Bacillus faecalis
Quick Facts
- What it is: A homeopathic bowel nosode made from a killed gut germ, Alcaligenes faecalis, and then diluted until nothing of it is left.
- Main uses: Long-term bowel upset, Bloating, Joint aches in children, Long-running eczema
- Best for: People already under the care of a trained homeopath, alongside normal medical care
- Active ingredients: None measurable at 30C, Starting material: killed Alcaligenes faecalis culture, Base: milk sugar, cane sugar, water, alcohol
- Forms: Sugar pellets, Liquid drops in water and alcohol, Strengths of 30C, 200C and 1M
- Time to effect: No measured time to effect; homeopaths expect slow change over weeks.
- Side effects: Few and mild; most come from the sugar or alcohol base, not the remedy.
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What is Bacillus faecalis?
Bacillus faecalis is a homeopathic remedy. It is one of the bowel nosodes, made from a germ that lives in the gut. Its Latin name is Alcaligenes faecalis, and it is also called the Faecalis bowel nosode.
It is made by diluting a killed germ culture again and again. At 30C, none of the starting material is left. What you swallow is water, alcohol or sugar pellets.
Homeopaths give it for long-term bowel, skin and joint complaints. Trials do not show it works better than a dummy pill. Long use inside a tradition is not proof that a thing works.
How does Bacillus faecalis work?
Homeopaths think a very small dose can spur the body to heal itself. Lab science does not back this idea.
Bowel nosodes were matched to germ patterns seen in old stool tests. Most labs dropped that way of sorting germs many years ago.
At 30C there is no source material left to act. So no way of working has been shown. Any gains people report are best put down to placebo (a dummy effect), time and kind care.
What forms does Bacillus faecalis come in?
Sugar pellets soaked in the dilution are the most common form. Liquid drops in water and alcohol are also sold.
Usual strengths are 30C, 200C and 1M. Low strengths such as 6X are rare for nosodes. If one is offered to you, ask the seller how the culture was killed and tested.
Where it comes from:
Bowel nosodes came from British homeopathy in the 1920s and 1930s. Edward Bach grew germs from stool samples and made remedies from them. John Paterson later added more and named several of them.
Bacillus faecalis is one of that group. A small number of homeopaths still use it. It never became a staple of homeopathy as a whole.
Who should avoid Bacillus faecalis?
- Do not use if you have a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics — this is not a substitute, and delay can be dangerous
- Do not use if you are thinking of skipping a vaccine, because this remedy gives no protection against any illness
- Do not use if you have a weak immune system, from steroids, chemotherapy, HIV or a transplant, unless your doctor says it is fine — and never take a low strength such as 6X
- Do not use if you are giving it to a baby or young child in place of medical care
- Do not use if you have blood in your stool, a new lump, or weight loss you cannot explain — see a doctor first
- Do not use if you cannot digest lactose (milk sugar) and the pellets contain it
- Do not use if you must avoid alcohol, unless you choose the pellet form
- Do not use if you are stopping any prescribed medicine to make room for it
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor if your bowel habits change for more than two weeks, or if you see blood in your stool. Get help the same day for fever, bad tummy pain, being sick over and over, or signs of losing water such as a dry mouth and very little urine. Joint pain with fever or swelling in a child also needs care that day. Always tell your doctor about any remedy you take.
Evidence grades and traditional-use labels are explained in our methodology. Nothing here is medical advice.
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