Ruminating on Remedies, My thoughts on homeopathy

2/24/2023

Nobody needs a nasty nauseating norovirus

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With working from home and on-line school, we have been off the hook on the norovirus for a couple of years and now that we are resuming normality, this icky bug is rearing its ugly head again.

According to headlines this week, cases have risen by 34% in two weeks in the UK and cases are up 30% over last year in parts of the US, too.

I had a call the other day from a mom whose young daughter was sent home from school after going to the nurse’s office a few times in one day feeling nausea. When she went to pick her up, the nurse informed her that the Norwalk virus was going around the school. The girl was nauseous, but she still had an appetite, and sometimes she had a headache. Homeopathic Phosphorus 30c is what I suggested and she soon felt a little better. The report that evening was that she had a thorough bowel evacuation and she was feeling much better by the next morning. (At the time of writing this, the rest of her family didn’t catch it.) At the same time I learned of this little girl, another pre-schooler I know spent the weekend in and out of the hospital getting IV fluids. It’s not a fun bug, that’s for sure.

What is this norovirus? This is the disease you sometimes hear about in the news -- the nasty sickness which grips entire cruise ships. Highly contagious stuff that is commonly spread through contaminated food, water and surfaces as well as close contact — that’s a perfect recipe for sickness on a cruise ship. (Which reminds me of the one cruise we took when our kids were little where our youngest at the time actually licked the railing in the elevator! By some miracle, he did not get sick. Phew!)

According to the Mayo Clinic, a norovirus infection can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea that starts suddenly and is highly contagious. Symptoms kick in within 12-48 hours after exposure and usually last for 1-3 days. Most people recover completely without treatment, but some people (the young, the old and those with other medical conditions) may require medical attention.

So, what are the common symptoms?

Nausea. Vomiting. Stomach pain or cramps. Watery or loose diarrhea. Feeling ill. Low-grade fever. Muscle pain. Norwalk is a (relatively) new name for what we all remember as “the stomach flu,” even though it has nothing to do with influenza.

Seek medical attention if the diarrhea doesn’t stop or there is severe vomiting, bloody stools, stomach pain or dehydration.

Conventional medicine really has nothing to offer for this disease. So, then, what does homeopathy have to offer?

Arsenicum album is one of the first remedies to consider when there has been any sort of food “poisoning.” Weakness. Thirsty for small sips. Chilly. Coming out both ends at the same time. Stool may be burning and very offensive. Even tiny sips of water may cause vomiting.

Ipecac non-stop nausea — nothing gives any relief, not even vomiting. Lots of saliva with the nausea.

Mag phos is a good one to remember if there is a lot of cramping pain. Sour vomiting. Hiccups, even with vomiting. Diarrhea with abdominal pain.

Nux vomica is another go-to for nausea and vomiting, as well as food “poisoning.” There may be irritability and there may be the need or urge but nothing is coming out — retching.

Phosphorus, as mentioned above, is a good one. Symptoms which may point to Phosphorus: Similar to Arsenicum album in that drinking small amounts of water may lead to vomiting and it, too, also has burning pains. Diarrhea may be very watery or full of mucous. The unusual symptom here is that the appetite remains.

Podophyllum for explosive, painless diarrhea. Very weak after the diarrhea. Excellent choice for infants with diarrhea.

Sulphur has some nasty smelling diarrhea. Very thirsty for cold drinks. Insecure rectum — be careful with those toots! Nausea.

Veratrum album has a cold sweat with the diarrhea and vomiting. Very thirsty for cold water and may crave sour things. Burping and heartburn. Another insecure rectum remedy. Vomiting is violent and forceful, as is the copious diarrhea which is acidic.

What to do after emptying your system? In addition to replenishing your fluids (and having some nice cups of my favorite… bone broth), try some China officinalis to help your body regain its equilibrium.

These remedies, if chosen wisely and taken quickly enough, might just nip the whole thing in the bud and you might just escape the whole nasty business.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

2/4/2023

Rooty Toot Toots

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Let’s take a look at toots — you know, gas… bottom burps… farts… stink bombs… fluffer-doodles. While there certainly can be some instances which may indicate a serious medical problem for which medical treatment should be sought*, for the sake of this article, we’re going to just stick to common, everyday gas.

If you go to a conventional medical practitioner for your gas problem, they will most likely offer you one of the following:

Enzymes to help break down the carbohydrates, (e.g. Beano)
Lactase supplements to help digest the sugar in dairy products, (e.g. Lactaid)
Years ago, our pediatrician suggested simethicone for our gas-prone little fellows which help break up the gas bubbles, (e.g. Gas-x.) (Looking back, I so wish I had known about homeopathy, I could have helped them much more!)
Activated charcoal (a supplement of which I am exceedingly fond, I have to say)
A change in diet

*According to Mayo Clinic, if you have chronic or unusual abdominal pain, severe heartburn, persistent vomiting or nausea, chronic diarrhea, bloody or black stool, weight loss and loss of appetite, severe bloating, constipation or difficulty emptying your bowels, seek medical attention.

All of these conventional treatments may help now and again and in the moment, but, to my knowledge, they don’t help get rid of the underlying problem.

Homeopathy, on the other hand, has many remedies for many kinds of toots. When I enter “flatulence” into my homeopathic software, Dr. Robin Murphy’s repertory comes back with 849 “different” rubrics. (I put different in quotes because there are overlaps, to be sure, but it’s a clear indication of how homeopathy differs from conventional medicine.) Remedies for specific complaints stemming from gas. How cool is that? Tailored toot remedies, you might say!

What kinds of flatus are there? Here are just a few descriptions from Dr. Murphy:

Painful abdomen with flatulence. Abdominal pain with flatulence after eating. Painful distended abdomen.
Distended abdomen in the evening. Flatulence in the morning on waking.
“Incarcerated flatus” is one of my favorite homeopathic terms — trapped gas.
Back pain which is better from passing gas.
Flatulence during menses.
Offensive flatulence. Offensive, sulphur-like odor. (And from Boger, we have a rather eloquent description: “copious, silent discharge of hot, bilious-smelling flatus.")
Odorless flatulence.
Flatulence from sour foods.
Rumbling in the intestines which improves after passing gas.
Flatus from anxiety.
Burning pain in the rectum after passing gas.
Then there’s the worst gas of all — the kind where the rectal gate keepers fail in their job.😳

I could go on — it’s a long and fascinating list -- but, you get the idea.

One of the most beautiful aspects of homeopathy is that it can not only help in the moment by relieving symptoms, it can help to lessen the problem altogether.

When you are using homeopathy, you should be looking for overall improvement: the problem should be less intense and less frequent. In short, you should be looking for the problem to be getting better in general, not just in the moment. For instance, if you suffer severe gas and bloating every evening, once you are taking the “right” remedy (there are many remedies which can help with many given symptoms), the amount of gas should be less and the abdominal pressure should be less and the rumbling should quieten. Soon, it won’t be happening every night, it will be every other night and then every few nights and then only once in a while. That’s what we’re looking for -- overall improvement in the complaint.

So, what are some go-to remedies for common gas?

My first thought when somebody is suffering from gas and bloating is Lycopodium.

Homeopathic Lycopodium is a very highly indicated remedy for gas and bloating, especially when said toots are a result of eating offending foods. Where else might Lycopodium be helpful in gaseous complaints? Abdominal pain; back pain stemming from gas; flatulence in the elderly; wind accompanying stool; evening flatus, and, rumbling guts which improve when you are able to release some air.

How about that “incarcerated flatus”? Trapped wind causing cramping pain might be Lycopodium, but it might also be Carbo vegetablis (which is actually made from charcoal). If all that trapped gas makes your belly so full it can be difficult to breathe, Carbo veg is probably gonna' be your new favorite remedy. Gas during diarrhea; offensive gas; so much trapped gas that the abdomen feels hard and maybe even tender.

Those poor little babies, scrunching up their legs trying to get some relief? Mag phos would be my first thought.

Toots which smell like spoiled eggs? Sulphur, or, even Arnica.

Another good gas remedy is Nux vomica for flatulence from anxiety; flatulence after eating or even while eating and toots which accompany coughing.

If you have a potent, musical bottom, give some homeopathic remedies a try. Your loved ones will thank you!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

11/19/2022

Get Well Soon

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I’ve been thinking a lot about convalescence. I’ve been thinking about it partly because I’ve been doing it (Covid, round 2 for our house) and I’ve been thinking about it because I attended a webinar recently given by a naturopathic doctor. She said that when her patients tell her they are feeling better, that then begins their 3-day convalescence. She doesn’t clear them for returning to work or school until they have been 3 days past when they started to feel better.

What a concept!

I get it! It makes so much sense! Get back up to speed before returning to life at full speed! It’s a luxurious thought, though, I think. It shouldn’t be a luxury to recuperate, but I think in today’s day and age, it is. Bills need to be paid, houses need to be cleaned, school work needs to be completed… who has time to take 3 days to get back up to speed?

Maybe it’s time we return to this seemingly outdated idea.

What does it mean to “convalesce,” exactly?

Dictionary.com tells us “convalescence” means, “the gradual recovery of health and strength after an illness.” Victoria State Government recommends setting “recovery goals,” such as:

Maintaining some level of activity, even if it means just sitting or standing up occasionally. Try getting dressed and move around the house, if possible.
Gradually increasing your activity each day to ensure your muscles, heart and lungs are working efficiently.
Get enough rest. Listen to your body and alternate periods of activity with periods of relaxation. Don’t over-do it.
Maintain social activity.
Eat healthily — lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. If your appetite is lacking, try eating small amounts regularly. Eating well is more important than eating more.
As your strength improves, find time to do things you enjoy and aim to get out of the house regularly, even if for short outings.
If there is any possibility of long-term ramifications following serious illness, make sure to get the appropriate counseling.
Seek medical advice if there is confusion, dizziness on standing, depression, any new symptoms develop or if things just don’t seem right.

Homeopathy has some lovely remedies to assist with convalescence. For this article, we’ll look at some remedies for recovering from influenza, in particular. For recuperation, we’re not looking at symptoms of the disease so much as we’re looking at the weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite and even wonky sleep.

Homeopathic Gelsemium is the first to consider. Interestingly, Gelsemium is one of the first remedies to consider on the front side of the flu, too. The 4 Ds: droopy, drowsy, dull, dizzy. (Well, the dizzy part is hopefully behind you at this point….) The fatigue following influenza can be pronounced and Gelsemium is a fantastic remedy for fatigue, in general and chronic fatigue, in particular.

Phosphoric acid is indicated when mental weakness is a bigger deal than the physical weakness following an acute disease, particularly when recovering from fevers. People who may benefit from Phos-ac may find they are worse from conversation, sensitive to light and sound and smells; worse from cold drafts, worse from sitting and worse from standing.

Sulphur is known to help “clean up” following respiratory illnesses. I liken it to mopping up the gunk — it just kind of clears stuff out. (How’s that for getting technical?!) Another remedy to consider here is Sulphuric iodatum. Sulph-iod has a connection to exertion: weakness from exertion as well as a fear of exertion.

If sleeplessness sets in, try some Avena sativa tincture. It is also excellent for nervous exhaustion and debility.

Calc phos 6x and Ferr phos 6x are two excellent cell salts to help build up what was broken down during the illness. Calc phos can help when there is a lack of energy as well as mental or physical weakness. It can also help with absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Ferrum phos is said to assist in oxygenating the blood and can help with inflammation and sore muscles. Take this cell salt combination 3-4 times a day.

And, don’t forget my favorite non-homeopathic recommendation of bone broth! So many nutrients!

Now, go forth and rest! A few extra days to get back to full strength has to outweigh jumping back into life with both feet when you’re still under the weather!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

Victoria State Government, n.d. Convalescence - Better Health Channel [online]. www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

10/15/2022

Hot Flashes

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Did you know that October 18th is World Menopause Day? (Nor did I.)

The International Menopause Society says it is, so it must be true. The IMS have a goal “to work globally to promote and support access to best practice health care for women through their menopause transition.”

A good goal, to be sure. I certainly hope they include homeopathy in their best practices!

This year, IMS is focusing on Cognition and Mood associated with menopause. Their website provides a leaflet on Menopausal Brain Fog with some interesting data, if you’re curious.

Brain Fog is a complaint I hear often from women of a certain age and I addressed it here where I shared the Banerji Protocol for menopausal brain fog — an excellent place to start for “Cognition and Mood” during menopause. Protocols don’t address every condition for every person, so if you try the protocol and don’t get any joy, work with a professional homeopath to relieve your specific condition.

Homeopathic remedies can be very helpful in relieving the symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause in general. In addition to brain fog, hot flashes are right up there in common complaints.

Homeopathic Ammonium carb may address some level of hot flashes, especially when there is heat in the face and/or sweaty feet. Becoming heated can cause aggravation or even result in a headache. Unlike some of the remedies that follow below, Am-carb women may have an aversion to open air.

Lachesis is my “go-to” remedy for hot flashes as I have seen some pretty amazing things happen when women suffering from hot flashes use homeopathic Lachesis. Hot flashes may be more intense around the head and neck while their hands and feet remain cold. They have no tolerance for warm and stuffy rooms; craving cool, fresh air. There is also very little tolerance for tight or constricting clothing, especially around the neck or waist. All symptoms may be worse on waking. Because of this, falling asleep may be daunting.

Sepia can be cold during the day and hot during the night resulting in drenching sweats only to end up chilly again. These sweats may also show up from minimal physical effort. Hot flashes may begin down low and move upward. Women benefitting from homeopathic Sepia often suffer from low energy but are energized through exercise.

Pulsatilla hot flashes may be experienced when anxious or upset. Open windows with fresh air are are needed all the time…, they feel better outdoors. Constant fluctuation between being too hot and too cold. This changeability may be found elsewhere: mood swings, constantly changing bowel habits and wandering pains.

Sulphur is kind of the “mother of all hot flashes.” They are warm all the time and rapidly overheat. These flashes can be very distressing and may be followed quickly by chilliness. In general, homeopathic sulphur has irregular heat distribution throughout the body. They may also find some parts are hot while other parts remain cool. They have a tendency to sweat excessively, especially around the head, feet and armpits and this sweat may be strongly odiferous. They are too hot for covers at night, especially the feet, and may also suffer from rashes, which are worse from heat.

The experience surrounding menopause can last for many years — the perimenopause leading up to, the menopause itself as well as the years following the cessation of periods. That’s potentially a very long time to be suffering needlessly. Do yourself a favor and try some homeopathy.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

7/3/2022

Things that go boom

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I got hooked on watching videos about how things were made way back when … watching Sesame Street (Anon. 2022). (This video is on crayon making, but it’s a good one!) Then, for a while I enjoyed the Canadian show, “How it’s Made” — here’s a link to their firework segment.

As you can imagine, I enjoyed learning about the firework making process for this article.

What did I learn? Well, not surprisingly, the main ingredient in fireworks is … wait for it … Gunpowder.

Gunpowder originated in China in the 9th century and is made up of three ingredients: saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur and charcoal.

All three of these ingredients are used in both conventional medicine and homeopathy. Saltpeter, known homeopathically as Kalium nitricum; Sulfur, aka Sulphur and charcoal, known as Carbo vegetabilis.

Historically, saltpeter in its crude form (Kali nit) was used in the treatment of asthma (Brown and University of California Libraries 1917) and, today, this ingredient can be found in toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth. Anecdotally, some people claim this kind of toothpaste has helped their asthma (Graedon and Graedon 2010).

Sulfur, the third most abundant mineral in the human body (Science et al. 2020), is used conventionally in many areas, including: allergic rhinitis, shingles and interstitial cystitis (Mount Sinai 2022).

Charcoal, primarily in the form of “activated charcoal” is used as “a safe, effective, and inexpensive alternative to more invasive treatments for poisoning” (Park 1986). (Note: Before finding homeopathy, I never traveled without activated charcoal and it has proven very useful on many occasions. I still keep it handy, but have not needed it since learning the homeopathic remedies.)

John C. Clarke’s Gunpowder As a War Remedy: A Work of Homeopathy (2016) notes that saltpeter and sulfur both have antiseptic capabilities and that standard black powder (the original gunpowder) can be used on infections, boils, blood poisoning and "other maladies". Additionally, Gunpowder is listed in the homeopathic repertories primarily for: gunshot wounds, wounds that are slow to heal, and anal fistulae.

Knowing the ingredients that make up gunpowder, I’m not surprised people decided to use Gunpowder as a medicine, both crudely and homeopathically.

Gunpowder as a healing agent dates back in literature at least to 1865 with Culpeper’s Last Legacy, in which he wrote, “A little Gun-powder tyed up in a rag, and held in the mouth, that it may touch the aking tooth, instantly easeth the pains of the Teeth” [sic].

John C. Clarke (2016a) talks about soldiers using gunpowder: “taken crude in teaspoonful doses mixed in hot water” and shepherds sprinkling it “on bread and cheese, to cure and prevent wound-poisoning acquired in shearing and handling sheep” as well as using it on the sheep themselves for their ailments.

After experimenting on himself, Clarke used homeopathic Gunpowder in a 3x trituration. The 3x potency* means some of the original substance remains in this version of the remedy but without the taste or smell “and to be in no sort of way explosive” and calls it a “most powerful and efficacious remedy.”

Dr. T. Chatterjee claims Gunpowder in high potencies can cure “obstinate psoriasis” and, in low potency is “an excellent blood purifier” and can be helpful after the extraction of an abscessed tooth.

Gunpowder remains a useful homeopathic remedy today for abscesses, boils and carbuncles and in bold-type, Robin Murphy mentions blood poisoning, also known as sepsis. (Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and needs to be treated immediately by a medical professional.)

Interestingly, historically speaking, the advent of gunpowder on the battlefields was cause for amputations as a result of gunshot wounds and the ensuing sepsis (Stansbury et al. 2007). It appears that gunpowder caused the wounds which, in turn, caused sepsis which, in turn, caused the need for amputation, which, ironically could have been avoided by treating the wound with Gunpowder in the first place and thus avoiding the amputation. A crazy version of not quite “like cures like,” but as "same cures same," which in homeopathy is termed Isopathy.

If you have a pet who has a hard time with the fireworks, try Aconite (rhymes with “fright”) or, put a few drops of Bach Rescue Remedy in their water bowl.

Happy 4th of July and be careful of all those things that go BOOM!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* Potency article

Reference list
Anon., 2022. Sesame Street - How Crayons Are Made [online]. www.youtube.com.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia, 2003. Gunpowder summary [online].

Brown, O. H. and University of California Libraries, 1917. Asthma, presenting an exposition of the nonpassive expiration theory [online]. Internet Archive. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby company.

Chatterjee, T., n.d. My Random Notes on some Homeopathic Remedies Reprint. accessed through Radar Opus software.

Clarke, J. C., 2016a. Gunpowder As a War Remedy: A Work of Homeopathy. USA.

Compound Interest, 2015. The Chemistry of Fireworks | Compound Interest [online]. Compound Interest.

Culpeper, N., 1685. Culpeper’s Last Legacy [online]. openlibrary.org.

Graedon, J. and Graedon, T., 2010. ‘Sensitive’ toothpaste may help asthma. Chicago Tribune [online], 15 May 2010.

Mount Sinai, 2022. Sulfur Information | Mount Sinai - New York [online]. Mount Sinai Health System.

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

Park, G. D., 1986. Expanded Role of Charcoal Therapy in the Poisoned and Overdosed Patient. Archives of Internal Medicine [online], 146 (5), 969.

Pray, T. J. W., 1849. The Medicinal Properties of Sulphur. The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal [online], 40 (26), 521–523.

Schroyens, F., n.d. Synthesis Adonis. accessed through Radar Opus software.

Science, U. of H. at M. F., Program, H. N. and Program, H. N., 2020. Sulfur. pressbooks.oer.hawaii.edu [online].

Science Channel, 2020. How It’s Made: Fireworks. YouTube [online]. YouTube Video.

Stansbury, L. G., Branstetter, J. G. and Lalliss, S. J., 2007. Amputation in Military Trauma Surgery. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care [online], 63 (4), 940–944.

Further references — Homeopathy & Medicine
Casey, S., 2011. Gunpowder! Little-Known Remedy Packs a Wallop Against Wounds - Shirley Casey [online]. Hpathy.

Clarke, J. H., 2016b. Gunpowder. from Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke. Homeopathy. [online]. www.materiamedica.info.

Rxlist.com, 2021. Sulfur: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions [online]. RxList.

The Center for Homeopathy, n.d. The Discovery of the Therapeutic Uses of Gunpowder [online]. Center for Homeopathy.

Further reference list — Fireworks & Gunpowder
Foxhall, K., 2017. gunpowder – The Recipes Project [online]. Hypotheses.com.

Jennifer, 2017. Jennifer Evans [online]. Early Modern Medicine.

** This is a fun subscription service of science experiments for kids.
Mel Science, n.d. Magnesium fireworks [online]. MEL Science.

Science Made Fun, n.d. Fireworks and their Colors [online]. Sciencemadefun.net.

United States Geological Survey, 2020. What minerals produce the colors in fireworks? [online]. www.usgs.gov.

3/12/2022

Springing forward

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Here we go again. We’re springing forward. Whoo hoo! Enter your own favorite sarcastic noise or eye roll here.

Why do they insist on messing with our body clocks like this? Despite the books (Downing 2009; Prerau 2006) and articles I have read about Daylight Savings Time, I still can’t make heads nor tails of why we are still engaging in this ridiculousness. Alas.

25% of the human population (in more than 70 countries), (Folyovich et al. 2020) endures this nonsense twice a year — resulting in “negative health effects, with 150,000 incidences in the US, and 880,000 globally” (Zhang et al. 2020). Even the American Academy of Sleep Medicine agrees with me, stating, “It is, therefore, the position of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine that these seasonal time changes should be abolished in favor of a fixed, national, year-round standard time (Rishi et al. 2020).

Manfredini (et al. 2019) did a meta-analysis of Acute Myocardial Infarctions (heart attacks) and Daylight Savings and found the risk “increased significantly” after the spring shift. For further sleep deprivation research, see my previous article.

If you’re like me, it doesn’t matter if you attempt to mitigate these effects by going to bed early or sleeping in… it’s when your body tells you it’s one time and you look at your clock and it tells you it’s another time. Yuck.

Well, tomorrow morning (or afternoon — whenever the painful effects of this clock tinkering kick in), I plan on taking a dose of Hyland’s Awaken*: “Natural relief of fatigue, drowsiness and irritability.”

Awaken is a little bottle of relief. Relief after a lousy night’s sleep or after having to wake early for an appointment or after a fun late night out or even as a result of travel between small distances between time zones… as well as from being compliant with this silly clock changing thing. [Is it apparent that I find this a great annoyance?]

What causes this relief?
Let’s look at what is in Hyland's formulation and why they included these homeopathic remedies (all in X potencies):

Kali Phosphoricum
Known as “one of the greatest nerve remedies” (Murphy n.d.) and is one of the original 12 Schuessler Cell Salts. Cell Salts are composed from the basic minerals that cells require (Cell Salt Tissues 2022). Kali phos is helpful for drowsiness and yawning, forgetfulness and irritability.

Mezereum link to photo
Is a pretty little flower, aka Spurge Olive — this homeopathic remedy is made from a tincture of the fresh bark just before it flowers in the spring. Mezereum can help with mental dullness, irritability, laziness, yawning and sleepiness, in general.

Natrum muriaticum
Is simply common salt and is another of the original 12 cell salts. Nat Mur (as it’s known) is notable in terms of sleepiness in the late morning, mental dullness with sleepiness and weakness from loss of sleep. Nat Mur is also an excellent headache remedy — another possible symptom following not getting enough sleep.

Phosphoricum acidum
As a homeopathic remedy is amazingly helpful in “collapsed states” (Morrison 1993). Waking up is difficult and sleepy by day, gloomy, dull and weakness with the sleepiness.

Sepia
Great sleepiness during the day as results from an unrefreshing sleep (which is bound to be the case when the powers that be have goofed with our clocks!)

Staphysagria
Sleepiness with: difficulty opening your eyes, indigestion and an inclination to lying down. Murphy (n.d.) notes “violent yawning and stretching bring tears to the eye.”

Sulphur
Headaches, even migraines, from a loss of sleep and overpowering sleepiness (specifically while working).

Thuja occidentalis
Also addresses headaches and sleepiness as well as restlessness and tossing about during sleep.

Here’s to sweet dreams. Maybe if we all concentrate really hard we can make this clock changing thing disappear!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

If you suffer regularly from poor sleep, contact me to see if homeopathy may be of help to you.

* I have no affiliation with Hylands, I just like their product.
I usually like to provide a link for remedies, but Hylands.com no longer shows it. I see it is still available on lots of other websites, though. Hmmm. I hope Hyland’s is not taking this remedy away! The good thing about homeopathy, though, is you can make your own mixture based on the remedies and even tailor it to your specific needs.

Reference list
Cell Salt Tissues, 2022. Buy Schuessler Salts | Cell Salts Tissue Salts World [online].

Downing, M., 2009. Spring forward : the annual madness of daylight saving. Berkeley: Counterpoint.

Folyovich, A., Biczó, D., Jarecsny, T., Al-Muhanna, N., Jánoska, D., Béres-Molnár, K. A., Dudás, E., and Toldi, G., 2020. Daylight saving time and the incidence of thrombolysis to treat acute ischemic stroke. Revue Neurologique[online], 176 (5), 361–365.

Manfredini, R., Fabbian, F., Cappadona, R., De Giorgi, A., Bravi, F., Carradori, T., Flacco, M., and Manzoli, L., 2019. Daylight Saving Time and Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine [online], 8 (3), 404.

Morrison, R., 1993. Desktop guide to keynotes and confirmatory symptoms. Accessed through Radar Opus. Nevada City, Calif.: Hahnemann Clinic Pub.
Murphy, R., n.d. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. accessed through Radar Opus.

Prerau, D. S., 2006. Seize the daylight : the curious and contentious story of daylight saving time. New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press.

Rishi, M. A., Ahmed, O., Barrantes Perez, J. H., Berneking, M., Dombrowsky, J., Flynn-Evans, E. E., Santiago, V., Sullivan, S. S., Upender, R., Yuen, K., Abbasi-Feinberg, F., Aurora, R. N., Carden, K. A., Kirsch, D. B., Kristo, D. A., Malhotra, R. K., Martin, J. L., Olson, E. J., Ramar, K., and Rosen, C. L., 2020. Daylight saving time: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine [online].

Zhang, H., Dahlén, T., Khan, A., Edgren, G., and Rzhetsky, A., 2020. Measurable health effects associated with the daylight saving time shift. PLOS Computational Biology [online], 16 (6), e1007927.

1/28/2022

Stuck!

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I mentioned last time that our children always seemed to have made some emotional growth spurts following a big, acute illness and I wondered if that could be the case for me. Here’s what happened…

I could not budge my low-grade fever. No remedy made a dent. Period. I eventually contacted one of my previous instructors asking for help.

Her response: “something is stuck inside. Your symptoms are being too shy.”

Hmmm.

She recommended some Sulphur 30c.

Sulphur is an interesting remedy. It is often used to clear up/clean out the remnants of an acute illness. I had considered the idea, but given I was not at the end, I didn’t think it was time for me yet. The Father of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, used to begin every case with Sulphur because it was going to illicit some sort of a response in everybody.

Sulphur definitely pulled a little somethin’ somethin’ out of me. Immediately upon taking it (I mean immediately), I became so weak I had to abandon the shower I had just turned on. Within 5 minutes, I began weeping and the tears simply wouldn’t stop. For the first time since my illness began, I couldn’t get out of bed.

The tears eventually stopped and I was able to get out of bed again, but the fever remained. I wondered and pondered at what could be "stuck." December was a fraught month for me — it could have been any number of emotions that got stuck.

Anger was stuck.

I raged in my mind for hours one morning and I could literally feel the crud breaking up. My temperature dropped a bit but it soon went back up again.

So, I wrote and I wrote and I wrote. I raged and I raged again and I began to understand what was stuck inside of me. Again, I felt the crud breaking up. By the next morning, the fever was gone, for the first time in nearly 2 weeks.

Coincidence? Perhaps. But I had also worked through serious amounts of stagnant emotion and that can only be a good thing.

Was Sulphur the only remedy I needed? Nope.

Sulphur got things going.

Once I recognized anger as the culprit, Nux vomica was suggested and it made good sense, homeopathically speaking. Nux vomica is a major liver remedy and the liver, of course, is where that anger gets processed. But, Nux didn’t do much for me this time around.

Natrum muriaticum was suggested. Nat Mur is a well indicated remedy for ailments from anger. I only took 1 dose and it was abandoned in order to keep chasing the current symptoms.

Chamomilla was suggested and Chamomilla definitely did something. It was as if the Chamomilla opened the door to usher the anger through.

Then, it was suggested to take Bryonia alba in 3 ascending potencies. I took the first dose and the fever continued to improve, so I left it at that.
The next morning was when the fever was gone.

So, what’s left?

Fatigue is what’s left and a little dizziness. Turns out a low-level fever for 2 weeks and very little appetite takes its toll on a person’s energy.

So, was there emotional growth that happened for me?

Why, yes! There was some growth that happened!
Some emotional growth and some good homeopathic education, too!

10/21/2021

Ear Infections

Read Now

My little fellow and I once stayed home from a family trip after the doctor suggested if he were to get on a plane that there was a high likelihood of him suffering a burst eardrum. He had an ear infection, but he was still happy enough and playing and didn’t seem sick in any other way, but we decided to err on the side of caution and he and I stayed home and the others flew away.

We stayed on the ground and, yup, the eardrum burst. Awakening to a little one screaming in such terrible pain in the middle of the night is a frightening experience. The good news with a burst ear drum is that the pain can subside very quickly and he was able to sleep the rest of the night and was pretty much back to normal the next day.

I was lucky enough to never experience ear infections as a kid. I did, however, have an ear infection as an adult and, boy, did that give me a new level of compassion for any little person who is not able to explain what is happening and be able to ask for help.

I awakened with this ear pain, a few years after my son had his ear infection. I literally could not lift my head off the pillow … For hours and hours, I was stuck to the pillow. Any time I attempted to lift my head, the pain was so intense I had to put it right back down where it was.

It was a Sunday. For some reason, I had my Doctor of Oriental Medicine’s cell phone number. I called it and apologized for interrupting her day out hiking with her son and explained what was happening. She instructed me to send someone to Whole Foods to buy homeopathic Belladonna 30c and Similisan Ear Drop Relief ™ *.

Within 15 minutes I was able to lift my head off the pillow, pain free, for a few minutes. Then I had to put my head back down again. I took another dose of Belladonna and another drop in my ear and a few minutes later the whole thing was gone. Done. Over. By this time it was late afternoon and I was able to re-join the world and get up and make dinner for my family. (I don't know if it was the Belladonna or the drop that did the trick and, frankly, I don't care!)

Shocked is a good way to describe how I felt. How on earth did that possibly happen?

Let’s take a look at these homeopathic ear remedies and see how they likely helped.

Belladonna:
A Belladonna ear pain is sudden and intense, often throbbing or pulsating and the affected area may also be deep red in color and may have intense heat. The person most likely doesn’t want to move or be jostled. (You'll know this is the case if you sit down on the bed next to them and they object to you bumping the bed.) The pains are often better from pressure (like the benefit I was receiving from having my head on the pillow).

Similisan Ear Drop Relief contains homeopathic Chamomilla, Mercurius sol and Sulphur — all of which, like Belladonna, are highly indicated remedies for ear infections.

Chamomilla:
Someone in need of Chamomilla may exhibit irritability and anger with an abnormal sensitivity to pain. Restless and demanding, and the ears may feel stopped up or they may be experiencing a roaring in the ears. They may feel as if hot water is running out of the ear.

Mercurius sol:
A Mercurius sol ear infection may involve boils or a discharge which may be offensive or painful and these pains may particularly make themselves known at night.

Sulphur:
A Sulphur ear infection may also involve boils or discharges and may have sharp, tearing or burning pains.

If you or your child is suffering from this terrible pain and you require further help, book an acute appointment now!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical Homeopathy

#wellnessawaits
#homeopathycanhelp

* I have no affiliation with this company, I just like their products.

Studies on Homeopathy and Ear Infections (Acute Otitis Media)

A small study out of India showed homeopathy to be an effective treatment for acute otitis media and found the symptomatic improvement was quicker with homeopathy.

A large, international study found that homeopathic treatment for acute ear complaints was not inferior to conventional treatment and found onset of improvement significantly faster in the homeopathic group for both adults and children.

Using homeopathic eardrops in addition to standard therapy for children with acute otitis media was found to be moderately effective and a useful adjunct to standard therapy.

230 children received individualized homeopathy: pain control was achieved in 39% of patients after 6 hours, another 33% after 12 hours with a resolution rate 2.4 times faster than in placebo controls.

Ruminating on Remedies

Julia Coyte, CHom

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