Minadex Tonic

amThis seems to have "been around" forever. I remember giving it to my eldest when he was a toddler (about 15 years ago), and the tradition continued from then. It's one of those things my mum swears by, and so the children have to have the stuff every winter- not that any of them ever seemed to need building up! However, I have veered slightly from the tradition, and forgot to buy it before the onset of winter; with the advent of her second ...
...to ply her with the stuff again.

The tonic is supposed to build up children fast, although whether this means in size or in general good health is not made clear. I assume that it means their general good health and immune system, because with the growing concern regarding child obesity, I don't think it would be a good idea to sell something which would make children balloon out!

It does suggest that it should be used ... more

amThis seems to have "been around" forever. I remember giving it to my eldest when he was a toddler (about 15 years ago), and the tradition continued from then. It's one of those things my mum swears by, and so the children have to have the stuff every winter- not that any of them ever seemed to need building up! However, I have veered slightly from the tradition, and forgot to buy it before the onset of winter; with the advent of her second (very unusual) cold since October, I decided it was time to ply her with the stuff again.

The tonic is supposed to build up children fast, although whether this means in size or in general good health is not made clear. I assume that it means their general good health and immune system, because with the growing concern regarding child obesity, I don't think it would be a good idea to sell something which would make children balloon out!

It does suggest that it should be used after illness, for loss of appetite or when children are generally run down; it will apparently help to restore their vitality

~~What does it contain?~~

The tonic contains all the vitamins and minerals which children need. I know they can get these in their diet, but sometimes, I like to feel 100% certain that all is well in the health camp.

The vitamins and minerals in the tonic are: Vitamins A and D; Iron, Potassium Glycerophosphate; Calcium; Manganese Sulphate and Copper Sulphate. Actually, when I consider them, it seems very few compared to multi vitamin tablets I have seen.

~~Product and Packaging~~

Open the box to reveal…. A glass (not good) bottle containing 200ml of the tonic.

The tonic itself is quite syrupy and has a kind of tangy sugary orange smell. It is marketed as having an orange flavour which children love. Not quite! It does have a sweet and syrupy orange taste but remember that the consistency of the liquid means that it IS a medicine. It is more an acquired taste than a one children will love. It's not the kind of thing they will be begging for more of, but similarly, in my experience of three, it's not something which will leave them gagging, although I do know some children who hated it and spat it out!

~~Administering the stuff~~

Give the bottle a good shake to distribute those minerals and vitamins.
Remember that once administered, it should be kept in a cool place

This can be taken from the spoon or stirred in water or milk. I think it's best to take it from the spoon and then it's over and done with rather than sipping a drink; I could imagine it would be disgusting in milk!

~~Who is it for?~~

Children 6mths- 3 years should take 1 5ml spoonful twice a day; children age 3-12 years, and pregnant women take one 5ml spoonful three times a day; adults take two 5 ml spoonfuls three times a day.

I always like things when they can be given to very young children because it tends to reassure me that there is nothing very nasty in it. Possibly nothing that does any good, but definitely not harmful.

~~Who makes it?~~

Seven Seas Health Care Ltd
Hull HU9 5NJ

www.sseas.com

They are the makers of lots of well known health products, such as Haliborange for children. They also produce homeopathy products, and the website is well laid out to find any information for products for a particular health issue.

~~Price and Availability~~

The tonic costs around the £3.50 mark for 200ml, so easy to work out approximately how much it would last depending on how many people are taking it.

It is available in most chemists and supermarkets.

~~What I think of it~~

As I said before, I have used this for years, and yes, to show solidarity, I take the recommended two spoonfuls three times a day. Sometimes for myself I do forget, but with Little Miss, I do try to make sure she gets the recommended dosage.

The smell and taste are not unpleasant, although it's best to have a drink close by to "take the taste away". It's not the kind of tangy taste you want lingering in your mouth. I find it easier to give to young children than the chewy vitamin tablets because medicine is quicker to swallow and be gone.

This is something I tend to give in the winter, because children tend at school to be closeted in the classroom, with central heating, and if it's raining, not a breath of fresh air all day. Not healthy! They breath each others germs, and whilst not neurotic in any way about germs, I think that once they have one cold, it's often easy for them to catch another and another until their poor little noses are red and sore looking.

This tonic does seem to help children shake off colds and if they do catch something, does tend to help them maintain their appetite. This is obviously just what I think of it; my children could have been the types not to catch many colds, and to never lose their appetites whatever I did, but I still claim this helps. So, I don't have proof that it works, but I think it does.

It's a reasonably priced tonic, with an ok taste, and for peace of mind to know your children are getting all the minerals and vitamins they need, I would recommend it.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela xx
 

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