A Healthy Autumn

The month of October and changing season bring to mind memories of Colorado—that portion of Earth now residing in my heart. Now that I’m a homeopath, experiences as they relate to health have perspective and make sense. In Colorado, I remember knowing when a storm was coming, because I could “feel it in my bones.” I didn’t need a weather report. I didn’t need to look outside. I knew a day or two before anyone else, without fail. As a homeopath, I know that my feelings of being a “human barometer” reflected my constitution at that time. It is the type of symptom I consider when working with someone to strengthen and rebalance his or her immune system and defense mechanism.

It might surprise those of you not affected by changes in the weather to learn about the number of people who are, and the variety of symptoms that result. During this time of year I hear complaints of headaches, earaches, toothaches, sore throats, sinusitis, diarrhea, frequent urination, ovarian pain, nasal congestion, hoarseness, loss of voice, asthma, coughs, chest oppression, chest pain, backaches, arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, scar tissue that becomes painful, skin eruptions, restlessness, bone pain, wounds that become painful, mental and emotional symptoms, colds and hay fever, sleeplessness and even autumn fevers—all related to the seasonal weather and temperature changes. Some of these symptoms occur during each fluctuation in the weather. Some are brought on from a cool night after a warm day.

The problems described above, if recurrent, are constitutional and will improve under the care of a professionally trained homeopath. In this article, however, I will introduce you to three remedies that might be indicated during the acute phase of a constitutional problem.

Rhus toxicodendren is a homeopathic remedy that is commonly indicated for problems related to weather changes. The person needing this remedy will be tremendously restless day and night. This is a physical as well as an internal restlessness, and he or she won’t be able to find rest in any position. (This restlessness is a characteristic symptom, and thus one of the most important in terms of indicating this remedy.) Dreams often involve great exertion, such as rowing, swimming, working hard at his or her daily occupation and roaming over fields. Symptoms (mental and physical) will be worse at night. Cares and worries are worse at night (because the person is at rest). The person and his or her symptoms will feel better with continued motion. Cold and damp weather will make symptoms worse, as will getting wet, especially after being overheated. There will be a desire to stretch, especially during sciatica, backache or rheumatic pains, and stretching out the affected parts helps. This is one of the remedies that is helpful for herpetic eruptions, especially around the mouth. With skin symptoms, often the person will tell you that the only thing that helps the burning and itching is heat and hot water. (Think about it: With these modalities, you’ve got poison oak licked.) Headaches start off with cervical stiffness. The sore throat and hoarseness will be better from talking. (Talking equals motion, which ameliorates, remember?)

Dulcamara is indicated for ailments resulting from exposure to cold, wet weather or a sudden weather change from warm to cold or from dry to moist—especially in the autumn, with its warm days and cold nights. This remedy has helped rheumatic affections, colds, diarrhea, cystitis (bladder infections), asthma, spasmodic coughs, urticaria (hives), sciatica, neck stiffness, backache, glandular swellings, inflammation of the tonsils and catarrhal ailments brought on by these situations. Colds settle in the eyes, bladder, bowels or bronchi; mucous secretions are excessive, thick and yellow. There is much chilliness, and the person is susceptible to cold, as well as cold, wet weather. Motion in general and motion of any affected part helps, because the person becomes warmer. Frequently, the person needing this remedy is domineering, strong-minded and possessive, especially with family. He or she can be quarrelsome or scolding without being angry. He or she will be anxious about other people, but in order to keep them under control, rather than out of dependency or fear. The person’s disposition does not have to fit this description in order for the remedy to help, as long as the other characteristics of the remedy are present.

Ranunculus bulbosus has an affinity especially for the nerves, thorax and skin. It is frequently indicated in alcoholism, and it is one of our most effective remedies for the bad effects of alcoholic beverages—headache, spasmodic hiccough, fears, quarrelsomeness, confusion, ascending sensations, eructations (burps), etc. The person is very chilly, and is worse with cold, damp, stormy weather. A change of weather can bring on headaches, rheumatic pains, neuralgia of the chest, spine and ovaries, or vertigo. Motion makes this person and his or her symptoms worse (the reverse modality of Rhus toxicodendron). People needing this remedy may experience a faintness before eating. Pains are stitching and shooting. Sometimes pains are described as a bruised soreness or as of deep ulceration. This is the main remedy for pain along the inner (or lower) margin of the left scapula (shoulder blade) resulting from needlework, typing, and piano-playing. Any professional who sits bent at his or her work and experiences this left-scapular pain, such as shoemakers, needleworkers and writers, will find relief with homeopathic Ranunculus. This remedy has also been successfully used in herpes zoster that was preceded or followed by intercostal (between the ribs) neuralgia. Vesicles have a dark or bluish appearance, with great itching and burning. Intercostal rheumatism (or neuralgia) is mainly left-sided. The chest is sore and bruised, and it is worse with touch, wet, stormy weather, and motion—especially on turning the body. Intercostal pain remaining after pneumonia or pleurisy that is worse from a change of weather has also been helped.

Remain under your doctor’s care while taking a remedy that appears indicated for a serious problem. Homeopathic remedies will not interfere with your physician’s prescription; the correct remedy will, however, speed your healing and often shorten the course of or even remove the need for medication.

Space-permitting, there are other remedies I would cover. If I’ve succeeded in piquing your curiosity, however, and the remedy you need hasn’t been described in this article, I recommend purchasing (or borrowing a library copy of) a self-help homeopathic acute care book to continuing learning.