As an Indian summer approaches (hopefully!) September is that time of year we often start new things and experience changes – you might be starting a new job or hobby, be deciding to move house, or your child might be starting school or going away to university for the first time. New beginnings and big changes are exciting, but can also be nerve wracking and sometimes completely overwhelming causing us to feel stressed and anxious.
Is stress bad for us?
Stress is a natural reaction to psychological and physical threats. In small doses, stress improves our performance under pressure, helps us stay focused, and protects us from exhaustion. Unfortunately, in today’s hectic, achievement-driven world, almost every individual experiences larger doses of stress several times per year. Many of us encounter regular stress-causing situations — negative and positive, large and small events — including job pressure, substantial life changes, promotions, financial hardships, daily hassles, deadlines, and grief over illness and death.
Homeopathic medicines support your body’s need to calm down, relax, focus, and avoid agitation and exhaustion.
Is there any evidence that homeopathy can help with stress and anxiety?
A randomised controlled (but not blinded) trial with 60 subjects was conducted in France with patients suffering from stress and anxiety in which half were given a homeopathic formula marketed as .L.72.2 in France and .Anti-anxiety. in the USA, while the control group was given a diazepam (Valium) (Heulluy, 1985). “The results indicated that L72 was as effective as diazepam on all measures.”
One way to support anyone through the transition of a big change is the use of homeopathic remedies. Here I have listed some common remedies for stress relief and anxiety and the ‘symptom picture’ of each remedy. With homeopathic remedies the aim is to match your symptoms to the remedy as closely as possible. As I’m only listing a few below, it’s possible that you might not fit any of the remedies suggested so you would benefit from a more in depth consultation with a qualified homeopath:
- Ignatia – for anyone who is in a painful emotional state. They can appear to be in a sort of silent brooding grief. They hold in their emotions and don’t want the comfort and sympathy of others.
- Arsenicum Album – For very anxious people who worry about everything. They are over protective, and need lots of reassurance. They can be quite obsessive and smothering.
- Pulsatilla – For young people who have been very close to their parents, feel very home-sick and are anxious about being separated from them. They can be very tearful and needy.
- Staphysagria – for people of all ages who find it difficult to fit in. They can feel shy, insecure, especially in a new environment. They can find it difficult to stand up for themselves.
- Argentum Nitricum – For open impulsive, easily excitable people who have anticipatory anxieties about a new event, public speaking, party or new environment. Dizziness and diarrhea may also be experienced, especially in the morning.
- Lycopodium -Ideal for nerves and indecision and especially good if you worry a lot and battle with self-confidence (too much and too little!) Digestively, it applies to acidity, gas, bloating, colic and constipation. There may be a fear of change, irritability, obstinacy, stage fright and exam nerves.
Take the most appropriate remedy from the list above in a 30c potency once a day for two weeks.
Remember that change isn’t something to be feared, but neither is seeking a little support to help you through these feelings.
