Article originally published on NaturalHealth365.com republished with permission. 

Spend a few dollars and get instant relief from pain. Isn’t that what all over-the-counter painkiller brands like Tylenol want us to believe? But the truth is, marketing teams left out a few things from the equation: the fact that pills work to mask a much more serious underlying health problem, the increased risk of kidney failure with long-term use, and acute liver failure from an accidental overdose, for instance. 

What’s more, Tylenol has proved themselves to be uninterested in staying accountable for consumers’ health and safety. So, with so many natural options available for treating pain effectively, why put your health in the hands of a giant corporation? 

Heavy Metal Contaminants in Tylenol

U.S News reports that children’s and infant’s liquid Tylenol was knowingly sold containing heavy metals for over a year. After consumers started spotting metal fragments in infant and children’s liquid Tylenol in 2009, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, which is a subsidiary of the Johnson & Johnson company, was given a federal criminal charge over the issue – to which the company plead guilty. 

The contaminated medicine that was sold was over-the-counter, so an unknown number of people purchased it and gave it to their children, thinking it was a safe product.

Nickel, chromium (a heavy metal), and iron particles were integrated into the liquid medicine during the manufacturing process, and the company knew about this for at least a year – yet, did nothing to prevent or correct the contamination. To resolve the case and get the Justice Department to back off, Reuter’s reports the company agreed to pay a $25 million fine. It continues to make infant and children’s liquid Tylenol.

Heavy Metal Contamination Can Take Years to Become Noticeable

While no reports of injuries have come in, it often takes years for heavy metal contamination to become apparent. The children who were given the contaminated medicine may have health problems later in life because of it.

Chelation therapy or other protocols may be required for many of the children to detox from the metals, while others may never know the cause of any related illnesses they develop when they are older.

This is not the first time Tylenol has had ‘quality control’ problems.

Beginning in 2009, infant’s liquid Tylenol made by the company was found to have metal fragments in it. The company investigated, but nothing was done, and the product continued to be sold, though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers to stop using the product. In spite of this recommendation, the product was not recalled. If this were a vitamin company – the FDA would shut it done.

The Pharmaceutical Industry is Loaded With ‘Quality Control’ Issues

This is a problem in the pharmaceutical industry as a whole, but such problems rarely come to light in such a spectacular fashion as it has with this particular case.

The Department of Justice has vowed to seek out and punish companies in the pharmaceutical industry that release contaminated medicines, especially over-the-counter ones that are designed for children and infants.

So, What Are The Alternatives to Children’s Tylenol?

In light of the problems discovered with the quality of children’s Tylenol products, and with the seriousness of the known Tylenol side effects, it is a good idea for parents to look into alternatives.  Fortunately, there are many natural pain-relieving alternatives that do not have the Tylenol side effects (such as liver toxicity) and are pleasing to infants and children.

Herbs & Fruits

Don’t Use Willow Bark, Kava Kava, and Skullcap Just Yet

These three herbs have also been touted as being safe natural alternatives to Tylenol and they are – for adults. If you suffer from chronic pain as an adult, you may want to look into the health benefits of willow bark, kava kava, and skullcap – which is particularly good for anxiety, nervous tension, and convulsions. However, for children, the science so far suggests you keep them away from children. Scientists have even linked willow bark to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness associated with children’s use of aspirin (under the age of eighteen).

What’s the Safest Natural Option?

Herbs such as turmeric, ginger and valerian root have been said to help to relieve pain without the negative Tylenol side effects. While these natural alternatives may not come with the same side effects as Tylenol, there’s some safety concerns that parents need to know first. Turmeric is spoken so highly about that it seems harmless. But turmeric supplements seem not to have been studied with children yet, so there is no recommended dose just yet. Although, the health benefits of turmeric for children seems promising.

With regard to ginger and valerian root, parents should definitely consult with their family doctor first before giving their kid either natural alternative. If your child is under two-years-old, avoid giving them ginger altogether. However, over the age of two, the proper dosage of ginger can be used to help relieve nausea, stomach cramps, and headaches.

Obviously, when dealing with serious health issues, it’s always best to find a trusted, credible physician to help guide you through the healing process. If your doctor is unaware of the value of herbal medicine or natural remedies, try seeking some other opinions.

Sources:

Rubinkam, Michael, and Maryclaire Dale. “Maker Of Kids’ Tylenol Pleads Guilty”. U.S. News. N.p., 2015. Web. 6 June 2017. http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/03/10/maker-of-childrens-tylenol-to-plead-guilty-over-recall

Dunsmuir, Lindsay. “Tylenol Maker To Pay $25 Million For Selling Metal-Contaminated Drugs”. Reuters. N.p., 2015. Web. 6 June 2017. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/10/us-johnson-johnson-tylenol-idUSKBN0M629S20150310

Kava kava. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/kava-kava

Skullcap. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/skullcap

Willow bark. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/willow-bark

Ginger. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/ginger

Turmeric. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric

Valerian. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/valerian