EXPLAINED: TAKING THE HOMEOPATHIC CASE
In homeopathy we ask a LOT of questions, and there is a really good reason for it!
Often when people start prescribing at home they will ask us homoeopaths - but how do I know which remedy? This happens a lot with coughs for example - a common query is
“ X has a dry painful cough but there's lots of remedies with dry cough, how do I know which one to choose? “
The skill of selecting a remedy of course comes with time and confidence, getting to know differences between remedies and specific details in the patient to look out for takes practice and a desire to learn and understand. However, in homeopathy we do have a really effective system for narrowing down remedies so you can get the best possible match.
Here’s some key components to getting a full picture so your are much more successful in your prescriptions at home :
WHERE? Exactly where are the symptoms - get specific on the location!
WHEN? When did the symptom come on? What happened the day before they became ill? Anything noticeable or different?
WHAT MAKES IT BETTER OR WORSE? Key in homeopathy! What helps them to feel better i.e what do they ask for or do to feel more comfortable? AND what makes them feel worse, or what do they avoid doing or ask for you to remove etc? E.g. close the window, cool down the tea because it’s hot, switch off the light because it hurts their eyes.
IS THERE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THEIR SYMPTOMS THAT IS PECULIAR OR OUT OF THE ORDINARY? A symptom which is unrelated to the condition itself. E.g headache better for urinating or nausea better for eating or a strong craving for grapefruits!
AND ANYTHING ELSE? Any other symptoms that accompany the illness? Can seem totally unrelated to the main complaint or condition.
Here’s an example of how getting a whole symptom picture can help you to choose the most appropriate remedy:
Recently I prescribed a remedy for a young boy with a cough that had been going on for over 10 days following a cold which his brother had gotten over very quickly.
When the mum, who has some experience prescribing acute remedies at home contacted me she told me :
X has had a cough for 10 days following a cold
The cough is worse at night, on lying down, talking, eating or drinking. Better fresh air.
Sits up to cough - deep and dry sounding. Hoarseness. Burning in throat.
Now while mum has given me lots of symptoms, if I look at them all, there are so many remedies I could think of - Pulsatilla, Cocc -c, Phosphorus, Bryonia, Causticum, Drosera among others, even if I try to differentiate it's hard with the information I have.
So I asked her two questions that got us to the remedy he needed! These were…
“How is he in himself?”
At first she couldn’t say much - less energetic than usual, not usual happy self.
When I gently insisted by saying
“Is he different from how he usually is when ill?”
- “he is less needy - he wants to be alone, ordinarily when he is ill he wants company and for me to be beside him but now he is more irritable and wants his brother to leave him alone, this is strange as they are very close and always playing together”
2. “Is there anything else that has changed in him that is not related to the cough?”
Again at first she told me no.
I asked her “Changes in digestion for example?”
“Actually yes! He is taking a long time in the toilet and yesterday he told me his stool was dark hard and very dry “
This was an UH. HUH moment. BRYONIA was the remedy that I prescribed, his cough loosening within a few hours and complete recovery 2 days later!
While some of the main symptoms we associate with Bryonia weren’t present and there were other remedies which matched the initial symptoms mum provided me with, the mood and digestion changes were enough to lead me to the remedy.
That’s why it's always really important, although seemingly unrelated to really think about anything else that is different in the patient. Often as mothers looking after poorly children we have a lot to think about and are also so focused on the symptoms particularly if its a worrying cough, a high fever or a sudden rash for example, that other “less important” symptoms can go unnoticed. That’s where sometimes having the help of an objective and experienced practitioner can help in selecting the right remedy!
Using the key questions and observations I mentioned above, you’ll be able to select some great homeopathic remedies and you’ll sharpen your observational skills when treating yourself, family and friends around you.
Good luck & happy home prescribing!
