Under the weather: Homeopathy for seasonal symptoms

Does your health dip when the weather changes or seasons shift? Homeopath David Needleman offers a sprinkling of homeopathic remedies to help you feel bright, whatever the weather

Many of my patients report that changes in the weather influence how they feel physically and mentally. From sluggishness on cold, damp days to headaches in windy conditions, health symptoms can often appear, worsen or ease as the weather shifts.

Some people find they’re affected by seasonal changes. Hay fever is a classic example of this (I’ve previously written about the best homeopathic remedies for hay fever).

There’s also seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression usually linked to reduced sunlight exposure during the shorter days in autumn and winter. Symptoms like low mood, lethargy, despair, reduced libido and difficulty concentrating occur with a seasonal pattern.

Remedies for all weather types

Homeopathy can be a useful resource for anyone with symptoms brought on or exacerbated by the weather or changes in the seasons. Here’s a list of the remedies I’ve found to be most effective for various types of weather conditions and seasonal changes.

Bear in mind that the lists below are not exhaustive but are merely the remedies that are most likely to be of value; they represent only a snapshot of what might prove useful to you.

Wet weather

There are over 100 possible remedies for symptoms brought on by wet weather. Here’s a small selection.

Arsenicum Album, Badiaga, Calc Carb, Dulcamara, Natrum Sulph, Nux Moschata, Pulsatilla, Rhododendron, Rhus Toxicodendron, Thuja, Veratrum Album

Warm temperature

Again, many remedies can be used, but these are some of the most important.

Apis Mel, Argentum Nitricum, Arsenicum Iodatum, Fluoric Acid, Gelsemium, Iodum, Kali Iod, Kali Sulph, Lachesis, Ledum, Natrum Mur, Natrum Sulph, Platina, Pulsatilla, Secale, Sulphur

Wind

Aurum Metallicum, Chamomilla, Hepar Sulph, Lycopodium, Nux Vomica, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Rhododendron, Spongia

Windy and stormy

Badiaga, Kalmia, Nux Moschata, Rhododendron

Rain

Dulcamara, Naja, Natrum Sulphuricum

Storms

Natrum Carbonica, Phosphorus

Approaching storms

Rhododendron

Change of weather

Begonia, Dulcamara, Nux Moschata, Phosphorus, Ranunculus Bulb, Rhododendron, Rhus Toxicodendron, Silicea

Spring

Ambra Grisea, Belladonna, Calcarea Carbonica, Gelsemium, Lachesis, Lycopodium

Summer

Belladonna, Lachesis

Autumn (Fall)

Colchicum, Dulcamara, Kalium Bichromicum, Lachesis, Rhus Toxicodendron

Winter

Aconite, Ammonium Carbonic, Arsenicum Album, Aurum Metallicum, Bryonia, Camphor, Dulcamara, Fluoric Acid, Helleborus, Hepar Sulph, Kalium Carbonicum, Lycopodium, Manganum, Moschus, Nux Moschata, Nux Vomica, Petroleum, Pulsatilla, Rhus Toxicodendron, Strontium Carbonica, Veratrum Album

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Phosphorus

Which remedy?

A few remedies appear more than once in the lists above as they are suitable for a variety of different situations. To determine which one is best for you, based on your individual symptoms, constitution and medical history, it’s a good idea to consult with qualified homeopath.

You can of course choose a remedy that you feel will help, but it may take a few tries to get the right one. Here are some of the top versatile remedies for weather and seasonal issues and who they are best suited to.

Dulcamara

Choose this remedy if you’re sensitive to cold and damp but also to air conditioning. You may also struggle with hot days and cold nights. You may have rheumatic symptoms like joint pain and stiffness, which are always worse for damp and cold.

Nux Moschata

This remedy is suitable for those who suffer from cold extremities as well as dry skin and mucous membranes.

Rhododendron

This remedy is ideal for those who suffer with rheumatic symptoms, especially in the hotter seasons. It’s commonly prescribed to those who feel bad or worse before a storm or who dread storms and thunder.

Rhus Toxicodendron

This is a major remedy for those suffering with arthritis or rheumatic symptoms. Other symptoms that point to Rhus Tox include pain when you first get up in the morning (which is eased by gentle motion); hot, painful, swollen joints; and marked restlessness.

Phosphorus

This is a top remedy for those who are sensitive to many influences, such as light, sound, odors, touch and storms. The energy of someone needing Phosphorus is like an old Vesta match—it flares up with lots of energy and then fades rapidly into exhaustion.

Suggested dosages

For all the remedies mentioned, I recommend a 30C potency. Take at the first onset of symptoms, three times a day, until symptoms have improved.

If you want to take Phosphorus for SAD, take it from late September to early April—have a good supply on hand.

Homeopathy for electrosensitivity

Another environmental factor that can affect health and well-being is electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from devices like phones, Wi-Fi and mobile phone service masts. Some people find they are highly sensitive to EMFs and experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue and skin issues.

Reducing exposure is a vital part of any treatment plan, but homeopathy can also help. A combination remedy called EMF Co, available from Ainsworths (ainsworths.com), is specifically designed for this issue. Try it in a 30C potency with a loading dose of three times a day for a few days, then switch to one maintenance dose every day.

Symptom snapshot

Here’s a small selection of the symptoms many of my patients have reported as related to the weather or seasons.

• Generally not feeling well
• Lack of energy
• Lack of motivation
• Sluggishness
• Slow recovery from illnesses
• Persistent headaches
• Blocked sinuses
• Feeling depressed
• Rheumatic symptoms like joint pain, swelling and stiffness

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