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I posted about surviving and thriving with the flu a few weeks ago. You can read it HERE. I don’t know about your area, but the stomach flu is going around in my area. My daughter and her whole family were down for a full week! I spent much time helping my daughter find the right homeopathic remedies for the stomach flu. I decided I needed to do a full write-up.
The stomach flu is officially known as Viral gastroenteritis. It is an intestinal infection with symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. A common complication of vomiting is dehydration and loss of body electrolytes. Some features of dehydration include a dry mouth, decreased/dark urine, headache, and confusion. It should be noted that vomiting for more than 12 hours that contains blood and, when attended with a stiff neck, is an emergency and needs immediate medical treatment.
The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis, the stomach flu, is through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. According to Mayoclinic.org, “There’s no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. Avoid food and water that may be contaminated, and wash your hands thoroughly and often.” I’m often sad for those told there’s no treatment for their ailment. Homeopathic remedies for the stomach flu do offer treatment options, and there is hope.
Ipecac – For Vomiting with Intense Nausea
Ipecac is very useful in cases of vomiting with intense nausea. The nausea is almost constant. The vomiting may be watery fluid, yellowish/greenish-colored matter, or undigested food. It is usually in copious quantities and may also cause cutting or colicky abdominal pains and a loss of appetite. A characteristic feature is a clean tongue. The tongue can tell us much about what’s happening and is a great place to look for clues.
Arsenicium album – For Vomiting Due to Food Poisoning
The vomiting may be green, yellow, bitter, sour, or clear. It may also contain blood in some cases. Vomiting appears soon after eating or drinking. Diarrhea with loose, watery, copious, offensive stool also arises. There is a complete loss of appetite with vomiting. Burning in the stomach is usually present, and abdominal colic and shivering may be present. There may be marked fatigue and anxiety. Arsenicium is also indicated in cases of food poisoning, stomach infections, cholera, and gastritis.
Veratrum album – For Vomiting With Diarrhea
Veratrum is very beneficial in cases of vomiting with diarrhea. Vomiting, along with continued nausea, retching, and weakness. The vomiting is copious and forcible, of bile or food and drink. Vomiting and diarrhea are usually attended with cold sweat, especially on the forehead. The stool is frequent, watery, and gushing with abdominal cramps or severe pinching colic. Pains may also appear in calves and feet. During bowel movement, the person feels chilly and may shiver. Episodes of fainting may appear with the above features. Veratrum is also a top-listed homeopathic medicine for treating cholera infections.
Colocynthis – For Vomiting With Abdominal Pain
Colocynthis offers a natural cure for vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain. The vomiting may be of food or yellow-green substances. The abdominal pain tends to be relieved by bending over double or applying pressure. This pain may be crampy, colicky, cutting, or griping and is most marked around the navel region. Watery stool appears in some cases. This is a great colic remedy for babies and my #1 remedy for menstrual cramps.
Ferrum met – For Vomiting While Eating or Soon After Eating
Ferrum Met offers relief from vomiting that occurs soon after eating or, in some cases, even while eating. The vomiting is sour and acidic, and there is pain or pressure in the pit of the stomach. The pain tends to get better after vomiting. A sour, foul taste appears in most cases. Ferrum met is also helpful in cases of a cough that worsens upon eating and is followed by vomiting.
Iris versicolor – For Headache/Migraine With Vomiting
Iris versicolor is a homeopathic remedy for headache/migraine along with vomiting. There is marked nausea and pain in the forehead. The pain feels like a constricted band on the forehead. The vomiting is bilious, acidic, of an intensely sour nature, and burns the throat. Heartburn may also be present. A headache may begin with a blur before the eyes and cause disturbances in sleep.
Nux vomica – For Vomiting with Marked Retching
Nux vomica is a significant homeopathic medicine for vomiting coupled with marked retching. The vomiting may be greenish, oily/greasy, or undigested food. Stomach pains are present that tend to get better after vomiting. Also, constipation may be present with a constant ineffectual desire to pass stool (but passing a little at a time). Nux vomica is also used in cases of vomiting arising from the intake of alcohol.
Wrapping Up the Flu
Sadly, the stomach flu is a reality of our lives. Homeopathic remedies will lessen the symptoms and may even take them away entirely. If you haven’t had the stomach flu, stock up on these remedies. You will need them eventually. If you have had it recently, what remedies would you have benefitted from? Get those for the next time!
My Baptist preacher husband (who proofreads my posts) wanted to know when to change remedies. My usual go-to is trying one remedy every 30-ish minutes for four doses. If there has been no improvement, look at other remedies to see if one may be a better fit.
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