One of the things I’ve noticed over the years, both in my own family and in practice, is that people often make Homeopathy far more complicated than it needs to be.
We buy the books, read remedy descriptions for hours, and disappear down rabbit holes trying to find the “perfect” remedy.
But some of the best prescribing often comes from getting back to basics.
Before we think about remedies, repertories, or materia medica, we need to learn how to observe.
In a world where we often look outside ourselves for answers, Homeopathy invites us to slow down, pay attention, and truly listen to what the body is trying to communicate.
Over the years, I have noticed that many people become overwhelmed when trying to choose a remedy. They have dozens of books, hundreds of remedy descriptions, and a long list of symptoms. Instead of finding clarity, they often end up feeling confused.
So today, I want to bring things back to basics.
If you are supporting yourself or your family at home, one of the simplest and most effective ways to begin a homeopathic case is by using the CLAMS method.
CLAMS is an easy-to-remember framework that helps you gather the information that really matters.
What Does CLAMS Stand For?
C = Concomitants
These are symptoms that occur alongside the main complaint.
For example:
A headache that comes with nausea
Hay fever that is accompanied by itchy ears
Anxiety that causes diarrhoea
Concomitant symptoms are often highly individual and can provide valuable clues when selecting a remedy.
Ask yourself:
What else is happening at the same time as the main problem?
L = Location
Where exactly is the symptom?
This sounds simple, but details matter.
For example:
Is the headache on the right side or left side?
Is the pain in the upper abdomen or lower abdomen?
Does the rash affect the hands, face, or behind the knees?
The more specific the location, the more useful the information becomes.
A = Aetiology
Aetiology means cause.
What happened before the symptoms started?
This is often one of the most important parts of a case.
Common triggers include:
Grief or emotional shock
Fright or trauma
Overwork
Exposure to cold wind
Injury
Vaccination
Hormonal changes
Many remedies have strong associations with particular causes.
Ask yourself:
When did this start, and what was happening in my life at the time?
M = Modalities
Modalities are the factors that make symptoms better or worse.
This is one of the most important areas in homeopathic prescribing.
Consider:
Better from warmth or worse from warmth?
Better from movement or worse from movement?
Better lying down or sitting up?
Worse before a storm?
Worse in the morning?
These details help differentiate between remedies that may otherwise look very similar.
Ask yourself:
What changes the symptom?
S = Sensation
How does the symptom actually feel?
Instead of simply writing “pain”, describe the experience.
For example:
Burning
Stabbing
Throbbing
Cramping
Tingling
Heavy
Tight
The body’s language matters.
When patients begin to describe sensations clearly, the picture often becomes much clearer.
Putting It All Together
Let’s imagine someone has a headache.
Instead of recording:
“I have a headache.”
Using CLAMS, they might describe it as:
“I have a throbbing headache (Sensation) on the right side of my forehead (Location). It started after a stressful argument (Aetiology). It is worse from movement and better lying quietly in a dark room (Modalities). I also feel nauseous and irritable (Concomitants).”
Can you see the difference?
One description gives very little information.
The other provides a rich picture that can guide remedy selection.
The Art of Observation
You do not need to be an expert Homeopath to begin observing in this way.
In fact, learning to observe is one of the most valuable skills Homeopathy teaches us.
The next time someone in your household becomes unwell, resist the urge to immediately search for a remedy.
Instead, sit down with a notebook and ask:
What is the sensation?
Where is it located?
What caused it?
What makes it better or worse?
What other symptoms are occurring alongside it?
You may be surprised at how quickly the remedy picture begins to emerge.
Homeopathy does not always require more information.
Often, it simply requires better observation.
And sometimes, getting back to basics is exactly where the magic happens.
In wellness, Kirsty xo