BEAUTY IN BLOOM:
Homeopathy to Support Menopause
Materia Medica Example
CHAPTER 21 MENOPAUSE MATERIA MEDICA EXAMPLE
LAC HUMANUM
Origin: Made from a mother's breast milk.
Comments: This is a recent proving on a very important remedy that has many far-reaching ramifications-among them, women with eating disorders, problems with the breasts, and changes in weight. This remedy was proven by two women in England, Halahan and Houghton.
BREASTS SWOLLEN OR PAINFUL
Physical Symptoms: Breasts are swollen, with stitching pain in them. There is a sensation as if milk is coming out of the nipples, but it is not.
Modalities:
WORSE - before menses and consuming alcohol.
BETTER - from having sex.
Other: Stop wearing a bra for 2 weeks. There is plenty of evidence that wearing a bra stops lymph gland drainage, and cysts and fibroids may result, as well as breast cancer. Take it off and see what happens!
LACHESIS MUTA (LACHESIS)
Origin: Made from the venom of the South American bushmaster snake.
Comments: In minute doses and used homeopathically, the venom is no longer toxic and it's completely safe to take. Interestingly, a day before this woman's menses starts, she gets very busy, has high energy, wants to work or be outside all day, and is very active.
Her menses is always scanty, late, and irregular. Some women have nosebleeds before their menses. The face may take on a blotchy appearance, the cheeks and nose may be reddish purple, and the lips have a slight purple cast to them. She cannot sleep on her left side.
With the exception of Folliculinum, Lachesis is probably one of the best remedies for menopause symptoms of every variety. Another indicator for this remedy is a tendency to lick your lips a great deal.
Mentals: Women who need this remedy are intense, dramatic, and eloquent. They can be extremely envious, passionate, intense, and emotional. They can be highly assertive, even aggressive, and in touch with their anger. If you are a Lachesis, you are probably highly talented and display your passion for life in some form of artistic expression.
FLOODING DURING MENSES
Physical Symptoms: The blood is black-appearing and thick, possibly with an offensive odor to it. The cramping pains occur before your menses. There are colic-like, sharp, shooting sensations in your abdomen. Pain is also experienced in the lower back and the sacral-tailbone region. Usually, there is more pain on the left side, and the left ovary is particularly problematic.
The pain may start in the left ovary, and move to the right ovary, and then back to the left one, a keynote of this remedy. As the flooding begins, the pains will disappear. Your menopausal menses will have a pattern of coming every 2 or 3 months, and when it does appear, the blood is lumpy, black, or acrid in appearance.
Modalities:
WORSE - from the least touch (you cannot stand clothes against your abdominal area), being in direct sunlight, experiencing hot temperatures (inside or outside the house), intolerance to tight clothing around your throat or waist, and upon waking.
BETTER - by going outside into fresh air, experiencing moderate temperatures (in the 70s), and warm applications, such as a bath, shower, or heating pad to the abdomen. You will even throw open the windows and doors to allow fresh, cooler air to flow into the house.
HEART PALPITATIONS AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Physical Symptoms: A feeling of faintness or fainting with a constricting feeling across your chest, along with anxiety. You hate anything tight around your neck and waist. The palpitation may be hard, then soft. A feeling of trembling may be felt around the heart itself, or stitches through the organ accompanied by anxiety.
HOT FLASHES
WARNING: Any acute or persistent symptoms such as pain in the chest or pelvic region should be immediately evaluated by a physician. After serious problems are ruled out, you can safely proceed with your non-hormone, non-drug homeopathic treatment.
Physical Symptoms: Like Folliculinum women, Lachesis types may not be able to tolerate tight clothing, especially around the neck or waist. Perspiration appears with the flush, and there may be a violent headache that centers on the vertex, or top of your head.
Modalities:
WORSE - in the morning hours and after sleeping. You 'sleep' into your symptoms and awaken worse rather than feeling better.
MEMORY LOSS
Comments: If time seems deranged to you, this remedy may help.
Mentals: You experience a sad feeling in the morning when you get up. Physical Symptoms: You forget what you have said as soon as you start to speak. You have a very weak memory regarding anything you have heard. Mistakes are made in speaking and writing, as well as in the hours of the day and the days of the week. Confusion as to what time it is. Or what day it is.
Modalities:
WORSE - in the morning, from being in a room that's too hot, during menopause, or from consun-ting alcohol or hot drinks.
BETTER - with the appearance of discharges of any kind from any orifice of the body, including your menses, from warrn applications, being out in open air, consuming cold drinks, and eating fruit.
