Why isn’t the remedy working? I know people say that homeopathy really works, but it doesn’t for me.
Is homeopathy magic? Some people think that yes it is (myself included!), but the reality is that sometimes it just doesn’t work.
Trust me, it is as frustrating for the Homeopath as it is for the client. The symptom picture perfectly matches the remedy, but it just isn’t working as it should. ARGH!!
Time to put the detective hat on
This is when we, as health detectives, have to dig a little deeper.
If a remedy is strongly indicated but nothing is shifting, there are a number of things we start to explore. One of the big ones is something called “obstacles to cure.”
What are obstacles to cure?
Obstacles to cure are essentially circumstances or substances that interfere with the action of a remedy.
This idea comes from Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, who wrote about it in Organon of the Medical Art. Just as remedies are individual, so are obstacles to cure!
For example, Hahnemann listed coffee as an obstacle, but I have plenty of clients who happily continue their daily cup and still see beautiful results.
Other obstacles to cure he noted were:
Fine Chinese tea and other herbal teas
Beer and spirits infused with medicinal spices (such as juniper, hyssop, anise and fennel)
Mint (including in toothpaste)
Vegetable dishes with herbs
Vegetables with medicinal powers (celery, inion, parsley, sorrel, tarragon)
Perfumes and Cologne
The list goes on….
It feels really restrictive, right?! Well luckily, modern homeopathy is a little more relaxed.
Obstacles that feel more relevant today
These are the ones I see far more in practice:
Damp or mouldy workspaces or homes - Think cellars, poorly ventilated homes, especially for respiratory issues. If you can’t change the environment, homeopathy can only go so far.
Abusive or highly stressful relationships
Lack of movement. Our bodies aren’t designed to sit all day
Dietary stressors such as excess alcohol, ultra processed foods, high sugar intake
Lack of fresh air
Overexertion. Think intense exercise during perimenopause or with chronic fatigue, it can actually set you back
Constant irritation or emotional strain. That boss. Those draining friendships… you know the ones.
What if I can’t change the obstacles to cure?
Not to worry, it’s about awareness and small, supportive shifts.
For example:
Living in a mouldy home but can’t move?
A dehumidifier, good ventilation, and treating mould early (yes, even with something as unglamorous as bleach) can make a real difference.Feeling fatigued with a sedentary lifestyle?
Sometimes simply moving a little more is the medicine. And yes, a homeopathic remedy can help support motivation if that feels like climbing Everest.
Remember, homeopathy is a holistic approach based on individual symptoms. Therefore, we look at mental, emotional, physical and spiritual symptoms as well as lifestyle factors.
Sometimes the reason a remedy “isn’t working,” isn’t the remedy at all.
A gentle reframe
Instead of:
“Why isn’t this working?”
Try:
“What might be getting in the way?”
That’s where the real breakthroughs often happen!