Puberty can be tumultuous, but homeopathy can help!
Puberty and Hormonal Shifts
Puberty is a time of tremendous growth and development for kids. During this time, children's brains are re-wiring, their hormones are in flux, and they may be growing quickly. There is a lot going on physically, mentally, and emotionally, and this can make puberty a challenging time for both parents and children.
For girls specifically, the hormonal shifts of puberty can often throw the body out of balance with mood swings alongside feelings of uncertainty because of loss of control in the emotional sphere. (Other hormonal shifts for women that occur with pregnancy, the post-partum period, and menopause can also produce similar symptoms and feelings.)
The top two homeopathic remedies to consider for girls during puberty are Sepia and Pulsatilla. (There are many other remedies that may be helpful during puberty as well, such as Natrum mur, Sulphur, Nux vomica, and Calcarea carb, but the use of those remedies will be best guided through consultation with a homeopath.) As with all homeopathic remedies, Sepia and Pulsatilla will work best when they are selected to match the specific symptoms that are present.
My Daughter's Puberty
As a parent, I was a bit taken aback when my daughter Alina started going through puberty. She seemed to suddenly change from a little girl who was eager to please and happy-go-lucky into a girl who was often contrary and whose mood was unpredictable.
Fortunately, we had homeopathy to help ease this transition. My daughter benefited from both Sepia and Pulsatilla at different times during her early years of puberty, depending upon which symptoms she was experiencing. With the help of these remedies, Alina’s emotional state became much more balanced overall.
Sepia vs. Pulsatilla
So how to tell the difference between the symptoms calling for Sepia and those that will benefit from Pulsatilla? Here are some pointers:
Sepia: Withdrawn and Stormy
The girl who needs Sepia will tend to be withdrawn and stormy when upset. She may be sarcastic or easily angry, slamming doors and storming off to her room with angry tears.
Once she starts menstruating, the girl who needs Sepia may experience anger or sadness before her periods.
Pulsatilla: Weepy and Needy
The girl who needs Pulsatilla will tend to weep easily and may need extra consolation. She may want extra hugs and backrubs, and may need extra time snuggling with her parents to feel secure and content.
Once she starts menstruating, the girl who needs Pulsatilla may be extra weepy before her periods.
Dosing and Potency
It generally works well to start with Sepia or Pulsatilla in the 30c potency (although for some girls it may be more appropriate to start with a lower or higher potency depending upon her individual sensitivity level).
For each dose, dissolve one pellet on the tongue at a time when there is no taste in the mouth from previous food or drink, and then don't eat or drink anything (except water) for at least 10 minutes after the dose.
Because puberty is a chronic condition, the dosing generally does not need to be happen very often. Take a few weeks to observe the response to each dose, and don't repeat the dose until the improvements are wearing off. For instance, my daughter Alina only needed a dose about once every month or two for her puberty symptoms. And if no improvement is observed within 3 doses of taking a remedy, the remedy should be discontinued.
For people who aren't experienced with homeopathy, this dosing strategy may seem counterintuitive; however, homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body to heal the underlying imbalance and once that healing is happening, it is best to get out of the way and allow the body to continue it's healing process.With all homeopathic remedies, the least number of doses is always the best.
One thing that can make it a little trickier in assessing dose response for girls in puberty is the fact that their hormones are cyclical. Even if they’re not yet menstruating, girls' hormones will shift throughout the month, which is why it can often seem like they are off for a week or two and then fine again. But, with the right homeopathic remedy, those ups and downs will be much less noticeable overall.
Antidotes
Beware that homeopathic remedies can be antidoted by essential oils (especially if being diffused), menthol (Vick's Vapo-Rub, Tiger Balm, cough drops, etc), coffee (especially if used in erratic amounts vs steady daily consumption), alcohol/drugs, and dental surgeries.
Newer Symptom Layers
While Sepia and Pulsatilla typically work well for puberty symptoms, in some cases it is possible that some other remedies will be needed before Sepia or Pulsatilla can do their work.
For instance, if there have been significant traumas, bullying, losses, or drug-exposures in the meantime since puberty commenced, those more-recent events/exposures may need to be treated before the puberty remedies will be able to be effective.
I hope this information helps your family navigate puberty with greater ease and support!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or licensed healthcare professional. I am a homeopathic practitioner whose services are considered complementary and alternative by the state of New Mexico. The uses of homeopathic remedies described herein are provided for educational use only.
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