a myriad of risks and interactions, especially for young children and pregnant women. Even medicinal herbs, while often assumed to be safe, can cause unanticipated side effects in young children; many are associated with an increased risk of preterm labor. Most forms of medicine are associated with serious risks, but never has a news headline read, "Local Child Hospitalized after Near-Fatal Blueberry Overdose".

Commercially advertised "superfruits" are a popular health food fad, especially for families interested in holistic and natural healing techniques. Many exotic fruits--like mangosteen , noni, goji, and acai-- offer significant health benefits but are also prohibitively expensive. Fortunately many of the most powerful superfruits are the same cheap snacks that we see daily in grocery store aisles. Cranberry, blueberry, pomegranate, pineapple and papaya are among the most promising medicinal fruits on the market. Others, like elderberry, are more scarce but worth the extra investment.

Cranberry

For children and pregnant moms, there is no fruit that is more beneficial than cranberry. Cranberry has long been touted for its ability to improve the health of the urinary tract, an essential function for girls who are not yet potty-trained or take frequent bubble-baths. Some studies have also indicated that cranberry can fight vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis (yeast). This may pose a safer alternative to pharmaceutical remedies for vaginal infections in children, and many midwives and holistic obstetricians recommend cranberry as a holistic yeast treatment for pregnant women.

Cranberry juice not only prevents bacteria from reproducing inside the urinary tract and vagina, but it also stops plaque-forming bacteria from taking hold on teeth. At least one study has demonstrated that, despite containing a significant amount of naturally-occuring sugar, cranberry juice actually reverses the formation of dental plaque. While cranberries can't replace the work of a good old-fashioned toothbrush, the juice can be beneficial to kids who don't clean their teeth thoroughly. This tangy treat is one juice that moms can feel good about giving their children.

Blueberry

Another everyday fruit, the blueberry, also provides significant medicinal effects that are critically important for children of all ages. Like cranberries, blueberries can prevent the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. Blueberries have been noted for their potent anti-inflammatory effects, especially in the colon, so they are highly recommended for children with gastrointestinal infections or chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Like other anti-inflammatories, blueberry may be useful as a mild fever reducer without the side-effects associated with NSAIDs. Blueberry also contains significant amounts of immune-boosting vitamin C, and it inhibits the development of several forms of cancer.

Blueberry's superfruit properties don't end there. While research about blueberry's brain-boosting properties is only preliminary, there is some evidence that they can improve cognitive function and protect the brain from neurological damage. This is good news for the parents of children with autism, ADHD, mental retardation, epilepsy, and other conditions that affect the brain and central nervous system. Most children enjoy the flavor of blueberry juice and fresh blueberries, so parents usually have little trouble integrating them into the child's everyday diet.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are only moderately popular in the U.S., but they possess extensive medicinal value. The juice of pomegranate is potently antibacterial, and like cranberry juice, it may inhibit the development of dental plaque. Unlike many juices, pomegranate juice has a relatively low glycemic index and it may actually help to stabilize blood sugar levels-- a "must" for taming a sweet tooth without those sugar-crash temper tantrums.

Several studies have demonstrated that pomegranate inhibits the spread of viral infections. Pomegranate may speed a child's recovery from common, mild infections like the common cold and rhinovirus. Parents may also use pomegranate juices and extracts to boost a child's immunity in the event of a serious viral infection, such as flu or pneumonia. While pomegranate's anti-viral and immune-boosting properties have not been thoroughly investigated, the fruit is high in nutrients and associated with no known side effects-- in other words, it's worth a try.

Papaya

Many parents have used papaya, another healing fruit, as a home remedy-- even if they weren't aware of it. Papaya fruit contains large amounts of papain, an enzyme used in meat tenderizers because of its ability to digest proteins. Meat tenderizer, commonly made with papaya enzyme, is commonly used as an at-home treatment for stings, bites, and topical wounds because the compounds actually "eat" injured tissue while leaving healthy skin intact. Papaya's healing powers combine gracefully with its protein-digesting abilities, making it the perfect natural weapon against chronic digestive problems in children. Studies have demonstrated papaya's ability to treat reflux, nausea, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal parasites.

Additionally, papaya shows promise as an anti-inflammatory. One study found that a combination of two enzymes-- papain, found in papaya, and bromelain, found in pineapple-- was an effective alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Papaya may help to relieve pain from injuries or illness, especially when the digestive tract is involved. While it is considered safe for most children, large amounts of unripened papaya may increase the risk miscarriage in pregnant mothers. Expectant moms should select only fully ripened fruits and practice common-sense moderation.

Pineapple

In the supplement industry, enzymes and extracts of papaya are often sold in combination with pineapple derivatives. The types of protease enzymes in both plants seem to work in synergy to create a perfect combination for many forms of disease, especially when they relate to digestion. A pineapple-papaya-yogurt smoothie can soothe a sick child's stomach more effectively than most prescription and over-the-counter medications-- and it is a delicious way for a child to get fiber and nutrients after an episode of vomiting or diarrhea.

Given the amount of time that young children spend playing in dirt and eating things from God-knows-where, many mothers are concerned about the possibility of a child contracting intestinal parasites. Fortunately, pineapple has been used for centuries to eliminate intestinal parasites and to prevent them from taking hold. Parents should contact a qualified practitioner if they believe that a child is suffering from tapeworm, pin worms, or any other form of intestinal parasite-- but an occasional pineapple can help to provide extra insurance against these common, troublesome intruders.

Elderberry

Extracts and juices of black elderberry are absolutely essential components of a well-stocked medicinal pantry. While elderberry juices are far too expensive for everyday consumption, the standardized extracts have been proven by repeated clinical trials to be highly effective in treating almost all forms of influenza, and some strains of the common cold. Black elderberry extracts are so effective in destroying flu viruses that they seem to surpass the efficacy of common pharmaceutical drugs like Relenza and Tamiflu.. In the era of the swine flu pandemic, elderberry may actually save children's lives. Additionally, elderberry is believed to enhance immune function against herpes-family viruses like chicken pox and CMV.

Elderberry's powerful antiviral action is multi-faceted. The compounds in elderberry halt the reproduction of viruses, while also boosting the body's immune response to viruses that have already taken hold. Elderberry also has notable anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing effects, making it yet another safe alternative to Tylenol and Motrin. Still, there will always be times that an infection requires something stronger than a fruit-based extract-- check with a medical professional if your child spikes a high fever or seems to be very ill.

Safety

Fruits are a delicious way to tame children and pregnant moms who have a craving for sweets, but it can be difficult to get some children to accept fruits. Fresh, whole fruits offer the benefit of adding fiber to a low-roughage diet, but they may spoil quickly and some children find them unappealing. Smoothies made with whole fruit are another nutritious option, and they can be mixed with yogurt, breastmilk, and other healthy bases to make them more filling and complete. Even the pickiest eaters will generally delight in drinking a homemade smoothie, but others may prefer 100% juice or dried fruit. Ultimately, it is the quantity and variety of fruit that will make the difference in a child's health.

While medicinal fruits are widely recognized as a safe component of integrative medicine, they are associated with a few risks. Almost all foods can cause allergy symptoms in susceptible children, so parents should always monitor a child for a few minutes (or hours) after giving a new fruit or extract. Additionally, some nutritionists suspect that long-term, daily intake of a single type of fruit can cause unpredictable changes in body chemistry: a varied diet is still an essential component of any children's health regimen. No single food group can replace a healthy diet and exercise plan, but medicinal fruits are among the safest, most effective methods for boosting immunity and overall well-being.