 Fall must be approaching. It doesn’t feel like it here in the desert southwest; we are still seemingly in the throes of straight summer with temperatures remaining 10+ degrees above average. In fact, it almost feels like we have hit the breaks on moving toward fall and reversed into actual summer. You see, we had a relatively humid summer. (See "12 Angry Homeopathic Remedies” if you care to know a bit more about our summer this year.) And, today, September 10th, 2026 (and 11th, I didn’t quite get everything finished yesterday), we finally have our normal sky — cloudless and bright blue. Boy, have I missed seeing that! A New Mexico 9% humidity sky. 😍 Even though we have been humid (for New Mexico), we have had no rain worth mentioning. Our trees are dying 😫. Rivers are just beds of stones. The monsoons never developed this year. Despite this lingering heat, autumnal bugs are beginning their march into town. The internet tells me October is the month where things really get going. However, this morning I saw in my email that Stanford University-run WastewaterSCAN program indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is currently “high” nationwide, with a significant upward trend in the last 3 weeks. I checked the WastewaterSCAN Dashboard and New Mexico doesn’t appear. However, a Today show article claims it is increasing nationwide. Cold, Flu, Covid, the Crud, the Suds** — whatever seasonal ailment is getting you, homeopathy is a good place to start. It’s important to remember that homeopathy doesn’t care the name of what ails you — homeopathy is (for the most part) only interested in your symptoms. With that, let’s look at a few remedies to have handy. As Benjamin Franklin taught us, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure! All of these homeopathic remedies work really well when taken at the first sign of any symptoms. Repeat every few hours, or, follow the manufacturer’s direction.
So far this month, I’m seeing a bunch of throat stuff and huge fatigue, in addition to milder cold-like symptoms and one person with some stomach issues thrown in for good measure. For what it’s worth, Gelsemium has been helpful for a couple of people I have encountered. Why Gelsemium? Gelsemium symptoms (keynotes from Morrison are bolded):
When the stomach plays a larger role, consider Arsenicum album. A quick comparison between Gelsemium and Arsenicum for cold/flu symptoms:  These early days of flu/cold-like symptoms mark the beginning of what could be a long season of yuckiness. Homeopathy may just be able to set things right before they are able to take hold.
Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits *I have no affiliation with this or any other company — I just like their stuff! **Spongebob Squarepants gets the suds — Good stuff!
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 Back when I first thought about writing this article (in 2023), decongestants were front and center in the news, just like one’s nose is front and center when it’s all stuffed up. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association suddenly announced that currently available decongestants don’t work. I didn’t dig into all the details because that was another lifetime when I cared about such things.
Back in the day, I was a big fan of Sudafed. I used it very frequently and it really never occurred to me to think there was any reason why I shouldn’t use it. Until one day after years of regular Sudafed use, I had what seemed like, (in hindsight, anyway), a panic attack. At that time, I lived at sea level and I was visiting a high altitude. I took my little red Sudafed, because that’s what I did pretty much every day, and I ended up breathing into a paper bag to calm my system. I have never checked out the side effects of Sudafed until literally right now and, lo' and behold: "fast, pounding or uneven heartbeat" and "severe dizziness or anxiety." It appears (according to Drugs.com) I should have sought medical attention but I didn’t know that at the time. I don’t think I ever had another Sudafed after that miserable experience. Since finding homeopathy, the thought has honestly never again occurred to me to take any of the allopathic over the counter decongestants. In the homeopathic literature, the word congestion refers to hyperemia or "an excessive amount of blood in a given part of the body." To look up congestion, as in, “a head filled with snot,” those words would be catarrh and coryza. Old words for colds, basically. From the Oxford Dictionary of English, 2nd edition:
For simplicity’s sake, let’s say catarrh is stuffed up (congestion) and coryza is running out. Both problems are associated with colds and allergies which are both causes of congestion. (It's getting circular again!) I suppose one could say it’s better to have it running out rather than being stuck in there, “better out than in!” — but that has its own set of problems. In an ideal homeopathic world, we would investigate catarrh as it exists in the individual. Where is the congestion located? The eyes, ears, sinus, larynx, trachea, etc. Were I to begin treating some acute generic catarrh of the cold or allergic derivation (remember, catarrh could be in any part of the body and therefor other remedies may be more appropriate), I would start with either Kali bich or Calc carb. How would I choose? Well, if it is thick, I’d start with Kali bich. (Did you catch that rhyme there? Very useful to remember.) If the ears are involved to a high degree, I would start with Calc carb. (If we’re talking about a child, I would start with Calc carb because it’s just a good remedy for children, in general.) For the following symptoms which I gathered from Robin Murphy’s Repertory, both remedies are indicated, but one or the other is generally more indicated.
Let’s sum that list up… Calcarea Carbonica (Calc carb)
Kali Bichromicum (Kali bich)
It’s important to remember that BOTH Calc carb and Kali bich are indicated in all of these symptoms. What I have highlighted here is when one remedy was MORE indicated in each of these symptoms. (It's also important to remember there are many more remedies indicated in every one of these symptoms. I just chose to focus on the two most highly indicated remedies for catarrh, in general.) As a rule of thumb for an acute situation, choose one remedy and try a few doses. For example, take a dose of your chosen remedy in a 30c, approximately every 15-20 minutes for one hour. If there is ANY improvement, stick with that remedy. If there is NO improvement (I mean none!) then try a few doses in the same manner of the other remedy. For further ideas on dealing with colds and congestion, see: “Cough cough!” ; “Tis the Season for the Crud”; “Her Ears were Yuck”; “Calming the Cold”; "Allergies are Back". Forget trying to figure out which over the counter decongestants may or may not work and try some homeopathy. Homeopathy has no side effects. Homeopathy doesn’t interfere with other medicines. Homeopathy is not addictive. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits  On the 12th day of cell salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Silicea. Silicea, aka Silica, is part of all connective tissue cells in the body — the hair, the nails, the skin. Silicea is a building block and it provides strength and stability to every part of the body. “Silicea has the power to have an impact upon virtually all aspects of the human system, especially upon bones, joints, skin, mucous membranes, and glands” (McCabe 2009). Conditions which may benefit from Silicea:
Mentally and emotionally, those who may benefit from Silicea may be shy; startles easily and a little peevish. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  On the 9th day of cells salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Natrum muriaticum. Nat mur is made from Chloride of Soda, also known as Common Table Salt. It is a water distributor — bringing balance to the distribution of fluids in the body. Nat mur is the cell salt for mucous membranes — any time things are too dry or too wet: watery discharges (like tearing eyes) or dryness and dehydration. Conditions which may benefit from Nat mur:
Mentally and emotionally, low spirits, irritability, especially from little things; melancholy, weeps easily; grief. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  On the 7th day of cell salts… Kali sulphuricum. Kali sulph is the cell salt for the skin, helping to build new skin cells. It also works in conjunction with Ferr phos to help blood carry oxygen to all the cells. Think of Kali sulph for active inflammatory conditions. Inflammation of the mucous membranes: bronchitis and whooping cough, for example, where discharges are thick, stringy, ropy and tough. Inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dandruff. Conditions which may benefit from Kali sulph:
Mentally and emotionally, those who may benefit from Kali sulph may be irritable and unpredictable moods. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  On the 4th day of cell salts… Ferrum phosphoricum. Ferr phos is what Dr. Schüssler called the “true form of iron phosphate that occurs naturally in the human system” (McCabe 2009). It is the cell salt most concerned with blood because it is part of hemoglobin, the substance that takes up oxygen from the inhaled air and carries it through the bloodstream to all parts of the body. Because of Ferr phos’s important role in carrying oxygen, it is recommended in nearly all conditions (Weintraub 1999). Ferr phos is considered an important remedy for acute conditions, especially fever and inflammations. When taken at the first sign of illness, it all might be nipped in the bud! Conditions which may benefit from Ferr phos:
Mentally and emotionally, Ferr phos may be helpful for those who just want to be taken care of. They may seem indifferent to their illness. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  On the third day of cells salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Calcarea sulphurica. Calc sulph is highly useful for infections and any discharges from mucous membranes, ulcers or abscesses. It is known as a blood cleanser and is an excellent skin cell salt. Calc sulph can be especially helpful in the early stages of an illness and any skin issues with pus (boils, ulcers and abscesses). Conditions which may benefit from Calc sulph:
Mentally and emotionally, Calc sulph may be irritable or have a fluctuating mood. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  On the second day of cells salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Calcarea phosphorica. Calc phos is essential for proper growth and nutrition of the body: supplying the first basis for new tissues. Calc phos strengthens teeth and bones, especially during dentition (in young, rapidly growing children as well as old age). Very helpful after acute diseases. Calc phos is an important element of gastric juice and of all bone and teeth. Conditions which may benefit from Calc phos:
Mentally and emotionally, Calc phos may be helpful for impaired memory or following grief or disappointment; anxiety about the future, and exhaustion. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Available from: . Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  On the 1st day of cell salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Calcarea Fluorica. Today begins a quick blast through the twelve cell salts — just quick key notes for each one. Somewhere between a homeopathic remedy and a nutritional supplement, cells salts, tissue salts, Schüssler salts or Schüssler biochemical cell salts … whatever you want to call them… are a very gentle way to support your body. They can be used individually or in combination, (on their own or in conjunction with homeopathic remedies), to address all sorts of physical ailments. “When your body lacks these important cell salts, you are more vulnerable to common health concerns. By replenishing them, your body is better prepared to treat illnesses and enjoy better overall wellness” (Hyland's 2024), For this series, I will go in alphabetical order (which also correlates to Hyland’s* numbering system). Calc fluor, also known as Calcium Fluoride, is found in nature as the mineral fluorspar or fluorite, but in the body it is combined with Calcium. The surface of bones and tooth enamel contain Calc fluoride and it can also be found in the walls of blood vessels, muscles and connective tissues. Calc fluor is for tissues that are too lax OR too stiff -- the elasticity cell salt. "It is an excellent remedy for long-lasting complaints of a chronic nature, especially those, like lumbago and joint pain -- especially hip pain -- that are seemingly without cause" (McCabe 2009). Calc fluor strengthens bones, veins, ligaments, skin and teeth enamel. How do you know you may benefit from Calc fluor?
Mentally and emotionally Calc fluor is not well indicated but may be useful in sadness or when you feel you can’t think straight. "A sense of free-form anxiety with a sense of indecision" (McCabe 2009). Calc fluor is often recommended in the 12x potency (though 3x or 6x may be sufficient). Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits * I have no affiliation with this or any other company. Reference list
Carey, G. W., 1996. The Biochemic System of Medicine. Health Research Books. Chapman, E., 1960. How to Use the Twelve Tissue Salts. Nutri Books. Dewey, W. A. and Boericke, W., 2022. The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler: Comprising the Theory, Therapeutic Application, Materia Medica, and a Complete Repertory of These Remedies. H. Legare Street Press. Hyland's, 2024. Cell Salt #1 Calc Fluor [online]. Hyland’s. McCabe, V., 2009. The Healing Echo. ReadHowYouWant.com. Schuesslertissuessalts.com.au, n.d. Schuessler Tissue Salts - 150 Years Of Natural Medicine In Australia [online]. Schuessler Tissue Salts. Available from: . Schüssler, W. H., 2003. Schüssler’s twelve tissue remedies : comprising the theory, therapeutic applications, materia medica and a complete repertory of tissue remedies. Sittingbourne, Kent: Homæopathic Book Service. Strbac, L., 2024. Schuessler’s Tissue Salts Rediscovered. Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.  Homeopathy has been continuously in use since its founding by Samuel Hahnmann in the late 1700s. Just think about that. This safe, gentle, inexpensive and very powerful medicine has been used all around the world for 225 years and in many circles, this amazing modality is virtually unknown. Perhaps some of its obscurity lies in the fact that the term “homeopathy” contains the word “home.” In my opinion, this linguistic trickery plays a significant role in the confusion surrounding homeopathy. People assume “homeopathy” is the same thing as a home remedy. Nope. Not the same. Not even close. “Hom” from Greek homoeos, meaning “one and the same.” As in…Homophone: same pronunciation, different meaning. Homonym: same spelling, different meaning. Homogenous: of the same kind, alike. Homeomorphism: an instance of topological equivalence. Homocentric: having the same center. Not home*, as in home-based or home-made. Perhaps we should switch to the British spelling, homoeopathy. That may help clear up this little problem. Homoeopathy broken down is Homoeo: “the same” and pathy: “suffering." Various pathys… Hydropathy: the treatment of illness through the use of water. Naturopathy: a system of medicine that avoids drugs and surgery and relies on natural remedies. Osteopathy: a system of medicine traditionally based on manual therapeutic techniques aimed at restoring physical function through the body’s ability to heal itself. Homoeopathy is based on the premise of “like cures like.” If nausea is your ailment, a remedy based on a substance which causes nausea in its crude form is the cure. Tobacco when consumed raw causes nausea, vomiting and malaise (Hulzebos et al. 1998 and Trapé-Cardoso et al. 2003). Homoeopathic tobacco known as Tabacum, is one homoeopathic answer to nausea, vomiting and malaise. Another easy example of like cures like is Allium cepa, red onion. When you chop an onion, what happens? Your eyes burn and water and your nose runs. Thus, Allium cepa is one homoeopathic answer to colds and allergies when you experience these symptoms. The counterpart to homoeopathy is allopathy. Greek allos, “other” and pathy, “suffering.” Allopathy: treatment of disease by remedies that produce effects opposite to the symptoms. If fever is your ailment, an antipyretic (anti, “against” and pyretic, “feverish”) is the allopathic answer. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, beta blockers, proton pump inhibitors. The point of this article is not to knock home remedies. There is a lot to be said for gargling with salt water for a sore throat; eating probiotic yogurt for tummy issues; sipping homemade chicken soup for a cold. These are all amazingly helpful ways to address symptoms. However, they are NOT homoeopathic medicines. Homoeopathy works with your body, not against it. Homoeopathy treats the person, not the disease. Homoeopathy uses the symptoms your body provides as a guide to find the correct homoeopathic remedy to gently stimulate your body. Homoeopathy does not force the symptoms away by using something to stop or block a symptom (anti-medications as listed above); homoeopathy uses similar medicines or remedies to nudge your symptoms a little further in the same direction that it is already headed in order to stimulate your immune system to kick in and correct itself. As Dr. Robin Murphy said recently in one of his last lectures, (and, I paraphrase), “The body knows how to repair itself. Homoeopathy is the vital force repair man.” Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits *If you’re interested, here’s a link to in an in-depth discussion of the etymology of the word “home” by the author of Word Origins and How We Know Them. Reference list
Etymonline.com, 2021. homophone | Etymology, origin and meaning of homophone by etymonline [online]. www.etymonline.com. European Committee for Homeopathy, n.d. Benefits of Homeopathy [online]. The European Committee for Homeopathy. Hulzebos, C. V., Walhof, C., and de Vries, T. W., 1998. Accidental ingestion of cigarettes by children. Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde [online], 142 (47), 2569–2571. Liberman, A., 2015. Our habitat: the etymology of “home” [online]. OUPblog. Trapé-Cardoso, M., Bracker, A., Grey, M., Kaliszewski, M., Oncken, C., Ohannessian, C., Barrera, L. V., and Gould, B., 2003. Shade Tobacco and Green Tobacco Sickness in Connecticut. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine [online], 45 (6), 656–661. Venes, D., 2017. Taber’s cyclopedic medical dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company. |
Julia Coyte, CHomI am passionate about homeopathy and I love sharing this passion. Having a working knowledge of homeopathy shouldn't be kept a secret. If people have the ability to help themselves, their children and their friends when they have minor ailments, life just gets better for everyone. That is the purpose behind Ruminating on Remedies. Archives
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