If you listened to Podcast 100, you might recall my husband Perry’s courting confession. Yep, it’s right there for all the world to hear. While we were dating, my spaghetti with red meat sauce caused Perry tremendous suffering — heartburn, reflux, indigestion.
Italian Americans call it agita. But no matter what you call it, it’s unpleasant.
Poor Perry suffered in silence back then because he didn’t want to throw a wet blanket on our burgeoning sparks. But after we were married, he confessed.
We certainly couldn’t abstain from a lifetime of delicious spaghetti and meat sauce — come on, I’m Italian for crying out loud. So, instead, we turned to homeopathy.
I’ve mentioned various medicines that successfully can address agita in years past. (See Stomach and Gastro-Intestinal Ailments and Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz.) But I haven’t discussed the topic since I have honed my practice utilizing Practical Homeopathy®.
So, let me teach you three homeopathic medicines for indigestion that you should know and include in your collection.
- If indigestion strikes after every meal — regardless of what was consumed — the remedy is often Nat phos 6X. If it’s bad enough, it may be taken after every meal. However, as the condition improves (and it will!), then back off the frequency. If the symptoms recur at a later time, resume!
Because Nat phos 6X has become such a go-to for us, we keep some in the car so it’s with us if agita strikes when we’re away from home. (I further discussed how Nat phos 6X helped my father kick his dependence on Tums in David vs. Goliath. You may also be interested in a 30-minute Facebook Live about Nat phos that is archived here on Facebook and also on my private server exclusively for my Mighty Members.)
- If indigestion ensues specifically from restaurant food, I have found that Pulsatilla 30 is amazing.
Now for clarification, by “restaurant food,” I also mean any food that one is not generally accustomed to. So, that means Pulsatilla may be equally considered after a restaurant meal, dinner at a friend’s house or a new elaborate recipe that is new to the belly.
It’s especially noteworthy for correcting the collateral damage of creamy items such as macaroni and cheese or something with whipped cream. But it’s also good for the ill effects of foods laden with questionable ingredients.
If the discomfort is overwhelming upon onset, a good method is to use Pulsatilla 30 every 15 minutes for the first hour. But I have found that, generally, the suffering will diminish after the first couple of doses.
I have even suggested that clients use it prophylactically if they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that an impending event will cause suffering. For instance, if a child has a history of tummy upset with creamy foods, it’s a given that going to a birthday party — replete with ice cream and cake — is going to trigger their discomfort. So, why not head it off at the pass and give them Pulsatilla 30 on the way to the party?
- The third medicine is one that people are already the most aware of — Nux vomica 200. It’s a capital remedy when there are other symptoms (such as nausea or constipation alternating with diarrhea) or when the suffering was triggered by overindulgence. The other two remedies I mentioned (Nat phos and Pulsatilla) don’t necessarily address overindulgence specifically.
Nux vomica is also the medicine I have historically turned to when alcohol has played a part in the condition's onset. (Hmmm, perhaps you needed to know this medicine yesterday!)
So, now you’re armed! You have learned about three medicines to keep agita at bay — whether you are courting an Italian woman, diving into a bowl of ice cream or toasting the new year.
And remember, nobody enjoys an upset stomach, so be sure to pass on the good news of homeopathy!
Warmly,
P.S. Sometimes, additional homeopathic medicines are required to uproot the underlying conditions that can cause chronic indigestion. Needless to say, this short blog format is insufficient for explaining more complex issues. But if heartburn, reflux and indigestion are a problem in your family, I encourage you to look closely at the curriculum for my course, Good Gut, Bad Gut. I cover more complicated indigestion issues and much more in that jam-packed course.
And remember — all of my Mighties (Joette’s Mighty Members) qualify for a 10% discount on course purchases. If you need assistance getting your discount, email c[email protected] for more information.
I’ve used all three of these remedies as you suggest for indigestion Joette, with excellent results. Thank you! They have helped family members and various friends too. Personally I particularly like that I can avoid the ill effects of indigestion caused by unknown ingredients in restaurant food or a rich meal – Nat Phos, Pulsatilla or Nux Vomica to the rescue!
Very timely post not just because of the time of year [loads of rich food] but because I had a terrible experience recently at a dinner party given by a good but experimental cook! Did I have any remedies [except arnica and apis] with me – unfortunatley no. Lesson learned.
Do you think nat phos can cure one of GERD?
“We certainly couldn’t abstain from a lifetime of delicious spaghetti and meat sauce — come on, I’m Italian for crying out loud. So, instead, we turned to homeopathy.“
This cracked me up!
My toddler is also prone to having an upset stomach from red meat sauce (and naturally it’s his favourite) and understood from GGBG that Lycopodium was the remedy? Would it be better to give Nat Phos just before the meal and follow with Lycopodium only if there bloating and undigested, runny stool?
Yay! I’ve been wondering about Nux 200c! Nux 30c seems to barely nip things in the bud for me. (And Nat Phos does NOT work.) How often should I try using Nux 200c for heartburn and indigestion (and general over-done-it-again-ness)? Every 15 minutes as with the Nat or Puls or less frequently since it’s 200c? Thank you! and Happy New Year!
I like to use NV 200 every 15 minutes for the 1st hour when treating an acute. But, often no more than a dose or two is all that’s needed.
Have used all these with amazing results!
What about carbo veg? That seems to work for me. Happy New Year everyone.
Yes! CV is also wonderful.
What if there is a burning sensation in the stomach AND the intestines long after the meal and only something cool or cold sooths it? Would Nat Phos still help?
What if the heartburn/GERD arises only from coffee and tea – so caffeine?
Just had a serious esophageal dysphagia episode, food got stuck, GGBG course I bought several months ago. No way am I taking a protein pump inhibitor the Gi doc prescribed! Any thoughts? Started Nat phos for the heartburn from just starting to eat again after 2 days NPO. It worked!!
I see my response got cut a little… After an EGD and dilation to get my esophagus open again, Dr. reported too much acid in stomach and esophagus, so staying away from those foods for now. I started Condurango (BP) for achalasia yesterday.
If i get the reflux only from a specific food then can i take the nat phos prophylactically?
Thank you
Prophylactic use of these medicines can often be useful.
My husband has silent reflux that causes terrible coughing episodes but not typical reflux symptoms. Any posts or direction on that? Ipecac? I have the GGBG course but don’t remember that topic being adressed.
The descriptor such as “numular” eczema or “silent” reflux doesnt preclude the use of the homeopathic medicine. Having said this, should it not act, the next step is to use symtpoms that represent the condition.