 I misjudged how much time I actually have had in the last couple of weeks, so here's a little pain teaser to tide you over…
With that, here is a very quick rundown of go-to pain remedies as suggested in the latest arrival to my bookshelf… Weiner’s Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (Boswell and Cole 2007). I purchased this hefty tome (coming in over 1600 pages) to learn better how mainstream medicine approaches treating pain: diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology and methods of treatment; associated factors; causations, etc. I was, needless to say, very happy to see a chapter on Homeopathy! Dana Ullman is a co-author of this section with a short overview of homeopathy (remember, this book is aimed at mainstream physicians), followed by brief entries on common painful conditions, each accompanied by relevant research for the homeopathic remedies. Then, they have a short list of “Commonly Used Homeopathic Medicines for Painful Conditions”:
Sit tight for the longer, more in-depth pain articles which are currently in the works. I am not going to get them all posted before the end of the year - my apologies for that. Wishing you a pleasant and pain free end of 2025! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Boswell, M. V. and Cole, B. E., eds. 2007. Weiner’s pain management : a practical guide for clinicians. New York: Informa Healthcare.
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 When I was looking up homeopathic remedies for those affected by lightning (see Lightning Quick(ie)), there are (not surprisingly) not many of those. If, however, you search for lightning-like pains, that’s another story. Interestingly, there are a lot of specific remedies for lightning-like pain in specific areas of the body, but on the surface, there are not many remedies for general lightning-like pains; one needs to look a little deeper to find suitable remedies. Where would be the best place to start, homeopathically speaking? Were I experiencing lightning-like pains, I think I would begin with Magnesium phosphoricum, either as a cell salt or in potency. Mag-phos is very strongly indicated for pain, especially pains which cramp or spasm or shoot or are neuralgic in nature. Looking at Murphy’s Mag-phos entry, we see bold, underlined clinicals, like:
Mag phos is one of Dr. Schussler’s twelve cell salts. (See also, On the 8th Day of Cell Salts.) From his Biochemic Remedies book (accessed through Synergy software), Schussler says: “Magnesium phosphate is the mineral constituent of muscular and of nervous tissue; it is present also in the bones. A[s] a nerve remedy it has done distinguished service. The pains which it cures are usually lightning like, shooting, or boring, and are often accompanied by the feeling as if the part were tightly laced; they change their location readily, and are alleviated by warmth and by pressure.…Pains in the head, face, teeth, stomach, abdomen and limbs.” “The abdominal pains, generally radiating from the umbilical region, and relieved by bending double or by pressure with the hands, were frequently accompanied by watery diarrhea.” “Therefore Magnesium phosphate is the curative remedy for spasm, whether spasm of the glottis, cramps in the calf muscles, tetanus, tonic spasms, St. Vitus’s dance*, spasmodic retention of urine, etc.” Remember, as noted in the cell salt article: Mag phos is a little different than all the other cells salts in that it “acts especially well, given in hot water” (Boericke 1916). “For speedy symptomatic relief of spasmodic ailments, dissolve 1-2 tablets under the tongue. Then dissolve 2-3 tablets in some hot water, taken in sips. Hold the liquid under the tongue for a minute each time. The 6x potency is usually sufficient” (Weintraub 1999). When those pains strike hard and fast, grab the Mag-phos and see if they can be put to rest. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits *St. Vitus’ Dance, also known as “Sydenham’s Chorea is a disorder affecting children and characterized by jerky, uncontrollable movements of the muscles of the face, the arms and legs and the trunk.” Your being here is greatly appreciated!
A big thank you for reading my words. An even bigger thank you for sharing my words. And, the biggest thanks of all to the Ruminating on Remedies subscribers!  On the 8th day of cell salts, Dr. Schüssler gave to us… Magnesium phosphoricum. Like Kali phos, Mag phos helps with nerve issues but dealing with muscular nerves and fibers. Mag phos is an anti-spasmodic and anti-neuralgic — a relaxant for nerves and muscles as well as a nerve stabilizer. Mag phos is the nutritional remedy of the nerves. Mag phos is an excellent pain remedy: pains that shoot from place to place; spasmodic pains; sharp pains; cramping pains; pains that come and go suddenly — conditions like PMS. For pains that run along nerves like sciatica. Conditions which may benefit from Mag phos:
Mentally and emotionally, Mag phos may be irritable, angry, sleepless — their pain is taking center stage. Mag phos is a little different than all the other cells salts in that it “acts especially well, given in hot water” (Boericke 1916). “For speedy symptomatic relief of spasmodic ailments, dissolve 1-2 tablets under the tongue. Then dissolve 2-3 tablets in some hot water, taken in sips. Hold the liquid under the tongue for a minute each time. The 6x potency is usually sufficient” (Weintraub 1999). Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Boericke, W., 1916. Pocket manual of homeopathic materia medica comprising the characteristic and guiding symptoms of all remedies. accessed through Radar Opus software. New York, Boericke & Runyon. 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.  T-Relief, that is. I was annoyed when the company changed the name of Traumeel to T-Relief. No reason, I guess I just liked the name Traumeel. But today, I think the name T-Relief is far superior. I am riddled with osteoarthritis. It seems every time I have an x-ray done, I get confirmation as to why this or that place was stiff, sore or uncomfortable. My hands, wrists, knees, hips, ankles, feet — I’m sure there are more, but I haven’t had those black and white internal pictures yet. For the most part, my osteoarthritis is a non-issue. I credit bone broth and homeopathy (of course!) and exercise. If I don’t move regularly, my knees (right knee in particular) and hips get ornery. So, I make sure to walk frequently and for fairly long distances. Conversely, my hands and wrists can get sore if I use them too much. Go figure. (Actually, as I am thinking about it, perhaps that has to do with broken bones, as I broke a bunch of fingers and my wrist. Hmmm. I’ll have to noodle this further. I’ve never really given it any thought before.) I take absolutely no medicines or painkillers of any kind, aside from homeopathy. It is important to note that I have arthritis in many places, but I need to acknowledge that my arthritis is considered mild to moderate. (If you are suffering with severe osteoarthritis, homeopathy can probably still help, but I would recommend a more targeted homeopathic approach in addition to T-Relief.) Occasionally, I wake up with sore hands. Today was one of those days. I grabbed T-Relief and put a small amount of the cream on my hands. Within less than 2 minutes, I had relief. True relief. No remnants of stiffness or soreness. None. That’s the moment I decided I prefer the new name of this homeopathic combination. (A few years ago I watched an older woman with pretty advanced arthritis use Traumeel and she said, “it’s like I put on gloves and I have new hands.” Yes! I can now relate to that! What’s in T-Relief and why does it help? Let’s take a look. Interestingly, this combination uses extremely low potencies: 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 6X and 10X. (For a refresher on homeopathic potencies, click here and here.) With these low potencies, the instructions of using it “2 to 3 times daily, or more often if necessary” make good sense*. Aconitum napellus or Aconite for short. Numbness and tingling can result when the inflamed joints press on nerves. Raynaud’s disease occurs more frequently in arthritis patients and it, too, can be helped by Aconite. “Red, shining swelling, very sensitive joints” (Murphy 2020) are helped by Aconite as are weak and lax ligaments of joints and sharp joint pains. Hip joints and thighs that feel lame. Trembling can also be associated with osteoarthritis and Aconite can help with this, too. Arnica montana. T-Relief takes, in my opinion, a scattershot approach (in a good way!) with their Arnica by including it in 1X, 3X and 10X potencies. One of these potencies is most likely going to provide some relief. Arnica is the go-to remedy for over-doing it, as well as experiencing a lame feeling. Limbs which ache as if they had been beaten. Aching as a result of exposure to cold and damp or muscular strain. Cramps, like writer’s cramp. Weakness in the hands, especially when grasping. Arnica is shown here and here and here to have anti-inflammatory effects. Baptisia tinctoria is also excellent for aching, sore and bruised pains with great weakness. Wandering pains as well as stiffness and pain. Belladonna is well known for any ailment which is red and hot. Swollen joints, cramping pains. Spasms and shifting pains and the cold limbs which can sometimes result from arthritis. Bellis perennis, the common daisy, is amazing for aching pains, new or old. (If you are suffering from old injury pains, Bellis perennis may be your new best friend.) Sore joints as well as muscular soreness. A bruised, aching, sore pain. Tight wrists. Hip pains that are worse for exertion. Calendula officinalis. Calendula has been shown to be anti-inflammatory (and here, too) as well as being useful in repairing damaged tissues and when we get right down to it, what is osteoarthritis? “Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time” (NIAMS 2019) so it makes sense that Calendula would be helpful in repairing not just superficial wounds, but also the deeper tissues. Like Belladonna, Calendula can also help with cold hands and feet. Chamomilla The Materia Medica does have some guidance regarding Chamomilla assisting when ankles give way, when there are pains in the hips and loins and numbness and stiffness of hands, particularly when grasping objects. However, I think Chamomilla’s biggest contribution to this combination remedy is its ability to soothe irritability and anger. Not being able to easily do, or do at all, what you want to do, inevitably leads to irritability. If Chamomilla can help soothe a teething toddler, it can help a grumpy old arthritic person! Echinacea also addresses cold hands and feet as well as aching, weakness and pain in general. Hamamelis virginiana is another good pain remedy. It is indicated in very sore muscles and joints and it is one of the most highly indicated remedies for varicose veins which have been found to be associated with osteoarthritis (Sisto et al. 1995). Hypericum perforatum is another excellent nerve remedy as well as a good remedy for when the joints feel bruised. It is also a highly indicated remedy for pain in general, especially radiating or shooting pains. Millefolium is a pain remedy, not terribly specific to arthritis with the exception of sprains and strains of joints. (Remember, T-Relief is not specifically formulated for arthritis, it is for pain, in general.) Ruta graveleons is a big remedy for bruised pain, particularly in the bones and shows an affinity for joints, ankles and wrists. Cracking in joints. Knees which give way. Pains in the bones of feet and ankles. Pain and stiffness in wrists and hands. Symphytum officinale is for bone pain and more importantly, complaints and pains of cartilage. Aching hip pain as well as joint pain, generally. See here and here for research on Comfrey, AKA Symphytum.) As you can see, T-Relief is a beautiful combination of low potency homeopathic remedies to assist in the relieving of mild to moderate arthritis pain. P.S. Don’t be surprised if you rub some T-Relief into your hands and find relief in your knee. Once the remedies are in your system (in this case via the skin), you will likely find relief all over, not just where it was applied. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits * It’s always important to read the directions and use according to manufacturer’s recommendations. REFERENCE LIST
Arthritis National Research Foundation, 2021. Does arthritis cause numbness or tingling? [online]. Arthritis Research | Arthritis National Research Foundation. Carmona-Terés, V., Moix-Queraltó, J., Pujol-Ribera, E., Lumillo-Gutiérrez, I., Mas, X., Batlle-Gualda, E., Gobbo-Montoya, M., Jodar-Fernández, L., and Berenguera, A., 2017. Understanding knee osteoarthritis from the patients’ perspective: a qualitative study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders [online], 18 (1), 225. Grube, B., Grünwald, J., Krug, L., and Staiger, C., 2007. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine [online], 14 (1), 2–10. Jurca, T., Józsa, L., Suciu, R., Pallag, A., Marian, E., Bácskay, I., Mureșan, M., Stan, R. L., Cevei, M., Cioară, F., Vicaș, L., and Fehér, P., 2020. Formulation of Topical Dosage Forms Containing Synthetic and Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Molecules [online], 26 (1). Marzotto, M., Arruda-Silva, F., and Bellavite, P., 2020. Fibronectin Gene Up-regulation by Arnica montana in Human Macrophages: Validation by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay. Homeopathy [online], 109 (03), 140–145. Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 3rd ed. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November. Murphy, R., 2020. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 4th edition. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November. NIAMS, 2019. NIAMS Health Information on Osteoarthritis [online]. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Sisto, T., Reunanen, A., Laurikka, J., Impivaara, O., Heliövaara, M., Knekt, P., and Aromaa, A., 1995. Prevalence and risk factors of varicose veins in lower extremities: mini-Finland health survey. The European Journal of Surgery = Acta Chirurgica [online], 161 (6), 405–414. Staiger, C., 2012. Comfrey: A Clinical Overview. Phytotherapy Research [online], 26 (10), n/a-n/a.
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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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