The digestive organs not only have the task of supplying the body with vital nutrients. A healthy intestinal flora is essential for general well-being and the immune system. Homeopathic medicines can be used to detoxify the liver and alleviate problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
Coffee, cream cake, roast pork: these are high-acid, high-sugar and high-fat foods whose consumption can throw the digestive organs off balance. An overstrained liver, bloated stomach, feeling of fullness, heartburn, diarrhea or nausea are often the result. In addition to stomach-strengthening tea and home remedies, homeopathic medicines with few side effects can help.
Treat gastrointestinal complaints or liver problems individually
Homeopathic remedies such as Nux vomica, China or Sulfur are not only used for temporary minor symptoms, but can also be used for serious diseases such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome or metabolic disorders. In such cases, however, a homeopathically trained doctor or naturopath should always be consulted.
As with all homeopathic remedies, the right preparation is the one that is specially tailored to those affected. In the conversation, not only symptoms are asked, but also the lifestyle is included. Low-potency homeopathic remedies such as D12 or D6 can be bought in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. They are therefore suitable for self-medication.
Stimulate the bowel in case of constipation
Climate and time changes on vacation, stressful phases or a low-fiber diet can trigger constipation. It is characteristic that you have bowel movements less than every third day. Normally it should happen at least every third day, maximum three times a day. Home remedies for constipation are prunes, dried figs, fruit, linseed, psyllium, chia seeds and, last but not least, a lot of exercise. The following homeopathic active ingredients also stimulate digestion and can relieve constipation:
- Okoubaka
- Nux vomica (Night nut)
- Opium (opium poppy, used for constipation caused by painkillers)
- Mandragora (against constipation with subsequent diarrhea, triggers are emotional in nature)
Treat diarrhea with homeopathic preparations
The opposite of constipation is at least as unpleasant: one speaks of diarrhea when the bowels are emptied more than three times a day and the consistency is very soft to liquid. Coke and pretzel sticks are not a good idea then: the sugar in the drink can make diarrhea worse and the salt is not enough to replenish the body’s electrolyte stores. It is better to drink a lot to make up for the loss of fluids and avoid eating until the body can retain the food again.
The following homeopathic active ingredients can be taken as a support:
- Okoubaka (for vomiting diarrhea)
- Podophyllum peltatum (for vomiting diarrhea)
- Veratrum album (for vomiting diarrhea)
- Phosphoric acid
- Ferrum metallicum (for diarrhea with nausea and vomiting)
- Pulsatilla (for watery diarrhea)
- Aethiops antimonialis (for diarrhea caused by persistent intestinal inflammation)
- Mercurius sublimatus corrosivus (for diarrhea with mucus and blood)
- sulfur
Caution: In the case of severe or even bloody diarrhea and a strong feeling of illness, go to the doctor’s office immediately!
Cinchona tree, yellow gentian and pasqueflower against bloating
Sometimes it’s the coleslaw in the canteen that gives you too much air in the stomach in the afternoon. Not only flatulent foods such as sauerkraut, cauliflower or unripe fruit can cause flatulence, but also medication and food intolerance. Stress also promotes the development. The following active ingredients from nature can help to relieve bloating:
- Lycopodium (clubmoss)
- Carbovegetables
- Gentiana lutea (Yellow Gentian)
- colocynth
- magnesium chlorate
- Nux vomica (Night nut)
- China (Cinchona Bark Tree)
- Pulsatilla
- Asa foetida
- Phosphoric acid
Homeopathy for bloating
Bloating is often difficult to distinguish from flatulence. In both cases one feels uncomfortable and bloated, the food is heavy in the stomach. The reason for this is often too fatty or sweet foods that are difficult for the stomach and intestines to digest. These homeopathic active ingredients can support the body with a feeling of fullness:
- Antimonium crudum
- Anacardium (for bloating caused by excitement, anger, overwork)
- ichthyolum
- Bismuth subnitrate
- Nux vomica (Night nut)
- Ipecacuanha (ipecacua)
- Magnesium phosphoricum
- Carbovegetables
- Colocynth (colocynth)
- magnesium chlorate
- Nux vomica (Night nut)
- Bismuth subnitrate
- sepia
- Mercurius sublimatus corrosivus
- China (Cinchona Bark Tree)
- Hydrastis canadensis
Homeopathic treatment for heartburn
Pain behind the breastbone, acid regurgitation and a feeling of fullness: these are the main symptoms of heartburn, medically called reflux. Gastric juice flows in the wrong direction, namely into the esophagus. Some factors favor the development, such as obesity, unhealthy diet, alcohol and stress.
Homeopathic active ingredients for heartburn:
- Abies nigra
- absinthium
- Belladonna: When do the well-known globules help? (deadly nightshade)
- Robinia pseudacacia
- Bismuth subnitrate
- Hepar sulfuris
- Magnesium carbonicum
- Antimonium crudum
- Pulsatilla (pasqueflower)
Milk thistle and dandelion for a healthy liver
Too much alcohol or medication, for example, can lead to the liver producing too little bile, which disrupts fat digestion and prevents metabolic waste from being removed from the body. Pain and pressure in the upper abdomen, a feeling of fullness and belching are signs of this. The following homeopathic preparations are used for disorders of the liver-bile system because they strengthen the digestive and detoxification functions:
- Lycopodium clavatum
- Quassia amara
- Taraxacum (dandelion)
- Carduus marianus (milk thistle)
Complementary medicine for inflammatory bowel diseases?
In order to diagnose and treat chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, a medical examination is required in any case. Against the symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps, anti-inflammatory substances from homeopathy can support the therapy in consultation with a doctor:
- Abies nigra
- Hepar sulfuris
- China (Cinchona Bark Tree)
- Aethiops antimonialis
- Okoubaka (West African jungle tree)
- Acidum arsenicosum
- Hydrargyrum bichloratum
- Chamomilla: This is how chamomile works in homeopathic medicines (real chamomile)
- Juniperus communis (common juniper)
- Pulsatilla (pasqueflower)
Special case irritable bowel syndrome
People with irritable bowel syndrome can suffer from the full range of digestive problems. Often one symptom is particularly pronounced, such as diarrhea, constipation or abdominal pain. Since no physical cause can be found, the path to diagnosis and appropriate therapy is often lengthy and difficult. Depending on the symptoms, the substances listed above can be used to support the treatment.
