Gripe water is a herbal concoction used to ease pain and discomfort in children, including teething and colic. It was first created in the mid-19th century and is still available today, often sold as a health supplement. Adults can also use it for indigestion and gas. The recipe varies, but typically includes fennel, dill, and baking soda, with alcohol often left out. It is available over the counter in many countries.
Sometimes referred to as a grippe tonic, gripe water is a folk medicine concoction that is often used to ease the pain and discomfort experienced by children. The home remedy can be used to soothe an upset stomach, pain associated with teething, and relieve discomfort associated with colic. While the exact recipe for gripe water varies, most versions include several herbs prepared into a tincture and administered with the aid of a dropper.
The first evidence of this product can be found in the mid-19th century. In England, an American named William Woodward noted that a home-made concoction used to relieve pain associated with malaria and a condition known as swamp fever was also effective in relieving gastrointestinal upset and teething pains for the children. Moving quickly, Woodward created a product that included a small amount of rubbing alcohol, sugar water, dill oil, and baking soda. Woodward’s Gripe Water is still available today in many retail outlets around the world and is often sold as a health supplement.
While taking water for colic is perhaps the best-known use of the home remedy, the uses aren’t limited to just infants. Adults suffering from indigestion, acid reflux or gas can get some relief from organic water. In some cases, it is also useful for controlling flatulence in both infants and adults. Along with commercial products, homeopathic and folk medicine practitioners often develop their own unique tincture formulas, depending on the needs of their patients.
While fennel, dill, and baking soda are found in nearly every baby water recipe today, alcohol is often left out of the recipe. Instead, the inclusion of more herbs such as ginger and chamomile are added, often brewing all the herbs in water to create the alcohol-free tincture. Avoiding alcohol is especially important when allergies to grain products are present, as the dye could cause further health problems for the child or adult receiving treatment.
In countries where baby sore water is not recognized as a prescription drug, it is often sold over the counter. Many herbal and health food stores will carry one brand or another of the product, often in alcohol-based or alcohol-free versions. There are a number of brands on the market today that are also found in pharmacies as over-the-counter products.
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