Homeopathy is one of a number of natural treatments used to treat a range of illnesses and disease; including anorexia nervosa.  Homeopathy is valued for its non-invasive nature and relative lack of side effects.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia is a serious psychological condition that manifests itself as an eating disorder, typically in adolescent females; though the condition is recorded in males and older age groups.  Recent research has in fact recorded anorexia in mature women, who initially became anorexic in their teens.  This has been termed adult anorexia, and has been found to be fatal for a high proportion of sufferers.  The primary obstacle to treating anorexia sufferers is to make them realise they have a problem. Diagnosis of the condition is typically through your GP, who may recommend consultation with a psychologist, counsellor and nutritionist. Serious cases may even require hospitalisation.

Anorexia Symptoms

Anorexia sufferer’s typically exhibit a range of physical and behavioural symptoms, with physical sign that can include:

• A substantial drop in body weight
• Distended stomach
• Fatigue
• An erratic heart beat
• Low blood pressure
• Osteoporosis or poor bone density
• Thinning hair; and
• Dry skin

Psychological and behavioural symptoms are also common, and can include any of the following:

• Obsessive exercising
• Depression
• Distorted self image
• A fixation with food
• A refusal to acknowledge they have a problem; and
• Rejection of food and eating

Homeopathy for Anorexia Nervosa

Homeopathy is a healing tradition that uses progressively diluted remedies that are designed to provoke a healing response from the body.  This is based on the principle of ‘like healing like’, with the carefully chosen mineral and plant extracts intended to stimulate the immune system to counter the condition causing the problem. Consultation with a homeopath will typically involve an assessment of a patient’s overall health, after which a remedy will be prescribed.  Some common homeopathic remedies that may be prescribed for the treatment of anorexia and its symptoms could include:

• Lycopodium – treating bloat
• Natrum muriaticum – treating depression and melancholy; and
• Nux vomica – for nausea and indigestion

Find out about other natural treatments for anorexia nervosa.