A blog on homeopathy -- Ruminating on Remedies

Catching Up with Myself

1/10/2026

The holidays have a way of simultaneously being exhilarating and fun and overwhelming and exhausting. If you’re like me, it can be a little tricky getting your feet back underneath you after chasing yourself around while putting the house back together, making the transition from last year to this year, settling back into daily life after a few weeks of upside down land… trying to re-establish some sense of normalcy.

What can help? Some Bach Flower Essences, that’s what.

Feeling a little out of control? Cherry Plum to calm the mind.
Overwhelmed? Elm — it’s so handy to have the name right there in the word!
Having a hard time getting back into the swing of things? Hornbeam.
and, for physical and mental exhaustion… Olive.

The Bach Essences are readily available (locally for me at Sprouts* and Natural Grocers); local herb stores often have them, too. However, they can be a little spendy. ($18.69 per bottle is what I’m seeing online right now — if one wanted to make a mix of all four of these remedies, that’s nearly $75!) Don’t get me wrong — if these issues are frequent visitors in your world, it’s totally worth the investment. Full kits are available and, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, are totally worth it.

So, what to do when you would like to use a few Bach flowers but don’t want to break the bank? Local herb stores will often make a custom blend for you for less than the price of one bottle of a single essence. If you don’t have that available where you are, custom blends can be purchased and shipped from places like Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary.**

How do you take the Bachs? Lots of ways, actually. You can drop them directly under your tongue from the bottle; or, dab them on the thin skin/pulse points (think: inside of the wrist); or, blend them into creams or lotions … or, put 2 drops of each of your chosen essences in a bottle of water and sip throughout the day. Each sip is a friendly tap on the shoulder reminding you that all is well.

Now, in addition to sipping my Bachs, I’m going to catch a little sleep and take another couple of days to settle back into myself and (hopefully) be back into full swing by next week.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

*Argh. Looking online right now, it looks like Sprouts may only be carrying Bach Rescue Remedy. I hope this isn’t the case!
**I have no affiliation with this company — I just love their stuff!

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Taxing Remedies

4/13/2024

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Tax day is upon us in the US.

How can homeopathy have anything to do with taxes?

Well, as an aside, if you look up “tax” in the homeopathic repertory software, you’ll see rubrics for being over-taxed. Two remedies caught my attention for this: Picric acid and Nux moschata.

Picric acid for when mental exertion causes fatigue and headache (excellent for those final exams coming up soon, too!) When I learned this remedy, I associated the phrase "pick your brains" which means, of course, to ask someone for information, which could be a tiring process.

I would definitely begin with Picric acid in this situation, but I just have to share this single remedy rubric for Nux moschata: Mind, muddled, intoxicated, as if. If there is anything that can muddle your mind, it’s taxes! Albert Einstein even apparently said, "The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax."

In addition to one’s poor brain being taxed while computing the money one owes the government, there are a few money rubrics which may be of assistance, especially if you are looking for a backdoor to crack a case.

You see, sometimes it can take just a unique little something about a person that you need to unearth in order to find a way in to getting a really well-suited remedy.

If a person has an particular fixation on money, there are some rubrics which may be useful.

One of my favorite remedies, Bambusa is indicated when one is full of cares and worries over money. To remember this remedy, just think of the substance from which it comes — Bamboo — and think of the support those bamboo stakes lend those vulnerable plants in a garden while they establish themselves and are able to stand strong through their roots alone. That’s the beauty of Bambusa.

Depression about money problems — which has a nuanced difference to cares about money, as noted above. Cares about money would be active — fretting or worrying — constant thoughts about the problem. Depression about money problems would be more of a passive response — a shutting down.

Two big remedies pop up for depression about money problems: Arsenicum album and Aurum metallicum. Now, it could be said that Arsenicum album is more of a restless anxiety or an anxious depression. Arsenicum album may talk about money and they are known to talk about their worries. Thinking further about this, I think it should actually probably be listed in the above rubric with Bambusa.

Aurum metallicum, on the other hand, is a depressed remedy. A remedy for deep grief or humiliation. Put those two together and we have a perfect match for depression after financial loss. (Note that Aurum is the only bold/underlined remedy in that rubric.)

What is Aurum metallicum? Aurum is made from gold. To remember this remedy, think of the Great Depression — when the financial markets all around the world crumbled and people lost their fortunes and their savings and threw themselves out of windows in their despair. That is a picture perfect description of depression after financial loss. Shock from a loss of wealth or property.

If there is a passion for making money, Aurum and Nux vomica are both highly indicated. Once again for Aurum, think of the Gold Rush. Those were some people passionate about making money — Gold Fever!

Nux vomica is more of the hardworking business person — workaholics. People who work themselves sick. Vomica sounds a little like vomit -- works themselves sick.

What else can help if you are frantically rushing to get your taxes filed? Try some Bach Flowers. Maybe a little Cherry Plum to keep a cool and collected mind. Or, maybe some Clematis to help you stay focused on the task at hand. Elm if the task just feels too overwhelming. Holly if the whole process makes you angry. And, finally, for all those accountants out there who are working their tails off in these final days to help all of us late filers get the job done, try some Oak to help restore energy.

A fun fact (well, I don’t know if this is factual or not, but it caught my attention):
The Gettysburg address is 269 words. The Declaration of Independence is 1,337 words. the Bible is only 773,000 words. However, the tax law has grown from 11,400 words in 1913 to 7 millions words today. (Note: I don’t know when “today” was — it could have quadrupled again, for all I know!)

Learning homeopathic remedies shouldn’t be taxing. Making a few connections and word associations can make all these many remedies a little easier to remember.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

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Feel the Fear

5/14/2023

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“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.”
Rudyard Kipling

The other day, driving slowly over a speed bump not far from home, I noticed a woman I have met before but I don’t know. Given her house is right next to the speed bump, I’ve had occasion to notice her many times over the years. This time, she was standing next to her dog who was lying under an opened umbrella propped on the ground next to him, and her stance said she was concerned about the dog. What was really memorable about this woman in the beginning days of May of the year 2023, however, was that she was outside, by herself with not one, but wearing two (!) masks on her face. I have since seen her a couple more times, still donning both masks.

I have nothing but compassion for this woman who is clearly frightened beyond comprehension. What makes you think she is frightened? Maybe she is protecting herself from allergens? Remember, I’ve seen her over the years, standing in the same place in her yard, yet the masks are relatively new.

This is not an article about the pros and cons of masking. This is an article about that extremely powerful emotion which I am surmising lies behind the masking: fear.

According to Louise Delagran, writing for the University of Minnesota’s “Taking Charge of your Health & Wellbeing,” fear and anxiety impacts us in the following ways:

Fear weakens our immune system, can cause cardiovascular damage, GI problems and decreased fertility and lead to accelerated aging and even premature death.
Fear can impair memory and cause damage to certain parts of the brain which can, in turn, make it even more difficult to regulate fear and leave the person with chronic anxiety. “To someone in chronic fear, the world looks scary and their memories confirm that.”
Fear can disrupt the processes which allow us to regulate our emotions which, in turn, impacts thinking and decision making.
Long-term fear can lead to fatigue, clinical depression and PTSD.

This, she says, is the case despite the threats being real or simply perceived.

The mind is a powerful thing!

Fear & Homeopathy

Frederik Schroyens in his Synthesis Adonis repertory, lists 1,400+ rubrics listed under: Mind, Fear. Some examples: Fear of being alone. Fear of cancer. Fear of cats. Fear of crossing a bridge. Fear of disease. Fear of being neglected. Fear of liquids. Fear of open spaces. Fear of thunderstorms. And, fear of death is a big one, with nearly 100 sub-rubrics listing all sorts of ways people fear they might die.

Using homeopathic remedies to address your fear can help your body help itself to avoid the fear taking root and taking control of your physical and mental well-being.

With over 1,000 homeopathic remedies which may be indicated in various manifestations of fear, where does one start?

The beginning of the alphabet, of course!

Aconitum napellus or Aconite for short. This is a good and easy one to remember because “Aconite” rhymes with “fright.” If you have a scary experience, Aconite is an excellent place to start. Even if that scary experience was in the past, Aconite is indicated in ailments from frights and can help clear out the fear “residue,” if you will. Fear of death, fear of doctors… overpowering fear. Sudden fear and panic attacks also may be helped with Aconite. Physical ailments may begin suddenly.

Argentum nitricum can be particularly helpful with the nervous system — people who anticipate everything that could go wrong. Fear of accidents; being alone; losing control; claustrophobia. Argent-nit is part of a very helpful combination remedy known as "AAA." (See: "What Goes Up" for more info on AAA.) Argentum nitricum sufferers often have gastro-intestinal issues: nervous diarrhea as well as impressive belching.

Arsenicum album is particularly good for fears about one’s health. Fear of disease and germs; fears of being incurable; fear of being poisoned; fear of suffering. Physical ailments may have a burning quality to them as well as a general restlessness.

Calcarea carbonica is for the worrier. They are overwhelmed, over-worked, over-burdened and they worry about their health, too: cancer, germs, infection and contagious, epidemic diseases. Fear of insanity; fear of rats, insects and monsters. Physically, they get worn out easily and may have a sensation of inner trembling.

Lycopodium clavatum is particularly well indicated when low self-esteem and low confidence come into the fear picture. Lycopodium fears: failure and humiliation; public speaking, or, the undertaking of anything. Physically, Lycopodium is another good gastrointestinal remedy, this time with bloating and loud abdominal rumbling.

Phosphorus is more indicated for a sort of free-floating anxiety and for those who are over-sensitive to external impressions, especially when they are alone. Fear of the dark; ghosts; noise; thunderstorms. Physically, there may be a tremendous thirst or excessive bleeding, including nosebleeds.

It’s important to remember that all of these remedies are considered polycrests or, very large homeopathic remedies, which cover a great variety of symptoms, both physical and mental and these are just tiny snippets to help give a sense of the remedies and how they relate to fear.

Dr. Edward Bach, the homeopath who discovered the Bach Flower Essences a century ago, said it was “our fears, our cares, our anxieties and such like that open the path to the invasion of illness” (Mcintyre 1996).

There are a number of Dr. Bach’s flowers which could apply here, (especially if we were to compare them to the homeopathic remedies listed), but I am just going to briefly focus on a small handful.

Aspen to address a fear of the unknown or the supernatural — the faceless fears that go bump in the night… The generalized, nameless anxieties.

Cherry Plum is for the fear of losing control.

Crab Apple addresses a fear of contamination, by a disease, for example.

Mimulus is for the fear of “known” things. If you can put a name to what you are afraid of, Mimulus is your flower.

Red Chestnut for the fear or worry for the well-being of others, especially loved ones.

Rock Rose for terror, as such following an accident or nightmares.

Don’t be afraid to address your fears. After all, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Whether you choose to try homeopathy or flower essences or cognitive behavioral therapy, (or, even better, a combination of all 3!), feel the fear and do it anyway**!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

** Full disclosure, I’ve never read this book, but I’ve always loved the title!

Reference list
Delagran, L., 2012. Impact of Fear and Anxiety | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing [online]. Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing.

Jeffers, S., 2023. Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway. Harvest.
LeDoux, J., 1998. Fear and the brain: where have we been, and wwww.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(98)00282-0/fulltexthere are we going? Biological Psychiatry [online], 44 (12), 1229–1238.

Mcintyre, A., 1996. Flower power : flower remedies for healing body and soul through herbalism, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and flower essences. Holt.

Schroyens, F., n.d. Synthesis Adonis. (accessed through Radar Opus software).

Steimer, T., 2002. The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience [online], 4 (3), 231–49.

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Gobble Gobble

11/23/2022

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It’s turkey time!

If it were only the turkey, overeating probably wouldn’t be much of a thing. Add in the mashed potatoes and the stuffing (the name alone says it all!), the sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows (I’ve never tried it, but it doesn’t sound like my thing) and all the pies… now, we’re getting somewhere that ends up in overeating!

There’s not much sense in suggesting to go easy at the Thanksgiving table, but let’s see what we can do to mitigate the damage, shall we?

Before we get to homeopathy, let’s start with some Bach Flowers and see what we can do to pre-empt the debauch.

Cherry Plum to help control your behavior (both food-wise AND inter-relationally!)

Elm, especially if you’re the one cooking and preparing and hosting the big day -- there's a lot to do!

Honeysuckle if you find yourself stuck in memories of the past and having a hard time being present.

Olive if you’ve been over-doing it in the pie-making department and need a little more oomph to get you through.

OK, we’ve made it through the meal prep and the food itself and you didn’t have your Cherry Plum handy to help keep your appetite in check. What now?

Nux vomica for too much. Too much food. Too much football. Too much familial politics. All that too much has left you irritable!

Carbo veg is full of gas. Lots of burping, and that helps but, it’s not enough. Stepping outside for some fresh air helps, too.

Pulsatilla if your overdoing it was focused on ice cream, whipped cream, dairy and fats.

Nat phos for indigestion.

Arsenicum album if the indulgence has left you with burning pains. Or, if you find yourself suffering from food poisoning.

Lycopodium for bloating and gas. Better out than in!

Let’s take these last two remedies one step further and use the Banerji protocol of Lyco/Ars. Lycopodium 200c mixed with Arsenicum album 3c. It does wonders!

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

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Catching Up with Myself

Taxing Remedies

Feel the Fear

Gobble Gobble

Julia Coyte, CHom

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