Don't Give Growth-Promoting Tonics or Supplements to Children in Puberty Without Proper Guidance

Many parents worry about their children falling behind and rush to give them medicinal soups or tonics as soon as signs of puberty appear. However, many commercially available folk remedies or growth-promoting formulas made without a TCM doctor's diagnosis often contain herbs with hormone-like activity. If given at the wrong time or to a child whose constitution isn't suited for them, these can prematurely mature the bones and accelerate bone age, leading to the growth plates closing early. Once the growth plates close, it becomes very difficult for the child to grow taller, no matter how much nutrition is supplemented later on. The key to TCM's approach to promoting growth lies in 'before the growth plates close,' tailoring treatments based on the child's individual constitution. This often focuses on strengthening the spleen and stomach and improving digestion and absorption, rather than simply pushing tonics. Instead of relying on folk remedies, the following three daily essentials are the main drivers for stimulating growth hormone secretion: Quality Sleep: Go to bed before 10 PM to ensure sufficient growth hormone secretion during deep sleep. Jumping Exercises: Engage in daily activities like jump rope, basketball, or badminton that involve jumping and stretching to effectively stimulate growth plate development. Balanced Diet: Increase intake of quality protein (e.g., eggs, beans, fish, lean meat) and calcium, while reducing consumption of cold drinks, sweets, and fried foods. If you wish to give your child a growth-promoting tonic, it's essential to first visit a hospital to assess their bone age and developmental status. Only with a personalized prescription from a professional TCM doctor can you reliably and safely help your child reach their growth potential.