Ashton & Parsons Teething Powder: Uses, Safety, Dosage

Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders is one of the oldest names in UK teething remedies, but parents often have the same practical questions: how do you use it safely, what are the side effects, and can it be given alongside other medicines such as Calpol? This guide walks through the official usage guidance, the safety profile, and the practical details parents need before opening that first sachet.

Recommended age: 3 months+ ·
Pack sizes: 20 or 30 sachets ·
Primary use: Teething pain relief ·
Type: Traditional herbal medicinal product ·
Availability: Boots, Amazon, official site

What does Ashton and Parsons teething powder do?

Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders is a traditional herbal medicinal product designed specifically for teething infants. The authorised product information describes it as a remedy for sore gums, flushed cheeks, and dribbling associated with teething (Evans Pharmacy product information). It is not a general-purpose painkiller and should be used only during the teething period.

“Parents should be reassured that products licensed in the UK are not affected [by warnings on unlicensed products].”

— UK Government MHRA

How does it provide relief?

The active ingredient is 0.002ml of a tincture of Matricaria recutita (chamomile) per sachet, extracted using ethanol 70% v/v (The Independent Pharmacy). Chamomile has a long history of use in herbal medicine for soothing discomfort. The product is classified as a traditional herbal remedy, which means it is based on long-standing use rather than modern clinical trials.

What symptoms does it target?

The product targets the cluster of symptoms that commonly accompany teething in infants: sore or tender gums, flushed or rosy cheeks, and excessive dribbling. These are the symptoms the product has traditionally been used to address, and that use is reflected in its MHRA licence.

Are Ashton and Parsons teething powders safe?

Safety is the question every parent asks first, and it deserves a precise answer. The MHRA has confirmed that Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders is a UK-licensed product under Traditional Herbal Registration number THR 16853/0076, held by Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd (UK Government MHRA). Parents should be reassured that products licensed in the UK are not affected by the agency’s warnings on unlicensed homeopathic teething products.

“Of 14 licensed teething products, two contain sucrose, six contain alcohol and six contain lidocaine, all potentially harmful ingredients.”

— PubMed study on UK teething products

Age restrictions

The product is not recommended for infants under 3 months of age (Evans Pharmacy product information). For infants aged 3 months and over, the official guidance permits use according to the dosage schedule. The age limit is a firm one — there is no exceptions clause in the authorised product information.

General safety for infants

The licensed status means the MHRA has assessed the product’s quality, safety, and manufacturing standards. The key distinction to understand is the difference between MHRA-licensed products like Ashton & Parsons and unlicensed homeopathic alternatives. The MHRA warned specifically against the latter due to risks including seizures and breathing difficulties (UK Government MHRA). The licensed status of Ashton & Parsons places it in a meaningfully different category.

What are the side effects of Ashton and Parsons teething powder?

All medicines carry a potential for side effects, and traditional herbal products are no exception. The product information lists possible allergic reactions including rash, tongue sores, urticaria, contact sensitivity, and application site reactions such as tongue lesions (The Independent Pharmacy). These are the reported adverse reactions recorded since the product has been in use.

Reported side effects

The active ingredient, Matricaria recutita, may cause hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible infants, particularly those with a history of allergies or asthma (Evans Pharmacy product information). The product also contains lactose as an excipient, which means overdose — giving more than the authorised dose — causes diarrhoea (EMC official SPC). Treatment for overdose involves withdrawing the product and oral rehydration.

Precautions

The product is contraindicated in infants with known allergy to Matricaria recutita, lactose, or plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae family (which includes daisies, chrysanthemums, and marigolds). It should not be used in cases of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption (EMC official SPC). May exacerbate allergies or asthma in susceptible children.

How often can I give Ashton and Parsons teething powder?

The dosage schedule is tied to the infant’s age and is clearly specified in the authorised product information. Maximum 6 doses per 24 hours regardless of age group.

Dosage instructions

For infants aged 3–6 months, the recommended dose is half a sachet in the morning and half a sachet in the evening. For infants over 6 months, the dose increases to one full sachet morning and evening. In both age groups, additional doses may be given every 1–3 hours if the infant is particularly restless, up to the maximum of 6 doses per 24-hour period (EMC official SPC). These figures are from the authorised product information and represent the official schedule.

Frequency limits

The 6-dose ceiling exists to prevent accidental overdose, particularly from the lactose content. If symptoms persist beyond 7 days, the product information directs parents to consult a doctor (EMC official SPC). The 7-day threshold is an important limit — if an infant is still distressed after a week, teething may not be the cause and professional assessment is needed.

Can you give Calpol with Ashton and Parsons teething powder?

This is one of the most common practical questions parents ask, and the answer is reassuring: there are no known interactions between Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders and other medicines, including Calpol (EMC official SPC). NICE guidance recommends paracetamol or ibuprofen suspension for infants aged 3 months and older as an alternative approach to teething discomfort (UK Government MHRA).

Compatibility details

Calpol and Ashton & Parsons are not the same product and do not work identically. Calpol addresses pain and fever directly through paracetamol; Ashton & Parsons targets the associated symptoms of teething (sore gums, flushed cheeks, dribbling). The absence of known drug interactions means they can theoretically be used on the same day if a health professional has advised it — but self-administering both without guidance is not the recommended approach.

Timing advice

If using both products, spacing the doses is sensible. Parents should always consult their health visitor or GP before combining treatments. The official position from NICE is clear: paracetamol or ibuprofen, used according to instructions, can be considered for infants 3 months of age or older — but that is guidance from a health authority, not a direct instruction to use it in every case (UK Government MHRA).

Ashton and Parsons vs other teething remedies

Understanding how Ashton & Parsons compares to the alternatives helps parents make an informed choice without the pressure of a shelf-full of options.

The implication: parents prioritising regulatory certainty should note that Ashton & Parsons holds a licence that many competitors lack, and its avoidance of lidocaine and alcohol places it in a comparatively favourable position within the licensed product landscape.

Ashton and Parsons teething powder: pros and cons

A clear-eyed look at what the product offers and where it falls short helps parents weigh it against the alternatives.

Related reading: Why Is Melatonin Banned in the UK? Full Regulations Guide · How to Stop Whooping Cough at Night – Tips for Better Sleep

Since most infants teething timeline and signs between four and seven months, parents can use Ashton & Parsons powder safely from three months to ease those early symptoms.

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