This is the second in a two part article series about the digestive tract. This time we look at how you can treat some acute gut symptoms.

Read part 1 in this series – “is Your Gut your Problem?”

When we have gut issues it can seriously affect our overall sense of health and well being. We often use the phrases “gut instinct” or “gut reaction” and it is no coincidence as this physical powerhouse that influences so many of our body systems is at our physical core.

Below are the main homeopathic medicines used to treat the unpleasant symptoms of nausea diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. These are times of acute illness when you really want your homeopathic home medicines kit to hand!

Main nausea/vomiting and diarrhea medicines

Arsenicum

Vomiting, diarrhea with weakness or faintness. patient will be chilly and restless with usually intense nausea. Feel better for external warmth and worse for cold drinks and food. Use this first if in doubt and always in the case where food poisoning is suspected.

Bryonia

Use for acute gastroenteritis when patient is much worse for movement. They vomit immediately after eating and their abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are all worse for movement.

Ipecac

Pale face and dark rings round the eyes. Constant nausea that is unrelieved by vomiting. Children’s diarrhea may be like green grass or frothy. Thirstless with no appetite. Intestines feel ‘gripped’. Nothing gives the slightest relief.

Podophyllum

Nausea with no desire for food. Explosive and pea green diarrhea with much flatulence and offensive odour. Patient feels exhausted after passing stool. Good for diarrhea in teething babies. Patient feels better for warmth an heat but worse around 4am and when eating/drinking.

Self Help

Use rehydration sachets to ensure adequate fluid/salt balance and try and watch patient closely for signs of dehydration. Infants with severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting should be seen by a medic as dehydration can happen quickly.

Main constipation medicines

Bryonia

Dry mouth, tongue and lips. Stools hard, usually large and dry and burnt looking. Patient will be thirsty for large quantities of cold water and be irritable.

Alumina

Normal urge to stool is completely absent. Sits and strains with cold and trembling then passes a soft stool, or little balls. May be mucous covered.

Silicea

Constant but ineffectual urge to stool. Stools hard and slip back when partially expelled. Anus seems closed by muscle spasm and patient will be chilly with a head sweat.

Plumbum

Patient habitually constipated. Sharp gripping pains and straining producing a stool which is like little black balls.

Self help

It is very important to take adequate fluids and adequate fibre in the diet. Sometimes magnesium deficiency can be a factor in long term constipation.

Dosage

Give the indicated homeopathic medicine above in a 6 or 30 potency every hour for up to 10 doses. If the patient does not improve after 3 doses, check your prescription is correct.

The key signs to look for in a gut that needs some homeopathic and or naturopathic treatment are as follows:

• Chronic diarrhea
• Chronic constipation
• Undigested food in the stool
• Strong odour with stool
• Flatulence
• Floating stool
• Reflux/heartburn
• Colic or cramps

If this is the case with you or your child, make an appointment with your professional homeopath for constitutional treatment.

Happy Homeopathic home prescribing!

© Sam Adkins 2008
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This article was brought to you by Sam Adkins The Homeopathic Coachwho teaches families about healthy living and natural remedies using homeopathic medicine. An internationally renowned expert, her helpful articles are regularly syndicated online. She publishes the ezine Homeopathy@Home to provide free Homeopathic tips, tools and resources to educate and inspire you to use Homeopathy at home.www.thehomeopathiccoach.com