THE HOMEOPATHIC BEGINNER S KIT FOR HOME OR TRAVEL

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1 THE HOMEOPATHIC BEGINNER S KIT FOR HOME OR TRAVEL With these carefully selected remedies one can safely and successfully begin using homeopathy. These remedies have been chosen for their usefulness in many kinds of constipation situations (from changes in diet to travel) when the general and emotional symptoms agree or match those of the patient. If you are unsure at any point, please consult with your homeopath. In general, the more intense the acute sickness, the more you will need to repeat the dose. For example, in a high fever, you may need to give a dose (one to three granules) every half-hour to one and one half-hours for up to three doses. In most cases, however, one dose every two to five hours will be sufficient. If you have selected the remedy well (according to the symptom picture), you will begin to see results within twelve to twenty four hours. If the symptom picture changes, a second remedy may need to be given but do not rush giving a different one. If there is improvement, even if it is slow and there are no changes in the symptoms, stick with it. Again, if you are uncertain at any time, please call your homeopath. How to take and store the remedies: 1. Be sure the mouth is clean and the granules taken either twenty minutes before or after a meal. 2. Let the remedy dissolve on or under the tongue. This allows for quick absorption. 3. Granules should be poured into the lid of the container and put directly into the mouth. It s best if the granules are not touched by the hand. 4. Store in a cool, dry, dark place away from strong smelling odours. If the remedy is not working, please remember to CONSULT YOUR HOMEOPATH or contact a pharmacist who is knowledgeable about homeopathy.

2 ALUMINA Alumina is well noted for its dryness; dryness of skin, dryness of all parts internal as well. At a mental level there is a slowness evident. People needing Alumina can t be hurried and are better moving at their own pace. Because of the dry state of those needing Alumina, the rectum is dry as is the stool. Where Nux vomica has urging for stool, Alumina does not. The stool can be soft but difficult to expel or the stool can be hard, dry and can even be shaped like sheep dung little hard balls. Mentally Alumina can have much confusion and sense of loss of identity. #Alumina!Chief among remedies for constipation due to dryness of the intestinal tract stands Alumina. There is diminished peristaltic movement and complete inertia of the rectum, so that we have the symptom, soft stool expelled with difficulty, explained. There is little or no urging to stool. The stools may be hard and knotty like sheep dung, or may be soft. It is one of our most useful remedies in constipation of children where the rectum is dry, inflamed and bleeding about the orifice. Alumina differs from Bryonia chiefly in the state of rectal inactivity. A dry mouth and an irritated looking tongue may lead to the selection of Alumina. There is much straining with the remedy and the stool is passed in very small quantities, piecemeal, so to speak. If the characteristics of Alumina are prominent in a given case, they may be due to the use of aluminum ware in cooking. Even Spring water boiled in an aluminum pot will deposit a white sediment on cooling. No desire to open bowels until rectum is completely full, even soft stools are difficult to pass, and may be mucous-covered or soft and clayey, sensation of stools getting caught up in splenic flexure (under left ribs, where colon starts to descend) Alumina 30c BRYONIA Characteristic symptoms of Bryonia include dryness of all mucous membranes, including those along the digestive tract. Stools are hard and dry and any complaint is worse for motion of any kind. Even movement of the eyeball will make a Bryonia headache worse. There is a thirst for large quantities of water or liquid. Pains are sharp and stitching and are better for firm pressure sufferers want to be left alone and are better in a darkened room. Typically, they are the grumpy bear when sick. Useful for: constipation, headaches, coughs, sprains, flues and fevers, digestive disorders and respiratory problems. Bryonia [Bry]!The large-hard-dry-stool-as-if-burnt of Bryonia is familiar to all of our Medical School. The constipation of the drug is due to dryness and there is no urging. Alumina is similar; its constipation is also due to dryness, but it has such complete inactivity of the rectum that even a soft stool is expelled with difficulty. With Bryonia the stools are passed with a great deal of difficulty, owing to an atony of the intestines. Nux, as we have seen, produces and cures constipation due to fitful, irregular, peristaltic action. Bryonia cures constipation where not only the intestinal secretions 2

3 are diminished, but the muscular action as well. Constipation in young children, according to Hughes, is frequently cured by Bryonia 30th. It is said to act better in rheumatic subjects and in summer. The mental condition of irritability and ill-humor will often be present as a concomitant of the Bryonia constipation. Older writers alternated Bryonia and Nux vomica with success in very obstinate cases. Stools large, dry, hard, and burnt-looking, especially in elderly person, dry mouth, head aches and feels congested, abdomen distended, burning feeling in rectum after passing stool, great thirst and irritability. NUX vomica (Colubrina) Fastidious, fussy about order, the Nux vomica system is revved up, sensitive to touch, pain, noise, odours, music, food and medication. Tend to be a light sleeper and are angry and irritable if sleep is disturbed. Digestive complaints after eating meat, milk or cold food or headache and respiratory complaints an hour after eating. Constipation with desire for stool. Worse by exposure to cold and being uncovered as they tend to be very chilly in general. Useful for: allergies, anger, asthma, colic, colds, constipation, diarrhea, fever, food poisoning, headaches, hives, indigestion, insomnia. An important constipation remedy when there are changes in diet especially when traveling. You can think of Nux vomica in situations where you maybe are tired from over activity and then take a glass or two of wine before bed; then wake in the morning with a headache and possibly indigestion and then to take the edge off the headache, you might reach for pain relief (Tylenol, Advil etc) which may upset the stomach more. Irritability ensues and being out of routine can create a situation of constipation where there is urging to go but nothing comes of it or it may feel quite unsatisfactory as if something were still left. Here are a couple more descriptions of Nux vomica: #Nux vomica! In many cases of inveterate constipation calling for this, that, and the other remedy, it will be noticed that expected results are not obtained and will not be obtained and will not be obtained until Nux vomica has been given to antidote the effects of drastic medicines. It is due not only to inactivity of the intestines, but to an irregularity of the peristaltic actions, giving rise to the great characteristic, constant ineffectual urging to stool, and when the stool does occur it is incomplete and unsatisfactory, as if a part remained behind. Even soft stools are expelled with difficulty. Small quantities may be expelled with each attempt. The mental symptoms of Nux are important in treating constipation, for the effect that constipation has upon the minds of some people is well known. In cases indicating Nux vomica there will be a great crossness, irascibility and objection to all opposition. The Nux stool is also apt to be large, and hemorrhoids are a frequent accompaniment

4 Great urge to pass stool, but nothing passed, or passing stools and feeling that there is more to come, especially if person is sedentary, elderly, or studying hard, chronic use of laxatives, chilliness, irritability. Additional Information and Remedies: Constipation (see also Constipation in Child Ailments & Diseases) Delayed transit of solid wastes through colon, resulting in irregular, infrequent, or difficult bowel movements; the longer faeces stay in the colon, the more water is absorbed from them, the harder they become, and the more straining is required to pass them; the risk of faecal toxins passing into the bloodstream and adversely affecting the metabolism of the rest of the body is also increased (see Obesity). Though conditions such as cancer of the colon or rectum (see Cancer), Irritable bowel syndrome, Diverticular disease, Anal fissure, and Piles may contribute to difficult or painful movements, the root cause of constipation is usually dietary - not enough fibre, not enough fluids, a lack of Vitamin B 1, B 5, B6, potassium, magnesium and zinc, too much animal protein (meat,eggs), too many dairy products, too much Vitamin D, too much aluminium, and too much vinegar, pepper, salt, and spices. If diet is not at fault, cause may be eating meals too fast, not taking enough exercise, tension, Anxiety, Depression, delaying or not regularly obeying the urge to open the bowels, taking antibiotics or abusing laxatives (both of which upset balance of microorganisms in gut), abuse of certain over-the-counter drugs, especially cough mixtures, hypothyroidism (see Thyroid problems), liver malfunction leading to inadequate bile production, impairment of nerves supplying colon due to spinal abnormality or injury... The list of disorders for which constipation is blamed, or in which constipation is thought to play a part, is even longer, ranging from vague symptoms such as 'liverishness' and sluggishness to heart disease and Cancer. The roll call includes Headache, Insomnia, various skin complaints, eye problems, dental problems, Epilepsy, Stroke, Atherosclerosis, premature ageing, Asthma, Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Gallstones, liver trouble, Ulcerative colitis, Piles, Glomerulonephritis, Rheumatism, Obesity... If there is bleeding from the anus, or blood in stools, consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 12 hours. If there is a marked change in bowel function accompanied by inexplicable weight loss of more than 0.5 kg (1 lb) per week, consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 48 hours. Also, if no motion has been passed for several days despite self-help measures, and abdomen is painful, see your GP. Orthodox treatment is by laxatives, suppositories and, if necessary, enemas. In osteopathy or chiropractic, constipation is treated by manipulation; in naturopathy, the colon is flushed out. 4

5 In homeopathy, constipation is regarded as a constitutional problem, and is therefore treated constitutionally; bowel nosodes may be given (see nosode for definition). The remedies given in Self Help section are for use on an occasional basis only, for example when travel or holidays disrupt normal diet and exercise habits. Great urge to pass stool, but nothing passed, or passing stools and feeling that there is more to come, especially if person is sedentary, elderly, or studying hard, chronic use of laxatives, chilliness, irritability Nux 30c Stools large, dry, hard, and burnt-looking, especially in elderly person, dry mouth, head aches and feels congested, abdomen distended, burning feeling in rectum after passing stool, great thirst and irritability Bryonia 30c No desire to open bowels until rectum is completely full, even soft stools are difficult to pass, and may be mucous-covered or soft and clayey, sensation of stools getting caught up in splenic flexure (under left ribs, where colon starts to descend) Alumina 30c Rectum feels dry and painful when straining, stools hard and crumbly, and only passed every second day, or at longer intervals during periods, stoops feel like wind and vice versa Natrum mur. 30c Ineffectual urging accompanied by painful burning sensation, when passed stools are dark, large, hard, and dry, always feeling that there is more to come, person suffers from piles or anal fissure, constipation alternates with bouts of diarrhoea, stools are passed every 2-4 days when constipated Sulphur 30c Contraction of anal sphincter not strong enough to expel stool, so stool slides back in again, anus feels sore, stools scanty, hard, and mucous-covered, person chilly and prone to head sweats Silicea 30c No desire to open bowels for days on end, then stools are hard and pill-like, bowels lazy, appetite poor, person drowsy during day but wakeful at night, alert to the slightest sound Opium 30c No desire to open bowels for several days, then griping, colicky pain followed by passage of large stool covered in white mucus, bowels ache afterwards, person may have piles or an anal fissure and be overweight Graphites 30c Rectum feels dry and hot, as if full of sticks or spikes, sensation of knife being jabbed upwards on attempting to open bowels, sensation of fullness in rectum, pain in lower back, crawling sensation in anus, symptoms worse after sleep, person elderly Aesculus 30c 5

6 Boiling sensation in bowels, splinter-like pains last for hours after passing stools as if something has been torn, also burning and itching Nitric ac. 30c Sharp griping pains, straining produces little pills which are hard, black, and dry, and at the same time bowels feel as if they are being drawn up towards the spine on a piece of string, person habitually constipated Plumbum 30c Great flatulence, no desire to open bowels for days on end, hard incomplete stools passed with pain and difficulty, patches of wind in intestines relieved by rubbing, person craves sweet things and feels worse between 4 and 8 pm Lycopodium 30c Self-help Pay more attention to diet, and in particular eat plenty of raw vegetables. Increase fluids and try using natural oils such as vegetable, soya and olive. Always answer the call to stool promptly. Try taking acidophilus supplements. Also take extra Vitamin C and magnesium. For information on natural laxatives - linseed, blackstrap molasses, and dried fruit; senna pods and proprietary laxatives based on senna should be avoided as they irritate the lining of the colon. Take some form of brisk outdoor exercise every day, or try the slant board exercises. The occasional cold bath is also beneficial. As a general rule, suppositories should be avoided; however, if dietary or physical measures fail or are not practical, the occasional glycerine suppository (obtainable from chemist) may be used