Introduction

Endless nights of a baby crying, fussing, and whimpering softly must be worrying to the parents and even irritating, but just imagine how much pain the baby is going through. However, not to worry, it's likely your baby is teething and just like other babies, they are developing a new set of teeth. The process of teething can be described as painful and difficult for the baby and the parent as well but with the right guidance, you can easily learn how to ease the pain from teething. 

One of the easiest approaches to relieve teething pain is by the use of natural remedies such as herbal and homeopathic remedies, they are safe to use and free from any toxic or harsh chemicals. They not only ease the pain but also help in the healthy development of the teeth. Since herbal medicines originate from plants, they have less or no side effects which are suitable for the baby. 

Now, before we dive into the various natural remedies, let’s discuss what actually happens when your baby is teething.

Understanding teething

Teething is a normal process and every child goes through this process. It involves the emergence of the teeth from the gums. Usually, the first teeth to emerge are the lower central incisors (bottom teeth) and then the upper central incisors (upper teeth).² 

Common symptoms of teething in infants

Some common signs that your baby may have started teething include:³

• Swollen red gums
• Drooling from the mouth
• The baby seems cranky and frustrated
• Fever
• Baby sucking on fingers or any soft material 

When does the baby start teething?

Babies usually start teething when they are around 6-12 months. Some babies however, also start to teethe only at the age of three months and some might not start even after 12 months. However, it's nothing to worry about as the teething process varies among babies. By the age of 3, most children have a complete set of 20 baby teeth.¹  

Herbal remedies for teething relief

Herbal remedies are the best option for relief from the pain of teething because of their harmless nature and it has the least amount of side effects. They are mostly preferred by  parents over prescription drugs. It is however noted that, if the pain is too extreme to bear, it is best advised to visit a doctor or a pharmacist for consultation. Some of the helpful herbal remedies for teething relief include:

Chamomile tea

The chamomile flowers are daisy-like flowers with white petals and a yellow circle in the middle called Matricaria chamomilla. Chamomile tea is made from this flower, which has a very soothing and pain-relieving property. You can brew a small quantity of the tea, soak a cloth in it, and place the damp cloth over the baby’s gum. The baby will find it very comforting and soothing. This process is very harmless, however, precautions must be taken for babies under 6 months as the excessive dampness of clothing can be a choking hazard.⁴

Ginger

Ginger is also a good option to relieve pain. Ginger not only enhances the flavour of food, it is in fact filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which when applied slightly to the gums for 2-3 minutes provide instant relief and soothing effect.⁵

Lemon balm

Lemon balm has calming properties so along with relieving pain, it also helps in soothing sores of the gum.⁶

Lemon balm tea can be frozen into ice cubes and a cold compress of lemon balm can be applied directly to the gum.

Frozen vegetable or fruit

Not exactly a herbal method, but it is effective regardless. The frozen vegetable or fruit can be easily chewed by the toddler, thus giving a soothing and relaxing effect immediately. It is a very easy and safe method for instant relief.⁷

Homeopathic remedies for teething

Homeopathic therapy uses natural resources such as parts of plants, animals, or microorganisms. It relies on the theory of “like treats like” where the substance causing the symptoms in the first place is administered to the person in a very small and diluted quantity. Its action is still not completely understood however, it is believed by many that the substance triggers the immune system and improves the defence mechanism.⁸ 

Homeopathic products are marketed as an alternative to allopathic products and entirely safe, but the FDA has cautioned against its use as it is not approved by the FDA. It is best advised to consult with the doctor regarding its use and dose. Some of the allopathic products commonly used are:

Calcarea phosphorica (Calcium phosphate)

It is used as an allopathic therapy for teething babies for faster and less painful teeth development and growth. It eases the pain and promotes stronger and healthier teeth growth. It is usually given in the potency of 3x or 6x. The higher potency designates a more diluted form of the allopathic substance.⁹

Aconitum napellus (Aconite)

Aconitum napellus is also an effective alternative. It is mostly given to babies when they are suffering from illness, fever, inflammation, and restlessness. It can be diluted with water and administered to the baby. It is helpful in calming the frightened babies and relaxing their nerves. The dose and frequency must be discussed with the homeopathic doctor. However, it must also be used with precaution as high doses are life threatening.¹⁰

Chamomilla

Chamomile tea is made from the plant chamomilla which is also a homeopathic medicine. If gums are extremely tender and painful, and the baby is acting very irritated and cranky, then chamomilla will be very effective in numbing the pain.¹¹ It is available as pellets which are placed under the tongue and absorbed; however, its use is avoided in babies under 6 months because of the choking hazard. It is also available in a liquid dosage form with 30c strength. 

Other natural practices

Teething toy or ring

Teething toys are a great way to ease the pain and irritation. The toys are made up of very soft and chewable material, which relaxes the baby and relieves the pressure in the gums. The toys are made up of silica or rubber which are safe to use. Wooden teething toys are also available, but they have some safety concerns so it is better to stick to the silica and rubber cells.

Massage

This is one of the easiest methods to calm the nerves of the baby. All you have to do is gently warm your hands or fingers under a hot tap water, so that when fingers come in contact with the skin of the baby it soothes them. Now gently place your warm finger or thumb at the lower chin or lower cheeks wherever the baby is teething, and gently massage that area with slow circular movements until the baby calms down. It is a very effective technique which can be performed anytime, however, you must be gentle and apply no or little force when massaging. 

This article covered the process of teething and the symptoms along with various kinds of natural remedies both herbal and homeopathic, which we can use to ease the process of teething and put an end to those long nights of babies crying and screaming, to finally getting some rest and relaxation.

Summary

Teething is a very normal process of life and every baby has to go through it for their growth. It is a difficult and painful time for the babies and parents, but this can be managed with proper care and management. Some of the symptoms of teething are drooling, red swollen gums, irritation, and short-tempered babies. Some of the helpful remedies for teething are herbal therapy which involves the use of chamomile tea, ginger, and lemon balm. All of them have proven to be effective in numbing the pain and ensuring the healthy development of the teeth. Another effective therapy includes homeopathy which is the use of calcarea phosphorica, aconitum napellus (aconite), and chamomilla. They are also a great alternative to allopathic medicine and they help in easing the pain in the gums and promote healthy and painless growth. The use of homeopathic medicine is however not approved by the FDA, so it must be used with caution as high doses can be life threatening, so it is better to discuss with the healthcare professional prior. Lastly, the easiest and safest way to ease the pain in gums is by the use of teething toys available in the market and made up of chewable rubber or silica. Massaging the chin or cheeks of the infants is also effective in soothing the pain as the pressure applied on the gums relaxes the nerves.