 No matter what you want to call it … (if you’re squeamish, just know we’re talking about diarrhea and skip forward to the next paragraph). If toilet humor is your thing, here we go: Number 3, Chocolate Thunder, Poo Stew, Rectum Rapids, Turd Tea, Emergency Evacuation, The Squirts, Brown Bomb, Liquid Lunch, Poop Soup … I’ll stop now. (If you would like a few more unseemly names, see Travelers’ Diarrhea.) Don’t worry, I won’t continue with the graphic descriptions. What follows is a long list of situations where one might experience diarrhea and the most highly indicated remedies for each. Once again, if you are experiencing diarrhea beyond an acute bout, please seek professional medical advice. Before embarking on my long list of unfortunate bottom-related circumstances, let me share one of my first amazing homeopathic "wowee!" moments. We were traveling and my then young teenage son was very sick in the night with suspected food poisoning. I was hemming and hawing, trying to remember what I had learned about remedies. I went with Veratrum album and within minutes everything stopped. I mean, everything completely stopped. He slept the rest of the night and woke up fine and dandy. “Better out than in” is what we say around here! As a result of this experience, I keep a little vial of Veratrum album in my little travel kit that accompanies me every time I leave the house with my suitcase. Veratrum album is my go-to homeopathic remedy for if things are coming out of both ends. What else may point to the use of this remedy? The diarrhea (or vomiting) may be violent, voluminous and relentless. Collapse following diarrhea (not the only well indicated remedy in this rubric, but a good place to start). The person may be cold: cold limbs, generally chilly, and/or clammy. Diarrhea with perspiration. Diarrhea after eating fruit; diarrhea after eating cucumbers (technically a fruit, after all). Diarrhea during menses. Diarrhea which is made worse by movement/motion (Bryonia is another one to think of for this symptom). And, here’s one more unusual concomitant symptom for Veratrum album: hiccups during diarrhea. Isn’t that just what you need in that situation?! Children & Diarrhea: If you have an infant with diarrhea, administer Podophyllum on the way to see the doctor — dehydration can set in quickly. Diarrhea while cutting teeth: Chamomilla. Chamomilla is such an excellent remedy for children, in general, and it doesn’t let us down in this situation, either (but these symptoms are not confined to children. With everything homeopathy, if the symptoms match, the remedy would be effective for man, woman, child or animal.) Diarrhea with abdominal pain. Diarrhea: following anger; after taking a cold; after eating and, specifically after eating rhubarb. Emotional diarrhea or from excitement. During hot weather. Painless diarrhea. And, here is a rubric unique to Chamomilla (but hopefully you wouldn’t find this in a child!): diarrhea after smoking. The Elderly & Diarrhea: Like children, the elderly, too, have some remedies with great affinity to their age. In this particular situation, I would lean toward China officinalis. China is so good for enfeebled people, as can often be found in the later years. In particular, China is useful for weak digestion; dyspepsia/indigestion; flatulence; chronic belching. Dysentery, in simple terms, involves frequent bowel movements with blood and mucus in the stool, often accompanied by cramps and pain. Give some China while on the way to see a doctor. Please seek medical assistance if you are experiencing these symptoms. If diarrhea and constipation alternate in older individuals, consider Antimonium crud. On to the general list… If experiencing abdominal pain, and it feels like diarrhea is imminent, Aloe would be my first recommendation. There may be accompanying weakness. Diarrhea after eating and in particular, diarrhea following the slightest dietary indiscretion. Walking makes it worse. Lots of toots during the diarrhea. There are a few rubrics where Aloe and Sulphur “tie” when it comes to diarrhea: burning pain in the rectum; being driven out of bed in the morning, needing the toilet desperately (Sulphur has the specific times of 5-6 am); painless diarrhea; standing makes it worse. Where Sulphur “wins out” over Aloe: diarrhea after beer and nighttime diarrhea, especially after midnight. If the diarrhea alternates with another symptom, such as:
Diarrhea and emotions:
Feeling wiped out after all that wiping? China is a good place to start. If the weakness is particularly pronounced, also consider Phosphoric acid. If the act of wiping actually causes pain: Graphites. Diarrhea during pregnancy: Phosphorus Diarrhea during menopause: Lachesis Diarrhea following an injury: Arnica If it’s coming out as from a hydrant: Podophyllum If it has a really noxious smell: Baptisia Diarrhea following the consumption of:
If you find your appetite increases with diarrhea: Petroleum. Cold hands with diarrhea: Phosphorus Cold feet: Lycopodium Cold limbs: Arsenicum album, Camphora and Veratrum album Positionally speaking: If lying down make it worse: Dioscorea If lying down makes it better: Bryonia (though it may be worse lying on your side) Sitting upright makes it worse: Bryonia Time of day: If it starts after you have risen from bed and moving around: Bryonia or Nat sulph After midnight: Arsenicum album or Sulphur If the diarrhea causes sleeplessness: Phosphorus I changed my mind. I will use one more dysphemism: the sharts, also commonly referred to as “gambled and lost” (Flanagan 2010). If you are having diarrhea during rectal flatus, there are a number of well indicated remedies, but I would start with Aloe — the remedy for an insecure rectum (click that link to read the previous article with the same name.) What would cause an “insecure rectum?” Let’s go back to Giulia Enders’ Gut for this explanation. Apparently we have a pair of “sophisticated” sphincters which Enders takes a few pages to explain and I am going to try and shrink it down to the bare essentials using her words, (but the full explanation is certainly worth a read). “The outer muscle is a faithful servant of our consciousness. When our brain deems it an unsuitable time to go to the toilet, the external sphincter obeys and stays closed with all its might. … Our internal sphincter is a no-nonsense little guy. His motto is, ‘If it’s gotta come out, it’s gotta come out!’ … The external sphincter, on the other hand, has to deal with the vagaries of the outside world and its many options.” Suffice it to say, we need these two sphincters to communicate well. A few more remedies for involuntary stool (not necessarily diarrhea):
As you can see, homeopathy can be invaluable when it comes to diarrhea — there is a homeopathic remedy for almost any situation! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits References:
Enders, G., 2015. Gut : the Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ. Greystone Books. Flanagan, D., 2010. Everybody poops 410 pounds a year : an illustrated bathroom companion for grown-ups. Berkeley, Ca: Ulysses Press. Murphy, R., n.d. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. accessed through Radar Opus software.
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As summer winds down, the cicadas seem to be winding up. Boy, they have been noisy this year! When they take a break, the silence makes me realize that living with something like tinnitus must be very trying, indeed! Tinnitus (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 2018), the perception of outside noise when no actual external stimulus is causing the sound, affects 15-20% of people of all ages but it is especially common in older adults. Sometimes there is an underlying cause that can be addressed to fix the tinnitus, but usually, treatments to make the tinnitus less noticeable are used (things like hearing aids, sound generators). Common causes are hearing loss, ear infection or ear canal blockage, head or neck injuries and medications (Mayo Clinic 2018). Like so many chronic conditions, we are told there is no cure. Half the people who experience tinnitus do not have measurable hearing loss. A small percentage of people suffering from tinnitus experience serious debility in their daily lives (Prutsman 2023). Homeopathically speaking, there are some remedies that can help though it’s not usually a quick fix, so be prepared to be patient. There are a lot of rubrics and remedies associated with hearing noises in the ears — some of them quite specific as to the sound (for example, hearing bagpipes in the distance — Nat carb) or, specific circumstances or specific times of day when the noises occur. A few remedies pop up more often than others: Petroleum, Lycopodium, and China officinalis, in particular. There is a theme amongst these remedies of sensitive hearing, hyperacusis, which is a common complaint of tinnitus sufferers (Hebert et al. 2013). It never ceases to amaze me how homeopathy figured this stuff out a hundred plus years before the research was done! Petroleum is associated with chronic eustachian catarrh, (mucus or gunk in laymen’s terms). Conversely, there may be a dryness or a disagreeable feeling of dryness in the ears. There may be itching deep inside the ear or, diminished hearing in general. There could be an over-sensitiveness of not only hearing, but also of touch and smell, too. Impaired hearing with noises in the ears; impaired hearing in old people or, progressive hearing impairment. The sounds which may be heard for which Petroleum may be of benefit: bells; humming; constant roaring or rushing water; cracking; whizzing or the sound of wind. Lycopodium may help when there is a swelling of the ear with discharge. Perhaps, a sensation as if hot blood has rushed into the ears. Impaired hearing with discharge from the ear. Sensitive to noises and sounds, particularly music. The noises which may be helped with Lycopodium are: roaring, humming, whizzing and rushing. China officinalis is for a great over-sensitiveness of the nervous system — all sights, smells, hearing and taste are too strong. The external ear may be sensitive to touch. Impaired hearing with constant noises in the ears, possibly with a headache. The noises which may be helped by China officinalis are humming; ringing, especially with an accompanying headache; roaring; ticking as of a distant watch; buzzing; noises as if hearing singing. Back to the bagpipes of Natrum carbonicum… this remedy isn’t as prominent as the remedies listed above, but there are some interesting things associated with it. There may be a stopped sensation with diminished hearing. Sensitive hearing, particularly to music - they can’t bear it or, the rumpling of paper. Bubbling noises or as if a bubble is bursting; sounds seem to come from the left side when they really come from the right; and, the illusion of hearing singing. And, though they can’t stand hearing music, they have the delusion they are hearing music — that must be frustratingly awful! A list of a few noise rubrics and some corresponding remedies:
Book a focused consultation and see if we can take the focus off those noises for you. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Cleveland Clinic, n.d. Tinnitus: Causes, Treatment & Prevention [online]. Cleveland Clinic. Hebert, S., Fournier, P. and Norena, A., 2013. The Auditory Sensitivity is Increased in Tinnitus Ears. Journal of Neuroscience [online], 33 (6), 2356–2364. Mayo Clinic, 2018. Tinnitus - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 2018. Tinnitus [online]. NIDCD. Prutsman, Dr. J., 2023. Tinnitus [online]. Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center.  Our first houseguests in over 2 years have arrived. A lovely thing, I can assure you! After enduring this enforced time of not traveling, I (happily) forgot how horrible jet lag is, but I am reminded of its nastiness as I watch our over-seas visitors make the adjustment to the new time zone. Why do we feel so exhausted after getting off a plane? All we do is sit (and eat), watch movies and maybe snooze a little bit for all those hours. We should be refreshed, like we had a day of relaxation! Yet, when finally stepping off that smelly tube with wings, it’s not at all uncommon to feel like you’ve run a marathon and got hit by a truck when you crossed the finish line! The experts say it’s precisely because we’re sitting for long periods of time in dry air and become dehydrated, etc., etc., etc. Whatever the true pathophysiologic reasons are, jet lag is a miserable feeling. Mainstream medicine has nothing to offer, really. Melatonin (Cipolla-Neto and Gaspar do Amaral 2018) apparently can help, and you can see how it would work (Herxheimer and Petrie 2002). Though short-term melatonin use is generally regarded as safe, I must admit, I wouldn’t mess with my hormones in this way (because melatonin is indeed a hormone)… especially when homeopathy has some simple answers. For more information on possible side effects of melatonin: (Bauer 2017; American Sleep Association 2022; Drugs.com 2021). So, what did I do for our tired guests? In anticipation of their arrival, I left two remedies on the dresser in their room: JetZone: Jet Lag Prevention & Helios’ Jet Candy JETZONE, remedy information as listed on the packet: Arnica: Sleepless and restless when overtired Cocculus: Constant drowsiness after loss of sleep Kali phos: Weak and tired from overexertion. Headache from fatigue. Gelsemium: Insomnia from exhaustion Nux vomica: Heartburn, anxiety and restlessness Argentum nitricum: Mental anxiety Jet Candy, by Helios: JetCandy doesn’t list their reasonings for including the remedies, but I will fill in the blanks. Arnica Bellis perennis: Another trauma remedy. Some call it a “deeper” Arnica. Cocculus Gelsemium Petroleum: I wrote about Petroleum’s role in seasickness here. In short, Petroleum is particularly helpful for nausea. There are other homeopathic combination remedies for jet lag, these are just the two I happened to have lying around. No-Jet-Lag, by Miers Labs: No-Jet-Lag doesn’t list their reasonings for including the remedies, but I will fill in the blanks. Arnica Bellis perennis Chamomilla: Oversensitivity, anger and for when falling asleep is difficult. Ipecac: Nausea, headache Lycopodium: Gas and bloating; frequent waking and unrefreshing sleep Jet Lag Relief, by Boiron Arnica: Relieves muscle pain and stiffness Cocculus: Relieves nausea associated with jet lag Nux vomica: Relieves drowsiness and digestive problems associated with travel What do all of these jet lag combination remedies have in common? Arnica montana. Arnica is a well known homeopathic remedy for injury and trauma. Let’s face it — changing time zones is absolutely an assault on your person. It affects your body, your mind and your emotions. If you are unable to get your hands on one of these combo remedies prior to your trip, bring along a tube of Arnica and half your battle will be won. Jetlagreview.com (who knew such a thing existed?!), claims to be “the #1 source for helping people find effective ways to effectively combat jet lag.” I have no idea who is behind this site, but I was very intrigued to see 1/2 of the products they review are homeopathic (the others are vitamins and/or herbs). No-Jet-Lag is jetlagreview’s #2 Silver Award Winner, for whatever that’s worth. If you find yourself headed overseas, pick up one of these combination remedies and slip it in your carry-on. They’re all slightly different, but basically the same and any one of them will certainly be better than nothing. Or, take along just a tube of Arnica and see if one of these can’t put a little spring in your exhausted tourist step! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits * I have no affiliation with any of these products. I have used Jetzone and No-Jet-Lag, to good effect. Follow the directions listed on the packet. Reference list
American Sleep Association, 2022. Melatonin Side Effects [online]. American Sleep Association. Bauer, B., 2017. Pros and cons of melatonin [online]. Mayo Clinic. Cipolla-Neto, J. and Gaspar do Amaral, F., 2018. Melatonin as a Hormone: New Physiological and Clinical Insights[online]. academic.oup.com. Cleveland Clinic, n.d. Jet Lag: What is it, Symptoms, How Long Does it Last & Treatment [online]. Cleveland Clinic. Drugs.com, 2021. Melatonin Side Effects, Uses, Dosage (Kids/Adults) [online]. Drugs.com. Herxheimer, A. and Petrie, K. J., 2002. Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Jet Lag Review, 2022. Top Products [online]. jetlagreport.com.  “Seasickness: at first you are so sick you are afraid you will die, and then you are so sick you are afraid you won’t die.” – Mark Twain (For the purposes of this article, I will use “seasick” as a general term for all motion sickness.) Boats. Planes. Cars. Ohhhhh. There isn’t a word for what travel sickness feels like. Many authors have made valiant efforts at describing the feeling of seasickness, but having experienced it myself, I’m not convinced they have nailed it. Diana Gabaldon’s Jamie Fraser when crossing the ocean “thought then of nothing but death, and that with a fervor of longing.” Spike Milligan, the British-Irish actor, comedian and writer suggested, “A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree” (Anon. 2021). (According to this website, many authors have expressed the same sentiment in similar ways.) The Motion Sickness Guru** (Anon. 2021) has some unusual recommendations to cure seasickness, including taking a bit of earth or mud with you and to sit on it during the voyage. (Even if this one worked, it sounds a little messy.) I have better suggestion, with no mess of any sort. Homeopathy! The World Traveller’s Manual (Lessell and Greenwood 1993, p. 39) talks about beginning treatment two days before traveling for maximum efficacy. Their prescription is a mixture of a few remedies and I’m sure it works well. The authors state their focus with this protocol is on prevention of established seasickness. But, the Banerjis, as usual, have simplified things with their protocol. Tabacum 200c, one dose every hour before starting a journey; three doses to be taken (Banerji and Banerji 2013, p. 122). By beginning the remedy prior to travel, the Banerji's goal is also to stop the seasickness before it starts, but if those initial doses weren't sufficient, take the remedy again. Homeopathic Tabacum makes so much sense! Just think about all those cartoons and old TV shows where we would see someone take their first drag of a cigarette and they would turn green and double over with nausea — it’s like seasickness on land! "Nausea, giddiness, deathly sinking, vomiting, icy coldness and sweat … prostration of the entire muscular system" — those are the first symptoms mentioned in Murphy’s Materia Medica (2006, p. 1896) under homeopathic uses for Tabacum. Is Tabacum the only homeopathic remedy for travel sickness? Nope. For starters, as mentioned above, The World Traveller’s Manual suggests using a combination of remedies: Cocculus indicus 30c and Petroleum 6c as well as Tabacum 6c. Are these remedies only useful for nausea as a result of travel sickness? Nope. Nausea of any kind, from any cause. Run of the mill nausea, morning sickness, nausea as a result of anxiety, nausea as a result of vertigo … even nausea caused from smoking tobacco! What’s the difference between these remedies? All three of these remedies are strongly indicated in seasickness with nausea, but Tabacum is a little more indicated. Tabacum is more highly indicated when: - Seasick with nausea - During vertigo* - During vertigo with noises in ear - SEVERE motion sickness and nausea - Empty, weak, “goneness” sensation in the stomach - With horrible anxiety - With vomiting - During pregnancy - With cold sweats* - constant desire to swallow saliva Cocculus indicus: is more highly indicated when: - Seasickness is better closing the eyes - Sensitive hearing, or noises make it worse - During a headache - During vertigo* - During labor - From sleeplessness (think jet lag and how horrible that makes you feel!) - Air travel* - From the smell of food - Looking at moving objects makes it worse - Riding in a car* - Sitting up in bed - While smoking - During a cough - Great salivation* - for those who get seasick while swimming* Petroleum is more highly indicated for nausea when: - Air travel* - Riding in a car* - Accumulation of saliva in the mouth* - With increased appetite - Eating helps - With cold sweat* - Constant nausea - While standing - During stool - Sudden nausea - for those who get seasick while swimming* * (If the same symptom is mentioned under multiple remedies, that symptom is equally indicated in both remedies.) As you can see, there is a good deal of crossover between these remedies. If one doesn't work for you, try the next one. Ugh. Just thinking about all this makes me feel a little queasy. The next time you are planning an ocean voyage (or a plane trip or car trip if you’re sensitive to them), be sure to slip a tube of homeopathic Tabacum 200c in your bag and in your mouth a couple of hours before your travel begins. It will likely make your trip much more pleasant. **This website does have some homeopathic suggestions, too, I was happy to see! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits REFERENCE LIST
Anon., 2021. A Sure Cure for Seasickness Is To Sit Under a Tree – Quote Investigator [online]. Quote Investigator. Anon., 2021. Motion Sickness Trivia - Outlandish cures, quotes, barf bag fun... [online]. www.motion-sickness-guru.com. Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji. Gabaldon, D., 2002. Voyager. New York, New York: Bantam Dell A Division Of Random House, Inc. Lessell, C. B. and Greenwood, L., 1993. The world travellers’ manual to homoeopathy. Essex: Saffron Walden. Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 3rd ed. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November. Ratera, Dr. M. M., 2016. First Aid with Homeopathy. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Verlag. |
Julia Coyte, CHomI am passionate about homeopathy and I love sharing this passion. Having a working knowledge of homeopathy shouldn't be kept a secret. If people have the ability to help themselves, their children and their friends when they have minor ailments, life just gets better for everyone. That is the purpose behind Ruminating on Remedies. Archives
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