Gripe Water Ingredients

Gripe water is a liquid solution that is recommended by doctors all over the world for babies suffering from colic. In this article we will discuss about gripe water ingredients.

For many parents of new born babies, gripe water is a life saver as it helps to treat colic of babies. It also helps to provide remedy from stomach cramps, gas and teething pain suffered by infants. This wonderful solution for colic was first discovered in England in the year 1851. It quickly became popular with mothers of newly born babies as it was very effective in calming a colicky baby. Soon its use spread worldwide and till date it is highly recommended by pediatricians as a remedy for treating stomach discomfort. It is also used by adults in a larger dosage to treat gastrointestinal disorders. What is gripe water made of? The first and original formula of gripe water ingredients contained alcohol, dill oil, sugar and sodium bicarbonate. The modern formulation is somewhat different from the original one and there are many trusted brands that are available in the market.

Ingredients in Gripe Water

Although the gripe water ingredients vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, the main ingredients in gripe water are as follows.

Caraway seeds to aid digestion and provide relief from flatulence.

Ginger root extract to provide relief from indigestion and nausea.

Fennel to soothe an upset stomach and provide relief from spasms.

Angelica to soothe an upset tummy.

Cinnamon bark extract to aid the digestion process and to provide relief from feelings of nausea.

Anise seeds to aid the digestion process.

Dill extract for providing relief from flatulence and to settle a queasy stomach and dispel feelings of nausea.

Chamomile to help settle down the stomach.

Cardamom to dispel nausea and vomiting and to aid in the digestion process.

Peppermint to help in settling the stomach and prevent nausea.

Lemon balm for relieving flatulence.

Aloe vera for relieving bloating and flatulence.

Blackthorn for easing abdominal cramps and pain.

So, these were some gripe water ingredients. There are some ingredients that you should strictly avoid while purchasing gripe water for your baby. Read the label at the back of the bottle to make sure that this ingredients in gripe water are not present. These ingredients are

Alcohol

Gluten

Sodium Bicarbonate

Dairy

Citric Acid

Soy

Yeast

Charcoal Vegetable Carbon

Recipe for Gripe Water

If there is an emergency or you would simply like to concoct your very own gripe water for your baby, if you have the right ingredients in your cupboard you can make it at home. The gripe water ingredients that you need to make it at home are as follows.

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon dill seeds

6 cups water

Crush the fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle until you have a coarse powder. Do the same with dill seeds. Boil water in a pan and add the crushed dill seeds and fennel seeds. Cover the pan with a lid and let the water reduce to half. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool down. Strain the homemade gripe water and store in the refrigerator. You can add a tablespoon of sugar to the mixture to make the gripe water more palatable. This mixture can be stored for only 24 hours in the refrigerator and any remaining mixture should be discarded as it is not safe to administer to a baby. Read more on

Gripe Water for Babies

Hiccups in Babies

This was all about gripe water ingredients and how you can make it at home. You can try different combinations of herbs like anise seeds and lemon balm in the homemade gripe water. Make sure that you strain the water thoroughly and cool it down before administering the homemade gripe water to your child. If the symptoms of colic persists for more than three days, consult your pediatrician immediately.