POLYCHRESTS

ARG-NIT
ARSENICUM
AURUM
BRYONIA
CALC-CARB
CAUSTICUM
CHINA
IGNATIA
KALI-CARB
LACHESIS
LILIUM-TIG
LYCOPODIUM
MERCURIUS
NAT-MUR
NUX-VOM
PHOSPHOROUS
PLATINA
PULSATILLA
RHUS-TOX
SEPIA
SILICA
STAPHYSAGRIA
SULPHUR
THUJA
VERATRUM

Sepia certainly ranks within our top 10 polycrests and much higher in women where it is in the top 3 remedies prescribed. It is more difficult to identify cases of Sepia in men and children and therefore it is under-prescribed in these groups. Vithoulkas has given as the central theme of the remedy "stasis" or a state brought about by neutralization of the dynamic tensions which animates all organisms. This is reflected physically by laxness in the tissues and in the smooth musculature, and especially in the hormonal and sexual dysfunctions. Prolapse, constipation, varicosities, and sagging tissues all reflect the physical stasis. Emotionally we see a similar neutralizing effect which produces indifference and disconnectedness. Mentally there is also stasis, sluggishness, and mental dullness.
<<Children.>> In the early stages of Sepia - that is in children and teenagers - we do not see any sign of the typical stasis. The child is alive, excitable and affectionate. She is often the center of attention. The complaints in this stage include fears and over-sensitivity and over-excitability. The next stage of pathology occurs from stress, grief and disappointment. The child becomes more self-contained, introverted and closed. The patient will complain mainly of physical disorders such as headache, menstrual disorders and skin troubles.
<<Irritability.>> The patient becomes progressively more detached from his family and community. Here we see the development of marked irritability, depression, and indifference. Any demand by the family is viewed as a further burden and met with anger. She finds herself shrieking at her children and cannot control her temper.
<<Guilt and isolation.>> Often the patient feels guilty and afraid of these internal changes and presents with tearfulness and desperation. Eventually she loses her connection to others to the extent that she no longer feels remorse for her behavior. Because of the detachment, the patient can see clearly into the weaknesses of those around her and will lash out with cutting, accurate, sarcastic, hurtful words.
<<Men.>> Male Sepias can be somewhat difficult to identify. The best word to describe the patient is "wimpy", that is to say weak in spirit and confidence, and masculinity. It can be difficult to differentiate this patient from Staphysagria, Pulsatilla or Gelsemium. The patient appears worn-out and pitifully inadequate. He often has a great deal of difficulty motivating himself to work, often longing to give up his job and responsibilities.
<<Physical.>>The physical ailments of Sepia are frequently centered in the hormonal sphere, especially in female patients. The menstrual function, libido and maternal functions are imbalanced and show signs of weakness, stasis and insufficiency. Another main area of difficulty is in the smooth muscles which are weakened and lax causing constipation, pelvic weakness and prolapse, urinary incontinence, Raynaud's phenomena, etc. When the case is in an early stage, physical exertion rouses the patient, dramatically easing the sluggishness and stasis. However in latter stages Sepia patients are too exhausted to exercise or even aggravated by exertion.

Mind.
<<Hard and indifferent patients.>>
<<Tearful, care-worn and pathetic patients.>>
WEEPING. INVOLUNTARY WEEPING, KNOWS NOT WHY SHE WEEPS.
SARCASTIC, CUTTING REMARKS OFTEN FOLLOWED BY REMORSE; THE PATIENT HAS GREAT INTUITION CONCERNING OTHER'S WEAKNESS.
<<Disconnected and indifferent to the family.>>
<<Irritability.>>
MOTHER ANGRY AND AT LEAST DISTURBANCE YELLS AT CHILDREN.
HOUSEWIVES IRRITABLE AND OVERWHELMED. ESPECIALLY WHILE MAKING SUPPER BECOMES IRRITATED WITH HER CHILDREN.
<<Premenstrual irritability, depression and weeping.>>
AVERSION TO COMPANY.
AMELIORATED WHEN ALONE.
<<Aversion to company yet dreads being completely alone.>>
<<Mental dullness, sluggishness and confusion.>>
Fear: Ghosts. Poverty.
Despair of recovery.
Depression, even suicidal states.
Loves dancing and thunderstorms.
Complaints brought on by spiritual pursuits emphasizing celibacy.

General.
<<Chilly and worse from cold.>>
GENERAL AMELIORATION FROM VIGOROUS EXERCISE AND FROM ANY OCCUPATION (though many cases are exhausted by exertion).
<<General amelioration in the evening.>>
GENERAL AGGRAVATION FROM 2 TO 4 PM OR 3 TO 5 PM.
<<General aggravation before or during the menses.>>
<<General aggravation from pregnancy or from miscarriage or abortion.>>
MENOPAUSE. Flushes of heat with perspiration, worse at night.
<<General aggravation from coition or from frequent sex.>>
General aggravation from loss of fluids as in nursing or
diarrhea (Chin, Ph-Ac).
Periodicity every 28 days even in men or non-menstruating women.
Left-sided symptoms.
Fainting tendency.
General aggravation at the sea.
General collapse state from abuse of drugs, alcohol, sexual energy.
Side-effects from chemotherapy - both nausea and debility.
A remedy to be thought of when the case is disordered or unclear.
<<Appearance:>>
<<1) Tall, thin, flat breasted and narrow hips, angular, hard face.>>
<<2) Round, plump, "washer-woman", care-worn face.>>

Head.
<<Left-sided headaches, especially over the left eye.>>
Headache worse fasting, worse menopause or before or during menses.
Rhinitis. Sinusitis with nauseating post-nasal discharge.
Chloasma.
Yellow or brownish "saddle" across the bridge of the nose.
Herpes simplex.
<<Cracking of lips, either at corners or middle of lower lip.>>

Gastro-intestinal.
EMPTY FEELING IN STOMACH, NOT AMELIORATED FROM EATING.
<<Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.>>
<<Craves: Sweets. Vinegar or sour things.>> Bread. Salt.
Aversion: Fat. Salt.
Constipation, usually without urging.
<<Lump sensation in the rectum or prostate.>>
<<Itching of the rectum.>>
Rectal tumor or malignancy.

Genitalia.
VAGINITIS WITH WHITE, OFFENSIVE OR EXCORIATING DISCHARGE.
ITCHING OF THE GENITALIA BROUGHT ABOUT FROM LEUKORRHEA.
<<Menses: Scanty>> and too early. Amenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea.
<<Premenstrual Syndrome.>>
UTERINE PROLAPSE, bearing down sensation or as if the pelvic contents will prolapse and she must sit with her legs crossed.
<<Pregnancy>>: Vaginitis or vaginal itch, lump sensation in rectum and ineffectual urge for stool, nausea and aversion to odors of food or even husbands odor, aversion to sex.
<<Infertility. Miscarriage>>, especially first trimester. Weak labor.
<<Herpes of the genitalia or perineal and perianal region.>>
<<Genital warts.>>
AVERSION TO SEX, TO BEING TOUCHED SEXUALLY.
<<Dyspareunia.>>
Homosexuality (as a characteristic, not a disease).
Impotence or premature ejaculation.
Prostatitis.

Urinary.
<<Stress incontinence>>, worse cough, worse laugh, worse sneezing.
Enuresis.
Urinary frequency and sudden urging.

Chest.
<<Cough worse night, worse lying,>> better sitting.
Scanty lactation.
<<Breasts lose mass and fullness and become flat.>>

Back.
Low back pain, better hard pressure or lying on hard floor or objects (Nat-M, Rhus-T).
Back pain before or during menses.

Extremities.
Raynaud's Syndrome.
Hands and feet always cold, often more pronounced in hands.
Cracks on hands.

Skin.
<<Thickened and parchment-like skin.>> Dry skin.
PSORIASIS. Ringworm. Impetigo. Vitiligo.
Hirsutism.

Clinical.
Anemia. Bronchitis. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Condyloma. Connective tissue disease. Constipation. Cough. Cystitis. Depression. Dyspareunia. Endometriosis. Enuresis. Flushes. Gastritis. Headache. Herpes. Hirsutism. Leukorrhea. Low back pain. Menopause. Migraine. Miscarriage. Nausea of pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Peptic ulcer. Premenstrual syndrome. Prostatitis. Pruritis ani. Psoriasis. Rectal fissure. Reynauld's Syndrome. Rhinitis. Sciatica. Scleroderma. Sexual dysfunction. Sinusitis. Stress incontinence. Tinea. Uterine prolapse. Vaginitis. Varices. Warts.

Relationship.
Complementaries.
Nat-M. Nux-V. Sabad. Lyc. Ign.
Comparisons.
Nat-M - Introverted, averse company, herpes, averse coition, better exercise, back pain better hard pressure, averse to fat, worse sea.
Puls - Hormonal problems, weeping, irritability, cough better sitting and worse night, stress incontinence, headaches, etc.
Nux-V - Irritable, aggressive, premenstrual syndrome, constipation, low back pain, rhinitis, migraine, etc.
Ph-Ac - Deadness and apathy, headache, loss of libido.
Carb-V - Indifferent, irritable, sharp-tongued, chilly, exhausted.
Carc - Dancing, loves thunderstorms, sensitive, constipation, etc.
Ign. Petr. Lil-T. Murx. Thuj. Gels. Nit-Ac.