During winter and summer vacations, many parents actively seek ways to promote their children's growth and development. However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners remind us that commonly used "bone growth" remedies come with potential risks of precocious puberty. More importantly, promoting appetite through TCM can help improve nutrient absorption, which is more beneficial for height growth.
Dr. Tsai Pei-yi, Chinese Medicine Department, Taipei City Hospital. (Image provided by Heho Health)
TCM practitioner Zhou Zonghan explains that "bone growth" refers to the period of physiological and psychological changes children go through during puberty. TCM believes that "the kidneys are the foundation of innate endowment," with the kidneys governing bones and growth development. Therefore, to successfully promote bone growth, kidney health must be supported first. In TCM's theory of the yin-yang balance of the five organs, the adequacy of kidney energy is closely related to the digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen and stomach. Hence, the focus should be on enhancing children's appetites and ensuring proper nutrient absorption.
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From a nutritional perspective, inadequate nutrition can have long-term effects on children's development. Dr. Tsai Pei-yi, a TCM specialist at Taipei City Hospital Heping Fuyou Branch, points out that anorexia, poor appetite, picky eating habits, and micronutrient deficiencies can lead to short stature and delayed cognitive development in children. She suggests that while TCM treatments for height growth primarily focus on tonifying the spleen and kidneys, the medication should be adjusted according to the individual's constitution. For example, teenagers may benefit from TCM herbs that soothe the liver and relieve depression, while children with poor appetites might benefit from digestive herbs like hawthorn and malt.
Jumping can also help children grow taller. (Image provided by pxhere)
Dr. Tsai emphasizes that premature use of bone growth remedies can lead to precocious puberty, causing an increase in sex hormones and growth hormones simultaneously. Therefore, she advises parents to visit hospitals or clinics for a proper diagnosis by a qualified TCM practitioner before administering any medication. Parents should avoid purchasing unknown bone growth remedies on their own.
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Additionally, approximately one-third of children and adolescents face issues of obesity or being overweight. The easy availability of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods, coupled with the prevalence of electronic devices and reduced physical activity, creates an environment conducive to obesity. Obesity can lead to precocious puberty, causing the early closure of growth plates and abnormal development. Dr. Tsai Li-ping, Deputy Director of the Medical Department at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, recommends seeking professional integrated treatment from both TCM and Western medicine for better developmental outcomes in children facing issues like short stature or precocious puberty.
