It seems there are a few issues across the US at the minute…

​Tummy bugs are in the news.
​
Apparently, there are a couple somethings going around: Cyclosporiasis and the dreaded Norovirus. I asked Grok how to tell the difference.

• Incubation
  • Cyclosporiasis (caused by a parasite), takes from 2 days to 2 weeks to kick in.
  • Norovirus (virus) kicks in quickly, about 12-48 hours.
• Typical duration
  • Cyclosporiasis: weeks to a month and can relapse
  • Norovirus: 1-3 days
• Main symptoms
  • Cyclosporiasis: Watery/explosive diarrhea, bloating, cramps, loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss; vomiting less prominent
  • Norovirus: Sudden vomiting (often prominent, especially in kids), watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain; fever/headache/body aches common
• Contagiousness
  • Cyclosporiasis: is not spread from person to person — it generally comes from contaminated food or water. Summer apparently plays a role because they say more people are eating fresh produce (FOX 5 Atlanta 2026).
  • Norovirus: highly contagious, spreading from person to person (via vomit, stool, surfaces and food).
• Conventional treatment
  • Cyclosporiasis: antibiotics for prolonged cases
  • Norovirus: supportive only — no antibiotics

Does homeopathy care whether it’s a parasite or a virus? Not really. Homeopathy treats the person using a homeopathic remedy based on the presenting symptoms.

With that in mind, here is an article from a couple of years ago about Norovirus listing some possible homeopathic remedies which could prove helpful regardless of causation.

Nobody needs a nasty, nauseating norovirus

Since Cyclosporiasis is more bottom oriented, you may want to check out The Doo Doo Documents 3: Diarrhea, too.

The other thing floating around out there is smoke from the forest fires.
Agy the Buffalo Herbalist (I have no affiliation, I just really like her stuff) has an excellent article on wildfire smoke and what herbs may be helpful.
The Buffalo Herbalist
What Wildfire Smoke Does to Your Body (and How to Support It)

Smoky Skies, Burny Eyes offers a few homeopathic options which may help, too.


Take good care of yourself out there!


Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

​On the 11th day of cell salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Natrum sulphuricum.

Nat sulph “is one of our oldest homeopathic remedies, perhaps one of the oldest medicines on earth” (McCabe 2009).

Nat sulph is to be considered for those whose illness are caused by damp, wet environments — think mold. Nat sulph, like Nat mur, helps to regulate fluids. Though Nat mur attracts fluid for the body to use, Nat phos attracts fluid for the body to lose, thus Nat sulph is a good kidney support remedy.

Conditions which may benefit from Nat sulph:

• Respiratory
  • asthma 
    • which is worse in damp weather
  • flu
  • cough
    • with thick, ropy, greenish expectoration
  • bronchitis, chronic
• Edema
• Uro-genital
  • supports kidney function
  • urine, profuse
  • kidney stones
• Conjunctivits, chronic
• Head
  • headaches
    • with giddiness
  • head injuries
    • ailments from head injuries
• Gastro-intestinal
  • vomiting of bile
  • nausea
  • gallstones
  • indigestion
  • heartburn
  • diarrhea, chronic
  • flatulent colic
• sciatica
  • when getting up from sitting or turning bed

​
Mentally and emotionally, melancholy and/or an inner restlessness; those who suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Additionally, Nat sulph can be helpful for any mental conditions arising from a head injury. 


Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath


#wellnessawaits

Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books.

Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books.

Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press.

Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s.

McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com.

Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. 

Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service.

Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered.

Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.​

No matter what you want to call it … (if you’re squeamish, just know we’re talking about diarrhea and skip forward to the next paragraph). If toilet humor is your thing, here we go: Number 3, Chocolate Thunder, Poo Stew, Rectum Rapids, Turd Tea, Emergency Evacuation, The Squirts, Brown Bomb, Liquid Lunch, Poop Soup … I’ll stop now. (If you would like a few more unseemly names, see Travelers’ Diarrhea.)

Don’t worry, I won’t continue with the graphic descriptions. What follows is a long list of situations where one might experience diarrhea and the most highly indicated remedies for each.

Once again, if you are experiencing diarrhea beyond an acute bout, please seek professional medical advice.

Before embarking on my long list of unfortunate bottom-related circumstances, let me share one of my first amazing homeopathic "wowee!" moments. We were traveling and my then young teenage son was very sick in the night with suspected food poisoning. I was hemming and hawing, trying to remember what I had learned about remedies. I went with Veratrum album and within minutes everything stopped. I mean, everything completely stopped. He slept the rest of the night and woke up fine and dandy. “Better out than in” is what we say around here! As a result of this experience, I keep a little vial of Veratrum album in my little travel kit that accompanies me every time I leave the house with my suitcase.

Veratrum album is my go-to homeopathic remedy for if things are coming out of both ends. What else may point to the use of this remedy? The diarrhea (or vomiting) may be violent, voluminous and relentless. Collapse following diarrhea (not the only well indicated remedy in this rubric, but a good place to start). The person may be cold: cold limbs, generally chilly, and/or clammy. Diarrhea with perspiration. Diarrhea after eating fruit; diarrhea after eating cucumbers (technically a fruit, after all). Diarrhea during menses. Diarrhea which is made worse by movement/motion (Bryonia is another one to think of for this symptom). And, here’s one more unusual concomitant symptom for Veratrum album: hiccups during diarrhea. Isn’t that just what you need in that situation?!

Children & Diarrhea:
If you have an infant with diarrhea, administer Podophyllum on the way to see the doctor — dehydration can set in quickly.

Diarrhea while cutting teeth: Chamomilla. Chamomilla is such an excellent remedy for children, in general, and it doesn’t let us down in this situation, either (but these symptoms are not confined to children. With everything homeopathy, if the symptoms match, the remedy would be effective for man, woman, child or animal. Diarrhea with abdominal pain. Diarrhea: following anger; after taking a cold; after eating and, specifically after eating rhubarb. Emotional diarrhea or from excitement. During hot weather. Painless diarrhea. And, here is a rubric unique to Chamomilla (but hopefully you wouldn’t find this in a child!): diarrhea after smoking.

The Elderly & Diarrhea:
Like children, the elderly, too, have some remedies with great affinity to their age. In this particular situation, I would lean toward China officinalis.

China is so good for enfeebled people, as can often be found in the later years. In particular, China is useful for weak digestion; dyspepsia/indigestion; flatulence; chronic belching.

Dysentery, in simple terms, involves frequent bowel movements with blood and mucus in the stool, often accompanied by cramps and pain. Give some China while on the way to see a doctor. Please seek medical assistance if you are experiencing these symptoms.

If diarrhea and constipation alternate in older individuals, consider Antimonium crud.

On to the general list…

If experiencing abdominal pain, and it feels like diarrhea is imminent, Aloe would be my first recommendation. There may be accompanying weakness. Diarrhea after eating and in particular, diarrhea following the slightest dietary indiscretion. Walking makes it worse. Lots of toots during the diarrhea.

There are a few rubrics where Aloe and Sulphur “tie” when it comes to diarrhea: burning pain in the rectum; being driven out of bed in the morning, needing the toilet desperately (Sulphur has the specific times of 5-6 am); painless diarrhea; standing makes it worse.

Where Sulphur “wins out” over Aloe: diarrhea after beer and nighttime diarrhea, especially after midnight.

If the diarrhea alternates with another symptom, such as:

• rheumatism: Kali bich
• a heat sensation in the head: Belladonna
• headaches: Podophyllum
• asthma, especially at night: Kali carb
• diarrhea every other day: China

Diarrhea and emotions:

• after anger: Colocynthis
• after anticipation/anxiety: Argentum nitricum or Gelsemium. If nausea is part of this picture, also consider Nux vomica.
• feeling cheerful despite chronic diarrhea: Calc carb, which is a little unusual when it comes to elimination — they don’t mind being constipated and apparently chronic diarrhea doesn’t bother them, either!
• irritability: Bryonia
• with mental restlessness: Arsenicum album

Feeling wiped out after all that wiping? China is a good place to start. If the weakness is particularly pronounced, also consider Phosphoric acid. If the act of wiping actually causes pain: Graphites.

Diarrhea during pregnancy: Phosphorus

Diarrhea during menopause: Lachesis

Diarrhea following an injury: Arnica

If it’s coming out as from a hydrant: Podophyllum

If it has a really noxious smell: ​Baptisia

Diarrhea following the consumption of:

• after a debauch: Nux vomica
• ice cream: Arsenicum album or Pulsatilla
  • if ice cream after diarrhea makes you feel better: Phosphorus
• chocolate, sugar or sweets: Argentum nitricum
• pastries: Pulsatilla

If you find your appetite increases with diarrhea: Petroleum.

Cold hands with diarrhea: Phosphorus
Cold feet: Lycopodium
Cold limbs: Arsenicum album, Camphora and Veratrum album

Positionally speaking:
If lying down make it worse: Dioscorea
If lying down makes it better: Bryonia (though it may be worse lying on your side)
Sitting upright makes it worse: Bryonia

Time of day:
If it starts after you have risen from bed and moving around: Bryonia or Nat sulph
After midnight: Arsenicum album or Sulphur
If the diarrhea causes sleeplessness: Phosphorus

I changed my mind. I will use one more dysphemism: the sharts, also commonly referred to as “gambled and lost” (Flanagan 2010). If you are having diarrhea during rectal flatus, there are a number of well indicated remedies, but I would start with Aloe — the remedy for an insecure rectum (click that link to read the previous article with the same name.)

What would cause an “insecure rectum?” Let’s go back to Giulia Enders’ Gut for this explanation. Apparently we have a pair of “sophisticated” sphincters which Enders takes a few pages to explain and I am going to try and shrink it down to the bare essentials using her words, (but her full explanation is certainly worth a read). “The outer muscle is a faithful servant of our consciousness. When our brain deems it an unsuitable time to go to the toilet, the external sphincter obeys and stays closed with all its might. … Our internal sphincter is a no-nonsense little guy. His motto is, ‘If it’s gotta come out, it’s gotta come out!’ … The external sphincter, on the other hand, has to deal with the vagaries of the outside world and its many options.” Suffice it to say, we need these two sphincters to communicate well.

A few more remedies for involuntary stool (not necessarily diarrhea):

• on bending over/stooping: Ruta
• during coughing or sneezing: Phosphorus or Sulphur
• on laughing: Sulphur
• on moving: Phosphorus or Phosphoric acid
• on beginning to move: Rhus tox
• during sleep: Podophyllum
• on walking: Aloe

As you can see, homeopathy can be invaluable when it comes to diarrhea — there is a homeopathic remedy for almost any situation!

​
Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

References:

Enders, G., 2015. Gut : the Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ. Greystone Books.

​Flanagan, D., 2010. Everybody poops 410 pounds a year : an illustrated bathroom companion for grown-ups. Berkeley, Ca: Ulysses Press.

Murphy, R., n.d. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. accessed through Radar Opus software.

Pooping is under appreciated. We all do it. Some of us appreciate it. Some of us find it a nuisance. Some of us struggle with it daily. Some of us find it funny. Some of us find it disgusting (there may be some scientific evidence for this one (Curtis et al. 2011). Some of us find it embarrassing. Some of us find it unseemly and certainly not a topic for polite discussion.

If you find yourself in that last category, I hope to change your mind starting today and continuing over the next couple of weeks because poop is so amazingly important!

Don’t believe me? Try not having a poop for a few days and see how you feel!

Not surprisingly, finding a good homeopathic remedy for an individual can be helped along with some fecal details. It’s one of those little tidbits that really can relay a lot of useful information. Also not surprising, lots of people have poop issues but they never bring it up until after the fact. (After the fact: "My constipation is better after that remedy" after never having mentioned the problem.) Even if a homeopath asks directly about pooping, it is not uncommon for the answer to be along the lines of, “all good there” — implying "move on". (If you find yourself in a homeopathic consult, put whatever squeamish embarrassed-ness you may have aside and fling those poop facts out there!)

If you’re not in the habit of taking a peek after you poop, I suggest you re-evaluate that decision. If you don’t look, who else is going to … until it’s too late and you find yourself at the doctor’s office leaving a stool sample to find out what is going wrong? Keeping an eye on your deposits can help you keep an eye on your health.

Back to how important poop is…

Poop takes waste from our bodies — preventing the build up of toxins and maintaining a healthy gut.

Poop can have an effect on our psychological wellbeing.

Poop reflects our physical health. The color, consistency and frequency of poop can indicate an underlying health issue such as digestive problems, infections, or nutrient deficiencies. Stool samples are used to diagnose infections, detect bacteria, viruses or parasites and also to screen for medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.

So, that’s a lot of poopy talk, but what is this poop we are actually talking about, anyway?

According to Taber’s Medical Dictionary, feces is bodily waste such as food residue, bacteria, epithelium, and mucus, discharged from the bowels.

People poop generally once or twice daily (1.2 times a day on average), totaling about 1.8 oz to a whopping 28 oz for the average adult and between 2.6 oz and 13 oz per day for children (Rose et al. 2015). For reference: a tennis ball weighs about 2 oz. A can of soda weighs about 12 ounces. On the high end of this scale, 28 oz equates to 1.75 pounds which is approaching the weight of a typical pineapple sold in grocery stores (Measuring Stuff 2022). 😳

Where does all this stuff come from?

Poop is (generally) made up of 75% water and 25% solid matter. 30% of that solid matter consists of dead bacteria; about 30% indigestible food matter such as cellulose; 10-20% is cholesterol and other fats; 10-20% is inorganic substances such as calcium phosphate and iron phosphate; and 2-3% is protein (Britannica 2019). (Short hand: 10 parts water, 1 part bacteria (dead and alive), 1 part indigestible fiber and 1 part mixture of fat, protein, dead cells, mucus (Richman and Sheth 2007).

With all the basics out of the way, let’s get back to homeopathy.

In preparing for this mini-series on poop, I was browsing through my little assortment of poop books. (What? Don’t you have one of those?!) Judging by my quick look on the internet, my poop book collection is woefully slim … there are poop log books which claim to help you improve your gut health; poop coloring books; books about how to poop in the woods; an absolute ton of books for kids about pooping; and, a surprisingly large number of bathroom guest books 😳. (I guess that’s one way to encourage people to talk about this heretofore forbidden topic.)

To get us in the poop mood, however, I am going to be relying on What’s your Poo Telling You? By John Richmond and Anish Sheth, M.D.

The very first page of the introduction talks about “the feeling of unbridled elation that results from unleashing the perfect poo. Although difficult to achieve, this Poo-phoria lends a feeling of ecstasy, even invincibility, that some have likened to the perfect buzz.”

Cheerfulness after a stool is a symptom in a few homeopathic remedies, but Natrum sulphuricum is the most highly indicated. (Paradoxically, anxiety, confusion or weakness following a stool may also indicate Nat sulph. Men who may benefit from Nat sulph also may have an increased desire for sex during stool. In short, if there are residual emotions following a stool, Nat sulph may be worth considering.)

* If you experience ANY of these physical symptoms, or, if you have recently had a change in bowel habits, be sure to seek professional medical advice. In particular, pain, blood, excessive mucus, especially if they are ongoing, should be evaluated professionally.

What other intestinal indicators may lead you to Nat sulph?

• Cramping abdominal or intestinal pain which is better following a stool.
• Loud flatus during a stool or sputtering flatus.
• Urging for stool but only flatus is passed.
• Clay-colored, green, or yellow-colored stools.
• Copious stools.
• Thin, liquid, watery stools.
• Rumbling, gurgling, rolling noises before stool.

What if having a poop leaves you little irritated instead of cheerful?

In that case, I would look to Nitric acid.

What other intestinal indicators may lead you to Nitric acid?

• Abdominal pain during and after a poop.*
• Constipation.
• Pain in the rectum following evacuation. This pain may be cutting, burning, sharp, sticking, stinging or tearing.
• Stools like balls; like sheep dung.
• Bloody streaks in the stool*. (This may be from hemorrhoids but any blood in the stool should be evaluated by a medical professional.)

If you find yourself in a state of tranquil serenity following a stool, that may lead you to Borax. Borax is a smaller stool-related remedy, but other indications may be:

• Light-colored stool
• Stools with a transparent or white slimy mucus.
• Painless diarrhea.

Borax can be an excellent remedy for babies, so if you have a little one who has some other issues which may need addressing but who blisses out after filling their nappy, take a look at Borax.

Note: A small amount of mucus on the stool is usually not a cause for concern. Mucus lines your intestines to keep your colon running smoothly, among other tasks. However, if there is excessive mucus in or on the stool it may be a sign of an underlying condition such as: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, food poisoning, bowel obstruction or blockage, cancer of the rectum or colon. If you have excessive mucus or even a small amount of mucus which is on-going, seek professional medical advice, especially if it is accompanied by abdominal pain, bloody stools, fever or weight loss (Mayo Clinic). Check out this article for more information.

It’s important to remember in these situations that cheerfulness, irritation or tranquility after a stool is not something pathologic — it’s not a problem and it doesn’t need to be addressed. These symptoms may just be useful in leading you to an overall remedy for an individual (or, an animal). However, some other stool related symptoms may be calling for attention and the post-evacuation mood might help you get to the best remedy.

Back to our book to round out this opening article on emotions and poop…

Number 3… AKA diarrhea. I will be writing a longer article on diarrhea shortly, but today, going with the emotions involved with pooping, I will just mention a few remedies where mental/emotional symptoms are the leading indicator of a remedy for diarrhea.

When diarrhea is triggered by emotions, the first remedies to consider are Argentum nitricum and Gelsemium.

I have written about Argentum nitricum a few times before (see: What Goes Up; Feel the Fear; My Little Bag of Wellness).

Gelsemium is an absolute go-to remedy for anticipatory anxiety (see: Back to School; The Big Goodbye). Gelsemium is bold type and underlined for ailments from anxiety. Nervous tummy sending you running to the toilet? Gelsemium. Another emotional diarrhea symptom for Gelsemium is diarrhea from bad news.

Arsenicum album could be considered here, too, especially if there is any burning pain associated with it. (I see a new article in the making, comparing Arg-nit, Gels and Ars. Sit tight. I’ll get to it one day.)

If it is diarrhea after anger, Colocynthis is the remedy to grab for ailments from anger. Homeopathic Colocynthis pains are almost always better by pressure and by warmth -- bending double or a hot water bottle helps the abdominal pains associated with the diarrhea. (I see where you're going with that thought and yes, it can be very helpful for menstrual cramps.)

Diarrhea following chagrin or humiliation: Staphysagria.

Diarrhea following grief? Phosphoric acid is another remedy for diarrhea after anticipation, but it is an even bigger grief remedy… weakness and sorrow and depression, mental exhaustion.

Diarrhea after mental exertion? There’s a 3 way tie between Arg-nit, Nux vomica and Picric acid (see: Taxing Remedies for more info on Pic ac).

How about the other side of things, like excitement? Aconite, Argentum nit, Arsenicum album or Gelsemium. If that excitement is coupled with fear, then stick with Aconite.

Sudden diarrhea following joy? Coffea cruda (see: Silence, Please!)

One last emotion to talk about in regard to poop and that is fear. Touched on a couple of lines above, Aconite is the place to start for all things fear. There can certainly be a bit of crossover with anxiety, but fear, to me, is a result of a threat or impending danger and anxiety is a response to an anticipated or expected danger.

However, a fear of losing control of one's bowels is a genuine fear, especially if one is already experiencing some goings-on in that area. Homeopathic Aloe is the remedy for an insecure rectum. Involuntary stool, with or without flatus. Involuntary stool following urination. 

Tune in next week for the second installment of the Doo-Doo Documents: The Bristol Stool Scale.

​
Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

​#wellnessawaits

Reference list and poop-related books:

Britannica, 2019. Feces | biology | Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica [online].

Choi, B., 2024. Fun Poop Facts Kids Should Know • Human Body Learning [online].
Human Body Learning. 

Cohen, M., 2023. Mucus in Stool: Is It Normal & What Does It Mean? [online]. The IBS & Gut Health Clinic. 

Curtis, V., de Barra, M. and Aunger, R., 2011. Disgust as an adaptive system for disease avoidance behaviour. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences [online], 366 (1563), 389–401. 

Enders, G., 2015. Gut : the Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ. Greystone Books.

Holzwarth, W. and Erlbruch, W., 2007. The story of the little mole who knew it was none of his business. London: Pavilion.

Mayo Clinic, n.d. Mucus in stool: A concern? [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Measuring Stuff, 2022. Things Around The House That Weigh 2 Pounds – Measuring Stuff [online]. Measuringstuff.com. 

Richman, J. and Sheth, A., 2007. What’s your poo telling you? San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books.

Rose, C., Parker, A., Jefferson, B. and Cartmell, E., 2015. The Characterization of Feces and Urine: A Review of the Literature to Inform Advanced Treatment Technology. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology [online], 45 (17), 1827–1879.

Tarō Gomi, 2020. Everyone poops. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, n.d. The Scoop on Poop [online]. Gastrointestinal Society. 

Venes, D. and Clarence Wilbur Taber, 2013. Taber’s cyclopedic medical dictionary. [22nd ed., ISBN: 9780803629776]. Philadelphia, Pa.: F.A. Davis.

Reference list:
Alton, J. and Alton, A., 2021. The survival medicine handbook : the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way : a Doom and Bloom guide. United States? Doom And Bloom Llc.

Anon., 2022. Tea at the Treedome [online]. Encyclopedia SpongeBobia. 

Armstrong, L. and Johnson, E., 2018. Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water Requirement. Nutrients [online], 10 (12), 1928. 

Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji.

Calabrese, J., 2015. Ditch the Gatorade and Make My Sons’ Homeopathic Electrolyte Drink [online]. joettecalabrese.com.

Cox, G., Broad, E., Riley, M. and Burke, L., 2002. Body mass changes and voluntary fluid intakes of elite level water polo players and swimmers. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport [online], 5 (3), 183–193. 

danastore, 2018. USING HOMEOPATHIC CELL SALTS TO HELP PROMOTE FASTER RECOVERY FROM HARMFUL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN ANIMALS by Judy Hoy [online]. Homeopathic.com. 

First Aid for Pets, 2018. How to tell if your dog is dehydrated | First Aid for Pets [online]. firstaidforpets.net. 

Goehring, M. T., Farran, J., Ingles-Laughlin, C., Benedista-Seelman, S. and Williams, B., 2022. Measures of Skin Turgor in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Wound Management & Prevention [online], 68 (4), 14–24. 

Goucher, T. K., Hartzell, A. M., Seales, T. S., Anmuth, A. S., Zanghi, B. M. and Otto, C. M., 2019. Evaluation of skin turgor and capillary refill time as predictors of dehydration in exercising dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research [online], 80 (2), 123–128. 

Hew-Butler, T., Smith-Hale, V., Pollard-McGrandy, A. and VanSumeren, M., 2019. Of Mice and Men—The Physiology, Psychology, and Pathology of Overhydration. Nutrients [online], 11 (7), 1539. 

Kight, B. P. and Waseem, M., 2020. Pediatric Fluid Management [online]. PubMed. 

Ma, N., J, P., Ja, M., Jr, M. and M, V., 2006. Acute Mountain Sickness: Influence of Fluid Intake [online]. Wilderness & environmental medicine. 

Maughan, R. J., Dargavel, L. A., Hares, R. and Shirreffs, S. M., 2009. Water and Salt Balance of Well-Trained Swimmers in Training. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism [online], 19 (6), 598–606. 

Mayo Clinic, 2020. Water: How much should you drink every day? [online]. Mayo Clinic. 

Murphy, R., n.d. Repertory, version 3. Accessed through Radar Opus software.

Norland, M., 2016. Get Well Soon -- A Guide to Homeopathic First Aid. Yondercott Press.

Raab, C. P., 2021. Dehydration in Children - Children’s Health Issues [online]. Merck Manuals Consumer Version. 

Schmukler, A. V., 2006. Homeopathy : an A to Z home handbook. Woodbury, Minn.: Llewellyn Publications.

Sengun, S., Uslu, A. and Aydin, S., 2012. Application of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method for the detection of dehydration status in professional divers. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) [online], 48 (4), 203–210. 

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, 2018. Kids Health Information : Dehydration [online]. www.rch.org.au. 


Further Reading:
Huey, R. B. and Eguskitza, X., 2001. Limits to human performance: elevated risks on high mountains. Journal of Experimental Biology [online], 204 (18), 3115–3119.

Saat, M., Singh, R., Sirisinghe, R. G. and Nawawi, M., 2002. Rehydration after Exercise with Fresh Young Coconut Water, Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Beverage and Plain Water. Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY and Applied Human Science [online], 21 (2), 93–104. 

Smith, D., 2018. Homeopathy, Tissue Salts & Bach Flowers for Pregnancy, Labour & Post-partum. bubiroo books.

A graphic image, I know! But when you’re talking about:

Montezuma’s Revenge
Delhi Belly
The Runs
The Trots
The Squirts
The Aztec two-step … 

It all makes sense.

“Travelers’ diarrhea (TD) is the most predictable travel-related illness. Attack rates range from 30% to 70% of travelers, depending on the destination and season of travel” (CDC 2013). TD is usually defined as 3 or more loose stools in 24 hours (Ashkenazi et al. 2016), sometimes with nausea/vomiting, cramps or fever. Bacterial and viral pathogens usually set in between 6 and 72 hours and protozoal pathogens rarely show up in the first few days, with a typical incubation period of 1-2 weeks (though there are exceptions to this) (CDC 2013).

Untreated, the bacterial diarrhea can last 3-7 days. Viral diarrhea 2-3 days. Protozoal diarrhea can stick around for weeks or months (Connor 2016).

Merson (et al. 1976) studied 73 physicians and 48 family members attending a medical conference in Mexico City in 1974, collecting fecal and blood samples before, during and after their trip. They found 49% developed traveler’s diarrhea, setting in about 6 days after arrival and lasting about 5 days.
(There are a few things that jump out from this study that may skew the results. Did they all stay and eat in the same locations? Those who did not get sick, did they alter their behavior in any way from their traveling companions who did get sick? Of the 49% who got sick, how many were related to one another? These and other questions were not addressed in this study.)

Mainstream advice on avoiding traveler's diarrhea

“Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it” is one option. I once knew a man who traveled internationally frequently and he swore that if you added gin to your water, that would protect you from the dreaded traveler’s diarrhea. If these suggestions don’t work and something nasty manages to slip in to your system despite your best efforts, it’s very important to replenish the electrolytes (Ashkenazi et al. 2016). Ali (2019) found that in children with acute diarrhea, adding probiotics to the Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) considerably reduced stool frequency.

In addition to ORS, the standard care for traveler’s diarrhea is antibiotics, sometimes prophylactically and sometimes after the fact, as well as anti-diarrheal medication. Antibiotics can certainly have side effects but, more importantly, “antibiotics used by travelers might result in significant changes in the host microbiome as well as the acquisition of multidrug-resistant bacteria” (Riddle and Connor 2019). For example, post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome may occur in 3-17% of patients following traveler’s diarrhea (Steffen et al. 2015).

A popular anti-diarrheal is Loperamide, AKA Imodium. Drugs.com tells us it is a nonprescription opioid that primarily affects opiate receptors in the intestines to treat diarrhea, which commonly results in constipation, nausea, flatulence, dry mouth, abdominal cramp and vomiting. Loperamide is also known to result in cardiac arrest (Wu and Juurlink 2017) though it is considered “relatively safe at therapeutic doses.” 

How do we avoid this awful predicament?

The worldwide lockdown of the last almost two years certainly is one answer, but staying home 24/7 is not a good option, in my opinion. There’s a whole big world out there with people and places to see!

If you have read any of my articles before, you already know my answer to this problem… Homeopathy!

Fortuoso (et al. 2019) used a homeopathic product (referred to only as Dia 100 in the study, a trademarked remedy with no further information provided), on newborn lambs. The E.coli counts were significantly lower in the stools of the lambs treated with homeopathy and those lambs were able to make “better use of their nutrients, contributing to their immune responses.” (Fortuoso (et al. 2018) completed a similar study with calves. Camerlink (et al. 2010) found similar results in piglets using Coli 30K.)

Jacobs (et al. 1994) found a statistically significant shortening of duration and number of stools per day of diarrhea in children using individualized homeopathy as compared to placebo.

Whether gut issues now exist because one suffered from TD or if gut issues exist following antibiotic use, Uchiyama-Tanaka (2018) found the use of homeopathic bowel nosodes to be effective in 69.6% of patients in a small study of dysbiotic* Japanese patients. ​

Homeopathic Arsenicum album 200c, taken at the beginning of any diarrhea is very effective (Banerji and Banerji 2013, p. 66).

The Banerjis also recommend a couple of cell salts to help with the dehydration that will most likely accompany TD or food poisoning or other causations of prolonged diarrhea: Natrum muriaticum 6x and Kali phos 6x, taken together, every three hours.

Why Arsenicum album?

In addition to the studies referenced above, homeopathic Arsenicum album is noted for its anxiety, restlessness, exhaustion and burning pains. Sudden weakness, sudden intense effects, and “even stupor is interrupted by fits of restlessness with anxious moaning” (Murphy n.d.).

As for Arsenicum album’s connection to food poisoning, it is known to help ill effects from bad food and “injurious effects of fruits, especially more watery ones” (Murphy).

On the mental and emotional plane, Arsenicum album is noted when there is a fear of death and disease and “fixed ideas, hallucinations of smell and sight”  — when you can’t stand the sight or smell of food. Have you ever suffered food poisoning and you can’t get the image or the smell of what you ate out of your mind?

Arsenicum album has been studied, homeopathically speaking, since the days of Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. “He despairs and weeps, and imagines no one can help him, that he must die; he is cold and chilly, and afterwards generally weak” (Hughes et al. 2011, referencing Hahnemann’s findings). When you are in a hotel room, a hotel bathroom in particular, and experiencing these dreaded symptoms, homeopathic Arsenicum album might just be your new best friend.

Arsenicum album, don’t leave home without it.**


Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath


#wellnessawaits



* Dysbiosis is an unhealthy change in the normal bacterial ecology of a part of body, e.g., of the intestines or oral cavity (Venes and Clarence Wilbur Taber 2013).

** There’s a well-known credit card company that begins with A and has the same number of syllables in their name. Their ad campaign back in the 1970s was “… don’t leave home without it.”

Reference list
Ali, R., 2019. The Use of Probiotic with ORS and ORS Only in Children with Acute Diarrhea. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan [online], 29 (12), 1179–1182. 

Anon., 2012. Loperamide [online]. PubMed. 

Ashkenazi, S., Schwartz, E., and O’Ryan, M., 2016. Travelers’ Diarrhea in Children: What Have We Learnt? The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal [online], 35 (6), 698–700. 

Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji.

Camerlink, I., Ellinger, L., Bakker, E. J., and Lantinga, E. A., 2010. Homeopathy as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. Homeopathy [online], 99 (1), 57–62. 

CDC, ed., 2013. Travelers’ Diarrhea | Travelers’ Health | CDC [online]. Cdc.gov. 

Connor, B. A., 2016. Travelers’ Diarrhea - Chapter 2 - 2020 Yellow Book | Travelers’ Health | CDC [online]. Cdc.gov. 

Drugs.com, ed., 2021. Imodium Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term [online]. Drugs.com. 

Fortuoso, B. F., Gebert, R. R., Griss, L. G., Glombovisky, P., Cazarotto, C. J., Rampazzo, L., Stefani, L. M., Ferreira, E. B., and da Silva, A. S., 2019. Reduction of stool bacterial counts and prevention of diarrhea using an oral homeopathic product in newborn lambs. Microbial Pathogenesis [online], 127, 347–351.

Fortuoso, B. F., Volpato, A., Rampazzo, L., Glombowsky, P., Griss, L. G., Galli, G. M., Stefani, L. M., Baldissera, M. D., Ferreira, E. B., Machado, G., and da Silva, A. S., 2018. Homeopathic treatment as an alternative prophylactic to minimize bacterial infection and prevent neonatal diarrhea in calves. Microbial Pathogenesis [online], 114, 95–98. 

Hahnemann, S., 2015. Chronic diseases, their particular nature & their homoeopathic cure. Referenced through Radar Opus 2.2.16. New Delhi: B. Jain.

Hughes, R., Timothy Field Allen, and Al, E., 2011. The encyclopedia of pure materia medica : a record of the positive effects of drugs upon the healthy human organism. Accessed via Radar Opus 2.2.16. New Delhi: B. Jain.

Jacobs, J., Jiménez, L. M., Gloyd, S. S., Gale, J. L., and Crothers, D., 1994. Treatment of acute childhood diarrhea with homeopathic medicine: a randomized clinical trial in Nicaragua. Pediatrics [online], 93 (5), 719–725. 

Merson, M. H., Morris, G. K., Sack, D. A., Wells, J. G., Feeley, J. C., Sack, R. B., Creech, W. B., Kapikian, A. Z., and Gangarosa, E. J., 1976. Travelers’ Diarrhea in Mexico. New England Journal of Medicine [online], 294 (24), 1299–1305.

Murphy, R., n.d. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. accessed through Radar Opus 2.2.16.

Rafferty, A. and Kayne, S., 1994. The use of Arsenicum album 30c to complement conventional treatment of neonatal diarrhoea (“scours”) in calves. British Homeopathic Journal [online], 83 (04), 202–204.

Riddle, M. S. and Connor, B. A., 2019. Perspectives: Antibiotics in Travelers’ Diarrhea - Balancing the Risks & Benefits - Chapter 2 - 2020 Yellow Book | Travelers’ Health | CDC [online]. wwwnc.cdc.gov.

Riddle, M. S., Connor, B. A., Beeching, N. J., DuPont, H. L., Hamer, D. H., Kozarsky, P., Libman, M., Steffen, R., Taylor, D., Tribble, D. R., Vila, J., Zanger, P., and Ericsson, C. D., 2017. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of travelers’ diarrhea: a graded expert panel report. Journal of Travel Medicine [online], 24 (suppl_1), S63–S80. 

Steffen, R., Hill, D. R., and DuPont, H. L., 2015. Traveler’s Diarrhea. JAMA [online], 313 (1), 71. 

Uchiyama-Tanaka, Y., 2018. Case Study of Homeopathic Bowel Nosode Remedies for Dysbiotic Japanese Patients. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) [online], 24 (2), 187–192. 

Venes, D. and Clarence Wilbur Taber, 2013. Taber’s cyclopedic medical dictionary. [22nd ed., ISBN: 9780803629776]. Philadelphia, Pa.: F.A. Davis.

Wu, P. E. and Juurlink, D. N., 2017. Clinical Review: Loperamide Toxicity. Annals of Emergency Medicine [online], 70 (2), 245–252. 
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Dystopian fiction used to be one of my favorite genres… until 2020 happened and we found ourselves living in an actual dystopia! A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to return to normal and re-visit this type of fiction. 

One Second After by William R. Forstchen came to me via an enthusiastic recommendation and it turned out to be a well-written, plausible scenario of the after effects of an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) being dropped on the United States. The result? All electronics ceased functioning: no phones, no running water, no refrigeration, no cars. Supply lines stopped. Stores looted and emptied in the first days. Medical help was dependent on the knowledge of the local doctors, nurses and veterinarians and whatever supplies they happened to have on hand.

You know what was missing in this scenario? Somebody with some homeopathic knowledge! Homeopathy is an essential skill to have if you are living off the grid, whether by choice … or through a fictional EMP being dropped.

The main character got a life-threatening infection after cutting his hand.  A number of remedies come to mind for a really bad infection*: Calendula (Parente et al. 2012; Givol et al. 2019; Preethi and Kuttan 2009), Gunpowder (Casey 2011) or, the  Banerji protocol of Hypericum 200c mixed with Arsenicum album 200c (Banerji and Banerji 2013). 

*This article is based on a fictional situation. If you find yourself in any of these situations in real life, seek medical attention immediately!

His daughter had Type 1 diabetes (NOT a good thing to have when the supply lines are cut and there is no more insulin to be found) and though homeopathy may help control some of the symptoms, it isn’t going to do much to help that situation. There are certainly medical conditions for which pharmaceutical drugs are absolutely necessary to keep people alive. But, this dystopian novel made me think about all the people dependent on pharmaceutical meds for non-life-threatening conditions. You don’t want to be dependent on these things when this fictional EMP is dropped (or even if there is a breakdown of the supply chain)!

The coming to grips with their new reality? Ignatia could certainly help with that. It is so good at addressing emotional shocks and for those suffering ill effects from hearing bad news or from fright and "disorders of the mind, particularly if actuated by grief, sadness, hopelessness, hysterical variableness, fantastic illusions" (Murphy 2006, p. 973).

The diarrhea that spread through town? Arsenicum album (Rafferty and Kayne 1994), Veratrum album (Banerji and Banerji 2013) or Camphor ​(Banerji and Banerji 2013; Leary 1997; Perko 2005). [An interesting read on the use of homeopathy in cholera epidemics.]

The psychiatric patients in town who no longer had their meds… Homeopathy has a good track record for helping mental and emotional conditions of all sorts and certainly could have helped to keep some of these conditions at bay, but these are better suited to an individualized classical homeopathic remedy. (Check out Homeopathy and Mental Health Care by C. K. Johannes for a place to start.)

Another beautiful aspect of homeopathy is it doesn’t require much of a supply chain. It is completely possible to make your own homeopathic remedies as long as you have either the raw materials or the homeopathic remedy itself. If you have blank pellets, you can create more pellets as needed, or, you can make essentially limitless liquid remedies from a couple of pellets and treat the whole town at once!

What else could these people have used? A good First Aid Kit** and the knowledge of how to use it.  When your local hospitals and clinics are no longer of any use to you, a medium-sized accident can leave you in a world of hurt. Remember, in this fictional account, there was no electricity, no internet, no phones to help you figure out how to use your first aid kit. It does you no good to have something downloaded on your now defunct tablet; you need to have good, old-fashioned books to guide you, like US Army First Aid Manual or Herbal medic : a green beret’s guide to emergency medical preparedness and natural first aid.

I know some people find these catastrophic topics disturbing. I like the problem solving that comes along with reading these kinds of books; to think about the worst case scenario and figure out ways to tackle the problems — being prepared (in my mind, at least) brings me a sense of calm.

I’m happy to have this genre back in my life. I wonder what the next dystopian scenario coming my way will be? Regardless of what it is, I bet homeopathy would be a useful skill to have!


Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

** I have no affiliation with this company or any products listed here, I just like their products.

REFERENCES

Anon., 2020. Instructions For Turning Pills Into Liquid Remedies [online]. Homeopathy Plus. 

Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji.
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Camerlink, I., Ellinger, L., Bakker, E. J., and Lantinga, E. A., 2010. Homeopathy as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. Homeopathy [online], 99 (1), 57–62.
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Casey, S., 2011. Gunpowder! Little-Known Remedy Packs a Wallop Against Wounds - Shirley Casey [online]. Hpathy. 

Coyte, J., 2021. Homeopathic potency briefly explained [online]. CLASSICALLYPRACTICAL.COM. 

Givol, O., Kornhaber, R., Visentin, D., Cleary, M., Haik, J., and Harats, M., 2019. A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration [online], 27 (5), 548–561.

Jacobs, J., Jiménez, L. M., Gloyd, S. S., Gale, J. L., and Crothers, D., 1994. Treatment of acute childhood diarrhea with homeopathic medicine: a randomized clinical trial in Nicaragua. Pediatrics [online], 93 (5), 719–725.

Johannes, C. K., 2010. Homeopathy and Mental Health Care. The Netherlands: Homeolinks Publishers.

Leary, B., 1997. The homoepathic management of cholera in the nineteenty century with special reference to the epidemic in London, 1854. Medizin, Gesellschaft, Und Geschichte: Jahrbuch Des Instituts Fur Geschichte Der Medizin Der Robert Bosch Stiftung [online], 16, 125–144.
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Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November.

Parente, L. M. L., Lino Júnior, R. de S., Tresvenzol, L. M. F., Vinaud, M. C., de Paula, J. R., and Paulo, N. M., 2012. Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil [online]. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 

Perko, S. J., 2005. The homeopathic treatment of influenza : surviving influenza epidemics and pandemics past, present and future with homeopathy. San Antonio, Tx: Benchmark Homeopathic Publications.

Preethi, K. C. and Kuttan, R., 2009. Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula offlcinalis. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology[online], 20 (1).

Rafferty, A. and Kayne, S., 1994. The use of Arsenicum album 30c to complement conventional treatment of neonatal diarrhoea (“scours”) in calves. British Homeopathic Journal [online], 83 (04), 202–204.
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FIRST AID BOOKS

Coffman, S., 2021. Herbal medic : a green beret’s guide to emergency medical preparedness and natural first aid. North Adams, Ma: Storey Publishing.
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Pareek, R. S. and Pareek, A., 2012. Homeopathy for Acutes and Emergencies. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Publishers.

Ratera, Dr. M. M., 2016. First Aid with Homeopathy.

Schmukler, A. V., 2006. Homeopathy : an A to Z home handbook. Woodbury, Minn.: Llewellyn Publications.
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United States. Department Of The Army, 2009. U.S. Army first aid manual. New York: Skyhorse Pub.

Wiseman, J. and Britain., G., 2014. SAS survival handbook : the ultimate guide to surviving anywhere. New York: William Morrow, An Imprint Of Harpercollins Publishers.
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