Motion sickness often needs immediate attention, both to relieve the
person’s misery and to prevent disruption of a trip. Sometimes, as in the case
of sea or air sickness, it is impossible to leave the vehicle—so bringing along
a kit of remedies can be a good idea. (If vomiting is extreme or a person shows
signs of dehydration, a physician should be consulted.)
For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this
section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance.”
Argentum nitricum: Indications for this
homeopathic remedy include dizziness, faintness, nausea, retching, and possibly balance or
perception problems. The person may feel claustrophobic or be extremely anxious
and excitable. Eating too much sweet or salty food may have contributed to the
problem.
Arsenicum album: A person who needs this homeopathic remedy is likely to be very
anxious and feel both restless and exhausted. Nausea and vomiting can be
accompanied by burning pain. The sight and smell of food, or odors of any kind,
may make the nausea unbearable. The person may feel a burning sensation in the
throat or stomach and want frequent sips of water.
Borax: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include nausea, gas, and possibly
diarrhea. The person has a fear of any downward motion (as is felt on a plane
or roller coaster) and can be made sick by it. The person may also be very
sensitive to noise, warm temperatures, and cigarette smoke.
Bryonia: A person needing this homeopathic remedy usually wants to stay
completely still and not be talked to or touched. Nausea and vomiting, with
pain and pressure in the stomach, can be worse from even minor movements. The
person may have a dry mouth and want cold drinks.
Cocculus: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include dizziness,
palpitations, headache, numbness, and an empty or hollow feeling in various
parts of the body. The person may talk nervously, yawn, or tremble, and is
likely to feel extremely weak. Problems are often worse after getting cold, and
from not getting enough sleep.
Kali bichromicum: This homeopathic remedy is indicated when vertigo and nausea
are intense, and bright yellow fluid is vomited. The person feels worse from
standing up, and can be very weak. Aching may be felt in facial bones or in
small spots on the head. This remedy is often helpful during seasickness.
Petroleum: A feeling of empty nausea in the stomach, accompaned by
cold sweat and excessive salivation can indicate this remedy. An ache in the
back of the head and neck may be present. Food and warmth may bring some mild
relief.
Sepia: This homeopathic remedy is indicated when the person (often a woman or
child) feels dizzy and irritable, and the nausea is made worse by lying on one
side. A headache will often accompany these problems. The sight of food can
intensify the nausea, although the person may still want sour things.
Tabacum: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include violent nausea and
vomiting with a terrible sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach, pale face,
cold sweat, and icy feet and hands. Some relief may come from breathing cold,
fresh air.
Homeopathy Dosage Directions
Select the homeopathic remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions
where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician,
a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition,
instructions for use are usually printed on the label.
Many homeopathic physicians suggest that homeopathic remedies be used as follows: Take
one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and
let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped,
another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition
and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour;
other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some
situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.
If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a
different remedy.
Using Homeopathy with
Professional Guidance
Homeopathic remedies can also be helpful in complex or even serious
conditions—although self-prescribing is not appropriate in such cases. To
correctly select the homeopathic remedy and monitor the healing process, an experienced
physician who is trained in homeopathy should be involved, for the following
reasons:
- Medical knowledge is needed
to assess complex or serious conditions. Professional diagnostic tests may
be necessary, as well.
- Using a homeopathic remedy that covers
isolated symptoms superficially, but does not fit the person on deeper
levels, may change or suppress the symptoms, yet not be deeply curative.
- Even with a correctly-chosen
remedy, a temporary aggravation of symptoms may occur as part of the
healing process. Training and experience are required to distinguish a
helpful aggravation from an intensification of symptoms that occurs
because a remedy has not acted and the illness is progressing.
- An inexperienced or impatient
person might be tempted to repeat theh homeopathic remedy unnecessarily, or change to
other remedies at times when waiting is appropriate.
If an illness or condition is chronic or deep-seated, it is best to consult
an experienced homeopathic practitioner, for a “constitutional” remedy that
fits the characteristic symptoms of the case and considers the person’s
physical condition and individual nature in a more comprehensive way. A typical
first visit, a homeopath interviews a patient for at least an hour—to take a
careful history and elicit information about many aspects of the person’s state
of health—before choosing a remedy.
Article is written by
Michael T. Smith, ND
Naturopathic Physician
Carolinas Natural Health Center
1212 Mann Dr., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
Ph: 704-708-4404
Fax: 704-708-4417
www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com
