My next case was more complex. Aziza is a 38-year-old refugee. She had to hurriedly leave her country with two adult siblings out of seven and her elderly parents—leaving behind a comfortable house, her friends, and an envied social position. As I started treating the whole family, I met them at their apartment building on the 12th floor of a huge concrete building amid five other gigantic village-size estates in Northern Virginia—a cold and indifferent environment compared to their native village. At the time of the interview, Aziza was the main bread earner for the family. Her complaint was both simple and complex. Aziza was not sleeping. She had chronic sleeplessness for about 10 years, sleeping one to two hours per night only. She would start at night after falling asleep, any noise or light would disrupt her sleep for the rest of the night. A death in the family, shortly followed by a painful breakup with her then fiancé about 10 years earlier were her avowed causes for the ailment. She blamed herself for precipitating the exile of the family. Two years ago, Aziza had her thyroid removed, imposing hormonal therapy. Antidepressants and sleeping pills would help for a couple of weeks then stop working. She hated her prescribed medication but dutifully took everything.
The initial Ignatia 200 matched her mild demeanor, self-blame, and mortification thoughts churning in her mind. After a successful first three weeks under Ignatia, the remedy started losing grip. Her vitality was seemingly adjusting to anything new, including homeopathic remedies before bypassing them. Hence, I opted for alternating three remedies: Euphorbium 200CH and Bismuthum 30CH, one week each. On the third week Aziza would be under Ignatia 200CH. Ton Jansen a homeopath from The Netherlands suggested using Euphorbium to clear traumas rooted in past conflict, especially when one feels forsaken. Following Jan Scholten, another renowned Dutch homeopath, Bismuthum is matching the feeling of being ejected from hard-owned love, possession, and status.
The actual indication was a little more complex since I opted to intersperse anti-miasmatic remedies—principally nosodes--and a couple of sarcodes. It involved supplements with vitamins (D and C) and other supplements (Valerian). We were starting from a low point, with a vitality that had gradually weakened. Homeopathy was also flanked by weekly acupuncture treatment. I was checking on her weekly. We worked through a cohesive approach to supporting vitality with an acupuncture colleague.
Aziza started experiencing longer periods of rest at night—around 4 hours of sleep from the initial 1-2 hours! Work is ongoing, with days of sleep and times of setbacks. The distress is running deep; I am not sure I got the whole story at this point. There seems to be family ramifications with inter-generational intricate traumas. It is a process and your client is the only one who has the keys.
This case demonstrates that grief is a complicated issue, and it highlights the importance of being allowed as homeopaths to help address it. Grief can be so entrenched that it becomes part of the client’s personality; they may feel defined by their loss, and the idea of letting go or moving forward can be unsettling if grief has become their primary identity. For instance, consider a client who lost a loved one many years ago but continues to see themselves first and foremost as someone who is grieving. This deeply rooted identification can make it extremely challenging for them to embrace new roles or experiences in life. Homeopaths can support clients by offering individualized remedies matched to their emotional states, creating a safe space for open dialogue, and guiding them through the healing process. These approaches help clients gradually disentangle themselves from grief, encouraging personal growth and renewed vitality.
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Many more remedies may be mobilized to treat grief. Aconite is a well-known remedy after a shock—be it an older one that remains imprinted in the psyche. Natrum muriaticum matches silent emotions, with tones of depression and resignation. Aurum is a remedy resonating with despair, bordering on a desire for suicide. Causticum and most of the Kali (derived from potassium) also list high on the remedies for grief.
Colleagues will explore additional remedies for grief beyond those covered in this post, as the possibilities extend far beyond what has been mentioned. The widely respected Synthesis Repertory by Frederik Schroyens—a standard reference among professional homeopaths—includes numerous rubrics related to grief. The primary rubric [Mind – Grief] alone lists over 270 remedies, while the full repertory contains dozens of related sub-rubrics and cross-references addressing various facets of grief. To make sense of such a vast array, I use a systematic approach: for instance, when a patient presents with grief accompanied by insomnia, I consult the relevant sub-rubrics to narrow down remedies that address both symptoms, ensuring the selection is tailored to the individual’s needs.
This post has only touched on a few of the most prominent headline remedies which I have used in my practice. Primarily, my objective was to show the approach to grief and give some insights on how I treat such cases. Other professionals may have different takes. I welcome insights from colleagues who have found success with other remedies or methods, as sharing experiences enriches our collective understanding.
Homeopathic remedies are carefully adjusted to each person's needs. They match the symptoms of the client and should not be imparted on a single sign—even if the grieving is so obvious. I remain fascinated by the power of homeopathy, both in its guiding principles, its concepts, and on the paraphernalia available to homeopaths.
When people attempt to self-medicate their grief, those without proper understanding or guidance end up disappointed. Because those quick fixes rarely deliver the lasting relief they promise.
We will explore in a future post why remedies may fail to work. It is already another story.
