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NOTE: There are four articles by this author on www.medicinegarden.com, front page that deal with homeopathic remedies to have on hand in case of chemical and biological attack. The articles cover:
1. Chemical attack (nerve gas attack/Sarin, VX, etc.)
2. Plague
3. Anthrax
4. E-coli
Please download these. Everything you need to know on how to find a homeopath, buy a homeopathic kit, and the remedies you need on hand, are in these articles. They are companion articles to this PTSD series of articles.
HOW CURE AND HERING'S LAW OF CURE, WORKS IN HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is beautifully designed to address powerful spiritual, mental and emotional shocks and trauma to ourselves. No less, Natural Essences, which come from Nature in the form of mother tinctures, can also be powerful adjuncts. When a person has their case taken by a homeopath, one remedy is selected and given one time. This is known as classical homeopathy. Providing it's the correct remedy or Simillimum, there is going to be a step-by-step cure process that will take place. That is known as Hering's Law of Cure, or what I term, 'retracing.'
Hering's Law of Cure states that once you take a homeopathic remedy, your vital force (which consists of you, your physical energy, your aura or electromagnetic energy as well as your spirit. It's also known as the inner, organizing force or energy which generates our strength, endurance, etc.) engages with this substance. There will be a noticeable change in your symptoms shortly afterward. A remedy works with the vital force, and in it's own innate wisdom, cure begins on the following pattern:
1. From the head downward. Which means if there are any problems, injuries or traumas to your head or brain, they will be addressed first by the remedy and vital force. This includes your mind, emotions, mental state and spiritual state, as well. You may see a slight change or alleviation of your symptoms in general, regarding your head. Once things are 'fixed' there, the cure moves down, to your neck, shoulder, chest, abdomen, etc., until it finally reaches your toes.
2. At the same time, the remedy and vital force will address the most important organs in your body first, and the least important, last. It will deal with any injury or trauma connected with your brain and heart first--for without those two being in good health, one can die. The last organ of the body to be addressed is our skin. Frequently, a person will develop a rash somewhere on their body, for an amount of time. The homeopath is thrilled to hear this because it means that the remedy is pushing the last of the poisons and toxins out via your skin, which is our most major eliminative organ! And, if the person is deeply disturbed on the mental or emotional level, the remedy and vital force will work there first, leaving the physical body and it's problems, until last.
For example, if a person were suffering anxiety attacks due to trauma experienced, the remedy and vital force would deal with that before dealing with their sinus headaches or injured knee. The vital force knows that if we are in a state of imbalance mentally or emotionally, that we need 'fixing' there, first, in most cases.
3. Any old symptoms you've had in the past, or if you've taken an allopathic (traditional) drug--whether it be aspirin or prescription drugs--the remedy and vital force will address each of these old symptoms in a reverse order of their natural occurrence.
For example: Let's say you are 52, right now. At age 50, you got allergies, age 45, you got sinus headaches, age 20 you had a miscarriage and age 5, you broke your arm. When the remedy is taken, the vital force will go 'backward' in time and age until it addresses some symptom or a set of symptoms. These old symptoms arise--and they may be exactly like you remembered them in the past. Only this time, they won't be as intense, painful or last as long. The remedy will go back to age 50 and work on your allergies. Once they are cured, it will continue to go into your past, looking for the next symptom(s). In this case, at age 45, you will get your old sinus headaches back for awhile until the remedy can cure them--permanently. Then, it will continue to forage and 'hunt' around for the next symptom, and in this example, age 20 when you experienced that miscarriage.
There might be a lot of suppressed emotions, such as grief or anger, that rise up. Or your menses may change for a couple months because of it. Whatever is left or not worked through completely, will be gone over one more time--for the last time--during retracing. Once that is cleared up, the remedy and vital force will address your broken arm at age 5. You will get similar pain in that region where the break occurred for a few days, and then, no more discomfort.
THE DANGERS OF RETRACING WITH PTSD SURVIVORS: what should be in place.
For PTSD survivors, this 'retracing' can be a delicate balance that the homeopath has to monitor carefully or more often than s/he would on other cases that did not involve trauma. Especially if there is mental or emotional trauma involved. On the most delicate level, the spiritual-mental, is where psychotic damage can be done during the experience. This will also be retraced. So, for these people who have had such experiences as 'wigging out', 'going insane' or 'flipping out', these symptoms will come back up to be gone through and experienced one more time. It won't be as intense, or for as long, but certain safeguards for the survivor need to be in place AHEAD OF TIME, by the homeopath, before the remedy is taken by that survivor.
We will know ahead of time because we will have taken your case. It's vital, especially with a PTSD survivor, that they tell the case take everything. To not mention something out of shame, humiliation or fear that we will judge you, can do harm later on to you--and leave us, the homeopath--out in the dark, wondering what is going on with you and your remedy.
FINDING THE 'RIGHT' HOMEOPATH FOR A PTSD SURVIVOR
It's equally important to choose a homeopath with whom you can create a bridge of trust and faith. Go to: www.homeopathic.org to "how to find a homeopath" (it is on the left hand margin of the front screen). If you don't get along, go find another, more compatible homeopath. PTSD survivors have been through 'the mill' already and to stick with a homeopath who isn't creating that trust/faith connection, is only going to prove disappointing for the survivor in the long run. I would strongly suggest to any survivor to have a phone consult or an in-person consult with the potential homeopath--to make SURE you are comfortable with them, their personality and way of working with you. If they don't 'feel' right to you--don't set up an appointment. Keep looking for the 'right' homeopath. Perseverance pays off, so don't give up.
Ask that homeopath if he or she has had training or experience with PTSD or abuse. Ask them how long they have been in practice. Knowing what I know about PTSD, I would want an individual with no less than ten years of homeopathic experience and SOME background (training, education or having personal experience of PTSD) in this area. Dealing with PTSD is like dealing with a loaded gun with the safety off, or a volatile molotov cocktail or wired C-4--you just don't know what is going to happen with the survivor, especially when you get into rocky areas emotionally or mentally during retracing. It takes a homeopath with a lot of experience, maturity, years in practice, not to panic like the patient is doing, and to think clearly and without getting emotionally involved in the symptoms.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HOMEOPATHIC POTENCY GIVEN TO A PTSD SURVIVOR
I would also ask the homeopath beforehand if they are a 'high' or 'low' doser. What this means is that in the U.S., many homeopaths, unfortunately, are trained to start a case with a 200C--which is a high potency. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem. But with a PTSD survivor, it can be an overwhelming problem and can do more damage to them, and to their vital force, than most homeopaths will ever realize. And if they do realize it, it's too late because the damage has been done.
It takes nothing away from the case to start out 'low', such as a 6C, 12C or at the highest, a 30C. If it's the right remedy, 48 hours after you've taken it, you will begin to have an alteration in how you're feeling. A good homeopath will invite you to call them at the end of that 48 hour period and 'check-in' with them--because things will be happening. In this way, that 48-hour check-in reassures you but also puts that homeopath on warning that the remedy is working. Depending upon the case, some PTSD survivors need closer attention, sometimes daily, for a period of time, than most other types of homeopathic patients while dosage and potency of the remedy is adjusted for maximum help with minimum discomfort for them.
If your homeopath isn't willing to cultivate that kind of care and attention into your case--do not go to him or her--find one who will. If they insist that they'll see you in six weeks and not before, this is not a healthy sign. Most PTSD cases I've worked on, especially the first couple of weeks after taking a remedy, need close attention and ongoing conversations between me and the PTSD survivor until we see how the vital force is going to work with the remedy and you more clearly.
COMMUNICATIONS IS EVERYTHING
It's absolutely essential that the PTSD survivor be able to pick up the phone and call his/her homeopath. Frequently, PTSD survivors don't want to talk to anyone, so this creates an impasse that can stop the case and curing before it ever gets started. This is why it's so important that this faith/trust connection be strong between you. At times when a PTSD survivor is retracing a certain symptom or set of symptoms, the homeopath can, upon occasion, help make the symptoms less intense. The PTSD survivor has to communicate this in the first place before the homeopath can appropriately respond. Homeopaths aren't mind readers--you have to talk to them, tell them what's going on inside your head, your heart or body, before they can potentially take the 'edge' off the retracing you're experiencing.
So many times, PTSD survivors, when the going gets tough, just curl up, hide in a corner, take off for the woods, or in some way, 'disappear' (out of body, spacy, daydreaming, drugs/alcohol) while they suffer through such retracings. It isn't necessary, any longer, to go it alone. There is help for you--but you have to reach out, pick up the phone, and ask your homeopath for help. In the past, the PTSD survivor needed help--but it never came; and at some point, many just curl up into a fetal position and tough it out by themselves. Over time, this response became a part of their conditioning: you get in trouble, no one cares or there is no help, so don't bother reaching out and asking. Fortunately, that's no longer the reality.
When retracings occur, homeopaths may use what is called an 'intercurrent' remedy to work with this new set of symptoms that have arisen. I prefer to use Natural Essences, whenever possible because these mother tinctures comes from an organic source and are less likely to 'mar' the picture of your vital force and the homeopathic remedy you are on. Throughout the next few articles, I'll be talking about homeopathic remedies as well as 'adjuncts' which are Flower Essences, to help you through these dark periods when retracing occurs. Other homeopaths may resort to vitamins, minerals, herbs or possibly, if nothing else seems to touch your retracing symptoms, a combination homeopathic remedy at a very low dose, such as a 6X, or 6C, for example, for a short period of time.
There are many ways to manage a case. Mine is to give the patient one remedy, one time, and we wait. When retracings arrive, I try Flower Essences first. If there is not one to address your particular set of symptoms, I will look at a low potency homeopathic remedy, instead. Most important, you should know that there is no need to suffer endlessly with retracing symptoms--but you have to communicate. Pick up the phone and call your homeopath.
ACUTE and CHRONIC TRAUMA HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
ACONITUM NAPELLUS
ACONITUM NAPELLUS (Aconite): One of the
greatest of the acute and chronic trauma remedies we have in our
pharmacopoeia. This remedy is for anyone who has suffered trauma (PTSD or
otherwise) of any kind--from a car accident, falling down (especially in
the elderly), breaking a bone, taking a spill from a horse, enduring
combat, living through a natural disaster, getting bad news, seeing a
horrific accident of any kind (airplane, car, train, etc.), being a victim
of terrorism, a survivor of rape/incest or spousal abuse, are just a few
of the areas that this remedy can help.
Mythologically, Cerberus (the dog who guarded Hades/Hell/Underworld) was being carried away by Hercules. As his foamy saliva fell to the earth, the plant, Aconite, was created in his wake. Considering that combat veterans have felt like they marched, quite literally, in to "jaws of Hell", this remedy is one that should be carefully considered with those who have deep, seemingly impenetrable PTSD/trauma symptoms that are not being 'budged' by traditional medical routes. High potency, in the 10M range, should be considered--but only given by a professional homeopath.
For Aconite to be considered, the person must have felt as if they were going to DIE during or shortly after the trauma. The trauma is usually sudden, out of the blue, completely unexpected and strikes like a lightning bolt, which set's this person's central and peripheral nervous system up for the shock that follows closely on its heels. This is a premier remedy for central nervous system shock. Their fear of death is heightened to an intense, conscious degree.
The person is restless; they can't stay sitting down in any one spot for long. They need the company of other's around them--but not cloying over them. They just want to know there's a warm body in the nearby vicinity, such as the next room.
Here are key symptoms:
1. Sudden shock or trauma of any kind. At
the top of my list are combat veterans, rape survivors or those who suffer
some tragic, SUDDEN crisis.
2. Anguished, afraid they are going to die.
At the same time, they become obsessive about every little thing, almost
hypochondriac, in response. Every worry is not a molehill, but a mountain
the size of Everest. They worry for others, too.
3. Restless; can't sit or stand still.
4. Forgetful; cannot think coherently (and
they can't answer your questions, no matter how clearly, slowly you repeat
them).
5. Trembling badly--may 'shake' and have an
inner trembling in the trunk of the body, or they may shake/shiver/tremble
all over, or their hands may only tremble.
6. Emotionally intense. Their restlessness
is obvious. They have great fear, anxiousness and worry. Their foreboding
over the future is paramount, as is their fear of death and/or of dying.
One cheek on the face may be red, the other white. Or the face may flush
completely. If they stand up, their face may got absolutely white and they
will feel dizziness for a few moments. Shortness of breath is not
uncommon.
7. Feel as if they are in a bad dream or
sleep walking.
8. Cannot keep their attention--their
attention wanders.
9. Panic attacks or anxiety reactions.
Hands may go hot, feet will be icy cold. They may or may not know what
starts these attacks. It can be an odor, a sound, a word, a gesture,
something they see in the newspaper, on television or in real life. During
the attack, parts of their body may feel thicker than other parts.
10. Heart palpitations known as tachycardia,
or racing of the heart. There may be pain in the left shoulder or a
stitching pain in their chest. Along with the palpitations comes an
avalanche of anxiety. They may feel faint. There may be tingling in the
tips of their fingers. Their pulse will be hard full and tense or
bounding. It can be intermittent. When sitting down, the person can feel
the carotid arteries (located on both sides of the neck, near your
trachea/windpipe or your temporal arteries located at the temples on
either side of your head) beating.
11. Urine retention. When under stress,
perceived or real, they won't be able to urinate for a long time
afterward.
12. Great thirst--cold drinks, although it
can be for room temperature, too.
13. Sleep consists of nightmares or 'night
terrors' (a step up from a nightmare). They may talk, mutter and mumble in
their sleep state. They will have anxious dreams filled with symbols of
death and dying, or a replay of whatever caused their original trauma.
They will be restless and endlessly toss about. They may 'start' (jerk)
during sleep. If they have dreams/nightmares, they may wake up and feel
anxiety in their chest from them.
14. MODALITIES (things that make their
symptoms better or worse): BETTER: in fresh air. They have to get near a
window, open the window or go out doors. Fresh air always helps to
stabilize their anxious state of being. Better with a warm sweat. Going
out and jogging or weight lifting or doing some form of exercise that
builds up a mild sweat always makes this person feel better. I've often
seen PTSD survivors who are avid joggers or weight lifters--by turning to
physical exercise it is, in one way, unconsciously, of sweating out their
hellish demons that reside within them. Better from rest. Considering
their nervous system is in hyper alert, they lose a lot of sleep, so when
they are able to get some rest, they do, indeed, feel MUCH better. Having
company always makes this person feel better and more stable; although
they won't stand for suffocative or cloying attention, they do like to
know there are other warm bodies nearby in case they start feeling a
little shaky, anxious or out of sorts.
WORSE: Warm rooms make them feel claustrophobic, trapped, as if the walls were coming in on them and they have to escape. Violent emotions that may come from a fight with their spouse, or an argument with a stranger, will always knot them up inside and make them feel ten times more tense. Music makes them feel sad and they simply can't tolerate the sound at all. The evenings and night time are when all their anxieties and panic begin to emerge. It is the night hours that are hell. The person become jumpier, more restless, agitated, unable to sit still, always going outside to 'cool off' or having a window open in the room they are occupying. They become worse if you touch them (they jump), they can't stand noise in any form--they want the silence of the great outdoors surrounding them, they can't stand bright light, and will often go into a dark room or one with very subdued lighting.
ARNICA MONTANA
ARNICA MONTANA (Arnica): This is of special
help in traumas where there is tissue damage sustained--whether in combat,
spousal abuse, rape or an auto accident, for example. Cells retain the
memory of our trauma, just as our ligaments, tendons, and bones, do too.
An area that has been physically injured will 'hold' the trauma long after
it is healed over. Arnica is one of the best remedies to think of first
when that area still gives you problems and it shouldn't. It simply means
that the body is still holding the trauma. Here are key symptoms:
1. "There's nothing wrong with
me." The person who needs Arnica will always say this--especially at
auto accidents. They can be going into deep shock, but they'll still
insist they are 'fine' and 'why don't you go help so and so?' Or, if a
combat vet, you will see they are having a reaction and you inquire,
they'll say, "I'm fine" and want you to drop it at that. If you
don't, they will more than likely, stalk off to be left alone.
2. Refuses help from the EMT, paramedic,
nurse or doctor. A classic keynote to use this remedy. Combat vets who
used the stoic demeanor and insist, "I'm fine," or "There's
nothing the matter with me," are also classic candidates for this
remedy as well.
3. Fears the approach of strangers.
Particularly in severe dysfunctional childhood survivors, rape/incest
survivors and combat vets, is this a 'normal' response. If it is, Arnica
should be considered. This is one remedy that doesn't like being
approached from the front, side or rear. Doesn't matter what the
direction.
4. Muttering constantly to themselves. At
first, you may think they are talking to you. But when you ask them, they
may just wave a hand at you or shake their head. I've seen this reaction
more in severe auto accidents and combat vets, especially vets who have
gone on for a long time without some kind of intervention help--they drop
into what I term, the 'muttering' mode.
5. "I'm not in shock! I'm fine!"
So says the person who needs Arnica. Or, they'll say (especially vets)
after they wake up from a horrific nightmare or night terror--they will
roll away from you (if you're sleeping with them) and MUTTER, "I'm
fine, I'm fine....go back to sleep." And if you reach out to comfort
them, they will pull away from you and leave not only the bed, but the
room as well. Think of Arnica.
6. They answer all your questions CORRECTLY
after the trauma or accident. They seem almost detached, cool,
level-headed and completely emotionally detached from what just occurred
to them. The less emotions in the voice or facial expression, the more you
may think of Arnica. Especially right after a trauma, hours or a few days,
most victims have problems remembering what happened, in what order it
happened and many details of what went on at the site of the trauma.
Arnica folks can answer the questions correctly and without any emotion
apparent.
7. Fears open spaces. This is a key 'red
flag'. Combat vets who spend a lot of time in some room of the house where
they feel 'safe' and rarely wander outdoors or into a large area, Arnica
may be the remedy of choice. Rape/incest survivors may also have this same
reaction. They don't feel 'safe' out in the open where 'others' might be
watching them. That is how a combat vet feels--if you are out in the open,
exposed, the enemy can kill you.
8. Wants to be left alone. When the person
shrinks away from your proffered hand, your loving embrace, a few words of
compassion. They do not want consolation in ANY form. This is the type of
combat vet who will never come to the woman he loves for what he needs
most--support, nurturance and consolation. There is something in them that
drives them the opposite way and only time and patience (and hopefully,
constitutional treatment) will bring this anguished vet back to those who
have loved him--and suffered with him--all along.
9. Sleep. When they sleep at night, their
head may be hot to the touch and the rest of their body cold; a keynote.
If they don't get their normal amount of sleep, then they are restless and
can't go to sleep for several hours after hitting the bed. Their dreams
and nightmares include: death, mutilation of bodies, parts of bodies,
anxious or atrocity-filled replays of the past. They too, suffer from
night terror. They may have an involuntary stool (usually diarrhea) during
sleep or one of these horrific nightmares--another keynote to consider
this remedy. Or, they will rouse suddenly out of a deep sleep, filled with
fear.
10. Their fears are many: fear of anyone
approaching them, fear of being touched, injured, of becoming sick, of
dying of a heart attack or dying suddenly from one. They suffer from fear
upon awakening. The fear the night, crowds and public places and won't go
anywhere near a mall or shopping center. They want the woods, being out in
the 'middle of nowhere' in order to feel a little safer.
11. Nervousness is translated into the fact they can't stand anyone to touch them. It is the pressure of the touch that bothers them the most. Their body is oversensitive to every thing. They cannot bear the least little bit of pain. In this state, there is an indifference or a lack of care about work or earning a living. They cannot remain at one job for very long, before the quit or are fired. They just don't have the stamina and mental focus and concentration to do something for eight hours a day. Most of the time, they will appear to be a morose, indifferent, introvert, "dark", loner who can't stand being around people.
REFERENCES:
Boericke, W., MD, Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Boericke & Runyon, Philadelphia, PA 1927
Morrison, R., MD, Desktop Guide To Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms, Hahnemann Clinic Publishing, Albany, CA, 1993.
Murphy, R., ND, Lotus Materia Medica, Homeopathic and Spagyric Medicines, Lotus Star Academy, Pagosa Springs, CO, 1995.
Vithoulkas, G., Materia Medica Viva, Volume I, Health and Habitat, Mill Valley, CA, 1992.
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