Homeopathic self-help
The following paragraphs contain information about a number of illnesses and homeopathic remedies that can be tried in self-help.
In order to find a homeopathic remedy, read through all the remedies listed for the illness you suffer from and see which one describes your symptoms best.
However, in many cases it will be necessary to consult a professional homeopath who has several thousand remedies to choose from.
To prescribe homeopathically it is necessary to follow two important rules:
- The Law of Similars means that the patient's symptoms have to be matched as closely as possible to the symptom picture of the remedy.
- The Law of the Minimum Dose means that only the smallest amount possible should be used to stimulate the patient's own healing energies.
If you are under treatment with a homeopath please contact him or her before self-prescribing.
Homeopathic remedies are available from many pharmacies and health food stores. They can also be ordered by telephone or mail order from homeopathic pharmacies, and can help with the following:
Open AllClose All- Anxiety
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering from anxiety. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Argentum nitricum
Arg nit is indicated in people who get anxious when anticipating an event or test. The anxiety causes bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea, possibly even vomiting. The patient feels much better in company and dislikes being alone. They feel much worse in hot rooms and will be better in the open air (or with windows wide open). They will crave sweets that may cause diarrhoea. They are hurried, agitated and impulsive and may do (or think of doing) foolish things. There is a great fear of high places and even looking at high buildings may cause vertigo.Gelsemium sempervirens
Gelsemium is indicated in people who start trembling or become weak (almost like a paralysis) with anxiety when anticipating an event or a test. They suffer from heaviness of the limbs or the head (may need to hold the head up with hands), even the eyelids droop. There may be diarrhoea. The patient feels much better when left alone. This is also a good remedy for people suffering from flu when the typical heaviness, weakness and aching muscles are present.Rhus toxicodendron
Rhus is indicated in people who feel anxiety and apprehension at night, about family and loved ones or for unknown reasons, causing restless sleep. They cannot get comfortable in any position and may be driven out of bed. The mind is restless and jumps from subject to subject. The patient will feel much better in dry, warm weather and will be miserable in damp, cold weather. This is also a good remedy for people who suffer from joint pains which are worse in damp, cold weather.- Arthritis
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering from arthritis. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Aconite
Aconite is indicated for people who suffer sudden and severe joint pains that appear in a matter of minutes, usually after exposure to cold or cold, dry wind and after getting chilled. The inflammation can be so intense that there is a general and high fever. The affected joints feel hot and are very sensitive to touch.Apis
Apis is indicated for people whose affected joints are hot, red, shiny and look very swollen and inflamed (like a bee-sting). The pain is sudden and sharp or more particularly burning. There is sensitivity to touch and motion. The pain is markedly relieved from cold applications.Bryonia
Bryonia is indicated for patients whose pains are excruciating and are made much worse by the slightest movement or touch. The patient is likely to want to lie very still and be left completely alone. The pain may be lessened from lying on the painful side. The onset may be caused by becoming cold, especially after over-heating.Colchicum
Colchicum is indicated in patients when the affected joints are swollen and extremely sensitive to touch and the slightest motion. The onset is from a change of weather, usually to damp and cold weather.Ledum
Ledum is indicated in patients when the painful area is swollen, looks pale or even blue and may feel cold to the touch. The pain is much eased by cold application (over-the-counter cooling gels) or cold bathing. The pain is much worse for warmth, especially the warmth of bed.Rhus toxicodendron
Rhus is the main remedy for people suffering all forms of rheumatic joint pain. The pain and stiffness is much worse in the morning on waking and during cold and cold, damp weather. The patient feels restless and is inclined to move. The pains are worse at the beginning of movements, but are markedly eased after continued movements. The pains are also much lessened from warmth, e.g. warmth of bed.- Cystitis
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering from cystitis. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Cantharis
Canth is the main remedy to think of for people suffering intense pain. The pain is burning before, during and/or after urination. The urine can be so scalding that the whole external area becomes raw. Splashing the area with cold water often brings temporary relief. The urine may contain blood. There is constant urging, even if only a few drops can be passed. The pain makes the patient fell restless and anxious.Nux vomica
Nux vom is indicated for people suffering from frequent urging who can pass only small amounts of highly concentrated urine, leaving them with the feeling that the bladder is still full. There may be urging to stool whilst trying to pass urine. The pain may have come on after over-work or over-partying, or after anger. The patient may be irritable, restless and impatient, always on the go.Sarsaparilla
Sars is indicated for people when the pain is worst at the end of urination, as the last few drops are passed. Urination is copious and can contain sediment or little gritty stones. There may be slight urinary incontinence. The patient may feel better passing urine when standing. There may be a strange feeling as if air was passed with the urination.Staphisagria
Staph is indicated for people suffering from "honeymoon cystitis" as symptoms occur after sex (not just during the honeymoon!). The burning pain can last for a long time after urination and there is a feeling as if the bladder cannot be emptied completely. Urination may stop and start in short bursts.- Flu and Bird 'flu
It is important to keep in mind that homeopathy can help patients who suffer from any kind of infection, viral or bacterial.
With the current threat of a flu epidemic there are many requests for homeopathic help. There are a number of remedies that can help people who suffer with the symptoms of flu. But often prevention is better and you are advised to see a qualified homeopath to boost your immune system before you 'go down' with the flu.
Helios pharmacy provide more information about remedies to use as homeopathic prophylaxis as well as when the flu has struck.
- Hay fever
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering from hay fever. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Allium cepa
The hay fever is characterised by a profuse watery discharge from both eyes and nose. Especially the nose seems to be dripping constantly ("like a faucet"). The nasal discharge is acrid and may make the nose and the upper lip raw and sore. Often there is a frontal headache accompanying the hay fever. All symptoms are much better in the open air, and worse in warm rooms and in the evenings.Euphrasia
Euphrasia is particularly helpful when the eyes are becoming inflamed. The eyes seem to be watering the whole time, causing a lot of blinking. The eyelids are swollen and may be glued together in the mornings. There is a profuse but bland, watery discharge from the nose. There may be a bursting, throbbing headache. All symptoms are worse in the evening and better for open air, but the patient will dislike any wind or even light breezes.Gelsemium
This type of hay fever is accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness and weakness, almost like flu. The sneezing causes exhaustion. The patient feels weak and heavy and the eyelids may be drooping with heaviness.Pulsatilla
The discharges from the nose and eyes are bland and thick and often yellow or greenish. The eyes may be very itchy, which will be much relieved from cold applications. Although being chilly, the patient will feel much better for cold air, preferably from air conditioning, as it does not contain pollens.Sabadilla
Sabadilla is indicated when spasmodic, violent attacks of sneezing are the main symptoms of hay fever. The patient is extremely sensitive to odours and even thinking of the smell of flowers can set off a sneezing attack. The patient is very chilly and enjoys hot drinks. They are much worse being outside and like to wrap up in a warm room.Wyethia
Wyethia is indicated in hay fever that comes with a marked dryness of the mouth and throat, causing tremendous itching, which may extend to the ears. The itching is so bad that the patient will try to scratch the palate by moving the tongue back and forth over it. They may bore with their fingers in their ears to relieve itching there.- Menopause
The following remedies can be of help for women during the menopause. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Graphites
Graphites is indicated for women whose vagina is very dry and can feel hot and burning. Often there is an aversion to sex. The uterus may feel as if it is falling out of the vagina. The external female organs may have eczema-like eruptions. Often the skin all over the body is dry and cracks easily. The woman may be depressed and irresolute. She may feel very anxious and weepy.Sepia
Sepia is indicated for the woman who desires to be alone and appears to have lost all interest in her family or in other joys. She dislikes consolation and gets angry when contradicted. She has an aversion to sex. She has a feeling of heaviness and feels exhausted easily. Even the eyelids feel heavy. There may be prolapse of the uterus or the uterus may feel heavy as if it is going to fall out. She may be very chilly. There may be left-sided headaches with blurred vision.- Migraines
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering from migraines. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Belladonna
Belladonna is for people suffering the most intense, throbbing pain. There can be a bounding pulse in the head and throat, each throb causing a sharp pain. The migraine comes on suddenly. The pain is worse at night or for motion but it is particularly made worse by sunlight and heat. Hands and feet may be icy cold during the migraine. The eyes might be glistening and the pupils can be enlarged.Bryonia
Bryonia is indicated for people suffering dull, heavy pains that are made worse by even the slightest movement. It is indicated for people whose migraines require being completely still. There can be nausea or vertigo on attempting to sit up. Pain is better with firm pressure applied to it, such as lying on the painful side of the head. The patient is likely to be extremely irritable and is best left completely alone.Calcarea carbonica
Calc carb can be useful for people suffering from chronic migraines brought on from over-worry or mental exertion and made worse by the cold and damp. The pain is also made worse by stooping or ascending stairs. The pain is relieved by holding the head firmly or by binding the head.Natrum muriaticum
Nat mur is indicated for those patients where there is a feeling of a band around the head, or as if one point inside the head is being hit with a hammer. There can be vomiting with the headache and visual disturbances. The headache is worse in the mornings or evenings, as well as for sunlight, heat or during menstruation. The headache is relieved with cold application and lying down in a dark room.Nux vomica
Nux vom can be helpful for people when the migraines are brought on from overwork, stress, anger, noise, smells or alcohol. The pain is relieved by warmth and from lying down on the painless side. The migraine can be worse during menstruation. The patient is likely to be irritable and impatient.Sanguinaria
Sanguinaria can be indicated for people suffering from migraines which come with indigestion and burning in the stomach. There may be vomiting with the headache. There can be throbbing and burning pains in the head. Pains are lessened after vomiting and after sleep. The migraine is worse in the day, from sunlight and from noise. The pain may start in the right shoulder or neck and radiate to the right eye and right side of the forehead.- PMT and menstrual symptoms
The following remedies can be of help for women suffering PMT and menstrual symptoms. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is indicated when the woman is very weepy. She feels much better in company and when being consoled. She feels worse in stuffy rooms and will be much better when outside in the open air, even if she is a little chilly. Symptoms and pains are very changeable and wander between different parts or sides of the body. There are gastrointestinal complaints with nausea and diarrhoea (or alternating with constipation), and backache before menses. There is no thirst, often despite a dry feeling in the mouth.Bryonia
Bryonia is indicated for women whose headaches and nosebleeds are associated with their periods. There are sharp pains in the ovaries extending to the thighs, causing the woman to inhale sharply. She wants to be left in peace and will usually be better for a quiet rest, drawing the knees up to press against the abdomen or lying on the painful side. She is usually very thirsty for large drinks of cold water. She will be worse for heat.Colocynthis
Colocynthis is indicated for the woman who suffers sharp, stabbing pains or waves of violent cutting pains which cause her to twist and bend and which can cause vomiting. The pain is relieved by hard pressure (e.g. bending double). She is very angry and easily vexed. She may be worse after the least food and better for gentle movements (e.g. rocking).- Sleeplessness
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering insomnia. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Coffea cruda
Coffea is indicated for people suffering from insomnia after excitement or strong emotions (e.g. anger, fright, joy, falling in love). The mind is racing with uncontrollable thoughts, they are constantly planning and theorizing. There is a general overexcitement of all senses, causing them to wake from the slightest noise. There can be an oversensitivity to pains, driving them to despair (e.g. toothache, headache as if a nail was driven into the side of the head).Ignatia amara
Ignatia is indicated for people who suffer insomnia or excessive sleepiness after grief, disappointed love or anger. They will greatly dislike any consolation and prefer to be alone to brood. There can be hysteria with alternating laughing and crying. There is often excessive sighing, yawning or nervous coughing. The patient may feel a constant lump in the throat. They may develop little tics or spasms. Smelling tobacco or coffee and eating sweets makes them feel worse.Rhus toxicodendron
Rhus is indicated for people who feel anxiety and apprehension at night, about family and loved ones or for unknown reasons, causing restless sleep. They cannot get comfortable in any position and may be driven out of bed. The mind is restless and jumps from subject to subject. The patient will feel much better in dry, warm weather and will be miserable in damp, cold weather. This is also a good remedy for people who suffer joint pains which are worse in damp, cold weather.- Sports injury
The following remedies can be of help for people suffering from sports and exercise related injury. Contact a qualified homeopath or health practitioner if symptoms persist.
Arnica montana
Arnica should be given as soon as possible after any physical trauma, e.g. from falls, blows or head injuries. It is indicated for people who suffer from bleeding wounds, swellings and inflammation. It is very useful for people suffering from shock, especially when the patients say that they are fine, when they are obviously not! There is a sore, bruised pain and the patients sleep badly because the bed seems too hard or lumpy.Bellis perennis
Bellis is indicated for people suffering from deep bruising of soft tissue. Use it after Arnica if Arnica has not completely reduced the swellings and pains.Bryonia
Bryonia is indicated for people suffering any injury which feels unbearably worse for any movement (even moving an uninjured part of the body). The pains are only relieved by absolute rest and from strong pressure, e.g. tight bandaging. The patients are very irritable and impatient with their treatment or recovery. They feel best if they are left completely on their own.Calendula officinalis
Calendula in tincture (diluted) is a very good antiseptic wash for any skin injury. Internally it helps people who need help with skin healing, e.g. after abrasions and with inflammation.Rhus toxicodendron
Rhus is indicated for people suffering injuries, e.g. from overlifting, and joint pains which leave them feeling extremely stiff. They do not feel better for rest but are constantly inclined to move around. The pains are worse for first movement but get less with continued movement until exhaustion sets in. The pains are much relieved by hot baths but feel much worse in damp, cold weather and in the night.Ruta graveolens
Ruta is indicated in for people with injuries that involve cartilage, tendons or ligaments, e.g. from overuse. The pain feels bruised, sore and aching and is relieved by rubbing and massage. There is a sensation of lameness and weariness. The pain can be worse for lying or sitting but, unlike with Rhus, the patients can find positions in which they are comfortable to rest.Symphytum
Symphytum helps patients with fractures for the broken bones to set more quickly and to reduce the pain associated with fractures. Use it after Arnica and after the fracture has been set. In people with fractures, Symphytum may need to be repeated once daily for two weeks, possibly longer.- How to take homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic remedies are very sensitive and should be handled carefully. Avoid touching the tablets. Do not return any tablets that have been spilled to the bottle. Shake one tablet onto the lid of the bottle and place it under the tongue of the patient. Homeopathic remedies should be sucked and not swallowed. Ideally they should be taken in a 'clean' mouth, that means the mouth should be free from food, drink, toothpaste, cigarette smoke etc. for about 15 minutes before and after taking the remedy. Keep homeopathic remedies in their tightly closed containers in a cool and dry environment away from strong smelling substances.
- How often and how many tablets should be taken
Remedies that can be bought in high-street pharmacies and healthfood shops are usually available in the potencies 6c and 30c. The higher the number the stronger the energetic impact ('potency') of the remedy. Either available potency is fine but the lower potency (6c) may need to be repeated more frequently.
Once the symptom picture of the patient is matched to the picture of a remedy give a single tablet of that remedy. If no improvement occurs within a few hours (in severe cases with a lot of pain within 15 minutes), give another dose. This can be repeated for up to four doses. If still no improvement occurs then the choice of remedy is likely to be wrong. Try to look at the symptoms again to see if another remedy has a closer match.
Once improvement occurs, stop taking the remedy.
If the symptoms return as they were before, repeat the remedy in another single dose, taking one tablet. (If the symptoms are altered it may be necessary to look at another remedy.) In severe cases it is likely that the remedy will need to be repeated frequently. However, the time between these repetitions will increase as the body's healing energies become stronger and stronger.
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As a young baby my son was treated with antibiotics from my GP which caused a reaction in his skin leading to eczema and infection. For 2 years we struggled on in a vicious cycle using antibiotic and steroid creams. Following the 1st homeopathic treatment by Petra his skin cleared dramatically with the level of bacterial infection reduced and a considerable reduction in scratching, allowing the skin to heal.