There’s probably not a parent alive that hasn’t had to deal with a child nauseous and vomiting in the middle of the night. In truth, there are few maladies as disruptive to a good night’s sleep.

I am happy to report that the correct homeopathic remedy can help bring speedy relief.

Here are a few common ones to consider with their indications for use (remember, you need to match the most intense symptoms of the sick to those listed for each remedy to produce a positive outcome):

Arsenicum album: A child or an adult needing this homeopathic remedy will often complain of burning pains in the stomach with vomiting. The burning pains often feel better from a warm drink. The vomiting may be accompanied by diarrhea that is worse after midnight and after eating. The patient is very thirsty but for small sips not large gulps. They are chilly, weak and fearful, not wanting to be left alone. Additionally, this remedy is often considered first when bad food is suspected as the cause of the problem.

Ipecacuanha: Someone needing this homeopathic remedy is fairly easy to spot. They have irrepressible nausea. No matter what they do, they feel nauseous even immediately after vomiting. In fact, vomiting brings little or no relief. Despite all the vomiting, there is very little thirst.

Nux vomica: A child or adult needing this homeopathic remedy typically has a feeling they need to vomit, but cannot (“wants to but can’t”) so there may be a lot of retching. In addition to the nausea, these patients are almost always chilly, irritable and easily offended. Can be considered after the excessive consumption of alcohol.

Phosphorus: A person needing this homeopathic remedy often complains of nausea and vomiting and even burning pains in the stomach accompanied by a great thirst for cold drinks. Sadly, however, the fluid is vomited again as soon as it becomes warm in the stomach.

Veratrum album: A child or an adult needing this homeopathic remedy is a dead giveaway. They often suffer with excessive and often violent vomiting and violent diarrhea that is simultaneous or nearly so. And they tend to have a characteristic cold sweat during these episodes, particularly on the face, with a feeling of great coldness and utter exhaustion (the patient may actually fall asleep between purgings). The patient’s body can subjectively feel so cold that they feel as if ice water is circulating through their veins. They may be very thirsty as well.

The essential element to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is ALWAYS the same. One must match the characteristic symptoms of the patient to a remedy capable of producing similar symptoms to have success. If you choose a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms of the patient, you will have a happy outcome every time. If you don’t, you or your patient will either feel no effect, or one that is mild at best.

Dose with either a 30C or 200C potency, placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously and taking teaspoon doses as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins and only redose if symptoms again worsen. If after two to three doses there is no response, reconsider your remedy choice.

As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of an illness as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. is an exceptional homeopath who provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine and she's a partner with Dr. Andre Saine N.D. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Skype. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet.You can follow her on Facebook as well.