Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Nausea and vomiting

The following are some of the homeopathic remedies that are used for the management of nausea and vomiting:

• Antimonium Crudum
  Common Name: Black sulphide of antimony
  Symptoms: Antimonium crudum is a common prescription in gastric conditions. A typical individual prescribed with this remedy is generally irritated and has a thick white coating on their tongue. They show some of the following symptoms:
  • Nausea with heartburn
  • Craving for sour foods like pickles and acidic drinks
  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased thirst
  • Constant burping 
  • Sweet-tasting waterbrash
  • Bloating after meals
  • Burps that taste of food 

The condition of the individual gets worse with the consumption of sour or acidic foods and wine and during the evening. The patient feels better while resting or spending time in open air. 

• Argentum Nitricum
  Common Name: Nitrate of silver
  Symptoms: This remedy is suited to individuals who have an increased craving for sweets and are unable to tolerate heat. It helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Vomit with shiny mucus
  • Nausea
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Passing of gas
  • Pain radiating to the whole abdomen

Symptoms worsen at night, with consumption of sweets, and with warm applications and they get better in cold weather and in fresh air.  

• Arsenicum Album
  Common Name: Arsenious acid
  Symptoms: Arsenicum album is used for the management of symptoms or conditions that worsen during the night. Individuals who benefit from this remedy tend to be restless but gets exhausted with even the slightest labour. Common symptoms that can be managed with this remedy include:
  • Nausea and heartburn
  • Vomiting after eating or drinking
  • Aversion to the smell or sight of food
  • Increased thirst but drinking a lot of water results in vomiting
  • Burning pain in the abdomen
  • Blood in vomit
  • Presence of green mucus or brown-black matter in vomit
  • Feeling of congestion in the oesophagus

The symptoms worsen after midnight, on consuming cold foods and drinks, and in wet and cold weather. The patient feels better on consuming warm drinks and keeping one's head elevated. 

• Bryonia Alba
  Common Name: Wild hops
  Symptoms: Bryonia alba is suited to dark-complexioned individuals and shows better results in the evening, in open air and in a warm climate. It helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Faintness and weakness on standing up
  • Increased thirst
  • Vomiting right after eating or drinking
  • Presence of bile in vomit
  • Stomach pain
  • A sensation of pressure in the abdomen, as of a stone
  • Increased hunger

Warm weather, any warm application, motion or exertion results in worsening of the condition while cool weather alleviates the symptoms. 

• Carbo Vegetabilis
  Common Name: Vegetable charcoal
  Symptoms: This remedy is prescribed to individuals who are generally of a bulky build and lethargic. It helps relieve the following:
  • Belching
  • Fullness and heaviness of stomach
  • Passing gas with pain
  • Sour burps after a meal
  • Morning sickness
  • Dislike for fatty and non-vegetarian foods and milk
  • Slow digestion, with food going bad before it digests and musty belching

Symptoms worsen at night, in cold and damp weather, and with coffee and fatty foods. The person feels better in cold weather.

• Carbolicum Acidum
  Common Name: Phenol, carbolic acid
  Symptoms: Carbolicum acidum is a strong homeopathic medicine that relieves abdominal discomfort. It also helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Nausea with dark green coloured vomit
  • Loss of appetite
  • Craving tobacco and other stimulants
  • Belching
  • Pain during bowel movements accompanied by the passing of gas
  • Indigestion resulting in sour or foul taste in the mouth.
• Cocculus Indicus
  Common Name: Indian cockle
  Symptoms: This is a powerful and effective remedy used to treat seasickness. It is mainly suited for blonde, pregnant or sensitive women and helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fainting and vomiting in a moving vehicle
  • Aversion to the smell or sight of food
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Irritation from tobacco

The conditions worsen during the noon, just after a meal, with smoking, riding and noise.

• Ferrum Metallicum
  Common Name: Iron
  Symptoms: Ferrum metallicum is generally prescribed to young individuals who are lean, anaemic and have chlorotic (yellowish-green) skin. It helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Vomiting/diarrhoea just after eating
  • Aversion to sour foods
  • Frequent vomiting at night
  • Abnormally increased appetite or loss of appetite
  • Extreme aversion to eggs
  • Belching of food without nausea

The symptoms are generally eased with slow movement and walking around, but worsen at midnight, while sitting idle or performing tasks that cause sweating. 

• Ipecacuanha
  Common Name: Ipecac root
  Symptoms: This remedy works well for those who are fat and sensitive to cold. The primary indications of ipecacuanha are persistent nausea and frequent vomiting. It also helps manage the following symptoms:
  • Moist mouth with increased production of saliva
  • Clean tongue with no white deposits
  • Constant vomiting resulting in a pale face
  • Vomit that contains food, bile, mucus and blood

The symptoms tend to worsen while lying down and in moist warm weather.

• Lobelia Inflata
  Common Name: Indian tobacco
  Symptoms: Lobelia inflata is a homeopathic medicine prescribed in gastric conditions with nausea and vomiting. It helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Morning sickness
  • Excessive nausea and vomiting
  • Increased salivation
  • Weakness in the upper abdomen
  • Heartburn
  • Passing of gas

Symptoms worsen in the noon, with cold applications and slight motion and they get better towards the evening, and with warmth.  

• Nux Vomica
  Common Name: Poison nut
  Symptoms: Nux vomica is prescribed to thin, active and overzealous individuals with mental strain. It helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Nausea after a meal
  • Vomiting often accompanied by colicky pain in the stomach
  • Heaviness and pain in the stomach after eating
  • Sour belching
  • Desire for fatty foods
  • Sensitivity of stomach to pressure

Symptoms usually worsen during the morning, in cold weather, with exertion and consumption of spices. The symptoms tend to ease during the evening and after a restful sleep. 

• Pulsatilla Pratensis
  Common Name: Wind flower
  Symptoms: Pulsatilla pratensis is primarily a remedy for women. It works well in sensitive individuals who have a tendency to cry while talking and feel better in open air. This remedy helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Vomiting food long after having a meal
  • A sensation of tightness of the stomach after having food; the person needs to loosen their clothing
  • Prolonged lack of thirst
  • Belching with the taste of food in the mouth
  • Aversion to any fatty foods or warm drinks
  • Gastritis with passing of gas

The symptoms worsen during the evening, with warm temperatures and fatty foods. Cold foods or applications ease the symptoms.

• Tabacum
  Common Name: Tobacco
  Symptoms: Tabacum is mainly used to treat nausea, coldness and vomiting. It is also commonly prescribed as an antiseptic drug. The following symptoms respond well to this remedy:
  • Sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach
  • Aversion to tobacco or its smell
  • Seasickness where the individual feels weak and faint
  • Vomiting with the slightest movement
  • Nausea, along with a feeling as if the stomach is relaxed

The condition gets worse during the evening and with extreme temperatures. Open air often eases the symptoms.

Homeopathic remedies are generally given in highly diluted doses and their action tends to get easily affected by external factors.

Also, unhealthy lifestyle and diet, food poisoning, allergies or diarrhoeal disease are some of the most common causes of vomiting and nausea. Consumption of unsafe food is one of the leading causes of mortality. It is estimated that every year 600 million (10% of the world’s population) fall ill and 420,000 lose their lives after eating contaminated food. 

So, homeopathic doctors generally prescribe some of the following lifestyle and dietary changes to their patients along with the medicines:

Do’s: 

• Take a healthy diet.
• Make sure to keep your surroundings clean and tidy.
• Temperature of the room should be maintained as per the patient’s liking.
• Maintain personal hygiene to prevent infections that cause vomiting, nausea and other symptoms. 

Don’ts: 

• Do not consume alcohol or tobacco during the treatment. Beverages with caffeine should also be avoided as they interfere with the working of the medicines.
• Avoid spicy or sour food items as they result in aggravation of symptoms and also hinder the working of the medications.
• One must avoid places which do not offer an ideal ambience for recovery.
• Strenuous work should be avoided in conditions of nausea and vomiting as it can trigger the symptoms. 

Homeopathic medicines work by improving the person’s immunity and innate healing capacity. These medicines are prescribed and proven in numerous cases as viable and effective recommendations over conventional medications, especially in conditions related to digestion.

Charles Darwin’s experience with homeopathy is a renowned case study. The study states that Darwin suffered from various troubling symptoms including episodes of vomiting. He received treatment from Dr James Manby Gully, a homeopathic physician who used water cure and homeopathic medicines. Several of his complaints were addressed and he experienced a dramatic improvement in his health with homeopathic prescriptions. In his own words, he mentioned being ‘of almost perfect health’. 

In another study, 34 participants with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who were prescribed homeopathic medications for 8 weeks showed significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.

As they are obtained from natural sources and diluted to a large extent, homeopathic remedies usually pose no harm to any individual.

Homeopathic physicians select an appropriate remedy for a person after carefully assessing their physical and mental state as well as their medical and family history. This further ensures that the prescription is safe and free from side effects. 

The medicines for any particular disease are prescribed in their least required amount and potency, which then trigger the formation of antibodies to fight off the disease. 

Although not diseases themselves, nausea and vomiting are primary symptoms of several common and serious conditions which can be life threatening if ignored. Nausea and vomiting can also be distressing as they make the person feel weak and sluggish and hinder day-to-day activities.

Conventional medications suppress these symptoms, they may not provide a complete solution for the condition or permanent relief of symptoms. On the other hand, homeopathic remedies are holistic in nature. They improve the person's own healing capacity to help treat the disease. As these remedies are made from natural substances, they generally do not have any side effects, provided they are taken under the guidance of an experienced physician.