Focus on... heartburn and acid reflux
Did you indulge a bit too much over the Christmas period? It can get uncomfortable and sometimes even painful when we have too much of a good thing!
Homeopathy can help with heartburn and painful acid reflux symptoms. When prescribing a homeopathic remedy we look at characteristics symptoms. The chosen remedy, which coincides with these symptoms, stimulates your immune system to encourage the body to heal itself.
Homeopathic treatment relies on identifying the symptoms of the disease as well as your personality traits, mental state and other characteristic symptoms which match a particular remedy.
Here are a couple of remedies to consider for heartburn and acid reflux.
Nux Vomica: An important remedy for most digestive complaints. The individual may complain of stomach pains of all types including burning, bloating, aching, constipation, nausea, belching and the feeling of stomach contents and acid backing up into the throat. Personality characteristics, which help determine this remedy, are a brusque temperament — similar to the overworked, high powered business man who is very intense. He or she may be bossy and easy to anger. This individual often eats and drinks alcohol in excess. He desires coffee, spicy food, fatty foods and other stimulants. The person needing Nux Vomica is inclined to overdo everything, all of which contribute to his acid reflux symptoms.
Arsenicum: Complains of burning pains felt in the stomach with food backing up into the esophagus with burning pains all the way up to the throat. There may be severe, watery, burning, yellow diarrhea. Many of the symptoms will feel better while drinking hot drinks like tea, or by applying hot applications, like a heating pad. They may be thirsty for small, frequent sips of cold water, their mental state may be anxious, restless and fearful of being left alone.
Phosphorus: Complains of burning pains felt in the abdomen, bloating and a feeling of fullness with a great thirst for icy cold drinks, which can be vomited back up shortly after becoming warm in the stomach. Belching and vomiting of undigested food are characteristic of the person needing Phosphorus. They are mild-mannered, and want company and affection.
Pulsatilla: Complains of feeling the sensation of a hole being burned in their stomach accompanied by flatulence. They may feel over-stuffed after eating and want to loosen their clothing for relief. Their personality is sweet and gentle, but whiny and tearful. Others may feel very protective and sympathetic toward them. They are afraid of being alone and want lots of sympathy and attention. They may crave ice cream, fatty foods, and pastries, which make them feel worse, and aggravate the reflux.
Carbo Veg: Heartburn with belching, bloating, heaviness in the stomach and chest and distress from eating simple, plain foods. The person may have an aversion to foods like meats, milk and fats. A very common characteristic of the individual needing Carbo Veg, is that they have a great desire for fresh air or for being fanned during attacks. The heartburn creates burning pains extending from the stomach toward the back and the patient experiences temporary relief from these symptoms during belching.
These remedies are available from Holland and Barratt or Boots and I recommend sucking one pillule in the 30c potency every half an hour to an hour. Stop as soon as the symptoms ease.
If indigestion or heartburn is a regular occurrence you may benefit from constitutional homeopathic treatment.
