Homeopathy is a complementary medicine that offers a holistic alternative to treating illnesses. Based on the belief that the body can cure itself, this medical system uses small amounts of natural substances to stimulate the body’s healing process for certain health conditions. This includes psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.
“Like Cures Like” Principle
Homeopathy stems from the principle of “like cures like.” It is the mindset that a substance that causes certain symptoms when taken in large amounts, can — in smaller doses — treat an illness with similar symptoms.
For example, drinking too much coffee causes agitation and sleeplessness. Once you apply the “like cures like” principle, you can use coffee to treat people suffering from sleeplessness and agitation.
The application of the “like cures like” principle on stress and anxiety treatments depends on the homeopathic practitioner’s recommendation. Symptoms of anxiety do not follow a set pattern and vary from one patient to another. As a result, the medication and dosages are also different. The practitioner will determine the cause of the disorder and the type of anxiety before they recommend treatment.
Homeopathic for Anxiety: The Debate
Homeopathy is a difficult field to study in terms of medical research. Skeptics of the practice attribute successful homeopathic treatment results to the placebo effect (i.e., patients believe the medication will help, and this belief triggers a healing response).
There are a few studies that support homeopathy medication’s ability to treat anxiety. A 2012 study from the journal Homeopathy reported that pulsatilla, a homeopathic drug, had anti-anxiety effects on mice. This study, however, used animals instead of humans for test subjects.
Due to the need for better research that verifies its claims, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning against using homeopathy to treat serious illnesses. According to the organization, homeopathy shouldn’t replace a doctor’s recommendation. It can, however, treat mild anxiety and complement other medical approaches.
Homeopathy for Stage Fright Anxiety
Let’s take one example – stage fright – and how homeopathic medicine can help ease speakers when they perform. Public speaking is supposedly one of the biggest fears in the United States, with millions of people choosing to do literally anything else before getting on a stage and speaking in front of a room with hundreds or thousands of listeners.
When you get stage fright, you suddenly have this pit in your stomach as you feel all eyes are on you, judging, listening. And then you can’t remember what you’re going to say. You can’t think, talk, breathe, without consciously thinking that people are noticing you sweat. The anxiety is creeping up on you, and you just start to shut down.
You can avoid taking the spotlight, but it’s only a matter of time before you need to present and have everyone listening to what you have to say. In this case, you will need a stage fright cure, one you can find in homeopathic medicine’s calming properties.
Gelesemiumsempervire, or gelesemium, for example, helps stage fright cases because it eases the emotional excitement and anxiety that leads to trembling and dizziness, two common symptoms in stage fright. By taking a few pellets in the time leading up to your presentation, you ease your nerves and allow you to stand before your audience without feeling stage fright.
You can take three to five pellets every 15 minutes leading up to the time of your presentation, butbe safe and get the right dosage that works best for your condition. You will find that the medicine helps you remain calm, avoid shaking and hyperventilating, and feel comfortable even with everyone listening to you.
Homeopathic medicine as a stage fright cure is just one example of how iteases anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions. Here are some examples you might want to consider the next time you feel uneasy.
Popular Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Aconitum Napellus
Aconitum napellus (also known as aconite) is the ideal remedy for sudden panic attacks accompanied by strong fear. The symptoms of this form of anxiety include shortness of breath, strong palpitations, and flushing of the face. Aconite calms your anxiety and panic attacks by lowering your adrenaline levels in an instant.
Aconite is useful for treating sudden symptoms after an unexpected event, such as a car accident or earthquake. It also remedies ongoing anxiety due to past traumatic events.
Argentum Nitricum
H
omeopathy practitioners recommend Argentum nitricum (also known as silver nitrate) for patients suffering from anxiety due to uncertainty or anticipation. This medication relieves stage fright or apprehension accompanied by feelings of hurriedness or agitation. Silver nitrate, in smaller doses, also treats disorientation and feelings of helplessness.
Calcarea Carbonica
This homeopathic remedy is from the calcium in oyster shells and is a useful remedy for anxiety due to drastic changes in plans. People with this form of anxiety have a fear of breaking out of their comfort zones. Calcarea treats the following symptoms: unresponsiveness, withdrawal, indifference, and despair. It also keeps the patient’s behavior from escalating into an obsessive one.
Gelsemium
Apart from stage fright, this remedy is ideal for people dealing with anxiety due to feelings of inadequacy. Patients with this type of anxiety often avoid crowds, experience agoraphobia, and are prone to fainting. Gelsemium relieves apprehension accompanied by weakness, headaches, dizziness, and trembling. It also helps patients recall memories and focus better.
Ignatia Amara
Homeopathic practitioners recommend Ignatia to individuals suffering from anxiety due to grief or loss. People with this type of anxiety are prone to mood swings, localized headaches, and hypersensitivity to noises, light, emotions, and pain. Homeopaths don’t usually recommend Ignatia for generalized anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or panic disorder.
Lycopodium
Patients likely to respond to this treatment suffer from a lack of self-confidence and experience stress-related anxiety. They become self-conscious and are easily intimidated by people they perceive as dominating. Symptoms of this anxiety type include digestive trouble, claustrophobia, bloating, and excessive craving for sweets.
Pulsatilla
People with childlike anxiety require constant reassurance and support. If the stress due to the anxiety causes the person to feel inadequate, pulsatilla is the go-to homeopathic remedy. It treats crankiness, irritability, and social withdrawal due to stress.
Most homeopathic anxiety remedies are safe to use. Those that do contain toxic ingredients are diluted to ensure safety. Keep in mind, however, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate homeopathic medication.
Homeopathy is a relatively safe alternative for individuals who wish to relieve their anxiety naturally. If this holistic alternative works for you, feel free to continue using it. On the other hand, if you are having doubts about the treatment or want to try it for the first time, talk to your doctor about it first.
