Homeopathy & the highly sensitive person
- Nicole Dawson Cullinan
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
When I was 18 years old I took the intuitive leap of a highly sensitive person (HSP) and went on to study Homeopathy.
I didn’t know much about homeopathy. I didn’t know anything about highly sensitive people except that I was sensitive but not in a good way.
But luckily for me I found community with other HSP in my fellow homeopathic students and support in using homeopathic remedies including constitutional care to manage the many so called psychosomatic complaints I had. It is true that HSPs struggle with the stimulation of a modern life and world and I was no different.
But here I am, fast forward 30 years after completing my studies and celebrating 25 years in private practice.
This is the background to this blog...
So are you an orchid, tulip or a dandelion?
All humans are sensitive, whether it is physically, emotionally, mentally or socially. However, some people have heightened sensitivity, and they are called highly sensitive persons or children. About 30% of the population is highly sensitive. They are more sensitive to their environment for example harsh light, noise levels or strong smells and to others’ emotions. They tend to feel things deeper than other people, and can easily get overwhelmed and often need more time alone to decompress.
It is important to note that high sensitivity is not a diagnosis, it is a charater trait.
This group has originally been called the 'orchids' by research psychologist Elaine Aron who has written many enlightening books on the subject. More recently in keeping with the flower metaphor her research has been extended to 3 different temperament groups: highly sensitive (orchids, 31%), low-sensitive group (dandelions, 29%) and a third group (40%) characterised by medium sensitivity, which are refered to as tulips.
You can look at the research paper - Dandelions, tulips and orchids: evidence for the existence of low-sensitive, medium-sensitive and high-sensitive individuals
If you are a HSP or have a highly sensitive child, and you are burnt out or stuck with trying to manage your or their sensitivities, using HOMEOPATHY can help bring understanding and balance to yourself and home. Â
Homeopathic remedies can be a great way to control anxiety, balance the nervous system and deal with overwhelm, sleep issues, sensory processing issues and exhaustion etc.
It is true that HSP need more self care and modalities such as psychotherapy, body work, Homeopathy and Functional medicine can provide much validation for their sensitivities and nuanced support.
Canary in a Coal mine
In Functional medicine, we use the term ‘canaries in a coal mine’ to describe those people with sensitive and reactive constitutions that often present with chronic illnesses and confound medical diagnosis and treatment. The canaries react to the rising levels of toxins in our food, air and water and give the early warning signal to the rest of the population that environmental conditions are adverse or even becoming dangerous. They are rightly sensitive to what is wrong and bad for all of us.
It was common practice to use caged canaries in coal mines to warn miners of noxious methane gas in the underground atmosphere. If the canaries stopped singing or even died it was an indication that miners should start to leave the area with urgency before they too were afflicted. This practice led to an idiom being coined which lends to its meaning and universal truth to economics, politics and many other areas.
I have always resonated with both of these ideas: Orchids and Canaries.
If you have a chronic health issue that defies being put in a neat diagnostic box or if you do not experience relief from the prescribed medical cure(s) or struggle with unwanted side effects, you may also be an orchid and/or a canary in a coal mine.
Masterclass
For more information you can watch my masterclass Homeopathy and the highly sensitive child or make contact via the links below.
For more info about my personalised wellness care approach, book a free discovery call with me. https://www.wellnessplaceint.com/booki…/free-meet-greet-chat
If you are looking for homeopathic, nutrition and self-care know-how, go to my website and subscribe to my newsletter.
Until next time, take care - our community is also our immunity!
Nicole