Matters of the Heart: working

with emotional pain

Homeopathy helps to soften emotional
pain, unlocks trapped emotions, and
eases transitions while supporting
growth and self-empowerment.

National Center for Homeopathy

Webinar Series, Dec. 2017
We carry within ourselves the seed of healing.

Tanya Renner, CCH, RSHom(NA)

Tanya Renner is a certified homeopathic consultant, Life Coach, and educator with a private
practice in New Hampshire. Tanya has served as a Core Faculty Member and Co-Administrator of
Teleosis Homeopathic Collaborative, LLC. She is a professor at New Hampshire State
College. Tanya has a particular interest in helping people discover how to strengthen their
healing capacity by accessing simple, effective wellness strategies.
© 2017, Tanya Renner
Welcome to the NCH Homeopathy Academy of Moms program,
Matters of the Heart: Working With Emotional Pain!

This webinar is intended for home care ailments, complaints which can be self-diagnosed,
self-treated and self-managed.

This material is offered for educational purposes only. Nothing herein is intended
as medical advice nor is any claim made that the comments or opinions expressed
herein are approved by any government department or agency. Whenever dealing
with a health issue consult a qualified health care provider.
 What we will cover today
Taking a case with an
emotional center

Some common remedies

for emotional relief

Homeopathic Cell Salts

for emotional support

Resources for further

exploration
E-motion:
energy in
motion

turbulent
tumbling
soothing
tranquil
 Emotions are a
whole being experience
Emotions can become
overwhelming, exhausting,
or frozen. Our body may
respond in uncomfortable
ways.
• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Body Tension
• Chills, Hot Flashes
• Trembling, Weakness
• Restlessness, Insomnia
Thoughts and mood scramble
Behavior and mood can
become uncomfortable:
• Unfocused/Distracted
• Forgetful/Confused
• Irritable/Snappish
• Withdrawn/Aloof
• Resentful
• Angry
• Numb
• Exploding/Rage
• Bitter
• Vengeful
Taking the case

Think like a homeopath: consider the whole picture

What has changed?

Cause: the stress that preceded the change
Which symptoms are strongest?
Which symptoms are striking/unusual/unique?
Change in a general symptom(s)?
Emotional changes?
Cognitive (mental) changes?
Physical changes?
What makes the symptoms better or worse?
General symptom: a sx that affects the whole person, such as feeling worse when lying
down, better from dancing, being more thirsty or perspiring more than usual.
Symptoms statements often start with “I feel….” or “I am ….”
 Notice emotions
1. Give the feeling(s) a name, a metaphor, a
description. Use as many descriptors as you like.
2. Notice any conflicting emotions. Name them.
3. Highlight the strongest emotions &
descriptors and unique emotions.

Notice what is right about your emotions. Hear their

message. See their wisdom. Thank the emotions.
Allow the emotions to pass.
E.g.: This sadness is heavy, as if I am carrying an extra 50 lbs. I love her, but feel jealous too.
She laughs when she feels sad. He wants to be picked-up and then screams when you do.
 Become aware of
thought patterns
1. Bring awareness to your story or narrative.
2. What are the repeating story themes?
(Unique Perspective – “Your Take” on your life.)

A repeating narrative informs, but does not heal. You

may release the story without judgment.
E.g.: If only I could be a better mom, he would be healthy. The injustice is eating away at me.
I’ll never forgive him. I worry about everything under the sun. Nothing will ever be the same.
Everyone is insensitive and mean. Nobody understands me or even cares. I almost died! I
know I’ll screw up again. My thoughts race. I bounce from one idea to the other.

Good news: Homeopathy help us rewrite these narratives.

 Tune into body sensations
1. What are you feeling in your body?
2. What is the change in sensation?

Recognize your body is doing the best it can do right

now with the resources that are currently available.
Thank your body. Send your body compassion and love.
E.g.: I feel chilly. I am trembling inside. I feel dizzy when in bed. My thigh feels
numb. My lips are cracking and I have a cold sore. There’s a lump in my throat. I
know I would feel better if I cried, but I can’t cry. My stomach is sinking. Foods sits
in my stomach. I’ve lost my appetite. When I make myself go to the gym I feel
better. Fresh air lightens the heaviness in my body. I fall asleep and wake in panic 2
hours later.
 Highlight
1) Make a list of the unique symptoms.
2) Aim for 3-6 symptoms.
3) Include the “cause” on the list.

Common mistake: using common symptoms,

because you think more symptoms is better.

Hint: Try using different symptom categories.

E.g.: cause, emotions, mental, physical, generals
(But only if they are unique symptoms!!!)
 Common Mistake in Case Taking
Mistake: Focusing on common symptoms
E.g. of Common Symptoms: feeling sad after a loss;
sleepiness from lack of sleep; thirsty after dehydration,
fatigue worse by exercise

Strong Case Taking:

E.g. of Unique Symptoms: sensation of a lump in the
throat with sadness; exhausted but cannot fall asleep
or stay asleep; sleepiness from anticipatory anxiety;
thirstless with dry mouth and concentrated urine,
fatigue better with exercise
Hint: Unique symptoms and the causation will help you find an effective remedy!
Aconite, shock followed by fear, anxiety, panic

Cause: Fright. Onset of aliment is sudden after fright.

Person looks frightened; can’t be pacified
All senses are keen
Pupils may contract
Wakes a couple hours after sleep with a sense of panic (night terror or panic)
Agitation: Restlessness, tossing in bed, fidgets
Thirsty
May retain urine
May develop a sudden fever, earache, or cystitis with great inflammation
Inflammation: Redness, Dry Burning Heat, Swelling, Throbbing Pain
Palpitations
Tightness/Tension/Inflammation in throat or chest
Fears the future and what it might bring

Homeopath’s Hint:
Focus on the strongest and most striking symptoms in your case. Does Aconite cover
the symptoms? You don’t need to have complete coverage of the symptoms, but the
strongest and most striking symptoms should be covered. For a more detailed
description of aconite, search the NCH website. Aconitum napellus
Case Aconite: shock followed by fear and anxiety

The wheels of the car hit an icy patch on the road and the car spins out. You see your life
pass in front of your eyes as you regain control of the car. Everyone is safe, but you can’t
shake the feeling of shock. Internally, you feel unstable, muscles feel tight, and anxiety
seems to settle in the chest. You have trouble focusing. That night your sleep is restless
and you wake shortly before midnight with a feeling of panic. Heart is racing.

The physical body wasn’t injured in this case, but the effects of a close call resulted in
physical, emotional and mental symptoms. Emotions create a “whole being experience.”

There are many different situations which could lead to an aconite state, for example

• A near miss with a deer on the road

• Experiencing an earthquake
• Witnessing a near accident with images in your mind of a disastrous outcome
• Shocking news
• Victim of a personal crime
• News that you may be deported from the country you now call home
 You might be thinking about Arsenicum album or Arnica in the previous case.

Arsenicum album is more strongly indicated in a case when the fear is more
generalized or unknown. Anxiety about health, finances, and family is common.
They are more likely to wake between midnight and 2:00 am. Like aconite, they
experience anxiety, tension, restlessness with prostration, and panic. Arsenicum
album covers many GI complaints with a relationship to emotions. Their anxiety
is better with company and constant reassurance -- the reassurance wears off
quickly. Better warmth.

We commonly think of Arnica as a first choice remedy in cases of physical

trauma. It’s also strongly indicated for emotional shock and grief associated with
accidents. In an arnica case, the person often looks a little spacey or
disconnected as if their energetic body has been bruised or displaced by the
incident. Sleep may be disturbed by thoughts of the shocking incident. They may
be asked to be left alone as they work to regain composure.

Homeopathy speeds up a natural process.

Hint: Carry Arnica in the car. It’s a first line remedy for physical and emotional shock.
Gelsemium shock followed by internal trembling, weakness, and spaciness

• Cause: bad news, disappointment, fright, anticipation which is followed by weakness,

trembling, numbness
• Distress, weakness & apprehension with memory of an accident.
• Fear with great fatigue and heaviness, aching in head, neck, arms, back, legs
• Sleepy but can’t sleep
• Silent grief (unable to cry or express his grief)
• Loose stools
• Chills in the back

Case: He is trying to rebuild his energy after hearing the diagnosis of a loved one. He is
sad but unable to cry. Somedays he feels trembling and weakness inside. He is
exhausted. His body is heavy and he moves slowly. When the wave of fear is strongest,
his stools become loose. Sometimes a chill runs up and down the back.

Examples of situations that may create “anticipatory anxiety:”

• Fear of taking a driver’s test
• Fear of acceptance to college
• Performance stress
• Meeting with former spouse
• A pending natural disaster
• A visit from an estranged family member
 Ignatia-shock followed by despair and inability to fully express grief

Case: She recently learned that her boyfriend is under investigation for petty
theft after steeling produce from a local farm to help feed his hungry family.
She feels she needs to be strong for her boyfriend and doesn’t cry. Her
throat is choked up with grief and she is angry at the injustice. Her chests
feels constricted. She sighs aloud. Several days later her back goes into
spasm. Her mom reports she can get hysterical at home over the smallest
things.

• Cause: loss, grief, emotional shock, disappointment

• Unexpressed grief creating ups and downs or “micro burst” of emotions,
crying jags or “silent” grief
• Attempts to console, aggravate
• Cannot handle injustice
• Insomnia with active dreams
• Constriction and spasm: Hysteria, Tightness in throat, chest and back.
Sighing and yawning to release tension.

Emotional Spasm: Hysteria, Sighing, Outbursts of emotion

Muscle and Nerve Spasm: Tightness, Cramping
Natrum muriaticum grief followed by silent withdraw or alternating between
cheerfulness and melancholy emotions

Mike has mixed feelings around the holidays. While he enjoys reconnecting with family
and friends, he knows somebody will say something that will cause him to feel sad or
mad. He wishes his dad had been more present for him while growing up. Every visit
confirms that things will never change. His back starts to hurt and is better lying down on
firm surfaces. His mind is reviewing stories of the past and he cannot fall asleep.

• Cause: Disappointed love, forsaken

• Loss of self through grief, rejection or criticism, they withdraw and erect a barrier
• Wants connection but consolation aggravates – pushes you away
• Hopeless about the future
• Monomania-repeating story line. Resentment.
• Headaches worse light, noise, before or after period
• Headaches from grief, perfectionism
• Headaches “pounding”
• Hay fever, sneezing, excessive discharge then dry and stuffy
• Herpetic eruption on lips
• Asthma worse in the late day and evening
• Desires salty foods
Remedies with overlapping themes

Ignatia and Natrum muriaticum are similar in emotions,

especially grief from disappointed love. Both may
passionately express their feelings or be reserved. Both
may lose themselves in noble causes. They don’t let go
of or share their feelings easily. Natrum muriaticum
often follows Ignatia states.

Let the body guide you:

Look at the physical symptoms to help differentiate the
remedies.
Nux vom: grief followed by tension and irritability - snappish

Case: The anniversary of her husband’s death is coming up soon. Her body feels
tense and she is impatient, impulsive, and quarrelsome. Nothing is right. To ease
the emotions she finds herself eating spicy and fatty foods and drinking alcohol more
than usual. She wakes between 3-4 am thinking about work. She finds herself
constipated and is worried about developing hemorrhoids. The tension in the back
is worse lying in bed.

• Cause: overwork and desire to control life

• On the go, impatient, impulsive and quarrelsome
• Tension and spasm in the body
• Constipation (spasm or constriction in motility)
• Back pain worse lying down
• Tense mood
• Wakes between 3-4 am making To-Do lists in her head
• Overindulges in stimulating foods-spicy, fat, sugar, alcohol

Notice how Ignatia and Nux vom both have tension and constriction.
Ignatia constriction/spasms is more often noticed in the throat & chest
and Nux vom in the abdomen/intestines and back.
Sepia: grief followed by “deflated, sinking” feelings

Case: Jean’s friends call her the “energizer bunny,” but recently she feels it is impossible to
recharge her batteries. She loves her family, but right now she feels indifferent. She is caring
for her aging parents and children. She is greatly disappointed that she can’t give 100% to
everyone. “Slowly sinking in quicksand” is a way to describe the feeling. Her lower back in the
sacral region aches and is worse standing and better lying on firm surface. Exercise and
purposeful occupation gives her a temporary lift.

• Always on the go, organizing, get things done

• Feels irritable, disconnected, and overwhelmed. Snaps at the family, when she is fatigued
and people are interfering with “progress”
• Irritability progressed to indifference. Feels guilty about her indifference
• Ameliorated when alone. Would love to be sent to her bedroom by herself for the rest of
the day or better yet, have the grandparents take the kids for the weekend!
• Mental dullness, sluggishness, and confused
• Everything is worse from 2-5 pm
• Headaches, especially over the left eye, worse around menses
• Empty feeling in stomach, not better from eating
• Craves sweet and sour foods

Sepia and Nux vom drive themselves to exhaustion.

Staphysagria: grief from betrayal, criticism, humiliation and trapped

Case: She is underemployed and needs to live with her brother in-law who is
dictatorial and judgmental. Her sister does not defend her. She helps out with
cooking, cleaning, and the kids, but it all goes unnoticed. She can’t say anything.
When she gets really angry she clenches her fists and trembles. She aches all over
and cannot sleep she feels so angry. In the last year, she has had 3 bouts of cystitis.

• Cause: suppressed anger, wounded pride, no place to safely express self

• Indignation
• Silent grief, which eventually may erupt in aggressive action such as throwing
things
• Styes and tarsal tumors of the eyelids
• Cystitis
• Clenches teeth. Excessive tooth decay.
• Desires Tobacco
Cocculus: grief/worry complicated by lack of sleep with unsteady feeling

Case: My son is being bullied at school and I am so angry and scared about the
possible effects on my child. I can’t sleep and I’m sick from worry. When I do fall
asleep, I have nightmares. My mental process is slow. Sometimes I feel unsteady,
like the ground is moving underneath my feet. I am dizzy and have a headache.
My low back feels weak and it feels like it’s trembling.

Cause: Lack of sleep from worry or night-watch.

• Bad effects from grief, anger or anxiety over a loved-one
• Bad effects from “night-watch” – nursing a loved-one
 Creating Calm with Cell Salts

Support tissues with

homeopathic cell salts.
Macro-minerals taken in a
3x-12x potency.

Calc phos, Calc fluor,

Calc sulph, Kali phos,
Kali mur, Kali sulph,
Homeopath’s note: For our purposes, a
Ferrum phos, Silica, cell salt is always one of the twelve
Mag phos, Nat mur, Nat macro-minerals in a potency between
phos, Nat sulph 3x-12x, often 6x. See Homeopathic Cell
Salt Remedies by Lennon & Rolfe
 Kali phos 6x: potassium phosphate
Soother of jangled nerves

• Cause: Nervous strain. Loss of sleep. Mental Strain.

• Brain is tired. Difficult concentrating.
• Difficulty unwinding.
• Irritable, anxious, jumpy, snappy.
• Nervous system fatigue leads to temper tantrums.
• Heaviness in limbs with coldness.
• Empty feeling in pit of stomach.
• Backache, spine feels sore; better for movement.

Homeopath’s Tip: When Kali phos 6x works well, but not completely, consider adding
one or two of the other phosphate salts. Phosphate cell salts: Calc phos 6x, Ferrum
phos 6x, Kali phos 6x, Mag phos 6x, Nat phos 6x
Cell Salt
 Mag phos 6x: magnesium phosphate
Soother of jangled nerves

• Emotions up and down (emotional spasm)

• Spasms in abdomen, uterus
• Tight back and muscle spams
• Headache (migraines) from tightness/constriction
• Complaints better pressure and heat
• Leg cramps
• Nervous asthma

Homeopath’s Tip: When Mag phos 6x works well,

but not completely add Calc phos 6x.
Cell Salt
 Nat sulph 6x: sodium phosphate
natures digestive support

• Irritable from the fast-paced life

• Difficultly unwinding and wakes unrefreshed
• Overindulging in sweets, fat, and alcohol
• Asthma after grief, worse damp conditions and 4 am
• Emotionally heavy feeling
• Slow waking

Homeopath’s Tip: When acidity symptoms are prominent in the case, try Nat phos 6x.

Cell Salt
Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Popular cell salt combinations:

Destress tonic: Kali phos 6x, Mag phos 6x and Silicea 6x

Sleep tonic: Ferrum phos 6x, Kali phos 6x, Mag phos 6x

Nervous release tonic: Kali phos 6x, Calc fluor 6x, Cal phos
6x, Mag phos 6x

Rejuvenate tonic: Nat phos 6x, Nat sulph 6x, Silica 6x

Vitality boost tonic: Ferrum pho 6x, Kali phos 6x, Nat mur
6x

Make your own combo: 2 tablets of each salt in a little water

Buy a combo: See a homeopathic pharmacy or 1-800Homoepathy.com
 Blooming with Flower Essences

Rescue Remedy: a blend of flower essences Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem,

Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, Clematis

Available in a
• Tincture drops
• Spray
• Cream
• Gum
• Chewy Pastilles

Start here if you don’t know where else to start! Recommended use for
traumatic situations, stress, emergencies, or other situations where there is
a sudden lose of balance.

Note: Flower Essences are very dilute preparations or flower essences, not to be
confused with strong, fragrant essential oils.
 Gratitude
goes a long way
Thank yourself for the courage to deepen your
awareness.

Thank yourself for acknowledging the special

qualities of your energy self.

Thank yourself for the intelligence of your

feelings states.

May peace find a place in your heart. Tanya Renner

I go to nature to be soothed and healed,
and to have my senses put in tune once more. John Burroughs
 When to see a medical professional
• Emotions are overwhelming and are interfering with
relationships and work.
• Home care is ineffective.
• People are concerned about your well-being.
• Emotional symptoms might be linked to a physical
problem.
• Trouble with alcohol or drug use.
• Use of recreational, OTC, or Rx drugs is increasing.
• Engaging in risky behaviors.
• Thinking about harming yourself or someone else.
 What about potency?
More sensitive 30x or 12c
You…
• Require less medication
than the average person
• Avoid certain foods
• Are sensitive to changes in
environment
• Have difficulty with
confrontation
• Identify yourself as
“sensitive”
More Robust 30C
You…
• Tolerate medications easily
• Can eat “anything”
• Express a wide range of
emotions and are not
effected by other people’s
emotions
• Enjoy a stable mood and
high energy throughout
most days
 What about frequency?
Potency: 30x or 12c (sensitive) or 30c (robust)

Dosing: follow the instructions or 1-3 pellets per dose

Frequency:
• Every 15 minutes for very recent trauma with strong clear symptoms.
• Every couple of hours for recent injury with strong symptoms.
• A couple doses a day for other injuries.
• One dose and reevaluate in 5-21 days, for older emotional trauma. WAIT and WATCH.
Remedies speed up a natural process of healing. Create time and space to work through
emerging emotions. Mental Health Practitioners can help work through emotions when
needed.

When to stop?
• Stop as soon as symptoms start to improve. Re-start if the same symptoms return.
• If there is no improvement after 3 doses, stop and try a different remedy.
• If there is no improvement after trying 3 different remedies,
stop and contact your health care provider or a professional homeopath.
© 2017 Tanya Renner
 NCH Webinars
Homeopathy Happy: The Key to Resilience in Depression and Anxiety
with Jennifer Bahr, March 2015
This webinar has a helpful review of Ars alb, Lyc, Calc carb, Aconite, Gels, Aurum
met, Ign, Nat mur, Phos, Puls, Staphy for emotional complaints.

Homeopathy: A Strategy for Weaning off SSRIs and Benzos

with Jennifer Bahr, July 2016

Sunlight warms the soul.

 Homeopathy Today, an NCH publication
Easing Political Stress, Jonci Jensen, Summer 2017
When the Fabric of Safety is Shattered, Amy Rothenberg, Autumn 2016
Emotional First Aid, Lia Bello, Autumn 2015
Forgiving and Moving Forward, Kenneth Silvestri, Feb. 2009
Addicted to Love? Mary Aspinwall, Jan/Feb 2008
Hurricane Katrina and the many faces of Ignatia,
Irene Sebastian, August 2006
When Grief and Sorrow Overwhelm, July/Aug 2005
My Top Ten Stressbusters, Miranda Castro, Jan, 2004
Not a member yet?
Move forward by gifting yourself a NCH Member today!
Book Resources

Homeopathic Guide to Stress by Miranda Castro

Written for Home Care

Emotional Healing with Homeopathy by Peter Chappell

For the more experienced

Permission to Mourn by Tom Zuba

The process of healing from a great loss
Complements the above resources

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s

peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The
winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the
storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn
leaves. John Muir
 Verbal First Aid™ developed
by Judith Acosta & associates

1. “The Heart of Homeopathic Healing,” Homeopathy Today, Summer 2010

2. “The Power of Words & Presence To Heal,” Homeopathy Today, Autumn 2010
3. “Back from the Brink: Real Help for the Walking Wounded,” Homeopathy Today,
Spring 2011
4. Verbal First Aid: Healing Children’s Pain and Fear with Words
5. The Worst is Over: What to say when every moment counts

Classical Homeopathy New Mexico

 Focus towards a more tranquil state.

Cell Salts: best friends

• Homeopathic Cell Salt Remedies by Nigey Lennon & Lionel Rolfe.
Ideal for home use.
• “Nurture Your Inner Athlete with Homeopathic Cell Salts”, Tanya
Renner, Homeopathy Today, Summer, 2015
• “Gentle Little Souls-All about the Cell Salts” by Miranda Castro,
Homeopathy Today, July/August 2008 and
www.mirandacastro.com/articles/CellSalts.html
• Cell Salt Teleconference, Kim Kalina: www.uheal.net/teaching.htm
 We can help, if you get stuck
Contact your health care provider or a professional
homeopath

National Center for Homeopathy Practitioner Directory

www.homeopathycenter.org/find-homeopath

North American Society of Homeopaths

www.homeopathy.org

Council for Homeopathic Certification

www.homeopathicdirectory.com
 A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors!

© 2017, Tanya Renner