GHS Natural Health Blog

There is nothing on earth more precious than your baby, so this article shares with you some effective, natural solutions for common baby ailments.

The beauty of holistic medicine is you can treat a variety of common conditions in babies without having to worry about side effects of questionable chemicals.

Colic

Colic is often the first form of discomfort a baby experiences, and in some ways it can be just as distressing for the parents! Several safe and effective remedies can be given to babies to help reduce the telltale symptoms of persistent crying, wind, hardening of the belly and straining to bend backwards. These include the herb fennel, and the homoeopathic remedies Chamomilla, Conchae, and Tabacum – a combination that naturally relaxes griping and abdominal tension, and which is easily administered in a powdered form. Powdered products free from alcohol, colours and flavourings are best.

Teething

Teething affects many (but not all) babies at six to eight months of age. No matter how old your baby is homoeopathic remedies can safely and naturally ease sore swollen gums and other symptoms, including disturbed sleep and rashes on the chin, cheeks and nappy area. A fast and effective formula can include Chamomilla (the homoeopathic form of the well known calming herbal medicine chamomile) and Conchae to sooth teething problems.

Nappy rash

Many babies experience worse nappy rash during teething due to increased acidity in their stools, but dietary causes can also worsen symptoms (for example, eating large quantities of stone fruit or other acidic foods). It is vital to address nappy rash quickly, as blisters and ulcers can easily form, escalating the level of pain and distress. To relieve itching and pain, and encourage healing, it is recommended to use creams with gentle healing herbs such as calendula, chamomile, aloe vera and lavender oil.

Handy hints – tried and tested!

• Gentle abdominal massage using chamomile-enriched calendula oil can help a colicky baby settle. Always use a smooth, circular action, working upwards from baby’s right hip (on your left as you face the baby).
• If you’re breastfeeding, avoid eating known colic triggers (such as dairy foods, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, fish, artificial preservatives, additives and colourings). You may also find a nursing tea useful to support healthy breast milk production and to reduce flatulence, indigestion and wind.
• Teething babies dribble more, and their drool is more acidic than normal. That means it can be irritating to the skin it comes into contact with – often the chin or cheeks. A natural protection cream with a deeply emulsifying formula can act as a breathable barrier over reddened or angry skin, allowing it to heal naturally.
• Avoid using talcum powder, creams and lotions containing synthetic ingredients – especially around the delicate nappy region. Synthetic clothing can also contribute to skin problems, so choose natural fibres that allow baby’s skin to breathe.

For centuries, people have enhanced their foods with various flavorings, preservatives, and dyes. But some ingredients on today’s food labels can be downright scary. Few foods reach today’s supermarkets free of additives – substances that do not occur naturally in a food but are added for various reasons. These include preservatives to prevent spoilage; emulsifiers to prevent water and fat from separating; thickeners; vitamins and minerals (either to replace nutrients lost in processing or to increase nutritional value); sweeteners (both natural and artificial), salt, flavorings to improve taste; and dyes to make everything from candies to soft drinks more visually appealing.

In all, North American food processors may use any of about 2,800 additives. Although many people question the safety of these additives, the fact is that their use is governed by stringent regulations. Authorities require extensive studies before an additive is allowed on the market. In spite of this, rare reactions to certain additives are possible. The appropriate use of additives, though, allows us to enjoy history’s safest and most abundant assortment of foods.

Some 10,000 substances make their way into food during growing, processing, and packaging; some of these accidental additives can pose more of a health threat than preservatives and other direct additives. Some foods, for example, contain traces of pesticides sprayed on crops or applied to the soil. Environmental pollutants in foods, such as PCBs, mercury, and lead, are harmful when ingested in large quantities.

Sometimes allergic reactions that are blamed on foods or intentional additives are actually triggered by an unintended one. For example, a person who has never had a food allergy may inexplicably develop a rash after drinking milk. The resulting small amounts of penicillin in the milk would not be harmful for most people, only to those who are allergic to the drug.

Reference: John A. Robert