My baby has acid reflux; he is 7 mnths. old. What can help his pain without giving some sort of meds?
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Answers:
The best thing for the baby is to listen to your doc, because it can get worse and cause more complications.
Have a word with your health visitor.
I would not suggest medicine, since it only treats problems and not causes,, and destroys the body. I would suggest th following.
These are some extracts from a book I am busy writing.
You can use as a tea or tincture,, I would suggest a tincture sinc it is an infant. Easier for consumption, and stronger and gets to work faster. Here is how to make it.
**Tea. Use 2 teaspoons of dried herbs in teapot, 500ml water and simmer for 5min. drink at least 3 cups a day.
**Tinctures. Use 1Lt Vodka and 240g oil. Put all in a 2Lt glass container that can seal. Leave somewhere out of sun for two weeks, turning and shaking daily. Strain through a muslin cloth into a dark bottle and label it with herbs and date. Lasts for about 18 months. Adults use 5ml 3 times a day, children and over 70 use half that and babies only a few drops.
Meadowsweet, Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula Ulmaria)
Use Arial Parts
Is a valuable remedy for most digestive problems, from heart burn and acid reflux, stomach ulcers and inflammation to loose bowel. It contains salicylic acid, a potent anti-inflammatory which is the active ingredient in aspirin. There is no danger in causing irritation to the stomach lining like when using aspirin or the other NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), but is a stomach healer. It reduces stomach acid, protects and heals the stomach lining and is gently astringent to the intestine. COMBINE with Glycyrrhiza, Matricaria, Melissa or Symphytum. Its salicylic acid contents makes it usefull for those suffering from rheumatic pains in the joints and muscles and it can help bring down a fever. COMBINE with Glycyrrhiza, Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) or Harpagophytum for rheumatism and COMBINE with Achillea, Sambucus and Nepeta Cataria (Catmint) for fevers. CULINARY: It’s still sometimes used to flavour meads and beers. OTHER: The flowers, which have an almond-like scent, and the leaves, which are also sweetly fragrant, were both used as strewing herbs in former times, and their smell was said to ‘make the heart merry and joyful and delight the senses’.
And
White Birch (Betula Alba and Species)
Use Leaves and Bark
Contains a high proportion of salicylic acid and this makes it a usefull remedy for inflammatory problems caused by arthritis, both rheumatic and osteoarthritis and for the pain of gout. Can be taken internally, applied as a poultice or massaged into the effected areas in an oil base. Also for muscular pains. COMBINES well with Glycyrrhiza or Harpagophytum for these problems. Can also be used for suppleness of mind and body. Is also a urinary antiseptic and diuretic and can be COMBINED with Arctostaphylos and Agropyron to treat urinary infections. CULINARY: Birch wine can be made from the sap that flows from the tree when the trunk is cut. Collected in Spring, like maple syrup, and fermented with yeast, honey, lemon and cloves. OTHER: Bark can be used to make paper and tannins and distilled oil are used in processing leather.
And
White Willow (Salix Alba and SPP.)
Use Bark
The bark is rich in both tannins and in salicin, which breaks down to produce salicylic acid during digestion. The tannins makes it astringent, which is usefull as a digestive tonic, but it is the action of the salicylic acid that is most important. Like its derivative drug, aspirin, salicylic acid is a valuable anti-inflammatory and painkiller. It reduces fevers, eases headaches, and helps with the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis. It is also said that willow will help make your limbs more supple and flexible. COMBINE with herbs like Harpagophytum, Glycyrrhiza and Symphytum. Salix helps to thin the blood and can be a usefull preventative for those at risk of blood clots. COMBINES well with Crataegus, Achillea, Tillia and Allium Sativum for this. OTHER: Many types of Salix are grown for its flexible young branches, produced by coppicing and pollarding. These can be bent and woven into hurdles, baskets and more. The cricket-bat willow is grown specifically for making cricket bats. CAUTION: If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, consult a doctor before taking herbs as well.
Peace be within you
DRAGON
I'd be very wary of giving anything herbal to a child without proper consultation with a herbalist who has met your baby first.
If you are interested in following the non-chemical route, I suggest going to see a herbalist, or, better still a homeopath - homeopathy has had some bad press over the years from people who think it's nothing more than a placebo, but other people (myself included) swear by it. It's been tested on bovines too, and they reacted well to the treatment - you can't trick a cow with a placebo!
More familiar are: fennel, ginger, peppermint and camomile which are all good for the digestion. Try a little cool, weak chamomile and spearmint infusion - made by Twinings and available at most supermarkets.
One of the most common forms of infant acid reflux prevention is a life style change for your baby which includes:
Small, frequent meals,
Holding the baby upright during feeding and for approximately one half hour after feeding,
Thickening formula with rice cereal, and
Modifying the child's sleeping position by elevating the head of the crib or bed. This is easy to do with an infant acid reflux pillow. For an infant too young to be placed on a pillow, simply put the pillow on top of the mattress and under the sheet, or under the mattress. Gravity will prevent the contents of the stomach from refluxing back into the esophagus.
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