 Why would one need to make a water dose?
What’s wrong with the tasty little, sweet pillules? Most all commonly available homeopathic remedies are made of sucrose (cane sugar) or lactose (milk sugar) pillules or pellets, of varying sizes and coated on the outside with the homeopathic medicine. These sweet little things are intended to be dissolved beneath your tongue where the medicine is quickly absorbed by the mucosal membranes. This is an excellent and highly transportable method of dosing homeopathic remedies. Why would someone mess with that method? A couple of reasons come to mind. The emphasis of this article is based on the idea that you are running short of the remedy and need to stretch it out and make it last. Making a water dose can keep a small amount of a homeopathic remedy going for a long time. This water method also affords the ability to spread the remedy far and wide among many people. If you have a family all suffering similar symptoms and only one lone, half-empty tube of a remedy, you can put a pellet in some water and dispense it to everybody from there, making your supply last significantly longer. Water doses can also be very useful when giving a remedy to an infant. Just a tiny sip of this water tipped into their mouths from a teaspoon will do. Another reason for a water dose would be for sensitive individuals. By dissolving the remedy in water, it softens (for lack of a better word) its impact on the recipient. If you find that you have a strong aggravation with every remedy you take, this would be a good thing to try. (Look for an article devoted to this sometime in the near future.) So, how do we keep a remedy going? It’s pretty simple, actually. 1. Fill a clean glass with plain water and drop 1 or 2 pillules directly into the water and gently stir. The idea here is to simply agitate the medicated water. It is now ready to go. It does not matter that the pellet has not dissolved. (Remember, the medicine is on the outside of each pellet, not inside.) 2. Take a teaspoon of the water as directed/needed. This is 1 dose. If this is for individual use, a teaspoon-sized sip will suffice — you don’t need the teaspoon itself. If sharing the liquid remedy with family members, make sure everybody has their own spoon to pour the remedy into to keep the remedy "clean.") Don't just swallow the sip, hold it in your mouth for a few moments to allow the remedy to be absorbed -- similar to letting the pellets dissolve. For children, have them count to 3 before swallowing. (Note: Holding the remedy in the mouth is the ideal method of delivery, but it is not essential. My dog and my chickens have never managed to do it and the remedies have still acted!) 3. After you have had your sip/dose, put a napkin or paper towel over the glass. If you plan on using this specific water remedy for a few days, it should be kept in the fridge. (If extending the use of the remedy, it is best to use the spoon delivery method as opposed to direct sips.) If you are just using it for a few hours or over night, it can stay at room temperature. The cover over the glass will help remind you that this water is not for drinking. Remember! Every sip is a dose. Technically, it doesn’t matter if you have a teaspoon, a tablespoon or the whole thing. Each time you have it/drink it — that is one dose, regardless of the size of the drink/sip/dose. 4. If you need to leave home for the day, this method can also be done using a clean water bottle. Again, it is important to remember that every sip is a dose, so if you’re headed for a workout, don’t confuse this bottle with your regular water bottle. (Hint: remove the label and perhaps attach a plastic spoon to the bottle with a rubber band so everybody knows it is your bottle.) 5. If you need to make another water dose, the glass can be used again for the same remedy. “Same” in this regard also refers to the potency. Or, this is easier, just get a clean glass or bottle and a fresh spoon and start anew. Some homeopaths believe the water needs to be stirred before each dose/sip. I haven’t found this to be necessary in most cases, but it certainly can’t hurt. If you are helping an infant or somebody too sick to drink a sip, this same water remedy can be used by placing a few drops on the thin skin of the inside of the wrist or even dabbed on a cloth and applied to lips. Go forth and replicate your homeopathic remedies … if need be. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits
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 “Seasickness: at first you are so sick you are afraid you will die, and then you are so sick you are afraid you won’t die.” – Mark Twain (For the purposes of this article, I will use “seasick” as a general term for all motion sickness.) Boats. Planes. Cars. Ohhhhh. There isn’t a word for what travel sickness feels like. Many authors have made valiant efforts at describing the feeling of seasickness, but having experienced it myself, I’m not convinced they have nailed it. Diana Gabaldon’s Jamie Fraser when crossing the ocean “thought then of nothing but death, and that with a fervor of longing.” Spike Milligan, the British-Irish actor, comedian and writer suggested, “A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree” (Anon. 2021). (According to this website, many authors have expressed the same sentiment in similar ways.) The Motion Sickness Guru** (Anon. 2021) has some unusual recommendations to cure seasickness, including taking a bit of earth or mud with you and to sit on it during the voyage. (Even if this one worked, it sounds a little messy.) I have better suggestion, with no mess of any sort. Homeopathy! The World Traveller’s Manual (Lessell and Greenwood 1993, p. 39) talks about beginning treatment two days before traveling for maximum efficacy. Their prescription is a mixture of a few remedies and I’m sure it works well. The authors state their focus with this protocol is on prevention of established seasickness. But, the Banerjis, as usual, have simplified things with their protocol. Tabacum 200c, one dose every hour before starting a journey; three doses to be taken (Banerji and Banerji 2013, p. 122). By beginning the remedy prior to travel, the Banerji's goal is also to stop the seasickness before it starts, but if those initial doses weren't sufficient, take the remedy again. Homeopathic Tabacum makes so much sense! Just think about all those cartoons and old TV shows where we would see someone take their first drag of a cigarette and they would turn green and double over with nausea — it’s like seasickness on land! "Nausea, giddiness, deathly sinking, vomiting, icy coldness and sweat … prostration of the entire muscular system" — those are the first symptoms mentioned in Murphy’s Materia Medica (2006, p. 1896) under homeopathic uses for Tabacum. Is Tabacum the only homeopathic remedy for travel sickness? Nope. For starters, as mentioned above, The World Traveller’s Manual suggests using a combination of remedies: Cocculus indicus 30c and Petroleum 6c as well as Tabacum 6c. Are these remedies only useful for nausea as a result of travel sickness? Nope. Nausea of any kind, from any cause. Run of the mill nausea, morning sickness, nausea as a result of anxiety, nausea as a result of vertigo … even nausea caused from smoking tobacco! What’s the difference between these remedies? All three of these remedies are strongly indicated in seasickness with nausea, but Tabacum is a little more indicated. Tabacum is more highly indicated when: - Seasick with nausea - During vertigo* - During vertigo with noises in ear - SEVERE motion sickness and nausea - Empty, weak, “goneness” sensation in the stomach - With horrible anxiety - With vomiting - During pregnancy - With cold sweats* - constant desire to swallow saliva Cocculus indicus: is more highly indicated when: - Seasickness is better closing the eyes - Sensitive hearing, or noises make it worse - During a headache - During vertigo* - During labor - From sleeplessness (think jet lag and how horrible that makes you feel!) - Air travel* - From the smell of food - Looking at moving objects makes it worse - Riding in a car* - Sitting up in bed - While smoking - During a cough - Great salivation* - for those who get seasick while swimming* Petroleum is more highly indicated for nausea when: - Air travel* - Riding in a car* - Accumulation of saliva in the mouth* - With increased appetite - Eating helps - With cold sweat* - Constant nausea - While standing - During stool - Sudden nausea - for those who get seasick while swimming* * (If the same symptom is mentioned under multiple remedies, that symptom is equally indicated in both remedies.) As you can see, there is a good deal of crossover between these remedies. If one doesn't work for you, try the next one. Ugh. Just thinking about all this makes me feel a little queasy. The next time you are planning an ocean voyage (or a plane trip or car trip if you’re sensitive to them), be sure to slip a tube of homeopathic Tabacum 200c in your bag and in your mouth a couple of hours before your travel begins. It will likely make your trip much more pleasant. **This website does have some homeopathic suggestions, too, I was happy to see! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits REFERENCE LIST
Anon., 2021. A Sure Cure for Seasickness Is To Sit Under a Tree – Quote Investigator [online]. Quote Investigator. Anon., 2021. Motion Sickness Trivia - Outlandish cures, quotes, barf bag fun... [online]. www.motion-sickness-guru.com. Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji. Gabaldon, D., 2002. Voyager. New York, New York: Bantam Dell A Division Of Random House, Inc. Lessell, C. B. and Greenwood, L., 1993. The world travellers’ manual to homoeopathy. Essex: Saffron Walden. Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 3rd ed. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November. Ratera, Dr. M. M., 2016. First Aid with Homeopathy. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Verlag.  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.  Photo by Simon Wilkes on Unsplash The world of homeopathy suffered an enormous, irreplaceable loss this week.
If you have read any of my articles before, then you have unwittingly met Dr. Robin Murphy. I cite him regularly. Dr. Murphy is the man who translated all of the old homeopathy books into every day words and meanings. He brought clarity to all of us homeopaths in explaining the nuances of this artful, intricate science. I have listened to countless hours of his old lectures. My notes are copious as he so clearly said what needed to be understood. I never met Dr. Murphy nor spoken to him directly, but he did answer one of my questions in his forum (and that one short answer of his gave more clarity and depth to not just the remedy in question, but to homeopathy in general). The bookshelf where I work is lined with 10 sticky notes, 9 of them with Dr. Murphy's words to keep me on track with what is important in taking a homeopathic case. This fall I enrolled in a year-long class with Dr. Murphy. The 3 live classes we had were fantastic and left me wanting much more. Alas. The classes were temporarily cancelled a couple of weeks ago when he became ill, to give him the time he needed to recover. Last I heard, on Sunday, he was recovering slowly but surely and by Wednesday night the homeopathic chats were filled with the sad news. Lots of things come to mind for me with the passing of Dr. Murphy. These same sorts of thoughts popped up last year (when another world-renowned homeopath) Dr. Pratip Banerji died. I'm sure I wasn't the only homeopath who thought, “why didn’t they…?” I’m sure they did. As Dr. Banerji’s father Prasanta Banerji is known to have said, (and, I paraphrase), “Homeopathy can cure all conditions, but homeopathy can’t cure all conditions in all people.” When I pulled Dr. Murphy’s book off the shelf for guidance for this article on grief, it magically opened to Ignatia. The book knew exactly where I wanted to go. Unlike most of the rest of the book, Ignatia is not all highlighted and marked up. I hadn’t tackled Ignatia from Dr. Murphy’s point of view yet. I have written about Ignatia before (PTSD, Homeopathy can make a heavy world lighter, Accidents, and Dystopia). Ignatia is a very powerful homeopathic remedy for emotions and there aren’t many emotions bigger, or more common, than grief and sadness. Dr. Murphy’s Keynote Materia Medica (Murphy 2015, pp 328-329) are the transcribed seminar notes on homeopathic remedies — with lots of back and forth between “RM” and “Student.” He was incredibly generous with his knowledge. He wanted to make homeopathy accessible to people, and he did! His commentary on Ignatia begins: “Most of you know Ignatia so we won’t spend much time on it. This is the most often prescribed remedy if someone has an acute sudden shock and grief. Hysteria from grief, hysteria in homeopathy means a loss of emotional control: laughing, crying, weeping, irritability, moody, etc. It's for shock from frights, shock from bad news and it's also a black type remedy for shock from disappointments.” There you have it. Now you know why Dr. Murphy is my go-to guy to learn the remedies. He read through all the many, many volumes of the old literature and summed it all up for us in a nice, tidy package. (Trust me, there are no other books that give this information so succinctly.) He goes on to explain, "the disappointment was a shock to the system and the person has become sleepless, irritable, angry ever since then. A dose of Ignatia 200c will usually neutralize disappointments.” “… they’re sobbing and sighing and have catching respiration. The sighing is a keynote of Ignatia… They have a lump in the throat, and a tight feeling, and all the acute symptoms of grief, or signs of suppressed grief. They can also have an all-gone feeling in the chest or the stomach since a grief, they have an empty feeling." “Crying from grief with the inability to stop, uncontrolled crying spells with choking and spasmodic crying.… it’s like a ratching [sic] that’s tearing them apart inside, agony, really acute emotional agony and pain from emotional loss. That’s Ignatia.” I dare say, that you, too, now have a good idea of the understanding of homeopathic Ignatia. Like all homeopathic remedies, there is more to it than this. There are deeper levels and further physical manifestations but for today’s purpose, after the homeopathic community lost an absolute giant, that’s all that needs to be said for Ignatia. Thank you Dr. Murphy for your generosity in sharing your vast knowledge. You will be sorely missed by many. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits  And, so it begins. The season of family, friends, food, festivities and, less desirably, the crud.
What follows is an account of one family suffering from the crud. I know this family well and often help them homeopathically through quick text exchanges. Knowing she has a good home kit of homeopathic remedies, I addressed her questions and their symptoms with common remedies. Note: sitting down and taking the full case is definitely a better way to approach any situation, but this is how things go sometimes. She didn’t request a “full” acute consultation, she just wanted to address her symptoms as they popped up. A friend called last week with her 1st grader suffering a nasty, yucky cough. She got over it pretty quickly, but she managed to share it with her little sisters. The littlest one wasn’t sleeping for a few nights and since little ones aren’t known for entertaining themselves quietly when they aren’t sleeping, her mom didn’t sleep either and she, too, succumbed to the crud. In an ideal world, the right remedy will take care of the whole enchilada all at once. But, with colds and flus you often have to chase the symptoms. One remedy takes care of the first problem and then the symptoms change and move and are looking for attention elsewhere. The mom texted with her symptoms: “What do I take for right sided nasal congestion that is also plugging my right ear? It’s a gross one. I tried to get on top of it before it fully took over and was unsuccessful.” My answer: homeopathic Sanguinaria canadensis. I knew from her oldest’s symptoms that an icky cough was part of this picture and Sanguinaria is a good cough remedy in general. It is highly indicated in a hacking cough, an irritable cough, a tickling cough and even whooping cough. Sanguinaria also is noted for ear pain and ear discharges and excessive mucus and/or tickling in the larynx, trachea or throat. The lungs may be filled with gunk and the discharges may be stringy or have an odor The headaches of Sanguinaria can be accompanied by nausea or have pain above the eyes and can be specifically associated with the right side. Gastric headaches, throbbing headaches and migraines can all be helped by homeopathic Sanguinaria. The Sanguinaria did its thing and she was feeling better than she had been earlier in the day, but her ear was still troubling her. It turns out her ear was hurting more than she mentioned at first and said that earlier in the day she found relief from resting her ear on a heating pad*. This made me think of Belladonna, another right-sided remedy that is indicated in ear pain that is better from warmth. Not long after, she texted that the crackling was much improved. * This is a very common occurrence, where what would be important symptoms are left off “the list” for one reason or another. Perhaps it is that another symptom is taking precedence or the symptom in question was worse and seemed to have disappeared and not worth mentioning, but then rears its head again. The next morning, the ear pain was gone but the congestion had shifted to her left nostril. Arsenicum album or Apis popped into my head and she texted that she had the Arsenicum album near by and “it seemed to do the trick.” I didn’t hear from her again and I just happened to text this afternoon to see how she was doing and she was not well. She now thought she had developed a sinus infection. In addition to that, her middle child was still sleeping poorly, coughing and “when she blows her nose it’s like she could blow it forever and never run out of snot.” Her daughter was also “fairly emotional” and “overly sensitive” about things that normally wouldn’t bother her. This was the first I had heard about this daughter and suggested Pulsatilla. Pulsatilla is well known for sadness, weeping easily and changeable moods. Children who can benefit from Pulsatilla are often in need of comforting and feel better for consolation. Pulsatilla is also known for discharges of all kinds from all over the body: ears, eyes, lungs, nose and more. A non-irritating, bland, discharge which may be thick or slimy or yellowish/greenish. Pulsatilla is not the only remedy that is known for a copious discharge, but when you add in the over-sensitivity, then Pulsatilla makes a lot of sense. Very soon after, another text arrived saying her daughter was already sounding less cruddy and was “snotting and coughing” less than before. As for the mom, she was suffering sinus pressure and a pretty bad headache. The mucus was no longer free flowing but it was sticking around causing the sinus pressure and the headache and causing pain at the base of her neck and down the shoulder blades. Kali bich is one of the best remedies for headaches from sinus pressure and also for sinus infections. Again, in very short order, another text arrived saying she was “feeling so much better.” A few minutes after that she phoned from her car (she felt well enough to go out and do what she needed to do!) and said she could “feel the tension leaving her body.” Her face pain was gone, her shoulders were relaxing and her voice continued to lighten as the conversation continued. Could all of the mom’s symptoms be addressed more cleanly straight off the bat? Perhaps. In hindsight, Kali bich may have been what she needed from the start, but as the symptoms presented themselves, it didn’t become clear until later. Homeopathy definitely isn’t an exact science and when the symptoms are being addressed in a piece-meal fashion via short, informal texts it’s easy to miss symptoms which could be more specifically targeted if more information had been available. Regardless, homeopathy was able to keep this busy mom going, despite her many and varied symptoms and is a good example of how symptoms can be addressed and responded to when you have a stash of common remedies at your disposal. At this point, the dad has not succumbed. He has been taking Cold Calm** as a preventative. So far, so good! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits ** I have no affiliation with this company, I just like their product.  I probably should have had braces “back in the day” but after watching 2 of my kids suffer these things, I’m glad I didn’t. Their mouth issues are not cosmetic, though, or we wouldn’t have gone this route. Thing One suffered terrible headaches and ringing in the ear that we suspect was a result of the braces. We swapped orthodontists for Thing Three and this ortho has a different approach — so far, so good. Regardless of the reason someone has a mouth full of metal, the results can understandably be quite uncomfortable. Sore, aching mouth: Like most dental work, homeopathic Arnica is a good bet for sore, aching muscles from having to hold your jaw open for the work to be done and for the actual moving of the teeth and also for any bruising that may occur. A dose of Arnica prior to the appointment and as soon as practicable following the appointment should help. If the pain persists, and the Arnica is helping, keep taking if and when the pain returns. If Arnica doesn’t help, try Ruta. Cuts: those painful little cuts from the wires are best met with Staphysagria or Calendula. Homeopathic Staphysagria has a good history for “cutting” pains as well as pains caused by actual cuts. Additionally, Staphysagria is a terrific remedy for humiliation and shame — perhaps as a result of name calling. I’m not sure kids today face the ridicule of old for having a mouth full of metal and that’s a good thing. But, if they do suffer some mental and emotional problems as a result of having braces, that may make Staphysagria an even better choice. Calendula has the reputation of being “the great herbal anti-septic” (see studies below) and is very useful for cuts and lacerations, especially those that hurt more than they “should” and it is very helpful in removing the local pain and suffering. Calendula in its herbal form can be very helpful for mouth sores, too. Here are couple of suggestions: Healthy Gums Anti-gingivitis Rinse is made with Calendula and other ingredients and is very soothing for a sore mouth**. Celebration Herbals** makes a nice tea whose only ingredient is Calendula officinalis. Toothache: Homeopathic Chamomilla is one of the best remedies for teething children. Think of the pain of toddlers cutting teeth and the accompanying grumpiness and irritability. Teenagers (and their family members!) suffering from the pain (and grumpiness!) of braces, especially right after an adjustment will appreciate this remedy. Anxiety before appointments: Homeopathic Gelsemium has a longstanding reputation to assist in anticipatory anxiety. A dose of Gelsemium 6c prior to the appointment should help. Nerve pain: homeopathic Hypericum for shooting/nerve pain following adjustments or during the use of palatal expanders. Keep on smilin’ and if you need more tailored assistance for the pain of braces, contact me here. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits ** I have no affiliation with these companies, I just like their product. STUDIES related to this article:
Calendula: Jahdi, F., Khabbaz, A. H., Kashian, M., Taghizadeh, M., and Haghani, H., 2018. The impact of calendula ointment on cesarean wound healing: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care [online], 7 (5), 893–897. Khairnar, M., Pawar, B., Marawar, P., and Mani, A., 2013. Evaluation of Calendula officinalis as an anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agent. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 17 (6), 741. Nicolaus, C., Junghanns, S., Hartmann, A., Murillo, R., Ganzera, M., and Merfort, I., 2017. In vitro studies to evaluate the wound healing properties of Calendula officinalis extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology [online], 196, 94–103. Parente, L. M. L., Lino Júnior, R. de S., Tresvenzol, L. M. F., Vinaud, M. C., de Paula, J. R., and Paulo, N. M., 2012. Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil [online]. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Preethi, K. C. and Kuttan, R., 2009. Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 20 (1). Gelsemium: Bellavite, P., Bonafini, C., and Marzotto, M., 2018. Experimental neuropharmacology of Gelsemium sempervirens: Recent advances and debated issues. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine [online], 9 (1), 69–74. Bellavite, P., Magnani, P., Zanolin, E., and Conforti, A., 2011. Homeopathic Doses of Gelsemium sempervirens Improve the Behavior of Mice in Response to Novel Environments. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM [online], 2011, 362517. Magnani, P., Conforti, A., Zanolin, E., Marzotto, M., and Bellavite, P., 2010. Dose-effect study of Gelsemium sempervirens in high dilutions on anxiety-related responses in mice. Psychopharmacology [online], 210 (4), 533–545. Marzotto, M., Olioso, D., Brizzi, M., Tononi, P., Cristofoletti, M., and Bellavite, P., 2014. Extreme sensitivity of gene expression in human SH-SY5Y neurocytes to ultra-low doses of Gelsemium sempervirens. BMC complementary and alternative medicine [online], 14, 104. Olioso, D., Marzotto, M., Moratti, E., Brizzi, M., and Bellavite, P., 2014. Effects of Gelsemium sempervirens L. on pathway-focused gene expression profiling in neuronal cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology [online], 153 (2), 535–539. Venard, C., Boujedaini, N., Mensah-Nyagan, A. G., and Patte-Mensah, C., 2011. Comparative Analysis of Gelsemine and Gelsemium sempervirens Activity on Neurosteroid Allopregnanolone Formation in the Spinal Cord and Limbic System. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM [online], 2011, 407617. Rufus’ dollops had literally dropped to nothing for a while. Then there would be another and we repeated the Aloe and they would disappear again. Then, they just kept coming, regardless of what we tried. A package was waiting every morning and sometimes 1 or 2 more times during the day and evening. A change had occurred, though, that could be helpful to finding another remedy. His stools became lienteric. From Merriam Webster: "containing or characterized by the passage of undigested or partially digested food — used of feces or diarrhea." We were literally getting ready to walk out the door for a few days away, so I took a quick look at Murphy’s repertory which shows a couple of possible remedies that fit the idea of both his loose/easy stool as well as lienteric stool. I left 4 bowls of food in the fridge for the dog sitter to give him, each with China officinalis wedged into some pieces of meat. There has not been a dollop since. Not the usual morning offering nor the evening drop off. And, I think he looks a little happier about life. He seems to be sleeping less. He comes to sit by us in the day rather than staying by himself. But, we've been here before… so, stay tuned! I am hopeful but not certain. Cinchona officinalis (or, China officinalis, AKA China, or Peruvian Bark) — from which we get quinine is also the first homeopathic remedy to be “proved” by Samuel Hahnemann. He devised his theory of “like cures like,” then he tried it on himself. Thus he “proved” his theory. (Look for an upcoming article on this topic.) At it’s worst, the Cinchona patient is “despondent, gloomy, has no desire to live, but lacks courage to commit suicide” (Allen 2017, p. 100). Could Rufus have been in that state? Dunno. “Gloomy” could certainly be a word attributed to his disposition recently. Cinchona also has “drawing or tearing; in every joint” (Allen 2005, p. 100). We know he has this going on. You can see it and hear it when he stands up or drops down. Cinchona is an excellent remedy for the elderly, the weak or the recuperating. We believe Rufus to be on the older side. (He has been with us for 5-1/2 years and the vet estimated he was 4 or 5 at that time.) Cinchona is part of the 3rd line Banerji Protocol for Malnutrition with loss of weight (Banerji and Banerji 2013, p. 131). That could fit old Rufus. His harness seems pretty loose these days despite our not altering his diet. When he first joined our family, he was only 85 pounds (and was missing a great deal of his fur, plus mange, plus fleas and yeast infections — I had forgotten how unwell he used to be!) Though the vet recommended a chicken and rice diet for him, we quickly learned that rice was not his friend and he has been grain free ever since and last we checked, he was about 130 pounds. But, there is absolutely no question that he was malnourished upon arrival here. Bone broth has been an amazing thing for this lovely beast and I credit that, along with cell salts and well chosen homeopathic remedies, for getting him back to health. Homeopathy is definitely not an exact science and it is not at all unusual to need to zigzag your way through a case. I hope we are at the end of Rufus’ dollops, but in the event that we are not, I am prepared to follow his symptoms to make sure that his remaining years are as pleasant as possible — for him, and for us! Julia Coyte, CHom classicallypractical.com #wellnessawaits. #homeopathycanhelp Allen, H. C., 2017. Keynotes : rearranged and classified with leading remedies of the materia medica and bowel nosodes including repertorial index. Noida, U.P., India: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji.  I’ve heard jokes made about homeopathic first aid kits. You know the sort of thing. “How is this sugar pill going to help you when you’re bleeding out?” Point taken. Your gushing finger will eventually need to be bandaged up, once you have the bleeding and shock under control. That’s where the homeopathy comes in and that’s why I keep both a homeopathic first aid kit & a good conventional first aid kit handy.* Homeopathic Phosphorus is indicated when there is “bright red and abundant blood” (Ratera, 2016). I have witnessed the blood stop flowing, whether it be from my son’s profuse bloody nose or my gushing finger. “Maybe the blood was stopping on its own, anyway!” Maybe. But, when you see the blood stop flowing on multiple occasions and situations… I’m going with the Phosphorus is working… and very quickly! Cantharis is one of the best remedies for burns (Ratera, 2016, p. 386). Not only can this remedy be taken by mouth to relieve the pain and to start the healing, homeopathic Cantharis can be diluted in water and applied topically after soaking some gauze in the solution. Calendula is another remedy which works well when diluted and applied topically, especially if there are lacerations (deep cuts). Homeopathic Calendula is highly indicated “to promote healthy granulation (Taber’s Medical Dictionary: “granulations bring a rich blood supply to the healing surface”) and prevent excessive suppuration (Taber: “the formation of pus”) and disfiguring scars” (Allen, 2017, p. 76). Plus, it helps the pain… a lot! ** I have included a few links to research papers on Calendula in this article. For more links to further research on the benefits of homeopathic remedies, visit my research page. And, let’s not forget the first rule of dealing with an emergency … staying calm. Arnica should be one of the first remedies administered in an emergency. Homeopathic Arnica is highly indicated in the patient who says there is nothing wrong with them (especially when they are clearly in need of medical attention). Arnica, too, can be applied topically for bruises, strains and muscular injuries, but NEVER on an open wound. English physician Dorothy Shepard (1885-1952) writes about her patients who believed they were being given morphine when in fact they had been given homeopathic Arnica (Shephard, 1989, p. 145). I am not suggesting that homeopathy can fix everything all by itself, (though, it can go an awfully long way!) Homeopathy is also excellent to use ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL! If you are dealing with someone who is suffering hives or an allergic reaction and it looks like it is turning into an anaphylactic situation, administer homeopathic Apis mellifica immediately (Ratera, 2016, p. 322) and frequently while on the way to the hospital or when you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive. If you are faced with someone having a stroke or heart attack, administer Arnica or Aconite immediately (Banerji and Banerji, 2013, p. 56; Pareek and Pareek, 2012, p. 17; Pareek and Pareek, 2012, p. 47) and frequently while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive. In addition to all the horrible scenarios that are possible, a homeopathic kit can also help address everyday issues that arise: ear aches, fever, too many sweets, diarrhea & vomiting, bumps and bruises and coughs, colds & allergies. I have written a few times about when my homeopathic remedy kit has come in handy… here and here. Below, please find some links to a wide range of homeopathic remedy kits. Once you have a kit in your possession, you are on your way to protecting yourself and your family both in everyday and emergency situations. The more you use it, the more you will want to use it because you will be amazed at how quickly bad situations can be averted and made right. * I have no affiliation with any of the companies listed in this article. Julia Coyte, CHom classicallypractical.com #wellnessawaits #homeopathycanhelp Homeopathic Remedy Kits These prices and links are accurate at the time of writing this article in September 2021. 1/2 dram vials are excellent for travel. 2 dram vials are much easier to dispense the remedies and are excellent for home use. A 30c kit is a very good place to start, regardless of who makes it or how many remedies are included. Americans For Homeopathy Choice An Altoid sized tin with twelve 1/2 dram glass bottles to which you can add your own remedies, $20. Or, you can purchase a full kit which includes twelve 1/2 dram OHM Pharma remedies, $60. A truly easy to carry choice. BONUS! All profits from this kit are donated to Americans for Homeopathy Choice. Boiron Remedies included: HomeoFamily Kit: this is a nice drawer-like kit, holding 32 full size Boiron remedies in both 6c and 30c as well as 12 individual Oscillococcinum tubes, includes the “Easy Guide” with room to hold 16 additional full size tubes: $199.99. Remedies included. HomeoTravel Kit: Room to hold 16 remedies, 6c & 30c combined, $109.99. Remedies included. Boiron storage containers only (no remedies included), but a good way to organize your loose Boiron tubes! My Home Kit: is an empty drawer-like container with room to hold 48 Boiron tubes plus 18 doses of Oscilloccinum: $49.99. My Pocket Kit is an empty container which holds 5 Boiron tubes: $1.99. My Travel Kit is an empty container which holds 16 Boiron tubes: $29.99. Hahnemann Labs: 2020 kit: 12 remedies, 30c: $70 — 2 dram First Aid: 15 remedies, 30c: $61.95 — 2 dram Home Remedy Kit: 35 remedies, 30c: $154.95 — 2 dram Expanded Home Remedy Kit: 50 remedies, 30c: $203.95 — 2 dram Helios Childbirth kit, 18 remedies, 200c £29.95 Traveller kit, 36 remedies, 30c, £42.95 Pet kit, 24 remedies, 30c, £36.25* *Homeopathic remedies are the same whether for pets or for people. A pet kit could be used for people and a people kit can be used for pets. Accident & emergency, 18 remedies, 200c, £29.95 Basic 18 kit, 30c, £29.95 Basic 36 kit, 30c, £42.95 Lotus Health (Robin Murphy, N.D.) First aid kit, 1/2 dram, 50 remedies, in either 30c or 200c: $150 Robin Murphy, N.D. also offers a number of CDs or Downloads to learn all about homeopathy and homeopathic remedies. I highly recommend all of his lectures, but in this instance, I suggest his “Emergencies and First Aid” lecture. Natural Health Supply First aid: 50 remedies, 1/2 dram: 6c: $149 30c: $149 200c: $179 Emergency kit upgrade, Part B, 1/2 dram: 30c: $169 200c: $189 Household kit, 25 remedies, 2 dram: 30c: $159 200c: $189 Tissue salts kit, 12 remedie, 2 dram:$ 59.95 Ollois First aid kit, 4 remedies in a little case, 12c and 30c: $29.99 Washington Homeopathy 50 remedy kit 30c, 1/2 dram: $124.99 (out of stock til 10/21) 50 remedy kit 200c, 1/2 dram: $174.99 (out of stock til 10/21) Top 100 kit: $224.99 (out of stock, no date given) Empty storage kits: 1/2 dram, 50 count: $7.59 1/2 dram, 100 count: $8.19 Resources for this article:
Allen, H.C. (2017). Keynotes : rearranged and classified with leading remedies of the materia medica and bowel nosodes including repertorial index. Noida, U.P., India: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd. Banerji, P. and Banerji, P. (2013). The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji. **Givol, O., Kornhaber, R., Visentin, D., Cleary, M., Haik, J. and Harats, M. (2019). A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 27(5), pp.548–561. **Hostanska, K., Rostock, M., Melzer, J., Baumgartner, S. and Saller, R. (2012). A homeopathic remedy from arnica, marigold, St. John’s wort and comfrey accelerates in vitro wound scratch closure of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12(1). **Nicolaus, C., Junghanns, S., Hartmann, A., Murillo, R., Ganzera, M. and Merfort, I. (2017). In vitro studies to evaluate the wound healing properties of Calendula officinalis extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 196, pp.94–103. Pareek, R.S. and Pareek, A. (2012). Homeopathy for Acutes and Emergencies. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Publishers. Ratera, Dr.M.M. (2016). First Aid with Homeopathy. Dr. Ratera specialized in Internal Medicine and also studied Traumatology and Emergency Medicine in Spain. Shephard, D. (1989). The magic of the minimum dose : experiences and cases. Saffron Walden: Health Science Press. A highly readable book, loaded with good information. Venes, D. and Clarence Wilbur Taber (2013). Taber’s cyclopedic medical dictionary. [22nd ed., ISBN: 9780803629776]. Philadelphia, Pa.: F.A. Davis. Once upon a time, when somebody sneezed or coughed, we all assumed it was either a cold or allergies and we really didn't think very much about it. Now, if you're in public and you have to sneeze or (heaven forbid!) cough… hold it in -- don't even go there!
Allergy season has returned to our neck of the woods. Headaches. Sneezing. Runny noses. Blocked up sinuses. Tickling in the throat. Yuck. Let's look at a few homeopathic remedies that might be of assistance. Allium cepa is a go-to remedy for runny noses which burn and eyes that water blandly and can present with a dull frontal headache. Arsenicum album -- for burning discharge from the nose and the eyes and eyelids may be puffy. Here's a potentially important piece of the allergy puzzle with this remedy: Complaints return annually. (While this is more of a classical homeopathic approach to allergies, Arsenicum album can certainly be applied in a practical or therapeutic way, as well.) Euphrasia focuses on the eyes. Opposite to Allium cepa, Euphrasia has a bland runny nose and burning eyes. The eyelids may also itch and burn. Natrum muriaticum can have a profuse watery discharge from the eyes and the nose and what comes out of the nose may have an egg white consistency. Taste and smelling may be an issue as well as a tickling in the pit of the throat. Nux vomica -- obnoxious, relentless sneezing as well as irritation in the nose and eyes. Grumpiness might just be a part of this picture, too. Sanguinaria can be very helpful for sinus issues and facial pain and headaches from the blocked sinuses. Wyethia also has the runny nose and sneezing, but it also has the peculiar symptom of an itchy palate -- requesting your tongue's assistance in rubbing back and forth trying to scratch that itch. There are many, many homeopathic remedies to address the many, many allergic symptoms. If you need help deciding what remedies may best suit your symptoms, or if you are prone to allergies in general, homeopathy can help to strengthen your system and lessen this burden. Contact classicallypractical.com to see if homeopathy can help relieve your seasonal allergies now and in the future. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical Homeopathy #homeopathycanhelp |
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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