Homeopathic Remedies for Digestive Disorders

 

 

Arsenicum:  is used for general digestive imbalances or toxicity and will alleviate most allergy-related digestive disorders, especially if there is liver or spleen involvement, or if the disorder has been triggered be a season of one dose per month of flea and tick control products.

 

Nux Vomica: also addresses the majority of digestive imbalances, including gas, vomiting, lack of appetite, or stool problems (especially alternating between constipation and diarrhea). It complements Arsenicum.

 

Carbo Veg: is helpful when the pet is overweight, has chronic stool problems, seems to have trouble digesting well, and burps soon after eating. Is extremely beneficial when used with Nux Vomica, and is a good senior pet tonic.

 

Belladonna: is used for the sudden onset of gastrointestinal symptoms,  After initial use, it should be tapered off slowly and then followed by a more specific remedy.  It is also indicated for acute colic and pancreatic imbalances resulting in a "fatty " stool.

 

Urtica Urens: addresses a lack of appetite often accompanied by extensive itchy eruptions, hives, or serious welts.  These afflictions, which are not responsive to Apis or Sulphur, often appear in conjunction with digestive eliminatory problems, as well as dry skin aggravated by warmth or bathing.  Digestive problems may also be associated with profuse discharges from mucous membranes, ears, and eyes.  Symptoms may be localized to the right side of the body.

Phosphorous:  is indicated if the digestive problems include great debilitation, fluid loss, frequent vomiting, or diarrhea soon after meals.  Phosphorous quickly eliminates blood (from old fecal material, viral, or bacterial detoxification) or fatty mucus (from pancreatic imbalance) in the stool.

 

Podophyllum: can be used when profuse, offensive-smelling stools occur.  Stool color may be yellowish or green.  The stool is often completely liquid or begins formed and turns loose as the bowel movement progresses.  The bowel movement may also be accompanied by dry heaves or gagging.

 

Pulsatilla: aids diarrhea or mucous-covered stools, which are often greenish in color.  This stool will frequently change in character or color, even during the bowel movement.  Diarrhea is likely to be worse at night or aggravated by warmth.  Symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are not too severe.  Food is often the culprit, especially if it is high in animal fats or rancid ingredients.  The offending food might be vomited up partially digested.  The tongue may be coated with a thick white or yellowish material.

 

Ipeac: can quickly subdue vomiting, especially when it is related to food or ingested chemical allergies.

 

Colocynthis:  is indicated for pets who are cramping or whose stomachs are rumbling.  They want to lie on a hard surface or they will respond positively when you rub their belly.  Movement, drinking, or eating will aggravate symptoms.

 

Bryonia:  is indicated for pets that are cramping or whose stomachs rumble, but they avoid hard surfaces or respond in pain when their stomachs are rubbed.  They may also exhibit arthritic pains as a result of an allergic reaction.

 

Mercurius:  benefits pets who have a marked upper digestive tract and liver involvement, especially when they feel pain when they are touched or lying on their right side.  Stools may be whitish-gray or yellowish green.  Often, pets very irritable with swollen gums that bleed easily, and their tongues may be slightly swollen and coated with a yeast-like substance.

 

Lycopodium:  is another excellent liver remedy, especially with back pain, gas, bloating. discomfort, and rumbling of the stomach soon after meals.  These pets seem to fill up quickly after only a few bites of solid food.

 

China:  supports pets that have chronic liver involvement with digestive imbalances who are very sensitive to touch and open air.  They chill easily and seek to hide, especially after meals.  Although they may crave cold water, it will cause them to burp up partially digested food.

 

When giving herbs you should not administer them on an empty stomach, until the herbs can be tolerated.  Also try to obtain high quality herbs. "Herbal remedies can support the reversal of many symptoms associated with digestive disorders, can increase digestion or assimilation, and can stabilize appetite."

 

Remedies taken from Skin and Coat Care. Newman, Lisa S. N.D., Ph.D. The Crossing Press, Freedom California, 1999.