Case 5.3
A woman 55 years of age consulted me in October 2000 after two traumatic events. A widow for some 20 years, she had fallen in love with a neighbour who brought her back to life. But after some months he dumped her for another. She felt played with, and rejected after opening up to love after so many years. She felt even more hurt by a mortifying experience in her work: she had warned her boss problems would arise if no measures were taken. But now the problems had arisen as predicted, she was found at fault and suddenly didn’t fit into the plans for the future of the company anymore, because of her age. I prescribed Staphysagria and Melissa officinalis without good result. It was after Ocimum basilicum that she found her stability. The feeling she had of a wild animal that has been hit subsided after shedding many tears. Memories of total loneliness in her youth came back, of her parents who had difficulties accepting her and each other. She would seek approval of her father for her right to exist. As a youngster she felt like a ping-pong ball. Insecure. Slowly she started to look for another job where she could be more creative and enjoy her free time more.
I chose a Lamiaceae as remedy because of her ambition and problems of not being acknowledged. Sleeping problems, thyroid problems and problems with her stool confirmed a choice for this family of plants. I opted for Basilicum because that seems to fit people who are devoted to their work, self-sacrificing themselves and of high moral standing. They are religious but not bombastic. Simple people, that enjoy the pleasures of life. Words as solidarity and sense of community are important to them. They have problems letting go of traditions and changing. So they seem to be conservative Lamiaceae with high values.
Physical problems
This patient had: Vitiligo. Joint complaints. Sleeping disorder. Problems keeping her weight down. Problems of the thyroid probably caused by the hypophysis. Sweating. Perspiration smells of urine. Constipation alternating diarrhoea. Leucorrhoea. Pulsating head pain. Palpitations heart. Clots in the urine. Cystitis.