Homeopathic Remedies A-Z

ACONITE
No. 1 Remedy for nipping colds in the bud.

Useful in the early stages of colds. fevers. inflammations. Suits healthy people whose
complaints come on suddenly. Possible causes : cold/dry wind ; fright/shock.
Characterised by extreme restlessness and fear. May specifically have an unfounded fear of death. Dry hot skin.
Symptoms worse evening/around midnight. Thirsty for cold drinks. May say everything tastes bitter, except water.
Better: fresh air. Worse : touch.

It is an excellent remedy for shock; emotional shock. If you were in a terrible accident and you thought you were going to die and your heart is racing and you are in a terrible state of panic, that is an aconite situation and it works brilliantly for that. It’s also the number one remedy for nipping nasty colds in the bud, especially if you got the cold by perhaps being chilled by a cold wind. Many people find that if they take aconite they can stop the whole thing.

ACONITE (for CHILDBIRTH)

Used for threatened miscarriage or premature labour after severe frights / violent experiences. Distressed, anxious, fearful, before or during labour. May predict their own, or baby’s death. Restless. Tossing in agony. Skin dry, red, hot. May scream out.; have glassy staring eyes; dilated pupils. Symptoms have sudden onset. Labour too quick. Pains extreme, violent, terrifying. Mother feels panicky, distressed, despairing. Heartbeat rapid/ uncomfortably strong.

Newborns in shock, colour normal but not crying/moving (cf. Carbo Veg). Worse: at night (especially around midnight); touch; noise. Better: fresh air.

ACONITE (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for panic

Keynote: Restless

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Waking to urinate between 12 and 3am Emotional state: Fearful and withdrawn from loved ones.
Worse: For being touched.

People who need Aconite are restless and tend to fear the worst. Specifically they may have a fear of falling while pregnant and a fear of death. When they feel unwell their symptoms come on suddenly and intensely, causing them to panic. Aconite is a good remedy for nipping things in the bud, especially if symptoms started with catching a chill. Loss of appetite. Mouth tastes bitter. There is a tendency to dryness and thirst. Constipation with dry skin. Rectum, hemorrhoids and varicose veins have a bruised sensation. Useful in jaundice. Toothache. Painful retention of urine.

ALOE

An important remedy for digestive complaints especially diarrhoea and dysentery. Burning pains in lower abdomen and rectum with gurgling, bloating, and flatulence (see also Arg nit, Arseniculm, Podophyllum) Worse: early hours, hot weather, beer, oysters, eating, drinking. Better: cold water/weather, open air.

ANT TART

Important (rattling) cough remedy. where patient is unable to expectorate (cf. Ipecac) and is "drowning in mucus". Feels suffocated. weak. drowsy and limp. May be irritable. Much yawning and sweating. Tongue is coated white . Better: expectoration: sitting up: cold drinks. Worse: warmth: lying down; 4pm: company

A fabulous cough remedy, especially if you have a rattly mucousy sound coming from your chest. It is sometimes used in whooping cough, although there are some other remedies that are more commonly used.

ANT TART (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for rattling, mucus-y coughs

Keynote: Belching brings relief

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Face gets hot after eating.
Emotional state: Irritable
Worse: Warmth, lying down, in company, 4pm.

Disgust for food. Bitter taste in the mouth. Increased saliva.
Morning sickness with vomiting of mucus, heaviness in the chest.
Thirstless. Alternating between constipation and diarrhea.

Sweaty palms.

APIS

For the remedy to be effective symptoms should generally fit the following picture: Oedematous swellings. Redness. Pains burning and stinging. Restlessness . Thirstlessness. Better: cold applications. Worse: heat; 4-6pm

Bites and stings – it is made from bee venom. If you have a hot, angry swelling caused by a bite or a sting, apis will very often help.

APIS (PREGNANCY)

Keynote: Stinging pains

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Sensation anus is open in diarrhea. Emotional state: Jealous and hot tempered.
Worse: Getting over-heated. 4- 6pm.

Useful in threatened miscarriage with stinging pains in the ovarian region.
Hemorrhoids with stinging pains. Constipation, passes stool with stinging pain.
Fluid retention in the feet, ankles and labia. Thirstless.

ARG NIT

No. 1 Remedy for fear of flying.

Useful for anticipatory anxiety and gastro-intestinal problems (belching I flatulence). Suits warm­ blooded people with a tendency to feel hurried and impulsive. They may have a fear of failure when having to perform in public. Their fear is justified, as they often rush through things and get into a mess. (cf Gelsemium & Lycopodium). Pains splinter­ like. Better: open air: walking fast. Worse: crowds: sweets (gets diarrhoea).

Anticipatory anxiety. It’s a good remedy for people who are flying. It is a good remedy for people who, for when something is coming up, they get a little het up and they tend to feel rushed and sometimes they can have diarrhoea. It’s a great remedy for if you have to give a public speech or if you feel hurried and prone to getting tummy upsets and diarrhoea.

ARG NIT (PREGNANCY)

Keynote: Fit to burst.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: head and stomach feel as if they are expanding. Emotional state: Anticipatory anxiety with jitters.
Worse: When a deadline is approaching.

Tend to push themselves hard mentally and suffer exhaustion and trembling.
Lots of digestive disturbances. Prone to trapped wind, which is relieved by burping.
Sweet toothed, but sweets make digestive problems worse. Maybe useful in the run up to the birth, especially if you are feeling rushed in your birth preparations.

ARNICA

No. 1 Remedy for accidents / shock / physical exhaustion.

Should be a first choice after most accidents, injuries or physical ordeals. Given early it will reduce swelling and bruising. Patient has a fear of being touched. because of the pain and may want to be left alone. May claim to be alright when they clearly are not. Classic response of someone in shock. Upper body is hot. whilst lower is cold . Memory may also be poor.
Better: lying down. with head low. Worse: jarring: lying on injured part.

Everybody knows about arnica. It is the uber-remedy and more people and more people come to homeopathy because of arnica than any other single remedy. It helps people to return to their bodies after a terrible physical trauma or shock. It is a great remedy to use before and after surgery; before and after dental work; after some kind of accident. (Remember you also want to consider aconite if it was a serious life-threatening situation, or if you were in a state of fear afterwards.) But arnica is also good for a whole bunch of other things. It’s a great remedy for giving you a second wind when you are exhausted. Of course you have to pay that back at some point. You can’t just keep overdrawing on the energy bank, but if you’re in a situation where you have to keep going, it’s fantastic for that. Some people use arnica for jet-lag so they can stay up ‘til the local time. It’s just an amazing remedy. It’s used a lot for bruising, so for bruising, always think of arnica.

ARNICA (for CHILDBIRTH)

Number one trauma remedy. Encourages healing; controls bleeding; reduces swelling and likelihood of pus formation. Nearly all women benefit from it during labour. Reduces exhaustion, gives" second wind", particularly during long, slow, painful labours, where tiredness makes contractions weak / ineffectual (cf. Caullophyllum).

Give routinely after birth to speed recovery / alleviate battered and bruised feeling. Use for shock, when someone claims to be alright but clearly isn’t. Reducesexcessive bleeding where birth was traumatic / unusually long or short. Worse: being touched or examined; any jarring movements; lying or sitting on injured parts (" bed feels too hard").

ARNICA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for shock, physical trauma and energy boosting.

Keynote: Bruised.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Head is hot. Body is cold. Emotional state: Disconnected. “I’m fine. Leave me alone”.
Worse: For being touched (see also Aconite).

Sensation baby is lying transverse. Feels bruised by the baby’s movements.
Back pain from standing. Exhaustion.
Bruised, sore sensations make movement difficult. Urination with an unfinished sensation. If taken after a fall reduces the threat of miscarriage.
Can be taken to get a temporary energy boost, provided you catch up on your rest later.

ARSENICUM

No. 1 Remedy for food poisoning.

Characterised by great physical prostration with mental restlessness. Patient does not want to be left alone. May have a fear of death. Pains and discharges are burning. yet the patient feels chilly and all symptoms, except headache, are better for heat. Thirsty for frequent sips of usually hot drinks. Better: warmth: lying down. Worse: midnight - 3am.

Number one remedy for food poisoning, especially after eating bad meat. It’s also a remedy for allergies and colds, if the symptoms fit. It tends to have burning liquid coming out of the nose where the top lip gets red and sore.

ARSENICUM (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for food poisoning.

Keynote: Burning pains.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Better for being propped up in bed.
Emotional state: Fastidious, demanding, anxious.
Worse: Being left alone, midnight – 3am.

In pregnancy your body can be much more sensitive to food that is not of the highest standard. If you experience vomiting and diarrhea, with burning sensations in the stomach, esophagus and rectum, after eating or drinking this is the remedy you need. Increased salivation. Colicky cramps. Abdominal pains come on after grief. Faintness. Weakness. Weight loss. Also useful for morning sickness, varicose veins.

BELLADONNA

No.1 Remedy for very high fevers.

Inflamed area or entire patient(!) is burning, red and hot. The eyes are glassy and the pupils dilated. Onset of complaints is sudden. Possible cause: chill to the head. Pains are violent and throbbing. Rapid pulse. Patient is angry, may be delirious and even have visions. Thirsty, may crave lemonade. Better: lying down. Worse: touch or jarring movement; 3pm.

You may know because there are three remedies that are called the nursery (ABC) remedies. Aconite for nipping colds in the bud, we have belladonna, and the third one, which I’ll come to in a minute, is chamomilla. Belladonna is used, perhaps over-used, to help children with fevers. Now, as you know, fevers are good, but belladonna is a really helpful remedy if you see the child is very red; the pupils are dilated; maybe they are a little delirious; they can imagine they see things, hallucinating a little bit because of the high temperature. They can have throbbing pains. And this is the time when belladonna is really helpful.

BELLADONNA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for high fevers with delirium.

Keynote: Throbbing pains, heat.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Red, hot face with dilated pupils.
Emotional state: Angry.
Worse: Noise, light, being jarred, 3pm.

Teeth or head or carotid arteries throb violently. All complaints come on suddenly
(see also Aconite). Useful if you get an intense minor illness with high fever while pregnant. Hemorrhoids with sensation back is breaking. Insomnia. Fainting.
Urine retention. Protein in urine. Constant urge to urinate.
Important mastitis remedy, use if breast is red hot and throbbing.

BELLIS PERENNIS

Important remedy for long-haul travellers; reduces after-effect of lengthy sitting. An excellent remedy for healing injury to deep tissue when it is sore/bruised. "Refreshes the parts Arnica cannot reach".  Ailments from getting chilled when over-heated e.g. stomach ache from eating ice-cream on a hot day.

BELLIS PERENNIS (for CHILDBIRTH)

Before birth can relieve sciatica (shooting nerve pain down leg) caused by position of the baby. Reduces the pain of over-stretched uterine ligaments." Refreshes the parts Arnica cannot reach". An excellent remedy for healing injury to deep tissue, which is sore/ bruised. Particularly useful after abdominal surgery (Caesarian) or forceps deliveries.

BRYONIA

No. 1 Remedy for dry, painful coughs.

Dryness of all mucous membranes. Great thirst for large amounts at long intervals (opposite of Arsenicum). Patient lies absolutely still; all symptoms are much worse for the slightest movement. Pains are stitching. A "bear with a sore head" who is irritable and resentful of being questioned or fussed over. Better: firm pressure. Worse: 9pm; after eating cabbage or beans.

A wonderful remedy for very dry coughs, and it’s also a great remedy for damage to the ribs. If the cough is painful for the slightest movement, think bryonia. In fact bryonia, regardless of what’s going on, if someone is feeling very still and seems to be aggravated by even moving their eyes, think of bryonia. Bryonia is worse for any motion whatsoever

BRYONIA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for threatened miscarriage after over-exertion and over-heating.

Keynote: Dryness.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Likes to remain absolutely still. Emotional state: Homesick, worried about work, irritable.
Worse: 9pm.

Important mastitis remedy when breast is pale and extremely painful. Dry cough in the morning. Nausea on waking. Vomiting immediately after eating.
Colic with tight abdomen and heartburn. Nosebleeds come at time menses would have been due. Splitting headaches. Constipation with dry, burnt looking stool.
Dry, parched lips. Thirsty for large quantities of cold drinks.
Worse for noise and slightest movement, even of the eyes.

CALC CARB

No. 1 Remedy for slow, difficult teething.

Often needed when growing up or going through major developmental changes .Classically fat, fair and flabby. Chilly. Easily over-exerted and very sweaty (esp. back of head). Sour-smelling. May fear many things (e.g. the dark; monsters; animals; insects).Slow developers, particularly poor at assimilating their food, which may cause problems in bone and teeth formation. Crave boiled eggs. Better: constipation; dry weather. Worse: heights; getting cold or wet; teething; milk.

An interesting remedy, considered to be the chronic to belladonna’s acute, so if you have a child that does very well on belladonna when they are acutely ill, they may do very well on calc carb as a general tonic remedy for their constitution. Calc carb is good for happy-go- lucky children who are kind of roly-poly; placid; they can be a little sour-smelling; they tend to sweat behind the back of the head and their ears; often they like eggs, and calc carb is useful if you have a child who’s a little slow to pass their developmental milestones, and a little slow to teeth. It’s used for adults as well, but it’s a great remedy for that developmental stage from about nine months to two years. You might find it very helpful in that time.

CALC CARB (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for insomnia after 3am.

Keynote: Clumsy.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Desires eggs.
Emotional state: Loves order and routine.
Worse: Away from home, getting cold and wet.

Vertigo on going upstairs. Tendency to stumble and fall. Constipation with large hard stool. Diarrhea with crawling and itching sensations. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Cold, damp feet. Sour sweats, especially at the back of the head.
Lots of fears: rats, mice, insects, fire, being murdered, heights.

CALENDULA

No. 1 Remedy for healing wounds.

Very useful first-aid remedy for cuts; superficial burns or scalds; ulcers; scalp wounds; after teeth extraction or childbirth. It stimulates formation of healthy scar tissue (without lumps). Use externally in cream, ointment or tincture form. Take internally if there is much discomfort or suppuration (cf. Hepar Sulph). Better: warmth; walking or lying absolutely still. Worse: damp dull weather; evening.

If you were concerned in any way about infection of a wound you would give calendula, so it’s very good to use in dental surgery and regular surgery or for wounds and injuries which are open.

A wonderful remedy for speeding the healing process of cuts/ lacerations / wounds. Available from many chemists in cream or ointment form, the latter is especially recommended since it is water resistant. Use as healing balm for perineum after birth to treat tears / episiotomy wounds. In tincture form can be added to bath water or diluted to make a compress. Take internally if there is pus present or the pains are causing particular discomfort. Can be alternated with other post-birth remedies, (e.g. Arnica or Bellis Perennis).

CALENDULA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for antiseptic properties.

Use if you get a cut, an open wound or a superficial burn or scald to reduce the risk of it becoming infected. Reduces the risk of keloids (raised scars) forming.
Helpful after C-sections, episiotomies and tears in the perineum.
A specific for breast pain under the nipple during pregnancy.
Useful in mild episodes of cystitis (see also Cantharis).
Weariness after walking.

CAMPHOR

Reputed prophylactic properties against cholera, can also be given in early stages (see also Veratrum, Cuprum, Carbo Veg). Sudden/ complete prostration. Face pale/blue. Body cold to touch yet hates being covered. Diarrhoea - stools like rice water. Better warm air and cold water (opposite of Carbo Veg) Sensitive to slightest touch.

CANTHARIS

No. 1 Remedy for the intense pain of burns.

Often effective in the treatment of cystitis, where there are burning pains before, during and after urination. Intense mental and physical irritation. Onset is sudden and violent. Pains are cutting and burning. Patients have a burning, intense thirst, but are worse after drinking (especially cold drinks). Better: cold applications. Worse: touch.

The number one remedy for burns, and also a great remedy for burning cystitis.

CANTHARIS (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for burns and burning cystitis.

Keynote: Cutting and burning pains.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Burning, intense thirst.
Emotional state: Intense mental and physical irritation.
Worse: Heat.

Important urinary tract remedy, with burning before ,during and after urination and difficulty in passing urine. Useful in eclampsia (see also Apis).
Vomiting with wrenching and burning in the pylorus.

CARBO VEG

No. 1 Remedy for resuscitation.

"The homoeopathic corpse reviver". This remedy has saved many lives. Symptoms at their most extreme are complete state of collapse due to oxygen starvation. Body (even breath) is cold. May appear limp, pale or blue. Less severe cases have extreme sluggishness. Many digestive disorders, especially wind. (cf. Lycopodium) Upper abdomen / stomach very bloated. May be brought on by over-indulgence. Better: cool air; being fanned; burping. Worse: warmth; dehydration; before sleep; tight clothing.

Has the strange reputation for being the corpse reviver. I hope you never need it for that reason, but if you see blue around the lips or see someone who looks to be in a really bad way and cold, carbo veg can help with that. It’s also very good for digestive disturbances, particularly if you’ve eaten too much rich food.

CARBO VEG (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for air hunger.

Keynote: Collapsed, sleepy or sluggish state.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Better for being fanned.
Emotional state: Indifference or confusion.
Worse: Warmth, dehydration, tight clothing

Important remedy for digestive disturbances.
Useful for trapped wind, bloating, belching and foul smelling flatulence.
Respiration may be asthmatic, wheezy. Can’t get enough oxygen.
Body and breath feel cold.
In extreme state seek medical assistance urgently, giving remedy on the way.

CARBO VEGETABALIS (for CHILDBIRTH)

The "Homoeopathic corpse reviver", this remedy has saved many lives. Symptoms at their most extreme are complete state of collapse due to oxygen starvation. Body cold, limp and pale, or blue. Use in conjunction with other efforts to revive respiration. Hold one pill inside the lower lip of patient (including newborns) until symptoms alleviate. In foetal distress due to oxygen starvation, give to mother to reduce risk of asphyxia to baby.

Less severe cases: extreme sluggishness; little or no vitality; coldness (even breath) ; intense air hunger (especially cold). Face appears pinched, pale, sallow or blue. Excellent remedy for excruciatingtrapped wind (e.g. after Caesarian). Worse: Exertion; heat; humidity; lying down; morning and evening. Better: fanning/ fresh air.

CAULLOPHYLLUM (for CHILDBIRTH)

Usually used in the first stage of labourto establish strong productive contractions. Do not use routinely. If needed contractions will be centred in lower half of uterus, whilst top (fundus) feels flabby. Although sharp and painful, contractions are short, ineffective, spasmodic and unstable moving around the bladder, groin or thighs. Sometimes they will slow or stop completely, due to exhaustion. Cervix fails to dilate.

Symptoms include chilliness, shivering, trembling and irritability. May be thirsty during contractions. If thirstless and Caullophyllum fails, think of Gelsemium.

CHAMOMILLA

No. 1 Remedy for teething children.

Especially if child has one red cheek. Characterised by over-sensitivity. Pains are intolerable and appear to be out of all proportion to the illness or injury. Suited to bad-tempered children who are only quiet when carried and constantly request, then reject things. They are hot and sweaty (especially the head). Better; for being uncovered. Worse: 9pm - midnight.

The third of the ABC remedies. Again, a lot of people come to homeopathy because of chamomilla. Chamomilla is great for teething and it’s actually great for adult toothache as well. The key with chamomilla is the pain is maddening. You feel you’re going to go crazy. It’s often needed by mums after labour, especially if they’ve had a lot of meds that can make them quite irritable and angry.

CHAMOMILLA (for CHILDBIRTH)

Key characteristics: extreme over-sensitivity and violent bad temper. May demand help one moment and reject it the next. Abusive and argumentative, especially with loved ones. Find pains unbearable. May scream frequently or say "I want to die". Feels and looks over-heated.

Better: being uncovered, stripping off. Worse: evening; fresh air; company; being spoken to or stared at.

CHAMOMILLA (for PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for toothache.

Keynote: Pains are unbearable.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Don’t know what they want.
Emotional state: Bad tempered, oversensitive, restless.
Worse: over-heating, 9pm – midnight.

Useful in situations where pains are extreme and the sufferer becomes angry and upset with those around them. Great remedy for toothache, earache, colicky pains and sleeplessness with intense irritability.

CHELIDONIUM

No.1 Remedy for liver conditions.

Reputed to have prophylactic properties against jaudice and other liver-related illnesses. Yellowness. Pains (often right-sided) with nausea and perspiration. Cold fingertips (and right foot). Better: hot drinks; eating (especially at noon). Worse: 2-4am; 2-4pm

CHINA

No. 1 Remedy for de-hydration.

Delicate types whose senses are too acute. Emotionally and physically exhausted. Complaints often arise after loss of fluids / severe dehydration (e.g after fever or diarrhoea). Bloated abdomen, but not relieved by burping (cf. Carbo veg). Better: hard pressure; lying down; fasting; loose clothes. Worse: light touch.

The number one homeopathic remedy for dehydration. I like to suggest that people take china after diarrhoea or vomiting or a ‘flu where they have sweat a lot, or after birth if they have lost blood, it’s a way to really help the body rehydrate.

No.1 Remedy for dehydration.

Keynote: Weakness.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Worse for light touch, better for hard pressure. Emotional state: Anxious, listless, apathetic.
Worse: on waking, for noise, eating fruit.

Great remedy for anemia and weakness brought on by loss of fluids after vomiting, diarrhea or profuse sweating.
In some instance those who need this remedy will have blue discoloration under their eyes. Important to take immediate steps to rehydrate, as well as taking the remedy.

Very similar to Caullophyllum; contractions in lower half of uterus, painful, sharp, spasmodic. Cervix remains rigidly closed/ fails to dilate properly. The differences are: contractions move from side to side or down into the hips or thighs; gestures, speech and actions become horribly disjointed; physical symptoms often alternate with intense mental/ emotional symptoms. Full of dreadful fears / foreboding, perhaps because of a previous experience of birth, miscarriage or abortion. Sense that "I can’t carry on" is meant in the most profound sense. Chilly. Worse: cold, damp. Better: lying on left side.

COCCULUS

No 1 remedy for travel sickness

(see also Petroleum & Tabacum). Nauseous. Lack of sleep causes mind and reaction times to slow down creating illusion that time is moving too fast. Weak, numb empty feeling with trembling. Worse: sight/smell of food; open air; passive motion.

CUPRUM

An important cholera remedy also used for diarrhoea. Cramps and spasms. Convulsions which start in fingers / toes. In extreme cases blueness / coldness apparent death ( cf Carbo Veg). Diarrhoea: violent with cramps and retching. Better: drinking cold water; perspiration. Worse: hot weather; touch.

DROSERA

Excellent (whooping) cough remedy (see also Ant tart & Ipecac), where cough is violent, spasmodic and leads to gagging / vomiting or nosebleed (cf. Ipecac). Better holding chest.Sensation of feather in throat. Restlessness. Emotionally stubborn or suspicious. All symptoms improve after midnight. Better: sitting up; open air. Worse: lying down; talking; warmth.

Number one remedy for whooping cough. It helped both of my children dramatically with whooping cough. In my practice I have learned that drosera has helped more than any other remedy for whooping cough.

DROSERA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for vomiting mucus.

Keynote: cough leads to gagging, wrenching and vomiting.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Sensation of a feather in the throat.
Emotional state: Stubborn, suspicious.
Worse: before midnight.

Useful where coughing or vomiting leads to a nosebleed (see also Ipecac).
Chest feels bruised and better for pressure. Suits violent coughs (including whooping cough) where there is no time to catch your breath. Sometimes the face will look bluish. In extreme cases seek immediate medical attention giving the remedy on the way.

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM

A remedy for fever with deep bone pain. Little perspiration. Chills in small of back, which feels broken. Very restless, yet not better for motion. Better: cold drinks; ice-cream.

GELSEMIUM

Especially if there is shivering up and down the spine. Characterised by paralysis. The remedy is known as the "glass coffin" because although there is complete physical prostration, it is coupled with mental alertness. Patient trembles, has aching muscles and heaviness especially of the headand eyes - even the eyelids droop. Better: for sweating or urination. Worse: physical exertion.

A great remedy for ‘flu symptoms. Typically with gelsemium the person is very still, rather like bryonia, but the mind can be quite active, so a bit like a Snow White scenario, and often there is shivering up and down the spine. Gelsemium and bryonia are both major ‘flu remedies and they helped enormously during the pandemic Spanish ‘flu in 1921. Definitely worth looking at if you have a ‘flu situation.

GELSEMIUM (for CHILDBIRTH)

Next best choice if Caullophyllum fails to produce good strong contractions. Very useful if labour is slow andsluggish. Physical heaviness, even eye lids droop, producing a dazed, stupefied appearance which belies the mental alertness that is there. Body paralysed by exhaustion or "stage fright". Muscular weakness leads to trembling. Chilly, possibly shivers up and down the spine. Thirstless (cf. Pulsatilla). Worse: physical exertion; over excitement; receiving bad news (e.g. that cervix has dilated less than expected). Better: sweating; urination; being alone.

GELSEMIUM (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for flu and stage fright.

Keynote: Heaviness, even of eyelids.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Urination makes symptoms better for a while. Emotional state: Apathetic generally, excitable sometimes.
Worse: any physical exertion.

Prone to visual disturbances during pregnancy. Anticipatory anxiety leads to a “rabbit in the headlights” feeling with tendency to diarrhea (see also Arg nit and Lycopodium). Trembling. Shivers up and down the spine. Sleepiness. Dizziness.
Mental alertness with physical prostration.
Very useful remedy for flu or flu like symptoms.

HEPAR SULPH

No. 1 Remedy for painful, infected wounds.

Characterised by hyper-sensitivity to everything: pain; touch; cold; noise; exertion. One of the chilliest known remedies. Emotionally can be violent and intense. Tendency to form pus. Pains stitching and splinter-like (cf Arg Nit). Better: heat; damp; lying in warm bed. Worse: uncovering; cold.

A great sore throat remedy. But it’s also a great remedy for painful, pus-filled infectious wounds or problems at the base of the teeth, or that kind of thing. So if you see pus with pain, think of hepar sulph. It has horrible splinter-like pains in the throat, extending up into the ears – a great sore throat remedy.

HEPAR SULPH (PREGNANCY)

Keynotes: Intense stitching, splinter-like pains (see also Arg nit).

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Symptoms worse when hands or feet uncovered Emotional state: Aggressive, intense, in a hurry.
Worse: Cold, touch, noise, exertion, at night.

Useful where someone is extremely chilly. Sweat is profuse, cold and sour smelling.
Barking, dry, croupy coughs. Painful sore throat, feels as if something is stuck in it. Ulcerated tonsils. Abscesses. Pus.

HYPERICUM

No. 1 Remedy for injury to nerves.

Useful first aid treatment for lacerated wounds from sharp instruments or any injury to nerve-rich areas (e.g. slamming door on fingers or falling on the coccyx). Pains are extreme and shoot along the nerves. Reputed anti-tetanus properties. Worse: motion or pressure.

A wonderful remedy for nerve damage. So if you have the kind of pain that is shooting along the nerves, think of hypericum.

HYPERICUM (for CHILDBIRTH)

Excellent first aid remedy for damage to nerve-rich areas. Pains shoot along nerves with terrible intensity. Most useful after labour. Particularly after Caesarians, epidurals, episiotomies, forceps deliveries. Alternate with other necessary trauma remedies (e.g. Arnica, Bellis Perennis, Calendula). Worse: cold; pressure; touch.

HYPERICUM (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for nerve pain.

Keynote: Extreme, shooting pains.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Symptoms worse when hands or feet uncovered Emotional state: Shocked.
Worse: Cold, pressure.

Helpful for shooting sacral pain during pregnancy. Also sore, bruised, tearing pains in the lumbar region. Take it if you fall on your coccyx or trap your fingers or toes, as it reduces likelihood of nerve injury and pain.

IGNATIA

No. 1 Remedy for recent bereavement / emotional shock.

Useful for treating symptoms which follow acute loss, grief or disappointed love. May not be able to accept what has happened and reacts with a sense of disbelief. Other signs may include hiccoughs, involuntary sighing or yawning. Can be used to treat fainting and hysteria. Better: warmth. Worse: tobacco; fresh air.

Number one remedy for emotional shock, like bereavement, or perhaps breakdown of a love affair, where you are in a state of disbelief and can flip from disbelief into hysteria where you can’t stop crying. So think about ignatia when you feel that you’re not able to recover. Obviously when you have an emotional upset, you are going to need time to grieve and be upset, but if you feel that it’s just going on too long, then ignatia is an amazing remedy.

IGNATIA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for emotional trauma and disappointed love.

Keynote: Paradoxical symptoms (emptiness not better for eating).

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Hiccoughing sighing and yawning.
Emotional state: Disbelief, anger, grief, hysteria, nervousness and excitability.

If symptoms come on soon after receiving shocking or upsetting news, think of this remedy. Especially if there is no immediate reaction or the reaction is intense to the point of hysteria.
Worse: Fresh air, tobacco smoke, coffee (even the smell of them), admonishment.

IPECAC

No. 1 Remedy for constant, violent nausea.

Vomiting brings no relief. Sudden bright red haemmorhages (nosebleeds; piles; periods). Spasmodic respiratory complaints. Dry cough with choking/gagging, difficulty expectorating (cf Ant Tart). Thirstless. Constant salivation and clean tongue. Better: open air. Worse: over-eating.

Another whooping cough remedy. In my practice I haven’t seen it be needed as much as drosera, but the difference would be unrelenting nausea with the whooping cough. It’s the number one remedy for nausea and vomiting when the vomiting brings no relief. That’s rather unusual. Most of the time, if you vomit, you feel a lot better. But if you have this deathly sickness where you just vomit and vomit and there is no relief from the nausea, then think about ipecac.

IPECAC (for CHILDBIRTH)

Labour pains or bright red haemmorhaging with constant violent nausea. Face is deathly blue with dark rings under eyes. Hot and cold sweats. Worse: at night; for food or sight or smell of it.

IPECAC (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for persistent nausea

Keynote: Vomiting does not bring relief.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Constant salivation, clean tongue.
Emotional state: Anxious, contrary and hard to please.
Worse: Over-eating

Important remedy for morning sickness. Strong aversion to food. Vomits everything, including water. Helps stop bleeding that starts suddenly and is bright red, including nosebleeds, uterine bleeding and bleeding from hemorrhoids. Use for dry coughs with choking and gagging (see also Ant tart and Drosera). Shooting kidney pain in the sixth week of pregnancy.

KALI BICH

No. 1 Remedy for painful sinuses.

Excellent remedy for colds and sinusitus, although chronic sinusitus is best treated by a qualified homoeopath. Its main characteristic is a very stringy, sticky thick yellow / green discharge, which smells (cf. Pulsatilla).Suits those who become ill after getting chilled and are chilly whilst sick. Despite this chilliness they feel worse in summer. Pains are often in a small well-defined spot, but they can "wander". Better: warmth. Worse: on waking; at night; after eating.

A fabulous sinusitis remedy. You should think of it if your cold has a kind of sticky green mucous that’s hard to clear out of your nose. Kali bich and pulsatilla are the main sinusitis remedies and the difference is in the mucous. Kali bich mucous is very sticky and stringy, green or yellow- green, and very hard to shift.

KALI BICH (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for painful sinusitis

Keynote: Greenish yellow sticky, stringy, smelly mucus.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Pains in small localized spots, wandering.
Worse: On waking, at night, after eating.

Easily chilled. Sore nostrils, post nasal drip. Hoarseness. Headaches and ear aches related to sinuses. Joints feel sore and bruised in one spot, which changes.
Important remedy for deep burns, which are slow to heal.

KALI CARB (for CHILDBIRTH)

Useful in backache labours, where nagging pain is felt in back, buttocks, thighs. The mother-to-be is often extremely irritable, yet needs company. Posterior presentations where labour gets stuck. Backache greatly relieved by very firm pressure. Headache during labour. Chilliness after a contraction. Worse: night and early hours of morning; touch; noise. Better: warmth./

KALI PHOS (for CHILDBIRTH)

Often recommended for exhaustion. Very helpful during Labour if no other strong symptoms . Best taken between contractions. Can be used often throughout labour whenever energy is low. Useful for attendants too.

LACHESIS

Left-sided complaints or begin on left, move to right (especially sore throats). Warm-blooded. Talkative, amusing but with an over-active mind. Can be suspicious and jealous. Intense. Better: open air; cold drinks; during or after period. Worse: menopause; alcohol; anything tight around the neck; after sleep; heat; heavy weather.

A fabulous hormonal remedy characterised by very bad PMS-type symptoms before the period starts. Lachesis is always better for not being constricted, so they don’t like anything tight around their neck or middle and can be a little sharp-tongued, often very witty, but can be a little, dare I say, bitchy. It’s a great left-sided sore throat remedy and great hormonal remedy.

LACHESIS (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for hot flashes.

Keynote: Hates to feel constricted.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Symptoms start on the left and may move to right. Emotional state: Depressed, jealous, over excited, talkative, critical.
Worse: On waking, at night, after eating.

A very important hormonal remedy (see also Sepia) that has many uses in pregnancy. Tendency to feel faint. Hair loss. Vomiting in the afternoon or evening.
Left-sided earaches and sore throats. Bleeds easily from injuries.
Varicose veins. Weeping helps mood.

LEDUM

No. 1 Remedy for puncture wounds and black eyes.

Like Hypericum has reputed anti-tetanus properties. Use to treat deep wounds (e.g. those caused by nails) and bites from both animals and insects. Pains are sticking, tearing and throbbing. Area is swollen, blue and cold but, strangely, feels hot to the sufferer. Better: cold applications. Worse: heat.

A great first aid remedy, used a lot of puncture wounds, injuries from needles, injections, vaccinations – it will help at the local site, and it will also help with biting, stinging insects that will pierce your skin. It’s also great for deeper injuries to areas like the palms of your hands; the soles of your feet. . .that kind of thing, because it’s for very deep, penetrating wounds from sharp things that go deep into your system.

LEDUM (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for puncture wounds (including epidurals)

Keynote: Rheumatic joint pain.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Pains wander.
Worse: moving, walking, being touched.

In pregnancy, gnawing pain extending from sacrum down thighs. Generally pains in the smaller joints move from the extremities towards the body as the condition worsens. Useful for black eyes and puncture wounds to deep tissue (soles and palms).
Reduces risk of sepsis.

LYCOPODIUM

Anxious. Lack self confidence especially when doing new things / speaking in public. Fine once they get started (cf. Arg Nit who hurries too much and does fail). Can be charming, but may be dictatorial at home. Complaints right-sided or move from right to left (opposite of Lachesis). Lots of wind. Bloated stomach and abdomen. Tendency to flatulence. Better: warm drinks; sweets; motion; open air; passing wind. Worse 4pm-8pm.

Another huge polycrest remedy. Where you might come across it first, is it’s a great digestive remedy, where you feel kind of bloated. But explore lycopodium – there is so much that it covers.

LYCOPODIUM (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for fear of public speaking. (see also Gelsemium and Arg nit)

Keynote: Feels full after eating very little.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Symptoms start on the right and may move to left. Emotional state: Bossy at home, charming when necessary!
Worse: 4-8pm, eating onions, beans, brassica.

Lacking in self-confidence, although they may not appear to be. Bloated stomach and abdomen, with flatulence. Tendency to painful varicose veins.
Fetal movements feel violent as if the baby is turning somersaults!

MAG PHOS

Known as the homoeopathic aspirin. Very effective if crushed in warm water and sipped. Useful for neuralgia of the head and face, cramping or shooting pains. Relieves headaches; toothaches; menstrual pain. Those who respond well to this remedy may be sensitive or nervous types who often talk about their pains. Always seek professional homoeopathic treatment if symptoms persist. Better: heat; firm pressure. Worse: cold; uncovering; touch.

Number one remedy for neuralgic-type pain and cramping. It’s very useful to try if you have a headache. It helps many people to have less pain. It’s considered like the homeopathic aspirin, and it often helps people with menstrual cramps.

MAG PHOS (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for cramps.

Keynotes: crampy, colicky neuralgic pains. Worse: Becoming chilled, open air.

Useful in earache, headache, colic, cramps and sciatica.

Nicknamed the homeopathic aspirin. People who need this remedy often like to stay home, keep warm and be cosseted.

MANGANUM

Reputed to have prophylactic properties against typhoid. Deeply sad and anxious, better lying down though soreness in joints / bones may be worse (see also Arnica, Eupatorium and Rhus Tox). Use if bruises remain sore and Arnica doesn"t help. Problems in the ears and eustachian tubes.Better: sad music; open air; hot food; warm drinks. Worse: cold, damp weather; touch; at night.

MERC VIV

No. 1 Remedy for mouth ulcers.

Suits those people who are human thermometers, incredibly sensitive to both heat and cold and better moderate temperatures. They have very smelly breath and discharges (which may be streaked with blood). They are prone to swollen glands / colds and sweat profusely . Excessive saliva, especially at night, but they are extremely thirsty. Worse: in bed at night.

A right-sided sore throat remedy. It’s also a remedy that helps where there’s extra saliva, pustules on the tonsils. . .it works for people who have smelly discharges. They can be blood- steaked; they tend to be streaked with pus and yellow matter. Mercury can be very helpful in situations where people have maybe just had a filling. I wouldn’t advise anyone to have an amalgam filling, but if you were having a filling removed, you might need mercury, if you have mercury symptoms.

People who need mercury have huge problems with maintaining their body temperature. They are human thermometers, so they are hot; they’re cold; they’re hot; they’re cold; covers on; covers off, etc. Think about mercury for feverish situations, ‘flu situations and right-sided sore throats. It’s an amazing remedy.

MERC VIV (PREGNANCY)

No. 1 Remedy for mouth ulcers.

Keynote: Smelly breath, urine, sweat saliva and discharges.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Sensitive to slightest changes in temperature Emotional state: Anxious, restless, displeased, muddled.
Worse: heat, cold, evening, night.

Increased salivation. Dry mouth. Metallic taste. Extreme thirst. Right sided sore throats. Abscesses. Ulcers. Bone pains. Heartburn. Tendency to miscarry in the third month. *

*If you have Merc viv symptoms it is vitally important for you to avoid mercury, especially while you are pregnant. Mercury is present in amalgam fillings and can be released during dental work. Where possible delay dental work till after the birth. Mercury is also present in large fish, such as tuna and in most paints and glues. It is used as a preservative in many other chemical products, too, check labels.

NATRUM MUR

No. 1 Remedy for cold sores.

If on the lips (with no other strong symptoms). Very sensitive people who remember the smallest slights for a long time. Feel everything so acutely they tend to protect themselves by shutting themselves off. They feel worse for consolation, except from a chosen few (or one). An important remedy for silent grief (the stiff upper lip). The middle of the lower lip may be deeply cracked. Discharges like egg white. Crave salt. Better: lying down; resting sweating. Worse: heat, especially of the sun.

A fantastic remedy for bereavement, where the person is more private or stoical in their grief. They may crave salt. It’s a huge remedy, just like lycopodium and calc carb, sulphur – it covers so much. Once you get to know nat mur, you will see that it is useful in all kinds of situations.

NATRUM MUR (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for cold sores, silent grief.

Keynote: Craves salt.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Cannot use the rest room if someone is listening. Emotional state: Slow to forgive and forget. Stoical. Private.
Worse: heat of the sun, 10am, exertion.

Important hormonal remedy. Tendency to dwell on past sadnesses and feel disappointed or indignant about others’ behavior. Dry with parched cracked lips.
Thirsty. Chilly, but prefer to be so. Prone to cold sores after exposure to sun.

NUX VOMICA

No. 1 Remedy for hang-overs

... and over-indulgence in rich food. People who need this remedy are very chilly. Emotionally they tend to be tense, irritable and over-sensitive.They suffer from digestive complaints and although they feel much better for vomiting, they find it difficult to do so. They often work and play very hard, surviving on a "diet" of coffee, alcohol and tobacco, despite the effect it has on them. For best results take the remedy a few hours before going to bed. Better: rest; warmth and hot drinks. Worse: in the morning.

A liver remedy, so a great remedy for digestive disturbance, especially after over-indulgence in alcohol or junk food. It’s probably the number one hangover remedy we have. It suits people who are workaholics and who tend to drive themselves pretty hard and play pretty hard, and when they get sick they are chilly and grumpy and don’t want to be messed with.

NUX VOMICA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for reducing alcohol cravings in pregnancy

Keynote: Desire for spicy food.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: One sided sweats.
Emotional state: Angry and anxious.
Worse: Over indulging in rich food, working too hard, getting chilled, in the morning.

Liverish. Digestion is disturbed leading to intense irritability (see also Bryonia).
Finds vomiting difficult, although it definitely helps relieve symptoms.
Tendency to piles and varicose veins.

PHOSPHORUS

Lovely, bubbly, affectionate and sympathetic types. Unfortunately their poor boundaries mean they can become exhausted by the problems of others. Overly impressionable. Riddled with fears and anxiety. Burning heat and pains. Tendency to bleed easily. Desire spicy food; ice-cream. Better: cold drinks; eating; sleep (even a short nap). Worse: sudden weather change (especially storms); missing a meal; lying on left.

Kind of the opposite, in a way, of nux vom. Phosphorous is for people who are very warm generally, and very empathetic, and kind, and bubbly, and good company. The trouble is, they do tend to exhaust themselves. Phosphorous is sort of about not knowing your boundaries; not knowing your limits. It’s a great nosebleed remedy; a great bleeding remedy, and if you think about it, energetically, they kind of are bleeding because they don’t keep enough back for themselves, they just give away too much of everything.

So phosphorous is an amazing remedy for post-partum haemorrhaging, that kind of thing, and so is arnica. So if you know anyone that fits that kind of picture. . .it’s great for tickly coughs that happen when you go to bed at night, and great for a worn-out state that comes from being a little too giving and a little bit too empathetic.

PHOSPHORUS (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for bleeding gums in pregnancy.

Keynote: Burning heat and pains.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Vomits once food has warmed up in the stomach. Emotional state: Bubbly and out-going. Overly empathetic, leading to exhaustion.
Worse: Thunder and lightning, fasting, lying on the left side.

Face may swell in pregnancy. Bleeds easily, especially gums.
Yellowish skin with blue lips and nails. Prone to anemia and hemorrhage.
Strong aversion to water.

PHYTOLACCA (for CHILDBIRTH)

A post-labour remedy that has a deserved reputation for treating cracked nipples, blocked milk ducts and mastitis (breast inflammation) which may occur during breast-feeding. Pains intense; radiate out from around nipple, sometimes into the shoulder or arm.

PODOPHYLLUM

Important acute remedy, most often used to treat diarrhoea, although this may alternate with constipation, liver complaints or headaches. Sensation of everything being too relaxed: abdomen, pelvis, rectum. Useful in gastro - enteritis (protozoa, gardia, spigelia) Stool is profuse, gushing and highly offensive. Better: lying on abdomen. Worse: summer; early morning; difficult teething in children.

PULSATILLA

No. 1 Remedy for childhood ear infections.

With this remedy the symptoms and the patients themselves are very changeable. Emotionally they are moody, tearful and crave company. Children are clingy and whine. Pulsatilla types are thirstless and are much worse for being in a stuffy room; their mood improves dramatically when they go out in the fresh air. Discharges are thick, bland and yellow-green. Complaints may come on after getting wet, chilled feet. Better: bathing; crying; movement; pressure. Worse: twilight; wet, windy weather.

Pulsatilla is another amazing remedy. It is used a lot in transition times, like puberty; menopause – it’s a great hormonal remedy. Children that need pulsatilla often don’t want to be separated from their mums; they like fresh air; they can be a little clingy but they are also very sweet; they have very yellow discharges that kind of come out of them in a very thick way. Unlike arsenicum, they don’t burn the top lip; they are bland discharges.

Pulsatilla – often they just don’t know their own mind. . .they might agree with one friend, and then if they were with a different friend, they might completely agree with them. They just don’t have really strong opinions often that they feel solid in. It is made from a plant called the windflower – it goes with the wind. Really sweet people, and prone to these thick, yellow, bland discharges.

PULSATILLA (for CHILDBIRTH)

Can be used from 36th week to encourage breech / transverse baby to turn. Also very important during labour. Easy to spot when needed because of clear emotional symptoms: weepiness; clinginess and pleading for help. Contractions short, weak or stop entirely. Pain may be felt in back. Other physical symptoms include exhaustion; faintness; nausea; thirstlessness; vomiting. Worse: stuffy room; twilight; getting cold or wet. Better: fresh air; moving around; sympathy and company.

PULSATILLA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for feelings of helplessness with weeping.

Keynote: Changeability of mood and symptoms.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Desire to escape and hide during pregnancy. Emotional state: Sweet natured, but indecisive.
Worse: twilight, getting feet wet, becoming chilled, sun, wind, damp weather, stuffy rooms.

Important hormonal remedy. Suits those that find it hard to adapt to the changes in their body that pregnancy brings. Need support, reassurance and company. Frequently needed as a sinusitis remedy (see also Kali bich). Thirstless.
Useful for helping babies in breech or transverse positions to turn, if used in the 36th week of pregnancy.

RHUS TOX

No. 1 Remedy for sprains and strains.

Stiffness, coupled with terrible restlessness. Pains usually around joints, which ache, feel sore, bruised. The pain gets worse on first movement, with a tearing or stitching sensation, but this eases after continued movement, provided it is not too strenuous. During colds, fevers, flus, a triangular red tip at the end of their tongue is an excellent confirmatory symptom. Children who need this remedy crave cold milk. Better: heat; gentle motion. Worse: damp, cold weather.

Rhus tox is for sprains and strains of the muscles and ruta is more sprains and strains of the ligaments. Sometimes it’s hard to know which to give, but generally, rhus tox is more restless, and the other thing about rhus tox is, they have problems getting started, so if they sat down, they might seize up and be like a creaky gate, and once they start moving, things may get a little easier for them, but then if they over-do it, they may feel stiff again. So think of the creaky gate for rhus tox.

RHUS TOX (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for muscle strains

Keynote: A creaky door, the first movement hurts most.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Has a red triangle at the tip of the tongue.
Emotional state: Restless from anxiety or pain, tearful.
Worse: getting chilled, dampness, draughts, on lying down, after 12pm.

Aching , sore, bruised, tearing, burning, stitching and rheumatic pains. Pelvic bones feel loose, but stiff when first moving. Better for warm drinks, a hot bath or a cozy bed. Useful after over- exertion (see also Arnica and Bryonia) and for muscle sprains and strains. An important flu remedy.

RUTA

No. 1 Remedy for injuries to tendons and bone surface.

Ruta's action is deeper, but it has a less distinctive picture than Rhus Tox. It is less restless. Bone feels damaged. Useful for injuries to wrists; Knees; ankles or bones with a thin covering of flesh (e.g shins). Better: for movement. Worse: lying on the affected part.

Ruta is more sprains and strains of the ligaments. Sometimes it’s hard to know which to give, but generally, rhus tox is more restless. Ruta is much more likely to be needed for ligaments or tendons.

SECALE (for CHILDBIRTH)

Like Pulsatilla intolerant of stuffy rooms, but emotionally more stupefied in labour, with much longer contractions. If these stop, trembling may start. Most often used to antidote ill-effects of Syntometrine, often routinely injected to speed up expulsion of placenta. Take immediately after where possible. Can be used to encourage a retained placenta to be pushed out naturally, if contractions are too weak.

SEPIA

Useful remedy for conditions brought about by hormonal changes in women. Suits those who are worn out and have a dragged-down, heavy feeling. Indifferent to loved ones. Chilly. Weepy. Dislike sympathy, prefer to be alone. Desires acidic things and chocolate Better: vigorous exercise; eating; warmth; open air. Worse: during menstruation; missing a meal; pregnancy.

Sepia is another great hormonal remedy. Often it suits women who are just exhausted, from looking after everybody else’s needs. They can feel very heavy; very dragged down, like they want to run away screaming from their loved ones because it’s all too much. It is a really important hormonal remedy. And it’s also, again, a big polycrest, and can be used in many different ways.

SEPIA (for CHILDBIRTH)

Pains severe; dragging down; much relieved by exercise. Emotionally feel irritable or indifferent to loved ones; respond badly to sympathy. Sluggish and weepy. Useful for treating uterine prolapse with strong bearing-down
sensation. Think of Sepia if children are born close together, giving the body insufficient time in between to recover. Worse: fasting; touch; staying in same position. Better: after eating; moving around.

SEPIA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for exhausted women!

Keynotes: Dragging, bearing down pains.

Strange rare and peculiar sensation: As if prolapse will occur and everything will fall out Emotional state: Indifferent, withdrawn, irritable, over-sensitive.
Worse: missing a meal, failure to exercise, company.

Important hormonal remedy. Covering a greater number of symptoms in pregnancy and more frequently needed than any other. Particularly useful in threatened miscarriages.
Yellowish face, particularly over the nose. Dark rings under the eyes.
Over-sensitive to noise, smells and pain. Avoids family and partner.
Prefers to be alone and rest.

SILICA

No. 1 Remedy for forcing out splinters, etc.

In first aid treatment excellent for forcing foreign bodies out, but beware if you have a pace-maker, grommets, metal pins etc. In acute illnesses suits chilly types, who keep getting infections, which are very slow to clear up. Thirsty. Perspire easily. Better: heat. Worse: cold, damp, wet weather.

Silica is our number one remedy for forcing out foreign bodies. It can be used to get rid of splinters. I have seen it used successfully after a miscarriage to help stuff to leave the uterus. Some people say you need to be careful if you have pins or breast implants, those kinds of things. I think that makes sense to me. You should avoid silica if you have foreign bodies in your body that you want to stay put.

But it is excellent for splinters. It doesn’t work immediately, but it is a very painless way to force a splinter out. It is also a fantastic remedy for blocked ducts, so specifically, blocked tear ducts of a baby – it can save a lot of messing around with gunky eyes, or often, if it goes on too long, the only thing that is offered is surgery for the baby when they get to a certain age. . .silica can just sort that out really easily.

It can be used for mums who have blocked milk ducts as well. So any time something is blocked and needs to come out, think of silica. It even has this thing of ‘shy stool’, so if you have the kind of constipation where the stool emerges and then recedes, silica fits.

SILICA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for forcing out splinters and other foreign bodies.

Very prone to catching infections, poor immunity.

White spots on nails. Strange rare and peculiar symptom: Cold, damp, sweaty smelly feet.
Emotional state: Overly conscientious, lacking in confidence, timid.
Worse: cold, damp, wet weather, draughts.

Violent fetal movements that hurt. Constipation with “shy” stools that slip back. Useful remedy for cracked, sore, inverted nipples, blocked milk ducts and breast abscesses.
Helps babies with blocked tear ducts.

STAPHISAGRIA

No. 1 Remedy following episiotomy.

Appear sweet and calm, but may feel angry, resentful, humiliated. Feel boundaries have been violated. Doesn't want to be touched. Very useful after cuts with a sharp instruments. Better: warmth; rest; breakfast. Worse: missing a meal; tobacco; exertion.

Staphisagria is a remedy whereby you feel in some way violated, or treated so badly that you feel really angry, particularly in a situation where you can’t express that you’re angry, for some reason. It is used a lot for sexual abuse and rape cases.

But it is also used where people have had surgery, and maybe they understood that they needed that surgery – a C-section, or whatever it might be. . .dental work. . .but they still feel in some way that their body has been violated because, you know, having someone go into your mouth, or into your body, even if they are doing it for the very best intentions to fix you, it can be a very difficult thing to deal with. Staphisagria is an amazing remedy.

STAPHISAGRIA (for CHILDBIRTH)

Most often used after labour, particularly if mother feels anger, resentment or humiliation because of medical procedures or interventions during labour and does not want to be touched. Consider it if the birth involved any of the following: intrusive or painful internal examinations; insertion of a catheter; an enema; forceps delivery; episiotomy; stitches; use of stirrups. Pains are stitching and smarting.

STAPHISAGRIA (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for feelings of violation.

Keynotes: Pressing, pulling, tearing, sore bruised pains.

Strange rare and peculiar symptom:
Emotional state: Suppressed rage, anger, humiliation, grief. Changeable.
Worse: surgical operations involving any orifice, being touched, missing a meal, exertion, cat naps.

Good remedy for those who can’t say “No” and later feel taken advantage of.
May be needed after invasive tests or medical examinations, where you feel upset afterwards. Hiding true feelings causes symptoms to appear.
Important cystitis remedy (see also Cantharis).

SULPHUR

Warm-blooded, wants doors and windows open. Empty sinking feeling in stomach at 11am. Desires sweets; spicy food. Burning pains. Offensive corrosive, burning discharges. Itchy. Do not use routinely for skin complaints always see a qualified homoeopath. Better: fresh air. Worse: warmth; bathing; 10-11am.

Sulphur is one of those remedies where, when I put in certain symptoms, or rubrics, into my computer system, sulphur covers so many things, that it’s just always there. It has more symptoms than any other remedy that we have in the materia medica. 

What I would say about sulphur is, use it if, when you do that matching exercise, if sulphur comes up, then use it. Be a little wary, because it comes up a lot, so just make sure that it’s a really good fit. It suits people who tend to be overheated and stick their feet out from under the covers because the room is a bit too hot. They can also be a bit disorganised and a bit dishevelled – that’s a typical sulphur-type presentation.

Some people give sulphur as a pick-me-up after someone has been sick – they say it can really boost your overall well-being. You will find sulphur coming up in all sorts of ways. Now, the only thing that I would caution you about sulphur is, do not give sulphur routinely for skin eruptions. Because of what we were saying earlier about how it is very important when looking at skin eruptions to look at the whole picture.

If the picture of the person fits sulphur, then it is okay to give it in a skin situation. What we are trying always to do with skin is not to suppress it, because if you have to be sick anywhere, the skin is the best place to be sick. . .so you don’t want to drive it in to a deeper level. So if you see in some book, it says take sulphur for eczema, or rashes, please don’t.

SULPHUR (PREGNANCY)

No.1 Remedy for hot blooded, itchy types.

Keynotes: Offensive, burning, corrosive discharges.

Strange rare and peculiar symptoms: Sinking feeling at 11am. Navel protrudes at night. Emotional state: Indifferent to appearance. Lazy. Argumentative.
Worse: warmth, bathing, 10-11am.

Useful for nausea of the first trimester. Prone to hot flashes. Fresh air fiends. Restless legs from heat of the bed. Prone to poor sleep or insomnia, also due to over-heating.
Often wakes early to pass stool.

URTICA URENS

Useful in eruptions like stinging nettles, hives and plickly heat.
Pains are stinging, burning, itching. Helps eliminate toxins after poisonings with allergic reactions. Reduces swelling of feet/ankles (and attendant risk of deep vein thrombosis) on long haul flights.

VERATRUM

Restless both mentally and physically. Very chilly.Profuse cold sweat and watery diarrhoea.May also have vomiting simultaneously (cf Arsenicum). Desires sour fruit, and salty things. Very thirsty, desires cold drinks, but they aggravate condition. An important cholera remedy. Worse: exertion; drinking (especially cold drinks); during pain; perspiration. Better: hot drinks or food; covers; walking.