How To Make Gripe Water

Gripe water is a natural remedy devised in the mid-1850s in England for easing the pains and discomfort of a baby troubled by colic, gas, cramping, indigestion, hiccups and teething. Variations of this recipe existed for centuries prior to its marketing as "gripe water." The original recipe contained alcohol, dill, fennel, sodium bicarbonate and sugar. However, because of ethical issues of giving babies alcohol and the harmful affects of sodium bicarbonate on young children, most people prefer to use a more "modern baby" friendly recipe. You CAN purchase Gripe Water at most baby or drug stores, however if you're worried about quality or ingredients, it's best to make your own, and when it's this easy, why not?

Below you'll find a collection of recipes, choose the one you like best and give it a try. Some of these contain things like sugar or corn syrup, if you don't wish for your child to have such ingredients, choose a different recipe or simply skip that step. However, for young children sugar or corn syrup can be used to help combat the bitter taste. Remember, when you make your own, you can adjust amounts to fit your needs!



Gripe Water Recipe #1

1. Add 1 tsp Caraway, Fennel or Dill seed to 1Pt Water
2. Bring to boil & Simmer about 10 mins uncovered
3. Cool to Room Temp
4. Serve

Gripe Water Recipe #2

1. Place 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds in a plastic bag and seal it.
2. Beat the seeds. Use your hammer to beat the fennel seeds in the bag thoroughly. Now you have crushed fennel seeds.
3. Pour 2 pints of water into a pan and place it on the stove on high heat.
4. Boil the crushed fennel and 1 teaspoon of dill seeds for 15 minutes.
5. Take the pan off the stove and strain out the mixture.
6. Pour the resulting fluid in a bottle.
7. Allow to cool to room temperature (use refrigerator for faster cool time - but serve room temp)
8. Feed it to the baby. Shake the solution and offer up to 1/2 teaspoon whenever it suffers from digestion-related problems.

Gripe Water Recipe #3

1. Measure one tsp. whole fennel seeds and place in a small mixing bowl. (fresh fennel can be used)
2. Add 1/4 tsp. chopped fresh ginger to the fennel in the mixing bowl. (ground ginger can be used)
3. Add 1/4 tsp. chopped fresh dill to the bowl along with two fresh leaves of mint that have each been torn in half. (Dried dill and mint can be used)
4. Mix the herbs together with a mixing spoon, crushing the fennel seeds. 
5. Pour the herbs into a small saucepan.
6. Cover the herbs with four cups of water 
7. Add one tbsp. of corn syrup. (optional)
8. Bring the combination to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
9. Pour over a strainer
10. Cool to room temperature

Gripe Water Recipe #4

1. Measure out 1 or 2 tbsp. ea Crushed Fennel seeds, dill seeds, chamomile & ginger. Peppermint, Lemon Balm and Cinnamon Bark can also be added if you choose.
2. Place all ingredients in pot along with 3 cups water.
3. Bring the water to a boil and let it boil for two minutes.
4. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the gripe water simmer for 10 to 20 minutes.
5. Strain herbs from water
6. Add honey or sugar to sweeten the water if you like.
7. Cool to room temperature.

Gripe Water Recipe #5
*You will need a tea ball or cheese cloth/muslin for this method, but you can simply boil & strain if you wish as well.

1. Grind, process or crush 1tsp fennel seed, 2tsp Chamomile, 1/2 tst Peppermint, 2 tsp Ginger
2. Place ground mixture in tea-ball (or use cheese cloth or muslin to make a bag)
3. Place ball in 3c water & boil on high for 2 minutes.
4. Simmer 15-20 mins
5. Remove from heat & remove ball.
6. Stir in 2-3 tsp sugar
7. Coot to room temp

Notes for ALL Gripe Water - 

• Always serve at room temperature! 
• Store in tightly sealed container.
• Discard unused Gripe Water after 24-48 hours.
• Give in doses of 5-10 ml up to 6 times a day.
• Cheese cloth is useful for straining small particles of ground herbs or seeds