Ruminating on Remedies, My thoughts on homeopathy

10/18/2021

The Eagle has Landed!

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BONUS!
A few other reasons to keep Nux vomica handy when you have children …

* Infants with a stopped up nose, preventing nursing.

* Infants with hiccups (good for children with hiccups in general, but infants in particular).

* Stomach pain in children.

* Irritability in children (especially when there has been an overindulgence of any kind — good or bad. Too much candy or not enough sleep, for example.)

* Children suffering from jealousy.

Does this mean that Nux vomica is the only way to help my child with constipation or hiccups or stomach pain, irritability or jealousy? Nope. But there is a good chance this strongly associated gastro-intestinal remedy may help them.

The Eagle has Landed: “Someone or something has arrived; something been done. The phrase was famously said by US astronaut Neil Armstrong when the Eagle Lunar Lander landed on the moon in 1969” (thefreedictionary.com).

Constipation is a trying condition. Constipation in little people is a frustrating, trying and heartbreaking condition. It’s a helpless feeling when you know what needs to happen for the child to feel better, but you have no way of actually fixing the situation. There is no magic bandaid to put on an uncomfortable little person when it comes to constipation. Waiting for that eagle or eaglet to finally land is tough.

I was ignorant to the beauties of homeopathy when my kids were little (dang!). I sure wish I had known about homeopathy in general, and Nux vomica, in particular.

Some homeopaths, through their clinical experience, have found certain potencies of certain remedies act differently than the other potencies of the same remedies. For instance, The Banerjis, of the renown Banerji Protocols with their nearly unprecedented clinical experience* have found that for constipation, Nux vomica 30c, twice daily is the ticket, especially if the sufferer is an infant or child. (The twice daily dosing is if it’s a chronic problem. If it’s an unusual but uncomfortable acute condition, relief most likely will occur very quickly.)

Nux vomica is not the Banerji’s first line protocol for constipation, but it is the simplest (Banerji and Banerji 2013). That fact, coupled with a quick look through Robin Murphy’s Repertory** using homeopathy software (Radar Opus, for those wondering), searching just for “child” and “Nux vomica,” shows us a few unique/small rubrics,*** demonstrating what a good fit Nux vomica is for constipated children.

Skipping the repertory language (often written in the old, original wording which can sometimes be confusing to the modern reader) and moving right into plain English, Nux vomica is highly indicated in:

— Constipation for infants and newborns (8 remedies listed)
— Constipation alternating with diarrhea in children (16 remedies listed)
— Colic in infants (16 remedies listed)
— Constipation in children (34 remedies listed)
— Constipation in infants (17 remedies listed)

These five rubrics are a pretty clear indication that Nux vomica may help infants and children with constipation.

As usual, homeopathy is a well-rounded medicine and Nux vomica can likely help not only an infant or child, but adults and animals, too, should the symptoms be a good fit.

If you have a child suffering from constipation, acutely or chronically, book a free introductory chat to see if homeopathy may be helpful.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical Homeopathy

#wellnessawaits #homeopathycanhelp

* The doctors at The Banerji Clinic in Kolkata, India see 1,000 patients a day, every day. 10 physicians/homeopaths see 100 patients every day! They record all of this information and distill all these case details to be able to share this valuable information with the rest of us.

** Repertory: the book of homeopathic symptoms, listing homeopathic remedies associated with each symptom. "The definition of word repertory [sic] originates from the Latin word 'repertoire,' which means any store or stock, (e.g. of information), that can be drawn upon. … In modern terms, the repertory represents the clinical and research database for the practice of homeopathic medicine. The general information contained in these books are derived from history, provings, clinical practice, research, physiology and toxicology" (Murphy 2003, p. VI).

*** Rubric: the symptom entry listed in the homeopathic repertory.

Look for upcoming articles about the details behind the Repertory and the Rubrics and Provings.

Sources used in this article:
Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji.

Murphy, R., 2003. Homeopathic medical repertory : a modern alphabetical repertory. Blacksburg, Va.: H.A.N.A. Press.

Photo by Susan Myers on Unsplash

9/30/2021

My Little Bag of Wellness

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Not my actual purse, but the same style from the same company. Maruca Design uses US fabric mills and are all crafted by hand in Colorado and are incredibly well made and long lasting.*

This is the actual little remedy bag that I keep in my purse. It is an EMF shielding bag and though I don't know that that is necessary, it is made for holding homeopathic remedies and therefore sized just right.*

My purse is not large. It is just big enough to hold my phone, my credit card, my keys and a small bag of homeopathic remedies, of course!

What do I keep with me on my person whenever I leave the house? Here’s the complete list and how and why I use these remedies when I am out and about.
Please note, the use of these remedies is not daily. They are with me just in case.

Aconitum/Bryonia. This Banerji Protocol combination remedy is my absolute go-to for anything that is not quite right. At the first sign of feeling unwell, this is what I grab when I am not at home.

This remedy also came in handy following a golf cart traffic accident. (These carts are dangerous and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!) The driver of the cart broke their wrist and I messed up my knee and hip and cracked the windshield with my noggin.

Aconite for short, (rhymes with “fright”) is, the pre-eminent remedy for being in or witnessing a shocking event. "Suddenness and violence are the soul of Aconite" (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 104).

Bryonia is an excellent remedy for both sprains and broken bones, particularly the wrist (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 375) and for when pain is experienced with the slightest movement. Bryonia is major clinical remedy for neck injuries (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 60) which was a distinct possibility for me in this situation.

Both of these remedies came in very handy immediately following this crash.

Natrum phosphoricum 30c. For a while there, indigestion was troubling me and Nat phos would calm that unpleasant burning feeling right down. As is the case with most well selected homeopathic remedies, the appropriate remedy will both address the immediate situation as well as help your body heal itself moving forward.
I didn’t even realize I still had this remedy in my bag because I haven’t needed it in a such a long time.

Helios AAA. AAA is a combination of Ambra grisea, Anacardium and Argentum nitricum. This remedy was taught to me as a good remedy for people experiencing anxiety while traveling.

I first put it in my bag a few years ago when my young son was experiencing an unusual fear of flying before a trip. He is a seasoned traveler and his discomfort threw me for a loop. I gave him one dose of AAA and within an hour he had completely forgotten he even had any apprehension at all let alone the fact he was certain that death was imminent.

I keep it with me because it is just a really excellent remedy for severe anxiety.

Hypericum perforatum 200c. Hypericum is known as the “Arnica of the nerves.” I don’t remember why I put it in my bag originally, but it did come in handy after a fall on the ice rink. Hypericum is well known for its ability to address pain in nerve-rich areas and the tailbone most certainly is a nerve-rich area! And, an excellent remedy for puncture wounds.

Ferrum phosphoricum 3x. This cell salt is a really good first aid remedy for both halting sicknesses and fever (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 541) before they can take root as well as reducing inflammation following an injury. It has been used for my sons’ bleeding noses (it stops them quickly!) as well as for a very young dining companion who was feeling poorly (she was back to her old self before dinner was even served).

Petroleum 200c originally went in my bag a few winters ago when I had some cracked and sore hands (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 411). This homeopathic remedy is far superior to the goopy stuff with the same name that one might apply to their skin — I don’t recommend that at all! Strangely, homeopathic Petroleum is also good for motion sickness (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 214).

For the dry, cracked skin, take it once or twice daily until the skin is improved.

For travel sickness, take a dose every 15 minutes or so. (If there is no improvement after 4 or 5 doses, it’s not the right remedy and it's time to find another better indicated remedy).

Arnica 200c. Between the Arnica, the Hypericum, the Ferr phos, and the Aconite/Bryonia combination, I definitely have emergencies covered! Arnica is the first remedy to consider in an accident or injury (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 371). It not only addresses shock (similar to Aconite above), but it is also excellent for bruising, muscle soreness and general aches and pains.

Arnica & Hypericum are well indicated following any dental work, and that is reason enough to keep them in your purse!

Apis mellifica. Apis is the first remedy to grab when anaphylactic shock sets in, or is threatening to set in. Allergic reactions, bug bites and bee stings, (especially those that appear full of fluid) and throats threatening to swell shut! (This happened to my brother after eating shell fish when we were kids — I didn’t know about homeopathy then but I think this memory is why I keep it in my bag now, though Urtica urens would probably be a better choice for allergic reactions to shellfish in particular.) If you have someone in this frightening condition, administer the Apis (or Urtica urens) immediately and frequently while you are on the way to the hospital or waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

**Apis is one of the few remedies for which caution is advised when pregnant. That is not to say this remedy can’t be used during pregnancy, it is to say that it should be used cautiously and judiciously when pregnant.

Natrum muriaticum 30c. I usually keep 6x in my purse, but I ran out and forgot to replace it. I was traveling a few weeks ago and there was smoke from forest fires all around and the local shop didn’t have my usual 6x. The 30c definitely made breathing easier and helped with the burning/stinging eyes. Nat mur can put a stop to a hammering headache (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 11) before it has the chance to take proper hold and it is very helpful for dry, chapped lips as it helps to balance the fluids in your body.

Nux vomica 200c. Historically, this remedy is probably the most frequently used remedy in my family. Nux is amazing for when that restaurant meal didn’t settle too well. It’s good for cold and allergy symptoms and it’s very good for sneezing fits. Nux has come in handy for irritability and anger as well as headaches that accompany the crankiness. Nux vomica is an excellent remedy for too much… too much fatty food, too much candy, too much alcohol.

Nux vomica came in extremely handy after our dog had a minor surgery for something embedded in his paw. I didn’t know he was going to have this little procedure or I would have planned accordingly. But, because I had Nux in my purse, I was able to slip it in his cheek and this 130 pound beastie quickly awakened from his anesthesia (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 310) and was able to get into the car on his own steam. About an hour later, the stupor returned but another dose of Nux got him moving again.

One last thing I keep in my bag is a tube of Boiron’s Calendula cream.* Just today when we were at the zoo I used some for a little cut on my leg and a bug bite on my wrist which was irritated by my watch strap. I have used it as a face cream. I use it for dry skin. (Did I mention I live in a desert?) I have shared it with friend’s children when they have fallen and scraped their knee. I have used it following a sunburn. It’s by far the largest thing in my bag but it has earned its spot on the front lines.

This list sounds like I’m not telling the truth about the size of my purse. Honestly, you would never imagine the amount of healing this little bag could hold just by looking at it.

Julia Coyte, CHom
classicallypractical.com

#wellnessawaits. #homeopathycanhelp

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

Coco and Camille

Maruca Design

Resources used in this article:
Morrison, M.D., R., 1998. Desktop companion to physical pathology. Nevada City, Calif.: Hahnemann Clinic Publ.
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Pareek, R. S. and Pareek, A., 2012. Homeopathy for Acutes and Emergencies. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Publishers.

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9/27/2021

Choosing the Right Homeopathic Potency

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Entire books have been written on homeopathic potency (see a partial list below). It truly is a nuanced topic.

There are many theories and “rules” and throughout homeopathic history, there is no end of discussion as to which potency should be used under which circumstances.

I will make choosing the right potency short and simple.

1. In an emergency, the right potency is the one you have.

2. If you have the right remedy, the potency is secondary.
If you take a remedy and it works for you, stick with that remedy and that potency.

3. When in doubt, use a low potency (6c).

Repetition of remedy:
1. In an acute illness or injury, use whatever potency you have as frequently as needed to keep the situation in hand. Follow the symptoms. (Example: If fever is the main symptom and Arnica* is helping to lower the fever, repeat the Arnica if/when the temperature begins to rise. As the temperature stabilizes, decrease the frequency until the remedy is no longer needed.

* People assume Arnica is a homeopathic remedy which is only used to treat muscular aches and pains from “over doing it.” Homeopathic Arnica has a keynote symptom of “Bruised sensation. May feel, ‘as if beaten'” (Morrison, M.D. 1998). Those needing Arnica sometimes describe their condition, “as if they had been hit by a truck.” Your body doesn’t care if the aches and pains come from an injury, strenuous activity or from a fever. Remedies, in this case Arnica, address symptoms, regardless of causation.

2. If after a few doses of a remedy and the acute situation is not improving, it is most likely that you do not have the correct remedy and a new remedy should be chosen.

3. When dealing with chronic problems, I strongly recommend working with an experienced homeopath to help guide you through these issues. Every individual and every circumstance is different. One person’s arthritis is therefore not like the next person’s arthritis. An experienced homeopath can help guide you accordingly.

4. When in doubt, use a low potency (6c).

5. The higher the potency, the less frequently it should be repeated.

6. If using a homeopathic combination remedy, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

One of the beautiful aspects of homeopathic medicine is that it is truly an individualized method of healing. Everything I have mentioned in this article are basic "rules of thumb" and these suggestions may not fit all individuals. Working with an experienced homeopath, especially for chronic conditions, is highly recommended.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical Homeopathy

#wellnessawaits

A few remedies are known to act better in specific potencies for specific conditions. Note: individuals may react differently and these are only general rules of thumb.

Lycopodium clavatum 30c for edema/swelling, such as the stuffy nose which accompanies a cold or allergies. Banerji Protocol, repeat twice daily until improvement. In an acute situation like a stuffy nose, expect Lycopodium to act more quickly. If it does not, it may not be the correct remedy for your symptoms. Consult a homeopath.

Nux vomica 30c for constipation. Banerji Protocol, repeat twice daily until improvement. Note: this is not the Banerji’s first line protocol for constipation, but it is their easiest protocol for constipation. In acute situations, expect this remedy to act within a day or so. If it does not, switch remedies or consult a homeopath.

Magnesium phosphoricum 6x for painful menstrual cramps.
Mag phos has been said to work better when administered in hot water. (This is not known to be the case for other remedies). To use this method, drop a few pellets into a cup of hot water and sip as though drinking a cup of tea.

ADMINISTERING HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Dry pellets can be administered by placing them under the tongue. For an unconscious person, infant or pet, the dry pellets can be placed between the gum and cheek.

Alternatively, dry pellets can be dissolved in liquid✦ and administered by mouth (take a sip) or by placing a few drops on a cloth and placing it on the thin skin of the inside of the wrist. It is important to note that when dissolving remedies in water, every sip or application is a dose.

Sensitive Individuals
Some people are simply very sensitive and do better on a lower potency. Others are still even more sensitive and do better by putting their remedies in water and taking a teaspoon of that water✦. And still others are even so sensitive that they do best by taking an olfactory dose — taking a little whiff of the remedy❊.

✦ for instructions on water dosing:
Hahnemanns LM and Water Potencies
Homeopathic Remedy Dosage
Instructions for turning pilules into liquid remedies

❊ Olfactory dosing

For those wanting to learn more about using homeopathy, here are a few links to get you started.

CHE’s Home Prescriber Course, FREE!

Gateway to Homeopathy, Joette Calabrese, $47.

Robin Murphy, ND, Emergencies and First Aid 1, $90 (available on either CD or download directly to your computer or phone)

I have no affiliation with any of these sites. I have listened to many CHE courses. I have devoured all of what Joette Calabrese has to offer. I am still working my way through all of Robin Murphy's excellent lectures.

Books and articles, if you would like more in-depth information on the topic of homeopathic potency:

Barker, R., 1992. LM potencies : a selection of articles giving a practical guide to their use. Norfolk: The Homeopathic Supply Company.

Bhatia, Dr. M., 2009. Homeopathic Potency Selection - Dr. Manish Bhatia [online]. Hpathy.

Homeopathy Plus, 2021. Q. Which Potency Should I Choose? [online]. Homeopathy Plus.
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National Center for Homeopathy, 2021. How to Choose a Remedy’s Potency [online]. National Center for Homeopathy.

Plouvier-Suijs, M., 2014. About potencies. Emryss Publishers.

Rawat, P. S., 2016. Select your dose & potency. New Delhi: B. Jain.
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Rozencwajg, J., 2010. The potency : advanced prescribing in homeopathy : the Fibonacci potencies : a unified theory and practice of modern homeopathic posology. Haarlem? Emryss.

Sources used in this article:
Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji.

Morrison, M.D., R., 1998. Desktop companion to physical pathology. Nevada City, Calif.: Hahnemann Clinic Publ.

9/12/2021

Calming the Cold

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Remember way back when when we used to routinely exercise our immune system? We would be constantly bombarded by germs that if you weren’t strong enough would result in… [play the ‘duh duh duh’ music here] a cold!

There is/was a school of thought that getting and beating these types of attacks is/was good for your health — taking your immune system for a walk, so to speak.

My family routinely turned to Boiron’s Cold Calm** for quick relief almost every time a little “somethin’ somethin’” seemed to be creeping in.

Cold Calm is a combination homeopathic remedy that can certainly save time and energy if the symptoms are just starting to present and are not quite clear enough to choose just one remedy. (Or, when you are the person suffering and the inability to think clearly sets in.)

Here are the homeopathic remedies included in Cold Calm with a little more information to help you understand what’s in it and how these individual remedies may help your symptoms.

Allium cepa is the red onion — you know, that thing when you cut it that makes your eyes itch and burn and tear up and your nose follows streaming along soon after.

Apis mellifica is the honey bee — you know, the thing that stings you and you swell up… like your nose or your eyes if you have a cold.

Belladonna has a reputation as a “virus interrupter.” More specifically to coming down with a cold, Belladonna can be helpful with congestion or when suffering a headache as a result of stuffiness. It’s certainly helpful if any sore throat is involved.

Eupatorium perfoliatum, also known as “Bone-set” is an excellent fever remedy, specifically (wait for it…) when your bones ache, including your facial bones as a result of sinus pain.

Gelsemium sempervirens is one of the great homeopathic influenza remedies. This remedy is taught in the homeopathy schools as the 7 dwarfs remedy: for when someone is Droopy, Drowsy, Dumb, Dizzy, Drained — that’s only 5, but you get the idea. An excellent headache remedy.

Kali bich — for when it’s thick! The old homeopathy books call them “clinkers” — that’s a booger to you and me in modern parlance. Lumps of stuff in the nose or throat. Again, another excellent headache remedy if the symptoms fit.

Nux vomica — good for stuffy nose, but even better for sneezing. Nux vomica is also an excellent remedy for the tummy symptoms which can sometimes accompany a cold/flu. And, it’s really good for the short temper that can sneak in there when you’re feeling crummy.

Phytolacca decandra — swollen glands and sore throats, specifically the sore throats where the pains shoot from the throat into the ears on swallowing.

Pulsatilla — if there is a loss of taste and smell. Stuffy nose; a bad odor in the nose; mucusy, loose cough, bland watering eyes (not burning, that’s Apis mentioned above).

I have heard Cold Calm referred to as "magical" — now you know why. This little mixture covers just about everything one would need at the start of “a little somethin’ somethin’” coming on.

If Cold Calm isn’t quite cutting it for you and you need some further assistance with cold or flu symptoms, book an acute appointment and we’ll see what we can do to get you feeling better quicker.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classicallypractical.com

#homeopathycanhelp #wellnessawaits

** I have no affiliation with Boiron or any of its products.

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

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9/8/2021

Allergies Are Back!

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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 eyes and the eyelids may be puffy.
Here’s an 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 listed above, 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. Tasting 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 resulting from the blocked sinuses

Wyethia 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 on the roof of your mouth.

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
Classicallypractical.com

#homeopathycanhelp #wellnessawaits

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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