by Tutti Gould D.C., N.D.
Here comes winter, and once again patients call upon health professionals to strengthen challenged immune systems. As we know, balance is crucial to all life. Too much rain causes flooding and too little results in drought. Too much food leads to obesity and too little causes malnutrition. Too much stress overloads the nervous system and too little may create inertia. As with any other aspect of nature, humans require just the right mix of life-giving components to suit individual needs.
Some of us are stimulated by more rest, others need more exercise. Similarly, hyperactivity of the immune system can lead to autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, where the body attacks itself. By comparison, a sluggish immune system will precipitate the spread of deficiency diseases like the common cold, often leading to more serious secondary conditions.
By matching the appropriate homeopathic remedy to the individual constitution of a person, a homeopathic remedy can bring order back to a disordered state and help the body return to its own unique balance.
In homeopathy, people fit certain body/mind types referred to as constitutional types and each will respond to the specific homeopathic substance that is capable of producing the symptom picture most similar to her own. For instance, a person may be a Sulphur type or a Nux Vomica type.
Know Your Client
Constitutional care has the capacity to elicit a profound healing response by strengthening the underlying defence processes of their body, thus supporting it to return to a state of health and balance.
A complete description of each constitutional type is found in any homeopathic Materia Medica. The following is a brief synopsis of a few important constitutional remedies.
Nux Vomica
Nux Vomica types are highly-strung, energetic, competitive and ambitious. They work and play hard, thrive on challenges and can be highly critical of others. They are impatient and readily explode with anger. In their drive to achieve, they may resort to alcohol or drugs to enhance their performance, or to help them to relax. They suffer digestive disturbances, headaches, constipation and insomnia and are often worse in the morning.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla types are good-natured, affectionate, shy, kind and gentle. Often dependent on others for support, they gratefully accept guidance and advice. Not very assertive they find decision-making difficult and have a hard time expressing anger. They avoid confrontation and are swayed by emotion rather than reason. They cry easily without self-restraint and feel better when consoled. They suffer urinary complaints and menstrual difficulties.
Sulphur
Although Sulphur types expend a great deal of energy in imaginative thought, they are less efficient on a practical level. They are intellectual, philosophical, opinionated and self-centered with a strong need for recognition. They enjoy lively debates on topics that interest them. Although easily incensed, their anger subsides quickly. They may also be friendly and extroverted. They can be lazy, untidy and ill kempt. They suffer from skin complaints, headaches and hemorrhoids.
Arsenicum
Arsenicum Album types are tense, proper, restless and ambitious individuals who worry about their health. They are deeply pessimistic with a constant need for reassurance. Finesse and precision personified, they are intolerant of disorder. They express strong opinions and have little time for the ideas and beliefs of others. Their perfectionistic tendencies result in an "all or nothing" attitude. They suffer various gastric disorders, ulcers and prostration.
