Knowing the immediate cause of the symptom can cut the number of remedy choices down considerably.
Aconite and Opium relate to fear, Colocynthis and Nux vomica relate to anger (also Cham. and Staph. Ignatia and Natrum muriaticum relate to grief. Arnica, Bellis perennis, Ruta, and Symphytum relate to trauma. Cantharis, Arsenicum album, and Causticum relate to burns, etc.
Suppression should also be looked at where the remedy is based not on the presenting symptom but the symptom that was suppressed. Never well since... type rubrics are excellent also.