For more than 150 years, the troubled tummies of infant children have been treated with a medicine known as gripe water. Popular among parents and nannies, this treatment is frequently used to treat colic, a disturbing disorder that can cause babies to cry uncontrollably due to the pain it causes. Originating in England, gripe water is now available internationally from a number of manufacturers with a variety of formulations.
Beginnings
In the mid-1800s, William Woodward operated a pharmacy in the town of Nottingham, England. He became widely known as a successful purveyor of remedies for a variety of ailments. In the 1840s, an outbreak of malaria in an area called the Fens inspired Woodward to create a medication based on a formula that local doctors were using to treat the disease. These doctors had noted that the formula was also effective in soothing babies with gastrointestinal distress.
Early History
In 1851, Woodward formulated his medication, which he called "gripe water." The name is probably derived from the 19th century term "watery gripes" used to describe gastroenteritis. Woodward sold his product by the ounce to the public and also by the gallon to doctors and hospitals. In 1876, Woodward registered the name gripe water as an official trademark.
Product Growth
While gripe water was advertised, its popularity largely spread by word-of-mouth, eventually reaching an international market. Nannies, in particular, found the medication to be effective in soothing infants with colic and other gastrointestinal troubles and shared this information widely with other members of their profession, as well as parents. Woodward's son eventually sold the company in 1926. It is now held by Seton Scholl London International and Woodward's Gripe Water is manufactured around the world.
Modern Use
Today, several different brands of gripe water exist, each with its own formulations. These products include Wellement's Organic Gripe Water, Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, Colic-Ease Gripe Water as well as Woodward's Gripe Water. The product is now typically used for its original purpose of settling tummy upsets and gas, as well as for teething and hiccups. Due to the influence of various regulatory organizations, the formulation varies from country to country. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration regulates the manufacture and import of gripe water in the United States.
Ingredients
Woodward's original formulation included sodium bicarbonate, dill oil, 3.6 percent alcohol, sugar and water. Many gripe water formulations have removed the sugar and alcohol. Today, gripe water may include sodium bicarbonate to reduce the acidity of the stomach, ginger, chamomile, fennel, caraway, dill, peppermint, clove oil, blackthorn or cardamom. These herbal ingredients are used to relieve the indigestion, cramping and flatulence associated with gastrointestinal distress.
