This is from a series I wrote when I was blogging as a homeopathic health coach. It is basic information that I wanted to leave available for free but may not pertain to my most recent blogging venture :).
This post will focus on how to pick the right remedy. This part can be confusing, so I have also included a list of resources that can make the process less painful for you.
How to Choose a Remedy
Let’s start with something called the Law of Similars. This is the premise in homeopathy that you choose a remedy by observing symptoms in yourself (or your “patient”) that are similar to symptoms a remedy can produce. Another way of saying this is that the symptoms a remedy causes if taken incorrectly (such as taking too much of a remedy or taking it in its original form) are the same symptoms that remedy will help relieve. The closer the match of the remedy to your symptoms, the better your body will respond to it.
How do we know what symptoms a remedy is used for? You need some sort of reference book. Homeopaths use different Materia Medicas that have been written over the last couple hundred years. But there are simpler reference books that are perfectly adequate as well as extremely helpful. I have listed these at the end of this post.
Example of Similars
I am going to use Belladonna as an example of how to choose a remedy using the Law of Similars. The common name of Belladonna is Deadly Nightshade. If you’ve ever raised a garden, you may know of this noxious weed. If you ingest Deadly Nightshade from said garden, it will cause you to break out in a bright red, hot rash and give you a high, hot-feeling fever. This is where the Law of Similars comes in because those are some of the most common symptoms that homeopathic Belladonna is used to relieve!
You can see how learning about remedies and what they are best used for is an important part of using homeopathy. It’s also one of my favorite parts!
Recommended Resources
I have at least 30 homeopathic reference books in my home. But these resources are definitely the easiest to use and the most accessible for all levels of learners.
Books
Homeopathic Remedies by Asa Hershoff is THE BEST reference book I have found for lay homeopaths. I use it ALL the time. See a review here.
Cure Yourself & Family by Joette Calabrese is found on her website. She has a lovely story-telling talent that helps the remedy pictures stick in your mind. I started with this book and still refer to it occasionally.
Homeopathy for Mommies by Sue Meyer is found in her online store. This is more of a cliff notes version of the remedies. She took her personal notes and compiled them into a book. I find her set-up confusing but I know a couple other people who prefer this book because it is suited perfectly for their learning style. See a review here.
Blogs
The growing library here on Mom’s Musings.
Joette’s blog is FULL of Banerji protocols. She has postcard printables available as well.
Boiron’s company website has an amazing tool that allows you to narrow down the remedy you need by going through a questionnaire about your symptoms.
The National Center for Homeopathy has full Materia Medicas and extensive Repertories on their website. The navigation can be confusing, but if you prefer to study and learn for free, this is a great way to do that.
Is One Resource Better than Another?
In short, all homeopathic book and blogs can benefit you in some way. Some are easier to use and some better match your learning style.
However, I do want to offer one caution when you are searching for a resource. If an author or blogger insists that there is only one correct way of using homeopathy, you can likely find a better source. An example of this is if you see someone say things like, "always consult your homeopath" or "take my class so you know the right way to use homeopathy".
While it's true that there's not "one way" to do homeopathy, it is important to educate yourself a little so you can use homeopathy wisely. And that’s what you are here for!
Next post in series: How to Pick a Potency
Back to Homeopathy 101.