Does your little one fail to fall asleep or experience restless, troubled sleep interrupted by crying? He suffers from colic, unfortunately very common in newborns? Orange blossom can be of great help to you. Known for its many virtues, its sweet taste and its delicate fragrance, it is an excellent natural remedy to soothe babies, as well as adults.
Its scent immediately evokes summer as well as freshness, well-being, relaxation as well as gluttony. Present in fragrances, home fragrances, cosmetics as well as in pastries, Orange Blossom has a thousand and one facets and it is rare that its delicate scent and aroma are not appreciated. But did you know that it is its soothing virtues that also make its success were also effective on babies and more particularly on colic?
It is indeed one of the natural remedies to calm children suffering from these painful spasms which can disturb their sleep as well as their days. Directly mixed with the milk in the bottle, it helps to find a peaceful rest. Be careful, however, orange blossom should not be administered in any way and in any form.
Where does orange blossom come from?
Orange blossom water is not produced from orange trees whose fruits we savor but from sour orange (Citrus aurantium), a cousin from South East Asia who made his way to the Mediterranean during the Crusades. If its fruit, bigarade, also called bitter orange, is not, as its suggests, a feast for the taste buds, its flowers are a pure delight for our nostrils and have been used for centuries in perfumery and in the kitchen. We get either a hydrosol, an absolute, or an essential oil, the famous essence of Neroli.
Hydrosol, orange blossom floral water or orange blossom essential oil: what’s the difference?
Floral water and essential oil are the 2 most common forms in the trade of processed orange blossom, like many plants. The first is a co-product of the second. Indeed, the hydrosol is obtained by hydrodistillation (steam) of the fresh flowers of sour orange during the production of the essence of Neroli but it is much less concentrated than the latter. It is therefore easier and safer to consume, by babies as well as adults, in particular as a natural remedy for stress and nervousness, to facilitate sleep and relieve certain pains (abdominal, menstrual, etc.).
Be careful, however, some hydrosols are only intended for cosmetic use (especially to soothe sensitive skin) and should not be ingested. In addition, the use of essential oils in pregnant women and children is strongly discouraged. If you want to consume essential oils, ask your doctor or pediatrician for advice.
How and when to give baby orange blossom?
The dosage for Neroli hydrosol varies according to age. For children under 2 years of age and internal cures (bottle, food), daily consumption is limited to half a teaspoon. After this age, the amount can increase up to a teaspoon per day. But as with any treatment, whether natural, homeopathic or chemical, it is preferable to seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist who will be able to give a more precise dosage and advise a suitable mode of administration.
Floral water as a remedy to relieve colic – It is very common for newborns to suffer from colic. These particularly painful attacks are caused by spasms of the intestine and usually occur in the late afternoon or evening, after a feed or a bottle, when the baby is lying down again and the digestive system starts working. They result in violent crying which often leaves parents distraught because they are very sudden, unexplained and very difficult to calm.
Against colic, orange blossom water can play a very beneficial role. A few drops of hydrosol (about half a teaspoon) in baby’s bottle, or in his food if he is old enough, are enough to work effectively. Although it does impart a certain taste to milk, it generally does not make it difficult to drink. This remedy will help your baby and his system to relax and avoid these famous spasms. It is sometimes associated with chamomile water, also known for its calming properties.
Orange blossom to soothe baby at night – Because of exhausting colic but also because coming into the world is not easy, growth and development can take a lot of effort and adapting to its environment takes time, infants often have a sleep. difficult and restless. Sometimes it takes them months to find a rhythm and sleep through the night.
Here again, Neroli floral water acts as a very effective natural remedy. As a drink, mixed with the milk from the last bottle of the day, it can also be diluted in the baby’s bath in the early evening. The plant will act on his nervous system and help him relax for a more peaceful night (and you too can enjoy its sunny scent).
Other ways to use this remedy to calm baby
Orange blossom hydrosol is mainly consumed orally, its taste being particularly appreciable and appreciated, but this is not the only way to benefit from its virtues. As we have seen, in bath water, it diffuses pleasantly in the air and on the skin. The floral water can also be misted directly in the bed, on the sheets, the pillows, the possible comforters or even the pajamas for a serene night. However, limit this application to one or two strategic places, so that the perfume remains discreet but effective, and do it 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime baby, so that the sprayed fabrics have time to dry.
To fill the ambient air with the scent of orange blossom, it can be used in the form of essential oil, in a diffuser, activated when the child is not in the room. The diffuser should be placed away from the infant’s bed to prevent droplets from being projected onto the tissues and permeating them. It is also advisable to air the room for a few minutes after diffusion, to dissipate the fragrance and prevent it from being too strong.
Which hydrosol to choose for your baby? our selection
Water and orange blossom essential oil are easily found in specialized shops (organic supermarkets, herbalists) in pharmacies and drugstores. Their price varies depending on the origin of the product and the manufacturing process.
For an oral treatment, whether for an infant or an adult, it is essential to choose a floral water suitable for food use, preferably organic to avoid pesticides and additives, and distilled with spring water to more purity. Like all floral waters, orange blossom hydrosol is sensitive to heat and light, so it is advisable to store it in a sheltered location, preferably in the refrigerator, after opening. However, make sure that it is not too cold when you give it to your baby so as not to tense it up and disturb his digestion.