We've all had gut issues at one point, but digestion problems can be a regular occurrence for many. There have been 37.2 million doctor visits in the US alone, where digestive disorders were the primary diagnosis. And while most gut issues are treatable, stomach and digestive problems are your body's cry for help.

The safest and most effective way to repair your digestive health is through homeopathy. This alternative therapy can get to the root of the problem to heal your body by using natural remedies with no side effects. Here is your guide on how homeopathy works and how it can help improve your gut.   



What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy, also referred to as homeopathic medicine, employs a more holistic approach to healing than Western medicine. Instead of focusing on just treating the illness or disease, homeopathic medicine recovers the person as a whole. That means the treatments are designed to consider your lifestyle, personality, genetics, medical history, and other personal factors, providing both palliative and curative care.

The word homeopathy originated from German physician Samuel Friedrich Hahnemann in 1824. He combined the Greek words "homoios," meaning similar or like, and "patheia," which means disease. This translation is the basis of homeopathy and its principles for healing individuals.

Principles of Homeopathy 

The leading principle of homeopathic medicine states, "like cures like." This theory suggests the substance that makes a healthy person sick can be used as a remedy for an ill person. Vaccinations in modern-day medicine follow a similar concept by injecting you with a small amount of an inactive ingredient of the disease they're preventing you from getting. 

The second principle in homeopathy is called potentization. Homeopaths believe that by giving the patient a diluted amount of the substance, its curative powers will become stronger. In other words, the weaker the remedy, the more potent it becomes. 

For the last principle, homeopathy relies on a single remedy. This one remedy would treat an illness' combined physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. And using one treatment at a time allows for pure results, unaffected by the impact of other medicines. 

Why Is Digestive Health Important?

The role of the digestive system is vital for maintaining your overall health. The digestive tract, which spans from the mouth to the anus, helps your body absorb its nutrients to function properly. And after absorption, it expels what your body doesn't need. 

More specifically, the digestive tract is responsible for breaking down the food you eat and determining what you need for energy, growth, cell repair, and immune health. It does so by turning what we ingest into smaller molecules that the blood can easily absorb and transport to the cells throughout the body. 

Once your digestive system has provided what your body requires to stay healthy, its final job is to push the unnecessary materials out of your body in the form of urine and stool. Without this process, the waste would remain in your body, causing major health issues.

What Are Digestive Disorders?

Digestive disorders usually cause discomfort or pain in the digestive system. Conditions can go from mild to severe and include the following:

• Perianal abscesses
• Colitis, a chronic digestive disease
• Anal fissures
• Constipation, difficult bowel movements
• Colon polyps
• Internal and external hemorrhoids
• Gastrointestinal cancer 

Digestive disorders are broken down into two categories: functional and structural. The latter has to do with the structural dysfunction of the bowels, which can lead to colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticular disease.

There are two types of functional digestive disorders, also called dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia. IBS involves intestinal pain that isn't relieved by a bowel movement. Functional dyspepsia refers to recurring indigestion, and it has no underlying cause.

Symptoms of IBS usually include bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. And signs of functional dyspepsia are pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, and nausea.

Common Digestive Disorders

People with digestive problems may experience disorders such as chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, ulcers, and gastroenteritis. Symptoms of these disorders comprise nausea, heartburn, vomiting, problems swallowing, constipation, diarrhea, bleeding, abdominal pain, and bloating. And the causes usually include:

• Eating contaminated or undercooked food
• Undergoing a lot of stress
• Having a diet low in fiber
• Taking certain medications and overusing them
• Overconsuming dairy products
• Being infected by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites
• Resisting regular bowel movement
• Experiencing frequent changes in body schedule
• Being physically inactive

You may have to get lab and imaging tests to determine the specific issue in order to treat it. Conventional medicine may use treatments like antibiotics, which will not just kill the harmful bacteria but the good ones too. That type of medicine will only leave an imbalance in the gut, causing a weakened immune system unable to fight off infections. 

How Homeopathy Improves Digestive Health

If you choose homeopathic medicine to repair your gut, you'll receive a comprehensive treatment plan that will effectively eliminate your digestion problem and promote good gut health. When applied correctly and combined with the right supplements and dietary and lifestyle changes, homeopathic remedies can stimulate your body's healing mechanisms, including the immune system. By doing so, your body will be able to heal itself without being burdened by the side effects that traditional medicines sometimes cause. 

Another advantage of using homeopathy is the treatments are individualized. You will be receiving a remedy tailored to help your body deal with specific conditions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach found in conventional medicine. 

The remedies also treat your whole body, so you'll have a healthy gut, as well as increased energy, better moods, clear skin, and other health benefits. And finally, homeopathic treatments are natural, easy to use, and safe for all ages to take.

Homeopathic Remedies for Digestion Problems

Homeopathy naturally treats acute and chronic digestive disorders, such as stomach flu, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, and chronic diarrhea. Its medicine goes after the underlying causes rather than mask the symptoms, giving you a false sense of hope that your digestion problems are resolved. 

The remedies are usually made from minerals, herbs, or animal products. And the process involves crushing and dissolving the ingredients, shaking well, and diluting until the original product no longer exists.

Here are a few of the homeopathic remedies that may be prescribed to treat digestive issues:

Nux Vomica 

This is a go-to treatment for problems with overeating, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, and other stomach issues. Also, it helps reduce bloating and stomach fullness after eating heavy meals.

Pulsatilla

This remedy deals with gastric problems caused by eating too many fatty foods. It can also treat loose stools.

Calc Carb

This treatment fights against bloating, gas, and acid reflux. It also reduces the tight, full feeling in the upper part of your stomach.

Ipecac

This remedy helps treat constant nausea or a nauseating feeling. Nausea could be associated with other gut complaints. 

Carbo Vegetablis

This treatment assists with sluggish digestion in patients still recovering from an illness. It also alleviates bloating and gas. 

When Will You See Results?

Homeopaths may prescribe treatment for one to two days or recommend daily dosing, depending on the severity of the issue. Since each individual is different and the treatments are tailored to that individual, the results timeline will vary.

In some cases, patients may only need one or two drops before they start feeling results. But generally, within the first week of taking a remedy, you'll notice a difference in your symptoms.

Some factors may affect how long the remedy takes to work. For one, your age may determine how quickly you see results. However, physically active seniors could experience effects as soon as children do.

Other elements may include:

• how balanced your diet is
• how much stress is in your life
• whether you come from a poor or affluent background
• the type of relationships you have
• whether you have vices and are willing to give them up 
• how you handle your emotions 

These are just a few aspects that could affect the results of your homeopathic treatment. You can always talk to a homeopath about any concerns you may have regarding the effectiveness of the remedies. They may adjust the dosage or the medication itself to accommodate these factors.     

Is Homeopathy Safe?

Homeopathy has been used for over 200 years to treat various health conditions. It's a safe choice for treatment due to the natural ingredients used and the fact that the medicines are highly diluted. Additionally, the remedies are non-habit forming and do not leave you with any side effects. 

If you're interested in using homeopathic treatment, consult a certified practitioner like me. Book a consultation to find out how homeopathy can help improve your digestive health.