When I studied homeopathy I learnt to be careful of Staphisagria. That it was indicated for “honeymoon cystitis” but in cases of abuse it could bring back flashbacks, and Morrison’s desktop guide even cautions using it when there is a situation the client cannot get out of as it can make them more reactive and potentially cause more ‘turmoil’.
I was extremely cautious about using this remedy for a very long time. I then used it with a client with a long history of trauma, and she did have memories come back – we were prepared for that, and I had discussed it with her prior, but it was interesting to see it happen in real life. What we also saw though was the leaps and bounds that came after she took it. The remedy was instrumental in her healing, and she was so much better after taking it.
Now, I have lost my fear of Staphisagria – although I am still cautious, when the situation warrants it. It can bring up trauma, and it is important that anyone taking it is in a position to deal with this: sometimes scaffolding is required first, whether with lifestyle changes, or working with other remedies first to allow healing and resolution of trauma, not a re-activation through bringing up suppressed memories.
I find it an immensely valuable remedy, and I vary the way I use it to make sure we get maximum effect with the least possible risk.
𝑺𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒚.
Staphisagria people can be defined by the word ‘nice’. They do the right thing, put their family and friends first, and are happy to help others. It may seem like there is a lot of stress and pressure, but they often just get on with it, and are uncomplaining. There can be abuse, or a history of abuse, either physical or psychological – and this has taught them to do what needs to be done, not to cause offence and to keep the peace. Staphisagria will also conform to what society dictates, even if it is not in their own best interest.
If you’ve been wondering why this post has a picture of Elsa from Frozen, this is the reason why. The lyrics from ‘Let It Go’ are “Be the good girl you always have to be; Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know” – which is what Staphisagria do, often unconsciously, to be “good” and “nice” and suppress any negative feelings.
With all of this, you would think there could be some anger lurking underneath. Staphisagria is known for throwing things in anger, however in some cases I have seen the anger is so suppressed that they don’t even feel it. Some people who need Staphisagria “never feel angry”, and accept situations that would make most people angry without a qualm.
Staphisagria don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or cause a fight, so they will keep their opinions to themselves and avoid saying anything especially if it would make someone else angry. They may have low self-esteem, one of the reasons it is indicated for people who have been verbally or physically abused, and there can be a causation of humiliation.
Jill Turland talks about Staphisagria in her book “Getting Back On Track” which is using very high potencies. Some of the key feelings of Staphisagria in these high potencies include a belief in justice, right and wrong, yet feel helpless around the decisions of authority. (This makes me think of Covid, and how many people are still traumatised by the decisions of our Government).
Staphisagria can have romantic ideals, and suppress their sexuality outwardly, but have a vivid fantasy life. Morrison notes the more suppressed they are the more they may have sexual excitement. For Staphisagria, insomnia can be alleviated with masturbation.
Staphisagria is part of the Ranunculaceae family (like Aconite, Pulsatilla, Cimicifuga and Clematis), and Sankaran notes the active reaction for this family group is nervous tension, inner conflicts with many emotions, suppression and sensitivity to trifles.
Now let’s talk about physicals. Staphisagria can have complaints from things that they feel forced to do, or from things being done to them – even with consent. It is a remedy for honeymoon cystitis, or urinary tract infections after sex. Cystitis after catheterisation is also an indicator for Staphisagria. Surgical wounds and incisions also can indicate Staphisagria, particularly if there is a mental or emotional feeling that they had to have the surgery, there was no other choice.
Staphisagria is also a remedy for headlice – which Louise Hay associates with resentment or being “bugged” about something – but suppressing this feeling. There can also be styes on the eyelids – and these are considered to be looking at the world through angry eyes (yet not expressing it).
Many of the physical complaints are from suppressed anger – including abdominal pain, trembling in the extremities, and psoriasis.
The question for anyone considering Staphisagria on a mental emotional level, is are you ready to “let it go”? It may bring up some traumatic memories, it may release anger, and it may lead you to actions that change your life. What it is also doing though is releasing the bonds that have been holding you back from being the amazing person you deserve to be. To take more words from Elsa:
“And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I’m never going back, the past is in the past
Let it go, let it go
And I’ll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand in the light of day
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway”
Staphisagria can be an immensely powerful remedy, and bring change for the better. So while I don’t fear prescribing this remedy, I do have a healthy respect for what it can do, and that if there is a possibility of it having this effect with processing trauma or changing life circumstances, then it may not be the first remedy, support may be needed, and also conversations about the potential effect of the remedy. It should be noted, that it doesn’t have to be a trauma processing life changing remedy – I have treated a number of people with it who needed Staphisagria for the physical symptoms, and their response was more on the physical level as well.
Have you had an experience with Staphisagria?
Photo: Elsa from Let it Go, with Delphinium Staphisagria from Luc.T from Buggenhout, België, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons