Is There a Gripe Water For Adults?

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Is There a Gripe Water For Adults?

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Gripe water for babies is so popular that it’s quickly become one of the most requested items at baby showers. It provides soothing relief to babies that are fussy.

It’s so effective and good for you that it leaves most adults wondering whether there is gripe water for adults.

There’s nothing to stop you from drinking some of your baby’s gripe water to see if it works, but first, you need to learn a few things to make sure that you’re picking the best option for yourself. 

What Is Gripe Water?

Gripe water is an over-the-counter liquid that is typically marketed for babies. It contains sodium bicarbonate and herbs. The herbs are included in the formula tend to vary based on the brand, and on the particular formula.

Common herbs that are found in gripe water include: 

• Dill
• Lemon
• Ginger
• Fennel
• Peppermint
• Chamomile

You might come across other herbs as well. The herbs that are used are herbs that are known for their soothing properties or for calming tummy troubles, like gas and indigestion. 

What Is Sodium Bicarbonate?

Most of us know what herbs are, but sodium bicarbonate isn’t as well known unless you’ve used it before.

Sodium bicarbonate is commonly used to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. It provides relief for things like stomach upset, heartburn, and conditions like indigestion. 

This is also the active ingredient in baking soda. It’s found in a lot of foods and is considered safe for consumption. However, it’s only recommended for occasional use when you, or your baby, needs temporary relief.

It’s not recommended for use every day. If you find that you’re using gripe water around the clock, it’s time to talk to your doctor. 

Conditions That Gripe Water Can Provide Relief From

Gripe water is a common choice for stomach problems, but that’s not the only thing parents are using it for. Some also swear by these products for ailments like colic, teething, and simply when your little one can’t sleep.

Since chamomile is known for helping people sleep, it makes sense that gripe water might lull a baby to sleep too. It’s important to note that there are not a lot of studies to back this up. In fact, there are almost none.

Keep in mind that the same also applies to products like gas relief drops. Even though many parents find them effective, there’s no science to say that they are. 

Is Gripe Water Safe?

Gripe water is not regulated by the FDA, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t safe. If you’re concerned, consider asking your doctor their opinion on taking gripe water. 

If you’ve never used herbal remedies before, there is the possibility that you’ll have an adverse reaction.

Some people don’t tolerate certain herbs well, which can mean that you’ll wind up with a stomach that hurts more than it already did.

Try to only use one new ingredient at a time, and then wait to see if a reaction develops if you’re making homemade gripe water. 

Can Adults Use Baby Gripe Water?

Yes, you can. If you don’t want to look for your own personal gripe water or make your own, there’s nothing wrong with taking some infant gripe water.

However, you’ll have to contact the company to make sure that you get the dosage right. As an adult, you will need to take more than your baby does. 

Do They Make A Gripe Water For Adults?

While this gripe water isn’t specifically made for adults, or even marketed for adults, it’s the most common choice for adults that are looking for their own gripe water.

You can pick up a bottle to use for both yourself and your children. The bottle is large enough that you won’t have to drink the entire bottle for it to work, too!

(Most bottles for infants are significantly smaller because babies only need a drop or two.)

How To Make Your Own Gripe Water

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Making gripe water is just like making tea! In fact, using tea bags is the main part. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 bag chamomile tea
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 bag ginger tea
• 1 bag peppermint tea (you can omit this if you don’t care for peppermint tea. The gripe water will still be effective.)
• 1 tsp fennel
• 1 tsp dill weed
• 1 tsp honey or your preferred summer
• You’ll also need a tea strainer

Directions: 

1. Combine herbs and tea in boiling water
2. Let steep for approximately 20 minutes, or until it reaches desired taste (if you don’t prefer strong tea, steep the tea for 15 minutes instead.)
3. Remove the tea bags
4. Strain out the herbs
5. Add sweetener
6. Let cool and drink

Herbal Remedies

As you can see, making your own gripe water is the equivalent of making herbal tea. You simply utilize herbs to help find relief instead of Western medicine.

Personally, I usually make my kids herbal tea before giving them something like Pepto Bismol. Here are some of the most common herbs used for common ailments. You can add them, or omit them, from your gripe water to achieve the desired effect. 

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is known for helping people sleep better, but that’s not all it does. Chamomile can also help: 

• Relieve anxiety
• Cold symptoms
• Decrease menstrual pain
• Soothe you to sleep
• Lower your blood sugar
• Relieve stomach upset
• Prevent gas
• Treat diarrhea

This is why chamomile is often an ingredient in gripe water. However, you can also try chamomile tea by itself to see if that provides relief. 

Peppermint

Peppermint tea is known for its heavenly candy cane scent, making it a favorite for the holidays. It does have a rather strong taste, though.

If you don’t like the taste of peppermint, you more than likely won’t like this as a tea, either. If you do, give it a try to help with: 

• Upset stomach]
• Bacterial infections
• Bad breath
• Headaches
• Breathing problems
• Congestion
• Symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Ginger

This is another very common ingredient found in gripe water, and in homemade gripe water recipes. That is because ginger is known for helping with nausea. It can also provide relief from: 

• Colds
• High blood pressure
• The flu
• Arthritis pain

Keep in mind that some people have the opposite reaction to ginger. Instead of it relieving symptoms, it can cause stomach upset, heartburn, and stomach pain.

Try ginger in small amounts as an ingredient to tea instead of drinking a cup of ginger tea if you’ve never had it before. This will decrease your chances of side effects. 

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Sage

This herb isn’t seen a lot in gripe water, or even home recipes for gripe water. However, it can help ease stomach upset. It can also: 

• Improve your memory
• Assist with depression symptoms
• Soothe a sore throat
• Improve oral health
• Help you control your blood sugar
• Promotes brain health
• Gives heart health a boost

Turmeric

Turmeric comes from a root that is closely related to ginger. It can also help ease stomach upset and help treat gas. There are some claims that it can prevent cancer, but there are no studies to back up those claims.

If you do have cancer, keep in mind that this herb can interfere with chemotherapy. Other benefits of drinking turmeric tea include: 

• Boosts your immune system
• Relief from irritable bowel syndrome
• Reduces symptoms associated with arthritis
• Prevents Alzheimer’s

Lavender Tea

Lavender tea can help relieve symptoms of stomach upset that are due to indigestion and gas. It’s also known to help with inflammation, which can reduce stomach cramping. Lavender tea has a wealth of other benefits, such as: 

• Natural pain reliever
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Gas
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety

This is such an effective tea for pain relief, that I give it to my son for his migraines. He hasn’t had prescription pain medication in years because lavender soothes the pain enough that he simply hasn’t needed anything more.

He’s taken maybe two Ibuprofen in a total of three years. Keep in mind that I’m not a doctor, but I think that says something. 

Consult Your Physician Before Using Herbal Remedies

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If you have a medical condition, or currently take any medicines, it’s important to consult your doctor before trying herbal remedies.

Certain herbs can make Western medicine less effective. For example, if you drink turmeric tea because it can help cancer, yet are also undergoing chemotherapy treatments, the tea can affect the chemotherapy.

Certain herbs that are known to lower blood pressure are great if you have high blood pressure.

However, if you’re already taking medicine for high blood pressure it can make your blood pressure dangerously low. This is why it’s important to speak with your doctor first. 

In Conclusion

Although there are no products that are specifically labeled as adult gripe water, you can use any gripe water.

Infant gripe water is typically sold in smaller quantities and with an eyedropper. Making your own gripe water using herbs that are specific to your ailments is another great option.