Colic Gripe Water – Why This Old Time Colic Remedy Still Works
Your think that your baby has the colic; they have all the signs. The excessive crying that often ends up being a hour long scream session. They may have the colicky, cranky and fussy behavior and the flushed face, clenched hands with their little legs being drawn up tight against their bloated stomach. If this sounds like something your child is suffering with then you should read this article. In it we will explore what colic gripe water is and how it helps your colicky baby.
What is Colic Gripe Water?
Gripe water was first commercially developed in England in 1851, oddly enough by an American, named William Woodward. Woodward was working as a pharmacist. He accidentally discovered that a formula used for malaria also seemed to quiet colicky babies. Soon his colic gripe water was being recommended by both physicians and nannies alike. He gave his new colic remedy the name “gripe” from old English word for pinching pains in the belly.
Over the past 158 years the basic concept behind baby gripe water has actually changed very little. Most formulas are based on the idea that colic is primarily caused by trapped gas or some other tummy distress. And is this severe abdominal pain and bloating that most colic gripe waters are designed to relieve. The modern Woodard’s baby gripe water formula (minus the alcohol of the original) is still available in the UK.
The dill seed oil contained in this time-tested tonic is said to warm and relax the stomach while the Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) releases trapped gas. But other colic gripe waters made either from homeopathic ingredients or organic herbs and other natural items are also becoming popular.
Homeopathic Colic Gripe Waters
Many of these formulas are blends of various preparations and natural plants such as Chamomile, Fennel, Caraway, Peppermint or Ginger. Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that is based on the idea that “like cures like”. So a homeopathic remedy for colic would in theory treat the problem by using a mixture that produces a much milder version of the colic. This would be a situation of “fire fighting fire”.
Natural Herbal Colic Gripe Waters
Now herbal colic gripe waters formulas are often very similar to homeopathic treatments but are combinations of herbal extracts and oils. They use items like ginger, fennel, dill seed, and sometimes fruit sugars or juice from plants like Aloe Vera.
Making Your Own Colic Gripe Water
Many parents, who are short of funds or concerned about commercial products often, turn to home made recipes to make their own versions of baby gripe water. Of course you must be careful and only use recipes from trusted sources. Many recipes for colic gripe water are basically just very weak teas made from a variety of ingredients. These ingredients include our old favorite dill seed and/or fennel seed and anise seed. These seed teas are also often mixed with peppermint, ginger, chamomile made from regular tea bags.
But it really doesn’t matter which of these colic gripe waters you choose as long as they are safe and effective in easing your baby’s painful cries, so you both can get some rest!
