What is Sepia?
Sepia (Sepiae
succus) is the juice of the cuttlefish; a blackish fluid contained in the
abdomen of the animal, and from which the animal has the power of projecting
the juice into the surrounding water. For medicinal purposes the juice is
carefully dried, divested of its membranous envelope, and prepared by
trituration according to the rules of the homeopathic pharmacy.
Although sepia
has no place in the pharmacopoeia of the old school, and is, indeed, so little
known by them that one of their foremost writers has endeavored to fling
ridicule on homeopaths by stating that they ascribe medicinal virtues to the
cuttlefish bone, which is mere carbonate of lime, it is a singular fact that Hippocrates
set a high value on sepia as a remedy in diseases of women and in
dysmenorrhoea, and that Galen ascribes to it tonic and stomachic qualities;
while Marcellus recommends it for gravel and for the removal of freckles. A
very singular anticipation by the ancients of the exact deductions from the
homeopathic law.
Who can Benefit?
Sepia is a remedy
for hormonal imbalances, and is often indicated in women, who have a slightly
more masculine build, such as straight rather than curved hips. Sepia
women are also very often athletic, and even though, they generally may feel
weak, they often feel much better from vigorous exercise. Therefore,
sepia can be considered as one of the first remedies for women who are actively
involved in sports. The exercise they take may be in the form of dance
rather than athletics, as this is one of the main remedies for passion to dance
in homeopathy.
Sepia women are
often career oriented, rather than oriented toward raising a family, though
they may be engaged in both activities simultaneously, and having a rough time
balancing the two. If they are raising a family, even though they love
their family dearly, it can be a stress on them. Occasionally people who
need Sepia have a difficult time showing affection, or they can be indifferent
to the people they love, and have a lot of anger or aversion to their
spouse. These feelings often come to the fore right before the period is
due, in the form of PMS anger.
Sepias tend to
suffer from weakness and low energy in general, and the worse time of day for
them is often three to five in the afternoon. Other distinctive features of the
Sepia profile are a love of watching thunderstorms, which Carcinosin and
Lycopodium also share, aggravation from doing the laundry, a yellow- brown
saddle or discoloration across the cheeks and nose, a desire for chocolate,
vinegar, lemons and pickles.
Sepia for Menopause Symptoms Treatment
Sepia is
a natural menopause treatment for many symptoms. The woman needing
Sepia may be chilly most of the time, except during hot flashes. She may weep
easily and desire strenuous exercise or physical activity, which often relieves
her symptoms temporarily. Sepia provides relief for sadness, indifference,
moodiness, vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.
Hot flashes that move upward with profuse perspiration, and weakness after a flush; especially during the day in the afternoon, in the evening and at night, and worse for slightest exertion mental or physical; anxiety during hot flashes; hot sweats worse at night; offensive smelling sweats; profuse perspiration of female genitals during menopause.
Hot flashes that move upward with profuse perspiration, and weakness after a flush; especially during the day in the afternoon, in the evening and at night, and worse for slightest exertion mental or physical; anxiety during hot flashes; hot sweats worse at night; offensive smelling sweats; profuse perspiration of female genitals during menopause.
Other symptoms during menopause:
* Anxiety;
* Palpitations;
* Weakness and sudden fainting worse before periods and
in a room full of people;
* Sinking sensation in the stomach;
* Weight gain;
* Increased or lack of appetite;
* Difficult breathing;
* Hair loss;
* Migraines, left-sided headaches, burning at top of
head;
* Nose bleeds;
* Early, irregular and heavy periods with flooding;
* Congestion and nervous irritability of female organs
and tissue;
* Backaches better for movement;
* Involuntary urination;
* Nose bleeds;
* Osteoporosis;
* Vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness;
* Vaginal yeast infections;
* Vaginal pain during sexual intercourse;
* Uterine pain;
* Ovarian pain;
* Cervical erosion;
* Heavy menstrual periods during, metrorrhagia during and
after menopause;
* Total loss of sexual libido;
* Constipation;
* Weariness;
* General feeling of chill.
Besides helping to relieve physical conditions
discomfort, associated with menopause, sepia may help with psychological
hardship as well, including the following conditions:
* Hysterical tendencies during menopause;
* Anxiety and mental imbalance in perimenopause, and
during menopause.
* Anxiety during menopause with flushes of heat. Anxiety usually is worst in the evening, but may
slightly improve in the morning. Anxiety makes them walk faster.
* Agoraphobia with fear of going out; dread of meeting
with friends.
* Claustrophobia in narrow places.
* Poor memory and difficulty concentrating worse under
stress;
* Irritability and over-sensitivity.
*Depressive symptoms. Depression is worse on waking up in
the morning, but may get better throughout the day. The affected women
eventually become indifferent to everything and everyone with disgust for life.
So, they do not want to do anything, neither work nor play, even thinking is an
exertion. They tend sulk and lash out at those closest. Withdraws and may use
alcohol or marijuana to escape.
Side Effects
According to “Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic
Medicines,” one of the most common side effects is a sensation of “bearing
down” or pressure in the uterus, with the feeling that the insides are falling
out through the vagina. With this feeling the person has the need to cross her
legs in an effort to keep everything. There is also a disinterest in sex and an
inability to show affection, along with hot flushes.
Constipation, nausea accompanied by a feeling of
emptiness in the stomach that isn’t satisfied by eating, a desire for sour,
bitter and pungent foods, and a dislike for milk, meat, fats and salt
characterizes the digestive side effects. Reports of weakness and fatigue, of
being withdrawn and “burned out,” have been seen as a result of too much Sepia.
The inability to generate any physical energy accompanied with emotional apathy
is a common side effect.
Taking too much Sepia may cause a person to become moody,
listless, indifferent and sad one minute, then stubborn, aggressive,
disagreeable, defensive and irritable the next. You may cry easily and have the
desire for the companionship of others but get annoyed with them when they try
to comfort you, according to the book “Synoptic Materia Medical”
Patients taking Sepia may experience the sensation of a
“ball” inside the body. This feeling may be felt in the abdomen, rectum, throat
or uterus. Chilliness with the inability to get warm even in a warm room and
sensitivity to cold weather are other possible side effects of taking Sepia.
Sources and
Additional Information: