A Cured Case of Sepia
By Seyedaghanoor Sadeghi and Fahimeh Mahdavi
Abstract
Introduction: Sepia ranks within our ten polychrests and much higher in women, where it is in the top three remedies prescribed. It is more difficult to identify cases of Sepia in men and children and therefore it is under-prescribed in these groups. Professor G.Vithoulkas has given as the central theme of the remedy “stasis”, or a state brought about by neutralization of the dynamic tensions which animate all organisms. This is reflected physically by laxity in the tissues and in the smooth musculature, and especially in the hormonal and sexual dysfunction. Prolapse, constipation, varicosities and sagging tissues all reflect the physical stasis. Emotionally we see a similar neutralizing effect and disconnectedness. There is also stasis, sluggishness and mental dullness.
Analysis of the patient: A lady aged 48 dressing like men and suffering from an eight year low back pain was referred to the authors in Dec. 2010. She had fallen off six stairs which resulted in an ankle fracture and ever since, had been suffering from low back pain, headache, depression, and irritability toward her sons -especially while preparing supper. Her sexual desire had decreased prominently and she was discontent with her husband (aversion to sex). She preferred to spend her time with her female friends, out of the home. The other important symptoms were; depression and weeping. When she got angry, she yelled at her children and experienced a fear of poverty. We also found dry and white skin eruptions (Vitiligo) Also reported were Raynaud’s phenomenon, past history of uterine prolapse surgery, low back pain that was better from hard pressure or lying on hard objects or the floor, constipation and craving for vinegar and pickles. She loved dancing but could not dance well (because of musculature weakness).
Prescription: Sepia 30 c in liquid form 40 drops caused her mild headache during the first week whisch improved afterwards. The patient experienced an aggravation and inner calmness. Her low back pain improved by about eighty percent. After the 3rd month, therefore, Sepia 200c was prescribed to complete her cure.
Report of course of treatment: After prescribing the remedy and emphasizing her homeopathic diet, Sepia 30 c in liquid form 40 drops was prescribed and taken by the patient. She experienced an aggravation of mild to moderate headache during the first week which subsided and disappeared after 7 days.
Since she used to have pickles and vinegar, which antidote sepia, and was told to follow a homeopathic diet especially for vinegar.
After 30 days she felt much better and her low back pain had improved by about 70 percent. When she came to the clinic for the 2nd time, she had been dressed just like a woman. She had experienced a feeling of calmness, since the first days of taking the remedy. Since Sepia is a deep acting remedy, and it was still working, placebo was prescribed, till the 3rd month. Sepia 200c was prescribed in the 3rd visit. This last prescription cured her. Besides the chief complaint, i.e. low back pain, twelve other mental and physical symptoms improved significantly. Her behavior changed so that her sons were very pleased with her. Raynaud’s phenomenon was one of the physical symptoms which had improved. One year later, she still felt very well.
Conclusion: The results of this case report reveal multi-potential characteristics and capabilities of the prescribed constitutional remedy, Sepia 30c and 200c. They not only cured the patient’s chief complaint, her mental symptoms, but also her other symptoms like Raynaud’s phenomenon. Her sons, who had been anxious about her getting homeopathic treatment, became very excited about such a wonderful effect on her totality of symptoms.
References:
1- The Organon of Medicine 6th edition,2006, by Dr.Samuel Hahnemann
2- The Science of Homeopathy, by Professor George Vithoulkas Translated by M.Asefi, 2003
3- Boericke’s new manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica, 9th edition, 2000 by William Boericke.
4- Synoptic Materia Medica, 2006 by Vermeulen F.
5- Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, 7th edition, 2007 by Longmore et al