1 in 9 Kids Use Alternative Treatments

More than 1 out of 9 children and teens use some form of alternative medicine, a survey has found. Treatments used included herbal supplements, acupuncture, medication, and chiropractic care. The most common herbs used were echinacea and fish oil. Echinacea is given for colds. Some people give fish oil to kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Parents also gave kids herbs for pain, anxiety and sleep problems. U.S. health agencies did the study in 2007. It included more than 9,000 adults who spoke for their children. The survey also asked about adult use of alternative medicine. About 1 in 3 adults used these treatments. The Associated Press wrote about the survey December 10.