On this day of remembrance [in the USA Memorial Day is observed every year on 30 May; translator's note] I want to write, in memory of our veterans, in honour of our active service members and the families of all those who serve in the military or who have fallen in combat, about one of our best homeopathic remedies for post‑traumatic stress disorder — PTSD —: Ignatia amara.
Ignatia is the remedy of choice for many of the emotional problems that some soldiers and their families have to endure during their military careers.
Indications for Ignatia
In the following list I have summarised the indications for which Ignatia has been successfully prescribed for over 200 years:
- Grief and sorrow (including prolonged grief)
- Emotional shock; long past or very recent
- Acute stress reactions
- Certain forms of anxiety or panic attacks
- Persistent feelings of remorse
- Mental or physical exhaustion
- Worry
- Homesickness
- Emotional or physical collapse after prolonged stress
- PTSD and related conditions
Therefore it is a very important medicine for our armed forces – both for those on active duty and for the families who must wait at home.
Post‑traumatic stress disorder – formerly also called ‘war tremor’ – is characterised by stress reactions that can persist even when the acute danger of the traumatic experience is long past.
Symptoms of post‑traumatic stress disorder
These stress reactions can vary greatly, including physical and psychological symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, heightened vigilance or nervousness (a markedly increased startle response), sleep disturbances, depression, anger, emotional numbness, palpitations, difficulty concentrating, headaches or stomach pains, etc.
It is not uncommon for people in public service — such as soldiers, emergency responders and police officers — to be plagued by intense pangs of conscience and self‑reproach when they believe they have failed in their duty to save or protect others. Another example is the often overwhelming guilt felt by those who have survived a disaster.
These dominant emotions - fear, sorrow, grief and remorse – form the characteristic symptom picture of Ignatia. The complete picture includes all symptoms that arise from these fundamental emotions.
C30 or C200?
One method of using Ignatia amara C200 is to take it twice daily for many days — or even weeks. Once an improvement occurs, the intake can be stopped and later resumed if symptoms recur.
Often the remedy does not need to be taken repeatedly over a long period.
I myself was witness to the wonderful doctors at the Prasanta Homeopathic Research Center in Calcutta repeatedly administering this potency. For three years I have also been using this method in my practice. For many years I also used Ignatia C30 in the same way and found it to be effective as well.
So if you notice that the C30 potency does not help, C200 may be the better choice. For more information on dosage and potency see here.
Below are some further indications for this monumental remedy:
- For anyone caring for the sick, injured or people in danger and therefore suffering great worry
- After a trauma, whatever its nature
- For people who are fearful or who have lost self‑confidence for any reason
- For people who find it hard to regain trust
- For those who are depressed or plagued by persistent negative thoughts and fixed ideas
- For people who have lost their faith and sink into disillusionment after a life disappointment
- For anyone who must endure acute or long‑lasting grief
Ignatia and antidepressants
“What if I am already taking mood‑elevating medication?”
You need not worry about that. Homeopathy does not interfere with the action of other medications. But I believe such drugs should be avoided where possible. Often they are the cause of further illnesses and long‑lasting side effects that can sometimes be worse than the original condition.
If Ignatia can help, synthetic drugs become unnecessary.
It is undoubtedly unwise to stop a medication without medical supervision. But with caution and the help of the treating physician, many have been able to minimise or even avoid dependency.
For Ignatia does not simply mask sadness — or worse, blunt the natural range of our feelings — as antidepressants do. The remedy brings strength, resilience and acceptance of the present situation. It enables the sufferer to take life with all its ups and downs and to develop the necessary strength to carry on.
Please bear in mind that homeopathy does not merely mask symptoms, but cures the disease.
On this important day in the USA I want to express my appreciation to our veterans and their families and present them with this valuable information as a gift. Please pass it on to everyone who might benefit — I can think of no one who would not.
Homeopathy helps!
Warmly,
Yours,
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