My daughter is about to sit her GCSE exams, and my thoughts have naturally turned to homeopathic support for all those undergoing exams and assessments at this time of year.
Exam season is challenging for many students. For some, pre-exam nerves are incapacitating, while for others, long hours of revision can bring on headaches, or mental exhaustion. Insomnia is not uncommon. I have included below the details of nine of the most frequently prescribed homeopathic remedies for symptoms brought on by exam stress and overwork.
It is also worth thinking about other forms of support for yourself or a loved one at this time: first of all ensure you are well rested, eat regular healthy meals and drink plenty of water. Skipping meals, eating on the go, and poor nutrition can actually contribute to feelings of anxiety, especially if you consume alcohol, caffeine and refined sugars – so it makes sense to reduce or cut them out altogether if you can. Magnesium and zinc are depleted by stress, and increasing your consumption of foods rich in these minerals has been shown to lower anxiety (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-strategies-to-ease-anxiety-201604139441). Magnesium rich foods include dark leafy greens, legumes, nuts, avocados and dark chocolate. Zinc rich foods include eggs, cashew nuts and legumes.
Deep breathing and relaxation techniques can also help, along with regular stretching and good posture. An Epsom salt bath or foot bath is a good way of relaxing – and it allows magnesium to be absorbed through the skin.
Regarding homeopathic support, the right remedy for you will be the one that best matches your experience and symptoms. Here are brief descriptions of each of the nine remedies. If you know that you or your family member are usually seriously affected by exam nerves, or symptoms from studying hard, consider booking an appointment with a homeopath for individualised support.
Aconite
Aconite is needed where forthcoming exams or tests bring on acute fear. This is the situation where the person experiences an acute anxiety attack, for example, the night before a big exam. They are restless and panicky, and may pace up and down, fearing the worst possible outcome. Aconite will settle the nerves and allow them to sleep.
Argentum nitricum
Argentum nitricum (Arg nit) is often indicated in performance anxiety, including that experienced before exams or tests. The person needing Arg nit is typically nervous and hurried, and prone to diarrhoea and gastric problems from prolonged mental effort and anxiety. They may have a tendency to lean on sweet foods to keep them going, but these tend to upset their stomach.
Gelsemium
This remedy is one of the best known homeopathic remedies for exam nerves. It is needed when the person feels apprehensive and ‘paralysed’ by anxiety – every exam feels like a huge ordeal. They may feel weak, dizzy and shaky, and have difficulty concentrating. This is one of the main remedies for those who experience bouts of diarrhoea before exams.
Picric acid
Picric acid (Pic ac) is a useful remedy in cases where physical symptoms are brought on from overstudy, especially headaches, which typically start at the back of the head. Prolonged study can cause mental strain, with an inability to concentrate or collect their thoughts.
Calcarea phosphorica
Calcarea phosphorica (Calc phos) can be helpful in headaches that come on from too much study. This remedy is also indicated where the student becomes tired and indifferent to their studies, with a growing inability to think, due to exhaustion.
Nux vomica
Nux vomica is often needed for those who are driven when it comes to their work and study, and end up relying on stimulants (eg caffeine) to keep up with a heavy work and revision schedule. They can become irritable and oversensitive, with difficulty sleeping. They may wake at 3am and have difficulty getting back to sleep again. Cramps and digestive upset with nausea can also be typical.
Kali phosphoricum
Kali phosphoricum (Kali phos) is a wonderful remedy for nervous exhaustion. It is indicated where there is mental or physical weakness and fatigue brought on by overstudying. It corresponds to various symptoms brought on by nervous exhaustion, including headache, dizziness, and especially insomnia or disturbed sleep. It is often helpful on these general indications for many of those facing exams. Consider its tissue salt form, which can be taken twice daily if needed.
Aethusa
This is a less well known remedy, that has a picture which is sometimes useful in cases of exam nerves. Where Aethusa is indicated, the person has a strong sense of incapacity – they feel they simply cannot do it. During their studies, they get to the point where they feel they cannot take any more in, resulting in a complete inability to think or concentrate.
Ruta
Ruta is a well known homeopathic remedy which has a strong causation from overexertion. It has a place in exam stress, where studying necessitates a lot of close work and reading, resulting in headaches from eye strain. The eyes are typically red and sore, and the headache is often shooting or pressing in character, and felt in the forehead and temples.
Combinations and Bach Flower Remedies
Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy produce some homeopathic combination remedies that may be useful for you and your family if it is difficult to narrow down the remedy choice to one good match. Take a look at Helios Sleep, and Helios Stress Relief.
Bach Flower Remedies may also be helpful during exam season. Among those that may be indicated are the combination Rescue Remedy, along with Mimulus, Pine, White Chestnut and Cherry Plum.
If you would like to see me for personalised homeopathic advice, you can book an appointment here: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
My daughter is a slow learner. Is there any treatment in homeopathy which boosts her mental skills and her power of learning….
Hi Munazza, thanks for your question. It is difficult to give you a clear answer here without knowing a lot more about your daughter’s history and circumstances. There are some situations in which homeopathy can help – for example in some cases of delayed development I have seen good results. You are welcome to get in touch to discuss further. Best wishes, Karen
My son is in 12th he is suffering from exam phobia he thinks he cannot attempt he may fail. Nights he is not sleeping he is introvert he never express his feeling easily infact he completed all the syllabus but still he is having fear and not confident that he will clear the exam. Pl guide me how he can come out of this fear
Hi Swapna, thanks for your question. It sounds as though this may be a longer term chronic issue for your son. To support his confidence and reduce anxiety you would do best to work with a homeopath for professional care. Seek out a good homeopath in your area. With best wishes, Karen
Apne Comments bhi share kariye sir
Hi I am a student. I am studying in a University and I am unable to focus on difficult things. I have also a problem in exams that in final exams I am unable to attempt the good paper.It is unable for my memory to learn difficult things.I am a slow learner.
Did you solve my problem?
Thank you.
Hi, this blog post includes some of the typical remedies for acute difficulty with studying – ie a problem which is recent onset and with a clear and recent cause. This sounds like a long term issue for you, is that right? If long term, a homeopath would need a more detailed case history before recommending suitable remedies for you. Can you contact a homeopath in your area for treatment? Best wishes, Karen
My son is a student of 10th standard, but he is very casual,not serious in his studies.Moreover,he has very arrogancy, rigidity, and lack of concentration. please prescribe some remedy as early as possible as time is too short for him.
Hi, this sounds like a chronic long term issue regarding your son’s approach to study. You would need to have a homeopath take a much more detailed case to recommend a remedy to help him. I suggest you take him to a local homeopath. Best wishes, Karen
My son is very good student , but as his gcse exams are approaching, he’s so depress and feeling differently in memorising, and lack of time, feeling that he will lag behind his friends.
Hi, thanks for reaching our regarding your son. You are welcome to use the information in my blog post for home treatment, however if there is more serious cause for concern I strongly recommend you take him to see a homeopath for individualised professional support. Good luck to your son for his GCSEs, and you are welcome to contact me for an apoointment if you do not have a local homeopath. Best wishes, Karen
My son has global development delay and also behavioral issue.is there any medicine for improvement
It is advisable to work with an experienced homeopath for personalised support in this situation.
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I am a second year computer science student,during my semester exams even though I have prepared very well for exams but still I am not able to sleep the night before exams
Sometimes this problem extends to 3 days(not sleeping for 3 back to back exams night)as we don’t have any gap between exams,usually our exams having 6-7 subjects are done in within 1 week -8 days.
So because of this problem even if I learn everything properly it is very difficult to recall the answer (half of my eyes are in sleepiness during writing exam because of not sleeping for 3 days or more)
Usually my first 2 paper go very well but after that this problem starts because of not getting sleep on first 2 days
If you can suggest any medicine then please do so
It will be very helpful to me
One more thing I would like to add
(When I go to sleep at night during exam only thought going in my mind is that , (if I do not sleep properly today then tomorrow I will not feel fresh while writing the exam)
This thought continuously keeps repeating in my mind and because of fear of not getting sleep,I am again not able to sleep)
My son study to lot but some time he remember some time ho forget.
Hi,
When I try to study I get sleep. please suggest any remedy
thanks
Hi mam, please guide..
I am showing homeopathy psychiatrist for ocd,( Repeated thoughts, imaginations). He is great doctor.
2 years back one doctor diagnosed my problem complete wrong and medicines aggravation ,
some of the medicines works for me and some not.
Nux vomica – just 1 drop makes me lot of tired ,body ache,leg pain and sleepy next 24-36 hours..!!
arsenic album- 30 – gives me lot of anger, etc.
earlier arsenic album 200 dint give me any problem ..- produced nice results.m
Taking currently Kali phos 6x and lyco 30- those working fine.
Before this wrong diagnosis, I dint have any medicine problems. Because same homeopathy had cured my severe piles ..
My ongoing dr is saying it’s very rare..he has tried his best by changing lot of medicines.
Can I take white chestnut with kali phos and lyco for repeated thoughts and focus?
Please reply 🙏 I am struggling a lot..
Hi Vinay, I am sorry to hear you have had a difficult experience with previous remedies. I can’t give you professional advice online – I do not know anything about your case history, and this is a chronic situation which needs a full history in order to prescribe effectively. In addition, if you already have a homeopathic doctor who is prescribing for you, another professional cannot prescribe for you too, as this would not be ethical. I recommend you go back to your doctor and discuss your concerns. If they feel there is nothing further they can do to help, you could ask to be referred to a new homeopathic doctor. I wish you well and I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes, Karen
I am 39 year old working guy. I want to complete one tough course. But its very difficult for me to keep alertness while studying, feeling sleepy. Also, due to time constraint, and too many things going on in head, its very hard to retain and concentrate.
Hi Rahul, thanks for your question. Unfortunately there is not enough information here to make an accurate recommendation. The effectiveness of homeopathic medicine relies on a precise match to a remedy that carries the same symptom pattern. For example, when you say you can’t stay alert when studying and feel sleepy – I don’t have a clear picture of whether that relates to long hours of study and staying up late to accomplish tasks, or whether the sleepiness comes on when you begin to study, even if you had energy before. And so on. You are welcome to select a remedy from those listed in the post, that best reflects your symptoms, or you could consider consulting a local homeopath in your region. Best wishes, Karen
I feel sleepy even with 15 minutes of study. I take 7-8 hours of calm sleep but still always feel sleepy, tired
Hi Rahul, thanks for your reply. There may be a variety of factors involved here – and not enough information to recommend remedies unfortunately. I do recommend you consult a homeopath in your region to help you get to the bottom of your tiredness. Best wishes, Karen