I asked recently about what people would like to know more about, and got a diverse range of answers, many chronic conditions in different areas. I will get to them, but before I do I thought about a foundation post, that I can refer back to and that actually ties so many chronic conditions together: the nervous system.
In homeopathy we talk about Hering’s law, the first part of which states that we heal from the inside out. So when we think about the body and the various systems- gastrointestinal, respiratory, heart and circulation, endocrine (hormones), etc what is at the centre? The nervous system. Brain, spinal column and nerves.
When we are considering any chronic condition we need to consider the nervous system and whether that is activated – and work on supporting this and healing this so that all other body systems can improve.
It is one of the reasons I love homeopathy- every remedy has a depth to it that is not just a mechanistic physical symptom specific to a single area. We actively consider mental and emotional symptoms and the totality, or the body as a whole. Sometimes though, despite that it might seem like we’re going in circles, or that we’re still not getting to the root cause.
If this is happening for you consider:
Are you aware and connecting your mental, emotional and physical symptoms? So many people are living in their heads and not connecting with their bodies. Taking a few minutes several times a day to breathe and check in- and then notice if there is any pattern- is a good first step to supporting and connecting your mind and body.
What practices do you have in your life that support and calm your nervous system? My personal favourite is yoga, but Qi gong, Pilates, Alexander technique and meditation all help to tone and support the nervous system.
What is your exposure to stress? It would be naive to think that everyone can lead a completely stress free life, but stress negatively impacts the nervous system and your ability to cope physically with everything from hormones to your immune system.
Is there any trauma in your past? You may not think it is relevant to what is happening, but if you have been in a fight, flight, freeze traumatic situation your nervous system may still be stuck there.
If you can identify anything that suggests your nervous system is involved, make that your priority. Certainly there are things that you can implement yourself- such as breath work, meditation, and mindful exercise, but often, particularly if there are chronic health conditions accompanying your nervous system dysfunction you are going to need some more support.
There are many modalities that can help you and you need to find the right options and practitioners for you. Bodywork options include Bowen therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, craniosacral therapy, flinch lock release and fascia work- they all have their place and can physically calm the nervous system, and relieve tension throughout the body. Naturopaths, holistic nutritionists, Ayurvedic practitioners will all have different ways of considering lifestyle and supplements to support you and your nervous system.
But me, I’m 100% biased towards homeopathy. Homeopathy meets you where you are, mentally, emotionally and physically. I’ve seen it support people through dealing with old trauma, and even had a few cases with past life trauma to work through. Homeopathy is a catalyst, and the remedy provides the information and the energy to stimulate change, however that looks for you.
The other message here is that coming back and keeping working for forward momentum is important for long term change. Homeopathy does work as the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, but we really want to prevent you from falling over the cliff, support your resilience and get you to the point where you are strong and capable. Once you’re feeling a bit better don’t stop until everything is completely fine, and then check in for the small symptoms. That little niggle is your early warning system, and dealing with the small stuff is easier than waiting until you are really struggling.
So if you’ve got this far, and want some homeopathy ideas for nervous system support, here are some acute remedies. I want to be clear though, for a chronic, complex or long term condition, they’re not fixing the problem, they’re just like a band aid for a cut, but if you actually need support for a gaping wound that is bleeding profusely, this is not going to be enough and you need professional support.
Narayani Calming is a combination homeopathic remedy that does exactly what it says- calms anxiety and the nervous system. It contains Avena Sativa, Coffea, Humulus, Ignatia, Kali Phos, Passiflora, Sumbul and Valeriana.
Apple Tree is a homeopathic remedy that can be useful for nervous system dysfunction when there is a trauma in the background. They can feel oversensitive to everything, and be mentally foggy and be unable to focus.
Phosphoric Acid is a homeopathic remedy for exhaustion particularly when there has been emotional stress. It can leave you feeling physically fatigued and weak, apathetic and overwhelmed.
Olive is a Bach flower essence for burnout and exhaustion, and is a useful remedy to help recovery from stress or illness.
Homeobotanical blend E contains Chamomile, Gentian, Hops, Lavender, Lime Flowers, Oats, Passion Flower, Rosemary, Skullcap and Valerian. It is useful for emotional stress, anxiety, nerves and tension, and can be combined with other blends.
If you would like to work on supporting your nervous system, please email me or make an appointment. It can take time for things to improve, and I would be pleased to work with you and make a plan to improve from the inside out.
Image by John Hain on Pixabay