Rose's arthritis treated with Homeopathy

This article will soon be posted on Hines Homeopathy

 

Arthritis, as well as a variety of other illnesses, can bring about aches and pains.

The discomfort caused by these conditions can make everyday activities difficult to manage. 

Sufferers often experience considerable pain and suffer from lack of mobility.

Stiff elbows, creaky wrists, crackly knees: no one desiring to age healthily would welcome the agony and swelling that accompany arthritis. And to make matters worse, most of the drugs meant to alleviate these symptoms can cause a variety of unexpected issues - glancing at the instructions is almost certain to trigger anxiety.

For over two centuries, homeopathy has been a source of gentle relief from joint pain and an effective way to retard the development of this debilitating condition. 

When correctly employed, it can ease inflammation, soothe pain, improve sleep patterns, reduce tiredness and mitigate feelings of despondency. 

Furthermore, if the arthritis is identified at an early stage, it might even be possible to entirely avert future difficulties and restore joints to their usual state.

Take for example my friend Rose who is a dedicated crocheter, having been taught by her mother at a young age. However, when her right thumb began causing her discomfort, she had to start taking painkillers periodically.

She soon grasped that the amount of painkillers she had taken wasn't sufficient, so increased it. After three months, she began to feel abdominal discomfort and noticed blood in her faeces. 

Subsequently, she had three prescriptions to contend with: one to treat the gastrointestinal bleeding, one for inflammation and a third concerning her joint pain.

Rose knew it was time to seek an alternative approach and, with a friend's advice in mind, she sought out the services of a professional homeopath. 

The professional homeopath prescribed Rhus-tox and after merely three days of taking the remedy Rose felt greatly better.

Within the first week, her thumb and hip were no longer causing issues. She hadn't even mentioned the hip pain to the homeopath due to its familiarity, but after about ten days her abdominal pain and stool blood had also cleared up.

No more pain - her sleep was back to normal, just like when she was younger. Most amazing of all, the ache in her feet, when she had walked too far and it had caused so much agony, was barely noticeable. There was now no trouble with crocheting, and her hands remembered how dexterous they used to be!

Rhus toxicondendron, derived from poison ivy, is known as the “Rusty Gate Remedy”, as its most prominent characteristic is alleviation with movement. This applies to skin, muscles and joints as well as mood. 

Stillness leads to stiffness and soreness; but on initial mobilisation, the pain worsens before progressively fading away with continued motion.

A feeling of restlessness pervades mentally and physically. It can be hard to get to sleep because of a racing mind and/or restless feet. This may start in the evening and then stay with them for the remainder of the night, as anxiety, fear and depression weigh heavily onto their shoulders. Tears often come without reason or warning.

In addition to its use for arthritis and back pain, Rhus-tox can also be beneficial when garden work or strenuous exercise causes stiffness, as well as when a stiff neck is felt after waking.

A variety of treatments are beneficial in treating arthritis and Rhus-tox is one of the remedies. Consulting a classical homoeopath is advised before attempting to treat chronic conditions.

Homeopathy requires a comprehensive assessment of an individual to choose the right remedy.

Life has been transformed for Rose, thanks to the help of Rhus tox and homeopathy. Now she can go for long walks. Her arms move freely without discomfort, and she has a happy face and a full enjoyable life.

This article is intended purely for educational purposes, and the reader should make their own enquiries and seek out the guidance of a medical professional.

Colds and Flus

This article will soon be posted on Hines Homeopathy

Question: Should I always  get a cold treated? 

Answer: No.

A cold can be left to run its course without homeopathy. 

In fact, this is an opportunity  for the autonomic immune system  “set itself up,  to get one's vital force reactions sharpened” and improve one's health on many levels. 

My clients often report that their children make physical, emotional and mental leaps  after getting a bad cold. I've seen this in my children when they were younger.

The most important thing is that your loved ones are not prone to catch a cold too often.

I usually avoid homeopathy remedies for colds unless there is a good reason to treat a cold. 

Instead I use tools such as  mandatory rest, plenty of light soups and bone broth, plenty of water, raw garlic, raw milk, and maybe, just maybe some homeopathic tissue salts. 

Influenza is a different problem. Although it can left to run its course without homeopathic remedies, however for many people the flu can be a trying and difficult complaint  causing more discomfort and/or danger than to the average person. 

Sometimes the flu can be treated with the right remedy, one single well chosen remedy will do the trick in some situations and individuals. 

In other cases, a succession of homeopathic remedies is better. Dr Hahnemann observed that when an epidemic strikes, the affected community by the flu virus begins to “look like”, represent  an entity as a whole, a pattern as a whole and  the treatment that works for one member is often best for all. 

By way of explanation, if one member of the family learns Eupathorium perforatum works well during that flu season, it is most probable that it will also work for the rest of the community. That means that neighbours and friends will benefit from Eupathorium perforatum. Just check for similar symptoms. 

In fact, people who are not yet sick can be given flu remedies as a prophylaxis. Give one dose of the desired remedy once a week to a person who is at risk of influenza  until the threat is gone.

A Few Remedies for Colds and Influenza: 

1.  Oscillococcinum (sold in homeopathic pharmacies under its original Latin nomenclature as Anas Barbariae)

• Quick onset of influenza or cold
• Best used during cold, damp weather
• Aches and chilled

2 -  Aconite

• Use when symptoms come on quickly, especially after exposure to cold weather
• Indicated for first 24 hours of illness
• Very ill within a few hours after exposure to cold
• Anxiety
• Sensitivity to light
• Thirst
• Feverish but not delirious
• Watery, runny nose
• Strong headache
• Use when illness has suddenly appeared as cough in early stages, especially croup
• Cough with sensation of choking, causing panic
• Dry cough or with some watery mucous

3 -  Bryonia

• Common for cough. 
• Indicated by  cold that has moved into the chest
• Cough is dry and with spasms
• Worse with deep breathing and after eating and drinking
• Open air is relieving, as is warm water
• Cough is painful, resulting in soreness throughout the body
• Pain from coughing can trigger the instinct to restrain head or chest during coughing
• Putting pressure on sore areas is relieving
• Desires to breathe deeply but pain prevents this – short, panting breaths
• Little mucous, but what there is, is yellow or with some blood
• Often thirsty and can’t find the right temperature
• Likely to look sick with dusky complexion
• Irritable and want to be alone
• Want to stay lying down

4 - Belladonna

• Symptoms come on suddenly
• Important to take early in illness
• Differs from Aconite, in that patients are not as sharp mentally. They seem to be in a daze.
• High fever
• Red, dry face
• Hot skin
• Pounding head with visible pulse in head and neck
• In early stages, easily aggravated
• Sensitive to light
• Mentally dull from illness
• Delirious and anxious about imaginary things
• Dilated pupils and dry skin
• Thin, watery nasal discharge
• Dry, hot throat
• Raw, sore throat with bad earache
• Coughing in upper chest or throat
• Painful cough
• Croupy, barking cough that is worse at night

5 -  Gelsemium

• Symptoms come on gradually
• Low energy for several days while experiencing tickling in back of mouth
• Runny nose with watery and irritating discharge
• Patient feels a lot of tiredness and heaviness
• Chills in back
• Headache above the neck

6 - Nux vomica

• Good for colds brought on by cold, dry weather
• Symptoms have slow onset (opposite of Aconite)
• Dry tickling sensation in nose
• Later, stuffy nose with watery discharge and sneezing
• Stuffy at night, runny in the day
• Eating aggravates symptoms
• Cough can be worse in morning
• Warm drinks help coughing
• Patient’s body  feels chilly and has hard time getting warm even with lots of covers and in warm room
• Patient is irritable and over-sensitive

7 - Rhus tox

• Stuffy nose with thick yellow or green mucous with stuffy nose
• Red throat
• Dry cough
• Hoarseness
• Cold room aggravates
• Worse at night
• Cough prevents sleep or triggered by sleep, causing awakening
• Movement is relieving. Staying still aggravates the patient.

8 - Eupatorium

• Coryza, with sneezing
• Hoarseness and cough with numbness in chest; must support it
• Soreness of muscles and bones
• Deep Bone Aches/Pains
• Chronic loose cough
• Worse at night

9 -  Arsenicum

• Lots of watery, nasal running that burns
• Nose is runny but feels stuffed
• Lots of sneezing that does not bring relief
• Mucous becomes thick and yellow over time
• Dull headache in forehead
• Used for head colds and coughs
• Good for all kinds of coughs: throat or chest, loose or dry
• Worse at night (midnight to 3 AM)
• Cold air aggravates
• Cough is better with warm drinks
• Sometimes has wheezing and burning chest pain
• Very chilled but can be relieved more easily than Nux Vomica patient
• Restless temperament with anxiety
• Even though ill, sensitive to mess, untidiness

Other remedies to treat colds and flus are : Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Drosera, Spongia, Natrum-mur, Allim-cepa, Kali-bich, FErrum-phos, Euphrasia and others. They are chosen based on individual symptoms of the patients, their totality of symptoms must match the remedy picture.

Read more about How to Self-Prescribe Homeopathy and the Dose

This article is intended purely for educational purposes, and the reader should make their own enquiries and seek out the guidance of a medical professional.

Ear aches and Homeopathy

This article will soon be posted on Hines Homeopathy

For more than two centuries, homeopathic remedies have been proven to reduce suffering and provide healing without the need for medications with side effects. 

Many parents are unaware of the link between Paracetamol use, even just once a year, and the onset of asthma* and autism*. (read further here)

When your child is suffering from an ear infection, you can become the family hero by being prepared. Keep the following homeopathic remedies close at hand and adhere to the given instructions for best results.

Try homeopathy instead - it is the weapon of choice for many mums in the world.

For the best results, consider the totality of your child's symptoms when deciding on a remedy for an ear infection. Match these to one of the available options, then administer for up to four doses. 

The moment improvement is seen, such as a return to sleep or contentment, discontinue use and only reapply if pain or other indicators appear again; this could be just hours later or within a few days.

Ear infection homeopathic remedies can be given every few hours, depending on the severity of the symptoms. If the discomfort is more intense, the remedy may have to be administered more often. There is no need to fret though, as these solutions are both effective and risk-free, even when used frequently.

A great self-help solution you can use in combination with homoeopathy is warm Oil of Mullein or Verbascum oil. To make the most of this, gently heat the oil and put a couple of drops into the ear canal - this helps to alleviate earache from the outside. Another useful tip is to avoid using ear candling as a treatment as it is not effective.

Many people have found natural remedies to be helpful in treating and preventing ear infections. There are several treatment options available that don't require a trip to the doctor's office. Some of these treatments can include using garlic oil, placing warm compresses on the outside of the ear, doing nasal irrigation, limiting dairy and sugar intake, and using essential oils such as tea tree or eucalyptus.

Think of Belladonna for the early stages of an earache when the symptoms erupt quickly and the child is overwhelmed by excruciating pain. It is also indicated by a unique colour: red. Not only on the outside but inside the eardrum as well.

 

I would consider buying an otoscope to have at home. That's a testament to the efficiency of homeopathy remedies - using them instead of antibiotics meant my children didn't have another ear infection. If you frequently encounter earaches in your family, however, it may be worth investing in an otoscope.

With homeopathy, not only can an infection be addressed, but the body can be given the tools to protect itself from any future issues.

Pulsatilla is a remedy linked to the child who yearns for attention; often a girl, who craves love and comfort during times of sickness, or even health. This child's mood is soothed when they can get the recognition they desire, but left in distress should they be unable to obtain it. The selection of this particular treatment depends on these traits, as well as other factors.

This remedy is truly remarkable, as the child requiring it usually has a fondness for ice cream. Unfortunately, this delicious treat often leads to otitis media after having this delicious treat.

I often get asked how I know this - parents are amazed when they realise the connection between dessert and illness!

Knowing your ear infection remedies is all you need to resolve the issue. Once understood, it brings all the details into focus.

Chamomilla  is the right choice if your child's behaviour is a major concern, even more so than the physical symptoms. The youngster will be unbelievably cranky, domineering and very easily offended. Furthermore, they will be exceptionally sensitive to pain, feeling spiteful towards it.

In order to be effective at homeopathy, mums have one trait in common: a sharp eye for detail. To successfully use this method on teething symptoms, it's important to pay close attention.

When teething causes an ear infection, Chamomilla is usually the best remedy. Pain from the infection builds up gradually and can become severe - warmth often provides welcome relief. A hot drink, a warm compress or even warm olive oil placed in the ear canal can be comforting to the child. While a runny nose might be present, it's more his behavioural changes that will confirm the choice of this remedy.

If a child is suffering from an ear infection occurring in the later stages of a cold, Silica is usually the ideal remedy. The child may become weak with fatigue and display mild whimpering. Pain originating behind the ears might be intense but not as severe as with a Chamomilla illness. The pain usually begins at night, noise being particularly irritating and quite possibly accompanied by pus formation, drainage from the nose, and/or a stuffed-up feeling.

I would love to be able to share all the natural and homeopathic remedies for ear infections with you, but these four should help you become a master in beating family illnesses.

Mums absolutely should be proud of themselves for guarding their loved ones.

Read more on how to self-prescribe homeopathy remedies and which potency to choose.

* Paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in infants and children was never shown to be safe for neurodevelopment: a systematic review with citation tracking

* Prenatal exposure to paracetamol associated with increased risk of autism and ADHD

This article is intended purely for educational purposes, and the reader should make their own enquiries and seek out the guidance of a medical professional.

Can Homeopathy treat Stomach Flu (gastroenteritis) ?

This article will soon be on Hines Homeopathy

Signs or Symptoms

• Retching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea 
• Fever and/or chills 
• Irritability, anxiety, tiredness or fatigue/exhaustion. 
• Cramping, churning stomach pain 
• Lack of appetite 
• Sensitivity to odours, especially cooking smells 
• Generally lasts 24-48 hours 

Causes

A variety of viruses disrupt your gut. They can be contracted from inadequately prepared/stored food or rotten (food poisoning) or from another person who has the infection. The infection tends to be very contagious and often can run through everyone in the house in a matter of days.

Noroviruses

The most common virus responsible for food-related illness worldwide. Norovirus infection can go through entire families and communities. It is most likely to spread among people in confined spaces. People are more likely to pick up the virus from contaminated food or water, but transmission from person to person can also take place.

Rotavirus

The most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children around the world. They get infected by putting their infected fingers into their mouths or other objects, such as toys, contaminated with the virus into their mouths. The infection is most severe in infants and young children.  Adults who are infected with rotavirus may not present symptoms, but can still spread the virus. 

Contaminated drinking water is also the cause of viral diarrhoea, however, in many cases, the virus is via someone with a virus handling food you eat without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.

Shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, can also cause this illness. 

Is stomach flu a concerning health complaint?

• Debilitating and sometimes painful.
• Majority of stomach virus cases get better within 24-48 hours. However
• Severe or long-lasting stomach bugs make a person feel worryingly unwell. 
• The NHS advice for stomach flu - seek medical help if:

Babies and children

See your doctor immediately if a child presents:

• Lethargy or very irritable
• Fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher
• In a lot of discomfort or pain
• Bloody diarrhoea
• Dehydration signs — watch for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate with how much is normal for them

Young baby, it may be normal for your baby to spit up, however, vomiting is not considered normal. Babies can vomit for many reasons and the majority of cases may require medical attention. Call your doctor immediately if the baby:

• Vomiting for more than several hours
• Hasn't had a wet nappy in six hours
• Has bloody stools or severe diarrhoea
• Has a sunken fontanelle (soft spot) on the top of their head
• Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
• Unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive

Adults:

• Been vomiting for more than two days
• Unable able to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• Vomiting blood
• Dehydrated — signs of dehydration - include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
• Blood in your bowel movements
• Fever above 104 F (40 C)

Self-help measures

It is important to keep hydrated. Hydration is very important as you are losing vital bodily fluids through vomiting, perspiration or diarrhoea.

Take small sips (best are an electrolyte replacement drink, water, ginger or peppermint tea, or broth) or suck on ice cubes. You can make your electrolyte drink 

Electrolyte drink recipe: 

• 6 level teaspoons of sugar mixed with 1/2 level teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 litre of clean/filtered water. Making the mixture a little too diluted (with more than 1 litre of water) is not harmful.

• If there is a fever, it is best NOT to eat. 

• If there is no fever but there is hunger, small amounts of banana, rice, apple sauce, and toast (BRAT foods) can help.

• The person with the complaint and people in proximity should wash their hands frequently as well as anything touched by the sick person such as taps and door handles.

Homoeopathy for Stomach Viruses

Since stomach viruses are an acute complaint and fall under First Aid Homeopathy, one will need to have at home a First Aid Homeopathic Kit meaning that means that you to buy a homoeopathic remedy kit to keep at home at hand as part of your home medicine cabinet. Helios Pharmacy in the UK sells homoeopathic first aid kits. Ainsworths Homeopathic pharmacy in the UK also sells them. 

If don’t have a kit you can call either of these pharmacies who will advise you and send the remedies on the same day. Health food stores such as Holland and Barrett or an independent health food store near you may have there remedy you need in stock. In the US, you can buy First Aid Homeopathic kits through many online stores.

Furthermore, If you or your loved ones tend to suffer from stomach bugs frequently then a visit to your GP alongside constitutional/chronic homoeopathic treatment to address your overall health and the root cause for this propensity is recommended. 

For help with a stomach virus infection right now you can try one of the remedies from the list below. Please note this list only has a few homoeopathic remedies that can be indicated for stomach flu complaints. It is not a comprehensive list since it would take many pages to write homeopathic remedies down that can be indicated for this complaint. 

Choose the remedy where the symptoms listed for it fit best to your symptoms. You may not have all the symptoms, but one, two or three will be noticeable. 

Aloe

• Involuntary stool on passing wind 
• Diarrhoea (worse 5-6 am) with gurgling before stool and lots of gas 
• Jelly-like mucus in stool 
• Cutting pains and pulsations around the navel, worse after stool Abdomen is heavy & full, hot & bloated 
• Spastic colitis is where pain extends over the body 
• Often comes with nausea and headache 
• Better for COLD applications.

Nux Vomica

• Irritable mood 
• Great anxiety accompanies the nausea 
• Chilly, even with a fever 
• Has repeated urges to vomit, and pass stool but cannot  
• Lots of retching 
• Hypersensitivity to noise, light, and odours, being questioned 
• Spasmodic, cramping pains 
• Complaints worse in the morning in bed on waking 

Arsenicum alb

• Great weakness, esp after diarrhoea  
• Great anxiety and restlessness with nausea, doesn’t want to be alone  
• Thirsty for small sips (usually room temp) 
• Better heat, warm drinks 
• Very chilly 
• Worse between 1-3 am 
• Vomiting & diarrhoea at the same time 
• Stool: can be burning, acidic, yellow, very offensive 
• Vomiting immediately after drinking the smallest amount 

Ipecac

• Severe unrelenting nausea 
• Nausea is not better from vomiting 
• Nausea with lots of salivation 
• Faintness after vomiting 
• Waves of vomiting 
• May be caused by excessive eating 
• Pains in abdomen 
• Lots of gas 
• Green stool

Nux Vomica

• Irritable mood 
• Great anxiety accompanies the nausea 
• Chilly, even with a fever 
• Has repeated urges to vomit, and pass stool but cannot  
• Lots of retching 
• Hypersensitivity to noise, light, and odours, being questioned 
• Spasmodic, cramping pains 
• Complaints worse in the morning in bed on waking

Phosphorus

• Afraid to be alone, of the dark, etc 
• Wants and better from cold drinks  
• Better from sleeping, a nap 
• Vomiting 15-20 minutes after drinking even a small amount 
• Has an appetite with the fever 
• Watery, greenish, mucous diarrhoea 
• Burning pains eg. throat, intestines or rectum 

Veratrum album

• Cold perspiration on the forehead with diarrhoea and vomiting 
• Huge thirst for cold water 
• Craving for sour things 
• Burping after eating and heartburn 
• Diarrhoea worse from motion 
• Involuntary stool on passing gas 
• Violent, forceful vomiting with equally forceful, gushing diarrhoea
• Acidic diarrhoea  

How to Dose:  A Guide to Homeopathic Dosage and Potency for Home Prescribing

Read Testimonials from  People who worked or still work with me

This article is intended purely for educational purposes, and the reader should make their own enquiries and seek out the guidance of a medical professional.

Bach Flowers Remedies as Helping Tools for Psychological Impact of Lockdown

A 2020 study in The Lancet has showed that enforced quarantine can definitely cause psychological effects and stress including post-traumatic stress like symptoms, confusion, anxiety, anger and anxiety-induced insomnia. Some researchers and homeopaths have suggested that these effects will be long-lasting.

" Quarantine is often an unpleasant experience for those who undergo it. Separation from loved ones, the loss of freedom, uncertainty over disease status, and boredom can, on occasion, create dramatic effects. Suicide has been reported, 5 substantial anger generated, and lawsuits brought 6 following the imposition of quarantine in previous outbreaks. The potential benefits of mandatory mass quarantine need to be weighed carefully against the possible psychological costs.” 

The reality is that the majority of the population is now suffering emotionally and psychological from forced  COVID-19 lockdown and its branching lockdown measures. 

The consequences varies from individual to individual  but the common thread between them is  high amount of  anxiety and fear. 

The fear itself is not just about COVID-19 virus  and main stream media constant fear mongering  but also related to:  being separated  from family and friends, loss of income, fear of being alone, fear, anxiety and worry about what the future has in store, anxiety about one's loved ones and so much more. 

Each person dealt or is still dealing with the quarantine measures in their own way depending on their personal circumstances and personality. Some people took or still take it in their stride and view it as an opportunity to rest, others felt or is feeling  intense anxiety and even hopelessness and others  felt or are still feeling anger  about the enforced restriction of our freedom. For some people the quarantine has lasted far too long and these people are into almost into their 5th month of quarantine. 

My family, I, friends and my own patients have experienced some of these emotion in recent weeks, which have been alleviated by using flower remedies and homeopathy. 

It is possible to reduce our fears and anxieties using homeopathy and flower remedies. Below are pointers to flower remedies that you may find helpful.  However, I find that the results are better when the remedies are selected based upon a clients individualised  state. 

Bach Flower Remedies can be blended together. They are also extremely safe and easy to take. For blending just add 3 drops of each indicated remedy to a bottle of water and sip it throughout the day.

Aspen

The Druids believe Aspen to represent courage and endurance. For vague unknown fears, for which there can be no reason or explanation. Sudden attacks of anxiety, inexplicable fears and apprehensions, nightmares – wakes in fear & panic, imagination running wild , children don’t want to be alone or sleep in the dark 

Cherry Plum

Fear of being over-strained, of reason giving way. Fear of losing control, of doing fearful and dreaded  things not wished or known wrong, desperate and feeling as if one is about to have a nervous breakdown, sudden uncontrolled outbreaks of rage

Rock Rose

For situation or cses one feels there is no hope. Terrified. Sudden escalating fears and anxieties, panic stricken, terror, panic due to nightmares.

Mimulus

Certain particular  fears and anxieties:  of illnesses, pain, poverty, fear for the future, misfortune, of being alone with tendency to secretly bear their dread and not speaking freely of it to others.

Sweet Chestnut

Anguish is so great as to seem unbearable. Extreme despair. Feelings that the utmost limit of endurance has been reached. Feels completely lost inside, helpless and in total isolation, “dark night of the soul”, feeling as if there is only chaos and destruction. Hopelessness. Fear of breaking down under stress. Feels like you are going to explode or do irrational things. 

Walnut

Feeling vulnerable. Resistance to change. Resistance and difficulty adjusting to a change in circumstances, an unexpected outside event forces one to rethink one’s whole approach to life.

White Chestnut

Troubling constant thoughts going round and round, sleeplessness due to thoughts, constant mental chatter, dwelling on particular thoughts.

And for course finally:

Bach Rescue Remedy: Help any stressful situation where you need to be able to collect yourself and be in charge of your emotions.

Next article I will deal with some homeopathic remedies as pointers for general emotional help related to COVID-19 and enforced lockdown and its ramification measures.

Nux Vomica - Over Indulgence, Alcoholics and Debauchees

Photo from Wikipidea

Nux vomica is a remedy related to high living as in over indulgence. It is a remedy that very much relates to our modern times and pre-eminently to do with many conditions of modern life.  Nux vomica is also related to people, most likely men who like to burn out the candle at both ends.

The typical Nux patient is rather thin, spare, quick, active, nervous, and irritable. The patient leads a sedentary life, has mental strains and does a great amount of mental work as we find in prolonged office work, over study, and close application to business, with its worries and anxieties. This kind of  indoor life and mental stress looks for stimulants, such as coffee, wine, possibly and frequently in excess in the hope to quiet his excitement or by indulging in the sedative effects of tobacco and if  he is not really a victim of tobacco then  to the seductive drugs, like opium, etc.

These substances are then associated with other indulgences; for instance at mealtimes, he prefers rich and stimulating food and to make him forget the business of the day, he seeks wine and women.


Therefore late hours for bedtime are a consequence of his habits and dyspepsia, heavy/thick head and irritable temper are the next day's result which is followed by him taking some  cathartic, liver pills, or mineral water, and soon he gets into the habit of taking these things every day, which consequently  further complicate matters. Since these indispositions are more yielded to by men than women, Nux vomica is pre-eminently a male remedy. However, we  also see women engaging in this type of behaviour nowadays and therefore badly in need of this remedy.

These conditions and way of living leads to an irritable, nervous system, hypersensitive and over impressionable, which Nux vomica will do much to calm and soothe the constitution and the mind. Someone is a Nux vomica state is over the top in the temperament department, over-active, over sensitive, over-doing.  Nux vomica is especially adapted to digestive disturbances, portal congestion, and hypochondriacal states depending thereon. Its other modalities are: Convulsions, with consciousness; worse, touch, moving. Zealous fiery temperament. Nux patients are easily chilled, avoid open air, etc. Nux always seems to be out of tune; inharmonious spasmodic action.

Of course, when one takes the case of any patient, one is producing an overall image of the individual’s own experience of their life and their problems and as such, the individual will not always produce all the symptoms here presented, or he/she may present some of it and plus other symptoms pertaining to Nux vomica and not mentioned in this article.
However, the common  dominant threads will be found in the case when one steps back and looks at the recurring threads running through the case or the tapestry of that person's life.

As stated before, Nux vomica  is preeminently a male remedy, though women can also benefit extremely from this remedy. It is one of the acute remedies of Sepia and Sepia is a pre-eminently female remedy.

Concise History of Nux vomica

Photo from Wikipidea

Nux vomica made from the seeds of the strychnos Nux vomica tree. It is also known as poison nut or vomiting nut. It is a tree indigenous to East India, Thailand, China and Northern Australia. The main alkaloids present in the nut are strychnine and brucine. As many people know, strychnine is very poisonous.  History tells us that Alexander The Great was assassinated by drinking wine poisoned with strychnine.

High amounts of strychnine cause produces a loss of appetite, hypersensitivity, depression, anxiety , and rigidity and stiffness of arms and legs and toxic doses lead to convulsions and death.


Its  medicinal use goes back to the middle of 16th century. The German physician Valerius Cordus wrote extensively about this substance and back then this nut was used a lot by the Germans to treat  worms, rabies, hysteria, rheumatism, gout , and as an antidote for the plague.

Nux vomica is a polychrest,  that is, it is a remedy whose provings and clinical applications show that it has many widespread uses, covering a wide variety of mental, emotional and physical symptomatology. So I would need to write pages and pages about the application of this remedy  which is not really the scope of the short article.

It is the first choice remedy for  symptoms that arise from over indulgence in food, alcohol and hangover as at end of year and Christmas' parties.

The description above should suffice to give an idea of Nux vomica to a lay person.

CAVEAT: Only for self-help in acute situation.
Repeat dose once or twice  more  ONLY and if necessary, that is, if remedy has helped symptoms but they have returned slightly or need a little push again. Never attempt to treat chronic conditions  with homeopathy by yourself.