The Herbs That Got Us Through Back-to-School
Back-to-school season always sneaks up on me. One minute my son Weylin is leaping into our bed waking us up by belting out AC/DC like he’s headlining Red Rocks, and the next… it’s the school year. Suddenly, instead of rock concerts, my husband Kevin and I are literally having to pick him up out of bed to get him moving. Summer camp started at 9 a.m., but school? We’ve got to be out the door by 7:35 a.m. sharp. That shift alone is enough to make us all need a little herbal support.
Bedtime Backup Plan: Sleepy Nights for Kids
The first hurdle? Bedtime. During the summer, Weylin thought 9:00 p.m. was a perfectly reasonable bedtime. Spoiler: it is not when you need to be up at 6:30 a.m.
Most nights, our routine is smooth—reading books, water, lights out. But then there are those nights when “just one more book” turns into four… or when he’s bouncing on the bed insisting, “I’m not tired at all!” That’s when I reach for Sleepy Nights for Kids.
I love that it’s melatonin-free—I’m just not comfortable giving hormones to a 7-year-old. Instead, it’s powered by gentle herbs like Milky Oats, Linden, Passionflower, and Skullcap to soothe the nervous system and encourage relaxation. On those over-the-top nights, I add six pumps into water after reading, and it helps him shift gears from party mode to dreamland.
Morning Boost: Kids Daily Immune (and Ours Too)
The other big shift is exposure to all those new classroom germs. Summer sniffles are one thing, but school germs? Next level. In the mornings, I give Weylin Kids Daily Immune, a blend of Elderberry, Astragalus, Red Clover, and Calendula that nourishes his system for the day ahead. Sometimes I sneak it into juice, other times he takes it straight—then proudly chases it with water like a mini herbal warrior.
And because Kevin and I have learned the hard way, we both take Daily Immune for Adults during those first couple weeks of school too. It’s like our way of saying, “We know better.” Between meetings, sports drop-offs, and all the extra exposure from school pickup, those first weeks are not the time to slack on immune support.
Focus Helper: Attention Ally
Sitting still all day in second grade? Hard pass if you ask Weylin. For those first weeks, I lean on Kids Attention Ally, a formula with Milky Oats, Gotu Kola, Passionflower, Skullcap, and Cinnamon. It helps him shift gears from playground energy to classroom focus.
I also use it before his ukulele lessons—because while I love hearing him strum “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sometimes his pre-lesson energy is… let’s just say more “thunderstruck” than “island vibes.”
And just to be clear—I don’t give it every day. Herbs aren’t about rigid schedules in our house; I use them as-needed, when Weylin’s energy or focus could use that little nudge.
Herbal Back-To-School Rainbow Popsicles 🌈
One of our favorite ways to make herbs fun is by turning them into popsicles. They’re especially great on mornings when my son Weylin needs a little hydration, focus support, and a reason to smile before the school bell rings.
Ingredients
· 1 cup coconut water
· 1 cup organic lemonade
· 4 pumps Wishgarden Herbs’ Daily Immune for Kids (per mold)
· 4 pumps Wishgarden Herbs’ Attention Ally for Kids (per mold)
· Fresh raspberries, lightly smashed
· A handful of fresh blueberries
Instructions
1. First Layer – Red
Smash raspberries and stir into coconut water. Pour a small amount into each popsicle mold for the base layer and add 4 pumps of Attention Ally for Kids to each mold. Freeze until solid.
2. Second Layer – Blue & White
Pour a layer of organic lemonaid over the frozen raspberry layer, then add 4 pumps of Daily Immune for Kids and 3–4 fresh blueberries into each mold. Freeze again.
3. Final Layer – Yellow
Top with plain lemonade. Freeze until fully set.
When done, you’ll have colorful red, blue, and yellow layers that kids love. Weylin grabs one on our morning walk to school—he thinks it’s a treat, and I know he’s getting hydration plus herbal nourishment. Total mom win. 🙌
My Ally at Work: Genius Juice
Back-to-school isn’t just a transition for kids. Over the summer, I left work at 3 p.m. to grab Weylin from camp. Now, with after-school activities, my day stretches to 5:30 p.m. But I can’t load up on coffee or I’ll be staring at the ceiling at midnight.
That’s when Genius Juice comes to my rescue. With Gotu Kola, Ginkgo, Eleuthero, and Dandelion, it supports circulation and cognitive function. I take a serving in the afternoon, and it keeps me sharp without the caffeine crash—so I can wrap up work and still have the energy to cheer Weylin on at soccer.
A Family Tradition
WishGarden has been part of my life since childhood—literally. My mom, Catherine Hunziker, founded the company back in 1979. I grew up surrounded by herbs and the rhythms of small-batch medicine making in Boulder, Colorado. More than once, my friends peeked into our house and asked if we were brewing witchy potions. (Answer: yes, but the healthy kind.)
Now, as VP of Impact & Development here at WishGarden, it feels full circle to use the same formulas my mom created—this time with my own family.
Back-to-school will always be a little chaotic, but with these herbal allies, we have found our groove. They’re not everyday fixes; we use them as needed, when life calls for extra plant power. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes all the difference.
Anna Harshman is Vice President of Impact & Development at WishGarden Herbs, a family-founded herbal medicine company where she's also a part owner. She leads sustainability and market expansion initiatives, bringing diverse operational experience and international perspective from working abroad. Anna holds a BA in International Studies and Political Science from UC San Diego and is passionate about advancing WishGarden's mission of empowering health through quality herbal medicine while supporting environmental health and farming communities globally.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
