Warning about ingesting teas and health products containing Star Anise

As a precautionary measure, Health Canada is advising Canadian consumers not to ingest herbal teas or health products containing the herb “star anise” unless they are confident that it is Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f).

Consumers should verify that their product contains Chinese star anise. Otherwise, consumers should avoid using the following products:

– blended herbal teas containing the herb “star anise”

– bulk star anise for the purpose of brewing teas

– therapeutic and natural health products (such as medicinal herbal teas or homeopathic medicines) containing star anise

There have been reports in the U.S. and Europe of adverse reactions associated with consumption of blended teas containing “star anise” and with the consumption of teas brewed solely from “star anise.” In some of the cases, herbal tea was being used as a treatment for infant colic. Adverse reactions ranged from mild nausea to convulsions and seizures, and in all cases, symptoms were temporary. To date, there have been no reports of adverse reactions in Canada associated with products containing star anise, nor evidence that any foods or health products sold in Canada, contain toxic varieties of star anise.

Consumers who ingest one of the potentially toxic varieties of star anise may suffer an adverse reaction and should consult a physician if this occurs.

There is more than one type of star anise. Chinese star anise does not represent a health and safety concern and has a long history of safe use in foods. The dried seed pods of Chinese star anise can be found in certain spice mixtures and cooking pastes used in foods, in some herbal tea blends, and in certain therapeutic and natural health products. Other species of star anise, such as Japanese star anise, are used for decorative and aromatic purposes but are not considered safe for human consumption and can be toxic if enough is ingested.

It is important to note that this advisory does not apply to an unrelated herb commonly known as ‘anise’ (Pimpinella anisum). Anise does not represent a health and safety concern in foods and has a long history of safe use.

With respect to health products containing star anise, Health Canada is requesting evidence from the manufacturers of these products to show that the star anise ingredient is the correct variety (Chinese star anise) and that it does not pose a risk to health. Health Canada will keep Canadians informed of any developments related to this issue.

For natural health products, consumers and health care professionals may report any adverse reactions by contacting Health Canada toll-free by telephone (866) 234-2345 or fax (866) 678-6789.

For foods, any adverse reactions suspected as being associated with star anise may be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Food Safety Concern Line. Call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s general toll-free number 1-800-442-2342 to obtain the Concern Line number for your province.

Consumers who identify that they have the toxic species of star anise should return the product to the point of purchase. Retailers should contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they have any questions about disposal of the product.

New Childhood Development Book

The first five years of a child’s life are filled with a wide range of psychological, emotional, and physical changes that can be exciting but overwhelming. But this doesn’t have to be a time of confusion or uncertainty. In its new book, “The Wonder Years”, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the information parents need to help their children flourish during these formative years.

“The Wonder Years” features more than 500 full-color photographs, diagrams, illustrations, and timelines. The book is uniquely arranged by developmental milestones and the related skills that children learn in each area-instead of just chronologically by child’s age-to give caregivers the bigger picture of what to expect, how to foster their child’s progress, and how to make the most of this amazing time. It includes the most up-to-date findings on child development in the following chapters:

- Movement - Everything from the early stages of head movement to sitting, crawling and eventually, walking are covered, complete with activities to foster your child’s athletic abilities.

- Fine motor skills - When will you know if your child is right or left handed? When do they first start to reach for objects? These and other topics-as well as how to encourage the artist in your child are explained in-depth.

- Sensory development - The five senses and the development at all stages-responding to one’s own name, developing taste preferences, and distinguishing between colors to name a few-are discussed.

- Mental growth - Here’s a “behind the scenes look” at your child’s brain and how this important organ affects everything.

- Social and emotional growth - From bonding and colic, to playing make-believe and developing attachments with other children, caregivers are given a comprehensive overview of their child’s emotional health.

- Bowel and bladder development - Parents are given the answers to tell when their child is ready to toilet train and how to help them in this physical-and emotional-milestone.

“The Wonder Years” also includes fun parent-child activities to boost emotional and mental growth-such as how to foster the artist in your child and games beyond peek-a-boo. The book indicates to caregivers when help may be needed in a certain area of development, along with advice on how to consult a specialist when concerns do arise. From heredity, gender, and environmental surroundings, “The Wonder Years” details the multitude of factors that can affect all aspects of a child’s development.

The book is edited by Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician in private practice and clinical instructor at the University of California, Los Angeles. It is available on http://www.aap.org and in bookstores.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
141 Northwest Point Blvd, PO Box 927
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927
United States
http://www.aap.org/

Certain herbs and supplements can help tummy aches

As more parents choose home remedies for their children’s gastrointestinal complaints, the question arises, which ones really work?

Kathi J. Kemper, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrics professor at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and the author of “The Holistic Pediatrician,” has written the cover article for Contemporary Pediatrics magazine on which herbs and dietary supplements can help children with nausea, constipation and similar gastrointestinal (GI) problems.

“What we did was look at the original research, the studies, what people were out there doing, and came up with a guide for pediatricians,” Kemper said. “Historically, 50 years ago, people used home remedies. Then they began relying on prescriptions, and now there is a swing back toward using more natural health products.”

The article in the current issue cites chamomile as one of the most widely used and safest herbs for children with abdominal discomfort. It can be given in small amounts to treat colic in infants and can be combined with peppermint, star anise or fennel for stomach aches, gas, indigestion and bloating for school-age children, according to the article.

Ginger has been well documented as a remedy for nausea and dyspepsia. Probiotics, such as yogurt, have been used to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, newborn colic, ulcerative colitis, and a variety of forms of diarrhea. On the other hand, the article says that star anise should be avoided for colicky infants.

Fussy Baby Network answers cries for help in community

Erikson Institute’s Fussy Baby Network is meeting a real need in the Chicago community. Already, more than 200 families have received help from this first-of-its-kind program in Illinois that responds to parent concerns about their infant’s inconsolable crying.

Twenty percent of infants struggle with excessive crying–about 37,000 babies in Illinois alone, regardless of their birth order, gender, feeding style, race, parents’ education or income. It also could occur despite excellent care.

Excessive crying usually occurs during the first three months of life. Many of these infants have colic–crying for more than three hours a day at least three days a week for three weeks. Their parents often are frustrated and feel helpless trying to soothe their infant. The Fussy Baby Network is designed to assess the infant, support parents and reduce family stress.

“Parents are desperate by the time they call us,” said Linda Gilkerson, PhD, network director and professor of infant studies at Erikson. “We help the parents find answers to their questions about their baby’s crying and gain confidence in their ability to calm their baby.

The relatively new network offers resources, support and consultation for families concerned about their baby’s crying, sleeping, feeding or temperament during the first year of life. Phone counseling, home visits and parent groups are just a few ways the program brings calm to chaos.

“Persistent, inconsolable crying is a trigger for child abuse in the first year of life,” Gilkerson said. “So we take every call seriously.”

A recent study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that excessive crying that continues more than three months of age was linked to behavioral and intellectual development problems by age 5. Difficulty in regulating crying can occur with other early challenges such as having a hard time sleeping or feeding. Also, these infants can have hypersensitivities to touch or movement, problems calming down and paying attention, and behavior issues. The Fussy Baby team of specialists works with families to get a needed evaluation and an appropriate intervention.

A partnership with University of Chicago pediatricians and LaRabida Children’s Hospital connects parents to behavioral and developmental specialist Larry Gray, MD, who serves as the Fussy Baby Network’s medical director. Gray can examine a child more closely, and if necessary, make referrals to other specialists.

“In some cases, these parents have been told that nothing is wrong, but mom instinctively feels there is,” Gilkerson said. “We don’t brush off their concerns.”

Excessive crying can be part of a cycle of mother/infant distress. Crying is both a trigger and a response. “If the mother is feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, or suffering from post-partum depression, this can increase the baby’s crying and irritability or the baby can begin to withdraw,” Gilkerson explained. “The relationship is just that–a relationship. Each person brings something to that relationship and responds to each other’s cues.”

The goal of the Fussy Baby Network is to prevent and interrupt that distressful cycle. Gilkerson believes early troubles in the family relationship can turn around. “This is a very open time psychologically for the mother,” she said. “Information, support, empathy and coaching can really help.”

Most parents get connected to the network through the Fussy Baby Warmline–a telephone call-in service that hooks up parents to a team of child development specialists. “Over the phone I hear high levels of anxiety,” explained Susan Connor, program coordinator of the Fussy Baby Network. “Anxiety not only about what’s happening now, but what the future is going to be like.” Parents often are surprised by the loneliness and isolation that accompany an uncontrollably crying infant, she added.

A survey of emergency room admissions, conducted by Gilkerson and Gray, showed that of families bringing their young babies to the emergency room for crying, one-third of the visits were diagnosed as colic. The other infants had problems that required medical attention.

“The findings underscored the need for more resources to be made available to parents,” said Gilkerson, who was originally inspired to form the Fussy Baby Network by her own experience as a parent of a fussy baby. Even pediatricians and other medical professionals call the Network asking for advice and help for their patients.

Many times the Fussy Baby Warmline phone calls lead to home visits by the network team. “People are surprised and grateful that someone will come and just sit with them, paying attention to their concerns and being patient,” Gilkerson said.

Child development experts talk with parents about their baby’s day, ways they can calm their baby and how they can take care of themselves. “We don’t hold the babies,” Gilkerson said. “We “hold” the parents. That is, we listen, observe with the parent, and at times, gently coach. The best moment is often when the parents calm the baby, and realize they can do this.”

Sometimes it takes only one visit for parents to feel more comfortable and confident with their baby. But the specialists can work with the family for as long as it takes, averaging five visits over a two-month period.

The network, in operation since March 2003, also includes a drop-in time where parents come with their baby to the Erikson Institute to meet informally with other parents and with the Fussy Baby team. Parent groups are held throughout the area, too, that offer discussions on such topics as helping a fussy baby sleep, strategies to refuel parents and life after colic.

All babies have periods of crying that can’t be soothed; but some have many more bouts of this kind of crying. The cause of colic is not known. For a relatively small group, crying may be caused by allergies or digestive problems such as reflux. Most recently, in the October issue of Pediatrics, a study shows smoking during or after pregnancy could be a trigger. Some doctors believe it’s a matter of temperament–some babies take a bit longer to get adjusted to the world. But for most babies, there is no known medical or developmental cause.

Besides the University of Chicago and LaRabida, the Fussy Baby Network works with Northwestern Prentice Hospital, Healthy Families Illinois, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Family Focus.

The Fussy Baby Network is funded primarily through a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The Irving Harris Foundation provided additional support.

The Fussy Baby Warmline is free. Home visits and parent support groups are offered on a sliding-fee basis. Any parent struggling with a fussy baby is encouraged to contact the network at 1-888-431-BABY or http://www.fussybabynetwork.org.

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