Definition

Spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accompanied by pain. Usually refers to the colon, but can be biliary (associated with gallstones), infantile, intestinal (may occur throughout the abdomen), lead poisoning, menstrual, renal (pain in the kidney region), uterine (menstrual cramps). Here we will deal with the infantile only. Babies between birth and one year of age may be prone to colic.
Back to Top

Causes

In infants; eating too rapidly, excessive air swallowing, indigestion, improper food, constipation.
Back to Top

Symptoms

Sudden loud crying spells, pulling knees up on the stomach, red face, distended stomach, clenched fists.
Back to Top

Treatment

Warm catnip tea given in a bottle, and also a catnip tea enema may be beneficial. Sometimes the colic may be avoided if the crying spells come at regular intervals or it can be predicted (after eating, etc.). A very warm bath given an hour before the colic pains start, may prevent an episode. Training the baby to eat more slowly or not allowing the baby to become too hungry, may help in the long run.
Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
Back to Top

Herbs

• Angelica
• Anise seed
• Arsesmart
• Asafetida
• Ash, prickly
• Balm
• Balm, leon
• Barberry
• Bee-balm
• Bergamot, wild
• Blazing-star, rough
• Blue cohosh
• Buck bean
• Buckthorn bark
• Bunchberry
• Celery seeds
• Capsicum
• Carrot, wild
• Castor bean
• Catnip
• Chamomile, wild
• Colic-root (stargrass)
• Colombo root
• Dill
• Dragon root
• Fennel seeds
• Feverfew
• Flag, sweet
• Fringe tree
• Ginseng
• Gumweed
• Horseredish
• Indigo, cream wild
• Jambul
• Mint, wild
• Mugwort
• Mullein
• Nutmeg
• Onion
• Pennyroyal
• Peppermint
• Pine, longleaf
• Pineapple-weed
• Pleurisy root
• St. Andrew's cross
• Shepherd's purse
• Spicebush
• Squaw weed
• Star grass
• Stoneroot
• Thyme
• Valerian, fragrant
• Walnut, black
• Wintergreen
• Yam, wild

Suggestions

One source recommends a mixture for the colic, (not given if for adults or for children and infants). Camomile, balm, fragrant valerian, and buck bean mixed in equal parts. Steep 1 tbsp. in 1 cup boiling-hot water for 10 minutes. Drink warm.
Back to Top

Bibliography

• Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; pgs., 237, 307.
• The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs., 174-175.
• Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pgs., 140, 176.
• The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, pgs., 18, 59.
• Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., pgs., 12, 32, 36, 60, 68, 70, 84, 92, 110, 116, 122, 124, 140, 162, 186, 196, 204, 208, 220, 226, 244, 252, 260, 276, 286.
• Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 9, 14, 19, 25, 53, 54, 56, 68, 70, 80, 81, 95, 97, 105, 112, 120, 125, 130, 146, 157, 159, 180, 201, 203, 205, 215, 223, 242, 249, 261, 263, 274, 275, 276, 283, 294, 299, 301, 302, 308.
• Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 157, 168, 252, 258, 342, 346, 364, 367, 377, 383.
• The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 111, 117, 137, 150, 155, 159, 186.
• The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pg., 142.
• The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 464-465.

Back to Top