Can a 3-year-old child take Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared)?

Apr 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, if a 3-year-old child has a weak constitution, a proper amount of cooked rehmannia (Sh熟地黄) may be given following a doctor's advice. However, if the child is in good health or suffers from conditions such as excessive dampness or weak spleen and stomach, it is not recommended. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is advised. Before giving cooked rehmannia to a child, consultation with a qualified physician is necessary to ensure suitability for the child's constitution and to strictly follow medical instructions.

Generally, if a 3-year-old child has a weak constitution, it is advisable to follow a doctor's recommendation to consume a proper amount of prepared rehmannia (Shu Di Huang). However, if the child is in good health or suffers from conditions such as excessive dampness or weak spleen and stomach, it is not recommended to consume this herb. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is advised. Detailed explanation is as follows:

When a 3-year-old child shows obvious symptoms of blood and qi deficiency, delayed development, or physical weakness, prepared rehmannia, as a nourishing herbal medicine, may be used under a doctor's guidance to help regulate the body, supplement nutrition, and improve the weakened condition. At this time, the dosage must be strictly controlled and combined with other ingredients to reduce the greasy nature of prepared rehmannia and its potential impact on the gastrointestinal system.

If the child is otherwise healthy or suffers from conditions such as excessive dampness, or has a weak spleen and stomach, prepared rehmannia should not be consumed. This herb has a greasy and nourishing nature that may worsen internal dampness, leading to discomforts such as indigestion or abdominal distension. Additionally, since a child's metabolic system is not fully developed, blind supplementation may trigger other health problems and even have counterproductive effects.

Before giving prepared rehmannia to a child, it is essential to consult a professional physician to ensure it suits the child's constitution and to strictly follow medical instructions, avoiding any negative impact on health and growth and development due to improper use.