What is constitutional homeopathic prescribing and why is it so central to success in homeopathic treatment?
If you are ever introduced to real classical homeopathic treatment, the term “constitutional prescribing” is banged about liberally. If you are familiar with conventional medicine from your GP, constitutional
prescribing is probably a very foreign concept.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on holistic health where it acts on all aspects of the body (physical, emotional, mental) especially in chronic disease treatment.
Constitutional prescribing of a constitutional homeopathic remedy involves finding a remedy which cures/ benefits disease symptoms of the patient on all levels of the disease process. (physical, emotional, mental.)
It has such a profound effect on the patient’s defence mechanism (immune system) that often it can be prescribed when the patient is feeling ‘off’ or ‘stressed’ and it will allow them to feel better very quickly, whether they are tired, angry or in pain to name a few examples. Constitutional prescribing builds up the body’s vital force and gives the body access to resources it previously was not able to access. (memories, emotions, minerals, enzyme reactions, autonomic nervous system changes etc.)
When you undergo a homeopathic consultation for constitutional treatment, your mental and emotional symptoms are investigated where among other things, your fears and anxieties are considered, and your character symptoms investigated.
A couple of examples are:
- A patient who is ill-tempered or has outbursts of anger or intolerance to contradiction. This is an indicator for the remedy Nux vomica.
- How one responds to weather changes such as rainy/humid, cold. This is an indicator for remedy Dulcamara.
Your physical and general symptoms are addressed by looking at food desires and aversions.
A couple of examples are:
- Cravings for sugar can suggest remedy indications for Arg nit or Sulphur.
- Desire for sour foods or vinegar suggest indication for Sepia.
Sleep characteristics are also an important consideration,
A couple of examples are:
- The position you sleep in – Pulsatilla sleeps on the back.
- Is the patient refreshed on waking or not? Lachesis wakes into an aggravation.
The actual physical build of the patient has a bearing on the constitution.
Some examples are:
- Calc Carb is stocky and heavy set.
- Silicea is tall, thin and delicate
The Constitutional remedy selection also takes into account hair and eye colour i.e. blue eyes and blond hair of the Pulsatilla patient.
So, when the homeopath has finished searching out all the patient presenting symptoms, they will try to match them to an appropriate remedy picture. The totality of all the symptoms linked to the appropriate remedy is then known as the constitutional remedy. After prescribing this remedy there must be a profound change in health. Should that patient be in a stressful situation or have an emotional outburst, this constitutional remedy will have a balancing effect on the whole body. Or another way of saying it is, if the person has a health relapse, the constitutional remedy will have the
result of stimulating the defence mechanism back into balance. They will recover sooner with better mood, energy reserves, less pain etc. Whatever is appropriate to that situation.
Constitutional remedy selections.
Sulphur Homeopathic Constitutional Type
General Description of Sulphur Type:
- May be slim with poor posture.
- May look untidy. Hair may be course, dry.
- Skin and lips can be prone to redness.
Mental and Emotional Aspects of Sulphur Type:
- Mind can be cluttered.
- Can be critical. Likes to argue.
- May lack willpower and self-esteem.
- Might not complete ideas and projects.
Physical Weakness of the Sulphur Type:
- Prone to skin and circulation problems.
- Burning feet.
- Body odour.
Dietary Factors of the Sulphur Type:
- Thirsty for cold drinks.
- Likes sweet foods, fatty foods and stimulants such as coffee and chocolate.
- Likes alcohol, spicy foods, citrus fruits, salads and seafood.
Ignatia Homeopathic Constitutional type
General Description of the Ignatia Amara L Type:
- Slim build.
- Prone to dark circles under eyes.
- Expression may be tired and drawn and may also suffer from involuntary twitches of mouth or eyes.
- Sighs a lot.
Mental and Emotional Aspects of the Ignatia Amara Type:
- Very highly strung.
- Rapid and extreme mood swings.
- Can jump from tears to joy then back to depression in the blink of an eye; prone to suppression of grief.
Physical Weaknesses of the Ignatia Amara Type:
- Nervous system.
- Endless list of problems caused by emotional trauma.
- Common ailments include hysterical grief over bereavement, leading to headaches
Dietary Factors of the Ignatia Amara Type:
- Likes coffee (even though not good for them)
- Likes sour and savoury foods
- Likes dairy products, carbohydrates.
- Dislikes sweet foods.
- Responds well to encouragement.
The Sepia Homeopathic Constitutional Type
General-Description:
Slim and tall. Often sits with legs crossed. Likes to look attractive and elegant. Medium to dark hair, often with brown eyes.
- MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS: Can be irritable and easily offended. Tendency to be aggressive to loved ones. Cannot handle too much stress and tries to avoid pressure and deadlines. Can feel better after weeping, but does not like it when others are fussing around. Avoids crowds but fears being alone. Hates being contradicted, as holds strong opinions.
- PHYSICAL WEAKNESSES:These include all menopausal Headaches and migraines. Skin problems. Other common ailments include constipation and haemorrhoids, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
- DIETARY FACTORS:Likes spices, sour and savoury foods, citrus fruits, sweet foods and alcohol. Dislikes dairy products, especially milk, rich and strongly flavoured meats and fatty foods.
The Lycopodium Homeopathic Constitutional Type
General-Description:
Tall and lean with worry and frown lines on head. Often look older than their years. Facial twitching. Thinning hair in men. Dislikes wearing tight clothing. Can be dramatic, creating mountains out of molehills. Insecure and hates change. Fear of failure. Avoids commitment. Anxious over important events.
- MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS: Can be dramatic, creating mountains out of molehills. Insecure and dislikes change. Avoids commitment. Fear of failure. Anxious over important events. Deep fear of being alone and of the dark. Forgetful. Finds trivial mistakes disproportionately irritating. Hates being contradicted.
- PHYSICAL WEAKNESSES: Digestive disorders, kidney stones, prostate, sore throats, male baldness. May be prone to chronic fatigue syndrome. Right-side problems.
- DIETARY FACTORS: Likes sweet foods and warm drinks, onions, garlic and seafood. Dislikes cheese and strongly flavored meats.
