I have a chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and I experience many symptoms with it, including disordered sleep, pain, and inflammation. This post describes how I use homeopathy to manage my chronic illness.
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Who is Betsy Leighton?
I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.
I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
The common triggers for MCAS are infections, toxic exposures including mold exposure and EMFs, trauma, concussions, and stress.
MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in the form of medications and supplements, along with avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine that aims to trigger the body’s natural healing process using two primary concepts:
- “Like cures like”: The belief that a substance which causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat similar symptoms in an ill person.
- Law of minimum dose: The belief that the more a substance is diluted, the more potent it becomes.
Remedies are created by repeatedly diluting natural substances (such as plants or minerals) in water or alcohol, a process called potentization. Often, these preparations are diluted to the point where no measurable molecules of the original substance remain.
Homeopathy for MCAS
Classical Homeopathy is a personalized approach to treating infections that relies on the body’s own healing potential. Homeopathy can be a more affordable treatment option for MCAS because it works on multiple levels of healing simultaneously. Once the provider identifies your specific constitutional remedy, it can be effective in healing any symptoms you are experiencing, whether MCAS-, infection-, trauma-, or allergy-related. You might find you need fewer antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, and other medications when using homeopathy. This is because it is working on your whole body to create balance.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic remedies differ from other medicines in that they are highly diluted. When you take a more potent homeopathic remedy, it is actually more diluted than a weaker remedy.
Remedies are made from natural substances through a process called dynamization, which involves diluting the original substance beyond recognition and energizing it to allow it to work energetically. There is no trace of the original substance in the remedy provided to you.
Homeopathic remedies are usually made using a base of milk sugar in little round pellets with the active ingredient on the outside. The remedies can also come in liquid form, and you take diluted drops of the remedy in water.
Constitutional remedies
In homeopathy, a constitutional remedy is a single-remedy treatment selected to match a person’s entire physical, mental, and emotional makeup rather than just an isolated symptom. Practitioners use this method for chronic or long-term health issues by aiming to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities to restore internal balance.
How the remedy is chosen – To find this “similimum” (the closest possible medicinal match), a practitioner (such as those certified by the Council for Homeopathic Certification) will conduct an in-depth, multi-hour consultation. They will ask detailed questions about:
- Physical Traits: Sensitivities to temperature, food preferences, sleep positions, and inherited physiological predispositions.
- Mental & Emotional State: Stress responses, fears, personality quirks, and how you mentally process illness.
- History: The timeline and exact modalities (what makes symptoms better or worse) of your chronic issues
They will select a remedy that matches your physical traits, emotional state, and what symptoms you are currently experiencing. You may be prescribed to take that remedy one time, or multiple times, depending on the potency and what you are experiencing.
How I use homeopathy to manage my chronic illness
I use a combination of single homeopathic remedies and combination remedies. Single remedies contain just one active substance. Combination remedies contain several substances that work together synergistically.
Single remedies
Single remedies work best for acute situations where you know what you are dealing with, such as:
Pain – Arnica pellets are my first choice for an acute injury like a bump to the head, and they are beneficial when given before and after surgery. If you are taking a constitutional homeopathic remedy, you may want to consult your provider before using other homeopathic remedies, such as Arnica. I keep a few different potencies like 30c, 200c, and 1M on hand because they work on different energetic frequencies. Arnica is also helpful for general trauma.
Insect bites or stings – Homeopathic medicines for insect bites and stings are tailored to specific symptoms. The primary remedy for stings with rapid swelling and burning pain is Apis mellifica. For itchy bites and puncture wounds, Ledum palustre is used, while Urtica urens relieves intensely itchy rashes.
Depending on your exact symptoms, here is a breakdown of the most common homeopathic options:
- Histaminum: Derived from histamine, this is a popular homeopathic tool utilized to reduce general allergic responses, inflammation, and itching from bug bites.
- Apis mellifica: Derived from the honey bee, this is the go-to remedy for stings (bee, wasp) or bites that produce red, puffy, and swollen edema. It is often indicated when the area is hot, sensitive to touch, and feels better with cold compresses.
- Ledum palustre (Marsh Tea): This remedy is best for bites and stings that are accompanied by a chilly sensation. It is highly effective for puncture wounds (like tick bites or certain spiders) and bites that are itchy, throbbing, or mottled in appearance.
- Urtica urens: Prepared from stinging nettle, this is primarily used for skin reactions that resemble hives. It works well for intensely itchy bites, burning, and results in a reddish, blotchy rash.
Lyme Disease: When I know I have contracted Lyme Disease, one of the first things I do is to take a dose of Borrelia Burgdorferi in 6c, 12c, or 30c potency.
Combination remedies
My favorite homeopathic combination remedies for MCAS are Energetix. Energetix homeopathic products are prepared according to the HPUS (Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States) and formulated to address a wide range of modern concerns effectively. The pleasant-tasting liquid form of Energetix remedies is easy to dose and use.
Energetix makes three types of homeopathic remedies: Paths, Tones, and Chords.
- Paths – Product names ending in “Path” are for symptoms related to weakness or imbalance in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Tones – Product names ending in “Tone” are for symptoms related to congestion or stress in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Chords – Product names ending in “Chord” are for symptoms related to systems, organs, glands, or tissues that are compromised or overburdened by toxins.
With Energetix remedies, you are best off combining a Chord with a Tone; the Chord addresses toxicity in the body, while the Tone provides drainage support to excrete the toxins. Paths can be taken without the support of a Tone.
Here is my list of go-to Energetix Remedies for MCAS.
Bacteria-Chord is helpful for any bacterial infection
Calm Five is helpful for trauma
Relax Tone is one of my favorite supports for restlessness and sleep
Relief Tone helps address injuries and trauma
Isopathic Phenolic Rings supports those with multiple sensitivities
MycoCan-Chord is for symptoms of Candida mold toxicity
Para-Chord is for addressing parasites
Viru-Chord helps clear viral infections such as EBV
Neuro-Chord is helpful for neurotoxins
Hepata-Chord pairs with Hepatic-Tone, and is for general liver toxicity
Tox-Chord is for chemical toxicity
Drainage Tone supports detox pathways
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy
Hypothamalapath – assists with neuropathy, concussion, brain fog, sleep, and hot flashes.
Metabopath supports the Krebs cycle and aids metabolism
BioCatalin Lotion – is for joint and muscle pain and sciatica
MycoDerm – is an ointment for rashes and skin conditions
PhytoGel – is an aloe-based arnica gel
It is essential to pair Chords with Tones, so if you would like help choosing remedies for your specific situation, please schedule a session with me for individualized support. Click here to schedule a session.
Homeopathy for headaches
I use homeopathy to deal with headaches, too. I discuss homeopathic constitutional remedies in this post. When I have a headache, I typically take an extra dose of my constitutional remedy. You want to work with a trained homeopath to have the appropriate constitutional remedy prescribed for your particular body.
Homeopathy for detoxing
I discuss homeopathy for MCAS and chronic illness in this post. I use Energetix homeopathic remedies for many facets of MCAS, from sleep to addressing infections to detoxing.
Energetix homeopathic products are prepared according to the HPUS (Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States) and formulated to address a wide range of modern concerns effectively. The pleasant-tasting liquid form of Energetix remedies is easy to dose and use.
Energetix makes three types of homeopathic remedies: Paths, Tones, and Chords.
- Paths – Product names ending in “Path” are for symptoms related to weakness or imbalance in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Tones – Product names ending in “Tone” are for symptoms related to congestion or stress in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Chords – Product names ending in “Chord” are for symptoms related to systems, organs, glands, or tissues that are compromised or overburdened by toxins.
With Energetix remedies, you are best off combining a Chord with a Tone; the Chord addresses toxicity in the body, while the Tone provides drainage support to excrete the toxins. Paths can be taken without the support of a Tone.
Here is my list of go-to Energetix Remedies for detoxing when you have MCAS or other chronic illnesses.
Isopathic Phenolic Rings support those with multiple sensitivities
MycoCan-Chord is for symptoms of Candida mold toxicity
Para-Chord is for addressing parasites
Viru-Chord helps clear viral infections such as EBV
Neuro-Chord is helpful for neurotoxins
Hepata-Chord pairs with Hepatic-Tone, and is for general liver toxicity
Tox-Chord is for chemical toxicity
Drainage Tone supports detox pathways
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy
It is important to pair Chords with Tones. If you would like help choosing remedies for your specific situation, please schedule a session with me for individualized support.
Homeopathy for sleep
One of my favorite sleep remedies is Energetix Relax Tone. Relax Tone is a homeopathic remedy that helps with restlessness and sleep. I discuss homeopathy for MCAS in this post.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.
Know your typical symptom progression
Understanding your symptom progression during a flare is key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize symptom progression so you can be prepared to address them.
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Check out these circadian health tools!
I’m an affiliate with Bon Charge, a company that makes tools for circadian health, and you can receive 15% off your order with my coupon code BETSYL.
Bon Charge offers tools such as yellow– and red-tone blue-blocking glasses, red light therapy devices, PEMF mats, infrared saunas, and EMF-blocking products.
Sign up for the SSP!
I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.
You can sign up for the SSP here!
Heal your mind!
While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Order my books!
Here’s a short podcast highlighting my five books.
My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.
The Sacred Self-Healing Method ebook is available here and in most ebook retailers!
The Sacred Self-Healing Workbook is available for purchase here!
Betsy’s first book, Sacred Self-Healing: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness, is available here
Companion Recordings
The companion audio recordings of chants, guided meditations, and sound healing demonstrations that accompany the Sacred Self-Healing Method are available for free on my YouTube channel here
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I’d love to have your reply below!
Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.
