Menopausal Hot Flashes

Four Key Homeopathic Remedies

Though poorly understood..◊ Menopausal hot flashes to some

extent reflect:• A rise in adrenalin levels and a

decrease in estrogen levels• Heightened sensitivity to external heat• An imbalance in the autonomic

nervous system (both the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic)

Homeopathy, a Synopsis◊ Key Ideas

• Mirroring: nature’s reflection in remedies

• The Law of Similars • Nudging the vital force

Courtesy of the honeybee, Apis

Understanding Apis (crushed angry bees)… ◊ Ouch! I’ve been stung!

…it burns and itches!…now it’s swelling!…I can’t sit still!…quick, put some ice on it!

Understanding Apis… ◊ What’s in the venom?

Hyaluronic acid

Understanding Apis… ◊ Hyaluronic acid

An inflammatory agent but paradoxically used to treat arthritis in bee sting therapy (Hey! That sounds homeopathic!)

A component of the sperm cell’s warhead “acromium,” enabling the sperm to explode its way into the egg.

Understanding Apis… ◊ In summary Hyaluronic acid…

…connects the dots between inflammation and reproduction

Understanding Apis… ◊ Mysteries of the honeybee

* A sisterhood unisphere* Heat control in the hive from beating wings* Who gets to be anointed with the Royal Jelly?* Virgin queens and their hunger games* The hive divides along royal lines

Apis as a mirror for hot flashes: ◊ “Heated” exchanges◊ Thermal control of the hive◊ Thwarted reproduction an inflammatory issue◊ Suppressed productivity as an inflammatory

issue◊ Entrenched adrenalization

The hot flashing Apis woman has likely experienced:◊ A history of bloating during her menses◊ Some degree of conflict between

procreation and work in her life◊ Placing a high value on the importance

of family◊ Intense rivalry with a sister◊ Restless desire for an active community

life

What to expect from Apis

◊ A general cooling of the hot flashes or less aggravation from their presence

◊ Reduced agitation and jealousy◊ Possible shift into a Natrum

Muriaticum remedy state characterized by suppressed grief

Courtesy of the bushmaster snake, Lachesis

Understanding Lachesis (made from the snake’s venom)◊ A battle between the Id and the

Supergo• Strong primal instincts• Suppressing instinctual intensity• Jealousy• Sexuality• Loquacity and throat sensitivity

Understanding Lachesis

◊ Emotionally charged relationships◊ Clairvoyance◊ Pressure cooker (delusion she is

under superhuman control)◊ Nightly aggravation (when the Id is

free to assert itself)

Lachesis, a mirror for hot flashes:◊ Internal energetic compression

• Promoting hypertension◊ Anxiety◊ Chest oppression

• Resulting from emotional intensity◊ Grief◊ Betrayal◊ Frustration (thwarted control)

What to expect from Lachesis◊ Reduction in hot flashes or

sensitivity to heat◊ Less talkative and less anxious◊ Likely switch to another less

jealous snake remedy state

Courtesy of the cuttlefish, Sepia

Understanding Sepia (ink of the cuttlefish)◊ Though essentially an optimist she

finds hope has become toxic• Due to repeated disappointment and

resentment◊ Confusion as to psycho-sexual

identity• Am I a vibrant reproductive woman or

am I barren?!

Understanding Sepia

◊ Stagnation• Abdominal bloating• Flattening of the breasts• Emotional flatness

◊ Apathy◊ Indifference to loved ones

• Exhaustion

Sepia as a mirror of hot flashes:◊ Spewn ink muddies the waters

• Where is the fish? Where is the woman in life?

◊ Spewn ink stagnates the water• Stagnation promotes heat as in the example

of decomposing matter in a composte heap

Sepia explained by Traditional Chinese Medicine:◊ Constrained Liver syndrome

• Resentment or internalized anger disharmonizes the Liver◊ The Liver’s energy knots up◊ The Liver’s heat energy or Yang becomes

hyperactive and rises causing a heat flush

What to expect from Sepia…◊ Renewal of hope◊ Resolved stagnation and better

energy◊ Reduced hot flashes◊ Shift into another remedy state

(again, Natrum Muriaticum is a possibility)

Courtesy of the volcano, Sulphur

Understanding Sulphur◊ Derived from vulcanic magma deep

within the earth• Like having an inefficient furnace within

oneself◊ Aggravation from heat◊ Excessive appetite◊ Gassiness◊ Dry skin eruptions

•

Understanding Sulphur

◊ Positive pole• Primal creativity• Childlike curiosity• Lush vegetation of the Hawaiian

Islands• I am the center of the universe

personality• Formidable woman

Understanding Sulphur◊ Negative pole

• Poorly consolidated energy• Laziness or lack of follow-through• Slovenly• Mad scientist• Social alienation

Sulphur, as a mirror of eruptive heat◊ Burning like the heat of a volcano◊ Eruptive skin ailments ◊ Offensive, excoriating discharges◊ Sulphuric flatulence◊ Intolerable flushes

Sulphur accounted for by Traditional Chinese Medicine

◊ Internal pathogenic heat• Causes

◊ Excess Yang and deficient Yin from

• Overthinking• Improper diet

What to expect from Sulphur◊ Enhanced toleration of heat◊ Reduced hot flashes◊ Decreased appetite◊ Enlarged social awareness◊ Shift into a more socially aware remedy

state such as Calcarea featuring cautiousness and concern for shelter or Lycopodium (featuring insecurity)

How cool is that? So glad I tried homeopathy!