Nux Vomica

What it’s reached for

• indigestion, heartburn and constipation from rich food, alcohol or stress.
• a blocked-at-night streaming-by-day cold in a chilly, irritable person.
• the morning-after feeling, and sleeplessness from an over-worked mind.

Headache — Belladonna vs. Bryonia vs. Nux Vomica vs. Gelsemium: worse morning, "as if he had not slept," from overindulgence/stimulants/mental overwork, better after a short nap. Hahnemann's proving: "headache, like a heaviness in the brain, in the morning" (#38), "in the morning headache, as if he had not slept at night" (#25).

Digestive upset — Nux Vomica vs. Arsenicum vs. Carbo Veg vs. Pulsatilla: from rich food/alcohol/stimulants/overwork, irritable, chilly, constipated with ineffectual urging.

Common Cold / Catarrh — Aconite vs. Allium Cepa vs. Euphrasia vs. Arsenicum vs. Nux Vomica: nose runs in the daytime and blocks at night and outdoors, from a chill, person very chilly and irritable, worse cold air.

Nausea & Vomiting — Ipecacuanha vs. Arsenicum vs. Nux Vomica vs. Pulsatilla: from over-eating, alcohol, coffee or rich food; retching with the feeling that vomiting would bring relief but it won't come; irritable; worse in the morning.

Loose Motion / Diarrhoea — Arsenicum vs. Podophyllum vs. Nux Vomica vs. China vs. Pulsatilla: from over-indulgence; frequent small stools with constant urging that does not stop after passing; worse in the early morning.

Anxiety, Stress & Sleeplessness — Coffea vs. Aconite vs. Nux Vomica vs. Arsenicum vs. Ignatia vs. Gelsemium vs. Argentum Nitricum: from overwork, deadlines, too much coffee or alcohol; irritable and driven; wakes around 3–4 am thinking about work, then falls into a heavy sleep near getting-up time and wakes unrefreshed.

Constipation — Nux Vomica vs. Bryonia vs. Alumina vs. Silicea vs. Lycopodium: frequent ineffectual urging, passes a little each time and still feels there is more, from a sedentary life, stimulants or a laxative habit.

Liver Upset — Chelidonium vs. Lycopodium vs. Nux Vomica vs. Carduus Marianus: after over-eating, alcohol or rich food.

Piles / Haemorrhoids — Aesculus vs. Hamamelis vs. Nux Vomica vs. Ratanhia: piles from a sedentary life, constipation and straining, itching and stitching worse at night, aggravated by spicy food and alcohol.

Potency: 30C on going to bed and on rising; 6C after meals for digestive use.