Dietary Indiscretions

Ah—the holidays! I associate the holiday season with Fall, my favorite time of year. Each morning as I go outside I am renewed by the moisture in the air (I’m a Bay Area transplant) and, even more, by the surreal colors which herald the holiday season in this area.

Five Birch trees carpet my family’s driveway with a magnificent layer of gold each year during this time. My rose bushes, which struggled against the heat of this past summer, have also responded to the season and are now bursting forth with colors which appear incandescent against the rain-laden skies. I am truly nourished by and appreciative of nature’s offerings.

The holiday season also conjures up warm images of family, feast and friends. Unfortunately, for me, in the background of these images lurks a (slight) sense of anticipatory dread, knowing that I sometimes end up overeating and, thus, feel unwell.

There are certain dishes in which I indulge (Mom’s pumpkin pie with whipped cream, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, vegetarian stuffing . . .). Despite my being a vegetarian, I was raised with all the traditional fanfare and decadence of the season.

If only I had known about homeopathy when I was younger (sigh). I am, however, fortunate to now be able to help myself, family, friends and clients homeopathically when dietary indiscretions do occur, and I am happy to pass along this information to you.

Help for food poisoning, gas and hangovers

A common problem during this season is “food poisoning.” If you have symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea, especially with prostration, and suspect that it is the result of tainted food, a few doses of Arsenicum album will help restore your body’s equilibrium. If, on the other hand, you are vomiting and having diarrhea with a cold sweat and cramps, Veratrum album will provide the greater relief.

With some people, food turns into gas and can cause great discomfort. Carbo vegetabilis is indicated when gas builds up within 30 minutes of having eaten. In this case, passing gas (up or down) will provide temporary relief. If there is no relief from passing gas (again, up or down), and your abdomen becomes bloated and distended, a few doses of China officinalis (also known as Cinchona) will rebalance your digestion. (By the way, you will be entering history in taking this remedy, as it was the first one discovered by Dr. Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy.) Lycopodium would be a better choice if you feel full after eating a small amount of food but passing gas does provide relief.

Nux vomica is nicknamed “the hangover remedy.” I’m sure its nickname provides an array of clues for its indicated uses! Think of Nux vomica when you “want to and can’t”—whether it’s associated with vomiting or constipation (or even crying). While this is not a homeopathic use, Nux vomica will minimize the morning-after syndrome when you have over-imbibed (alcohol) by taking a dose at the end of your evening.

Nux vomica should also come to mind when any syndrome is described as “like a hangover,” especially when no alcohol has been consumed. (For instance, a headache which plagued my husband for a day or two was cured when he spontaneously told me one morning, “I feel like I have a hangover.” In this situation, his headache was not the result of alcohol but of lost sleep and overwork.)

Relief from typical seasonal indigestion

In terms of specific foods and/or emotions causing problems, Nux vomica will also soothe indigestion or nausea from coffee, mental exertion or smoking. A few doses of Pulsatilla will help with indigestion or nausea after eating ice cream, pork or rich foods.

If your indigestion was brought on by a fit of anger, Chamomilla or Ipecac are indicated. With Chamomilla, the mental state would be one of peevishness, irritability and incivility. Ipecac, on the other hand, would be indicated with constant nausea and a concomitant symptom of a clean tongue. (This is a characteristic indication of Ipecac, because the tongue is often discolored or coated with digestive complaints.)

Ignatia will help if grief underlies the indigestion. If indigestion is from sour food (including sour wines), Antimonium crudum is indicated. With indigestion from onions, Lycopodium would be the choice.

If nausea is brought on at the smell or thought of food, preventing someone from joining in the meal, Cocculus will help, especially if the nausea is faint-like, sleep loss is part of the problem, or motion makes the nausea worse. Colchicum is another remedy indicated in nausea from the sight, thought or smell of food, especially if the person is especially sensitive to the smell of eggs or fish.

It’s fun to share these tidbits with you, yet keep in mind that the above remedies are just an extremely small sampling of the ones available. These articles serve as an introduction to homeopathy and, hopefully, spark an interest in finding out more for yourself.

I recommend purchasing a self-care homeopathic book. (Most of the self-care books also provide useful guidance about when to see a doctor for a more serious ailment.) In reading an introductory chapter or two, as well as the chapter on digestive problems, you will end your holidays feeling empowered about caring for yourself, your family and friends. Homeopathy can open our eyes to a world not even imagined.