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Limited evidenceGut health

Nux Vomica (Homeopathic)

A homeopathic dilution of the strychnine tree, sold for indigestion and hangover. The only controlled evidence puts it in an arm that did not beat placebo, at very low certainty.

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What the science says

  • Not better than placebo in the one relevant trial Limited evidence

    In the Cochrane review of homeopathy for IBS, the arm combining asafoetida with nux vomica improved global symptoms in 68% (13/19) versus 52% (12/23) on placebo — a non-significant difference, rated very low certainty evidence.

  • The whole evidence base is four small trials Limited evidence

    Cochrane identified only four RCTs (307 participants) of any homeopathic treatment for IBS, with unclear to high risk of bias, and could draw no firm conclusion about effectiveness.

  • No dose-response to describe Limited evidence

    Products at 6C or 30C contain no measurable strychnine or any other original substance, so any reported benefit reflects expectation and the consultation rather than pharmacology.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseLabel directions are typically 3–5 pellets at 6C or 30C, several times daily. There is no meaningful dose-response relationship.
SafetyStandard homeopathic dilutions of 6C and above are chemically inert and essentially risk-free. The real hazard is delayed diagnosis — persistent dyspepsia, weight loss, vomiting or bleeding need medical assessment. Low-dilution 'mother tincture' Strychnos nux-vomica preparations are an entirely different and genuinely toxic product.

How to take it

TimingPer label, though with no dose-response relationship the schedule is convention rather than pharmacology.
With food?Away from food by convention; there is nothing chemically present for food to affect.
Worth knowingCheck the dilution on the box — 6C and above are inert sugar, but low-dilution mother tinctures of Strychnos nux-vomica are a different and genuinely toxic product.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeopathic nux vomica work for indigestion?

Homeopathic nux vomica has limited evidence: in the one relevant trial, the asafoetida-plus-nux-vomica arm improved IBS symptoms in 68% versus 52% on placebo, a non-significant difference rated very low certainty. It has not been shown to beat placebo.

Does nux vomica help a hangover?

No controlled trial supports homeopathic nux vomica for hangover. Products at 6C or 30C contain no measurable strychnine or any other original substance, so any reported benefit reflects expectation rather than pharmacology (limited evidence).

Is nux vomica safe since it comes from strychnine?

Homeopathic nux vomica at 6C and above is chemically inert and essentially risk-free. Low-dilution 'mother tincture' Strychnos nux-vomica preparations are a different and genuinely toxic product, so check the dilution on the box.

How many nux vomica pellets should I take?

Labels for homeopathic nux vomica typically suggest 3–5 pellets at 6C or 30C several times daily, but there is no meaningful dose-response relationship. The real hazard is delayed diagnosis: persistent dyspepsia, weight loss, vomiting or bleeding need medical assessment.

Scientific references

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