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.

I first became acquainted with homeopathic remedies in early 1980 through Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats (by Richard Pitcairn and Susan Hubble Pitcairn). At the time, I had enough pets to qualify for a Permanent Home for Animals on our five acres in Colorado, and I fed and treated my charges as naturally as possible. A local veterinarian was open-minded enough to provide just the right support, so I had ample opportunity to treat health problems alternatively.

In his book, Pitcairn uses a variety of methods to treat pet health problems. Utilizing homeopathic remedies was among them. One of my first experiences with the power of homeopathy was in the treatment of hip dysplasia in Sherman, my large, then three-year-old dog.

By conventional standards, our veterinarian expected Sherman to be unable to walk by the age of six. I studied Pitcairn’s book and followed the treatments recommended for hip dysplasia, postponing conventional care while still under the veterinarian’s supervision. By the time I discovered Pitcairn’s book, I had already been utilizing other natural treatments mentioned by him: Nutrition and vitamin supplementation, herbology, naturopathy, manual therapies, acupressure and oriental medicine and flower essences. This was to be my first introduction to homeopathy.

Over time, I started treating myself and family with homeopathic remedies, as well. After a few years, I found that I was using homeopathy as an “alternative” treatment more and more exclusively, on both my family and my pets. A side effect of this was that in treating our acute symptoms homeopathically, not only did we recover more quickly from each illness, but we became healthier. Our doctor and veterinarian communications were soon left to “healthy” check-ups. Both doctors watched as the health of our two-legged and four-legged family members changed direction over the years.

With the onset of school, combined with the upcoming seasonal change, some adults and children tend to “catch” colds and flus from one another. (This is the time for those who consider themselves a skeptic to try homeopathy.) When I started treating my flu symptoms homeopathically, the response was (to me) incredible and most welcome. You can get the same results that I did in my early days with homeopathy.

Following are six homeopathic remedies commonly indicated in the treatment of influenza (the “flu”). If you don’t find your symptoms listed below, you probably need a remedy which I haven’t covered in this article. Keep in mind that the symptoms listed are “true” symptoms—i.e, the original disease symptoms before taking over-the-counter or prescribed medicines. For example, if you initially had a stuffy nose that changed to a runny nose after using a decongestant, the “stuffy” nose is the more important symptom to consider when searching for a remedy. (There are exceptions to this, but they are beyond the scope of this article.)

1. The person needing Arsenicum album is restless, fearful, aching and irritable. He or she will sip water and prefer warm over cold drinks. The smell and possibly even the sight of food will be disturbing. Pains are burning, and the person is usually worse after midnight.
2. Bryonia is indicated for “The Bear.” (Doesn’t that conjure up an image?) The person will be irritable, quiet and want to be left alone. Symptoms come on gradually. A cough may accompany this flu, and the person may hold his or her chest during the cough due to chest pain. Usually joints are described as aching, rather than just muscles. Motion in any form will make the person feel worse. He or she will have a dry mouth and lips, and will be very thirsty—for large amounts at one time.
3. Have you ever been so achy during a flu that you felt like your bones were broken? In this situation, consider Eupatorium perfoliatum. The person will experience a deep aching in the bones, and even the eyeballs are sore. He or she may feel “wiped out,” unable to exert the least effort. The person is thirsty for cold water, especially as the chill begins to come on (which, if you think about it, is an odd symptom).
4. Gelsemium is a remedy frequently indicated for the flu. Think of the four “D’s”: Droopy, drowsy, dizzy, dull. Gelsemium symptoms come on gradually: The chills, aching, lassitude and fever. The person needing this remedy will be thirstless. He or she will be apathetic and indifferent to life, lying quietly due to weakness. The person will describe a feeling of heaviness, and you will notice how his or her eyelids are droopy. Sometimes the face is flushed.
5. Nux vomica can be indicated when a cold has developed into a flu. The person will be irritable, chilly, sensitive to noise and odors, worse from cold or open air, and better by lying down and from warmth. Despite sometimes sweating under the covers, this person will remain covered, rather than tossing the covers off and on as his or her temperature fluctuates. A stuffy nose at night and in the open air which drips during the day and in a warm room are additional symptoms which might be present. Overstraining the system from stimulants and overwork to loss of sleep can bring on a Nux vomica state.
6. The person needing a few doses of Phosphorus usually won’t show the severity of the illness. Think of this remedy when a child with a fever of 104 degrees continues to play happily. Colds that go down into the chest, accompanied by a dry, tight cough, often respond to Phosphorus. The person will be thirsty for ice cold drinks, but may vomit them within 15 minutes. Laryngitis, with or without pain, can be a symptom of a Phosphorus flu, and the person might even lose his or her voice completely.

A common response to a correct remedy can include a burst of “healing” energy, and, if expended before fully recovered, the person runs the risk of relapsing and substantially slowing his or her convalescence. If you find a remedy which helps your symptoms, it is best to continue to rest and give yourself at least 24 hours more nurturing than you think you need.

How did I get from Sherman’s hip dysplasia to the flu? Both came early in my homeopathic experience. (People who know me won’t have wondered.)

By the way, Sherman recovered from hip dysplasia and lived to a ripe old age.

Last month, I began the story of a graduation party, in which the characters are named after various homeopathic remedies and their personalities based upon that particular remedy’s “picture.” This is the continuation of that two-installment story.

Mr. Lycopodium guided Mr. Aurum to the food table, and then he looked towards the podium. He knew it would soon be time to give his speech, and he had been nervous about it for several weeks. He was prepared, though, and despite his anxiety he knew he would do fine.

Mr. Causticum and his niece, Calcarea phosphorica, had offered to be in charge of the barbecue. More than any other guests at the party, they loved smoked foods.

Calcarea phosphorica was always unhappy and discontented. She had been an irritable baby, requiring constant attention, and she didn’t start walking until very late. She often had growing pains that were especially worse during the night. In addition, not only did her teeth come in with difficulty as a toddler and much later than her siblings, but they seemed to decay as soon as they erupted. One of the soft spots on her head had never closed. When ill, she would crave bacon rind. She was often weak, exhausted and fatigued after an illness, and Mr. Causticum thought she appeared to be bored and unhappy most of the time. Her mother complained that she frequently had to stay home from school due to headaches or stomach pain. (This is why she had been available to go to Mr. Lycopodium’s graduation party.)

Calcarea phosphorica’s uncle, Mr. Causticum, shared the reputation of being very sympathetic with Miss Phosphorus. Despite this, however, he had trouble staying patient with whining and crying children. Usually Calcarea phosphorica’s friendly and open personality was enjoyable, but she would just as often complain that nothing was right. Looking at her uncle, she remembered that he had been quite handsome, with his dark hair and dark eyes, before the cold wind paralyzed one side of his face. She also knew he still wet his bed at times, especially if he got cold during the night. (He was a chilly chap, after all.)

Mr. Causticum was preoccupied with his own thoughts. He didn’t mind tending the barbecue, as he was sensitive about his warts, which were around his nails and on his eyelids, face and nose (and, as a child, on his toes). Mr. Causticum made sure he had a glass of ice water nearby, as he was just getting over a cough, which the ice water would promptly stop. If he got to his water too late, however, the act of coughing would cause a leakage of urine. (This appeared to be a problem with sneezing, walking or blowing his nose, as well.) He had a touch of laryngitis left and was still hoarse, so he welcomed the opportunity to not socialize.

Mr. Causticum’s rheumatism was particularly bad today, and he felt that familiar raw, burning pain not only in his joints but in his throat. Thinking of his pain made him remember Mrs. Causticum describing the heartburn she experienced during pregnancy as raw and burning, too. Unfortunately, Mr. Causticum lost Mrs. Causticum and his baby daughter during a difficult birth. No one at the party had suffered due to grief more than Mr. Causticum or Mrs. Ignatia, although Mrs. Ignatia’s loss was recent, and Mr. Causticum had been worn down from the prolonged effects of grief.

Speaking of Mrs. Ignatia, Miss Phosphorus, who was still visiting with Mrs. Ignatia, knew a little about her new friend from her previous talks with Mr. Natrum muriaticum (who was, you will remember, Mrs. Ignatia’s late husband). Mr. Natrum muriaticum, with whom Miss Phosphorus had worked, had been the only one to salt his food at the lunch cafeteria. Mr. Natrum muriaticum had always been a reserved person. On one rare occasion during lunch, however, Mr. Natrum muriaticum uncharacteristically opened up to Miss Phosphorus in response to her sympathetic listening.

That was the day that Mr. Natrum muriaticum described his wife as contradictory. He told Miss Phosphorus that Mrs. Ignatia always expectd Mr. Natrum muriaticum to be perfect, while she was frequently moody. He had said that Mrs. Ignatia would often laugh and cry at the same time. While many people thought that Mrs. Ignatia had a brittle manner, Mr. Natrum muriaticum had said that his wife was actually extremely sensitive and found it difficult to express her emotions. That was something the two of them had in common. Mr. Natrum muriaticum said that Mrs. Ignatia was “high strung,” with high ideals and expectations, and when things went wrong she would often blame herself. Miss Phosphorus, in line with her compassionate, thoughtful nature, decided to talk about light subjects that would not add to Mrs. Ignatia’s feelings of loss.

Mr. Nux vomica had arrived. This morning he woke up feeling like he had a hangover, so he walked directly to the coffee station to get a cup of caffeinated coffee. Then he scanned the refreshment tables for spicy foods and gleefully eyed chili peppers and a curry dish. As with alcohol, despite enjoying spicy foods, he often suffered after eating them. Mr. Nux vomica selected a variety of rich, fatty foods, which he ate at every meal. Unlike Miss Pulsatilla, he was able to easily digest fats and rich foods.

Grabbing an additional cup of coffee, he hurried over to sit with Miss Calcarea and offered it to her. She didn’t like coffee and politely declined. Mr. Nux vomica exploded angrily, “How could anyone not like coffee!” Offended, he took his seat in another sunny area, as he was always chilly. Miss Calcarea felt hurt by his remark and tone; she was quite impressionable and sensitive, a stereotypical co-dependent. She withdrew from the others because his remark embarrassed her, and she was afraid the other guests would notice. Placidly following Mr. Nux vomica with her eyes as he walked away, she noticed how lean and tense-looking he was, although he did look quite dapper. If only he wasn’t so irascible!

Mr. Arsenicum was beginning to get impatient, as the speech should have already started. People generally thought of him as the “gold headed cane” gentleman, as he was always thin, stylish and well-groomed. Mr. Arsenicum was always deeply pessimistic, and worried about his own and his family’s health. No matter who he spoke to at the party, he eventually talked about his health, desiring reassurance. While he could often look elegant and had great finesse, Mr. Arsenicum’s criticism and intolerance of disorder and imprecision made it difficult for most people to feel comfortable in his presence. Besides that, he was always worried about getting poisoned from bad food or pollution.

In the meantime, Miss Pulsatilla had returned to the refreshment table with the pastries and rich foods. Decisions had always been so hard for her! She felt especially weepy today, because she was premenstrual. Otherwise, she would have joined Mr. Lycopodium to assist with last-minute greetings, as she made friends easily and had the reputation of being a sweet-natured, shy, kind and yielding person. She hoped she could refrain from crying today. Her mother had always described her as an emotionally sensitive person, but Mr. Lycopodium, in his condescending way, often called her a cry-baby. It was so hard for her to not become tearful at affairs such as this! She took a piece of cake but decided not to eat the whipped cream topping, as it would inevitably make her feel nauseated. Miss Pulsatilla headed for her seat, just as she caught a glimpse of Mr. Lycopodium heading for the podium.

At the podium, Mr. Lycopodium surveyed all of his guests, who were looking at him. He savored feeling powerful with their admiration and respect. Yes, he thought, the party was going quite well.

I’m going to stray from my usual description of remedies and have some fun with animating them as people at a party. Homeopaths often affectionately think of remedies as people—the nature and thus curative power of remedies are known, after all, by their effects on healthy people (“provings”). The symptoms accumulated about each remedy in homeopathic literature are so vast that, if I described a well-proven remedy to you, it would seem like I was describing a person. My remedy “person” would have physical, mental, emotional and spiritual characteristics—the same as any other person.

I’ve decided to take you to a party scene of homeopathic remedy “people.” (Part 2 will follow next month.) Don’t be surprised if you recognize someone you know—or even yourself! In the story that follows, I will continue to round out the remedy pictures from my previous articles so homeopathy buffs will want to pay close attention.

After years of studying, Mr. Lycopodium finally felt like he was “someone.” He would be able to hide his low self-esteem behind his degree. No one knew the truth about how insecure he was, as his common exaggeration of the truth made him appear powerful to people. And how Mr. Lycopodium loved power! (Miss Pulsatilla remembered that Mr. Lycopodium was the school bully when growing up. He always picked on the children in the lower grades, but never anyone his own age or older. Unfortunately, being his younger sister, Miss Pulsatilla was among those upon whom he picked.)

Before guests arrived, Mr. Lycopodium checked the food. Due to his digestive complaints, he made sure that there were no cabbage, onion or bean dishes for the party. It would be embarrassing to be flatulent today! Most of all, he made sure that plenty of sweets were available. He couldn’t imagine a meal without sweets. Even when Mr. Lycopodium rushed out the door each morning with a piece of toast for breakfast, he made sure that it was slathered with a sweet jam.

The party was being held out of doors, as Mr. Lycopodium didn’t like enclosed spaces or crowds. This would ensure there would be plenty of space for his guests, without making Mr. Lycopodium feel claustrophobic. He couldn’t tolerate being in a stuffy atmosphere, so having the party indoors had been out of the question. And, knowing he always felt worse at 4:00 in the afternoon, he scheduled the party so that his guests would all be gone by 3:30 p.m.

Miss Pulsatilla, who was helping with the party, noticed how tall her brother had grown and how sallow his skin appeared. The vertical frown lines above his nose had gotten quite deep over the years, and his gray hair, which started prematurely, was quite noticeable in the sunlight. Even Mr. Lycopodium’s dog had premature graying around its muzzle.

In turn Mr. Lycopodium was viewing his sister, but with a critical eye, and he noticed how she was a bit plump. Her hair was as fair as ever, and her eyes as blue, but she always had a flushed face. Miss Pulsatilla was unable to tolerate the heat for long, but she could just as easily turn red from emotions. Mr. Lycopodium would often tease her about how easily she blushed.

As Miss Pulsatilla eyed the refreshment tables, she passed the drinks (for she was seldom thirsty) and headed for the area that contained the cakes, pastries, chocolate and ice cream. She knew she had to be careful, for eating ice cream in hot weather could trigger stomach upsets and sometimes and earache. As she surveyed the sweets, she caught a glimpse of Mr. Sulphur.

After heartily congratulating Mr. Lycopodium, Mr. Sulphur headed directly for the sweets and fatty foods. He then filled a second plate with spicy foods, added some dill pickles, chose a cold beer to drink, and passed the table with eggs and milk. Mr. Sulphur sat down in a shaded area, for he was so very warm-blooded. Mr. Lycopodium knew that Mr. Sulphur avoided the seated balcony area due to his fear of heights. While none of the other guests had taken food yet, he knew Mr. Sulphur always got hungry about an hour before lunch. Mr. Lycopodium checked his watch, and, sure enough, it was 11:00 a.m. While Mr. Sulphur was known to be open-hearted and generous, Mr. Lycopodium was aware of a belligerent, critical side of his guest. And why couldn’t he take the time to dress properly for this one occasion! Mr. Sulphur always had something amiss in his attire. Mr. Lycopodium thought he was a slob, but because he felt intimated by Mr. Sulphur, he would never tell Mr. Sulphur to his face.

For once Miss Calcarea was relieved that she was on time. She felt self-conscious at her excessive weight (for she had a hearty appetite), especially when standing near tall and lean Miss Phosphorus. After Miss Calcarea filled her plate with soft-boiled eggs (salted, of course!), cookies and starchy foods, she headed for a table in the sunshine. Like Mr. Sulphur, she avoided balcony seating. To her embarrassment, no matter how slowly she walked, she always perspired heavily. In addition, walking up the sloped area of the lawn made her breathless. When she finally arrived at her table, Miss Calcarea removed her shoes, because the soles of her feet felt burning hot. Observing other guests, she was relieved that Mr. Sulphur had also removed his shoes, because she didn’t feel like she stood out as much.

Old Mr. Arnica had had a recent shock and sat far away from the others, afraid that someone would approach him. Mr. Apis sat at a table near Miss Pulsatilla’s table in the shade, and despite feeling warm, neither of them were thirsty. Miss Phosphorus, on the other hand, was still at a refreshment table trying to choose between several flavors of cold drinks. She had already filled her glass with plenty of ice.

Miss Tarentula and Miss Lachesis arrived together, both dressed in vibrant colors. Miss Lachesis headed for the shade, and Miss Tarentula walked over to the music area, where she joined Mrs. Sepia. Both waited for the music to begin. They would be the first ones on and the last ones off the dance floor. It always amazed Miss Tarentula how Mrs. Sepia “came alive” when she danced, for Mrs. Sepia looked so tired all the time.

After greeting Mr. Lycopodium, young Miss Belladonna headed straight for the lemonade. (She was very careful to avoid Mr. Lycopodium’s dog.) Miss Pulsatilla noticed how red Miss Belladonna’s face was, and her eyes were glassy. She looked like she felt quite ill, and that she might even be running a high fever. Unlike Miss Calcarea and Mr. Sulphur, however, Miss Belladonna’s feet were bundled in very warm socks and shoes.

Surprisingly, Ms. Ignatia was at the party. She was still grieving her late husband, Mr. Natrum muriaticum. Ms. Ignatia went to the area of the party farthest away from Mr. Staphysagria because he was smoking. She got herself a cup of coffee but didn’t know whether or not she should drink it, because sometimes coffee made her feel better and sometimes it made her feel worse. Miss Phosphorus saw Ms. Ignatia and went over to say hello. Miss Phosphorus, who was so sympathetic that she often touched people as she talked with them, intuited that Ms. Ignatia would not welcome being touched or stroked, and so avoided any physical contact. Ms. Ignatia was blinking a lot and sighing, and Miss Phosphorus thought that it must have been very difficult for Ms. Ignatia to attend today.

Mr. Aurum was the last guest to arrive on time, and he thanked Mr. Lycopodium for being so thoughtful as to invite him. (Everyone knew that Mr. Aurum had been very depressed this past year, but felt better as soon as his business started showing profits again.) In response to Mr. Aurum’s gratitude, Mr. Lycopodium shed a few tears; being thanked was the one thing that could make Mr. Lycopodium cry every time.

To be continued

After learning about homeopathy, I thought back to stories I had heard over the years from friends and family. They described health problems encountered while vacationing. Some stories involved getting diarrhea from drinking local tap water. One of my family members experienced constipation whenever traveling. Others shared their experiences with jet lag—how it affected their energy while on vacation, and how it took many weeks to recover from its effects once they returned home.

Homeopathy provides a unique resource for health problems experienced by travelers. While there is an abundance of homeopathic remedies available for just as many problems, I will be highlighting remedies commonly indicated for problems associated with the actual trip in this month’s column.

Before the trip

Over the past year, several of my friends described getting sick just before leaving on a trip. Often excitement felt about the prospect of leaving is exacerbated by last-minute preparations, and health problems can result from the anticipation. Aconite will calm acute anxiety and fears. The thoughts of the person needing Aconite will chase one another. The person will experience a sense of foreboding and feel restless, impatient and agitated. This person also often has a great fear of flying.

The person needing Argentum nitricum experiences fear and apprehension before any ordeal. In general, Argentum nitricum will help a person who has a fear of heights, crowds, closed spaces and water. This individual will experience great anticipation and will feel as though he can’t get things done quickly enough. All of this can result in diarrhea.

Gelsemium is related to Argentum nitricum in that emotional excitement and apprehension can lead to diarrhea. While Argentum nitricum people will be very active and will not be able to keep still, the person needing Gelsemium will experience her anticipation in a quiet and subdued state. The person will also most probably be trembling. Gelsemium is also useful for people who are afraid of flying.

Take one pellet of the indicated remedy in a 30c potency night and morning for one or two days before the trip, one pellet the day of the trip, and then as required for up to three more doses.

During the trip

For problems experienced during a trip, Cocculus is the main remedy for nausea, giddiness and loss of orientation. A Cocculus state can come on from sleep loss; so, it may be the indicated remedy for any problem resulting from having lost sleep. (I’ve used it successfully many times for new mothers along these lines.)

Nux vomica is another remedy which helps problems resulting from sleep loss. Nux vomica is indicated for acute headaches which are over one eye, sometimes at the back of the head, and attended by nausea. The person’s stomach will feel very queasy, and he will not be able to bear the thought of food, even to the point of retching and gagging. The person will feel cold and desire warmth.

Rhus toxicodendron is helpful for air sickness involving nausea and vomiting, extreme giddiness on trying to get up, and a severe frontal headache. Usually the person will not have an appetite, her mouth will be dry, and she will be very thirsty.

As a child, I dreaded family car trips because I would inevitably experience what felt like a “deathly” nausea which would last for days. If only my family had known about homeopathy! A dose or two of Tabacum would have provided prompt relief and afforded me the opportunity to enjoy the trip.

Tabacum is a great motion sickness remedy. It is made from tobacco, and I often find it is the leading motion sickness remedy for those who live or have lived in an environment in which they are or were exposed to secondhand smoke. Homeopathic Tabacum can treat acute episodes of motion sickness, and, through constitutional homeopathic treatment, it is possible to permanently relieve a person (or animal) of this problem. (This includes nausea from reading on trips or the unfortunate children who are unable to swing due to the resultant nausea.)

The person needing Tabacum acutely will feel nauseated and giddy. These sensations might lead to vomiting, with a feeling of icy coldness and a sinking feeling. Usually, the person will have a great desire for fresh air and will be desperate to loosen any clothing around his abdomen. He will be worse from the smell of tobacco smoke.

Air travel

When traveling by air, I would recommend not passing homeopathic remedies through the security x-ray at the terminal. I know a homeopath whose entire kit of remedies was ruined in this way. The security people have always been cooperative in carrying homeopathic remedies to the other side when requested.

Borax may be taken just before landing for a fear of downward motion. Some people can be so sensitive to the descent of an airplane that they will feel nauseated and may even vomit. For acute pain in the ears when the plane begins to lose height, Pulsatilla will provide relief.

Jet lag is a common problem and one which is helped by homeopathy. A person needing Arnica will feel physically tired, with aching muscles and limbs. Gelsemium would be indicated for tiredness with heavy, rather than aching, limbs. Remember also to consider Cocculus based on the indications described above.

One pellet or tablet of the 6th or 12th potency should be taken at 15-minute intervals, for three or four doses if required. If the person feels better after the first dose or two, stop the remedy until symptoms return. For jet lag, one pellet can be taken hourly for three doses, and then once every three hours until symptoms disappear.

A handy little book called The Traveller’s Guide to Homoeopathy by Phyllis Speight is available for those interested in (many) more travel-related ailments and remedies. It is available through Minimum Price Homeopathic Books.

Traveling mercies!

One of my earliest joys in learning that homeopathy was a comprehensive system of healthcare was witnessing the gradual transformation of my family’s “medicine cabinet.” In it one could find numerous sampled over-the-counter, as well as prescription, products, often used only once or twice.

For instance, before homeopathy came into my life, I remember finally getting desperate enough to try a nasal decongestant that was advertised as providing “12-hour relief” (I wanted the best). I remember thinking the product was expensive. I took only a dose or two, because the side effects were worse than my symptoms. Into the medicine cabinet it went!

Growing up, strep throat and sinus and bronchial infections were my bane. (These lasted into my 20’s, until – yes! – homeopathy came on the scene.) I would get a sinus and bronchial infection each winter, be treated with antibiotics, and then have laryngitis which would linger for another month or two. Eventually, my sinus infections stopped responding to antibiotics and became chronically low-grade. I would also get strep throat four times a year and be sent home from school upon being diagnosed, put on a course of antibiotics, and sent back to school the following day.

I am sure that, over the years, I became lax about taking the full course of antibiotics, probably dosing myself only until my symptoms were better. So, into the medicine cabinet the remainder would go. And (if truth be told), when my symptoms would reappear, rather than see the doctor again, I would “self-prescribe” and take more of the last antibiotic that had appeared to help. (While I strongly recommend against this, I think it is common practice. It is important, when under the care of a physician, to follow his or her directions explicitly.)

Our “medicine cabinet” became a place to stash things. From cough syrups, antacid tablets and aspirin, to decongestants, nighttime sleep aids, and eye drops, not to mention leftover prescription medicines. Over time we had our own little “home pharmacy.” Much of what was in it was, for the most part, useless. We just couldn’t bring ourselves to throw anything out due to its cost.

Many of my clients are surprised to hear that I’ve had illnesses treated conventionally just like them! Fortunately, in my extended family, health knowledge has spread in reverse order through the generations. My mother eventually become a homeopathic convert and uses it for herself and her pets, grandchildren, husband and mother-in-law. It was precisely at the moment when she dosed my then-toddler daughter, who had awakened with a croupy cough at 12:30 one night, with Spongia that my mother’s eyes opened to homeopathy. She reported that my daughter had fallen asleep within ten minutes of the dose, without any further coughing. Due to her personal experience with losing many nights’ sleep to croup when my brothers and I were young, she was duly impressed.

Before homeopathy, rather than get healthier over time, we needed more and more medicines. The reason our medicine cabinet quickly became stuffed to overflowing is because the medicines we purchased merely manipulated symptoms.

For example, when someone has a cough, there is a reason for that cough. Despite this, we take a cough suppressant. Will a cough syrup remove the reason the person is coughing in the first place (if, indeed, it even helps the cough)?

Ear infections are another example. While antibiotics, at their best, will stop an ear infection, will they prevent the child or adult from getting another ear infection? In most cases, no. Antibiotics treat the bacterial infection, but are unable to go beyond that in addressing the imbalance which creates the susceptibility the person has for ear infections in the first place.

Without a doubt, conventional medicine holds an important place in our society. Many doctors, however, feel that too much self-medication occurs. To illustrate, the trend for doctors to hand out antibiotics reflexively for every ear infection has started reversing itself, as more and more strains of bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics available. For families and individuals, it can be expensive monetarily as well as in terms of overall health.

Early in my studies, I purchased about a dozen homeopathic remedies. Each bottle cost under $4.00. These were purchased in 1981, and I still have (and use) them today. Many have only a few doses missing. The difference between my old medicine cabinet and my collection of homeopathic remedies is that, rather than accumulating more due to becoming ill regularly, I have little use for the remedies as a result of having become healthier over the years.

Rather than target only the symptom, as with conventional medicine, homeopathic treatment seeks to understand why a certain symptom exists. The body has an inherent wisdom in manifesting a particular symptom, and homeopathy, in respecting the body’s intelligence, seeks to restore the dis-ease within an organism. Conventional medicine opposes symptoms, which is why anti-inflammatories, anti-biotics, anti-fungals, etc. are used. Homeopathic treatment works with the organism, supporting what the defense mechanism is attempting to do. This results in the release of a symptom, as it is no longer needed once the organism’s balance has been restored.

I have treated many people, for example, with chronic coughs. In one boy, I recommended a remedy to address the susceptibility created by his family’s health inheritance. There was a susceptibility to allergies, and, in this boy’s case, it was the inherited susceptibility that prevented the child’s organism from overcoming the cough. Another time I treated a man whose cough was so severe that he had broken a rib. He had had the cough for four months, and it interfered with sleep. In this instance, the cough had been triggered by a fright which this man had experienced, and in treating his response to the fright, the cough resolved within a couple of days.

Some coughs are dry, while others are very productive (lots of mucus). Some come on during the day, others at night, and others both night and day. Even croups are different. Some children have a barking cough before midnight, others after midnight, and others start coughing later in the morning towards daybreak. Some coughs are better with a humidifier, and others are worse for dampness.

Many coughs are affected by position (“Every time I lie down I start coughing”), level of activity (“He doesn’t start coughing until he runs around the house playing”) or by mental occupation (“It’s worse when I think about it”). Temperature often affects a cough (“I cough every time I go inside a warm room”).

Modalities such as these are found in every illness and with every symptom. This is what most appeals to me about homeopathy. Every time I see someone, it is the person who is sick that I am treating, not the sickness itself.

Because it is not covered by insurance, some people feel alternative health care is “expensive.” With homeopathy, at least, nothing could be further from the truth. While it is necessary to pay out-of-pocket, you are investing in your health, and I can share from personal experience that there’s not an investment around with a better short- or long-term return.

The I in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in wellness are we.
~ Author unknown

March is one of my favorite winter months, because it heralds the transition into spring. For others, spring brings feelings of dread in anticipation of seasonal allergies. If even looking at these flowers makes you want to sneeze, “this blog’s for you.”

You are not alone if you suffer from hay fever. Most of my clients date the onset of their allergies to their move to Davis. It was a few days before spring—St. Patrick’s Day 1990 to be exact—that I moved in while a neighbor moved out: “Allergies,” she explained.

By the following spring, I understood what she meant firsthand. That’s when I started experiencing allergic symptoms for the first time in my life. I didn’t even entertain moving, though: I also understood homeopathy firsthand. Homeopathic strengthening aborted any further attacks.

Davis appears to be a prime area for latent “sensitivities” to become active in people. Fortunately, there is diversity in the treatment options available for allergy-sufferers, and I am going to share with you some of what homeopathy has to offer.

Homeopathically, when a person has allergies, it means he or she is a sensitive person. While a particular allergen appears to be the cause, it is, in fact, the person’s sensitivity to the allergen that has led to allergy symptoms. Regardless of what substance is discovered to be an allergen, it is the person’s constitution¹ which needs to be strengthened so that he or she is less “sensitive” in general. This can best be done by professional treatment through a homeopath certified in classical homeopathy.

March is a good time to be treated “constitutionally,” before the attacks begin. The symptoms of hay fever will hardly ever reveal the indications for a remedy, and during a homeopathic consultation I inquire into any health problems which predated a person’s allergies. In this way I am able to understand a person’s constitution and thus make appropriate recommendations.

There are a handful of homeopathic remedies which can be used over-the-counter to mitigate violent symptoms of hay fever.

One of the nice discoveries about homeopathy is that you are not just making symptoms go away (although they do). At the same time your symptoms resolve, you strengthen your immune system and get sick less often with time, not more.

Here are some remedies that help the acute symptoms of allergies. If your allergies persist, you need to see a homeopath to get at the root of why you have them in the first place.

Most of the following remedies are available through health food stores and larger grocery chains (i.e., Nugget)—either in the homeopathic section or by special order. Potency is secondary to the correct remedy. Follow dosage directions on the bottle.

• Pulsatilla is useful in hay fever, especially for people with a nervous temperament. The attack comes on with sneezing and a watery discharge, and is followed by a copious, thick, yellowish-green discharge. Symptoms will be worse in the evening, the nose filling up with thick, yellowish-green, ropy mucus. Often, when the nose has been cleared, a dry, burning, smarting feeling will remain. Sleep in a warm room will be impossible, and the person will want a window open.There is a another variety of Pulsatilla hay fever which starts with a watery discharge that ends in sneezing. This type of Pulsatilla hay fever will make you think of Carbo vegetabilis, Arsenicum album, Allium cepa and Euphrasia (see below).

  I remember a Davis Food Co–op staffperson took Pulsatilla based on my description. She later shared that not only did her allergies go away, but within two weeks the remedy cured a chronic vaginal yeast infection.

   

• Natrum muriaticum hay fever symptoms will be worse in the morning until about noon. Natrum muriaticum is a little like Pulsatilla in the smarting and inability to sleep at night in a warm room. In Natrum muriaticum, too, the discharge may continue day and night.
• With Carbo vegetabilis, there is a watery discharge, and the irritation extends into the chest, with hoarseness and rawness.
• In Allium cepa, there is an excoriating (burning) discharge from the nose and a bland discharge from the eyes. In the larynx, there is a sensation as if hooks were there, and sometimes this extends below the larynx. This group of symptoms always indicates Allium cepa. Symptoms are also worse in a warm room, like Pulsatilla.

I remember in junior high my daughter, a classical Pulsatilla child, developed the pattern of catching a cold with backache and foot cramps prior to each menstrual cycle. Various remedies would help but not hold. One time her cold symptoms (i.e., what mainstream medicine calls allergies) pointed to Allium cepa. I gave one dose, and all symptoms miraculously went away—even her menstrual cramps.

• The Euphrasia hay fever looks like Allium cepa, only the discharge from the eyes is copious, watery and burning. The lachrymation (tears) burns the eyes and excoriates the cheeks. The discharge from the nose is bland, like Pulsatilla. Sometimes this goes into the chest, but then Euphrasia would no longer be indicated.
• Iodine (Iodium) is worse in a warm room. There is a thick discharge from the nose which burns, excoriates and is yellowish-green. One thing that differentiates this remedy from all the others is that the person will begin to emaciate (grow thin) when the hay fever comes on, despite being very hungry.
• Kali hydriodicum (Iodide of Potassium) has a thick, yellowish discharge which is worse in a warm room. There is a great amount of rawness and burning in the nose, and the external nose is very sensitive to pressure and will feel sore. The root of the nose also feels sensitive. The whole face aches, and the person is extremely restless. He or she will want to walk in the open air and won’t be fatigued in so doing.
• Arsenicum iodatum is indicated when there is anxiety, restlessness and weakness. The person sneezes frequently and has a copious, watery nasal discharge that burns the lip. (By the way, this is the type of hay fever for which the “cold care” tissue with lotion was created.) There is a burning, watery discharge from the eyes, like Arsenicum. The person needing Arsenicum, however, would want to be very warm and would want hot water applied to the eyes. Their greatest relief is from sniffing hot water up the nose.

When Arsenicum iodatum is indicated, comparatively, the person is worse in a warm room, and for days after sneezing the discharge thickens and becomes gluey, looking like thick, yellow honey. It is an excoriating discharge. The person will complain of much pain through the root of his or her nose and eyes, and the chest will often feel raw. The person might also feel short of breath.

• Finally, remember our old friend Nux vomica, which has free, easy breathing in the open air. When the person goes into a warm room, his or her nose stuffs up, which also occurs at night. Although the water drips on the pillow, the person stuffs up, like Pulsatilla and Arsenicum iodatum.

There’s also a class of remedies for the asthmatic form of hay fever, but these are beyond the scope of first-aid and acute care homeopathy and justify the assistance of a classical homeopath.

I called homeopathy “miraculous” above. It’s just homeopathy. When held up to mainstream medicine and even alternative treatments, though, the ease of homeopathy—in testament to Dr. Hahnemann’s “rapid, gentle, permanent” mission—is what most often elicits criticism.

There are many ways to treat allergies holistically. I’ve provided an introduction to one of the most effective, affordable, and least-invasive options.

If you have annual allergies that only occur in spring, now’s a good time for constitutional care so you can begin to break-up the pattern and, in time, free yourself.

I have a tender spot in my heart for animals. As a child, animals provided my first (although, fortunately, not last!) experience of feeling loved unconditionally. People of all ages share special relationships with animals. Despite the hair, occasional muddy prints, various expenses and energy expended in care, I cannot imagine myself without a pet. (At least, to this day, it hasn’t been the case.) Our family has a dog, two cats, two rabbits and four fish who have all benefited from homeopathic care.

Before coming to Davis, I lived in Colorado and had founded a permanent pet shelter on our five-acre parcel of land. It was during this time of caring for our 35 animals that I discovered that, of all the various healing modalities—natural or conventional—homeopathic treatment, hand-in-hand with a natural diet, provided a cure potential which was in a category all by itself (just like for people). Homeopathic treatment is recommended when an animal’s or person’s organism cannot overcome symptoms, after having looked at diet, exercise and lifestyle. So, rather than focusing on homeopathic treatment in this article, I would like to share two wonderful pet recipes which might not otherwise be available.

The theme of this issue is cooking for two, in light of Valentine’s Day. If you would like to cook for your pet, I would recommend checking out Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D and Susan Hubble Pitcairn. It has a wonderful selection of recipes. This book was also my first introduction to natural healthcare for animals. (It was also where I discovered the use of homeopathic remedies for hip dysplasia in my dog, to which he responded well.)

During the time I lived in Colorado with our pets, I provided organic, natural home-cooked meals for the dogs and cats. Cooking for a pet is a wonderful way to express your love, if you have the time and inclination to do so. Despite having lived in a flea-infested area while in Colorado, not one of my animals had fleas. (This was without the use of flea collars or flea-control shampoos. In fact, my dogs had shiny, beautiful, non-odorous coats without ever having been shampooed.) Over time, as a result of natural treatments and healthy food, all of our animals developed a resistance to parasites. Our veterinarian was duly impressed.

The two main recipes I used were created by a home business called Pet Haven in Wisconsin. Both recipes are highly nutritious and economical. (I had used the vegetarian version for my dogs.)

DOG FOOD

This recipe makes about 20–21 cups, feeding one average dog for one week. Always provide “raw hide” or a dry crunch food for your pet’s dental health. Decide if you want vegetarian or meat dog food in Step 1. Follow those specific directions, and then the remainder of the recipe is the same for both versions. Thorough cooking is required in Steps 1 and 2.

STEP 1

Put into a covered kettle and simmer until tender:

Vegetarian
   1-1½ cups green split peas
   1-1½ cups lima beans
   6 cups water or stock
-OR-
Meat
   2–3 pounds ground meat (chicken or liver)
   4–5 cups water

STEP 2 (BOTH)

Approximately one hour later, add the following to the above mixture:

   1 cup soy grits
   1 cup hulled barley
   9 cups water or stock

Simmer approximately 1-1½ hours, until barley is tender and beans are mushy.

STEP 3 (BOTH)

Add 4 cups chopped comfrey or greens. Cook 15–20 minutes.

STEP 4 (BOTH)

Stir the following into the above mixture, while still simmering if your dog is not used to a bean/grain diet, or remove from heat and add if your dog is used to a bean/grain diet:

   4 cups oat flakes
   4 cups wheat flakes (or any combination to total 8 cups)
   1 cup bran flakes
   1 cup cornmeal

Vegetarian
   ¾-1 cup vegetable oil
-OR-
Meat
   ½ cup oil

STEP 5 (BOTH)

Remove from heat and add the following, stirring in:

   ½ cup nutritional yeast
   2 teaspoons kelp or sea salt
   ½ cup milk powder
   ¾ cup “clovite” vitamins (or any vitamins, according to size)

STEP 6 (BOTH)

Cool uncovered and refrigerate.

CAT FOOD

This recipe will feed one cat for approximately 5–7 days. Always provide a dry crunch food for your cat’s good dental health.

STEP 1

Put into a covered kettle and simmer until cooked:

   1/3 cup beef liver
   3½ cups water

STEP 2

SAVE WATER. Remove liver and blend or chop fine. Return liver to water, and add the following to it:

   1½ cups ground beef (raw); crumble into water
   ¾ cup uncooked hulled barley (or ¾-1 cup brown rice; if you use rice, use less water)
   ¼–½ cup water

Cover and cook over very low heat, stirring occasionally. Cook approximately two hours. The barley will be very tender. This mixture will thicken in the last stage of cooking. Crack open the lid and stir often during the thickening stage.

STEP 3

Remove from heat and add the following:

   3 tablespoons dried comfrey
   1 teaspoon kelp
   1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
   ½–1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
   Vitamins according to weight

Mix thoroughly. Store in covered plastic bowl.

STEP 4

Cool and refrigerate. Makes approximately 4 cups.

If you have a neutered male cat, the authors recommend that you use the hulled barley and substitute 1 tablespoon dried nettle and 1 tablespoon dried parsley for the comfrey in Step 3, and state that this recipe is an excellent deterrent to the common problem of urinary blockages. (I had several neutered male cats in Colorado, and, coincidentally or not, they didn’t experience any health problems.)

The authors state that if your pet has any problems adjusting to a natural diet, combine it with their old food, gradually increasing the amount of new food.

Winter is often a season in which I see an increase in the number of clients seeking homeopathic care. More than at any other time of the year, for many people mental and emotional symptoms arise during this time, providing an opportunity for deeper healing. At the same time, it is possible to become “stuck” in a particular emotion or pattern. It is here that homeopathy takes the spotlight. Because homeopathic care is holistic, remedies are available to help release these feelings or mental states. I will describe a leading remedy to be considered for each of the states of anger, fear, joy and grief.

Anger

I recently recommended the remedy Staphysagria to several clients who have problems that originate in suppressed anger. The person needing this remedy usually has trouble expressing anger, especially in the immediate situation, and often there will be a delayed response. While lying awake in the middle of the night, for example, they might imagine alternative, more authentic responses to a frustrating situation earlier that day.

Strong emotions can cause physical trembling. Anger can later surface, leading to the slamming of doors or even throwing objects at the person who offended them. This is a highly sensitive person who has a refined sense of devotion and integrity, with an embodied sense of right and wrong. This person can, therefore, easily feel insulted or slighted. A pattern of feeling shamed and humiliated in association with hurtful situations will often exist.

Staphysagria can initiate healing in a person who fits the above picture, whether the insult was recent or remote. You might recognize a variety of situations in which this remedy might be employed, including love disappointments and betrayals, children who are dominated by an authority figure, someone who has been repeatedly put down, and even sexual abuse. Keep in mind that indignation, grief and resentment are often components of the emotional state of the person needing Staphysagria.

Fear

Aconite is a remedy to be thought of in problems following a strong fright, especially the experience of a near-death situation (such as an earthquake or automobile accident) or having witnessed an accident. This person will generally feel anxiety quite acutely, and there may be waves of total fear from time-to-time. There might have even been a point when the person truly believed he or she would die at a given time or at a certain age. (This remedy can be especially helpful for the laboring woman!)

Chronically, day-to-day fears include being afraid of subways, public places with crowds, elevators, suffocation, walking across a busy street, flying in airplanes, or getting in an accident. The person might experience moments of anguish with restlessness. This individual will often be inconsolable in his or her state of anxiety. They might also experience clairvoyance, predicting future events or dreaming about things that come to pass. Anxiety states might be accompanied by crying.

These states of fear might be heightened for women just prior to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms experienced in conjunction with hormonal shifts reflect to a homeopath a woman’s underlying susceptibility (and, thus, chronic state of health.)

Joy

While it might seem curious to include joy as an emotional state to treat, some people experience symptoms from excitement or excessive joy. It is interesting to note that homeopathic Coffea is the leading remedy for ailments following these emotional states. (Yes, this is our daily cup of java magically transformed into a healing agent in the hands of homeopathic pharmacists!)

Think of Coffea when symptoms or general problems follow sudden, pleasant excitement. (Sleeplessness is one example.) The use of narcotics and/or stimulants can also bring on this state. Coffee (java) strongly affects the nervous system. So Coffea, when homeopathically indicated, can soothe jangled nerves.

If you consider the effects of a person who has taken coffee, indications for Coffea homeopathically include unusual activity with a hypersensitivity in both mind and body, irritability, insomnia, and overly acute senses which lead to pain and despair. (Hint: Coffea is wonderful for a toothache which is better from cold drinks, while Chamomilla is one of the remedies indicated when warm drinks ameliorate tooth pain.)

Grief

The holidays can also give rise to unresolved feelings of grief, guilt or other emotions. If you know of someone who tends to sigh a lot, or someone has made such a comment to you, think of Ignatia.

Ignatia is helpful for the effects of shock, grief, disappointment, and fright. Concomitant symptoms include the feeling as if there’s a lump in the throat, a feeling of a weight on the chest, spasms and twitching. This person might experience hysteria with changeable moods, for Ignatia is a remedy which suits paradoxical and contradictory symptoms. Sometimes coffee will make the person feel better, for instance, while at other times not. This individual will also be oversensitive to pain and to the smell of tobacco.

Ignatia is nick-named “the funeral remedy,” and it is the first one to think of for problems connected with losing a loved one through death, especially a recent grief. (For “older” griefs, Natrum muriaticum might be more appropriate.) Along with Staphysagria, Ignatia can be one of the remedies indicated for suppressed anger, especially in connection with a disappointment or deception; the sighing would make you think of Ignatia over Staphysagria, especially if pronounced.

In closing, please remember three things:

1. When self-treating, homeopathy does not replace the advice of your doctor, therapist or dentist. Rather, think of using it in conjunction with other medical care, especially if you are not experiencing the desired results.
2. It is important to learn which symptoms indicate one homeopathic remedy over another for there to be resolution of a problem. Before you think homeopathy doesn’t work, learn more about it; you probably have chosen the wrong remedy.
3. The recommendations in these articles are for acute self-care, and represent the tip of the iceberg of the healing power homeopathy offers. Health problems of a chronic or recurrent nature are beyond the scope of self-help care and best addressed by a certified homeopath. (This is always an option in lieu of self-care, as well.)The success of classical homeopathy rests in understanding the reason that a particular remedy is given—it is not the actual remedy itself.

Happy New Year! Be well in body, mind and spirit.

Ah—the holidays! I associate the holiday season with Fall, my favorite time of year. Each morning as I go outside I am renewed by the moisture in the air (I’m a Bay Area transplant) and, even more, by the surreal colors which herald the holiday season in this area.

Five Birch trees carpet my family’s driveway with a magnificent layer of gold each year during this time. My rose bushes, which struggled against the heat of this past summer, have also responded to the season and are now bursting forth with colors which appear incandescent against the rain-laden skies. I am truly nourished by and appreciative of nature’s offerings.

The holiday season also conjures up warm images of family, feast and friends. Unfortunately, for me, in the background of these images lurks a (slight) sense of anticipatory dread, knowing that I sometimes end up overeating and, thus, feel unwell.

There are certain dishes in which I indulge (Mom’s pumpkin pie with whipped cream, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, vegetarian stuffing . . .). Despite my being a vegetarian, I was raised with all the traditional fanfare and decadence of the season.

If only I had known about homeopathy when I was younger (sigh). I am, however, fortunate to now be able to help myself, family, friends and clients homeopathically when dietary indiscretions do occur, and I am happy to pass along this information to you.

Help for food poisoning, gas and hangovers

A common problem during this season is “food poisoning.” If you have symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea, especially with prostration, and suspect that it is the result of tainted food, a few doses of Arsenicum album will help restore your body’s equilibrium. If, on the other hand, you are vomiting and having diarrhea with a cold sweat and cramps, Veratrum album will provide the greater relief.

With some people, food turns into gas and can cause great discomfort. Carbo vegetabilis is indicated when gas builds up within 30 minutes of having eaten. In this case, passing gas (up or down) will provide temporary relief. If there is no relief from passing gas (again, up or down), and your abdomen becomes bloated and distended, a few doses of China officinalis (also known as Cinchona) will rebalance your digestion. (By the way, you will be entering history in taking this remedy, as it was the first one discovered by Dr. Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy.) Lycopodium would be a better choice if you feel full after eating a small amount of food but passing gas does provide relief.

Nux vomica is nicknamed “the hangover remedy.” I’m sure its nickname provides an array of clues for its indicated uses! Think of Nux vomica when you “want to and can’t”—whether it’s associated with vomiting or constipation (or even crying). While this is not a homeopathic use, Nux vomica will minimize the morning-after syndrome when you have over-imbibed (alcohol) by taking a dose at the end of your evening.

Nux vomica should also come to mind when any syndrome is described as “like a hangover,” especially when no alcohol has been consumed. (For instance, a headache which plagued my husband for a day or two was cured when he spontaneously told me one morning, “I feel like I have a hangover.” In this situation, his headache was not the result of alcohol but of lost sleep and overwork.)

Relief from typical seasonal indigestion

In terms of specific foods and/or emotions causing problems, Nux vomica will also soothe indigestion or nausea from coffee, mental exertion or smoking. A few doses of Pulsatilla will help with indigestion or nausea after eating ice cream, pork or rich foods.

If your indigestion was brought on by a fit of anger, Chamomilla or Ipecac are indicated. With Chamomilla, the mental state would be one of peevishness, irritability and incivility. Ipecac, on the other hand, would be indicated with constant nausea and a concomitant symptom of a clean tongue. (This is a characteristic indication of Ipecac, because the tongue is often discolored or coated with digestive complaints.)

Ignatia will help if grief underlies the indigestion. If indigestion is from sour food (including sour wines), Antimonium crudum is indicated. With indigestion from onions, Lycopodium would be the choice.

If nausea is brought on at the smell or thought of food, preventing someone from joining in the meal, Cocculus will help, especially if the nausea is faint-like, sleep loss is part of the problem, or motion makes the nausea worse. Colchicum is another remedy indicated in nausea from the sight, thought or smell of food, especially if the person is especially sensitive to the smell of eggs or fish.

It’s fun to share these tidbits with you, yet keep in mind that the above remedies are just an extremely small sampling of the ones available. These articles serve as an introduction to homeopathy and, hopefully, spark an interest in finding out more for yourself.

I recommend purchasing a self-care homeopathic book. (Most of the self-care books also provide useful guidance about when to see a doctor for a more serious ailment.) In reading an introductory chapter or two, as well as the chapter on digestive problems, you will end your holidays feeling empowered about caring for yourself, your family and friends. Homeopathy can open our eyes to a world not even imagined.