Bowel Nosodes
What are bowel nosodes?
Bowel nosodes are homeopathic preparations made from non-lactose fermenting bacteria found in the gut. They've been used within homeopathic practice for over 100 years.
They're sometimes described as similar in concept to a homeopathic probiotic - a preparation intended to give the body a "blueprint" of what a healthy gut flora profile looks like, according to homeopathic theory.
Understanding the gut-brain connection
The gut and brain communicate continuously via what's known as the gut-brain axis. The gut hosts a large and complex microbial community, and gut microbes are involved in producing several neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. A large proportion of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut. This is one reason gut health and general wellbeing are often discussed together in both conventional and complementary health contexts.
Probiotics and bowel nosodes
I use both bowel nosodes and probiotics to support digestion, absorption and elimination and nourish the gut microbiome.
As a Naturopath, I use both broad-spectrum probiotics and specific strains as part of my practice. Broad-spectrum probiotics are commonly used to support general gut health. Different probiotic strains are researched for different purposes - for example, some strains are studied in relation to bowel regularity, others in relation to skin, and others in relation to general mood support.
Bowel nosodes follow a similar logic within homeopathic practice: there are broad combination remedies and there are more specific, individually selected nosodes.
Some commonly used bowel nosodes
Gaertner - traditionally used within homeopathy in relation to digestive sensitivity and picky eating patterns. Often considered for those described in classical homeopathic case-taking as "failure to thrive" types - people who find it hard to gain weight or thrive despite eating, and who may be selective or fussy eaters.
Sycotic-co - traditionally associated in homeopathic literature with tissue overgrowth patterns and excess mucous production.
Morgan (Bach) - traditionally associated with congestion patterns affecting the skin and bowels: skin eruptions and sluggish bowel function.
Dys-co - traditionally associated with a nervous, apprehensive constitutional type in homeopathic case-taking: a tendency toward worry and a sense that something bad is about to happen, often accompanied by fidgeting, blushing easily, and an unsettled stomach - including loose, urgent bowel patterns that can ease after eating.
Poly Bowel Plus - a combination nosode containing ten individual bowel nosodes (including Dys-co, Morgan Bach, Gaertner and Sycotic-co) along with digestive enzymes and candida, formulated to reflect a broad range of intestinal flora.
Where to from here?
For guidance specific to your own health, please speak with your health practitioner or book a 1:1 homeopathic consultation.
This blog post does not constitute medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Homeopathic products are not required to be assessed by the TGA for efficacy.