“Everything on the inside wants to be on the outside.”
That’s how my family describes the adventure of stomach flu. If you’ve ever had it, I’m sure you know exactly what we mean.
Recently, I received a request from a Mighty Member to teach about homeopathy and the stomach flu. As luck (?) would have it, I had just gotten over a bout myself. So, I can speak from recent, personal experience here.
It started with cramps in my upper abdomen — in the stomach area. Then the nausea came … in waves. Every time a cramp hit, the nausea would follow, washing over me like a suffocating blanket. It grew and grew until … well … until I became the human embodiment of a confetti cannon.
Everything on the inside tried to get on the outside in whatever way it could. Exit stage right, left and center!
Now, lest you think this was just some little brush with stomach upset, let me tell you, my friends, I had relentless cramping that resulted in severe vomiting. Indeed, I turned into a pathetic ball of mush, declaring to my husband, “I want to die! No, I think I AM dying!”
It seems almost laughable now. But it certainly wasn’t funny at the time.
Now, you’d think that after all the years I’ve been in practice and have spent researching as an educator, I would immediately employ the perfect matching homeopathic remedy.
I did not.
My mind was reeling with potential possibilities. What on earth did I have? I hadn’t been to a restaurant in the previous days, so it wouldn't likely be food poisoning from an unknown source. Likewise, it couldn’t be food poisoning from our own food. I had prepared our family meals, and everyone who ate the same things was just fine.
Could it be a stomach bug? At the time, we were up north, trapped indoors by the blizzard. I hadn’t been around anyone for a few days to catch a bug. And that colored my thought process.
So, what was the etiology of this decidedly explosive event? Who knows? I couldn’t figure it out. And perhaps in my state, I temporarily forgot that the “cause” really didn’t matter. As is often the case, our struggling brains may emphasize particular symptoms and scenarios more than others. Sometimes we may ignore symptoms altogether.
So, in my misery, I tried several homeopathic medicines, giving each their due time to act. But they did not. It wasn’t until I tried Arsenicum album 3C that I hit the nail on the head! It was miraculous! (Well, it’s not really a miracle, now is it? It is a well-documented homeopathic medicine for vomiting and stomach pain, substantiated by years of clinical use.)
I took one dose, curled up on the sofa, and promptly fell asleep.
Those familiar with homeopathy know that in most acute situations, sleep is a good sign. The body is relaxing into the healing process, signifying (more often than not) that the correct homeopathic medicine has been administered.
My husband covered me with a blanket. To my great surprise, in the morning, it turned out I was going to live after all! I woke up feeling fine, ready to meet my responsibilities of the day! What a difference a few hours — and the correct homeopathic medicine — made!
However, as they say, “Your mileage may vary.” Not everyone will respond as quickly as I did. Resolution after just one dose is pretty spectacular and certainly not always to be expected.
A similar sufferer might require one dose every 15 minutes or so during the first hour. Then they might back off in frequency to perhaps once every one to three hours (depending on severity) until very much better.
While we’re on the topic of my story, I should say that Arsenicum album 3C is not an easy remedy to find. You’re not going to pick it up at Whole Foods, Wegman’s or Walmart. My clients and students can order it through OHM Pharma, a non-retail homeopathic manufacturing pharmacy. But not everyone has earned access to that resource.
As an alternative, quite a few retail pharmacies (such as Boiron, Hahnemann Labs and Helios) carry Arsenicum album in the 6th potency. And, as of this writing, Boiron even carries it in the 5th potency on their website.
Now, before you start writing a comment below, yes, I have seen it sold in a 3C on the internet through unfamiliar pharmacies. But as you know, I do not encourage purchasing from foreign pharmacies where the manufacturing process may be less controlled, professional and meticulous. Instead, always buy from a reputable pharmacy, such as those mentioned in my previous post, Where to Buy Homeopathic Medicines.
But that said, do keep in mind that many of our reputable pharmacies offer potencies that are not visible on their retail websites. So, it’s worth a direct call to their customer service to ask if they can fulfill a request for Arsenicum album 3C.
However, when we can’t get our chosen medicine in the correct potency, we use what we’ve got — the closest potency available.
So, this week, I nominate Arsenicum album for inclusion in the well-rounded homeopathy kit. Perhaps own it in several potencies!
For instance, Arsenicum album 30 acted beautifully for little Buster in Homeopathic Emergency Series: Just One Lick. In a 6X, Arsenicum may be considered one potential alternative for nasal allergies, as mentioned in Water Damage and the Worry of Mold. And Arsenicum 200, as part of a protocol, has been shown to be effective for severe itching, as mentioned in A Fungus Among Us.
Arsenicum album is undoubtedly a versatile and powerful homeopathic medicine to have on hand.
And if anyone you know contracts the stomach flu — or whatever I had — pass on the good news of homeopathy!
Warmly,
P.S. If stomach upset, food intolerance, bloating, gas or chronic diarrhea is common in your family, perhaps my course Good Gut, Bad Gut would be an excellent investment in health. And tummy troubles are not all that this course covers!
As any good practitioner will tell you, much of the body’s health emanates from the gut. So, this deeply foundational course also offers education on anger, anxiety, chronic fatigue, C. diff, depression, eczema, gallstones, headaches, immunity, parasites, reflux and … well, the list goes on. Click here and see for yourself the numerous topics covered in Good Gut, Bad Gut! It’s the perfect course to elevate your competence and confidence in homeopathy.
I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.
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Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.
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We had this bug go through our family! Two toddlers and me at 8 months pregnant. My husband, strangely and thankfully, remained well. I got it a few hours after the kids, and that was easily in the top 3 for worst nights ever. I was contracting and couldn’t keep anything down. But got through the worst of it and 4-6 hours later was able to keep fluids down. It actually took about a week to fully recover. My four year old took even longer, her little tummy was still sensitive so she had to stay on the BRAT diet for longer. Many soiled towels, pillows, bedsheets, and two soiled car seats. And the van. That bug was brutal!
Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and knowledge! I have learned so much through your website and my entire family (including our furry pooch) has benefited from YOU!!!
I have health anxiety and emetophobia. Reading this blog post was quite triggering for my, however, knowledge of power and I thank you for your insight. How long did the actual vomiting last? I never know when it’s too much and when to consider it a medical emergency in need of an IV.
A medical emergency enough to go to an ER? I’d have to be pulseless and unconscious to be dragged into an ER.
The way you get over anxiety of any sort is to learn, and I mean really learn how to use homeopathy.
Join one of my study groups, take my online courses, join me on Facebook Live on Mondays.
To address your comment further, I urge you to read about Arsenicum album in a materia medica. I think you’ll find it fits what you describe.
I feel for you..I have the same fear(emetophobia) whenever I read about the stomach flu I freak out.
Veratrum album 30c is another great one! Some of my kids respond to that; others to arsenicum. So interesting how different remedies work for different people!
Thanks for the great info. I have Arsenicum 30C which I got at Vitamin Shoppe a couple of years ago. Just checked and they still have it for sale: https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/boiron-arsenicum-album-30c-80-pellets/bi-1129
Please disregard my previous comment. I misread the 3C you mentioned. I apologize.
Why did you choose Arsenicum 3 over a 30 or 200?
It’s specific.
Joette ~ Just wanting to share my go-to source for MOST of my remedies is vitacost.com. They carry Boiron and Ollois (organic). The 30C in most remedies is a fabulous $6.99, and the 200C is usually $8.99.
OR, you may purchase directly from Boiron, and if you use my 1st name when you check out, you’ll receive a substantial discount.
I have no affiliate program with them, only a good working relationship.
Why do you choose Arsenicum 3C rather than, say, Arsenicum 30C for this situaltion?
Because it’s even more specific. And potency matters.
Thanks, Joette! The barfing bug (as we call it) is the WORST…especially as it runs through the entire family.I will have to stock some ArsAlb 3!
What is the dosage 2x daily?
Not for an acute condition. We use our medicines e. 15-60 min in an acute condition.
How interesting! Would Arsenicum 200c ‘overshoot’ the situation? That or especially Veratrum Album 200c seemed to work for us when the kids were wee. I remember thinking the Veratrum Album practically stopped the vomit in mid-air.. lol
I don’t think it would have overshot it as much as I find that AA 3 is specific for what I described.
Thank you, Joette.
My pleasure, Carey.
I know you encourage us to have it on hand, but if we don’t at the moment, wouldn’t the 30c help? Living alone and not driving at 77 I find If a flu, cold, or other dilemma hits me I try to get as close to your suggestion as I can. If I don’t have a low potency I usually grab BeGone Flu from Washington Homeopathic Pharmacy, http://www.homeopathyworks.com
They have recently sold to another company. I loved ordering Luyties at 1-800homeopathy.com but I think Hyland bought them out. The last bottle of Bioplasma 1,000 tabs I bought was $11, now for $11 get 100 tabs
I guess because homeopathy is getting more widely known about and used . I’m glad people are learning but I hate seeing less product for more bucks….. I have ordered from UK pharmacy because of better prices and larger containers and they seemed to work well.
I always say, use what you’ve got until you can get what you need. Meanwhile, AA 3 is so specific for what I described that it would be useful to have it on hand for the future.
After my friend had a bug like this, she has been suffering from continual extreme fatigue which is worse in the mornings , as well as extreme coldness which comes on towards evening. This aftermath of the bug has gone on for 6 weeks now. I gave her Gelsemium 30 but she did not respond. So far her doctor has only found her liver enzymes to be elevated. Any suggestions ?
This is how the FDA is trying to lynch our homeopathic remedy producers. We need to be outraged and fight this: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/washington-homeopathic-products-inc-589823-06192020
Our family has suffered more stomach bugs than we’ve had in the last 20 years, all condensed into 2020 til now. My 3 year old has coined it as “the pukes.” Whatever the true reason, I’ve found that Phosphorus 30c has done wonders for my family. I do find it interesting that Phosphorus has a connection to electromagnetic changes… I ALWAYS consider it if someone is tempted to eat within just several minutes of last puking. Especially if cold liquids are desired *yet puked back up in about 15 minutes (once they get warmed up in the belly), or even sooner, if by chance the food eaten was already nearly warm.
Phosphorus people can’t seem to keep any liquids down and are easily prone to dehydration.
a fiend of mine got that bug. l gave her ars 30c…only one dose,stopped the runs…then gave her ipecac 30 for her nausea. this was taken 3-4 times for a couple days. all is well….l did have ars 3c too…now l will advise that instead. but homeopathy worked with the two other remedies . Yay for homeopathy.
Nice job, Nancy.
I have used ant tart for the stomach flu, when nux, AA, ipecac didn’t work…
An observation: the THING was around during these stomach bug events.
I now give ant tart for stomach bug that happens when ever the THING is diagnosed around that person.
Stops the stomach bug in one/two doses. Happened a few times now. we tried the other typical remedies first. Had recently read up on ant tart, so a 30 potency was given. Crazy!
We are traveling and stomach flu has hit. We only have 30c. How often can it be taken? So far just my five year old but I’m sure we aren’t far behind with the rest of the family. I do not handle vomit well.
I have a bottle of it in each bathroom! I’ve taken 30C in this situation, but I found it made the vomiting worse. At least everything was out!
Thanks for writing this post. I woke with a terrible headache and feeling shivery. Took Gelsemium, no result, tried Sanguinaria, no effect. Had a cuppa and back it came. Managed to get my head to the computer and read ‘Stomach Flu’. Got my pills and went back to bed. Woke two hours later feeling fine. No second dose, headache all gone, how I love homeopathy!