health guides

Primary Remedies

Arsenicum album

This remedy relieves foul-smelling, burning diarrhoea from food poisoning, associated with weakness and relieved by heat or hot food.

Phosphorus

This remedy can be soothing if a person has a weak or empty feeling in the abdomen, followed by diarrhoea that runs out “like an open faucet.” People who need this remedy are often thirsty, and may be fearful when ill.

Podophyllum peltatum

This relieves watery diarrhoea with cramping pain. The diarrhoea occurs most often in the morning, and is often caused by excessive eating of fresh fruits.

Sulphur

Urgent, hot diarrhoea that occurs in the early morning, making the person rush to the bathroom, suggests a need for this remedy. Burning is often felt in the digestive tract, and the anus can be itchy, red, and irritated. The person may also have haemorrhoids that burn and itch.

Other Remedies

Argentum nitricum

If a person has diarrhoea when anticipating a stressful event (such as giving a speech or a public performance, taking a test, or attending a party) this remedy should come to mind. Bloating and flatulence are usually seen, pain may be felt in the region of the groin, and the diarrhoea may look green. Diarrhoea that occurs immediately after eating or drinking, or after eating too much sugar, will often respond to Argentum nitricum.

Bryonia

This remedy is often helpful for diarrhoea during flu (especially when the person feels grumpy and wants to lie still and be left alone). It may also be helpful for diarrhoea that occurs when a person gets overheated, then drinks a lot of cold water. Symptoms often are worse in the morning. The person’s mouth may be very dry.

Chamomilla

Hot, green, watery diarrhoea with abdominal pain and wind suggests a need for this remedy. The person’s face will be red and flushed (sometimes only on one side) and problems may be worse from warmth. Children who need this remedy will often seem extremely angry, and scream or hit. Adults are irritable and hypersensitive.

Cinchona officinalis

This relieves exhausting, painless diarrhoea with bloating of the abdomen and foul-smelling wind.

Colocynthis

This remedy relieves abdominal cramps relieved by bending over, with strong pressure and heat.

Gelsemium

This remedy is often indicated if trembling and weakness accompany diarrhoea, especially when nervousness, fear, or emotional upset is the cause. Gelsemium is also useful during flu with diarrhoea, droopy lethargy, fever, chills, and headache.

Ipecacuanha

If a person has diarrhoea accompanied by extreme or constant nausea, this remedy may bring relief. Cutting, clutching pains are worse around the navel, and the diarrhoea looks frothy or green.

Petroleum

This helps relieve diarrhoea after eating cabbage or sauerkraut, associated with a general feeling of cold, and hunger after bowel movements.

Pulsatilla

If diarrhoea occurs after eating rich and fatty foods, this remedy can be helpful. Queasiness and abdominal pain are likely to occur, and the diarrhoea has a changeable appearance. The person usually is not be thirsty, feels worse from being warm or in a stuffy room, and is better in open air. A need for attention, sympathy, and comforting is a strong indication for Pulsatilla (a very useful remedy for children).