5 homeopathic remedies for overindulgence

Are you paying the price for overindulging? Homeopath David Needleman offers a handful of helpful remedies to get you through the post-party season

With leftover treats still in the cupboards, social gatherings spilling into the new year, and lingering holiday eating patterns, it can be hard to shift out of the routine of overindulging at this time of year. Whether it’s from too much food or alcohol, or both, overindulgence can lead to a host of digestive symptoms, such as bloating, indigestion and diarrhea.

Here are five homeopathic remedies that can counter these unpleasant symptoms as well as other common problems associated with the post-holiday period.

Nux Vomica

The best remedy for overindulgence, whether from food or alcohol, is Nux Vomica. If you buy only one remedy, make it this one. These are some of the symptoms it can help with:

• Headache at the back of the head, often with vertigo
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea or a sour taste in the mouth after eating
• Dyspepsia (indigestion) and trapped wind
• Drowsiness after meals

Arsenicum Album

Also called Ars Alb or Arsen Alb, this remedy is often used to treat “ailments from alcoholism” but is also useful for occasional alcohol overindulgence, such as from a celebratory lunch or dinner. It’s especially helpful for the following:

• Excessive drinking to the point of confusion
• Revulsion at the sight or smell of food
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Gray or pale skin
• Indigestion with burning pain in the abdomen and burping

Carbo Vegetabilis

This is a remedy made from charcoal, which has a long history of traditional use for easing digestive discomfort. It’s amazing at reviving a person, and you can often see a visible change very quickly. Carbo Veg is the remedy of choice for the following symptoms:

• Feelings of heaviness, fullness and sleepiness
• Bloating and excess wind
• Pain in the abdomen
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Marbled-looking skin that’s cold to touch

Lycopodium

This remedy is suited to overindulgence with food but not with alcohol. Choose Lycopodium if you have these symptoms:

• A ravenous appetite, even after eating
• Extreme bloating and excess wind that doesn’t relieve it
• Pressure in the stomach
• Diarrhea or constipation with ineffectual urging (the first passing may feel like releasing a very hard plug, after which the diarrhea may follow)

Phosphorus

Another common problem during the winter months is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is often related to reduced sunlight exposure during the shorter days in autumn and winter. Symptoms are similar to those of depression—low mood, lethargy, despair, reduced libido and difficulty concentrating, to name a few—but they occur with a seasonal pattern.

Phosphorus is the number one homeopathic remedy for SAD and general low mood. But it’s especially useful for those who are “easily intoxicated” and prone to vomiting. For best results, take it from late September to early April—have a good supply on hand.

Suggested dosages

For all the remedies mentioned above, I suggest a 30C potency, starting with one dose every hour until you’ve recovered—up to four doses. If symptoms persist, you may need to change the remedy. Consult with a qualified homeopath for individual advice.

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