Homeopathy Constitutions
The 12 Main Constitutions – Personalities & Symptoms
By Ati Petrov
Silica: sand, quartz, silicone. Mental keynotes: Delicate feelings and mental refinement. Fair-minded and detached, Silicas try to maintain rectitude and emotional equanimity. Unassuming, mild, shy. Sometimes of retiring manner. But underlying is a firm, unyielding, intractable disposition. Set in their opinions, oftentimes with fixed ideas and moving at their own pace. Strong fear of failure, of performing in public, of taking risks, of going out into the world to seek their fortune. The emphasis is on thinking and introversion. Late bloomers. Physical keynotes: Slow to heal or recover; chronicity; low energy, tire easily, tend to be cold and can collapse from exhaustion. Malnutrition or emaciation from poor absorption; constipation. All injuries slow to heal, fester; tend to form boils and skin problems, cysts, abscesses.
Phosphorus: luminiscent element, "phos"= light and "phorus" = bringer. Mental keynotes: Friendly, affectionate, outgoing natures that crave companionship and approval. Fun-loving, happy, but intolerant of opposition or restraint. Cheerful, but easily become despondent under adversity. Easily stimulated to excitement and enthusiasm and easy to "fizz out" due to a lack of boundaries and sense of their own limitations. Highly impressionable, with fanciful imagination. Telepathic abilities. Phosphoruses have an artistic mentality and are often found among performers. Fears abandonment and being alone, the dark, thunder and lightning, robbers, death and illness; has many anxieties and fears. Physical keynotes: Nervous and sensitive disposition, sensitive to light and sound and to "bad energy'. Has a hard time falling asleep due to excitability or overstimulation (books, movies), vivid dreams and even sleepwalking is common. Weakness of the respiratory system with hoarseness, throat problems and chest problems with dry and burning sensations improved by very cold drinks. Problems with bleeding.
Lycopodium: club moss. Mental keynotes: Strong intellect with well developed diplomatic and leadership skills. Excellent mediators with a good sense of hierarchy and what makes things and people tick; very respectful of authority and order; often achieves position of power. Extremely conscious of their public and professional image, like to look good. Arrogant and intolerant of contradiction, small things annoy them. Nice to stranges, tyrant at home.Self-deception in an otherwise strong mentality. Emotoinally aloof - likes to have people around, but not too close. Conservative, forms habits, does not like change. Performance anxiety but a strong ability to put up a strong front and hide their insecurities. Loves to talk and can overwhelm listeners. Physical keynotes: Premature baldness and grey hair. Most symptoms are right-sided. Main problems are related to digestion and liver or gallbladder dysfunction. Bloating and gas are common, much flatulence. Retains mental powers even when physically ill. Useful in failing memory or spelling errors as a sign of a problem.
Pulsatilla: the windflower. Mental keynotes: Sweet, affectionate, gentle people. Sensitive to the feelings of others, warm and caring. Shy and timid, but strong when having to defend their own. Docile and dependent, can become needy of attention. Has a hard time making up her mind, changing it over and over again - needs others to make a decision. Changeable moods and feelings, very emotional. Can be tearful and self-pitying one moment and cheerful the next. Fears of being alone, in the dark; of making decisions, of being emotionally hurt. Very resilient under the outer image of fragility, will bend but not break. Physical keynotes: Changeable symptoms are typical, also shifting from one place in the body to another, often. Thick, bland discharges are typical, as well as swellings, cysts and growths. Especially in women - cystitis, menses and menopausal problems and various complaints of the genital and reproductive organs. Needs cool fresh air and wilts in suffocating rooms. Most complaints start at puberty due to a strong link to hormonal changes. It is typical for a pulsatilla to be the mild and tearful patient.
Calcarea: the oyster shell. Mental keynotes: Outwardly placid and phlegmatic, but inwardly sensitive and vulnerable. Mind easily confused. Tired or jaded mental state with disinclination to work. Indolence, procrastination, but once engrossed may have a hard time letting go. Conscientious and reliable, is often a pillar in society. Independent-minded, tends toward mental activity. Inordinately obstinate even when good natured, many anxieties are quite typical of anything from bugs to ailments and death, to the dark and ghosts; strong fear of poverty and misfortune. Very focused on the home and family and community, spends a lot of time and worry for their wellbeing. Physical keynotes: Usually cold and clammy with rounded body shape, but actually not all that strong, with flabby muscle tone, perspires easily. Gets easily tired from exertion or too much thinking. Prefers sedentary pursuits. Many complaints from poor digestion or nutrition, weakness in the bones and teeth. Constipation is typical. Fibroids and menses problems with bleeding in women. Many issues stem from negative thinking and worrying.
Sulphur: the element sulphur. Mental keynotes: The mad professor. Sulphurs have a philosophical bend, are capable of high achievement and strong ideas and most people of genius are of this constitution. High energy and strong sense of self, charisma and flamboyance. Sulphurs can have strong opinions and they don't mind sharing them to the point of being tactless at times. Entrepreneural mentality, always wheeling and dealing, they can work very well in chaotic environments. Boastful and critical of others, they can be very selfish or very altruistic all at the same time. Quick to anger, quick to subside and move on, emotions seem to slide off their back easily and not to affect them deeply. They do have a sentimental streak and can form strong attachment to their stuff, to the point of hoarding. Some can be lazy and with poor personal hygiene. Physical keynotes: generally hot and healthy, with great appetite for life (can suffer from over-indulgence), thirsty, Sulphurs tend to sweat profusely, have strong bodily odors and produce inflammation and congestion in the body, with many discharges. Many skin conditions benefit from Sulphur and it is also great when used for detoxification and to stimulate elimination.
Sepia: ink from the cuttlefish. Mental keynotes: Predominantly female constitution suited to overworked, exhausted housewives, seeking to escape responsibilities, but seeing no way out. They stifle their emotions to the point of resenting even their loved ones. Irritable and angry at any contradiction, due to overwhelm. Also great for capable professional women, especially with inclination toward the arts. They are clever, straightforward, and perceptive. Also great for middle aged men and women who dislike their lives and are searching for more gratification. Physical keynotes: Exhaustion and weakness, improved by vigorous exercise. Feels sluggish and resigned, stagnation in organ functions, with a bearing-down sensation. A typical feeling of a ball or lump in the inner parts of the body, especially in the genital area. Typical use of Sepia for cystitis and urinary problems, most menstrual and menopausal complaints.
Natrum mur: table salt. Mental keynotes: Sadness, depression, weariness of life can make them gloomy and morose. They hold in emotions and can't let go of negativity or grudges. Extremely sensitive to criticism or reprimand, they are offended easily and they dwell on that unable to forget or forgive. Very reserved people, they have a hard time crying, prefer to be left alone to suffer in silence. They derive comfort from working for humanitarian causes. Physical keynotes: Weakness and tiredness, especially in the neck. Face lined due to deep emotional suffering and constant sadness. Fluid retention, inability to perspire and averse to the sun. Many allergies, nasal problems, congestion. Tends to insomnia due to dwelling on bad experiences and grief. Cold sores, eczema in the folds of the skin, sinusitis and many headaches benefit from Natrum m. Many symptoms are in the head (headaches, eye problems, migraines.
Nux vomica.: poison nut (type of strychnine). Mental keynotes: Overstressed professionals, workaholics, type-A personality, who are tense, irritable and rushed. Ambitious, competitive, bossy, oftentimes success goes to their head. Impatient, critical and intolerant of poor performance in others, can be self-critical and very competent and organized to the point of fastidiousness. Poor self-control and unstable temperament but can also be the opposite - very controlled and mentally refined. Is affected by the typical indulgence in stimulants necessary to keep in shape and at work. Physical keynotes: A typical symptom is the incomplete, unsatisfactory elimination from the body ("wants to but cannot"). Violent symptoms, spasms, accompanied with high energy (nervous type) worsened by poor living habits. Complaints from ill effects of alcohol, smoking and chemical toxicity. Many liver and gallbladder symptoms, headaches, urinary problems, nerve problems.
Lachesis: venom of the bushmaster snake. Mental keynotes: Vital, intense, passionate people with a vivid imagination. Witty and sharp-tongued, they tend to talk too much, jumping from one thing to another and overwhelming the listener. Intense emotionalism: suspicious, jealous. Unpredictable behavior. Internal conflicts, especially when trying to suppress their own lower instincts. Very often presents a manic-depressive picture. Causes a lot of tension and hates to be pressured but handles pressure well. A state of mind resulting from severe trauma in life, a hard life. Suited to women in mid-life crisis. Physical keynotes: Predominantly female problems, hormonal and menstrual/menopausal issues. Most symptoms are on the left side of the body. Throbbing, pulsating, suffocating pains, a sense of constriction and aversion to anything around the neck. Warm blooded and generating a lot of physical heat. Flushes of heat or unstable temperature. Energy can run so high that it becomes chaotic and uncontrollable and can lead to collapse. Wakes from sleep with a symptom. Great for sepsis, bleeding, bluish or purple discolorations in general. Feels better with any discharge of matter from the body and worse from suppressed emotions.
Staphysagria: delphinium staphysagria. Mental keynotes: Victimization and anger. Sweet in character, almost never expresses anger or any dark emotions. Instead, they swallow insults and humiliation, unable to say "no". This builds up inner tension to the point where they explode in anger suddenly and violently. Oftentimes they feel victimized and life is never fair; they put blame on others and feel trapped in the abusive (real or perceived) situation. Mostly their anger is caused by rejection from their partner, usually accompanied by a violent action. Once anger comes to the surface, the person becomes obsessive and can't let go. Physical keynotes: Cuts and surgery. Affections of the kidneys or bladder, cystitis, constant urge to go with burning. Most symptoms appear after an incident of violence or violation of the person or after being cut with a sharp instrument. Dental decay skin rashes and psoriasis, menstrual problems (PMS) are also typical. Hemorrhoids. Crohn's disease. Ailments caused by suppressed emotions.
Arsenicum: arsenic. Mental keynotes: Drive toward perfection. Fastidious, exacting, extremely sensitive to objects that are out of place. Compulsive and obsessive personality. Controlling. Hard working, ambitious, competitive, wants to be in charge. Irritable and critical toward self and others. Detail oriented. Extremely apprehensive and anxious with many fears and worries, especially of being alone and helpless. Very restless. Physical keynotes: Needs to move even when sick, active at all times. Chilly, especially the hands and feet. All pains are burning, sudden and intense. Energy is too high and can lead to total prostration. Very sensitive to the external environment and any slight changes, very nervous and sensitive. Wakes at midnight and has to walk around. Most illnesses are worse around midnight. Many digestive complaints, food poisoning, allergies.