The Difference Between an Acute and a Constitutional

Here's the different terms and what they mean:

An 'At-Home Complaint' or a 'Simple Acute' is something really straightforward. Bites, stings, injuries, indigestion after a meal, burns, cuts and bruises, boils and coldsores are good examples.

Usually something triggers it, it happens quickly, and it's all resolved in a short space of time. There are Buddies specific to help with these and they are easy to manage yourself. You don't need to know much about homeopathy to do this.

An 'Acute' could be little more complex - stomach bug, cough, cold, fever, flu, teething, ear infection, childhood illness. There are usually common Buddies used for each but several to choose from. You often need to know a bit more about homeopathy to nail these on the head - although as long as you know the basics and have a good prescribing book (and know when to give up and call your homeopath) many of these can be easily managed at home.

A Tricky Acute is the type my clients call me about when they've tried 13 different remedies, got themselves in a bit of a confuddle, and are not sure where to go next. Often these are colds and coughs, viruses and flus and tummy bugs that have many symptoms that keep changing or just drag on and on. These are definitely situations to refer to your homeopath.

A Constitutional is anything that lasts longer than a cough or cold or keeps coming back. Most of these constitutional situations are easy to spot like eczema, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, IBS, arthritis. Some acute situations such as ear infections or tonsillitis that keep returning are actually constitutional. These need to be managed by a homeopath under constitutional care.

The line can feel a little blurry as to what you can do at home, and when you should be under the care of a homeopath.

It’s important to know the different types of complaints. Some are easily taken care of at home, some you need to know a bit about homeopathy to sort yourself, and some straight-up need professional treatment.

It's so exciting when you start to realise what remedies can do for you and your family! But it is important to be clear on what you can safely take care of at home and what you should leave for the experts. You see, the tendency for people starting out with homeopathy is to get so enthusiastic that they will want to give homeopathy for just about everything.

I felt the same way when I started my training. This is why students of homeopathy are unable to prescribe for anything but Acute conditions until they are aptly qualified. Trying to treat chronic conditions without the correct knowledge and training can end up causing aggravations and make a general mess of things. Knowing what we can and can't prescribe for keeps us all safe.

Things such as depression, anxiety, behavioural problems and other mental health issues are constitutional as well.

Sometimes, a condition can be both constitutional and acute. For example, hay fever. A remedy such as Mixed Pollen and Grasses may help reduce the symptoms when they're worsening, but equally you may also need the care of homeopath to help the body's overall overreaction to allergens.

Taking care of the simple stuff at home means less down time, less money at the doctor or physio, less expensive medications, and best of all your body will love you for putting it back into balance properly.

In my opinion, Buddy Remedies should be in every household making themselves useful. There is so much good that can be done with simple homeopathy!