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As part of the learning process of becoming a homeopath it is important to recognize how the client expresses themselves during the consultation as this can be indicative of a remedy that will suit the symptoms they are presenting with.  Another part of the learning process is to ensure when taking the case, that the homeopath cannot be prejudiced in any way, particularly if information is given that does not fit with the homeopath’s own internal moral values. This term in homeopathy is known as the ‘unprejudiced observer’.  Building trust with a client is invaluable and often things may be shared that are of an extremely sensitive nature.  Observation and carefully noting details is an important part of case taking.  The symptoms that a homeopath can see is known as objective symptoms.   What the client feels is termed subjective symptoms.  

Some years ago, a client came into my consulting room and prior to sitting down he immediately advised me that he would not be able to sit still for any length of time.  Had he not mentioned this to me it would have become obvious as I observed his restlessness.  This would then have given me the opportunity to ask him to explain more about his change of position.  It is also too easy to make assumptions.  For example, was his restlessness due to anxiety, was it due to discomfort either in his body or the room being too hot or cold.  In this particular instance the situation was explained fully by the client – he had suffered a back injury and sitting for any length of time caused him great discomfort.   I was then able to explore the discomfort he was experiencing and with careful questioning find a remedy that closely matched his symptoms.

https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-sleeping-bLjPKYjulQ4

Woman Sleeping

Another incident I experienced with a client was when she arrived, I could see, quite clearly that she was tired.  Of course, tiredness can be due to many things, but it was the way her eyelids kept closing almost involuntarily that I was able to match her symptoms to the appropriate remedy.  In this case the remedy that I chose was Gelsemium.[2]  I like to use homeopathic keynotes to help me memorise certain remedies and the keynote for Gelsemium is ‘dull, drowsy and droopy’. In this instance she was showing me the symptoms of the remedy. I did not rely on keynotes themselves but with further questioning she also mentioned that she had been feeling unwell in herself and that she had ‘flu like’ symptoms.  

Headaches are interesting when speaking with a client.  When asking if the client is prone to headaches, I have seen it so many times that they will answer with a gesture.  They will place their hand on the area where they tend to get the headaches – it might be across the forehead, at the back of the head, over one side of the head.  All these gestures are valuable and allows me the opportunity to then ask the person to further elaborate on the symptoms.  Bryonia[2] is a remedy where the person is irritable and even the movement of the eyes causes distress as can be the case in migraine type headaches. Bending down is another aggravation and they may give their subjective symptoms as bursting, splitting headache as if the brain was too full, or as if they had been hit by a hammer.  Accompanying the headache could be constipation or nausea or fainting. Lying down in a semi-upright position also helps.  

One case of a lady comes to mind where she kept brushing her cheek.  I could not see anything on her face and after a few attempts at this action she explained that as daft as it might seem to me it felt as if she had a cobweb on her face even though she knew it was not there.  To her it was the sensation she was experiencing and this was her subjective symptom.  Looking into my repertory I was able to find Cobwebs, Sensation of,[1]and along with other remedies the most appropriate one for this client was Graphites.[2].   Personally, I find it fascinating that a symptom such as this is so valuable in defining the correct remedy.  This particular remedy is also suitable for someone who is very restless while they are working.  They have a tendency to remember and dwell upon things that have happened in their past that has caused them upset.  They feel so much better by crying and even music can make them cry. 

Watching a person continually swallowing could make you think they have a dry mouth, are thirsty or that they have something stuck in their throat.  When speaking with them they may also ‘clear’ their throat.  They may also sigh as if they are trying to take in air.  There is more than one remedy that may fit the picture of something in the throat but one remedy that highlights the sighing and empty swallowing is Ignatia.  It is a remedy that is used frequently when a person is experiencing some sort of grief or even anxiety of an upcoming event or generally feeling troubled and finding it difficult to voice their feelings or opinion. 

It is easy to observe when someone is upset particularly when they are sharing a confidence about their history and if they are used to keep their feelings tucked away, should they shed a tear in your presence they will tell you that they feel embarrassed at letting down their guard.  They will cry, but only when they are alone.   The remedy that helps the person is Natrum Muriaticum. [2] 

Chamomilla[2]  a remedy well known for teething infants and the symptoms easily visible will be dribbling, one cheek may be hot and red and the other pale and cold.  Aside from teething when a child takes a small tumble and grazes their knee but no blood is visible, yet they cry out loudly and somewhat excessively.  This shows that their reaction to the small graze is exaggerated and they believe that the injury if far worse than it actually is.  

Children who cannot keep their feet and legs still, could be helped by the homeopathic remedy Zinc Metallicum/.[2] 

As mentioned above, these are just some keynotes that can easily be observed when taking the case but it will depend upon the outcome of the full history before a remedy is selected.

Homeopathy is a natural medicine and one can add today that it is eco-friendly that can safely be given to people of all ages.  Homeopathic remedies are obtainable from homeopathic pharmacies or from health shops.   I would always recommend that anyone looking to use homeopathic remedies seek guidance so that they feel confident in selecting the most appropriate remedies.  Chronic ailments should be referred to a qualified homeopath and if in any doubt do not hesitate to consult your GP. The remedies quoted above are listed in the homeopathic Repertory[1]and Materia Medica.[2]  New provings are continually being undertaken thereby expanding the range of homeopathic remedies a homeopath has to choose from.  

References:

• Murphy, Robin ND, Homeopathic Clinical Repertory 3^rd Edition
• Murphy, Robin ND, Nature’s Materia Medica 3^rd Edition