Sharon Ackland - The Family Homeopath

14/09/2025

The Homeopath's Week .

The darkening of the light summer evenings which we so relished this year has brought with it a keen dampness to the air and so no surprises that the Pulsatilla 30c remedy stock has had to be replenished not once but twice this week .
Pulsatilla , our great remedy for catarrh and chesty , loose coughs is a mainstay of prescribing once the autumn rain and dampness arrives .
First come the sniffles in the little ones at nursery and kindergarten and then the heavier colds present in the older children . Pulsatilla will be the remedy for both of these age groups if the catarrh has the Pulsatilla signature - bland and not excoriating , a small or very moderate thirst and an increase in the child's sensitivity which often means a tearful child .
Adults tend to express the catarrh as a chesty cough rather than a cold because their vital energy is less robust than that of a child and so the symptoms are expressed on a deeper level .
This is a useful remedy to remember for catarrh that develops after returning from a holiday in a warmer , drier climate . The autumn half - term holidays abroad frequently produce Pulsatilla symptoms as the cold , damp UK weather bites at the journey's end .
Myristica , a small remedy in our Materia Medica has been dispensed a few times this week for infection around the roots of teeth . Sometimes Hepar Sulph and Silica don't resolve the suppuration fully and this is where Myristica will finish their work . For such a small remedy of limited use , it really is powerful when symptoms indicate its use .
I have had three cases of sciatica this week and one of them was clearly a reaction to the damper air of September . The remedy which helped was Rhus Tox , a remedy like Pulsatilla which comes in for symptoms caused by or aggravated by the damp .
Bryonia helped the second sciatica case as it was a right - sided pain which was better for very hard pressure being applied to the area and relieved by lying on the painful side .Colocynthis was the remedy for the third sciatica case and this was a very interesting example of how Colocynthis will help to reduce cramps , shooting pain and tearing pain which starts as a consequence of anger and indignation . An altercation at work had infuriated this patient and later that evening a shooting pain developed down her leg along the sciatica nerve . Colocynthis was given that same evening , continued for two days and the improvement set in very quickly .

10/09/2025

Viola Tricolar and Acne .
Used in the tincture form , Viola Tricolar acts as both an internal cleanser for the skin and drainage for the lymphatic system .Together with other remedies this tincture can clear up acne eruptions quickly .
Calc Sulph 6x or 9x taken morning and evening for 3 to 4 weeks will encourage pustules to discharge and heal up .
The indicated constitutional remedy will further encourage speedy resolution and later on if the skin texture needs smoothing , Berberis Aquifolium in tincture form will be very helpful . This tincture is also useful for reducing troublesome scars and pigmentation .
Thiosinaminum 6c will further reduce stubborn areas of scarring .

03/09/2025

Emerald - A Heart Remedy .
For physical pathology Emerald is prescribed in low potencies as a drainage remedy to cleanse the blood ( and lymph ) and improve sluggish circulation . In combination with Crataegus and Kali Mur it forms a therapeutic triad which acts as a tonic to the heart .
On a more esoteric level this is a remedy of profound benefit to those who have lost their inspiration and find that their creative expression is blocked . The common refrain during the consultation is that , ' something isn't right with me ' . Often the patient cannot elaborate on that ; it is a feeling and intuition and it will be well noted by the homeopath . What might be going on here for this person ? The essential question to ask will be one that tries to understand and explore when this feeling started .
Oftentimes when Emerald is the indicated remedy , the onset will be after a general anaesthetic .This is something that Emerald shares with the remedy Phosphorus . The patient may say that their energy feels blocked or that they can no longer paint or write poetry or sing . Something in the heart chakra has closed down and the normal flow of expression from the heart to the throat chakra ( the centre of communication ) cannot find a healthy expression . This is not uncommon as an effect of anaesthesia and it is the creative personality that feels the limitation the most acutely . Interestingly both Emerald and Phosphorus are known as ' creative , artistic ' remedies .
The very essence of Emerald as a remedy has to do with creative expression and at its highest level creative energy is spiritual energy . The esoteric function of the heart chakra is to be open to the highest and purest energy , that of the spirit . It is no wonder then that a person needing Emerald will feel that something intangible ' isn't right ' . The remedy will gently open up the heart so that life force and inspiration can flow again and the person can express this in their unique way . Emerald is a remedy for reconnection in this sense .
In my earlier post on Emerald we saw how a tooth extraction or the surgical removal of a body part can create a trauma of pathology where the healing energies get blocked . In this post we are looking at something that is harder to grasp and understand . There may be no physical problems at all but a loss of joy in life will be evident . Heart work is needed and Emerald is extraordinary in its ability to open up the creative and spiritual pathways so that the person feels lifted and in flow with the vital life energies again .

30/08/2025

Emerald and Extraction .
Emerald , a type of Beryl , is one of three types of Beryl that have been made into homeopathic remedies through trituration and succusion .The other two are Aquamarine and Golden Beryl .
Emerald is an exceptional remedy to use in cases of dental extraction and the removal of organs ( gallbladder , kidney etc ) and fibroids , tumours and polyps .
The 30c potency taken immediately before the extraction of a tooth will reduce the pain , bruising and swelling . After the procedure Arnica and Hypericum 30c given in two hourly alternation will complete the healing in a remarkably short space of time .
The 200c potency is preferable in surgical cases and when other post - surgery remedies are given such as Arnica , Hypericum , Staphisagria and Calendula , the chances of complications are minimised , emotional trauma is reduced and the incidence of scar tissue and adhesions is greatly reduced .
Emerald is a wonderful remedy for the ' closed heart ' and shut off emotions and I will look at this aspect of the remedy in my next post .

24/08/2025

Buddleia and Synchronicity.
Beyond the art and science of homeopathy lies a magic and mystery that all homeopaths come to know and many patients too . I could give so many examples from my own practice over the years but here is one example : a case of synchronicity that occurred as I was composing my posts on Buddleia .
A dear friend and colleague on reading my post , sent across a poem on Buddleia that she had written that very week . Incredible synchronicity and a chance for me to share a more poetic version of my post ! You just couldn't do this with penicillin or paracetamol could you ?! The beauty of our remedies and their energetic outreach .

https://www.instagram.com/sue_kullai_poet?utm_source=qr&igsh=YjhydGF4eXMyaWZh

21/08/2025

Buddleia ,
With Buddleia we are looking at a remedy that can lift the burden of the effects of trauma and shock and bring in its place a strength and serenity .
Although the shrub springs up easily in gardens and self - seeds readily this belies its resilience and ability to not just grow but thrive in inhospitable urban environments . It can shoot up to nine feet and seems able to draw its nourishment from stony , dry land , appearing alongside railway sidings and emerging from crevices and cracks on pavements and building sites . In an ugly urban setting , lush , purple flower cones with the scent of honey bring nourishment to bees and butterflies and an upliftment to us in an otherwise grey sprawl of urban life . The colour purple is linked to spirituality and the crown chakra and like the lotus which has its roots in muddy waters but produces white and pristine blooms , the Buddleia throws up these almost divine flowers from the most unlikely growing places .
In the person who needs Buddleia as part of their healing journey , this signature of sweetness ( the honey scent of Buddleia ) and beauty of expression ( the lushness of the flowers ) flourishing against the odds ( a small crack in the concrete ) reflects the deep trauma , the inhospitable circumstances that the person needing Buddleia has experienced and the healing response of peace that awaits them as the remedy works its way back through the layers of unexpressed emotion , the shock and the trauma . It has been described by patients as an almost spiritual - like awakening from a dark and hostile place . The patient literally blooms after this remedy and there is often a realistic acceptance that the trauma was part of the growing process and that although the memory of the trauma cannot be erased there is a promise from the remedy that it can be transmuted into something higher and beautiful that will nourish the person and welcome in joy .

20/08/2025

Buddleia .
The honey scented white , pink and purple Buddleia is often referred to as the butterfly bush because its intoxicating perfume and vibrant colour attracts butterflies ( and bees ) throughout the summer flowering months . It is not just a supreme pollinator , it is also prepared and used as a homeopathic remedy .
We are all familiar with Arnica as a therapeutic aid post - op. and for bruised soft tissue following a knock or fall . Buddleia is less known as a trauma remedy and yet it is often indicated when Arnica , Bellis Perenis and Hypericum haven't completed the necessary healing after an injury or surgical procedure . It is also a wonderful remedy for those who dread any form of medical intervention , trips to the dentist and hospital appointments . It can supercede the use of the anticipatory remedies such as Lycopodium and Gelsemium for the feeling of dread ahead of a medical appointment .
Buddleia can also help to bring forth a release of necessary emotion after witnessing a deeply traumatic event enabling the person to reach into the depths of their unspoken and unexpressed trauma . This was a remedy that brought much relief to those profoundly affected by the images of the Twin Towers attack . Aconite is the immediate remedy to give for the first pulses of shock and terror but if the trauma doesn't find release in tears , words or screams then Buddleia will reach into the hidden depths where the trauma has lodged .
Tomorrow I will look at the ' signature ' of Buddleia , that it grows and even flourishes in wasteland and how this finds its echo in the way a person may seek their emotional nourishment .

05/08/2025

Stammering In Children As A Response To A Newborn In The Family .

An emotional response to a changed dynamic in the family unit can sometimes produce changes in speech patterns in children . Stammering can be one of these responses .
If there is an element of shock or fear involved , perhaps a child witnessing a traumatic labour / birth then the stammering will be noticeable almost immediately . Aconite given at the onset will usually set things right and just one dose of Aconite 30c is often all that is needed .
Remedies have different expressions of stammering such as Lycopodium with the last words of a sentence being stammered and Spigelia with the first few words . As always in homeopathy it is vital to base the prescribed remedy on the totality of symptoms not just one or two and the emotional/ mental state carries the most influence when selecting the correct remedy .
In an earlier post I looked at the Lachesis picture of symptoms and if stammering develops in a child consumed by jealousy, anger and an intensity in how they express this then Lachesis will be the required remedy for the stammer .
Lycopodium is frequently prescribed for stammering but here we have a very different picture to that of Lachesis .Accompanying the stammer will be a marked loss of overall confidence and an absolute dread of humiliation . Children can stop talking completely when they are in a Lycopodium state if someone laughs , teases or mimics their stammer . Lycopodium is a deeply sensitive remedy .
Another of our sensitive remedies in the Materia Medica is Causticum and when this remedy is indicated there will be twitching of some sort accompanying the onset of the stammer . The central nervous system has gone into a type of tight knot here and the tension results in jerky speech and movement .Causticum will smooth this tension out rapidly .

05/08/2025

30/07/2025

Lachesis .

Following on from the post about Pulsatilla as a homeopathic remedy for jealousy when a newborn in the family changes the family dynamic , this post will explore Lachesis .
Lachesis is by no means prescribed as frequently as Pulsatilla for sibling jealousy but when the indications for this remedy are present it can be a real blessing to have a homeopath nearby to prescribe for the child .
Lachesis is intense , angry and deeply jealous , often suspicious too . Their jealousy does not manifest itself in tears or neediness like that of Pulsatilla but in extreme outbursts of hatred towards the newborn and often the mother too .When a child is in the Lachesis state and in need of this remedy they will reveal an uncanny ability to lash out where it hurts most . A mother's favourite piece of clothing will be torn or scrawled over with felt tip pen , items specific to the baby will be destroyed in some way but always it will have the taint of deliberate , malicious intent .Lachesis feels satisfied by this destruction , there is no remorse or tears begging for cuddles .
This is such a challenging set of behaviours to witness in a young child . Over the years I have seen mums in particular but dads too absolutely wracked with guilt over what a new baby has done to their other child or children . Exhausted from broken nights with the newborn and alarmed at the force of the jealousy being unleashed in the family , much of the consultation with the homeopath can be spent with mum sobbing as the dad fends off approaches to the baby by a furious sibling .I have learnt not to fuss or even look at the new baby in these consultations because otherwise I will not gain the trust of this tormented soul in front of me . This child is crying out for Lachesis and one dose in the 200th potency will restore calm and a steady acceptance of his or her new circumstances .
Lachesis is a very loquacious remedy , sharp - tongued and cutting even in a young child . They will lash out verbally as much as they do physically . The usual refrain is , ' I hate you , I hate you , I want you to die ' . They can be very specific about how they think they'd like this to play out .
When you find yourself almost in fear of these troubled children and emotionally drained by their intensity and extreme responses , think of Lachesis . It is the most wonderful remedy to rebalance these difficult manifestations of jealousy . The child will often say that they feel everyone hates them and because they are too young to cope with their fierce emotions they lash out in hateful words and hateful actions . The Lachesis state can be brought on by suppression of any kind and in the early days of a newborn in the family , the older child may try and stifle their anger and jealousy , sensing that it wouldn't be welcome if they let rip . As the Lachesis state takes hold from all this bottled up feeling the child loses control and anything goes .
I will explore remedies to help with nightmares , bed wetting and stuttering in the next post as these are frequent expressions of how a child is feeling when a sibling enters the family .

28/07/2025

Helping Siblings Adjust To A New Baby In The Family .

Over the last month or so I have seen several cases of children experiencing difficulties and challenges in accepting a newborn into their lives . Of course there is nothing unusual about this as it represents a profound ' life - change ' for children but when natural adaptation doesn't occur and symptoms develop , rest assured that homeopathic remedies can be of real help .
The most common situation is that of jealousy . When an older sibling becomes overly possessive of mummy , pushing in between her and the new baby , particularly at feed times and reverts to earlier developmental patterns such as crawling when already walking or wanting to be on the breast when fully weaned or any other pattern that is a retrograde step for the child , Pulsatilla will restore confidence in the child as to their place in the family . Pulsatilla also helps the child to feel real pride in their developmental stage and abilities . It turns a negative into a positive and is the most commonly prescribed remedy for jealousy and sibling rivalry .
When Pulsatilla is the indicated remedy there will be many emotional outbursts , tears will well up at the slightest change in their previous routine and cuddles and one on one attention will be desperately craved . Parents are often tearful themselves at the deep sadness and need of a child so overwhelmed by the change that a new baby brings to the family . This reaction in the parents is itself an indication that the child needs Pulsatilla to set things right in his or her world . Tomorrow I will look at Lachesis for this same problem of jealousy but with this remedy a very different feeling arises in the parents towards the older child .
The essence of Pulsatilla is sweetness , kindness and passivity . When a child is in need of Pulsatilla we want to reach out with cuddles and reassurance , enveloping the child in a loving protectiveness . With Lachesis we can actually feel quite afraid of the intensity of a child's emotional storm .

12/07/2025

Sunburn .

Prevention is better than a cure of course but if it's already too late ...
Belladonna 30c as soon as possible , repeat after an hour and then 3 to 4 hours until the heat and redness begin to subside .
If there is a sensation of stinging and the affected area is puffy or slightly swollen take Apis 30c between the first and second doses of Bella .
Topically , use Aloe Vera gel .
If the burn is severe take Cantharis 30c hourly , three times and do this as soon as you can .