My top remedies for anxiety and stress

Homeopathy is in my blood. My Mum was a gifted homeopath. Since childhood I watched her be of service. She owned a well known health food store in a town called Hillcrest just outside Durban, South Africa. After school and over weekends I earned pocket money by helping the customers at the check out. I have fond memories of this time. My Mum’s way of being inspired and formed me. She taught me that nature is good, to listen to my body and to question mainstream beliefs. 


I qualified as a homeopath in 2000. I was fortunate enough to work with her in her thriving practice. Over the years I’ve seen high potency remedies perform miracles. Once my Mum treated a young man who was in a coma after a horrific rugby injury. The doctors declared him brain dead. He walked out of the hospital after he was given high potency Arnica, Nat Sulph and Aconite by drop dose - on the sly whilst the nurses weren’t watching! I’ve seen homeopathy stop food poisoning within 3 doses, break a fever within minutes and relieve croup almost instantly. I think the case that stays with me the most involved a man with late stage AIDS. He was carried into my Mum’s clinic the day he came to see her for the first time. 6 weeks later the same man returned for his follow-up. We didn't recognise him at first - he had gained so much weight that it transformed is appearance. The man had a new lease on life. All because of homeopathy. 


In my clinic today I rely on my homeopathic friends to support my clients with their anxiety - whether mild or transient. 


Below I list the most common remedies for anxiety and nervousness. Chronic anxiety disorders will need a course of treatment however. For best homeopathic results it is best to make an appointment with a qualified homeopath.


Side note // homeopathy treats animals just as effectively as humans so if your animal companion is prone to anxiety or panic, the appropriate remedy will help him or her also.


Instructions on how often to give a homeopathic remedy for mild or transient anxiety is available at the end of the remedy list.


1. Aconite napellus (Acon.)

Aconite is one of the best remedies for waves of fear or outright panic. Symptoms are sudden, intense and may follow a shock such as an accident or natural disaster. The person is agitated, restless, and fearful. They can think they are about to die and may even predict the time of death. Other symptoms may include: dry skin and mouth; thirst; pounding heart. Aconite can also treat ongoing anxiety caused by a past traumatic event.

Remember: Rapid onset, intense symptoms, agitation, fear of death, panic attacks.


2. Argentum nitricum (Arg-n.)

Apprehension and nervousness when the person is unsure of what is likely to happen. The more they dwell on the anxiety, the worse it becomes. They are hurried, feel the heat, and crave sugar or sweet things. Sugar can lead to digestive upsets and diarrhoea and flatulence may be triggered by anxiety. People who do well with Arg-n may also have strange compulsions and “What if…” thoughts. These can include things such as stepping into a line of traffic, throwing themselves from a height, or poking something into a power outlet. Anxiety worsens with overheating and they feel better in cool fresh air and away from crowds.

Remember: Apprehension and anxiety. Strange imaginings and “what if …” thoughts. Craving for sugar. Worse when overheated.


3. Arsenicum album (Ars.)

The Arsenicum anxiety focuses on issues of security and safety, what will happen in the future, especially at night and when alone. They tend to worry about health, robbers, or money. To manage this anxiety, they become overly fastidious, perfectionists and selfish in their insecurity. They feel better in company but become critical of others and controlling in behaviour. They are usually overly neat and tidy, chilly and better for warmth.

Remember: Anxiety about health, security, the future; perfectionists; critical; chilly; desire company.



4. Calcarea carbonica (Calc.)

Those who need Calc. have a fear of change and of losing control. As a result they insist on routine and struggle to keep things the same which can make them seem stubborn or obstinate. Frequently heavy in build, they tire easily on exertion or when walking uphill or climbing stairs. They sweat easily on exertion or during sleep, especially on the back of the neck. Fear of the dark, insects, spiders, and animals, especially dogs, are common. They can’t stand hearing about or seeing unpleasant things and acts of cruelty. They can sometimes struggle with confusion and worry that they are going insane.

Remember: Fear of change and losing control; tiring on exertion; perspiring easily; anxiety on hearing about unpleasant things.



5. Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels.)

People who need Gels. suffer from performance anxiety that leads to weakness of muscles. Any exertion produces trembling of the muscles – knees may knock, legs may shake, and hands can tremble. They can feel paralysed by the anxiety, helpless and want to hide away. Gelsemium is one of the remedies used for agoraphobia (fear of wide open spaces) and influenza when the sufferer has weakness and trembling.

Remember: Anxiety, weakness, trembling, desire to hide away, unable to cope.



6. Kali arsenicosum (Kali-ar.)

Anxiety about health, especially about heart disease or a heart attack. This can result in panic attacks or make them sleep with their hand over their heart. Anxious thoughts can increase at night making them avoid going to bed. They can even imagine that they see dead people. Frequently feel chilly.

Remember: Anxiety about heart problems. Anxiety worse at night.



7. Kali phosphoricum (Kali-p.)

A remedy for those with anxiety from feeling overwhelmed. Easily, stressed, startled and frightened. Oversensitive and delicate. Easily exhausted and irritability from exhaustion or anxiety. Physical ailments from worry, overwork, and overexcitement. They can fear having a nervous breakdown or fear something bad will happen.

Remember: Oversenstive, overwhelmed and anxious. Exhaustion and irritability with anxiety.



8. Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc.)

People who need lycopodium suffer from anticipation anxiety and stage fright. Lack of self confidence. However, once in the middle of a presentation they frequently relax and do well. Anxiety in new groups and situations that is covered up with bravado or over talking. Anxiety often accompanied by bloating. Craving for sweets.

Remember: Lack of self confidence; boasting and bragging; bloating and desire for sweets.



9. Phosphorus (Phos.)

Many fears and anxieties but especially of being alone. Fears and anxieties always relieved in company. As a result, those who need Phosphorus are generally sensitive, sociable and friendly. Fear of the dark, ghosts, thunderstorms and many other things. Startle easily. Sensitive to odours and sounds. Vivid imaginations. Highly suggestible and highly empathic. Phosphorus types generally enjoy cold drinks, sweets (especially chocolate), ice cream and spicy food.

Remember: Many fears and anxieties, especially of being alone. Friendly, empathic, suggestible.


How Often Should I Take a Dose of My Remedy?


The following instructions are suitable for acute (short-lived) problems only.

Minor Conditions (for which you would probably not seek professional help.)

Examples: A mildly sprained ankle, or a nuisance-value sore throat.

Dose: Every 4 hours until symptoms start to improve. With improvement, space the doses further apart, taking a dose only when symptoms start to return. If there is no improvement at all by 4 doses (after 16 hours) choose a more suitable remedy or contact your homeopath.

Troubling Conditions (for which you might seek professional help.)

Examples: A painful and swollen sprained ankle that can tolerate some weight, or a troublesome sore throat.


Serious Conditions (for which you would seek professional help.)

Examples: A painful and swollen ankle that you cannot place any weight on at all, or a sore and red throat that makes eating or drinking difficult.

Dose: Every ½ hour until symptoms start to improve. With improvement, space the doses further apart, taking a dose only when symptoms return. If there is no improvement at all by 4 doses (after 2 hours) choose a more suitable remedy or contact your homeopath.

Emergency Situations (Conditions for which you would phone urgently for an ambulance.)

Examples: An obviously broken ankle where the bone has pierced the skin and the person is in severe pain or shock, or a painful, swollen throat that is leading to suffocation.

Dose: Every 15 seconds to a minute while waiting for the ambulance. If the remedy is correct there should be a rapid improvement in symptoms. With improvement, space the doses further apart. If there is no improvement at all by four doses (after 1 – 4 minutes), change to another remedy.


If none of the above remedies suit your symptoms, please see a qualified homeopath for a more appropriate remedy as others not discussed within the list are available.


In love and service always.







i Heulluy, B, Essai Randomise Ouvert de L.72 (specialite homeopathique) Contre Diazepam 2 dans les Etats Anxio-Depressifs. Metz, Laboratoires Lehning.

ii van den Meerschaut, Lodewijk and Sunder, Andrea. The Homeopathic Preparation Nervoheel N can Offer an Alternative to Lorazepam Therapy for Mild Nervous Disorders. eCAM 2009 6: 507-515; doi:10.1093/ecam/nem144

iii Davidson, J, Gaylord, S, ―Meeting of Minds in Psychiatry and Homeopathy: An Example in Social Phobia, Alternative Therapies, July, 1995,1,3:36-43.

iv Davidson, J, Morrison, R, Shore, J, et al., Homeopathic Treatment of Depression and Anxiety, Alternative Therapies, January, 1997,3,1:46-49.
