Vomiting & Diarrhoea
As we head into a change in season I am seeing more and more gastric bugs. For me personally there is nothing worse than a bout of vomiting and diarrhoea (V&D). Not only is it unpleasant whilst underway, but can leave you exhausted for days afterwards.
Homeopathy works on outwards signs (e.g., pale clammy skin, and prostration) and subjective symptoms (e.g., feeling so ill you just want to die). Irrespective of what caused the V&D bug, homeopathy should be able to stop the nastier symptoms in their tracks, and let you recover faster. Remember homeopathy is all about individualisation, so everyone in your family may have caught the same bug, but they may not have the same signs and symptoms.
When the illness starts don't eat anything for 24 hours. This will give your body the best chance of fighting the virus through your stomach acid and leaving your liver to increase your body temperature to a point at which the virus cannot survive. Do drink lots of water, adding a 12-tissue salt tablet, or an electrolyte solution to the water to replenish lots minerals. You can take the appropriate remedy below every 15 minutes for the first hour and reduce frequency with improvement. And when you do start eating again stick to simple foods, avoiding dairy, perhaps starting with a slice of dry toast.
Here are some of the top remedies for Vomiting and Diarrhoea
Arsenicum Album
This is the go-to remedy for food poisoning. Violent vomiting and diarrhoea at the same time. Constant gushes of diarrhoea, which seldom stop. Burning pains - at the rectum from diarrhoea, and in the stomach from vomiting. The patient will be very restless, but cold and clammy. Eventually they become prostrated. They are thirsty, but for small sips. Between vomiting they may get relief from small sips of hot water, and a hot water bottle of the stomach might help, but cold water is likely to be regurgitated.
Carbo Vegetabilis
Less vomiting than arsenicum album, but violent, exhausting diarrhea. The patient has a very ill, pinched look to them. Real urgency to pass the stool, which is small, brown, liquid and offensive. No restlessness, but cold and clammy, with very cold arms and legs. Air hunger is a keynote - they cannot stand being in a closed room but need fresh air. No thirst. Another good remedy for food poisoning, or from eating ice cream on a hot day. Sweat is seen on face, hands and feet.
Veratrum Album
Where you have tried Arsenicum Album, but it hasn't worked. Gushes of large quantities of fluid material, often odourless. Considerable loss of fluids. Patients are icy cold and blue in colour. Similar appearance to Carbo Veg, but drenched all over in cold sweat, and the patient is cold. There is faintness after the diarrhoea.
Lycopodium
Where oysters are the culprit of food poisoning, Lycopodium is the remedy. There will be bloating of the abdomen and burping, with no relief from vomiting. The diarrhoea is preceded by gurgling and rumbling in the stomach, and when it comes it is a violent, liquid stool. The abdominal discomfort is relieved by hot drinks. This remedy is most useful for people who normally have chronic constipation, but then they get an abdominal colic that starts with lumpy hard stools, then turn to liquid.
Pulsatilla
If the source of the poisoning is fish, then Pulsatilla is likely to be the solution. The patient will probably be a little tearful and have simultaneous vomiting and diarrhoea. Like Carbo Veg, the patient will want fresh open air. They may have constipation alternating with diarrhea, and no two stools are the same. Vomiting may come on after fruits, fats, pastry or ices. The patient will be looking for sympathy.
Nux Vomica
For patients that are irritable, and cannot stand noises, odours and light. Nausea and vomiting with lots of retching. Nausea, where the patient wants to vomit but cannot. Useful after an overindulgence of food or alcohol, rather than food poisoning. Where vomiting comes on after having been very angry. Less likely to be indicated if there is diarrhoea.
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