Spices to Stop Thumb Sucking

If your child regularly sucks his thumb, this can become a habit. According to the Kids' Behaviour website, because thumb-sucking is often done absent-mindedly, it can be difficult to break the habit. Some tactics to stop thumb-sucking include positive reinforcement, band-aids, and pacifiers. An alternative method, however, is to dip the thumb in herbs and spices. There are a few different spices you can try to break the cycle, although each works differently on each person.

Bitter Herbs and Spices

• Using a bitter herb or spice can prevent children from letting their thumb linger in the their mouths. After a few attempts at sucking the bitter, spice-covered thumb, children may learn to dislike the action enough to stop doing it. Bitter herbs and spices that are commonly available include paprika, sage or turmeric. Dip the thumb in water and then lightly dust it with spice to prevent thumb-sucking. For best results, mix a few spices in a plastic bag, and dip the wet thumb in. Another possible bitter spice recommended by HaLife.com is liquid vanilla extract. This method is appropriate for toddlers and older thumb-suckers, but not for infants.

Hot Spices

• Like bitter herbs, hot spices will also likely create an unfavorable taste in a child's mouth. According to ScienceRay.com, children often have more sensitive taste buds, causing them to dislike hot, spicy flavors. However, hot spices are not the best idea for preventing thumb-sucking in children, as they can irritate eyes and skin. If you want to shock a child out of thumb-sucking, hot spices, though likely effective, are too dangerous. For adult thumb-suckers, however, this method can work. Fill a plastic bag with hot, dry spices, such as cayenne pepper, mustard seed powder and ginger. Dip a wet thumb in the spice mix and get ready to break the habit.

Mixture of Herbs and Spices

• Ultimately, using spices to break the unconscious pattern of thumb-sucking is designed to shock yourself, or your child, into an awareness of the habit. Therefore, it doesn't matter what combination of herbs or spices you use, as long as it tastes bad to the thumb sucker. Try mixing up flavors and strengths to constantly shock yourself into awareness. Mixing vinegar with any powdered spice can also cause extra bitterness. Try a different combination of spices each day to keep yourself or the child aware of the habit.