Vomit therapy

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{{cquote|As a [[dog]] returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.|||{{bible|Proverbs|26|11}}}}
'''Vomit therapy''' was a legitimate treatment for some types of poisoning in [[Western medicine]] until recently. Usually {{wpl|syrup of ipecac}} (derived from roots of the plant ''Carapichea ipecacuanha'') was advised to induce vomiting. A 2005 analysis concluded that "circumstances in which ipecac-induced emesis is the appropriate or desired method of gastric decontamination are rare."<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15732439 Guideline on the use of ipecac syrup in the out-of-hospital management of ingested poisons] by A. S. Manoguerra et al. ''Clin. Toxicol. (Phila).'' 2005;43(1):1-10.</ref> Ipecac is no longer recommended for poison treatment except under rare circumstances under medical treatment.

==Ayurveda==
{{main|Ayurveda}}
In Ayurvedic medicine, vomiting (''vamana'') is used for prevention or treatment of [[Panacea|many disease conditions]]: acne, anemia, anorexia, asthma, bronchitis (allergic), cold, cough, diabetes, diabetes, dyslipidemia, eczema, edema, epilepsy, fever, hyperacidity, indigestion, loss of appetite, lymphatic obstruction, migraine, nausea, obesity, poisoning, psoriasis, rhinitis, sinus problems, sinusitis, skin diseases, tonsillitis, and urticaria.<ref name=holistic>[http://www.holistic-online.com/ayurveda/ayv-treatment-panchakarma.htm Ayurveda &mdash; Panchakarma], holistic-online.com.</ref><ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296337/ A study on ''Vasantika Vamana'' (therapeutic emesis in spring season) &mdash; A preventive measure for diseases of ''Kapha'' origin] by Santoshkumar Bhatted et al. ''Ayu''. 2011 Apr-Jun; 32(2): 181–186. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.92562.</ref> In Ayurveda, vomiting is usually induced by a drink containing either [[List of medicinal plants#Licorice|licorice]] (''Glycyrrhiza glabra'') and honey, or calamus root (''Acorus calamus'').<ref name=holistic/> Yes, vomiting has been claimed to prevent anorexia!

While vomiting once in a while is usually not dangerous, excessive vomiting can cause dehydration, esophageal tears,<ref>[http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-nausea-vomiting Nausea and Vomiting] WebMD</ref> and damage to teeth.<ref>[http://www.healthline.com/health/bulimia-teeth Bulimia’s Effect on Teeth] by Stephanie Watson (October 14, 2016) Healthline</ref> Given that ''vamana'' has little or no demonstrated efficacy for its many claims,<ref>[http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-24565-7_7 ''Panchakarma'': Ayurvedic Detoxification and Allied Therapies—Is There Any Evidence?] by Sivarama Prasad Vinjamury. In: ''Evidence-Based Practice in Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Perspectives, Protocols, Problems and Potential in Ayurveda'', edited by Sanjeev Rastogi (2012). ISBN  9783642245640.</ref> that it can be dangerous, and that there are safe efficacious Western medical treatments for most of the conditions that it is claimed to treat, ''vamana'' is not recommended.

==Reparative therapy==
{{main|Reparative therapy}}
Vomiting is one of the techniques that has been used in "reparative therapy" of [[sexual orientation]]. It is considered ineffective by the American Psychological Association.<ref>[http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/therapeutic-response.pdf Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation] by Judith M. Glassgold et al. (2009) American Psychological Association.</ref>

==Thailand==
{{wpl|Wat Tham Krabok}} (วัดถ้ำกระบอก) is a [[Buddhist]] temple in [[Thailand]] that is known for among other things its opioid [[drug]] rehabilitation/[[detoxification]] program. The treatment program includes Asian [[herbal supplement]]s, relaxation and vomiting; supposedly the vomiting part is only 5% of the [[healing]] process, though how that's calculated isn't clear.<ref name=beast>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/08/why-do-addicts-seek-out-thailand-s-vomit-temple-for-rehab.html Why Do Addicts Seek Out Thailand’s ‘Vomit Temple’ for Rehab? A secluded monastery in Thailand offers free drug rehabilitation, starting with a vomit detox] Zachary Siegel (10.07.15 10:00 PM ET) ''The Daily Beast''.</ref> The secret vomiting potion includes 100 or so different herbs.<ref>[https://www.thefix.com/content/thai-rehab-vomiting-puking9646 Thai Temple Rehab Prescribes Puking] by Hunter R. Slaton (02/13/12) ''The Fix''.</ref><ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/last-resort-rehab-australians-turn-thailands-vomit-temple-cure-meth-addiction-1521679 Last Resort Rehab: Australians turn to Thailand's vomit temple to cure meth addiction] by Hannah Osborne (September 29, 2015 13:13 BST) ''International Business Times''.</ref> The efficacy of this treatment is unknown, but it has attracted a few Western drug addicts for treatment. In fairness, [[US]] treatment of drug and alcohol addiction may not be much better with large amounts devoted to [[Alcoholics Anonymous|12-step]] derived programs, whose efficacy is not very good at all.<ref name=beast/><ref>[https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/US09.pdf 2009 State Profile — United States National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS)] Substance Abuse & mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</ref>

==See also==
*[[Ayahuasca]]
*[[Feces therapy]]
*[[Urine therapy]]

==References==
{{reflist|2|90%}}

[[Category:Indian medicine]]

Categories: Indian medicine