It is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, and so an opportunity to reflect on the Māori language, and this year I am taking time to reflect on remedies through a holistic Māori lens.
I have discussed Te Whare Tapa Wha before, (you can read the post here), it is my favourite holistic model of health. For a quick recap, it describes the four walls of a meeting house, all are equally important for health.
Taha Wairua- Spiritual (and this includes self belief)
Taha Hinengaro – Mental and Emotional
Taha Tinana – Physical
Taha Whanau – Family, extended family and social.
We can use this model as a method of looking at where someone’s life is out of balance. This can be addressed to bring healing on a deeper and more holistic level.
Today however, I want to use this to discuss some common homeopathic remedies, so we can see where and how they fit within Te Whare Tapa Wha. This is an opportunity not only to learn more about this holistic health model, but also to look at remedies through a new lens and see them in a different light.
I’ve chosen three remedies to look at this way, they are polychrests so have a wide range of symptoms and are ones that I have discussed in the past. This is only brief, there are many symptoms I have not added, however once you understand how to look at remedies this way it gives you another method of gaining a deeper understanding of our materia medica.
Phosphorus
Taha Wairua
Phosphorus are very open, and can be clairvoyant. They are sensitive to the energy of people around them, and this can wear them out. They can also struggle with their sense of self, changing themselves to fit in with those around them.
Taha Hinengaro
Phosphorus are vivacious and engaging, they will be cheerful and outgoing, until they burn out.
They can also have a lot of fears and anxieties, they don’t want to be alone, and dislike the dark.
Taha Tinana
Phosphorus has an affinity for the respiratory system, and they can be prone to coughs, influenza and chest infections. The classic phosphorus cough is a constant tickle at the back of the throat, worse for talking. Equally there is a gastrointestinal affinity, they are prone to diarrhoea, and can have vomiting- it is indicated if they are thirsty for cold drinks that they vomit as soon as it warms in the stomach.
Taha Whanau
To Phosphorus, their friends are their family. Their physical or emotional health can suffer if there is a problem in the friend group, either a social problem, or that a friend has a problem or health concern in their life.
Nux Vomica
Taha Wairua
Nux Vomica can struggle to find stillness, and meditation may be difficult for them. Self belief is not a problem for Nux Vomica, they are driven and competitive.
Taha Hinengaro
Nux Vomica are irritable, angry and impatient. They can also be over-sensitive to everything, and easily irritated.
Taha Tinana
Nux Vomica is the poison nut which has a lot of strychnine, so in the remedy we see cramps and spasms throughout. they have feelings that they want to vomit but can’t, or want to have a bowel motion, but can’t, what we call ineffectual urgings, but also a sense of being unfinished.
Taha Whanau
Nux Vomica can have trouble with their work life balance – because it is work, work, work all the time. Because they are always thinking of work they may then be irritable with family when interrupted.
Sulphur
Taha Wairua
Sulphur is all ego, they have a strong feeling of their own superiority. A child might respond to a compliment about their work by saying “I know” or even “I’m the best”.
Taha Hinengaro
Sulphur are lazy and messy, not caring about their own appearance. They can be very intelligent, but hopeless with the practical things in life. They are endlessly curious, and want to know everything.
Taha Tinana
Sulphur has a strong affinity with the skin, and can often have dryness, red and itchy rashes or eczema. Inflammation is red and burning, and they can have bright red ears or lips. Discharges for Sulphur are acrid and excoriating. Sulphur the element is smelly, and we see that in the remedy, with body odour, smelly discharges, and farts that stink out the room.
Taha Whanau
Sulphur want to be loved, they can have the reputation of being the class clown trying to make people like them, but sometimes can lack the ability to make a connection and friendship.
I challenge you to take a new look at remedies you already know, and consider this holistic way of assessing health. To finish I want to share a whakatauki that I find particularly appropriate for homeopathy.
Mā te kimi ka kite, mā te kite ka mōhio, mā te mōhio ka mārama!
Seek and discover, discover and know, know and become enlightened!
There is always more to learn, and even new insights into old remedies. Homeopathy is a lifelong learning journey, and I hope this method of taking another look at remedies enhances your knowledge.
Arohanui x