A Homeopathic Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

by Camila Sollero Claudio Costa Carvalho1, Ana Teresa Dreux2
The Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro - UNIRIO
1. Homeopath, 3nd year resident, UNIRIO, MD
2. Homeopath, Professor of the Department of Homeopathy and Complementary Therapy (DHTC), UNIRIO, MD

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic functional disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort with alteration of bowel habits – constipation, diarrhea or alternating constipation and diarrhea. Manifestations of the syndrome range from mild to extreme. There is a predominance amongst females (3:1 ratio) and the symptoms usually begin in the late teens to early twenties.

This paper reports the case of a female patient of 38 years of age, diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. She was treated with allopathic symptomatic medication for more than 10 years without a satisfactory response. She sought the homeopathic ambulatory at Gaffree & Guinle University Hospital in search of an effective and lasting cure for her chronic diarrhea. At that point she had been experiencing the symptoms for more than 16 years. 

Her diarrhea started abruptly, without an apparent trigger. The patient had liquid stools 3 to 4 times a day associated with abdominal cramps and putrid odor. The diarrhea was acid, with bits of undigested food and had no mucus or blood; it occurred mostly after large meals, particularly lunch. The patient reported feeling ashamed after bowel movements for they occurred in her workplace and were accompanied by strong odor. The diarrhea worsened when the patient felt anxious. Her childhood was difficult and she was sexually abused when in her teens. Her father was alcoholic and violent and she never had a good relationship with her mother. The mother never believed the patient was sexually abused.

She was first prescribed Staphysagria 100CH alternating with China officinalis 100CH, one dose of each per week for 30 days and a formula for diarrhea containing Arsenicum album 5CH, China off. 5CH and Colocynthis 5CH. 

The characteristics associated with Staphysagria patients and provings are similar to the ones present in this patient's history. Staphysagria is commonly used to treat the consequences of suppression of continuous cholera, disguised annoyance, hidden emotions and contained anger. In addition, the psyche of Staphysagria's patients is susceptible to humiliation, quiet disgust with aggressiveness, and irritability which can sometimes be repressed. Staphysagria was prescribed as medication for an obstacle to the cure (in this case, the obstacle was a sexual abuse suffered by the patient), China officinalis was prescribed because of her loss of fluids over a prolonged period of diarrhea. The formulation containing Arsenicum album, China officianalis and Colocynthis was prescribed due to the patient´s diarrhea characteristics (putrid odor with abdominal cramps and large quantity discharge). 

In only 30 days the patient reported a substantial improvement in her symptoms, going from three loose stools per day to three loose stools in 30 days. In subsequent consultations she was prescribed with Silicea terra as her simillium. In Silicea terra a typical patient's general characteristics are a lack of reaction in face of physical and mental aggression, with a tendency to exhaustion during prolonged physical and intellectual effort. Silicea individuals are nervous and restless, timid and afraid, unstable, anxious and hypersensitive. The patient improved her condition significantly and has not complained of diarrhea again.

The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with homeopathic medicine proved to be a satisfactory option to conventional treatment. It generated a rapid and effective response in a safe manner.

Editorial comment: This is a nice clear case of a common condition, one that can be effectively treated by homeopathy. Often in such cases, there is an emotional/mental etiology which precipitates such a condition, and in homeopathy this can be the key to finding a remedy. In this case, the history of sexual abuse and consequent emotional difficulties was central to the prescription of Staphysagria. From the perspective of homeopathic methodology, an argument could be made that Staphysagria would be sufficient to cure the condition, based on the clarity of the etiology and mental picture presented. However, the methodology employed by the author encompasses a remedy for the pathology (Arsenicum album, China and Colocynth), a remedy for the etiology and emotional state (Staphysagria) and to follow a remedy for the constitution (Silica). This methodology is fairly common, and is employed frequently by homeopaths in South America and France. From a strict unicist perspective, the remedy Staphysagria would likely be employed on its own, given the clarity of the picture. However, Colocynthis is very similar to Staphysagria and would also be a possibility, even if looking only at the pathological expression of the condition. China is also well justified, given the nature of the pathology. 

Whatever method is employed, this case is an excellent example of the effectiveness of homeopathy and the need to consider the emotional etiology and presenting mental symptoms to treat such a condition.