HOMEOPATHY FOR GERD

This article is for eduational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is quite a common condition at any age. Most of us experience what we call “heartburn” occasionally and pregnant women can have it more often. In some cases, however, it is a chronic condition and allopathic medicine has little to offer, apart from Rennies or Tums or other anti-acids that only calm the symptoms for a little while! Alternative medicine like homeopathy, plus a well balanced diet, can make all the difference and take away the symptoms for good!

So, what are the symptoms?

-burning sensation in the chest after eating

-acid reflux

-frequent “burping”

The symptoms can be more or less frequent or intense and of course, vary from person to person. This is why a full consultation is necessary, as there are quite a few remedies that can help with this.

Before I give you a list of useful remedies, however, I would like to point out that this condition often occurs in cases where the patient lives in a stressful environment.

Most medical conditions (I would claim, all medical conditions) are psychosomatic to some extent. Psychosomatic is what traditional western medicine calls physical symptoms believed to be driven by our mind, rather than purely physical causes. As human beings are made of physical, mental and spiritual elements merged together, this distinction seems a bit silly to a homeopath: how can you separate mind from body when they are always inextricably linked?

Most of the patients I have seen suffering from GERD or related conditions, like pancreatitis, colitis, IBS and so on, started suffering after or during a prolongued period of emotional and mental stress: pressure at work, family issues, money worries and so on.

Homeopathic remedies like Lycopodium, Nux Vomica, Natrum Carbonicum and others, have an affinity with the digestive system.

The choice of remedy depends on the quality of the individual’s symptoms but also on the whole case picture, particularly the mental/emotional aspect. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver and the digestive system in general are the seat of emotions, particularly anger and suppressed stress. People who are prone to anger or have usually a “short fuse” are also more prone to GI issues. Nux Vomica can help in such cases. On the other hand, people with a delicate constitution and a mild disposition, can be helped by Natrum Carbonicum.

As always, there is no “one-sixe-fits-all”.

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