Homeopathic Medicine � Stomach, Intestines and Digestion

Homeopathy for GASTRIC Hyper-acidity, Flatulence, Indigestion

- Hpathy Ezine, May, 2014 |

Homeopathic Remedies & Homeopathy Treatment for Gastric Disorders

#Nux vomica [Nux-v]

is a remedy influencing both in glandular secretion and muscular tone of the
digestive organs. Among causes of dyspepsia are mental overwork, sedentary
occupations, high living and dissipation, and these are all keynote symptoms of Nux
vomica. This drug will be thought of when the patient is �cranky� and irascible,
when he is drowsy and stupid in the evening, feels miserable in the morning and has
a dull frontal headache.

This headache is a constant element in Nux disease. With Nux the food and drink
taste normal, and the gastric and abdominal disturbances do not commence
immediately after eating as under Lycopodium and Nux moschata, but come on half an
hour or so after meals, especially the dinner. There is often nausea, empty
retching, scanty, sour or bilious vomiting, water brash, sour, bitter, metallic or
putrid taste, and there is vertigo. All these symptoms are aggravated in the
morning, and there is also an after dinner aggravation. Headache usually attends
the gastric disturbances of Nux. In the flatulent and pituitous dyspepsia of
drunkards Nux usually precedes Carbo vegetabilis and Sulphur. Kali bichromicum is
more often indicated in the dyspepsia of beer drinkers. It is well indicated in
dyspepsia when there is a feeling as if digestion had stopped after a meal eaten
with relish and the food lies like a load; the distress comes sooner than the with
Nux vomica.

The appetite is impaired, the patient does not want even his accustomed stimuli, or
there may be an abnormal hunger, and this abnormal hunger usually precedes an
attack of dyspepsia, which attack may sometimes be avoided by attention to diet as
soon as this symptom of abnormal hunger appears, which it usually does some twenty-
four to thirty-six hours previous. This is a symptom of a misused stomach. The
eructations of Nux are painful, bitter or sour. The nausea is especially after a
meal. The stomach is sensitive to pressure and to tight clothing, and the patient
will say:�If I could only vomit I would feel much better.� In the distress after
eating we must compare Nux with Abies nigra, which has a pain coming on immediately
after eating , and with Kreosote, which has the symptom that three or four hours
after eating the patient vomits. Nux has also gastric irritability with pains
radiating in various directions from the epigastrium which are worse in the
morning. Bismuth has burning and lancinating pains of a purely nervous character,a
pure gastralgia, with spasmodic vomiting. Nux has an abnormal thirst, and there is
distention even after a light meal and a very characteristic sensation of a lump or
a load in the stomach. This oppresses the brain and soon develops flatulence.
Mercurius has a deathly faintness at the pit of the stomach. Calcarea carbonica has
a tenderness at the pit of the stomach. Lycopodium has a pain in the pit of the
stomach when the hypochondria are pressed and a pain in the hyponchondria when the
pit of the stomach is pressed; there is fullness even after a light meal, but
Lycopodium does not have the intestinal irritability of Nux. Sepia, Sulphur and
Natrum carbonicum have an all gone sensation at the pit of the stomach worse at 11
A.M. The pains of Arsenicum are burning and the dyspepsia of Pulsatilla is
especially after rich and fat food. Waterbrash is more characteristic of Nux, while
heartburn is more characteristic of Pulsatilla. Atonic dyspepsia with a putrid
taste in the mouth in the morning compelling the patient to rinse out the mouth,
with a desire for beer and bitters, and an aversion to coffee will strongly
indicate Nux, and when Nux fails to act perhaps the best remedy is Carbo
vegetabilis. The tongue of Nux is coated, white usually, and this coating is more
on the posterior part; the front half of the tongue may be clean. Dr. Dyce Brown
finds that when the gastric symptoms are prominent the lower dilutions act better,
but if constipation be present the higher ones are to be preferred. It acts better
when given in the evening.

#Carbo vegetabilis. [Carb-v]

This is a putrid remedy, and will be found most useful in the putrid variety of
dyspepsia. Carbo is putrid and Sulphuric acid is sour. When carbo is indicated the
patient will be below par, the digestion will be slow and imperfect, there will be
a weight in the stomach and intestines and a faint, gone sensation in the stomach
not relieved by eating, but after a few mouthfuls there is a sense of repletion.
There is a burning in the stomach extending to the back and along the spine to the
interscapular region. There is great distention of the stomach and bowels, which is
temporarily relieved by belching. The flatulence of Carbo vegetabilis is more in
the stomach, and that of Lycopodium more in the intestines. The eructations are
rancid, sour or putrid. There is heaviness, fullness and sleepiness after eating,
but not so much as in Nux moschata and Lycopodium. The symptoms are worse from fat,
fish, oysters, ice cream, vinegar or cabbage. Coffee disagrees, and milk increases
the flatulence. There is violent burning in the stomach , chest and abdomen, with
paroxysmal and crampy pains which force the patient to bend double; the stomach
feels heavy. Carbo is a valuable remedy in chronic gastric catarrh and condition
based upon degeneration and induration. Flatulence gives rise to asthmatic
breathing and dyspnoea, which is worse by motion and the erect position and from 4
to 6 P.M., just the time of the aggravation of Lycopodium. We may find here the
symptom that the patient wants to be fanned. There is frontal headache worse in the
morning and in a warm room, crossness, irritability. Carbo, being a putrid remedy,
is especially useful for the effects of over-eating, high living or from eating
tainted meats, where, digestion being slow, the food putrefies before it digests.
There is great craving for salt and other things that always make him sick.
Remember that Carbo has a more upward pressure of gas on the diaphragm, causing
distress of breathing, than China has, and not so much pressure down on the
intestines as Nux vomica has, and that it is more applicable to putrid dyspepsias
and the chronic dyspepsia of old people. It has more burning and flatulence than
Nux vomica, though, like Nux, it is suitable for the bad effects of debauchery and
high living, and haemorrhoids worse after a spree. It comes in after Nux. Another
distinguishing feature between Carbo and Lycopodium is, that in Carbo the tendency
is more to diarrhea, while in Lycopodium it is more to constipation.

#China officinalis. [China]

China is useful in cases where, like Carbo vegetabilis, there is depression of
vital power, but here it seems to be especially limited to the loss of animal
fluids. Like Lycopodium and Colchicum it has tympanites, and is still further like
the former in the sensation of satiety after a few mouthfuls of food. The
distention calling for China is painful and only momentarily relieved by belching.
There are sour or bitter eructations and the flatus is offensive; there is slow
digestion and the patients faints easily, as in Nux moschata, and they are worse
after late suppers. There is also a sensation as if the food had lodged in the
oesophagus behind the sternum. Pulsatilla has this, but in a less degree than
China. The boiled-egg sensation of Abies nigra is lower down. Many times these
symptoms of China are caused by drinking tea to excess. When China is well
indicated there will be a yellow diarrhea, which is worse at night and after meals.
China does not have the rancid belching with burning, which will distinguish it
from Carbo vegetabilis. In cases where the food does not digest, but lies a long
time in the stomach, causing eructations and finally is vomited undigested, China
is the remedy.

#Lycopodium [Lyc]
is especially suitable for chronic congestion and catarrhal conditions of the
stomach in patients with liver and gouty troubles; hypochondriacal patients. A
grand characteristic of Lycopodium is this: the patient goes to meals with a
vigorous appetite, but after eating a small quantity of food he feels so full and
bloated that he has to force himself to swallow another mouthful,and he leaves the
tables with his hunger only momentarily satisfied. Here it is seen that the
distress is immediately upon eating, not a half hour after, as in Pulsatilla and
Anacardium. Nux moschata also has distress immediately upon eating. There is
intolerance of pressure about the waist after meals, not all the times as in
Lachesis. Now this sensation of satiety is found under Arsenicum , Carbo
vegetabilis, China, Sepia and Sulphur, but it is especially characteristic of
Lycopodium, digestion is slow and difficult, and the Lycopodium patient is almost
unconquerable sleepy after eating. There is a great accumulation of flatus in the
stomach and intestines- -rather more in the intestines, especially the colon�and
this presses upwards and causes difficulty of breathing just as we found under
Carbo vegetabilis. We may also have attacks of ravenous hunger under Lycopodium,
which, if not satisfied, will cause a headache as in Cactus grandiflorus. The
patient is worse after late dinners, the distention lasting into the night, making
him restless and wakeful. Lycopodium is especially useful in the atonic and acid
forms of dyspepsia, for it has also sour taste, sour belching, and vomiting when it
does occur is sour, which is not common, however; there is also also painful
swelling at the pit of the stomach and intolerance of tight clothing; the patient
prefers hot drinks. Belching of gas in Lycopodium does not relieve. Lycopodium is,
after all, quite similar to Nux vomica, but the immediate distress after eating
belongs to Lycopodium. In Nux, from the flatus presses rather downwards. Both have
constipation with ineffectual urging to stool. Nux from fitful intestinal action,
Lycopodium from contraction of the sphincter ani. Sepia is also similar in some
respects to Lycopodium, but Sepia has a sensations of emptiness in the epigastrium
while that of Lycopodium is repletion. The urine is high colored, over acid and
loaded with lithates or uric acid crystals and it is not so offensive as that of
Sepia. Lycopodium has also as an important stomach symptom; desire for sweets,
which is similar to Argentum nitricum. Lachesis desires oysters.

#Pulsatilla. [Puls]
No remedy in the old school corresponds to Pulsatilla. Dryness of the mouth, putrid
taste in the morning on awakening and a sensation as if food had lodged under the
sternum are characteristics of this remedy. The tongue is coated with thick, rough,
white fur, there is acidity and heart burn, food tastes bitter, sour or putrid,
there is waterbrash and eructations tasting of food and absence of thirst only a
desire to moisten the mouth. There is often a constant taste of food in the mouth
as if it had in the stomach a long time after eating it.
A bad taste is a special indication for Pulsatilla. There is craving for lemonade
and aversion to fats which aggravate. About one or, more often, two hours after
eating there is a feeling of fullness and weight in the epigastrium which is
relieved for a short time by eating, being here similar to Anacardium. The
characteristic of the flatulence of Pulsatilla is that it moves about and often
cause painful sensations about the chest,and which are relieved by eructations or
the passage of flatus. Pulsatilla, as remarked by Hahnemann, is especially useful
for the dyspepsias arising from fatty foods, pork, pastry or mixed diets, being
here like Ipecac, or from chilling the stomach with ice cream or ice water, being
here like Arsenic and Carbo vegetabilis.The circulation is disturbed and the
patient is always chilly and, strange to say, worse from heat. After meals there is
violent palpitation; the action of the heart is apt to be irregular and it is
difficult to convince such patients sometimes that they have not heart disease.
Remember its power of acting on mucous membranes and increasing the quantity of
mucous formed by them. This mucus in the stomach easily undergoes decomposition and
acts as a frequent upon the food; hence nausea, acidity, foul eructations, and the
pain arises from the irritating nature of the contents of the stomach rather than
from mere bulk and weight which produces the Nux pain. Nearly always in dyspeptic
troubles calling for Pulsatilla there will be headache which are supraorbital and
worse in the evening and from warmth. The patient is mentally active and this keeps
him awake for hours after retiring; the sleep is dreamy and the patient awakes
tired and listless. To distinguish between Nux and Pulsatilla is rather easy;
firstly, the mental condition are not at all similar; the patient in Pulsatilla
with digestive troubles in despondent, apprehensive, and lachrymose. Nux is
despondent, but at the same time irascible and domineering. Pulsatilla is worse in
the evening. Nux is worse in the morning and after dinner. Pulsatilla has more
heartburn and Nux more waterbrash. From other drugs Pulsatilla is easily
distinguished . The clean tongue and intense nausea of Ipecac will separate that
remedy. Antimonium crudum is especially indicated in those who have overloaded the
stomach and have eructations tasting of food, vomiting,and especially a tongue
thickly coated white, which should distinguish. It pictures atonic gastric catarrh,
vomiting predominates, after pickles, sour things etc. It has nausea of a loathing
variety, food is repugnant, depressed vitality is always prominent.#Anacardium.
[Anac]
With this remedy there is a sinking feeling which comes on about two hours after
eating, and a dull pain in the stomach extending to the spine, and there are often
tasteless or occasional sour eructations. The great characteristic of the remedy is
the great relief after eating, the symptoms returning, however, and increasing in
intensity until the patient is forced to eat again for relief. Such patients become
true �lunch fiends.� There are three other drugs that have prominent relief from
eating. They are Petroleum, Chelidonium and Graphites. Petroleum has among its
prominent symptoms ravenous hunger and gastralgia relieved by eating, and it is
especially called for in long-lingering gastric troubles with a great deal of
nausea. Dyspepsia accompanied with diarrhea will sometimes indicate Petroleum.
Chelidonium is indicated by its prominent liver symptoms. Anacardium has violent
gastralgia, especially at night, and a great urging to stool as in Nux, but, unlike
Nux, on going to stool the desire passes away; then, too, here we have the
characteristic symptom of a plug in the rectum, which Nux does not have. The
gastralgia of Anacardium is relieved by eating, that of Argentum nitricum is worse
from eating. Mentally Anacardium has a great deal of hypochondriasis, confusion of
mind and loss of memory. The patient is hungry most of the time, and although
eating relieves it is only a temporary relief, for really after eating he is worse.
Another distinguishing feature between Nux and Anacardium, is the paretic state of
the rectum in Anacardium, which Nux lacks. Anacardium also has some flatulence, and
the symptom that the patient has to pound his back to start the gas is sometimes
met with.#Sepia. [Sep]
Sepia is more often found useful in women, but the symptoms agreeing it may, of
course, be used in men. It is a remedy which has the vehemence and irascibility of
Nux and the tearful despondency of Pulsatilla, and also the aversion to household
affairs more marked than in Natrum muriaticum. Then, too, there are hot flashes as
in Sulphur, with hot hands and cold feet, but in Sepia the face is apt to have the
characteristic yellow saddle across the nose. There is a white-coated tongue and a
sour or putrid taste in the mouth. The most characteristic symptom, however , is a
feeling of goneness in the pit of the stomach, which is not relieved by eating.
This is similar only to Carbo animals, for in Anacardium, Natrum carbonicum,
Phosphoricum and Sulphur this gone sensation is always better after meals. There is
nausea at the smell or sight of the food, and Colchicum has nausea at the thought
of the food; even mention food and he vomits. The abdomen of Sepia is flatulent and
the liver is sore and has sharp pains in it; but here again Sepia is different from
all others, for it is relieved by lying on the right side. The urine of Sepia may
help to decide between it and Lycopodium and Kali carbonicum, in that while it
always deposits a lithic acid sediment it adheres tenaciously to the side and
bottom of the vessel and is offensive. The Sepia patient is worse in the forenoon
and evening, and there is great longing for acids and pickles. It may be useful in
dyspepsias from the overuse of tobacco.#Sulphur. [Sulph]
Sulphur is a wonderful remedy in dyspepsia, but its value is seldom appreciated. It
has bitter or sour taste and putrid eructations, sour vomiting, congested liver,
and like Nux, constipation. It is useful in the flatulent dyspepsia of those who
drink heavily,and it has a feeling of satiety after eating a small quantity of
food, being in the former symptom like Carbo vegetabilis and in the latter like
Carbo vegetabilis, Lycopodium and Sepia. It is aggravated from starchy food like
both Natrum carbonicum and Natrum sulphuricum. There is a ravenous desire for
sweets which make him sick; only one other remedy has this, and that is Argentum
nitricum, which has a diarrhea caused by it, while under Sulphur sweets cause a
sour stomach and heartburn. The Sulphur patient also craves alcohol, and milk,
contrary to custom,increases the acidity of the stomach and causes vomiting; he
also has aversion to meat. There is canine hunger; the patient can hardly wait for
meals and is forced to get up at night to eat, which is like Phosphorus, and when
he eats he feels puffed up; or else there is loss of appetite. If we have the
general characteristics of Sulphur present, the hot flashes, the hot head and cold
feet, the early morning diarrhea, the �cat nap� like sleep, the aversion to washing
etc., the choice will be easy. � Drinks much, eats little,� is a good Sulphur
indication. Robinia causes excessive acidity, one of our best remedies in
hyperchlorhydria. Vomiting sour. Starch digestion is impeded. It has burning in
epigastrium. When stomach is empty frontal headache, frequent acid eructations.
Colic sometimes sufficient to cause the patient to double up. Capsicum is very
useful in gastric hyperchlorhydria, chronic pyrosis. Dr. Cartier praises this
remedy highly in hyperacidity, he prefers the 3 and dilutions.

#Phosphorus. [Phos]
Phosphorus corresponds to rumination and regurgitation. Craving for cold food and
cold drinks is characteristic of Phosphorus, and they relieve momentarily, but are
vomited as soon as they become warm in the stomach; spitting up of blood without
nausea is also common. The gone, weak feeling in the stomach at 11 A.M., which we
find under Sepia, Sulphur and Natrum carbonicum, is also present under Phosphorus,
and here it also extends to the bowels. There are sour eructations, and as a
concomitant we have sometimes the characteristic burning of this remedy, between
the scapulae. The tongue has projecting papillae, a verified symptom, and is white
more along the middle, as in Bryonia. As in Sulphur, the patient hungry at night
and lies awake until he gets something to eat. It is a useful remedy in the
vomiting of chronic dyspepsia; the patient vomits as soon as the food strikes the
stomach. Bismuth also has the symptom that the patient vomits as soon as the food
strikes the stomach; with this remedy, too, there is much pain and burning.
Phosphorus has a special relation to destructive and disintegration processes,and
hence is one of the remedies for cancers, indurations, erosions, etc.; a burning,
gnawing, circumscribed pain is characteristic. Rapid loss of flesh and anaemia are
also symptoms. The 3d potency has seemed to act well. Geranium maculatum in
tincture is an excellent remedy to control haemorrhage from the stomach.

#Natrum carbonicum. [Nat-c]

Natrum carbonicum stands between Nux and Sepia; it has the hypochondriasis of Nux,
as well as the morning nausea and empty retching; and it has the aversion to
household affairs and the sour eructations and the foetid flatulence of Sepia, weak
digestion, acid dyspepsia. It has a weak, hungry feeling in the epigastrium at 11
A.M., the same as Sepia, Phosphorus and Sulphur. The Natrum carbonicum patient is
especially low-spirited and hypochondriacal after a meal, and the patient is worse
after vegetable and starchy foods. There is distention of the abdomen with hardness
and fullness as in all the alkalis. Dyspepsia from eating soda biscuits.

#Kali carbonicum. [Kali-c]

Kali carbonicum is indicated where the system is broken down by loss of fluids or
protracted illness, as in China or Carbo vegetabilis. Dyspepsia of the aged or
weak, anaemic and easily exhausted patients with tired feelings and backache is met
by Kali carbonicum. Before eating there is a faint sinking feeling in the
epigastrium out of proportion to the feeling of vacuity caused by hunger, with sour
eructations, heartburn and a peculiar weak nervous sensation. The patient is sleepy
while eating. After meals there is an undue flatulent distention of the abdomen.
Everything which he eats seems to turn into gas, which is the same as under
Argentum nitricum and Iodine. The belching is putrid and is similar to Carbo
vegetabilis, in that relieves; there may also be intense pains in the spine. All
the stomach symptoms of Kali carbonicum are aggravated by soup or by coffee. There
is a desire for sugar and sweets.

#Graphites. [Graph]
This remedy has tympanitic destination of the stomach and bowels, the patient being
obliged to loosen the clothing as in Lycopodium, carbo vegetabilis, Nux and China.
There are burning cramps in the epigastrium and putrid eructations as in Carbo
vegetabilis. It has aversion to meat, chilliness, mental symptoms and chlorosis
similar to Pulsatilla. It has gastralgia, which is burning, crampy, colicky pain,
and is relieved by eating as in Anacardium, Petroleum and Chelidonium. Sweets
nauseate and disgust, hot drinks disagree, and there is a rush of blood to the head
after eating. The Graphites patient is inclined to obesity and flabbiness, always
chilly, and eruptions on the skin characteristic of the drug may be present. There
is a disagreeable taste in the morning, as though he had eaten eggs. The aversion
to meat is found in all chlorotic remedies, such as Ferrum and China. The flatus of
Graphites is rancid or putrid, which will distinguish it from Lycopodium. Graphites
is a remedy which stands not be neglected in stomach disorders. Dr. Jousset, the
celebrated French homoeopathist, recommends the alternation of Nux and Graphites in
most cases of dyspepsia; he gives Nux 12 hours before meals and Graphites 12 hours
after meals; and claims that this is all-sufficient in most cases of dyspepsia;
this is continued for a period of eight days and resumed after an interval of rest;
but this routine method of prescribing cannot be recommended.

#Arsenicum. [Ars]
A grand medicine is gastric disorders, suiting especially� irritative � dyspepsias
and acute inflammation. It corresponds to the stomach irritation, the pains,the
sickness , inability to digest food and the want of appetite so often met with in
persons of a weekly state. Here, then, will be abdominal pain and diarrhea. The
pains are of a burning character, active and sore, patient prostrated. Bryonia has
pains soon after food; it seems to lie like a stone in the stomach, but the pains
are sharp and cutting and extend to shoulders and back; the complexion is yellow,
mouth rather dry and a bitter taste is present; constipation and frontal headaches
are accompaniments; gastro-hepatic symptoms and the rheumatic diathesis will
decide. The pain of Arsenicum is immediately after taking food, and the irritation
is shown throughout the intestinal tract; the tongue is clean, red and looks
irritated, pointed. Arsenicum is the remedy for so-called ptomaine poisoning from
tainted foods. Hydrastis causes a decided amount of catarrh of the stomach with
mucus, sour risings and loss of appetite; the tongue is clean at sides and tip,
with a yellow coating down the center. This is considered by Dr. Dyce Brown as an
almost certain indication for the remedy. The liver is involved.
1. Lassitude, malaise, depression of spirits.2. The special tongue symptom.3. The
gastric uneasiness; a dull epigastric aching.4. Loss of appetite.5. The involvement
of the liver. 6. Constipation.
These will clearly indicate Hydrastis, and it is a wonderful remedy in gastric
complaints. Arnica. Atony of stomach, painful contractions, fullness after eating.

#Argentum nitricum. [Arg-n]

Argentum nitricum must be remembered in stomach affections. (1) Its flatulence; it
has lots of it, hence violent belching and great relief therefrom. The patient for
a long time may not be able to belch, but when he does succeed in so doing the
flatus comes in enormous volume. (2) Pain. It is a gnawing, ulcerative pain
referred to the pit of the stomach. From this spot pains radiate in every
direction. The least plain food makes the pain worse. Gastralgia, especially in
delicate and nervous women; it may be indicated when caused by an emotion, loss of
sleep or menstrual trouble. Feeling of a lump in the stomach. Intense spasms of the
muscles of the chest. Vomiting of glairy mucus, which can be drawn into strings.
Longing for sugar and aggravation from sweets producing diarrhea, etc., Gastric
ulcer, the characteristic gnawing pain circumscribed to a small spot, worse from
pressure and eating, with vomiting of mucus, blood, etc., indicate it. The sixth
centesimal potency is recommended by Jousset. It certainly acts better in the
higher potencies. Dioscorea, besides its influence in colic, may be called for in
stomach troubles; it is useful in the pyrosis of pregnant women. Ignatia
corresponds to sour stomach, nausea and vomiting. Hunger and vomiting may exist at
the same time. It is the remedy in the irritable stomachs of hysteria. It is the
principal remedy in gastralgia coming on at night or after eating, worse from
motion or pressure, excessive flatulence, especially in hysterical subjects. In
fact, hysterical symptoms distinguish Ignatia from Nux vomica. Iris versicolor.
Here there should be liver involvement, bilious headaches, vomiting of bile,
jaundice.