The patient’s state of mind changes often. Feelings quickly turn into a bad mood, being very sad, with a need for attention and consolation. Children who need pulsatilla won’t leave their mother and complain if they must. They need extra attention and have an ingrained anxiety about being abandoned and are prone to tears. They are shy towards strangers but warm up quickly and then you experience their famous communicative and charming personality.

When they are ill, they often experience the symptoms moving around in the body. They can go from having a headache to having a stomach ache in a short time. This may be perceived as being manipulative, but it is just an expression of the fact that their symptoms are rooted in their emotions, and their anxiety is about the fear of being abandoned.

Pulsatilla is often used where there is a lot of catarrh, yellow or greenish. Often, one side of the nose is more affected than the other. If there is a cough, the cough is usually at its worst when laying down. Often the cough is dry at night and loose in the morning. Mouth and lips are dry and there is bad breath.

It is a fairly hormonal remedy that can be used for symptoms around menstruation, and if used for this purpose it is important that the mental picture is as described above. Other symptoms associated with menstruation are irregular periods and not bleeding very much.

The symptoms are aggravated when in an enclosed space (without fresh air), around dusk, and after being cold and wet.

The symptoms are improved by fresh air, by moving / changing position, receiving sympathy from others and in general from knowing that others are present.

In short: ‘Hanging on mummy’s apron’ or needing attention from partner or friends. Symptoms that change. No thirst. Want the window open.

Other helpful hints: Often used to 'turn baby' inside the womb before birth. Can also be used if the birth is delayed.