Homeopathy is one of those modalities in medicine that has the ability to treat complicated brain disorders. The healthy brain goes through many stages of development but this can be impaired by epigenetic factors, infection, brain injury, emotional trauma or overwork.

In order to find the correct remedy for a brain condition one does not have to know all the ‘causative’ factors for the mental condition.  Most of the time there is more than one reason and knowing all these reasons does not usually help one to select the most appropriate remedy.

The remedies in the summary below I have selected because they are all indicated for the mind that has become very slow. The healthy brain normally has the capacity to learn, remember, sort out and then respond in a meaningful way to an extraordinary amount of information every day.  In the impaired brain we find that many times the brain does not seem to register the information in the first place, if it does then often it can not transmit this information at a normal speed and then finally it can not process the thoughts into an action or creative intelligent response. We need many remedies to choose from because as one can see there are many functions that can go wrong, each producing a unique set of symptoms.

This list below is not complete and if you are considering homeopathy as an answer to this condition I recommend you find a qualified classical homeopathic practitioner to help you. Many of these remedies I have used for children of various ages. One has to be sure to select the correct remedy, correct potency of the remedy and then determine how often to take it – again this requires some professional training.

Helleborus Christmas Rose

Guiding Symptoms

• BRAIN TROUBLES (1,2,3) – what he sees, hears, tastes makes no impression on the  mind
• REFLECTS LONG BEFORE ANSWERS QUESTIONS (1,2,3)
• SLOW and FORGETFUL (1,2,3)
• Has to CONCENTRATE on EVERYTHING HE DOES (1,2,3)
• DULL (1,2,3)
• SENSORIAL DEPRESSION (1,2,3)
• INVOLUNTARY SIGHING (1,2,3)
• Staggers, walks inattentively; awkward, clumsy (1,2,3)

Modalities and General Symptoms

• < COLD AIR (1,2,3)
• < Part of body becoming cold (1,2)
• < Room full of people (1,2)
• < 4-8 pm         (1,2,3)
• < Strong concentration (1,2,3)
• < Thinking of complaints (1,2,3)
• > Open air (1,2,3)
• > Pressure (1,2)
• > Distraction (1,2)
• > Strong attention (1,2)

Psychology

• DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING (1,2,3)
• ANSWERS SLOWLY with GREAT EFFORT (1,2,3)
• MIND IS COMPLETELY BLANK (1,2)
• INVOLUNTARY SIGHING (1,2,3)
  COMPLETE UNCONSCIOUSNESS                                                              
• Answers confusedly as if thinking of something else (1,2,3)
• Feeling of HELPLESSNESS (1,2)
• STUPEFACTION and MENTAL DULLNESS (1,2,3)
• Sensation as if head is empty (1,2)
• Sadness and despair (1,2)
• Thoughtless; staring (2,3)
• Ailments from homesickness (1,2)

Pathology

• Head injury with mental dullness and confusion (e.g. from concussion or brain surgery) (1,2,3)
• Alzheimer’s Disease, ataxia, coma, dementia, encephalitis, meningitis (2)
• Headache with stupefaction; Everything appears too bright (1,2,3)
• Colitis or ulcerative colitis with mucous and copious, watery stools (2)
• Feeling as if rectum were completely closed (3)
• Suppressed urine (3)
• Wandering pains (2)

Cases

The patient was a 15-year-old male. He had a normal build and was five feet, six inches tall.
The case was given by his mother: cannot learn (3); makes him feel worthless and depressed (2). Cannot comprehend the instructions; school has been like a torture all of his life.  Was considered “learning disabled” until a recent IQ test. IQ = 139. Has been in some special education classes. Has problems with writing; composition, handwriting, and punctuation are all poor. Sensitive (2) – Teacher is very critical. On a recent term paper assignment, every student except the patient followed the instructions accurately.  Is failing three courses this year, disorganized (2), absent-minded (2), doesn’t remember to take papers to school even when his mother puts them out and reminds him. “Preoccupied” (2), as if he is far away; it is hard to have a conversation with him.  If under stress at school (i.e. , doesn’t know an answer) and his teacher pressures him, he says “I can’t do it” (2) or rages (2). On a couple of occasions each school year, he would hold his head and run out of the room screaming. In grade school, he would lie on the floor holding his head, saying “Leave me alone. Leave me alone.”  Teachers say he doesn’t try in school.  Worse with consolation (2); better after being left alone for a while. Doesn’t even like his mother to sit close to him when is upset. He gets up and moves away; as a child, he would run from her. “It’s as if he cannot take any more input of any kind.” In grade school, he asked to have his desk turned toward the wall; he didn’t want to face the other children. ”I can’t do anything right.” Becomes frustrated when something doesn’t work perfectly (2). Sometimes will break things (2), something he has made, in his rage. Holds his head (3), with a tormented expression (3), when trying to do schoolwork.  Yet is competent at building and flying intricate remote-control airplanes. His peers in this activity are all adults. Awkward; drops things (2).  Poor appetite (1); prefers cold drinks (1).  Desires salt (1); likes sweets. Averse to vegetables (3).  Low energy between 4 and 6 p.m. (2); lies down after school; cannot do homework until 7 or 8 p.m. (2).  Doesn’t do chores at home; seems to be because of a tiredness (2).

Comparisons

Alum – Mental dullness, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, slow to answer, < 4pm

Ph-Ac – mental weakness, indifference and apathy, slow to answer

Cocc – Mental dullness and stupefaction, speaks slowly, clumsy/poor coordination

Sources

New Synoptic One – Frans Vermeulen (1)
Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmation Symptoms – Roger Morrison (2)
http://www.vithoulkas.com/ (3)

Magnetis Polus Arcticus

Guiding symptoms

• SLOW TO LEARN – ESPECIALLY WITH MATH.
• She sits all day looking at the math questions but is unable to execute any solutions.
• Ingrown toe nails.
• Great drowsiness; he must yawn^{1, 4}- In the evening he was overcome by great sleepiness, all the limbs felt paralyzed and bruised. By day always sleepy; day sleep. Very deep, sound sleep, especially towards morning, he could not sleep enough in the morning^{1, 2, 4}
• Vertigo^{1, 2, 4}- Feeling as though will fall on either side, walking he staggers to and fro.
• Slowness of Mind- feels as if intelligence were suspended, cannot think accurately, sensation of intoxication, weak memory.^{1, 4} Makes mistakes easily^{2, 4},
• Violent headache- soreness and bruised feeling on the surface of the brain, as if smashed in one half of the brain. ^{1, 2, 4}
• Stitches in the eyelids, Twitching and drawing in the eyelids¹

Modalities and general symptoms

• Itching and stitches¹-  throughout the body, the left side^1,2
• VIOLENT HEADACHES^{1, 2, 4}
• Heaviness of the limbs- as if lead were in the blood vessels¹
• Deception of the sense of smell^{1, 2, 3, 4}
• Affections of the eye and eyelids^{1, 2, 4}
• LEFT-SIDED

Psychology

• Slowness of mind^1,2,3, cautious mind³, slowness of work³
• About 2 a.m. half waking with much inner consciousness, great wealth of thoughts and lively memory; he thinks of an important subjects in the best form in a foreign language with which he was not very conversant, almost as if in a zoo-magnetic sleep-talking state; but when fully awake he cannot remember distinctly the subject of his thoughts^{1, 2, 4}
• Anxious, dejected, fainthearted, inconsolable disposition, that caused him to make self-reproaches,^{1, 2} Sadness, in the evening ; he had to weep, contrary to his will, after which his eyes felt sore²
• Anxious scrupulosity, excessive, too conscientious concern,^{1, 2} Indolent mind²
• Hasty, hurried^1,2

Pathology

• Drawing in the eyelids and lachrymation (tearing)
• Itching in the eyelids
• In the morning on awaking, in bed, painful dry feeling of the eyelids
• COLDNESS OF THE WEAK EYE, AS IF A LUMP OF ICE LAY IN THE ORBIT INSTEAD OF THE EYE^{1, 2, 4}
• Restless motion of the eye
• TOOTHACHE^{2, 3, 4}
• Frequent eructation of nothing but air^1,2
• Inguinal hernias^{2, 4}
• Gurgling in the abdomen, as if much flatulence were incarcerated, which causes also a twisting about that mounts up into the scrobiculus cordis and occasions eructation^1,2- wakes up with the most violent colic
• Hard, large sized, rare stool, passed with difficulty, A shooting pinching in the rectum^1,2
• Dark urine- Very copious discharge of urine, for more than one day¹
• ACHING/PRESSURE IN THE REGION OF THE HEART^1,2, Sudden oppression of the chest, with anxiety²
• A TREMBLING IN THE PARTS TOUCHING THE MAGNET
• Cold sensation on the place of application of the magnet
• At night collection of saliva in the mouth, so profuse that each time he wakes the pillow is quite wet.^{1, 2, 4}
• RESTLESS SLEEP^{2, 4}
• Chill, shivering
• Cold sweat on the hands and soles of the feet^1,2

Cases

Comparisons
Taxus brev,
Antidoted by: M. p. aust., Ign., Zn.
Compare: Sensation as if teeth being pulled out, Ipec. < Raising arm, Bar. c., Con., Cup., Fer. One cheek red, Cham. See also under Magnetis p. amb

Sources

Hahnemann, Samuel. Materia Medica Pura. http://www.hpathy.com/materiamedica/hahnemann-materia-pura/magnetis-polus-arcticus.asp

Allen, Henry Clay, The Materia Medica of the Nosodes. http://www.homeoint.org/seror/nosodes/magnetispolusarticus.htm

Kent. Materia Medica. http://www.homeoint.org/hidb/kent/m/mag-arct.htm

Clarke, John Henry. Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. http://www.farmaciasantantonio.it/Homeoint/clarke/m/m_p_arct.htm

Baryta Carbonica

Guiding Symptoms

• IMMATURITY – Especially indicated for INFANCY and OLD AGE (1,2,3)
• MEMORY LOSS (1,2,3)
• MENTAL WEAKNESS (1,2,3)
• BASHFUL, SHYNESS and TIMIDITY (e.g. child hiding behind mother) (1,2,3)
• TAKES COLD EASILY (1,2,3)
• SELF CONSCIOUS – Strong feeling of incompetence or being ugly (1,2,3)
• SUSPICIOUS –  idea of being laughed at, talked about, watched or mocked (1,2,3)
• IRRESOLUTION, weakness of will and memory (1,2,3)

Modalities and General Symptoms

• CHILLINESS, SENSITIVITY TO COLD (1,2,3)
• Delayed development (1,2,3)
• WEAKNESS after EATING (1)
• Disturbed sleep (1)
• < Company, cold damp, left side, heat of sun or stove, eating, morning, bread
• >Cold food, warm wrap, alone, walking in open air, standing, motion, not thinking of their problem (distraction)

Psychology

• CHILDISHNESS in old people (1,2,3), senility, silliness, CVA
• SLOW, INEPT and BACKWARD (1,2)
• DELAYED DEVELOPMENT (1,2,3) – SLOW LEARNING TO WALK, TALK AND READ
• POOR SELF-CONFIDENCE, dependant (1,2,3)
• HOMESICKNESS (1)
• COMPREHENSION DIFFICULT, and DIFFICULTY MAKING DECISIONS (1,2,3)
• Anxiety, fears, BITE NAILS, feel worthless, insecure (2)
• GREAT PASSIVITY (1,2)
• Won’t play, has no friends, fears strangers (1,2)
• Fearful (1,2,3)

Pathology

• ENLARGED GLANDS (1,2,3)
• Children with SWOLLEN TONSILS, and backward physically (e.g. dwarfish) (1,2,3)
• Immaturity or atrophy of some parts of the body (genitalia) (1,2,3)
• Abdomen is HARD and TENSE (3)
• Offensive foot sweat (1,2,3)
• Baldness (1,2,3)
• Low sex drive, impotence (1,2)
• Stroke/CVA/ arteriosclerosis, prostate problems in elderly (2,3)

Cases

Meningitis as a child; aged 7; her mother has reported “never the same after this.” This event was significant as her father was away, and her mother was sick, so no-one visited her in the hospital. This is her first registered feeling of abandonment. After she was released she had to catch the tram home; “this was actually good as it gave me time to think before I got home about the fact that no-one visited me.” She did not learn how to speak until the age of 10; and although speech classes commenced at 5 years of age, she could not finally talk until 10 years of age. The significance of this is that she would not have been able to explain how she felt; nor would she have been able to communicate to the nurses and doctors in the hospital.

She has considerable trouble reading for longer than 30 minutes; this is an issue in her work. She suffers with low energy. Speaking is very slow; she is slow to respond to questions. There was a history of violence towards the mother, from her father. Her parents separated when she was 10; divorced when she was 13 yrs old, and she was sent to boarding school at 15 years of age. Boarding school was something she wanted as it allowed to get away from home, and find security within the school community. In her private life outside of work she is involved in pastoral care within the church. She is currently studying Theological studies. She did not learn how to speak until the age of 10. Her older brother was the only person in the family who knew what she wanted, and was her voice. Until the age of 10 years of age; he would translate her every need. She tells me also that her mother said she was extremely frustrating as she “was stubborn and difficult, as a child, and slow to learn scholastically.” Although speech and reading was much delayed she was always very good at mathematics.

Comparisons
Calc – mental slowness, swelling of glands, offensive foot sweat
Lyc – feelings of inferiority, anxiety, fear of people, offensive foot sweat, impotence, distended abdoment
Puls – dependent, passivity, recurring infections in children

Sources:                  
New Synoptic One – Frans Vermeulen (1)
Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmation Symptoms – Roger Morrison (2)
http://www.vithoulkas.com/ (3)

Taxus brevifolia - Yew tree

Guiding symptoms

• CLOUDY DETACHMENT AND ISOLATION^{1, 2}- a feeling of not being in reality, detached and not present, Aversion to conversation, Aversion to external stimulation and interaction with people.
• SLOWNESS OF MIND^{1, 2}- slow to learn and forgetful, impaired concentration, difficult to learn to read
• TERROR, VIOLENCE, ABUSE- anxiety of, dreams of
• Falls asleep at school.

Modalities and general symptoms

• Headaches that were better from lying down and worse from standing¹, sharp piercing headaches², more around the eyes and associated with the sinuses²
• Mouth/Gums²- pain, tenderness, puffiness, itching and tingling, eruptions
• Sleepy feelings during the day^{1, 2}
• Generally more chilly than usual¹
• Stomach pain and cramping^{1, 2}
• Thirst for water^{1, 2}

Psychology

• Cloudy Detachment and Isolation¹, Spacey, fog, disorientation, disassociated, floaty, lost²
• Irritability With People¹
• Depression- the whole world is too much¹, heaviness, despair²
• Slowness of Mind¹
• Weak Memory¹- There was a tendency to make mistakes when speaking and a lack of memory for specific words²
• Dreams of death or violence¹, Vivid dreams²
• Calm²- Calmness in time of danger, cancer, death²

Pathology

Cases

Kevin , Nine year old boy¹

April 30 1997

He suffers from asthma. Slight build, lean and a bit thin. Takes antibiotics and Ventolyn. Contracts colds which make his asthma symptoms worse (2). Asthma also worse from exertion. Now he has a cough (2) and bronchitis. His nose is sore and crusty inside (2). Has to take the Ventolyn three or four times a day. Low self esteem (2), expects a lot of himself (2). Will sit and watch other children play games rather than participate.

Learning difficult in most subjects (3), he gets ‘c’ grades with a lot of extra help. Reading at a grade two level even though he is in grade three.

Analysis: My overall impression is that he reminds me of Silica in that he is lean, has chronic infections and has a timid disposition. I make a repertorization of the following symptoms using the RADAR program:

GENERALS – COLD – take cold; tendency to

RESPIRATION – ASTHMATIC

RESPIRATION – ASTHMATIC – cold – taking, from NOSE – DISCHARGE – crusts, scabs, inside

MIND – CONFIDENCE – want of self-confidence

MIND – MISTAKES; making – reading, in

MIND – READING – difficult, is

MIND – STUDYING – difficult

MIND – CONCENTRATION – difficult – studying

MIND – RESERVED

MIND – MILD

MIND – QUIET disposition

Repertorization results

Puls, Sil, Kali-sil, Arg-nit, Cocc, Nux-v, Alum, Stann, Nat-m, Calc-sil, Ph-ac, Bar-iod.

Analysis continued: He was having problems with learning and concentration, he was timid, afraid to join in with the other children and had a mild character. This could indicate also indicate Kali-silica or Calcarea-silica. There were no strong confirmations for any of these remedies, therefore I looked further. Having done the proving of Taxus recently, I was familiar with its main symptoms, such as reading difficulties, timidity – afraid to ‘join in’, and asthma.

Plan: Taxus brevifolia 30c every other day for ten days.

September 27, 1997 – Five months later

“Attention span for reading is a lot longer,” says his father.

No more colds, no more asthma. Can play soccer now without taking Ventolyn. Has dry, peeling skin on the palms and also behind the ears.

“My brain works better” he says.

Analysis: Correct remedy.

Plan: Taxus brevifolia 30c one dose every two weeks for two months.

February 18, 1998 – Five months later.

More confident overall. Doing better in school. Can beat his father at chess now. When he loses, he will not cry as he use to. Very rarely has any asthma symptoms. Still has the eruption behind the ears.

Plan: Wait.

April of 1998

He developed some seasonal allergies and some asthma symptoms. I gave him Taxus 200c, one dose, and he did very well on it.

In December 1999 he had received an “A” in Math, a “B” in Social Studies and Science and a “C” in English and French. His asthma, by this time, was very rarely a problem and his father and mother were pleased with how far he had come.

Taxus is similar to Silica and Baryta carbonica

Comparisons¹

Gelsemium. Both remedies have the following symptoms: dullness of the mind, fear of starting new things, fear of confrontation, and anxiety from demands made on them.

Magnesia muriatica. This remedy is also similar in the following ways: fear of confrontation, a strong sense of duty, fear to offend others, and tired on waking.

Opium and Nux moschata. Need to be differentiated any time you have a case with overwhelming feelings of sleepiness in the day.

Magnetis polus arcticus. I have used this medicine with success, when the main symptom of the case was slowness in performing mental work. She would take ten hours to do three math problems, for example. Taxus also has this type of mental slowness.

Baryta carbonica. Both have: mental slowness, disorganized thinking, timidity, anxiety

Sources

1. 1. Olsen, Steve. Proving of Taxus brevifolia
2. 2. Pitt, Richard. Proving of Taxus brevifolia

Bufo – rana

Guiding Symptoms

• DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY, unrefined and instinctive behaviour
• Obsession with sex and masturbation

Modalities and General Symptoms

• Convulsions, often during sleep at night, bites tongue in convulsion
• PROTRUDING TONGUE, greasy, oily face
• Staggered gait, in coordination
• Bites nails
• WORSE: in warm room, evening and on awakening.
• BETTER: from bathing or cold air; from putting feet in hot water, bright objects

Psychology

• Developmental delay, child-like mind with emotional responses for no apparent reasons.
• Laughs over serious matters.
• Memory excellent about certain things such as card games and dates
• “Desires solitude to practice masturbation”

Pathology

• Developmental delay, Down’s Syndrome
• CONVULSION, seizure disorders, nervous conditions, throbbing, jerking and spasmodic condition of muscles.
• Lymphangitis, painful, especially of the arms
• Eczema, acne
• Throat pain, dryness, inflammation

Comparisons

• Bar-M – Convulsions, retardation irritability, sexual excitement
• Cic – Childish behavior, convulsions, skin disease
• Sulph, Zinc, Stram, Tub, aslerias, slamand

Sources
Kent, Boericke, Vithoulkas, Morrison.

Cornus Circinata (Dogwood)

Guiding Symptoms

• Children who cannot understand what they are reading, have problems understanding directions

Modalities and General Symptoms

• WEAKNESS, especially in the morning on waking, with apathy.
• Indolence and loss of all physical energy

Psychology

• Disinclination to think, read, work.  Inability to concentrate on thoughts
• Reads without understanding the meaning
• Depression of spirits

Pathology

• Diarrhea frequent and copious, often in the morning or after dinner.  Blood and mucus may be present.
• Abdominal pain, may be with vomiting
• Ulcers of the mouth, vesicular eczema in infants
• Chronic malaria, hepatitis, jaundice.
• Fever with sweat

Case

Case:  Male, age 12, creative, inventive, loved sports and building extensively with Lego. Very smart but school is very difficult for him, can’t follow instructions, unable to pass tests, hard to put words into sentences or to define words or understand their meaning, limited comprehension of vocabulary, reading is a disaster, unable to repeat the paragraph he had just read. Often answered questions that had been asked 15 minutes earlier. Constantly frustrated by his limitations in learning. Quiet and shy. Plays well with other children but seldom asks anyone to his house. Dislikes asking a question or a favour. Can entertain himself for hours. Finds Boy Scout activities too difficult. Wants to fit in. Plan: Corn-cer.

Result: Performs better at school, working harder and finding schoolwork easier, doing better on tests, easier to understand, more content, better attitude.

Comparisons

• Cornus alternifolia, Cornus florida, Ambra grisea, Colchicum

Sources

Kent, Boericke, Allen

Arbutus Menziesii                         (Madrona tree)

Family (scientific): Ericaceae

Guiding symptoms

• SLOWNESS OIF THE MIND, can’t get from one thought to the next.
• slowness in answering questions
• inability to focus
• desire to be near the ocean or rivers
• poor concentration
• blankness of the mind

General symptoms

• SITS AT HOME and does almost nothing
• NO AMBITION or motivation
• INDIFFERENCE, apathy, lethargy
• Separation from the body, emotions, or reality
• MENTAL SLOWNESS, confusion
• Slow to answer questions
• sense of lack of direction /dissatisfaction and wanting more from life

Modalities

No clear modalities

Mentals

• confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty in performing mental tasks, irresolution, anxiety, and irritability when demands are made
• mental and emotional burnout, or grief.
• In extreme cases, there is hopelessness with a desire for death or suicidal thoughts.
• may feel stunned, scattered, spaced out, with a sense of separation from the body, from their emotions, or from reality
• feelings of deadness.
• Considered to antidote the bad effects from marijuana or LSD

Comparison Taxus-br, Hell.

References

Materia Medica, Steve Olsen

Baryta Sulphurica

Guiding symptoms

• A remedy that he prescribes mostly on the symptom: “dreams that she is laughed at by her partner.”
• Lack of self-confidence, feel they cannot do anything right
• Fear of failure, anxiety about their performance, about how others will perceive them
• Chronically shy
• Hypersensitivity to rejection, humiliation or shame.
• Avoids disapproval at all costs
• SLOW TO LEARN

Generals

• feel inadequate, insecure, lonely, guilty, shamed, different, devastated by rejection
• Tend to be clumsy with poor coordination
• Poor concentration
• Can be bossy, impatient, and have temper tantrums
• Little tolerance for the mistakes of others – expect perfection in others as well as themselves
• Difficulty in decision-making
• Great fear of performing in any way, including coition
• All of their actions are measured and compared to others
• Tend to be dependent in relationships – their partner is almost like a parent who meets their needs
• No passion in their sexual relationships
• Love has a childish quality to it
• Both submissive and rebellious

Mentals

• Anxious, episodes of anxiety
• Scriutinized by others, a kind of social phobia

Modalities

Worse from heat and cold. Feet out of covers.

Main areas

• Become very mentalized, hard to show feelings

Comparison

• Baryta: Ridiculed; Small, futile; Retarded; Hiding; Shyness.
• Sulphurica: Clothing; Beauty, grace, harmony; Joy; Love and relationships; Jealousy.
• Lack of social skills
• They don’t know how to start a conversation but can ask for a raise, speak up in class which Bar-carb cannot do
• Easier to say no than Bar-carb

Example case

Not found.

References

Materia medica , Steve Olsen
All of the remedies above were compiled by Steve Olsen Nd and the students of the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.