​The homeopathic remedy, Coccinella septempunctata (or, just Coccinella for short), is prepared from the ladybug or ladybird beetle.
This tiny and colourful beetle is a natural predator of soft-bodied pests such as aphids, fruit fly, white fly and, less commonly, silverfish, and so is welcomed by most gardeners.
When prepared as a homeopathic remedy, it becomes a safe and inexpensive repellent for these same pests.
So, how did homeopaths stumble across this helpful fact?

Coccinella Remedy Discovered

Some years ago, and following his success with Helix tosta as a snail deterrent, agrohomeopathypioneer Kaviraj turned his attention to aphids.
He speculated that because homeopathically-prepared snail deterred other snails, the homeopathic remedy of aphid would do the same with aphids, but no matter how he processed them for the remedy – heating, maceration, crushing or blending prior to potentisation – they had no effect.
At this point, others would have stopped but Kaviraj, not yet discouraged, continued.
His thoughts went to the natural predator of aphids, Coccinella, the ladybug, and he wondered if a remedy prepared from this little beetle would have an effect.
He prepared the remedy and from the very first treatment, success!
Today, Coccinella semptempunctata (Cocc-s.) is used by savvy gardeners and farmers around the world as a safe and inexpensive deterrent for aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
General InformationCoccinella semptempunctata (Cocc-s.) 6C is a non-toxic homeopathic remedy that is safe for families, plants, pets, wildlife and the environment.
It’s chemical-free treatment creates what seems to be an energetic change in plants that leads to greater resilience and pest-resistance.
No withholding periods are required between spraying or watering with Coccinella, and the eating of any Coccinella-treated plant.
As the homeopathic potentisation process for making remedies  allows all subsequent remedies to be drawn from the one original beetle, no further Coccinella beetles have to be sacrificed to meet world demand.
Instructions for UseAdd one pill of Coccinella semptempunctata (Cocc-s.) 6C to each 200 ml of water, shake vigorously, and then spray or water onto plants.
For silverfish, add a little non-scented soap or detergent to act as a wetting agent and spray where silverfish like to hide.
One vial of 100 pills makes 20 litres of soft-bodied insect repellent. Plants remain insect-free for up to 3 months following one application. Repeat application on return of insects.

Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na)

I don’t consider myself a jealous person. I usually find inspiration in those who have achieved or have more than I, but with that said, allow me to confess a moment of desire that altered my life.
About 27 years ago, having recently discovered homeopathy, I sat engaged in an appointment with my homeopath.
Her seven-year-old daughter knocked at the door of the consulting room and peeped in. She was pale and perspiring, and in a feeble little voice, she breathed, “I’m sick. My stomach hurts.”
My homeopath went to her cabinet, tucked into the corner of this office, where she had a stash of a hundred homeopathic remedies from which she dispensed the little pills. She plucked a remedy from the lot, opened the bottle, released the pills into the cap and tossed them into her daughter’s opened mouth.
She had complete confidence in her ability to address her child’s needs.
It was a display of pure, elegant mothering. No freaking out, no calling the doctor, no imploring someone else to help her to take care of it.
I, too, had benefited from the contents of that cabinet.
The first remedy she had given me – only a few months earlier – was Nux vomica 200. What a revelation that was! It relieved about 50% of my years of suffering within a few short weeks. No more migraines, fully restored sleep, and nearly resolved asthma had been the gifts born of that cabinet.
The shift this remedy made in my health was significant, so I was awed by my homeopath.
She knew what to do and she did it.
She planted a kiss on her daughter’s head and sent her to the adjoining room into her father’s arms. She did the same for me, except that she didn’t kiss me…she sowed instead a seed of inspiration. If that isn’t as good as a mother’s love, it’s nearly so!
It was a pivotal moment…an epiphany. I was instantly envious, not with mal intent, not with jealousy.
It was an “Ah-ha” moment that has motivated my mothering and professional life since.
My brain and heart spoke so clearly to me that afternoon in 1986 that I can still hear it today. My inner voice said…
 I want that. 
I want to know exactly which homeopathic remedy to give my son that will cure him of whatever comes our way.
But what was even more rousing that day was that by the time our consultation was complete, the little girl burst into the room and skipped into her mother’s arms, fully recovered. Her eyes sparkled and she was laughing.
In less than 50 minutes, this mom had cured her daughter without fuss. Just four tiny pills in the hands of a knowledgeable mom. A mom who wholly depended on homeopathy.
I want that.
Within months after witnessing this event, I, too, was capable of the same mothering act.
Not always perfectly.
Not always as adroitly in the beginning, but here I stand today with three adult sons to trumpet to the world that I have depended entirely on homeopathy, nutrient-dense foods… and not a single drug.


This is the cornerstone of my mothering.Not acetaminophen, aspirin, nor antibiotic have I plunked into their mouths.
We have skirted steroids, analgesics, antidepressants, ointments, inhalers, Benadryl, Accutane, Darvacet, Elbuterol, Lortab, Ritalin, EpiPens and the like.
My medicine cabinet has none of these products in it, which makes my medical budget healthy too.
Only our family’s beloved little white homeopathy pills from my closet, with a sprinkling of herbal tinctures that I make, do we take judiciously.
Lest you think we are of perfect inherited stock or that my sons lived in a bubble and never experienced an injury, let me assure you that we’ve had plenty of trials. Yet, I’ve addressed every one of them. With homeopathy.
I was so stirred by that moment in my homeopath’s office that I fashioned my life to do the same for other mothers, too…to inspire them as my homeopath inspired me.
I would like others, who know the feeling of healthy envy, to know that it is possible…this drugless, medical-procedure-less life.
And that this style of living is within reach, in fact only an arm’s length away.
If this tugs at you as it does me, let me take your hand and guide you so you can march into this world of self empowerment and mothering the way it was intended.
I wanted that. And I got it!
____________________________________________________
A Remedy Everyone Needs to Own
The reason Nux vomica worked so well for me back in 1986 is because I had made a habit at that time to use a lot of conventional drugs, and Nux vomica is the premiere remedy for that stupid lifestyle.
Stupid? Yes. Because not only was it without forethought, intelligence or research, but it was as though I was in a stupor. I simply did as I was told. I heard, “Here, take this stuff.” And I did!
Nux vomica is also a grand remedy for someone who is caught up in a whirlwind of business associated with a Type A personality.
But it is useful for many gut problems: overuse of prescription drugs, as in my case, but also overindulgence in any substance.
I consider candy and junk food to be substances of sorts as well, given the chemicals usually found in today’s pre-prepared, prettily packaged foods. Nux vomica is my go-to remedy for post-Halloween nausea, stomach issues, sleep problems and irritability.
In other words: Halloween, birthday parties, sleepovers, Easter candy overdose… even irritability from any of these indulgences.
Remember it for someone who has a hangover, whether from alcohol overuse, bad food or meds. Nux Vomica 30c, every four hours for a day or so has a reputation for smoothing out the prickly results of an ill-conceived extravagance.
So, whether you get yourself a homeopathy kit, (a bit of an investment but a considerable savings in the long run) or purchase the remedy individually, be sure to have this remedy in your home because it’s a cinch in a pinch.


We've provided links for your convenience but we do not receive any remuneration nor affiliation in payment from your purchase. ​
Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. In order to be treated or diagnosed, Joette believes that the advice of a holistic physician is in order.

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I was called to see a 34 years old male patient who was admitted at a leading private hospital in Bombay for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis of his left leg. 

The problem had apparently begun in May 1995 when he developed pain and redness of the left calf region. This had gradually worsened even though he was being treated with anti-coagulants and had reached a point where he had severe pain in the Lt. thigh that soon spread all the way down to his foot. He therefore was admitted and had an angioplasty on July 13, 1997. 

When I visited him in the hospital, he was in great pain, esp. around the lt. ankle. He felt a burning pain, like sparks of fire worse walking and overexertion and better by pressure (of stocking) There was a swelling around the ankle. 

The Color Doppler studies done after the angioplasty on July 14 showed DVT of the Lt. external iliac, posterior tibial and other veins of the lt. lower limb. 

On the basis of the inflammation of the veins with thrombosis and the history of trauma (angioplasty) the drug selected for him was Hamamelis (the Aconite of the veins). This was given in the 30C potency q. i.d. initially and later the potency was increased to 200C. 

After two weeks of Hamamelis, he recovered to the extent that he could come walking to my clinic for the follow up and long-term treatment. He had brought with him a fresh Color Doppler that showed a residual thrombus in the veins with a few recanalized flow channels. 

These were the other complaints: 
For the past ten years, he has been suffering from a degeneration of the hip and vertebrae causing a backache with a pulling sensation on the lt. side and a tingling in the lt. lower limb. This was sometimes associated with a swelling over the calves. 

These symptoms were worse in the evening and on 1st motion and were better by lying down, hot fomentation, massage and continued motion. 

He also had a pain in the lt. shoulder occurring at least once a month. This was associated with cramps in the lt. side of the neck, which would then appear to be swollen. The movements of the shoulder were painful and restricted and were worse at night, initial motion and better by heat and continued motion. 

Personal history: 
He was a chronic smoker and also chewed tobacco. His business required him to entertain clients in his office and so he had at least 8-10 cups of tea every day. His appetite was good and he would be irritable if he did not eat on time. He craved sweets, cold milk and fried food. His thirst, bowel movements and urination were normal. The tongue was clean but fissured. He often had a cold sweat on his palms. 

Mental symptoms: 
He described himself as a happy go lucky person and was generally a mild person. However, since his hospitalization, he had become irritable, esp. from noise. He would shout and scream from anger. He had a good memory and a very good confidence in his abilities. Lately, however, he felt a bit worried about the future. He wondered if his illness would come in the way of his capacity to earn a living. He had a fear that if the disease reached a point where he would need to be operated again or was bed ridden, he would lose all his business and would soon be a very poor man. 

Past history: 
Tonsillectomy- childhood 
Jaundice- childhood 
Tinea versicolor- 1986-87 
Severe bleeding piles 1986-87 
Malaria 
Bronchitis (smoker’s cough) 

Family history: 
Father- HT, DM, surgery lt. leg 
Mother- Skin allergies, operation on leg 
Brother- wife had an abortion 
Brother- no major illnesses 
Sister- no major illnesses 
Wife- abortion (Kent mentions in his “Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy” that a miasm can be passed by one spouse to the other) 

On examination: B.P.- 118/78 mm Hg; Lt. leg- pedal oedema, pitting on pressure 

Investigations: 
Color Doppler- as mentioned above 
MRI scan of L.S. Spine (Feb. 8, 1996)- Lt. lateral herniation of L3-4 intervertebral disc; Posterior and Lt. lateral herniation of L4-5 intervertebral disc; general posterior bulge at L5-S1 intervertebral disc; Facetal arthropathy at L4-5 and L5-S1 

Evaluation: 
Miasm- Sycosis (Stagnation and thrombosis) --> Syphilis (Degeneration- blood vessels, spine and hip, shoulder joint; family history) 

Treatment: Considering the underlying miasm; the location- veins and joints; the pathology- thrombosis in the veins and degenerative arthropathy; the mind- fear of poverty, and certain signs like the fissured tongue and past history of severe bleeding piles the drug Calcarea fluorica was selected for this patient. It was given in the 200C potency, 3 times a day for 1 week on July 30, 1997. 

Follow up: Aug. 6, 1987: Burning and pain +, Swelling leg- better. Treatment- Calc fluor 200C, tds x 2 weeks 
Sept. 8, 1997: Swelling and pain better, backache better. Treatment- Calc fluor 200C, tds x 2 weeks
Oct. 10 1997: Better. Treatment- Calc fluor 200C, tds x 3 weeks 
Nov. 11, 1997: NO backache, Pain left shoulder better, Minimal pain and swelling on the foot. Treatment- S.L. tds x 3 weeks 
Dec 20, 1997: NO backache, Pain left shoulder- better, range of movement- better, NO pain and swelling on the foot. Treatment- S.L. tds x 3 weeks 
The patient was then asked to follow-up once a month to monitor his progress. He was not given any medicine during this period and the Color Doppler showed resolution of the thrombus and recanalization of the veins. The Doppler studies of May 1998 showed complete recanalization of the leg veins. 
​

The common side effects of antibiotics are well documented but a now a new and concerning problem has emerged — weight gain and obesity. This is because antibiotic use causes the loss of ‘good’ bacteria from our digestive tracts (gut) with disastrous consequences for the way we process food.
In a Huffington Post article, Dana Ullman discusses how recent research has discovered:

• Bacteria within the gut are involved in the hormonal regulation of fat and hunger, how we digest food and how fat is stored around the body.
• A link exists between reduced varieties of bacteria in the gut and overweight humans and mice.
• Destruction of gut bacteria by antibiotics may be linked to obesity in the young, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and other diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
• Farmers have long known that antibiotic use stimulates overgrowth in animals, something they have used to advantage to produce bigger and heavier stock but with fattier and poorer quality meat.

Other findings include:

• Scientists say that microbes essential for human life are now becoming ‘extinct’.
• Individuals who carry the H. pylori bacterium have a lower risk of childhood asthma, skin allergies, and allergic rhinitis but this bacterium is now being eradicated through antibiotics.
• Microbiologists and immunologists are concerned that important metabolic pathways dependent on poorly understood microbes may also be lost.
• Exposure to infectious microbes during childhood seems to protect against serious illnesses during adulthood including cardiovascular disease.
• Being ultra-hygienic and overly concerned about germs may lead to inflammatory diseases.
• The incidence of breast cancer is higher in those who use antibiotics.

The article concludes with research that shows that homeopathy can safely resolve nuisance-value and serious infections, providing a viable alternative to antibiotic use. Some of this research is also discussed in our own articles on coughs and colds.
To read the article by Dana Ullman in full, visit Do Antibiotics Make People Fat?