Quite often hormonal imbalances are treated with the use of hormones, either synthetic, bio-identical or natural. Patients are told that they are estrogen dominant or low on progesterone and bumping up the levels of the hormone on the low side can help correct the imbalance. Is it really the case?

Why bumping up the level of hormones can’t fix the hormonal imbalance?

Our hormones are just the messengers secreted by our glandular system. The glandular system consists of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, thymus gland, sex glands (ovaries and testes), pancreas, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands. The hypothalamus acts as a master switchboard that sends messages to the pituitary gland; the pituitary gland, in turn, releases hormones that regulate body functions. Usually, our endocrine glands are linked to neural control centers by homeostatic feedback mechanisms. Most endocrine glands are under the control of negative feedback mechanisms. Negative feedback decreases the deviation from an ideal normal value and is important in maintaining homeostasis.

Negative feedback mechanisms act like a thermostat in the home. As the temperature rises (deviation from the ideal normal value), the thermostat detects the change and triggers the air-conditioning to turn on and cool the house. Once the temperature reaches its thermostat setting (ideal normal value), the air conditioning turns off. Similarly, in a steady balanced state, our glands signal back to the centers in the brain creating what is called a negative feedback loop. Any deviation from normality disrupts the communication of these glands and hormonal imbalance occurs. Now we know that the actual reason for our symptoms is glandular dysfunction so adding more hormones won’t fix the problem.

Bringing your hormones back into balance with homeopathy

Nausea and vomiting are usually common side effects of certain chemotherapies. Currently nausea is well controlled by Antinausea medications or antiemetics. Despite this some patients still suffer from nausea.

Now the question is can homeopathy provide any support to bring relief to patients suffering from nausea? Homeopathic remedies being gentle and safe, can certainly provide supportive care to the patients suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy. Let us see how and which homeopathic remedies can minimize the side effects of treatment without disrupting the curative treatment in progress. Remember homeopathic treatment can be used as complement to the usual treatment but should never replace the actual treatment.

Individualization is the key to success in homeopathy. For homeopathic treatment choose one or two remedies according to matching symptoms. You can take 6-7 pills of 30C potency.

Nux vomica: This remedy is generally indicated when patient feels worse after eating or taking lot of medicines. Patient always feels better after vomiting. There is constant feeling of nausea after eating in the morning time. Patient might have sour and bitter eructations.

Ipecac: In cases of constant nausea, with profuse salivation and no relief after vomiting. Patients’ tongue is usually clean or slightly coated. There is sinking feeling in the stomach.

Colchicum: There is nausea, vomiting, and faintness from the odor of cooking food. Distention of abdomen with gas, feeling as if it would burst.

Sepia: nausea at the sight or thought of food. There is painful sensation of emptiness in stomach which is relieved by eating.

Arsenicum Album: there is burning thirst but patient cannot drink as stomach does not agree with water. Takes only small sips. Gastric complaints after eating cold fruits, ice cream, cold water, and strong cheese.

Tabacum: deathly nausea aggravates with motion. Violent vomiting with cold sweat. Patient feels better in cold fresh air. There is feeling of coldness in abdomen but uncovering abdomen relieves nausea and vomiting.