When Should Children Take Growth Herbal Medicine?

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Hello, I am Dr. Hyocheong Chae, director of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic. When is the best time for growth herbal medicine? “Doctor, I think my child is short. When should they take growth herbal medicine to grow taller?” This is one of the most common questions parents ask at our Korean medicine clinic.

However, I do not immediately recommend growth herbal medicine to all children. This is because some children may not experience the full benefits of growth herbal medicine if their digestive absorption capacity is insufficient. Things to check before taking growth herbal medicine: If children don’t eat well or frequently have stomachaches due to weak digestion, digestive health must be managed first.

Growth herbal medicine when digestion is weak This is because if taken, the beneficial ingredients may not be properly absorbed, reducing the effectiveness. Therefore, before considering growth herbal medicine, it is essential to check digestive health and precede with a process to boost immunity.

When is the best time for growth herbal medicine? The best time to take growth herbal medicine is before secondary growth begins. Puberty, the period of secondary growth, accounts for 15% of height growth.

During this period, it is crucial to maximize a child’s growth each year. Therefore, to promote height growth during this time, it is important to start treatment before puberty. In particular, continuously managing the child’s health and environment from the first rapid growth phase (from birth to 3 years old) through the second rapid growth phase (puberty) is key.

Furthermore, growth herbal medicine is effective when taken consistently rather than for a short period. Herbal medicine is harmless even with long-term use and can actually help improve physical strength and strengthen immunity. Additionally, if bone age is advanced, starting growth herbal medicine early may be effective.

Positive Effects on Growth Activities and Hormone Secretion This is thanks to various herbal ingredients.

Customized prescriptions are needed for growth. As a mother raising a child myself, I had a great interest in my child’s height growth. However, in my child’s case, because their digestion was weak, we did not start growth herbal medicine immediately. From age 6 until the 5th grade of elementary school, they first took herbal medicine to strengthen their digestive system.

This is because only by properly managing digestion can the body adequately absorb nutrients during rapid growth periods and gain the strength to grow. Afterwards, coinciding with the rapid growth period in the 5th grade of elementary school, they began taking growth-promoting herbal medicine. The prescription was adjusted according to the child’s condition, by adding or removing herbal ingredients beneficial for eye health, or by adding herbal ingredients to enhance concentration during exam periods.

As such, growth treatment is not simply about taking medicine to grow taller; it requires personalized management to ensure the child grows healthily. “Growth has a golden time.” To make the most of this period, it is crucial to establish a growth plan that considers the child’s current health status. We hope you will join Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic, which shares valuable information for a healthy life. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Suji-gu pursues evidence-based medicine and integrative medicine.

This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.