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About Homeopathy

About Gemmotherapy

Teething can be a challenging milestone for little ones, but there are gentle, natural ways to support their bodies and ease the discomfort. Here’s an overview.

Important Notes For Mom

Even though teething can feel stressful and urgent, it is not inappropriate. Teething is a normal, necessary, and even beneficial process that requires thoughtful support and care rather than panic and reactivity. Here you'll find the direction and confidence you need to holistically support your little one during this challenging time! By avoiding tylenol and ibuprofen, kids build resiliency and develop the ability to react to pain in a balanced way. For many babies, this is their first experience with discomfort and pain, and our ability to support them through it rather than just suppressing is an important aspect of helping them to develop lifelong skills to cope with discomfort. Each child is unique. Most often, kids who experience reflux, food sensitivities and slow growth will be more challenging teethers, so we're providing you with all the information needed, no matter what kind of teether you have.

Does Teething Cause Fevers or Illness?

Not directly, but there is a connection. Teething can cause a susceptibility in the child’s system, making it easier for them to get sick. Why? Well, teething is a huge process often involving inflammation and takes a lot of the body’s energy. This leaves less energy for immune system function - leaving the child susceptible to fevers, coughs, colds, etc. 

Order of operations for Teething

Avoid routine use of pain medication.

  • How It Helps: Ferrum Phos is excellent for reducing inflammation, pain, and redness associated with teething. It gently supports the body’s natural healing processes and helps manage mild fevers or irritability often linked to teething.

Usage Tip: Dissolve 1–2 pellets directly in the baby’s mouth for quick absorption. For younger infants, dissolve the pellets in a small amount of breastmilk or water and administer with a dropper.

  • How It Helps: Frozen celery acts as a natural teether. The cool temperature soothes inflamed gums, while the fibrous texture provides gentle pressure that can ease discomfort.

Additional Benefits: Celery contains anti-inflammatory compounds and vitamins, which can further support oral health and reduce swelling.

  • How It Helps: A frozen washcloth is an easy and safe teething aid. The cold helps numb sore gums, while the soft texture is satisfying for chewing.

Usage Tip: Wet a clean washcloth, twist it slightly, and freeze. You can add chamomile tea to the cloth for additional calming effects.

  • How It Helps: Vanilla extract has soothing and calming properties. Its mild anesthetic effect can help reduce pain when rubbed directly onto the gums.
  • Additional Benefits: The scent of vanilla has been shown to have a calming effect on babies, helping them relax during teething episodes.

Usage Tip: Use alcohol-free vanilla extract for a gentler option.

  • How It Helps: Fresh ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Rubbing a slice of ginger on the gums can reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

Additional Benefits: Ginger is antimicrobial, which may help keep the gums clean and reduce the risk of infection during the teething process.

  • How It Helps: Clove is a natural analgesic and can significantly reduce pain. It also has antibacterial properties that keep gums clean.

Usage Tip: Dilute a small pinch of powdered clove in coconut oil and gently massage onto the gums. Alternatively, infuse clove in olive oil for a soothing rub.

  • How It Helps: A chamomile popsicle provides cold relief to inflamed gums while delivering the soothing benefits of chamomile.

Usage Tip: Brew a strong chamomile tea, pour it into a popsicle mold, and freeze. Offer the popsicle to the baby in short intervals.

  • How It Helps: A frozen chamomile teabag works as a natural teething aid, combining cold therapy with the anti-inflammatory benefits of chamomile.

Usage Tip: Brew a chamomile tea bag, allow it to cool, and then freeze it. Give the frozen tea bag to the baby to chew on under supervision.

Homeopathic Remedies

Chamomilla (Chamomile)

Chamomilla is one of the top remedies for teething, especially in children who are experiencing intense, unbearable pain. It is particularly useful when the child becomes irritable, restless, and inconsolable, often with difficulty being comforted. The pain associated with teething is sharp, and the child may be overly sensitive to touch, including touch to the gums or the face.

Indications:

  • Intense, unbearable pain from teething, especially in the lower gums
  • Extreme irritability and restlessness
  • Child may become inconsolable, wanting to be carried or rocked
  • Pain often worsens at night or in the late afternoon
  • One cheek may be redder than the other, with inflamed gums
  • Pain accompanied by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla is another excellent remedy for teething, particularly in children who are emotionally sensitive, gentle, and need extra comfort. Unlike Chamomilla, Pulsatilla is better suited for children who are whiny, clingy, and want to be held and comforted during teething. The pain is often associated with a sense of fullness or pressure in the mouth, and the child may have soft, swollen gums.

Indications:

  • Mild, whiny demeanor, with a desire to be held or comforted
  • Teething pain with a feeling of fullness or pressure in the gums
  • Pain often worsens in the evening or when the child is tired
  • Soft, swollen gums, with a desire to chew on toys or fingers
  • A tendency to be weepy, sad, or emotionally sensitive
  • Occasional mild gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea

Belladonna

Belladonna is an ideal remedy for teething when the pain is sudden, sharp, and accompanied by intense inflammation. It is effective for children who experience throbbing pain in the gums, along with redness and swelling. Belladonna is also indicated when there is fever, flushed skin, and restlessness. The pain often worsens with touch or movement, and the child may become highly irritable or difficult to soothe.

Indications:

  • Sudden, sharp teething pain with throbbing or pulsing discomfort
  • Red, inflamed gums with swelling
  • Fever, flushed skin, and irritability
  • Pain worsens with touch or movement
  • Thirsty but may refuse fluids
  • Restlessness and difficulty being comforted

Dosing In Homeopathy

Homeopathic dosing varies by potency and condition—acute issues need frequent doses, while chronic conditions require less frequent dosing. Stop or reduce dosing as symptoms improve, and reassess the remedy if no progress occurs. Always consult a practitioner for severe or persistent cases.

    • 30C – Mild to moderate symptoms.
    • 200C – Severe or intense symptoms.

    • Dose every 15 minutes to a few hours based on symptom severity and urgency.
    • Faster-onset conditions typically respond faster to remedies. Example: for a Belladonna fever with teething (intense), you would give a dose every 15 minutes for 2-3 doses and expect good improvement. For a Pulsatilla situation (more mild), you would give a dose 3-4 times per day and expect improvement in that timeframe.

    • 2–3 pellets dissolved under the tongue or in water.

    • Improvement: Reduce frequency or stop if 90% better.
    • No improvement after a few doses: Reassess remedy choice.

  • Until 80-90% better

    • Don’t touch the pellets. 
    • The remedy is coated on the outside, so dispense into a spoon or the vial lid and put directly into mouth or water if dissolving.
    •  Don’t eat or drink for 5-10 minutes on either side of taking a remedy. 
    • Don’t mix remedies with food or breastmilk.

  • Consult a homeopath if unsure about remedy selection or dosing.

Cell Salts

  • Calcarea phosphorica is a key cell salt for supporting healthy bone and teeth development. It is especially useful for children who are teething slowly or have delayed teething. This remedy helps strengthen the teeth and bones, promoting healthy tooth eruption.

    Indications:

    • Delayed or difficult teething
    • Slow or weak tooth eruption
    • Teething with tenderness in the gums
    • Child may be prone to bone or joint issues
    • Symptoms worsen from cold air or touch
    • Tendency to be more sluggish or slow to develop physically

  • Magnesia phosphorica is known as the “homeopathic muscle relaxant” and is particularly useful when teething pain or teething-related colic is cramp-like, sharp, or spasmodic. It helps ease the pain and provides relief from the tension in the gums, which can be especially helpful for children who experience a lot of discomfort during teething.

    Indications:

    • Sharp, cramp-like, or spasmodic pain in the gums or tummy
    • Pain that is relieved by warmth or pressure
    • Teething pain that comes in waves or is intermittent
    • Child may appear restless or irritable
    • Teething accompanied by colic or digestive discomfort
    • Pain that worsens with cold or touch

  • Kali Muraticum is a cell salt that helps reduce inflammation and congestion. It benefits children who experience thick, white or yellowish discharge from the nose while teething. It helps to alleviate the swelling and helps to promote the natural process of tooth eruption.

    Indications:

    • Thick, white or yellowish discharge from the nose
    • Swelling and inflammation around the teeth or gums
    • Teething accompanied by mucus or congestion
    • Child may appear sluggish or have a weak immune system
    • Pain may be relieved by warmth

  • Natrum muriaticum is useful for children who are emotionally sensitive during teething. It can help balance emotional symptoms such as irritability, sadness, and a tendency to withdraw or be quiet. This remedy is also helpful for children who experience a lot of dryness in the mouth or lips during teething.

    Indications:

    • Emotional irritability, sadness, or withdrawal during teething
    • Dryness in the mouth or lips
    • Teething pain that is aggravated by emotions
    • The child may be prone to dehydration or mouth dryness
    • Symptoms that worsen in hot weather or after exertion

  • Silicea is often used to help promote the proper formation and eruption of teeth, particularly in children who have difficulty with teething or experience tooth infections. It supports the body in breaking through any obstructions in the gums and helps the teeth to come through more easily.

    Indications:

    • Difficulty with teething or slow eruption
    • Children who experience tooth infections or abscesses
    • Teeth that are prone to becoming brittle or weak
    • Swelling and irritation of the gums
    • Child may feel chilly and sensitive to cold air or touch

  • Calcarea Fluorica is used to help strengthen the teeth and bones, particularly when teething is causing excessive irritation or discomfort in the gums. This remedy is beneficial for children who have weak, poorly formed teeth and can help to support overall dental health as the teeth erupt.

    Indications:

    • Weak, brittle teeth that are slow to come through
    • Excessive sensitivity in the gums during teething
    • Tendency for teeth to decay easily
    • Swollen or sensitive gums with slow tooth eruption
    • Symptoms worsen with cold or pressure

  • Ferrum Phosphoricum is useful for supporting the body during the early stages of teething, particularly when there is mild inflammation or swelling of the gums. It helps to support the immune system and can reduce the fever or redness that often accompanies teething.

    Indications:

    • Mild swelling or inflammation of the gums
    • Early stages of teething with fever or redness
    • Child may feel warm, flushed, or tired
    • General fatigue or weakness during teething

Dosing For Cell Salts

Cell salt dosing is typically more broad than with homeopathic remedies. Because cell salts offer a more general support, they can be taken more frequently, and multiple can be taken at one time. They can also be taken with homeopathic remedies, allowing 10 minutes in between remedies and cell salts.

  • 6X is our typical cell salt potency

    • Dose every 4–6 hours for moderate symptoms.
    • Acute or urgent conditions may require doses every 1–2 hours.

  • 1–2 tablets, dissolved under the tongue or in water. Cell salts may be taken with food or breastmilk.

    For acute issues, doses may need to be taken more frequently (3-4x per day), while for chronic conditions, less frequent dosing (2x per day) is typically sufficient. Adjust dosing as symptoms improve, and consult a practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.

    • Improvement: Reduce frequency or stop if 80-90% better.
    • No improvement: Reassess the choice of cell salt or consult a practitioner.

  • Continue until significant improvement is noted (80–90% better).

  • Consult a homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist or you are unsure about dosing or cell salt choice.

Order Remedies & Cell Salts

Herbs to Support Teething Symptoms

  • Subluna Clove and Chamomile Teething & Colic Drops

    • How It Helps: Combines clove for natural pain relief and chamomile to calm teething pain and digestive discomfort, including colic and gas. Clove & Chamomile is safe, gentle, and made with organic, non-GMO vegetable glycerine.

    Usage Tip: Apply a few drops to gums for teething or give orally for colic relief. Use every 2–3 hours as needed.

    code: joywell

  • Rowe Casa Teething Oil

    • How It Helps: Rowe Casa’s teething oil combines soothing and anti-inflammatory herbal ingredients to provide targeted relief for tender gums. Its gentle formula is designed to ease pain and reduce inflammation without harmful additives

    Usage Tip: Massage a few drops of the oil directly into the baby’s gums or on the teeth as needed. Apply 2–3 times daily, or more frequently during intense teething episodes, for continuous comfort

    code: holisticmother

  • Earthley Teeth Tamer

    • How It Helps: This tincture is formulated with gentle, natural herbs like chamomile and catnip to ease pain and reduce inflammation in the gums. Chamomile provides calming and anti-inflammatory benefits, while catnip helps soothe irritability often associated with teething.

    Usage Tip: Rub a few drops of the tincture directly onto the baby’s gums or teeth as needed for immediate relief. Repeat application every few hours, especially during periods of heightened discomfort.

    code: holisticmother

Gemmotherapy Support

  • How It Helps

    Ficus, derived from fig tree buds, is a gentle yet effective gemmotherapy remedy that supports multiple systems in the body. It helps calm the nervous system, making it beneficial for soothing teething-related fussiness and irritability. Additionally, it balances the gastrointestinal system, which can be particularly helpful for babies and young children experiencing digestive upset during teething or illness.

  • Benefits

    Supports the nervous system, promoting calmness and reducing irritability. Balances the GI system, alleviating digestive discomfort that can sometimes accompany teething or stress. Safe for all ages, making it suitable for acute use in infants and young children.

  • Usage:

    Under 6 months: 1 drop before each feed. 6–12 months: 2 drops before feeds or meals. 3–5 years: 3–5 drops, 3 times per day. Administer directly into the mouth or dilute in a small amount of water or breastmilk as needed.

At-Home Remedies

Chamomile & Breast Milk Popsicles

  • Brew organic chamomile tea (or leave as is ).
  • Mix with breast milk or leave as is.
  • Freeze in infant- safe popsicle molds.

Benefits : Calming, supports digestion, and promotes better sleep.

Frozen Silicone Bottle

  • Fill a silicone baby bottle with water and freeze it upside down.

Benefits : Provides soothing relief for sore gums as babies chew the frozen nipple.

Chamomile Gummies

  • Ingredients :
  • 2 chamomile tea bags
  • 1 ginger tea bag or a quarter-sized loose tea
  • 1 piece of fresh ginger
  • 3-4 tbsp gelatin
  • 1/3 cup sweetener (optional)
  • 1-2 lemons (optional)
  • 2 cups water
  • Directions :
  • Boil 1 cup of water and steep the tea for 10 minutes (add fresh ginger if desired).
  • In a separate bowl, mix gelatin with 1 cup of cold water, allowing it to thicken.
  • Remove tea bags, add the steeped tea to the gelatin, and stir until smooth.
  • Add sweetener and lemon (optional).
  • Pour into a pan or molds, refrigerate for one hour until firm, and
    cut into strips.

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Managing Common Co-Symptoms of Teething

Teething can bring along several co-symptoms that, while temporary, may cause discomfort for babies and toddlers. Below is a holistic guide to understanding and addressing these symptoms with natural remedies and products.

Common Co-Symptoms & Protocol

  • Fever

    Description: Low-grade fevers are common during teething and typically not a cause for concern. These fevers should not persist beyond the teething process. Support Tip: Monitor the baby’s temperature closely and provide comfort through hydration, light clothing, and rest. Choose a homeopathic remedy to support and give Ferrum phos 6x as indicated above.

  • Diarrhea and Rash

    Description: Excess drooling can lead to facial rash, while acidic stools may cause diaper rash. Prevention Tip: Keep the skin clean and dry, wiping the face gently throughout the day and changing diapers frequently. Use a protective salve or balm to prevent irritation.

  • Eczema

    Description: Children with sensitivities may experience eczema flare-ups during teething due to increased stress or immune response. Support Tip: Use natural, soothing topical remedies to reduce irritation and inflammation.

Herbs to Support Sleep Symptoms

  • Birthsong Botanicals: Children’s Tranquility

    • How It Helps: Supports emotional balance, eases fussiness, and reduces teething-related inflammation.

    Usage Tip: Give as directed during heightened teething discomfort or as part of a bedtime routine.

    Intended for ages: 6+months

    code: holisticmother

  • Wishgarden Herbs: Sleepy Nights

    • How It Helps: Calming herbs help soothe the nervous system, promoting better sleep and relaxation during teething discomfort.

    Usage Tip: Administer before naps or bedtime to help the baby settle.

    Intended for ages: 6+months

    code: holisticmother

  • Earthley Sleepy Time

    • How It Helps: This tincture is formulated with gentle, natural herbs like chamomile and catnip to ease pain and reduce inflammation in the gums. Chamomile provides calming and anti-inflammatory benefits, while catnip helps soothe irritability often associated with teething.

    Usage Tip: Use before naps or at bedtime for toddlers struggling with teething pain or irritability.

    Intended for ages: 1+ years

    code: holisticmother

Products to Support Skin Symptoms

  • Topical Spray or Abraisa Gel

    • How It Helps: Effective for yeast-like or mildly infected areas, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.

    Usage Tip: Spray or apply gel 2–3 times daily to problem areas.

    code: holisticmother

  • Healing Salve

    • How It Helps: A versatile salve for soothing eczema, rashes, and other skin irritations.

    Usage Tip: Apply gently to affected areas as needed.

    code: holisticmother

  • Baby Balm Herbal Salve

    • How It Helps: Provides relief for diaper rash caused by acidic stools.

    Usage Tip: Apply to the diaper area after each change to protect and heal the skin.

    code: holisticmother

  • Everything Balm

    • How It Helps: Tallow-based, nourishing skin cream for sensitive skin around the mouth and body.

    Usage Tip: Apply to the face as needed to reduce redness and irritation.

    code: holisticmother

Further Reading

Teething: Understanding The Process

Teething is not an emergency but an important milestone in your child’s development. The goal isn’t to eliminate all pain but to support the body naturally as it adapts. Each child is unique, and some may face more discomfort due to factors like reflux, food sensitivities, or slow growth. Bodywork such as CST or chiropractic care can help alleviate discomfort caused by structural issues, while natural remedies like chamomile tea, popsicles, or frozen silicone bottles can soothe sore gums.

Circadian Rhythm and Teething

Circadian rhythm plays a vital role in managing teething challenges. Difficult teethers often experience disrupted melatonin production, making restful sleep elusive. Simple changes, such as increasing exposure to natural daylight and minimizing blue light from screens in the evening, can make a significant difference. Pair these adjustments with calming rituals like warm baths with magnesium flakes or worship music to ease transitions into sleep.

What Are Other Moms Asking?

Could my baby' s lack of appetite be related to teething?

A: Yes, teething can make eating uncomfortable, especially if your baby’s gums are sore. Soft, chilled foods like pureed fruits or yogurt can be soothing and easier for them to manage. If they refuse to eat altogether, keep offering gentle encouragement and focus on hydration—it’s usually a temporary phase.

Why does my baby keep waking up at night during teething?

A: Teething pain tends to feel sharper at night when there are fewer distractions. It’s not unusual for babies to wake up more often during this stage. Comforting them with a cuddle, gentle gum massage, or cool teething toys can help ease their discomfort and settle them back to sleep.

Is it normal for my baby to have flushed cheeks while teething?

A: Flushed or rosy cheeks are a common teething symptom, caused by increased blood flow to the gums. It’s usually nothing to worry about, but if it’s accompanied by a fever or seems severe, it’s always a good idea to check with your pediatrician to rule out other causes.

Why is my baby chewing on their hands constantly?

Babies instinctively chew on their hands or anything they can grab to relieve gum discomfort. This behavior is perfectly normal during teething. You can offer a clean, safe teething toy or a chilled washcloth to give them something soothing to chew on.

Could teething make my baby more irritable than usual?

Yes, teething can make even the happiest babies a bit more cranky. The pressure and soreness in their gums can be frustrating for them. A calming routine, extra cuddles, and a little patience go a long way—this is a temporary phase, and your love is the best comfort they could ask for.

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References

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