Teething

Effective Homeopathic Treatment for Teething

A Real Case Using Chamomilla and Cell Salts

A 9-month-old baby began teething and soon experienced a significant change in behaviour. Normally cheerful, the baby became extremely fussy and irritable as the first tooth started to emerge. Crying loudly, especially at night, the baby demanded to be held constantly and would scream when put down. One cheek red, the gums were red, swollen, and tender, and the baby chewed on anything to ease the discomfort. The baby also had loose bowels. Despite all efforts to soothe, only rocking or carrying seemed to help. The homeopath recommended Chamomilla, a well-known remedy for teething babies who are unusually irritable and difficult to comfort.

To further support the baby’s teething process, a combination of cell salts was included in the protocol. Calc Phos 6X aids in the formation of healthy teeth and bones, while Calc Carb 6X supports overall growth and development. Silica 6X is particularly beneficial in helping teeth cut through the gums, especially when teething is slow or difficult. Calc Fluor 6X strengthens the enamel and maintains the integrity of the teeth as they come in. Together, these cell salts complement the action of Chamomilla by addressing the physical aspects of teething discomfort.

Other remedies were also considered before settling on Chamomilla. Pulsatilla might have been used if the baby was clingy, needed constant attention, and had a changeable mood but was easily comforted when held. Belladonna would have been considered if the baby had flushed cheeks, a hot head, and a feverish state with a sudden onset of symptoms. Calcarea Carbonica could be helpful for babies who are slower to develop teeth, sweat excessively on the head while sleeping, and are generally chubby and slow to reach developmental milestones.

After following the protocol with Chamomilla and the cell salts, the baby became calmer, and the teething discomfort eased significantly, bringing much-needed relief to both the baby and the parents.

Personal anecdote:

My middle child was a Chamomilla teether. Unlike my other two, who were pretty hardy and didn’t experience much pain during teething, she really struggled. I noticed that during teething, all my kids had unusual bowel movements and were more susceptible to acute illnesses.

When I was studying homeopathic medicine, I asked Dr. John Miller about the constitutional differences between siblings. I shared my experience with my daughter’s teething and how, more recently, she went into a Chamomilla state of distress when she had chicken pox. It was scary. But I recognized the signs and gave her Chamomilla 200ch, and she calmed down.

What really stood out to me was how Dr. John explained the Chamomilla state. He said that kids in that state are oversensitive to pain. With a Pulsatilla child, you want to cuddle them, but with a Chamomilla child, they can be inconsolable.