How to Collect a Whole Symptom Picture for Choosing the Right Homeopathic Remedy?
- Nora Pettik
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Why is a complete symptom picture necessary?
Homeopathy is a holistic approach, meaning we don't just treat the disease or the symptom, but the whole person. Our goal is to restore balance, because when we are in harmony with ourselves, our immune system can fight diseases more effectively. Since everyone reacts differently to the same illness, it's essential to understand the unique manifestation and combination of symptoms. When selecting a homeopathic remedy, we not only consider the main symptom (like headache or cough) but also the accompanying symptoms, factors that influence improvement or deterioration (such as time of day, body position, environment), and the individual's emotional and mental state. Among the vast range of homeopathic remedies, these details help us pinpoint what makes the symptom set unique and find the most suitable remedy to address the imbalance.
The three main principles of classical homeopathic prescribing at home:
Like Cures Like: If a substance can trigger certain symptoms in a small amount, it can also cure the same symptoms when diluted in a homeopathic form. For example, Urtica Urens, made from nettles, is an excellent remedy for rashes that resemble those caused by nettles, commonly known as hives.
One Remedy at a Time: In classical homeopathy, only one remedy is used at a time for a condition. The more the remedy covers the complete symptom picture, the better the expected result. It’s not necessary to have every symptom listed for a particular remedy, but the remedy should cover as many of your symptoms as possible.
Minimum Dose: If the remedy is working, it does not need to be repeated unless the symptoms return or stop improving. If it doesn’t help anymore, choose the next remedy based on the current symptoms.
How to Collect a Whole Homeopathic Symptom Picture?
A complete symptom picture consists of the following:
Aetiology – (What triggered it) e.g., caused by cold
Location – (Where it is located) e.g., on the right side of the chest
Sensation – e.g., sharp or dull pain
Modality – e.g., worsens with deep inhalation
Concomitant Symptoms – e.g., anger
Location, sensation, and modality are almost always present, but the more "legs" the symptom stands on, the better.
Aetiology:
What caused the problem, or what happened when the symptoms started? For example, walking home in wet shoes or experiencing emotional shock, such as humiliation. This is crucial information for understanding the root cause of the problem.
Location:
Where exactly is the problem? Is the pain unilateral (left-right), or does it radiate anywhere? The precise location of the symptoms can also help in selecting the right remedy.
Sensation:
How do you experience the symptoms? Is the pain dull, throbbing, sharp, or stabbing?
Modality:
Modality is very important as it is always an external or internal factor that influences the symptom. The symptom either appears, changes, improves, or worsens because of it. Knowledge of modalities is essential for individualized remedy selection. Types of modalities include:
Time modalities (time of day, lunar phases, sudden or gradual onset)
Physiological modalities (worsens with inhalation, improves after secretion, body position, sleep)
Physical circumstances (compresses, fresh air, pressure helps or worsens the symptom)
Psychological factors (fear, consolation, anger influencing the symptom)
Concomitant Symptoms:
What other symptoms accompany the primary problem but are not directly related to it? For example, a headache caused by coughing, or tooth pain that always starts with menstruation.
Remember: Not all symptoms associated with a particular remedy need to be present. The goal is to map out the patient’s condition as thoroughly as possible and find a remedy that covers the overall symptom picture.
The more you use homeopathy the easier it gets. For simpler cases, it’s always worth trying homeopathy first.
You can find help with remedy selection here: Nethomeo Self Help
You can read more about various homeopathic remedies here: Homeopathy Info
Disclaimer: The information provided here should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified and licensed healthcare provider. The information provided is for informational purposes only. For professional assistance, please book a consultation!
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