Top 6 Effective Homeopathic Remedies For Esophagitis

Esophagitis refers to inflammation of the esophagus (a tube through which food and drink passes from mouth to stomach). It can lead to damage of tissue of the esophagus, alter its structure or cause problems with its normal function. It can have various causes. The most common cause behind it is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In this condition, there is backflow of stomach acid into the food pipe that can irritate its lining and lead to inflammation. Next it can arise from infections. Another reason behind it is use of certain medicines (NSAIDs, some antibiotics, steroids). Besides, other risk factors includs alcohol abuse, excessive cigarette use, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, chemical injury by alkaline or acid solutions, physical injury, weak immune system, stress, allergies, crohn’s disease (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to gastrointestinal system), chronic vomiting, obesity, hiatal hernia (condition in which stomach bulges out from the hiatus opening in the diaphragm into the chest),  excessive intake of  vitamins and supplements, and surgery in the chest area.

Homeopathy offers a very effective treatment for cases of esophagitis. Homeopathic remedies for esophagitis help to reduce the inflammation of esophagus and effectively manage its associated symptoms.  Symptoms including heartburn, difficult swallowing, painful swallowing, sensation of food getting stuck in the food pipe, nausea, vomiting can be well managed with these medicines. The various medicines such as anti – inflammatory medicine, acid blocking medicines, antivirals, antifungals used for treating esophagitis in conventional mode offer short term effects and can have side effects. Homeopathy gives long- term recovery with zero side effects.

Homeopathy fights with the cause of esophagitis to aid long term results. Homeopathic medicines works by boosting the body’s self – healing mechanism to overcome the cause and gives excellent recoveries. The time duration for which a person needs to take medicines depends on the chronicity of the problem. Homeopathy is recommended for mild to moderate cases of esophagitis to manage symptoms effectively. But in severe and serious cases with complications like perforation of esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus), one must consider the use of conventional treatment as homeopathy has limitation in treating such cases.

Homeopathic treatment for esophagitis is always individualised and symptomatic where the characteristic symptoms present in each case serves as the key indicator to most suitable prescription for a given case of esophagitis. The medicine selection, potency, dosage and repetition of medicine, everything is done as per the specified laws of homeopathy. Hence, guidance from a homeopathic doctor for the prescribed time duration, shows excellent results, while self-medication may not help.

Homeopathy uses natural medicines for treating esophagitis. These medicines are made from natural substances thus they never cause any side effects. These are free of any toxins and treat the condition in a very gentle and natural way.

Top 6 Homeopathic medicines for esophagitis

The leading homeopathic medicines for managing cases of esophagitis are Arsenic Album, Iris Versicolor,  Phosphorus, Causticum, Belladonna and Veratrum Viride.

 1. Arsenic Album – Top Grade Medicine

Arsenic Album is a leading medicine for treating cases of esophagitis. Persons needing it have marked burning in the food pipe (heartburn). Burning is felt while swallowing food. The burning is so intense, it feels  as if esophagus has become  raw with an acidic substance. Along with this, nausea may attend. They may also have stinging sensation in the esophagus as from a splinter. Another complaint that is observed is very difficult and painful swallowing. The sufferer has a feeling as if everything swallowed is getting lodged in the esophagus.

When to use Arsenic Album?

Arsenic Album is a highly suitable medicine to manage esophagitis with burning and stinging sensation in food pipe with difficult, painful swallowing.

How to use Arsenic Album?

Arsenic Album can be initially used in 30C potency once a day. Its high potencies can also be considered but only under the guidance of a homeopathic doctor.

2. Iris Versicolor – To Manage Heartburn, Nausea, Vomiting

It is a highly recommended medicine for managing heartburn. In cases needing it, one feels nausea continuously. One may feel sour, acrid vomiting. At times, one may vomit food about an hour after eating. Burning sensation in the mouth may also be present.

When to use Iris Versicolor?

Iris Versicolor is a wonderful medicine to manage heartburn, nausea and vomiting of sour matter or food in cases of esophagitis.

How to use Iris Versicolor?

This medicine can be used in both low and high potencies but to start with it is advised to take it in 30C potency once or twice a day.

3. Phosphorus – For Burning Sensation in Esophagus (food pipe)

Phosphorus is another prominent medicine for cases of esophagitis. It is indicated when burning sensation is felt in the esophagus. Besides, there is difficulty in swallowing liquids. One may feel nausea and vomiting. It is also a medicine for managing cases of stricture of esophagus.

When to use Phosphorus?

Phosphorus is of great use in esophagitis cases to manage burning in esophagus and difficult swallowing of liquids.

How to use Phosphorus?

It is advised to take this medicine once a day in 30C power.

4. Causticum – For Sensation of Lump in throat / Food Lodging in Esophagus

This medicine is beneficial for cases of esophagitis when there is sensation of a lump in the throat or of food lodged in the esophagus. Besides, there is nausea during or after a meal in cases that require this medicine. Next attending symptom is vomiting of acidic water or food. In many cases pressive, cramp–like pain or shooting pain is felt in the abdomen in the epigastric region.

When to use Causticum?

This medicine should be considered to manage a lump sensation in the throat or a feeling as if food is lodged in food pipe.

How to use Causticum?

Causticum 30C can be used once a day.

5. Belladonna – For Difficult and Painful Swallowing

It is very effective to manage complaints of difficult and painful swallowing especially liquids. There is also burning, stinging and dryness in the food pipe. Sometimes contraction in esophagus is also felt. Along with this, pain in stomach, nausea, vomiting may also be present.

When to use Belladonna?

This medicine works well to manage difficult and painful swallowing mainly liquids in cases of esophagitis.

How to use Belladonna?

It is available in different potencies from low to high. To begin with, it is advised to take this medicine in 30C potency two to three times a day.

6. Veratrum Viride – For Esophagitis With Nausea and Vomiting

This medicine is well indicated when there is nausea and vomiting in cases of esophagitis. Along with this burning is marked in the food pipe with constant desire to swallow. It is most helpful for acute cases of esophagitis.

When to use Veratrum Viride?

Veratrum Viride should be considered to manage complaint of nausea and vomiting in esophagitis cases.

How to use Veratrum Viride?

It is recommended to take Veratrum Viride 30C once a day.

Symptoms

The symptoms of esophagitis include difficulty in swallowing, pain while swallowing, burning sensation in throat, heartburn, pain in the chest behind the breastbone while eating, food getting stuck in the food pipe. Other symptoms that can occur include nausea, vomiting, decrease in appetite, sore throat, hoarse voice and cough. Young children may have feeding difficulty and failure to thrive.

Types of Esophagitis

Reflux Esophagitis

This type usually results from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In this disease, there is backflow of stomach acid upwards in the food pipe. There is a valve known as LES – lower esophageal sphincter, that keeps the stomach acid in the stomach and prevents its back flow. This valve opens only when food has to enter the stomach from the food pipe and is closed at all other times. When this valve opens at times other than eating or doesn’t close rightly then the stomach contents can get back in the food pipe. If this occurs frequently for a long time then acid content from the stomach can inflame and damage the lining of the food pipe and this condition is known as reflux esophagitis. There are some factors that increase the chance of GERD and inflammation of esophagus due to stomach acid. This includes taking excessive alcohol, coffee, chocolate, smoking, eating excessive fat and going to bed immediately after eating.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

This type occurs from an excessive number of eosinophils (a type of WBC – white blood cell that plays a role in allergic reactions) in the esophagus usually from an over reactive response to an allergen or acid reflux. There are some common food triggers for it, for eg, foods such as milk, eggs,  soy, peanuts, wheat and shellfish. It can also result from inhaling an allergen like pollen.

Lymphocytic Esophagitis

It is a rare type that occurs from an excessive number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) in the esophageal lining. Crohn’s disease, GERD are some diseases associated with it.

Drug-Induced Esophagitis

This results from taking some oral medicines with a very little amount of water. It increases the contact time of medicine with the lining of the food pipe.  Some of the examples of these medicines include pain relievers (aspirin,ibuprofen), antibiotics (tetracycline), bisphosphonates, quinidine and potassium chloride.

Infectious Esophagitis

It is rare and can occur from a bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infection in the esophagus. This type mostly affects people having weak immune systems. Among infections, a fungus called Candida albicans is common cause for this type of esophagitis. These fungal infections are common in people with low immunity, people who are diabetic, have cancer or those who use steroids.Complications

If not treated well in time there can occur changes in the structure and function of the esophagus. Firstly it can lead to scarring, narrowing (stricture) in the esophagus. Next there can occur ulcers in the esophagus. Another complication is tearing or perforation of the esophagus. Lastly it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus (it is a precancerous condition in which there occurs damage to esophageal lining and changes in cells that line the esophagus which increases the risk of esophageal cancer).

Complications

If not treated well in time, changes in the structure and function of the esophagus may occur. Firstly it can lead to scarring, narrowing (stricture) in the esophagus. Next, ulcers may appear in the esophagus. Another complication is tearing or perforation of the esophagus. Lastly it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus (it is a pre-cancerous condition in which there is damage to esophageal lining and changes in cells that line the esophagus which increases the risk of esophageal cancer).