Children have special physiological and pathological characteristics, which are quite different from those of adults. As their internal organs, muscles and bones are delicate and their physiological functions are not fully developed, children become ill more easily than adults, and diseases also develop quickly.
However, as the body and the emotions of children are less impaired from chronic diseases, stress and medicine than those of adults, the reaction to herbal treatment is quicker and so children recover sooner from diseases than do adults. Therefore, for children, the treatment course is shorter than for adults and it should be stopped when the pathogenic factors are eliminated.
The dosage for children is varied according to age:
• Infants: 1/10 of the adult dosage
• Infants–1 year old: 1/6 of the adult dosage
• 1–2 years old: 1/4 of the adult dosage
• 2–4 years old: 1/3 of the adult dosage
• 4–6 years old: 1/2 of the adult dosage
• 6–14 years old: 2/3 of the adult dosage.
(The dosage of adults mentioned here is the average dosage for adults. The dosage of children is for children with a normal weight and length for that age. The dosage can be varied within the normal range according to the disease and constitution as well as the experience of the practitioner.)
