An Herbal Tea for Colic

[ComfreyStudent]

How I wish I knew what I know now when I had my little babies. It seemed that they magically developed colic at about 2 weeks. It lasted until they were 3 months or had doubled their birth weight. It seemed I was doomed. Many was the sleepless night I walked the floors trying to comfort a colicy baby, trying not to loose my mind. I feel so bad for these little ones. I think they are a little shocked at how painful earth life really is–and let the world know that they certainly aren’t happy with it.

As my children grew, I began to learn herbal remedies to help our family’s health. And they worked so well!! I was amazed. Then my daughter has our first grandchild. She is darling and beautiful little girl. And within the first two weeks of life–just like clockwork–she began to keep her own parents up with that colicy cry. My poor daughter was exhausted, and in tears one afternoon when they came for a visit. So, I just decided to give herbal medicine a try.

I went out into my yard and gathered whatever I had on hand that I knew would help a tummy ache. I picked peppermint, lemonbalm, chamomile flower buds, catnip, and a few spearmint leaves. I had some fennel seeds I’d harvested, and ground about 1 teaspoon with a mortar and pestle. I brought about 3 cups of water to a boil, then removed from the heat. Threw in the leaves (tore them to help release more “medicine”) and fennel seeds and a bag of ginger root tea I had on hand, and let it seep about 10 minutes. Then I strained it and gave a cup to my daughter to drink. About 20 minutes later she nursed her baby (who had been fussy this whole time with that nasty tummy ache). My thought was that mother nature could give baby the correct dose via mommy’s milk. She was asleep within minutes–and slept soundly for over 4 hours. Gave my daughter a chance to sleep too, but I was terrified I’d killed my brand new little granddaughter.

The good news is–she awoke happy and pleasant, with not a hint of tummy ache (and so did my daughter!) I sent the extra pint of tea home with them. She took some each evening for the next two nights, and everyone slept well. Runs in my mind she requested another pint a week or so later, but that was it. I’ve used this formula on all the grandkids when requested. So far its worked every time–and everyone does well.

If you want a specific formula–I’ll give you the ratios I used. (I really just picked a stem or two of a plant. If you need a measurement–maybe 1 Tablespoon of fresh plant material= 1 part) I like to use fresh if possible. Dried can be used as well, but I’d use only a teaspoon=1 part instead. It definitely isn’t an exact science.

1 part peppermint leaves

1 part lemon-balm leaves

1 part chamomile flower buds

2 parts catnip leaves(probably why they sleep so good)

1/4 part spearmint leaves

1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds

1 bag ginger tea–or 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger–or 3 slices fresh ginger

3 cups boiling water.

Pour boiling water over herbs and cover for at least ten minutes. Strain. Give one cup to mommy now–and save the rest for later.

P.S. Sometimes with newborns–the birthing process was traumatic enough that it can cause compression on the vagal nerve via the cranial bones. If this tea doesn’t help with basic colic, look for a reputable cranio-sacral therapist that knows how to work with babies. Just one more idea for the tool box.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Great stuff Comfrey. Thank-you for the post.

The whole mint family seems to like helping colicky little ones (or big ones for that matter).

I’m glad to know that giving the herbs to mom worked for the baby. I’ve always just made a tea (of similar herbs) and given it to the baby. I’ve alway meant to try giving it to mom to see if it would pass the blood/milk barrier and get to the kid but never got around to trying it. Glad to hear it did.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[LuAnn StockingStudent]

Thank you for sharing this formula. Nice to have a choice rather than just being frustrated. I know I cannot change the past, but i wish I had known this a long time ago for my children. Nice of you to make a difference in the world.

[IdahoHerbalist]

A Home Grown Herbalist that has come to roost! Thanks for sharing.

[Author]

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