Why look after your gut?
Health starts in the gut. Poor gut health can be attributed to many other health conditions, such as, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal problems. 70% of your immune system is located in and around your digestive system. The gut is often called the second brain, it has more nerve endings than the spine and it manufactures more neurotransmitters than the brain. For example, 90% of all serotonin is made there.
What can cause harm to your gut?
Modern life is the main cause of most health problems, especially when it comes to digestion. Fast paced living, stressful sedentary jobs; poor quality food, poor sleep, alcohol and drugs all contribute.
Stress, both short and long-term, will affect your digestive system, appetite and food choices. It contributes to damage of the lining of the digestive tract and poor digestive functions. Your body will not prioritise digestion if it is under stress.
Medications such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and Asprin, damage the lining of the gut and contribute to the development of ulcers. Antibiotics, not only kill off harmful bacteria, but also all the beneficial bacteria as well.
All this leads to problems such as acid reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, diahrrhoea, stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
What can you do to look after your digestive system?
The number one thing you can do is to find ways to manage stress and bring some calm into your life. Activities such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, qigong, palates and mindfulness practices all support your parasympathetic nervous system and therefore your digestive system.
Prioritise your meal times, with time and space to prepare (or buy) healthy whole foods and time to eat them. Allowing your body time to digest. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, processed sugary food and too much alcohol. As a base line, eating regular, balanced meals containing carbohydrate, protein, fat and plenty of fruit and veg.
What can homeopathy do?
Here are a few remedies that help with digestive issues; however, there are many more and often a good constitutional remedy chosen just for you will resolve digestive issues along with other niggling complaints.
Nux Vomica
This is the number one remedy for the whole of the digestive system, especially where issues are brought on by stress or over indulgence. Nux vom is a remedy I think of for Londoners. It is a remedy for the stresses and strains of a modern, busy, fast paced life, but life which may be spent sitting at a desk for hours a day.
If you need this remedy, you may be a person who wakes up in the morning with a coffee and maybe a cigarette. You’ll be in a rush, feel impatient and irritable because you have so much to do. You’ll be sensitive to noise, smell, touch and the cold. You’ll likely grab food on the go and eat at your desk. You’ll enjoy eating spicy fatty food, so may go home from work and enjoy a curry and a glass of wine or beer or two. You may not sleep that well, waking around 3am and will wake un-refreshed in the morning. You’d rather not have company.
The digestive issues you could have are many, along with a headache. You’re likely to need Nux Vomica if you have any of the following: indigestion, constipation, nausea, stomach ulcer, cramping pains, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, hernia, and liver complaints. Nux vom is also the number one remedy for hangovers.
Lycopodium
You’ll likely need lycopodium if you suffer from lots of wind, bloating and intestinal noises. You typically feel worse between 4pm and 8pm and symptoms are worse for eating foods, like bread and pasta. You most likely have a sweet tooth. You’ll likely feel full after eating a little and will definitely need a cooked breakfast if you have been drinking the night before. You can be a bit grumpy and irritable in the morning. You won’t want to let anyone know that you feel unwell, but you will feel anxious about it. You’ll feel better for sipping warm drinks.
Your symptoms are likely to be right-sided and you may have indigestion, constipation or a hernia. Lycopodium, like Nux vom, is also a powerful liver detoxifier and therefore also a good hangover remedy.
Arsenicum
If you have food poisoning this is one of the first remedies to go for, this and Carbo veg. You’ll likely need Arsenicum if you are anxious about your health and fearing death or cancer. You’ll likely be mentally restless but physically weak and exhausted. You’ll want company when unwell and are someone who feels the cold. Symptoms you may have if you need Arsenicum, are vomiting, diahrhoea, indigestion, constipation and burning pains. You may not be able to stand the smell or sight of food. This remedy is good for conditions such as gastritis, IBS and ulcerative colitis. Like Nux vom and Lycopodium, this remedy also supports the liver.
Bowel Nosodes
Bowel nosodes are made from pathogenic bacteria and have a similar effect as probiotics. Like probiotics, they are great when there is an imbalance in your gut bacteria after antibiotic use. There are a variety of bowel nososdes and which one you need will depend on your unique symptoms. Due to the connection of the gut and the immune system, these remedies are very good for allergies and skin conditions.
Conclusion
The gut is the center of your universe. You need to look after it. If you have digestive issues, that is your gut speaking to you and telling you to pay attention. It’s a call to action. What action do you need to take? Do you need to slow down, eat more or less of certain foods, drink more water or take more exercise?
Whatever you need to do, homeopathy can be a great place to start. It treats you as a whole person. If you come to see me, I will listen to you, completely non-judgmentally and with compassion. I will aim to find the root cause of your trouble, whether that be emotional or physical and treat the whole you in the most gentle way possible.
I can help with your digestive issues and if these are accompanied by feeling, stressed, anxious, angry, sad, homeopathy can support you with these feelings too and in turn this will have a positive effect on your health and your digestive system. In addition, a lovely subtle effect of homeopathy is that it guides you and empowers you to make choices that are good for you.
Bibliography
Lipsky, E., 2004. Digestive Wellness, 3rd Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
Murphy, R., 2020. Nature’s materia medica, 4th ed. USA: Lotus Health Institute
Murphy, R., 2021. Meta repertory, 4th ed. USA: Lotus Health Institute
Pitt, R., 2024. Therapeutic guide and thematic material medica of homeopathic medicine.
Talbott, S., 2002. The cortisol Connection. CA: Hunter House
