Ruminating on Remedies, My thoughts on homeopathy

9/30/2023

A Mouse in the House

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Cooler weather must be coming. We have a mouse in the house - or, more accurately, a few mouses. I don’t do well with rodents… a classic Calc carb trait, actually.

Calc carb is a grade 3 remedy listed in the rubric for Fear of Mice.

Once upon a time, there was a dead mouse in the back room where I worked. I was so freaked out by this that I had to go out the back door and walk all the way around the mall to get back in the building because I was mentally unable to step over the dead mouse to get back out the door I had just entered. That’s a pretty hefty fear of something that can do me no harm. (I know Hanta Virus is a thing, but….) Suffice it to say that this poor, little, dead creature was not going to harm me at that moment.)

I have taken Calc carb in the past and my fear of mice has been tempered considerably. I still don’t like them and I really don’t like the idea of them being in my house. The fact there was one in my bedroom (!) disturbs me. (I won’t even go into how freaked out I was when a squirrel was once in my bedroom!! My boys still think my impression of the maid from "Tom & Jerry" was pretty funny - me, standing up on my bed afraid to step back on the floor.) But, I am happy to say that paralyzing fear is gone.

I have made such great advances in this area that I was even about to rid the remains of one by myself the other day but my teenage son came to my rescue. It is safe to say that a few years ago there was not a chance of me ever even considering doing that job.

Even looking for an image to put on this blog… I had to go for an illustration because the photos of mice cause a visceral reaction. Perhaps I need to reconsider another dose of Calc carb!

So, the long and the short of this article is mouse rubrics, because fear of mice is not the only one the homeopathic literature addresses.

If your nervous system is suffering after being frightened by a mouse (the rubric is actually “frightened; sudden and severe, after being, by a mouse running up arm” (which is quite frankly too much for me to even think about!) try some Ignatia.

If it just feels like a mouse is running up your arm, then try Calc carb.

If you have a sensation as if a mouse is running up your back: Sulphur.

If you are hallucinating that you see a mouse running from under a chair… try some Cimicifuga. (Or, better yet, check and see if you really did see that and then try a dose of Cimicifuga if there is no evidence of said being!)

Dreaming of mice? Or, sleep disturbed due to your fear of mice? Calc carb.

If you hear noises in your ear that sound like a squeaking mouse: Rhus tox.

Even though I am coping better, I prefer to live in a house where not a creature was stirring, other than the 2-legged kind.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

9/23/2023

Cicadas

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As summer winds down, the cicadas seem to be winding up. Boy, they have been noisy this year! When they take a break, the silence makes me realize that living with something like tinnitus must be very trying, indeed!

Tinnitus (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 2018), the perception of outside noise when no actual external stimulus is causing the sound, affects 15-20% of people of all ages but it is especially common in older adults. Sometimes there is an underlying cause that can be addressed to fix the tinnitus, but usually, treatments to make the tinnitus less noticeable are used (things like hearing aids, sound generators). Common causes are hearing loss, ear infection or ear canal blockage, head or neck injuries and medications (Mayo Clinic 2018).

Like so many chronic conditions, we are told there is no cure. Half the people who experience tinnitus do not have measurable hearing loss. A small percentage of people suffering from tinnitus experience serious debility in their daily lives (Prutsman 2023).

Homeopathically speaking, there are some remedies that can help though it’s not usually a quick fix, so be prepared to be patient.

There are a lot of rubrics and remedies associated with hearing noises in the ears — some of them quite specific as to the sound (for example, hearing bagpipes in the distance — Nat carb) or, specific circumstances or specific times of day when the noises occur.

A few remedies pop up more often than others: Petroleum, Lycopodium, and China officinalis, in particular. There is a theme amongst these remedies of sensitive hearing, hyperacusis, which is a common complaint of tinnitus sufferers (Hebert et al. 2013). It never ceases to amaze me how homeopathy figured this stuff out a hundred plus years before the research was done!

Petroleum is associated with chronic eustachian catarrh, (mucus or gunk in laymen’s terms). Conversely, there may be a dryness or a disagreeable feeling of dryness in the ears. There may be itching deep inside the ear or, diminished hearing in general. There could be an over-sensitiveness of not only hearing, but also of touch and smell, too.

Impaired hearing with noises in the ears; impaired hearing in old people or, progressive hearing impairment.

The sounds which may be heard for which Petroleum may be of benefit: bells; humming; constant roaring or rushing water; cracking; whizzing or the sound of wind.

Lycopodium may help when there is a swelling of the ear with discharge. Perhaps, a sensation as if hot blood has rushed into the ears.

Impaired hearing with discharge from the ear. Sensitive to noises and sounds, particularly music.

The noises which may be helped with Lycopodium are: roaring, humming, whizzing and rushing.

China officinalis is for a great over-sensitiveness of the nervous system — all sights, smells, hearing and taste are too strong. The external ear may be sensitive to touch.

Impaired hearing with constant noises in the ears, possibly with a headache.

The noises which may be helped by China officinalis are humming; ringing, especially with an accompanying headache; roaring; ticking as of a distant watch; buzzing; noises as if hearing singing.

Back to the bagpipes of Natrum carbonicum… this remedy isn’t as prominent as the remedies listed above, but there are some interesting things associated with it.

There may be a stopped sensation with diminished hearing. Sensitive hearing, particularly to music - they can’t bear it or, the rumpling of paper.

Bubbling noises or as if a bubble is bursting; sounds seem to come from the left side when they really come from the right; and, the illusion of hearing singing. And, though they can’t stand hearing music, they have the delusion they are hearing music — that must be frustratingly awful!

A list of a few noise rubrics and some corresponding remedies:

If you hear noises in your ears when blowing your nose: Calc carb or Hepar sulph.
Buzzing is a big one with a lot of possibly indicated remedies, but some good places to start would be Argentum nitricum, China off, Lycopodium, or Nux-vomica.
If the noises occur only at night, try Dulcamera or Graphites.
Cracking sound: Kali carb or Petroleum.
In bed, or, lying down makes it worse: Sulphur
Hearing noises during a headache: China off.
Humming: China off, Lycopodium, Phosphorus or Sepia
Difficulty hearing with the noises: Causticum or Lycopodium
Rushing water: Chamomilla
Boiling water: Lycopodium
As of wind: Petroleum
If it is synchronous with the pulse, it’s an easy one to remember: Pulsatilla, or, Puls for short.

Book a focused consultation and see if we can take the focus off those noises for you.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

Reference list
Cleveland Clinic, n.d. Tinnitus: Causes, Treatment & Prevention [online]. Cleveland Clinic.

Hebert, S., Fournier, P. and Norena, A., 2013. The Auditory Sensitivity is Increased in Tinnitus Ears. Journal of Neuroscience [online], 33 (6), 2356–2364.

Mayo Clinic, 2018. Tinnitus - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 2018. Tinnitus [online]. NIDCD.

Prutsman, Dr. J., 2023. Tinnitus [online]. Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center.

9/16/2023

Where to Buy Homeopathic Remedies

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Well, it appears Whole Foods has failed us. Despite receiving a tremendous number of requests in a short amount of time, they have decided at a corporate level to stop carrying single homeopathic remedies.

I am terribly disappointed, but I’m not surprised. (Though I haven’t heard an official word, I have noticed Whole Foods had stopped carrying most of the Bach essences recently, too.)

Ever since Amazon purchased Whole Foods, nothing has been as good as it was. At all. By far. The selection of products, the quality of prepared foods and even the offerings at the butcher counter are not as nice as they once were. It’s a real bummer on many fronts.

So, where to buy your homeopathic remedies locally?

If you have a Sprouts in your town, that is your best bet. Sprouts carries a much larger selection of homeopathic remedies than Whole Foods ever did.

Natural Grocers is another store that carries individual homeopathic remedies.

If you have a local independent herb store, they often have a few individual remedies for sale. If they don’t, ask them to do so!

Other than that, it’s to the internet we turn. (For all examples, I looked at Bryonia alba in both 30c and 200c for pricing.)

If you want the familiar blue and purple tubes, go to Boiron*. Online, Boiron actually offers a much wider range of remedies and potencies. Their 30c is $8.49 and 200c is $11.99. (Note: Boiron tubes contain 80 pellets or 16 doses.) Additionally, they sell some Gemmos (see here for a little information on those.) Bonus! At the time of this writing, Boiron has 10% off Calendula and “On the Go” medicines. I also see “free shipping is automatically applied to all orders.” It’s not clear if this is all orders all the time or just the above mentioned promo.

Washington Homeopathics is an excellent US pharmacy. They can be found at homeopathyworks.com. Their prices are $9.49 for a 30c and $16.29 for 200c. (Note: Washington sells their individual remedies in a 4 dram vial, so 900 pellets, which is a lot of pellets!) They also sell some of their remedies in 1/2 dram kit refills (containing 350 pellets) in nice little glass vials for $4.19 and $5.29 respectively. Additionally, they sell Bach Flower Essences and offer a nice selection of books and even a home-school curriculum. Bonus! Washington Homeopathics always has a few remedies on 20% sale each month.

Hahnemann Labs is another superb US pharmacy. They offer a wide range of remedies and potencies and their glass tubes are $10.95 for 1/2 dram and $12.95 for a 2 dram 30c; 200c is $16.95 and $22.95 respectively. (The number of pellets is different and a little confusing: for up to 99c potencies, 80 pellets in the 1/2 dram and 240 pellets in the 2 dram.) For 100c potencies and up: 1/2 dram = 240 pellets and 2 dram = 730 pellets.) Note: Hahnemann 1/2 dram do not fit in standard kits; they are short, fat tubes. Bonus! I just got off the phone with a nice woman at Hahnemann Labs who confirmed that there is $2 discount on each remedy when ordering on-line.

Olloïs sells nice remedies. They don’t have a huge selection but what they have, I like. Their claim to fame is lactose-free remedies. Their 30c is $8.49 and 200c is $9.49. (Approximately 80 pellets per tube.) Additionally, they offer a free 7-day video course on homeopathy if you want to learn more. Bonus! Free shipping on orders over $29.

On to distributors in the US…

I have written about Tap Roots before in regard to their kits, which I really like. They sell some individual remedies from both Washington and Boiron (similar or identical prices to buying those directly). They also sell Narayani mixes (which appear to be $22.99 each) and some Banerji protocol combination remedies (ex. Aconite 200c + Bryonia 30c for $20.99. As a reminder, Acon/Bry is the Banerji go-to protocol to use at the first sign of feeling unwell.) Additionally, they have cell salts and a nice selection of homeopathic books. Bonus! Tap Roots offers free shipping on $75+ orders.

Vitamin shoppe sells a few Boiron single remedies, also for $8.49 each.

Vitacost has a few Boiron and Olloïs remedies on offer. Prices seem to vary more than the other sites.

Looking further afield (if you are in the US these are further afield anyway)…

Helios in the UK ships to the US, though don’t expect it to arrive immediately. They have an excellent selection of remedies but their site can be a little cumbersome. If you like the self-dispensing tubes (similar to Boiron), choose: “Pills (No 6) (sucrose) in a 4g dispenser)”. Generally speaking, it appears these tubes run £5.85. They offer a huge range of potencies and a really nice selection of books and other products. Additionally, when I was in the UK at Christmas I discovered A. Vogel’s Echinacea Bioforce tablets that you might want to consider. (Not homeopathic, but good stuff!)

Ainsworths is another UK homeopathic pharmacy. One feature I like about Ainsworths is you can build your own combo remedy. They, too, have a huge selection of remedies offered in a selection of pellets/tablets. 7g vial is the closest to the size we’re used to in the US. Though, their 1g vial (with the cute little cork stopper) is good for travel or, if you are in need of a “specialty” remedy. A 7g vial of a 30c or 200c is £7.50. I recently purchased “tablets” and that has been a nice change from the little pellets, though it doesn’t feel like the quantity will go very far.

Weleda in the UK sells a nice “counter range” of 30c remedies for £7.65. Note: these bottles are not pocket friendly tubes. I have purchased these in the UK but I have not tried ordering from the US.

If you feel so inclined, Amazon also sells some remedies. However, proceed with caution as they sell some brands which are unknown to me and I have heard some not great things from some of the “off-brand” remedies they have on offer.

This is a short list of the pharmacies and distributors I know to be of good quality. I have no affiliation with any of these companies. I’m sure there are more, but this should be a good start.

So, not quite as easy as picking up a remedy while you’re buying your groceries, but with a little planning, you won’t be disappointed with purchasing remedies on-line.

Julia Coyte, CHom

Classically Practical homeopath
#wellnessawaits

* As I was finishing up this article, I received an email from Boiron letting practitioners know where their clients can continue to purchase Boiron single remedies. Here is the image shown at the bottom of that email:

9/9/2023

Sore Tootsies

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I was listening to a Russel Brand podcast the other day where he was talking to the man who began VivoBarefoot* shoe company -- shoes that changed my world.

I used to love my pointy-toe cowboy boots and my high heels and for a minute there I had some kickin' little, pointy toe boots made from army green cloth -- they didn't last long, but I loved them!

Somewhere along the line, a body worker suggested my footwear may be playing a part in my hip/spine aches.

So, me being me, always looking for ways to improve my condition, I put my binding and lifting (but cute!) shoes on the shelf and moved to a shoe with a negative or zero-drop heel and a wide toe box.

Lo and behold, it helped! A lot. I'm never going back.

It wasn’t over night, that’s for sure. It took quite a while to build up those long under-used muscles. When I first began, the ache in my feet, going all the way up the leg was definitely a thing. (If you are going to give this a try, be sure to go slowly — wearing the barefoot shoe for short periods of time and building up to a full day.)

The only problem, though, was that the bulk of these shoes were not cute. I would look down at my feet and think, “I’m wearing clown shoes.” But, I stuck with my unfashionable shoes and my toes can now move around like never before — the way they are supposed to. (Note: overall, comfy shoes are much better looking now than when I began this process.)

There are zero-drop shoes and there are minimalist shoes (like the Vivo Barefoot I mentioned earlier, as well as what I call my “frog feet” shoes — Vibram Five Fingers* — which they now do a nice job of disguising, but when I first started wearing them they were really goofy looking).

The point of minimalist shoes is to allow your feet to use all those muscles that become under-utilized when wearing modern comfy, squishy shoes. There are a lot of muscles in your feet and all those muscles connect to all those other muscles and ligaments and tendons and joints going all the way up the chain -- you know, the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone…. (For a little look at what’s going on down there: (Card and Bordoni 2020).

As we have all experienced, when your feet hurt, everything hurts.

I have written a little bit about plantar fasciitis and heel spurs here.

Without going into specific foot problems, a place to start for sore feet would be my go-to combination for all things joints/muscles: Arnica/Ruta/Rhus. See here and here.

Why Arnica, Ruta and Rhus?

Arnica is the first remedy to think about for trauma/injury. Excellent for bruising and muscle pain, in general.

Ruta is good for connective tissues -- tendons and ligaments as well as stiffness.

Rhus tox is a go-to for joint issues and is highly indicated in the following specific feet issues:

aching feet
sore feet due to exertion
while sitting
in the morning
walking/movement helps
restlessness feet
stiff feet

If you want to get a little more specific, rather than taking a combo remedy, try one of these remedies on for size…

Foot pain that extends upward: Ledum palustre
As if sprained: Arnica or Rhus tox
Toenail injuries: Arnica or Hypericum
Cramps: Mag-phos or Calc carb
Pain while sitting (the pain lessens during continued movement) & feels better in warmth: Rhus tox
Pain while standing: Ruta
Sole pain: Causticum
Shooting pain or tearing pain: Kali-carb

Take a step in the right direction and try some homeopathy and see if you can get a little relief for those sore tootsies.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* I have no affiliation with any of these companies. I just like their products.

Reference list

Card, R. K. and Bordoni, B., 2020. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Muscles [online]. PubMed.

Kassel, G., 2022. What’s the Deal with Zero-Drop Shoes? [online]. Shape.

Vibram, 2023. FiveFingers: The Original Barefoot Toe Shoes | Vibram [online].

Vivo Barefoot, 2023. Shoespiracy 2| Vivobarefoot | USA [online]. www.vivobarefoot.com.

9/3/2023

Happy Pills

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“Do you have anything to help with my love life?” “What do you have in the way of ‘happy pills?’” “Do you have something for…” Fill in the blank. Not uncommon questions to a homeopath as people are looking for a quick fix for what ails them.

The short answer is “sort of.” If someone is looking for a quick fix there are some possible quick answers that don’t involve working with a homeopath (though I highly recommend doing just that). I’ll get to those in a minute.

The longer, more complete answer is homeopathy addresses the whole person and therefore it can help with these bigger issues which are asked about in a throw away question… like happiness.

Happiness. Joy. Joie de vivre. Such a hugely important thing.

Interestingly, some people looking for a quick fix for happiness may not have even considered that they are actually sad. To them, they are just "not happy." But, that's how homeopathy would look at it. A lack of happiness/sadness can stem from a vast variety of reasons… Illness. Anxiety. Chronic pain. Fear. Problems at home. Problems at work. Stress. Poor sleep. Broken heart. The list is practically endless.

One of my favorite aspects of homeopathic remedies is when a remedy hits home, the emotions, the mood, is one of the first things to be affected. This is particularly apparent in an acute situation.

What do I mean by that?
So many times have I heard from clients that when they have given the appropriate acute homeopathic remedy to their unwell loved one that shortly thereafter the loved one still has the symptoms of illness, but they are now cheerier. When you see this change occurring, know that the physical symptoms will most likely follow behind pretty quickly.

What does this look like?
Children are still coughing and sneezing, but they are off the couch and now playing. The adult is still complaining of a stomach ache but they are now able to read a book or watch TV and engage with the world again.

Where would I begin to help someone on a generic level who has lost their joy? With this question, I am attempting to answer generically, meaning, without hearing the details of their symptoms. A practical homeopathic solution to sadness, if you will.

I would begin with some well chosen Bach Flowers. A few Bachs to consider:

Mustard can help with gloom. (I have previously written about Mustard’s marvelous effects HERE.

Honeysuckle can help the person see the happiness in today, rather than thinking the good old days held the secret to their happiness.

Conversely, if the person is dreaming of the happiness that might one day be, Clematis may be a better fit.

Wild Rose can help to reignite a passion for life for those who have become apathetic and resigned.

There are other Bach Flowers which may be more suited to your situation. If you are interested in a Bach-only consultation, click HERE.

Are there homeopathic remedies that are able to address a lack of joy?
There are indeed!

Robin Murphy lists 457 remedies in his rubric for sadness*!

In his rubric for acute sadness, he lists only 3 remedies… One of which makes complete sense to me.

Natrum muriaticum. (For previous articles on Nat Mur: The Big Goodbye; Springing Forward; Dehydration; Balance; Salty Lips.)

Homeopathic Nat mur is made from salt. What else is made of salt? Tears are made of salt, making this an easy remedy to remember to address sadness.

There are many different kinds of sadness — something I never really thought about until I started studying homeopathy. To me, back then, someone was either happy or sad. (That’s such an unbelievably strange way of thinking to me now!)

What kinds of sadness are addressed by Nat mur?

Sadness when they are alone, or, the opposite may hold true as well, they are sad and they desire solitude.
Unconsolable sadness.
Feeling sad, but are unable to cry.
Sadness following a grief.
Sadness from disappointed love.
Sadness before menses.
Music brings on sadness.
Thinking of past events brings sadness.
People who are sad but when they receive sympathy it actually doesn’t do them any good.
People who don’t feel like talking when they are sad.

Of course with all things homeopathy, the best way to choose a remedy is based on the compilation of a person’s symptoms. Though Nat mur may be a good place to start, a better fitting remedy may be found in one of those other 457 remedies.

This life we have been given is short. If you are having a hard time finding joy, give homeopathy a try.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* Murphy, R., n.d. Repertory, version 3. Accessed through Radar Opus software.