These conditions are often called tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, but you don't have to play either sport to experience them. Repetitive strain from work, hobbies, exercise, or everyday activities can all contribute to irritation of the tendons around the elbow.

When it comes to homeopathy, however, the diagnosis is only the starting point.

Looking Beyond the Diagnosis

One of the unique aspects of homeopathy is that two people with the same diagnosis may need entirely different remedies.

Rather than asking, "What remedy is used for tennis elbow?" a homeopath asks a different question:

What’s Characteristic About This Person’s Symptoms?

The answer often provides the most important clues.

What Does the Pain Feel Like?

Some people describe their discomfort as bruised or sore, as though the arm has been overworked.

Others experience sharp, tearing pains that travel down the forearm.

Some notice stiffness when they first begin moving the arm after rest, while others find that any movement at all aggravates the pain.

These differences matter.

In homeopathy, the characteristics of the pain (and the patient) help guide remedy selection.

What Makes It Better or Worse?

Another important consideration is what changes the symptoms.

For example:

• Does the elbow feel worse after periods of rest?
• Does gentle movement improve the stiffness?
• Is the pain aggravated by continued use?
• Does warmth bring relief?
• Does keeping the arm still help?
• Did the symptoms begin after a strain, injury, or period of overexertion?

The answers can be just as important as the location of the pain itself.

Remedy Pictures Commonly Considered

The following remedy pictures illustrate why homeopathy looks beyond the diagnosis and focuses on the individual's experience.

When Stiffness Improves with Movement

Some people find the elbow is especially stiff and painful when they first begin moving after rest. Once they get going, the joint gradually loosens and feels better.

This pattern often points toward Rhus toxicodendron, a remedy long associated with stiffness, strain, and symptoms that improve with continued motion. Someone needing this remedy can be restless with their pain, which is often worse at night, and feel relief from heat and warm applications. Rarely will Rhus tox be called for if your patient is not made worse by cold, damp conditions.

When Movement Makes Everything Worse

Others experience the opposite pattern. Even small movements aggravate the pain, and they instinctively want to keep the arm still.

This symptom picture may suggest Bryonia, a remedy often associated with pains that worsen from motion and improve with rest. The person feels better holding the sore part perfectly still and when pressure is applied to the area. Bryonia patients also tend to feel better lying on the sore part (which acts as a brace for the area).

When the Area Feels Bruised or Beaten

Sometimes the dominant sensation is soreness, as though the tissues have been bruised or overworked. The tendon will tend to feel sore and painful as if bruised – and there may be some discoloration in the area of the injury.

If the symptoms began after unusual exertion, repetitive activity, or a minor injury, Arnica montana may be considered.

When the Problem Follows Repetitive Strain

For some people, the pain develops after repeated use of the arm, wrist, or hand. The tendons feel strained, sore, weak, or overworked.

In these situations, Ruta graveolens is often studied because of its strong association with injuries involving tendons and their attachments. It’s important to note that Ruta and Rhus-tox are often hard to choose between in these cases – both are very helpful for injury or pain of tendons, both are better from heat and continued motion (which loosens up the area), both are worse from rest. Each of these symptoms point more frequently to Rhus tox… and less often to Ruta. If you can’t decide, my advice is to try a few doses of Rhus tox and if not better, switch to Ruta!

When Pain Shoots Along the Arm

Occasionally elbow pain is accompanied by tingling, burning, or shooting sensations that extend into the forearm, wrist, or hand.

When nerve-related symptoms are prominent, Hypericum perforatum may be considered.

The Story Behind the Symptoms

Two people may both have pain on the outside of the elbow, yet their experiences can be very different.

One person may have developed symptoms after spending a weekend pruning shrubs or painting a room.

Another may notice pain that gradually appeared after months of repetitive computer work.

A third may trace the problem back to a specific injury or strain.

Homeopathy takes these details into account. The circumstances surrounding the problem are often part of the remedy picture.

Why Individualization Matters

Homeopathy has long recognized that symptoms are more than a label or diagnosis. The exact way a condition presents in each individual helps determine the most appropriate remedy.

For this reason, there is no single homeopathic remedy for tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.

Instead, the goal is to understand the complete symptom picture, including:

• The location of the pain
• The sensation of the pain
• What makes it better or worse
• How the symptoms began
• The individual's overall experience

The more clearly these details are understood, the easier it becomes to identify a remedy that closely matches the person experiencing them.

A Different Way of Looking at Elbow Pain

Whether elbow pain develops after sports, work, exercise, or daily activities, homeopathy offers a highly individualized approach. Rather than focusing solely on the name of the condition, it considers the unique pattern of symptoms each person experiences.

Sometimes the smallest details, how the pain feels, when it occurs, or what changes it, can provide the most valuable clues of all.

As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your condition as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet, N.D., provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Particularly for the youngest set, starting daycare for the first time or kindergarten and a new school can be traumatic for the child and even for the parent. For the more established school-goers, memories of the previous year, where it didn’t go so well academically or socially, can be daunting.

Homeopaths have long recognized that children respond to stress in different ways. Rather than focusing solely on the situation itself, homeopathy considers the unique way each child experiences and expresses their emotions.

Here are several remedies that may be worth considering when a child is struggling with anxiety about school:

Pulsatilla: The Child Who Doesn't Want to Be Left

Some children become tearful and clingy at the thought of separation. They may cry easily, seek affection, and want constant reassurance from a parent.

Children who benefit from this remedy are gentle, yielding, and emotional. They are usually quite shy by nature, blushing with embarrassment when addressed, often weep readily, and feel better from sympathy, comfort, and company. Being alone may feel especially difficult, and their distress is often relieved by loving attention and reassurance.

Some additional indications for Pulsatilla: This remedy is more suited to a child with low thirst, and who always feels better outdoors in the fresh, cool air. They often have a history of frequent colds.

When a child seems inconsolable until they are held, comforted, or reassured, Pulsatilla may deserve consideration.

Ignatia: Grief, Disappointment, and Emotional Upset

Not every child expresses distress through clinginess. Some become intensely emotional, alternating between crying, irritability, and withdrawal.

Ignatia is a remedy for acute emotional suffering, grief, disappointment, and suppressed emotions. Sighing is a prominent feature, as are sudden mood changes. A child who needs Ignatia may seem deeply affected by a loss, separation, or an upsetting transition.

Unlike the Pulsatilla child, they may not always welcome consolation and can appear sensitive, conflicted, or difficult to comfort.

Silicea: Timid and Self-Conscious

School can be especially challenging for children who are shy and lack confidence in social situations.

Silicea is a great remedy to consider for children who are timid, embarrassed easily, and lack self-confidence. These children may hesitate to participate, fear being observed, or avoid situations that place them in the spotlight. They often appear reserved and may struggle with anticipation before events they perceive as demanding.

Their anxiety is frequently quiet and inward rather than dramatic.

A Silicea child does not like to be consoled and can get very angry if they are approached when sad or scared.

Those needing Silicea are typically chilly and sweat a lot, especially from the feet or head in sleep. The sweat often has a sour or “off” smell. They are frequently picky eaters, may have digestive problems, and are often thinner than average as a result. They can be pale and undernourished-looking. They often have a history of late teething.

Lycopodium: Fear of Failure Despite Ability

Many parents recognize the child who studies hard, prepares thoroughly, and still worries excessively about performance.

A child needing Lycopodium is often characterized by anticipatory anxiety, lack of self-confidence, and fear of undertaking new responsibilities. The child may doubt their abilities even when they are well prepared. Public speaking, tests, recitals, and classroom presentations can provoke considerable nervousness.

A characteristic feature is that confidence often improves once the event has begun. The greatest anxiety is frequently beforehand. In general, these kids get angry very easily, especially when contradicted, are bossy by nature, and have a hard time making decisions. When stressed, they frequently have digestive problems, as that is a weak point.

Gelsemium: Stage Fright and Examination Nerves

Some children become overwhelmed by anticipation. Instead of appearing emotional, they become quiet, sluggish, weak, or mentally dull from nervousness.

Gelsemium is a great remedy for the effects of fear, fright, and anticipation. The child may feel shaky, tired, heavy, or unable to think clearly before an examination, performance, or presentation. They may complain that their minds go blank when they need them most. Loose stools may also be present before a big event.

When nervousness produces weakness, trembling, or a sense of paralysis rather than emotional outbursts, Gelsemium may be considered.

Many kids in my practice have taken this remedy before important exams and felt immediately calmer. Try it!

Remember (particularly if you’re new to homeopathy), the key to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is always the same. One must match the “characteristic symptoms” (i.e., unusual or peculiar) of the person you are caring for (not the common ones like a headache, sore throat, cough, fever, etc.) to a remedy capable of producing similar characteristic symptoms to have success. If you choose a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms of your family member, you should have a happy outcome every time. If you don't, they will either feel no effect or one that is mildly positive at best, but there is never a bad effect from choosing the “incorrect” remedy.

Once you have chosen a remedy that appears to match your symptoms, dose with a 30C or 200C potency to start, by placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously (the pellet does not need to be completely dissolved before dosing), and then giving a teaspoon dose as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins, and only redose if symptoms worsen again. And as with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of the problem, as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet, N.D., provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

To help you understand your homeopathic options in these cases, I turn to great advice offered years ago by one of the best homeopathic physicians who ever lived – Dr. Adolph Lippe, MD.

Dr. Lippe is considered by many medical historians to have produced the best results recorded in the history of medicine. Certainty about his exemplary results is possible because he was required by law to submit his patient records annually to the Board of Health in the city of Philadelphia, where he had a very large and prosperous practice.

Regarding treating burns using homeopathy, he wrote the following:

"Every individual case will require its individual treatment according to the law of cure (similia similibus curantur), and, therefore, many remedies, not mentioned in this short essay, may be indicated in some cases as the symptoms accompanying such injuries, as well as the causes may indicate them.

First Degree Burns:

The first degree (burn) is often caused by steam or from the contact of more or less hot substances; it produces a deep, not circumscribed redness of the skin without swelling, which vanishes when pressed upon the fingers. The skin peels off in a few days.

Remedies to consider: Arsenicum album, Belladonna, Euphorbium, Hammamelis, Rhus tox., and Terebinthina correspond with that condition of the skin. I have found Hammamelis the most efficacious remedy; the distilled preparation externally applied, will reduce the pain immediately.

Second Degree Burns:

The second-degree burn causes the epidermis to become either spontaneously or gradually elevated to a smaller or larger blister, filled with a yellow or transparent fluid. The redness and swelling of the skin are more intense than in the first degree, the pain more severe—burning. The vesicles shrink and dry up; the fluid is absorbed; the skin is thrown off; or, if they burst or are opened, the fluid is emptied, the blister sinks in and dries up, a new epidermis is formed, or the place festers.

Remedies to consider: No remedies correspond closer to this condition than Cantharis, which if early enough applied will prevent the blisters from forming to any extent. Where they have formed, the tincture (or 30C potency in water) of Cantharis applied with a brush (or a wet paper towel) externally, will soon relieve the pain…”

As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your condition as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet, N.D., provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Here are four homeopathic remedies to consider when sore after a hard day's labor.

Aconite
This remedy is worth considering when pain and stiffness occur soon after working in cold, dry weather. The joints may be sore, and the pain is often worse at night. Symptoms may come on suddenly after exposure to cold winds or becoming chilled while working outdoors. There is often restlessness with the pain.

Arnica
A classic Arnica picture after gardening might be someone who spent all day digging, weeding, hauling mulch, splitting wood, raking leaves, or trimming shrubs and wakes up the next morning feeling as though they "went ten rounds with a heavyweight boxer."

Arnica is strongly associated with the effects of overexertion, excessive muscular strain, trauma, and physical labor.

• There is often a bruised, beaten, sore-all-over feeling
• The muscles feel overworked, strained, or as if they have been pounded
• The body may feel exhausted from prolonged exertion
• There can be soreness after lifting, carrying heavy loads, digging, chopping, or other strenuous manual labor
• The person may complain that the bed feels too hard, as though the body is bruised
• The muscles and soft tissues may be tender to the touch
• The limbs can feel weak, lame, or powerless after overexertion
• There may be stiffness and soreness after unusual physical effort or after doing more work than the body is accustomed to
• It should also be considered when minor bumps, falls, strains, or knocks during outdoor work leave lingering soreness and bruising

Arnica is one of the most frequently mentioned remedies in homeopathic literature for the after-effects of excessive physical exertion and overuse.

Bryonia
Choosing this remedy is often relatively easy. The most characteristic symptom is that the person worsens with the slightest movement and prefers to remain completely still.

• Every motion aggravates
• The pains are often sharp, stitching, or tearing in nature
• Pressure on the painful part and movement aggravate the discomfort
• The person may avoid moving the affected muscles or joints whenever possible
• Warmth often aggravates
• The person is frequently irritable and prefers to be left alone
• There is often marked thirst for large quantities of water at long intervals

Rhus toxicodendron
This remedy should be considered when stiffness and pain are worse on first movement but improve with continued motion.

• Stiffness is often most noticeable after resting, and as a result, at night in bed
• The person feels compelled to keep moving, even at rest, to obtain relief
• Continued motion improves the discomfort
• Symptoms are typically worse during cold, damp, rainy weather
• Warmth and warm applications frequently bring relief
• The person may be restless, constantly changing position, because remaining still becomes uncomfortable

A common Rhus toxicodendron picture after yard work is someone who feels extremely stiff when getting out of bed or standing up from a chair, but gradually loosens up and feels better once they get moving.

Ruta graveolens

This remedy should be considered when one has the sensation of strain, sprain, or injury to tendons, ligaments, or periosteal tissues from overuse or overexertion.

• Lameness after strain
• Soreness as if beaten, but especially involving tendons and joints
• Pain from overexertion of flexor muscles and tendons
• Sprains and strains
• Weakness and aching after lifting or physical labor
• Bruised pain in bones and periosteum (covering of the bones)

A classic Ruta yard-work picture might be someone who spent all day shoveling, pruning, or pulling weeds and now feels deep soreness around the wrists, elbows, knees, or ankles. Unlike Arnica's bruised feeling, Ruta often has a more strained, sprained, or overused quality.

As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your problem, as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet, N.D., provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Before the advent of OTC and prescription sprays, lotions, and creams, an old standby used by physicians and consumers alike was iodine and iodine cleansers. And boy did they sting when applied!!!

Happily, homeopathy is a wonderful option for gently, safely, and effectively treating minor wounds.

Here’s a short list of remedies everyone should have on hand for these moments:

Calendula

Prepared from the common pot marigold, Calendula has long been recognized as helpful with cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries.

Calendula is often considered when:

• The skin has been cut, scraped, or torn
• The injured area is tender and sensitive
• The wound is superficial and involves the soft tissues

Calendula is commonly used topically in ointments, gels, and sprays. WHP's Be gone Lil’ Cuts and Scrapes is made with Calendula and is great to have in the medicine chest!

Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum is particularly noteworthy when injuries involve parts rich in nerves.

Characteristic symptoms include:

• Sharp, shooting pains extending from the wound
• Tingling, numbness, or nerve-related discomfort
• Injuries to fingers, toes, neck, coccyx, and other highly innervated areas
• Puncture wounds accompanied by shooting pains

A finger caught in a door or struck by a hammer is a classic situation in which Hypericum may be considered.

Ledum palustre

Ledum is one of the principal remedies for puncture wounds. Here are important characteristic indications for its use :

• The injured area feels cold to the touch
• Cold applications relieve the discomfort
• Warmth aggravates

Minor skin injuries are a part of life, and these remedies have been included in homeopathic medicine kits for generations. As always, serious wounds, deep punctures, signs of infection, or injuries requiring medical attention should be evaluated promptly by a qualified healthcare professional.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Below are some of the most important remedies to know, along with the characteristic symptoms you will want to see to consider using each one, drawn from traditional homeopathic sources.

Aconitum napellus

Sudden illnesses, fright, and shock

Aconite is one of the first remedies to consider when symptoms come on suddenly and intensely, especially after exposure to cold, dry wind or a sudden chill.

Classic indications include:

• Sudden fever or cold symptoms
• Fear, panic or restlessness
• Shock after fright or injury
• Anxiety after nightmares or being away from home

The hallmark of this remedy is restlessness and anxiety with ailments coming on suddenly. This remedy is especially helpful for children struggling with fear or panic during sleep-away camp or travel.

Suggested use: One dose every few hours as needed. Often, only 1 to 2 doses are required.

Arnica montana

The premier remedy for injuries and trauma

Arnica is one of the most widely used first aid remedies in homeopathy and belongs in every travel kit.

Think of Arnica for:

• Falls and blunt injuries
• Bruises and sore muscles
• Sprains and strains
• Overexertion
• Injuries where the person says, “I’m fine,” even when clearly hurt

A classic symptom of this remedy is the sensation of being “sore and bruised, as if beaten.”

Many parents are amazed watching swelling and bruising improve quickly after a timely dose of Arnica.

Suggested use: One pellet 1 to 3 times daily for a day or two, depending on severity. Arnica cream or gel may also be used topically on unbroken skin.

Apis mellifica

Stings, bites, redness, and swelling

Apis is often the first remedy to consider for:

• Bee stings
• Wasp stings
• Mosquito bites
• Puffy allergic skin reactions
• Hot, swollen, itchy skin

Keynotes include:

• Burning and stinging pains
• Redness and swelling
• Symptoms that improve with cold applications
• Sensitivity to heat

Suggested use: One or two doses are often enough for mild reactions.

Arsenicum album

Traveler’s stomach issues and food poisoning

Arsenicum album is a valuable remedy for:

• Mild food poisoning
• Traveler’s diarrhea
• Upset stomach with anxiety
• Exhaustion after gastrointestinal illness

Classic features include:

• Burning pains
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Weakness
• Chilliness
• Thirst with small sips of water taken frequently
• Symptoms after eating spoiled food

Suggested use: 1 to 3 doses over the first 12 hours for mild cases.

Belladonna

Sudden fever and heat

Belladonna is often indicated at the very beginning of an acute illness when symptoms appear rapidly and intensely.

Think of:

• Sudden high fever
• Red, flushed face
• Hot skin
• Throbbing pain
• Heat and sensitivity

It can also be helpful in early sunburn when the skin is bright red, hot, and radiating heat.

Suggested use: One dose every hour for up to 3 doses in acute situations.

Calendula officinalis cream

Cuts, scrapes and skin healing

Calendula cream or ointment is a staple for:

• Scrapes
• Minor cuts
• Abrasions
• Skin healing support

Known traditionally as one of homeopathy’s best topical remedies for promoting healthy tissue repair.

Important: Always clean wounds thoroughly before applying.

Gelsemium sempervirens

Summer colds with fatigue and heaviness

Gelsemium is often useful when someone feels:

• Weak
• Chilly
• Heavy and exhausted
• Drowsy
• Thirstless

A classic Gelsemium picture is “dullness, dizziness, and drooping.”

This remedy is often helpful for vague symptoms when no clearer remedy picture stands out.

Suggested use: One dose every 12 hours for up to 3 doses.

Hypericum perforatum

Nerve injuries and crushed fingers or toes

Hypericum is one of the best remedies for nerve injuries.

Think of:

• Slammed fingers
• Stubbed toes
• Tailbone injuries
• Sharp, shooting pains
• Tingling or radiating pain

Suggested use: Depending on severity, repeat every few hours as needed.

Ignatia amara

Homesickness, grief and emotional upset

Ignatia is especially useful for emotional distress, such as:

• Homesickness
• Crying spells
• Disappointment
• Emotional sensitivity
• Sighing and lump-in-the-throat feelings

It is a wonderful remedy to pack for sleep-away camp.

Suggested use: One dose is often enough. Repeat only if symptoms return.

Ledum palustre

Puncture wounds, black eyes and cold-feeling bites

Ledum is a key remedy for:

• Puncture wounds
• Insect bites
• Black eyes
• Bruises that feel cold rather than hot

Unlike Apis, Ledum complaints are often relieved by cold and may actually feel cold to the touch.

Suggested use: One pellet 1 to 3 times daily for a day or two, depending on severity.

Rhus toxicodendron

Poison ivy and stiffness

Rhus tox is one of the classic remedies for:

• Poison ivy rashes
• Sprains and strains
• Stiffness on first movement
• Symptoms improving with continued motion

A classic symptom of this remedy: “Restlessness with relief from motion.”

This remedy is often used after Arnica when stiffness becomes the dominant complaint.

Suggested use: One pellet every 2 hours for several doses during acute flare-ups.

Ruta graveolens

Tendon and ligament injuries

Ruta is often confused with Rhus tox, but has a stronger affinity for:

• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Periosteum
• Overuse injuries

Consider Ruta when Rhus-tox has not fully helped or when the injury feels tendon-related.

Silicea

Splinters and foreign body expulsion

Silicea is traditionally used to help encourage the body to expel:

• Splinters
• Thorns
• Embedded debris

Suggested use: One pellet every 12 hours for up to 3 doses.

A Few Important Reminders

Homeopathy can be a wonderful addition to a summer first aid kit, but it is not a substitute for emergency medical care when needed. Allergic reactions, injuries, dehydration, difficulty breathing, or persistent symptoms should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

When used appropriately, these remedies can provide gentle support for many common summer complaints and help keep adventures on track all season long.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

For many, the symptoms of a sinus problem include pain (facial and head), fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip.

Can homeopathy help?

Yes. What follows are a few homeopathic remedies to consider for an acute flare-up.

Homeopathy is governed by a law of nature – “like cures like.” As a result, remember - the key to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is ALWAYS the same. One must match the “characteristic symptoms” (ie, unusual or peculiar) of the person you are caring for (not the common ones like headache, sore throat, cough, fever, etc.) to a remedy capable of producing similar characteristic symptoms to have success. If you choose a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms of your family member, you should have a happy outcome every time. If you don't select a remedy in this fashion, you or they will either feel no effect or one that is mildly positive at best. There is never a bad effect from choosing the “wrong” remedy.

Hepar sulphuris: A person needing this homeopathic remedy often experiences a copious mucus discharge from the nose with an almost constant need to blow the nose. The mucus discharged may be thick, yellow, or green and may even be offensive in odor. There can also be heat and burning in the nose, with the interior of the nose extremely sensitive to the passage of air, particularly cold air, and to touch. The nose is frequently stuffed up in the morning, and there may be itching in the nose that causes sneezing. There can also be head pain felt as an aching in the forehead or a boring pain at the root of the nose. Someone needing this remedy will often find themselves extremely sensitive to cold and cold, dry air, pain, and even minor discomfort. They may also feel worse when blowing their nose.  This picture often appears in individuals who feel irritable or overwhelmed by discomfort during illness. Overall, symptoms tend to worsen with cold exposure and improve with warmth and protection from the elements.

Kali bichromium: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms are marked by thick, sticky, stringy mucus that is difficult to expel. The discharges from the nose and throat are tough, stringy, and adherent, forming long, ropy strands. The nose may be stuffed up, especially in the upper part, with difficulty detaching thick mucus, even though the mucus passes more easily post-nasally. If there is head pain, it is often felt in a very specific, localized spot, particularly over one or both eyes, and can at times be throbbing and quite intense. There may also be a sense of fullness or pressure at the root of the nose or within the sinuses. One may experience pain extending from the back of the head to the forehead when the nasal discharge ceases. In summary, a person needing this remedy typically has thick, tenacious mucus that is difficult to clear and symptoms that can feel stubborn and persistent. Symptoms are often worse in the morning and can be worse in warm, damp conditions.

Mercurius solubilis: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms are marked by profuse, irritating discharges, frequent sneezing, and a general sensitivity to temperature changes. The acrid discharge from the nose can at times appear greenish and may have an offensive odor, sometimes described as smelling like old cheese. The discharge can be irritating to the surrounding tissues, and some of the mucus may trickle down post-nasally into the throat, causing hawking, hoarseness, and a dry, rough cough from continual tickling. There are often pressing or tearing pains in the forehead, cheeks, upper teeth, and ears, with significant congestion to the head. If a headache is present, it may feel as though the head would burst or is being held tightly in a vise. A distinguishing feature is the combination of excessive saliva with thirst. The breath is often markedly offensive during the illness. Symptoms tend to worsen in damp weather, at night, and from both cold and warm air, reflecting a heightened sensitivity to environmental changes. There may also be a sense of restlessness during the ailment.

Phosphorus: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms fluctuate, with periods of congestion alternating with profuse discharge, and are accompanied by marked dryness and a strong thirst for cold drinks. The mucus is typically profuse, greenish or yellow, and may be streaked with blood, with bleeding often occurring when blowing the nose. These symptoms are often accompanied by a sense of dullness in the head, along with a sore throat, and hoarseness that may follow. There may also be a loss of smell and taste during the illness. Pain is frequently described as dull or pressive, extending from the forehead to the root of the nose and into the upper eyelids, sometimes with a sensation of pressure behind the eyes or a headache above them. A distinguishing feature of this remedy is a pronounced thirst for cold drinks, even during illness

Pulsatilla: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms are marked by thick, shifting discharges, a lack of thirst, and a strong sensitivity to warm environments. Someone needing this homeopathic remedy may complain of nasal congestion that is more obstructed at night and flows more easily in the morning. The morning discharge is typically yellow or yellow-green and may be offensive in odor. A key feature of this remedy is that symptoms tend to feel much worse in a warm room and significantly better in cool, open air, where congestion may ease. Head pain is usually frontal, often described as a heavy, bursting, or throbbing sensation, with tearing pains in the sinuses beneath the eyes and a sense of pressure across the face. The discomfort may at times be relieved by wrapping the head tightly. A distinguishing feature is a notable lack of thirst, even with dryness of the mouth, sometimes accompanied by a bad taste. Mentally, the individual may appear more emotional, weepy, or in need of reassurance during the illness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sinus pain and their symptoms match those of one of the remedies in this article, dose with that remedy using either a 30C or 200C potency to start - placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously and taking teaspoon doses as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins and only re-dose if symptoms again worsen. As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your problem as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Why Treating the Disease Is Not the Same as Treating the Person

Homeopaths justifiably believe, as one of medicine’s greatest prescribers, Dr. Adolph Lippe, MD, so aptly put it, that “there are not two persons alike; they are similar, but not alike; not alike in their physical developments and mental conditions; and being so unlike, can it be presumed that disease, even if we know her function-disturbing power, would attack all persons (who are not alike) in exactly the same manner? There are differences of sexes and of ages, the prevailing climatic influences, the seasons, which change the form of disease frequently. The fact, well known, that even epidemic diseases continually change their character as epidemics, and affect different individuals very differently, even in the same locality, and more differently still in different localities, shows conclusively that the treatment of a specific disease…is an impossibility; and the persistent practice of the Allopathic School of Medicine, which School bases its therapeutics upon the untenable hypothesis of a disease, must forever be a failure… If we attempt to restore health to the sick, we (homeopaths) are bound to individualize; if we attempt to cure diseases, we must generalize.”

Individualization and the Law of Similars

Individualization is a central element in homeopathy. Each patient is considered unique; each symptom, as well as the factors that make that symptom, and the patient, better or worse, is carefully noted to identify the most characteristic symptoms/aspects of the individual. With this information, a well-trained homeopath takes advantage of a cornerstone of homeopathy—the law of similars (like cures like)—to choose a medicine most appropriate for the patient. Thanks to the work of hundreds of thousands of homeopaths over the last two hundred years, homeopaths know the effects of their medicines in great detail.  They have learned, as Lippe wrote, that “medicines, when taken in a state of health, create symptoms similar to a form of disease which they were also known to cure at times… (and will) in the future indicate the condition(s) under which this medicine might be administered for the cure of the disease presenting the same symptoms, with a certainty never known before."

The Generalized Model of Conventional Medicine

Conventional medicine takes a different approach—a more generalized approach.

Let’s consider a patient with a cough. In conventional medicine, general symptoms are noted (your physician asks for basic information. In the case of a cough, they may listen to your chest for a moment and ask you a few basic questions, such as "have you been running a fever and have you been bringing anything up with the cough?") and a diagnosis is made. One or more medications are prescribed, and the patient is sent home. The next patient with the same general disease state will frequently receive the same medications. In this system of medicine, one size (i.e., drug therapy) generally fits everyone with the same-named disease.

The Limits of One-Size-Fits-All Treatment

Does this approach of generalization make sense? Is it true that every patient with bronchitis expresses the disease in an identical fashion?

It's important to remember that with any named ailment, there is a set of symptoms routinely associated with it.

How the Same Illness Can Look Completely Different from One Person to the Next

Homeopaths long ago recognized that each person expresses ailments in ways that are idiosyncratic, or unique, to them. Take that cough again as an example... You, your husband, and a coworker may all have a cough. However, in your case, the cough is worse when talking, laughing, eating, lying on your left side, and when moving from a warm room into cold air. You are also very thirsty for cold drinks. Your husband’s cough is notably worse in a warm room, better in cool, open air, and worse in the evening and when lying down. He is also completely thirstless. Your coworker—well, she seems to be most troubled by her cough at 3:00 AM. She also complains of minor stitching pains in her chest when coughing and is most comfortable when leaning forward to cough.

How the Same Illness Can Look Completely Different

In homeopathy, we use individualized treatments by recommending medicines selected to match the patient's characteristic (unique) symptoms. Individualized medicine…

Looking again at the cases cited above, each person uniquely expresses their ailment. Prescribing for the individual and not the disease name is simply logical. In homeopathy, the chosen medicine addresses the sick person and not the named disease.

Characteristic Symptoms as the Guide to Healing

To use homeopathy effectively, one needs to probe the patient deeply to better understand how each person uniquely expresses their ailment. It is those unique expressions of an ailment, particularly symptoms that are peculiar to the patient and intense, that are considered the characteristic symptoms of a case and that light the way to a helpful prescription.

To again quote Adolph Lippe, MD, “The law of the similars is a law of nature. The knowledge of its existence comes to us without resorting to deep abstractive reasoning; we find this law by soberly looking at everyday observations and experiences. It is the language of nature, ever friendly, leading us like a trusted guide through the labyrinths of life. She teaches us, in a language we all know, how the similar befriends the similar, how the similar spontaneously defines the similar, how the similar cures the similar…”

Individualization as a Contemporary Medical Insight

In an era increasingly aware of human complexity and variability, the enduring insight of homeopathy feels not antiquated but strikingly contemporary. By insisting that effective care begins with the individual rather than the diagnosis, homeopathy reminds medicine of a foundational truth: healing is not achieved by treating disease names, but by understanding people. Individualization is not a rejection of science or reason; it is an affirmation of careful observation, humility, and respect for the natural laws that govern health and illness. As medicine continues to search for more precise, humane, and effective approaches to care, homeopathy’s unwavering commitment to the individual stands as both a challenge and an invitation to rethink what it truly means to practice medicine in service of the whole person.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Aconite

If your stress comes on suddenly and hits like a wave. Aconite might be the remedy to think about. This is often the picture after a sudden fright or shock—intense worry, great restlessness, and a sense that something terrible is about to happen. Even sudden pain can trigger this kind of state. It is also a remedy to consider for physical ailments following a frightening shock.

Gelsemium

Gelsemium is a good fit when stress shows up as dread—especially before some event you’re worried about. You might feel shaky, weak, or heavy in your limbs, almost as if your body wants to shut down (Nash called it the “trembling remedy”). Many people who need Gelsemium just want to lie down and be left alone. It’s also well known for helping when nerves bring on diarrhea. It’s the most common remedy for “Ailments from bad news.”

Coffea

Think of Coffea when everything feels “turned up.” All one’s senses are more acute – the mind overactive. According to E.B. Nash, MD, “Coffea is especially adapted to mental shocks, such as sudden surprises, especially joyful surprises, excessive laughter and playing, disappointed love, noises, strong smells, etc. It is also adapted to variable moods; first crying, then laughing, then crying again.” Sleep is often difficult because the mind just won’t stop racing, and even slight noises can wake you. Coffea is often very helpful to take at that time: awake in bed at night, mind racing.

Ignatia

Ignatia is often helpful when emotional shock causes mixed, changeable reactions. You might cry one moment and feel numb the next. Sighing a lot, a tight chest, or the feeling of a lump in the throat are common signs. Nash describes it this way: “It has in it a marked element of sadness, and disposition to silent grieving. Anyone suffering … with sighing, much sobbing, etc., and especially if inclined to smother or hide that grief from others, is just the subject for this remedy. She desires to be alone with her grief. Sighs much and seems so sad and weak. The weakness is felt right in the pit of the stomach. She feels weak, faint... Another equally characteristic state of mind is a changeable mood.”

Chamomilla

The stressed person needing Chamomilla is hard to miss. To quote Nash: “To "boil down" all the different ways in which the Chamomilla mind can be and is expressed: ‘The patient is cross, ugly, spiteful, snappish. (He or) she knows it, admits it, and so does everyone else. She will return mean, uncivil, spiteful answers to her best friends, and then confess her fault, to repeat it again and again, and stoutly affirms she cannot help it, she feels so.’ This state of mind is always present in the marked Chamomilla case, whether it be adult or child.”

Staphysagria

Staphysagria is the remedy to consider when someone feels intense anger from hurt, humiliation, or feeling wronged—but keeps all the emotion inside. Also great for ailments from disappointment. To quote Nash again: this person has "great indignation about things done by others or himself, grieving about the consequences, continual concern about the future. (They) throw things away indignantly (particularly when angry), or push them away on the table.” When upset and anger lead to throwing things, this remedy is worth considering.

Phosphoricum acidum (Phos ac)

Phos ac is suited to people who feel emotionally flattened after a shock—quiet, drained, and withdrawn. Concentration becomes difficult, and appetite often disappears. 

Arnica

Most people know Arnica for bruises and injuries, but it’s also a wonderful remedy for emotional shock—especially when someone insists they’re fine but clearly aren’t. This protective “I don’t need help” stance is a classic Arnica symptom. The remedy, at times, helps soften that emotional armor so healing can begin.

As with any medical condition, consult your physician if you have concerns about the severity of your illness, as it may initially require a medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well.