How to collect symptoms when choosing homeopathic remedies?

May 9, 2024

3 min read

Updated: Sep 15

How to Choose a Homeopathic Remedy: Observing Your Symptoms

When choosing a homeopathic remedy, it can be helpful to look closely at your symptoms rather than focusing only on the name of a condition. How does the symptom feel? Where is it located? What seems to have brought it on, and what makes it better or worse?

In this article, I introduce the CLAMS approach, a simple way of observing symptoms from different angles when considering a homeopathic remedy.

A thoughtful woman gazes into the distance while working on her laptop at an outdoor café, surrounded by the serene ambiance of trees and vintage railings.

When choosing a remedy, we first start by carefully observing the patient's condition. Even if you say it hurts, the symptoms can vary! Is it a tingling pain, a throbbing pain, or a sharp pain? Where does it hurt? Observing these details can help you consider remedies with similar characteristics.

When you observe symptoms, we use "CLAMS" as a tool. Each letter stands for

C : Concomitant

L : Location　

A : Aetiology　

M : Modality　

S : Sensation　

I will explain the details of each word as follows.

#1 - C : Concomitant

Concomitant are conditions alongside the main symptoms. For instance, When you have a headache, you may have vision disturbance, vomiting, nausea or other symptoms alongside the headache. These symptoms include concomitant.

#2 - L : Location

Location is where the symptom is located. It could be the right side or the left side. If it is a headache, the pain would be in the forehead, temples, occiput, or top of the head. People experience headaches differently.

#3 - A : Aetiology　

Aetiology is the event when the main complaint is triggered. For example, your headaches started when you changed a job or headaches began after having a cold. Changed a job or after having a cold is the aetiology.

#4 - M : Modality　

Modality is when the condition or environment changes the symptoms. Your headache feels better when you get fresh air, stay still or close your eyes. Getting fresh air, staying still or closing your eyes is the modality of your headache.

#5 - S : Sensation　

The sensation is how you feel. Your headache may have some sensations, your headache may be heavy or dull, sharp stabbing sensation, or pulsating sensation.

If you have eczema, you may feel itching, burning, or stinging sensation.

The way you experience a symptom can also be an important part of considering which remedy may be appropriate.

Conclusion

When choosing a homeopathic remedy, observing the details of your symptoms can provide useful information. Rather than looking only at the name of a condition, you can consider the location, sensation, possible cause, changes that make the symptom better or worse, and any accompanying symptoms.

The CLAMS approach can be a useful way to organise these observations, particularly when considering homeopathy for simple, acute symptoms.

It may take some practice to become familiar with observing symptoms in this way. By paying attention to the individual characteristics of your symptoms, you may gradually become more aware of what makes your experience unique.

If you find it difficult to put all of these details together, or if your symptoms are persistent, recurrent or more complex, you may prefer to discuss your individual experience with a homeopath.

A homeopathic consultation provides an opportunity to talk through your symptoms, your health history and your individual experience before considering whether homeopathy may be appropriate for you.

If you would simply like to find out more about how a consultation works, you are welcome to book a 15-minute introductory chat.

Book a Consultation

Once you have chosen a remedy, you may be wondering how to order it. This guide explains the information you need when ordering homeopathic remedies online, including the remedy name, form, size and potency, as well as some points to consider when ordering from abroad.