Nausea is a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach which may or may not lead to vomiting. It is a symptom which arises from a number of causes. When your nausea has come on recently and has a clear cause, homeopathic treatment can provide quick relief. Where nausea is more persistent, and especially where the cause is less certain, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause.
Homeopathy works by matching your experience of the acute symptoms to a specific homeopathic medicine for this symptom profile. To identify a suitable homeopathic medicine to help your acute nausea, the causative factors are taken into account, along with your individual symptoms.
Below are some examples of homeopathic remedies that are often used in cases of acute nausea, along with the typical symptom profile of each one. If your circumstances do not match any of these remedies, there are many other possible choices – in this case you may wish to consider professional advice to help you.
Arsenicum album
Arsenicum is one of the most commonly used remedies in acute digestive problems, including gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and nausea associated with chemotherapy. Gastric symptoms are typically accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. There is burning pain in the stomach, and the nausea is worse for cold water or cold food. It is noted for digestive upsets from spoiled food.
Cocculus
Cocculus is one of the main remedies to think of for acute nausea accompanied by dizziness or vertigo. This may typically be associated with motion sickness, and in this situation the nausea is worse for looking at moving surroundings and also moving objects. It is noted for nausea and vertigo that come on after a period of worry or loss of sleep (eg from looking after someone who is sick). The symptoms will usually feel a little better for lying down.
Ipecac
Ipecac is another remedy which is frequently indicated in acute nausea, including in acute gastroenteritis, and also in pregnancy nausea. The main indication for the use of Ipecac is constant nausea which is not relieved by vomiting. It is typically accompanied by profuse salivation. It is noted for upset stomach from rich, fatty foods and pork (see also Pulsatilla).
Nux vomica
Nux vomica is indicated in acute gastric complaints associated with overeating or overindulgence (especially in stimulants, alcohol and rich food), and in nausea from prescribed or recreational drugs. There is persistent nausea with the inability to vomit – vomiting would relieve the symptoms but they are unable. They feel worse in the early morning, and on waking, and feel better for lying down. Nausea may be accompanied by cramps in stomach or abdomen.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is often helpful in acute nausea after operations (associated with anaesthesia), and also in acute gastroenteritis. Gastric symptoms will typically feel better for cold drinks initially, but then the person will feel nauseous again as soon as the drinks warm up in the stomach. There may be a burning sensation in the stomach which accompanies the nausea.
Petroleum
Petroleum is mainly used in acute nausea associated with travel sickness and pregnancy. The nausea feels better for eating, and also better for stooping, and may come on suddenly, with cold sweat.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is commonly used in acute nausea, in complaints including pregnancy nausea, overeating or overindulgence, and nausea associated with headaches. The main indications for Pulsatilla are symptoms which are better for cool fresh air, and worse in a warm stuffy environment, and aggravation from rich fatty foods and especially pork and pastry, and from overeating. Pulsatilla is one of the main remedies for headaches which are accompanied by nausea, where the headache feels better for fresh air and cold applications, and may also be accompanied by flushed cheeks.
Sanguinaria
Sanguinaria is a remedy that is often indicated in acute nausea which accompanies headaches. Where Sanguinaria is indicated, the headache is typically right sided, starts at the back of the head or neck, and the pain extends forwards over the right eye. It may be accompanied by vomiting as well as nausea, and return periodically every week.
Sepia
Sepia is a well known remedy which is commonly used in pregnancy nausea. The nausea is often worse in the morning, and from the smell of food, but is also relieved by eating.
Tabacum
Tabacum is one of the main remedies for travel sickness, pregnancy nausea, and any form of acute severe nausea, where the symptom picture matches. There may be nausea from the slightest motion, which feels better for cold fresh air (eg an open window), and worse for warmth. Nausea may be accompanied by cold sweat, and the person may also feel better for uncovering the abdomen and for cold applications.
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I am working with my healthcare provider to find the right antidepressant. Cymbalta helped overnight but caused IBS symptoms. I don’t have IBS, sadly I’m trying another and it ‘s causing nausea, I’m so tired of all this, please, if you can make a suggestion or 10, God bless!!!
I would suggest that you work with a classical homeopath. They can work with you to find the right remedy for you, I am fortunate enough to have a doctor that I see in person that lives close to me. It looks like many are online including the person who has this website. I don’t know anything about Karen Leadbeater. Maybe she is the right person for you or maybe there is another person. Homeopathy is amazing and it has helped me a lot including completely eliminating my terrible seasonal allergies. Best to you and God bless.
Hello
I h ave studied some homeopathy. I think it is great. Suggestions for extreme nausea following tendon repair surgery on rotator cuff and the pain meds? thanks! He is a special friend….
Hi Linda, thanks for your question, and happy to suggest remedies to read up on, if I can. Significant nausea following surgery sounds as though it may be related to meds. My first thoughts as follows (though if there are any accompanying symptoms this may bring forward other remedies): Phosphorus, Ipecac, possibly Nux vomica, possibly Glonoinum. I suggest you read the remedy profiles regarding stomach symptoms and see which one fits best. What do his doctors say? Best wishes, Karen
Hi there, my 18 year old daughter has had nausea 24/7 for 2 years now as a result of taking 12 course of antibiotics for a UTI. She has SIBO, SIFO, H2S SIBO along with chronic gut dydbiosis and epigastric pain. We are seeing a Functional Nutrionist but the nausea is relentless. Do you have any suggestions please? Thank you
Hi Rachel, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter’s situation. Yes, there are homeopathic remedies that will definitely help with nausea, and homeopathy is a very suitable modality to help with the gut dysbiosis and other related symptoms too. For a homeopathic remedy to work, it needs to be matched to the way the individual experiences the nausea – there are many hundreds of possible options depending on the pattern and context of the symptoms. You are welcome to self select from the list of acute remedies if one of them seems to match your daughter’s symptom pattern – you may find she has some temporary relief this way. As it is a chronic situation you would do best to work with a homeopath alongside the nutritional support. I hope your daughter recovers well. Best wishes, Karen
Comment *Estoy por iniciar un tratamiendo de quimioterapia porque me detectaron cáncer colorectal. Qué medicamento homeopático me recomienda para los síntomas adversos como náuseas que seguramente me van a producir las drogas de la quimio? quiero estar preparada para cuando comience. Muchas gracias por su ayuda.
Hi Cristina, thank you for your question. I wish you well with your chemotherapy treatment. Homeopathy can be very helpful for the side effects of chemo, and can also help significantly with your emotional strength and well being during treatment and as you recover and move forward. I strongly recommend having professional homeopathic support going forward if you can manage it. For the specific side effects of chemotherapy, there are a number of homeopathic remedies which may be helpful, and the choice of the right ones for you will depend on the symptoms you experience. These include Arsenicum album, Nux vomica, Cadmium sulph, Ipecac, Phosphorus. If professional help is out of the question for you, it is possible to self administer – read up on each remedy and see which ones fit your symptoms most closely. However I do recommend professional support if you can. It is one less thing to think about, and they will be able to select the best medicines for you. I hope all goes well and sending my very best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen,
My husband wakes with terrible nausea and severe cramping every day. It’s usually exacerbated by trying to make a bowel movement. Doctors are stumped —what would you recommend?
Hi Regan, thanks for your question. It is hard to know what is going on for your husband without any context for this problem. To make a homeopathic recommendation needs more detail, and I would hesitate to suggest remedies to read up on without knowing a lot more about your husband’s condition. Depending on where you are in the world, you might do best to work with a local homeopath to match a remedy for him. I hope you find some answers soon. Best wishes, Karen
What would you recommend for exercise-induced nausea?
Hi Beth, thanks for your question. There are a number of possible causes here (including dehydration or overhydration, medication, digestive issues, and so on), and in addition homeopathic treatmnt works by matching your symptom profile to a specific medicine, so there is not enough information here to suggest remedies you might read up on. The first thing I might suggest is discussing with a PT to rule out hydration related causes, or exercise intensity. Best wishes, Karen