Homeopathy for a “Stomach Bug” (Acute Gastroenteritis)

When a tummy bug hits—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping—homeopathy can offer gentle, individualized support alongside smart self-care. 

Quick reminder: severe dehydration, blood in stool, high fever, persistent pain, lethargy, or symptoms in infants/elderly/immunocompromised people warrant urgent medical care.

First things first: simple self-care

• Rehydrate: small, frequent sips. Try oral rehydration solution (ORS): 1 liter water + ½ level tsp sea (or Himalayan) salt or a diluted electrolyte drink. 

• Rest the gut: clear liquids → broths → bland foods (rice, applesauce, banana, toast) as tolerated.

• Avoid: alcohol, caffeine, greasy foods, big meals.

• Hygiene: wash hands; clean shared surfaces.

Key Homeopathic Remedies (match to the whole acute disease picture)

Arsenicum album

• Picture: Food poisoning; burning pains; frequent, small sips of water; restlessness, anxiety; worse midnight–3 am.

• Stool: offensive, scanty, exhausting. Thirsty for small sips. Chilly and wants warmth.

Nux vomica

• Picture: “I shouldn’t have eaten that”—overindulgence, irritability, nausea with ineffectual retching; cramping and the sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation.

• Worse: after rich/spicy food, coffee, alcohol; early morning. Better: warmth, rest.

Ipecacuanha

• Picture: Persistent nausea not relieved by vomiting; saliva strings; clean or minimally coated tongue.

• Stools: greenish or slimy in children; spasmodic cough + nausea combo sometimes present.

Veratrum album

• Picture: Profuse vomiting and diarrhea together, sudden collapse, cold sweat on the forehead, extreme thirst for cold drinks.

• Red flags: Use while arranging medical care if patient appears collapsed.

Podophyllum

• Picture: Painless, profuse, gushing diarrhea, worse early morning; weakness after stool; rumbling and “hollow” abdomen.

• Often: offensive, watery stools that splutter.

Phosphorus

• Picture: Thirst for cold drinks which are vomited as soon as they warm in the stomach; burning in stomach; weakness and desire for company.

• Stool: sometimes mucus/blood; sensitive, open, affectionate demeanor.

China (Cinchona)

• Picture: Exhaustion and weakness from fluid loss; bloating, gas that’s not relieved by passing it; sensitive to touch.

• Use: after the worst has passed, to rebuild from dehydration.

Carbo vegetabilis

• Picture: “Air hunger,” bloating, sour belching, collapse-y state; wants to be fanned and craves fresh air.

• Good when the patient is cold, clammy, and flat.

Colocynthis

• Picture: Violent cramping abdominal pain better by bending double and firm pressure or heat; can alternate with diarrhea.

• Worse: anger or indignation preceding the attack.

Croton tiglium

• Picture: Explosive diarrhea that comes immediately after eating or drinking; urging as soon as food hits stomach.

• Stool: watery, gushing; anus sore.

Mercurius solubilis

• Picture: Slimy stools with the sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation; foul breath, drooling, sweat that doesn’t help.

• Tongue: flabby, teeth-indented.

Pulsatilla

• Picture: Gentle, clingy, thirstless with nausea; worse from rich/fatty foods; changeable symptoms.

• Better: cool air, gentle attention.

Antimonium crudum

• Picture: Nausea and vomiting after overeating (especially cold drinks, sour foods); white-coated tongue; irritable to touch.

Bryonia

• Picture: Worse from the slightest motion; wants to lie still; dry mouth, very thirsty for big gulps; stitching pains.

• Stools: constipated phase can alternate with diarrhea in some bugs.

Aloe socotrina

• Picture: Rumbling, urgency with fear you’ll not make it; jelly-like mucus.

• Worse: morning, after eating.

For babies & kids

• Ipecac, Podophyllum, Arsenicum, Pulsatilla are commonly used pediatric pictures.

• Offer tiny sips of ORS frequently; watch hydration (wet diapers, tears, alertness).

• Seek care urgently if baby is very drowsy, not urinating, has a dry mouth, sunken fontanelle, or persistent vomiting.

When to seek urgent conventional care

• Signs of dehydration (little/no urination, dizziness, confusion, very dry mouth).

• Blood in stool or vomit; high or persistent fever.

• Severe abdominal pain, stiff neck, bad headache, or persistent vomiting (>6–8 hours).

• Frail/elderly, pregnancy, infants, or significant chronic illness.

After the bug: gentle rebuild

• Broths, stewed apples, rice congee (porridge), then add protein and healthy fats as tolerated.

• Probiotics/fermented foods (if tolerated) to repopulate the gut.

• China 30C once or twice a day for 1–2 days can help with post-illness weakness from fluid loss.

Final word

Homeopathy shines when the remedy matches the unique pattern of symptoms. If episodes are frequent, unusually severe, or you’re unsure which remedy fits, working with a professional homeopath can speed relief and reduce recurrences. If you would like help with a stomach bug, please reach out https://www.livingwellhomeopathy.com/appointments , livingwellhomeopathy@gmail.com   I am here for you!