Researchers at Pennsylvania State University surveyed more than 2,500 caregivers with children living in Kansas and Wisconsin, participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children - better known as WIC.
Nearly half of Latinos and about one-third of non-Latino WIC clients surveyed used herbs to treat childhood illnesses such as diaper rash, colic, teething symptoms, stomachaches, coughs and colds.
The herbs most commonly used were those with relatively low risks, including aloe vera, chamomile, garlic, peppermint, lavender, cranberry, ginger, Echinacea and lemon.
But 10 herbs with known safety issues, including St John's wort, kava and red clover, were also given to children and taken by the caregivers themselves.
The study is published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
