What is Homeopathy?

As we spoke about in An Introduction to Alternative Medicine, many different natural therapies are becoming very popular in our society these days. We already learned the basics of herbal medicine here, here and here. Another of my favorite natural modalities is Homeopathy.

Many people misunderstand the word “homeopathy” and think it to be the equivalent of “home remedies”. In reality, Homeopathy is a unique and complete system of natural medicine developed hundreds of years ago and practiced by close to 500 million people around the world today.

Homeopathy is a wonderfully safe, effective and gentle healing art that was founded in the late 1700’s by a physician named Samuel Hahnemann in Germany.

The practice of Homeopathy is based mainly on three fundamental principles. Let’s take a quick look at each of them.

The Law of Similars

The first fundamental principle of homeopathy is based on the Law of Similars; the principle of “like cures like”. Hahnemann called this the similimum. This has also been stated as: Similia Similibus Curentur – let like be cured by like. This concept has been acknowledged since the times of the ancient philosophers and physicians. Hippocrates, Galen and Paracelsus have all touched on the philosophy of the Law of Similars.

What this means is that a disease can only be cured by a remedy that produces the same or similar symptoms, when given to healthy people, that the disease produces in those who are afflicted with it.

So, for example, a condition like hay fever, which produces uncomfortable, watery eyes and runny nose would be treated with Allium cepa (a remedy made from the onion plant) because onions can produce the same symptoms in a healthy person.

The Infinitesimal Dose

The second principle of homeopathy is that of the infinitesimal dose. One of Hahnemann’s driving forces behind his search for a better system of medicine was his disgust for the medical treatments of the time. The administration of massive doses of poisonous medicines, common at the time, led him to state in par 2 of the Organon of Medicine (Hahnemann’s definitive work on the healing art and science of Homeopathy), “ The highest ideal of therapy is to restore health rapidly, gently, permanently; to remove and destroy the whole disease in the shortest, surest, least harmful way, according to clearly comprehensible principles.”

He designed his original provings to gradually reduce the dose to determine the smallest dose that would still remain therapeutically effective. By coincidence, what he found was that not only are infinitesimally small doses even more therapeutically effective, but they are also completely free from the side effects that may be present in larger doses.

The Treatment of the Whole Person

Homeopathy is a very individualized modality of medicine. It aims to treat the whole person, to bring about a rebalancing of the vital force, and complete disappearance of all symptoms, or in other words, a total cure.

In homeopathy, the remedy is matched to the individual, as well as to the symptoms, so people who have the same symptoms may receive different remedies. The entire makeup of the patient –their constitution – is taken into consideration when choosing a homeopathic remedy. Hahnemann says in the Organon, par 5: “In bringing about a cure the physician should consider: the evident physical constitution of the patient (especially in chronic affections), his affective and intellectual character, his activities, his way of life, his habits, his social position, his family relationships, his age, his sexual life, etc.” The remedy is matched in every way to the patient – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, according to lifestyle, environment and family medical history. Determining whether a person is anxious, overweight, straight forward and light haired, or confidant, thin, artistic and dark haired can make all the difference in prescribing the correct remedy for that particular person. This shows that homeopathy is indeed a “wholistic” form of treatment and it is, in fact, the third principle of homeopathy – to treat the patient as a unique individual and not just a set of symptoms, or the bearer of a disease.

A fascinating and effective form of natural medicine, homeopathy is becoming accepted in more and more segments of society around the world. In fact, the government of Switzerland recently released a report in favor of homeopathy and its inclusion in their country’s national health care system.

In the next installment, we will look further into specific homeopathic remedies, their uses and why they should be included in your home medicine kit.

Have you used homeopathy?

What are your favorite remedies?

Let me know in the comments.

June 14, 2017June 14, 2017

What is Homeopathy?

Learn more in my guest post at Hybrid Rasta Mama today.

Head over to read the rest of this post on Hybrid Rasta Mama.

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5 Reasons Evening Primrose is the Herb for You!

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January 31, 2017February 5, 2017

A Brief Introduction to Alternative Medicine

“The Doctor of the future will give no medicine; but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” -Thomas A Edison

This is a quote by Thomas Edison from 1902. I suggest to you that the future that Thomas Edison spoke of over a century ago is today, right now. What Thomas Edison described is exactly what alternative health modalities espouse – using diet, lifestyle and natural therapies to prevent disease and uproot the true cause of illness.

So what is alternative medicine?

According to Merriam-Webster, alternative medicine is “any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula of the United States and Britain”. This type of definition has two inherent problems:

Learn more in my guest post at Hybrid Rasta Mama today.

Head over to read the rest of this post on Hybrid Rasta Mama.

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5 Reasons Evening Primrose is the Herb for You!

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February 15, 2016

Tools to Help you Stay Healthy all Winter

In the last post, we explored various factors that contribute to winter illness and how we might begin to shift some of those factors and their impact on ourselves and our families.

In this post, I’d like to delve into some of the more practical tools and techniques that can be used effectively to prevent and alleviate winter illnesses and the symptoms that go along with them.

Learn more in my guest post at Hybrid Rasta Mama today.

Head over to read the rest of this post on Hybrid Rasta Mama.

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Extreme Fatigue?
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~ Aromatherapy 101 Series – Part 1~
The Basics

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Steam, Cleanse and Moisturize Your Face all in One Step

October 6, 2015

5 Winter Cold Remedies

1. Elderberry – Elderberry is an excellent immunomodulator, meaning it can assist the body in regulating it’s immune response to the appropriate level needed for the situation; it is a powerful anti-viral, directly inhibiting the influenza virus by disarming the virus of its ability to invade healthy cells and multiply; and, Elder flowers are a tried-and-true diaphoretic, encouraging perspiration and the release of heat from the body, useful for colds, flus and fevers. Excellent for children and, of course, elders 🙂

2. Fire Cider – Made with ingredients such as garlic, ginger, onion, horseradish and cayenne, Fire Cider is one vinegar infusion that really packs a punch! Incredibly anti-microbial, this concoction will keep you warm and healthy all winter long!

3. Oregano Essential oil – Oregano oil is getting a lot of press lately, mainly because of it’s virtually unmatched germicidal properties. It can be used when dealing with just about any kind of microbial infection. It is a great oil to diffuse in the air during the winter months to keep germs at bay.

4. Oscillococcinum – This homeopathic remedy can reduce the severity and duration of flu-like symptoms, especially when taken as soon as symptoms start to appear. Perfect for the kinds of flus that produce symptoms such as fever, headache, chills and body aches.

5. Lemon Ginger Honey tea – Lemon is detoxifying and an excellent source of anti-oxidants; ginger is warming and can alleviate GI distress; honey is a natural anti-microbial as well as an excellent way to soothe a sore throat. Together they make the perfect winter cold remedy!

What is your favorite winter cold and flu remedy?

May 6, 2015

Heal Your Family with Nature’s Remedies: Craft a Natural Home Medicine Kit

~Heal Your Family with Nature’s Remedies~

Craft a Natural Home Medicine Kit

It wasn’t that long ago when every home had an herbal or homeopathic medicine kit filled with natural remedies to treat injuries or illnesses that family members might encounter.

Learn how to craft your own natural home medicine kit and what to stock it with in my guest post at Hybrid Rasta Mama today.

Head over to read the rest of this post on Hybrid Rasta Mama.

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September 17, 2012

Homeoprophylaxis

Homeoprophylaxis

At last…a safe and effective method of protection from infectious disease and an alternative to vaccines! A program developed in Australia by Dr Isaac Golden, “HP” (homeoprophylaxis) has been subjected to a 15 year clinical trial. The results of this study, including the safety and efficacy of HP, are published in Dr. Golden’s recent publication Homeoprophylaxis- A Fifteen Year Clinical Study.

The goal of HP is to introduce into the human system safe, homeopathic versions of particular diseases in order to naturally stimulate the immune system. As a result, susceptibility to targeted diseases can be reduced.

With Dr Golden’s permission, Kate Birch, author of Vaccine Free, and Cilla Whatcott have adapted his program to reflect the needs of families internationally. Together Kate and Cilla have authored The Solution ~ Homeoprophylaxis The Vaccine Alternative ~ A Parent’s Guide to Educating Your Child’s Immune System.

In addition to protecting your children from infectious contagious disease, your participation and the data received by your participation, will be applied towards the general momentum for establishing HP internationally as a viable option for disease prevention.

Some research has demonstrated that after completion of programs like this, blood titers reflect antibody levels indicating immunity. Blood titers are not a required aspect of this program. However, if you are so inclined to determine your child’s immunity, they can be ordered under the care of your general practitioner.

The Program

•   Individualized 1 hour appointment to explain the program
•   Four years of HP remedies for the most commonly vaccinated diseases
•   Additional remedies for special needs (foreign travel, or disease outbreaks)
•   Four years of any necessary consultation during the program
•   Can be started at any time even if some vaccines have been given
•   No more needles
•   No toxic substances
•   No side effects

This program is suitable for:
•   Children who have not been vaccinated
•   partially vaccinated children
•   Children who have been fully vaccinated.

Overview of the Homeoprophylaxis Program

Supplied with the program are sufficient remedy doses for 1, 2, or 3 children to complete 4 years of Homeoprophylaxis (HP) to the most commonly vaccinated against diseases. Additional remedies may be added to the Main Program if there are special circumstances or needs. i.e., for foreign travel, special concerns, or disease outbreaks. Additional remedies may be purchased separately. The nosodes selected for the Main Program are based on current disease prevalence and or risk factors. If the incidence of any of the diseases not included in the Main Program increases, it is possible to add the pertinent additional remedies. (Hep A or B, Diphtheria, Chickenpox, Rotovirus and Influenza are not a part of the current program for various reasons.)

The goal of HP is to introduce into the human system the energetic components (nosodes) of particular diseases in order to stimulate the immune system to produce immunity. Homeopathic Nosodes, such as the remedies included in the kit provided, are potentized preparations of the relative disease germ or human discharges produced in relationship to that particular germ. Upon repetition of the particular remedy it is understood that some aspect of susceptibility to that disease has been fulfilled. Some research has demonstrated that after completion of programs like this blood titers demonstrate antibody levels indicating immunity. Antibody titers draws are not a required aspect of this program. However, if you are so inclined to determine your child’s immunity at any point during the program, they can be ordered under the care of your general practitioner. Please indicate on the questionnaire forms if you have had blood titers drawn and their results. For those who have been partially vaccinated blood titers may indicate if immunity was generated from vaccination. When this program is funded by a research institution antibody-titers will be included as a part of the program.

*The content of this website is not to be misconstrued as medical advice nor does it replace the consult of a physician or practitioner. Reader assumes the responsibility of investigating for themselves disease prevention and treatment methodologies that concur with their beliefs and understanding.

For more in-depth information or to set up and appointment, Contact Vanessa

March 26, 2011April 27, 2011

Natural Health

For many decades now, our society has been a culture that discourages it’s people from taking responsibility for their own health. We are encouraged to enter into paid, contractual relationships with only those medical professionals who have a degree in medicine. We are convinced to think that only those who attend medical school can possibly know how to take care of our health. We are persuaded to believe that everything the doctor tells us is fact, and that if we disagree, it must only be because of our ignorance. We are taught to second guess our own intuition regarding what’s best for our health and that of our children.

This state of health care in industrialized nations like the US is actually quite new. We think of modern medicine as having a long history, but it has only been in the last 100 years that the vast array of drugs, such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, blood pressure medication, etc, that make up the trick of bags of most medical doctors these days, have been available. For hundreds, and even thousands of years before that, people relied on natural healing when they became ill.

In fact, most people had a basic, common knowledge of natural healing and kept and used many medicinal herbs, remedies and healing foods in their homes for those occasions when they might need them, or even for daily use to stay healthy in the first place. This common knowledge of wellness was passed down through the generations and provided the knowledge that most people needed to stay well and healthy. There were those times, of course, when a healer might need to be called in – whether it be a wise woman, medicine man, shaman or homeopath – but the common man and woman not only had a basic sense of how to heal common illnesses, but they were much more in touch with their intuition and innate sense of wellness.

Unfortunately, with the rise of the pharmaceutical industry, the AMA (which go hand in hand, in fact) as well as the processed food industry, much of our intuitive knowledge of healing has been suppressed. We have found ourselves in the position of not knowing how our own bodies work, not knowing how to keep them healthy and not knowing how to heal them.

However, natural healing, no matter how far it has been buried, is still with us, in all cultures, throughout the world. All we need to do is reconnect with our intuition, re-educate ourselves, school ourselves in the natural methods of healing that are available to each one of us. Natural healing is something that we can incorporate into our lives, everyday, every meal, every breath. It is not hard and it is not expensive. We need to re-lean what foods to eat (or in some cases, what food really is and is not!), what plants can heal and how to breath. We need to remember how to move our bodies and how we are all connected.

Modern medicine definitely has it’s place and it can be a life saver in emergency situations. However, the time has come for everyday healing to be placed back into the hands of everyday people. We all need to take responsibility for our own health and trust the innate wisdom inside each of us that knows how to heal our own body, mind and spirit.

December 22, 2010March 26, 2011

Arnica

Out of the 3,000 or so homeopathic remedies available today, the one single remedy that is undoubtedly the most commonly used and well known among professionals and lay people alike is Arnica.

Arnica is well known for it’s affinity for bruised, swollen tissues and sore muscles. It is often referred to as “the sportsman’s remedy” because of its ability to bring relief to injuries, such as those that occur during sports activities.

Arnica is almost specific for bruising. The keynotes of this remedy include physical injuries, trauma, strains and sprains. It is a fast acting remedy and the main emphasis of it’s features is physical trauma. It is also used for exhaustion stemming from physical exertion. It is indicated in neck stiffness from sudden movement or exertion, sprains – especially in wrists and ankles, from over-exertion. It is often prescribed topically in cream, gel or ointment form as well as orally, but it should not be applied to broken skin.

Although physical trauma is definitely the main reason arnica is usually prescribed, there are many other indications for its use as well. Arnica is highly indicated in cases of shock (physical or mental) especially when the lower part of the body is cold, but the head and upper part is hot. It is particularly beneficial for surgical shock when given before and after surgery.

It may also be indicated in cases of gout, rheumatism, constipation and indigestion (if it is due to shock). Inflammatory conditions of almost any nature, such as liver, kidney and lung (pneumonia) inflammation may respond to arnica if the whole picture fits. There is almost always a sore, bruised feeling over the whole body. There is often a fear of being touched – when you try to help them, they may pull back and say “I’m fine. I don’t need help”. People needing arnica often have a very sensitive body. The bed always feel too hard for them. Constitutional symptoms may include: those with a nervous, fearful disposition, especially in women; those with red, full faces, those who may have been affected by an injury of may years previous; those susceptible to cerebral congestion and those who dislike travel.

Far from being an acute remedy limited to bruising and swelling, as you can see, Arnica has a multitude of constitutional and chronic uses as well.

Photo Attribution:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/breki74

March 7, 2010March 11, 2010

Homeopathic Emergency Kit

A basic homeopathic kit kept in the home, or packed along when traveling, can save lots of time, discomfort and distress when those inevitable or unavoidable acute injuries and illnesses strike. No home should be with out one. There are many wonderful ready made kits available online, but it is sometimes more appropriate to put one together for yourself, since you are the one that knows your family’s susceptibilities the best.

Following are some of the most commonly indicated homeopathic remedies needed in minor acute emergencies and illnesses. Choosing the 6c or 30c potency is usually the best option for laypersons and those potencies are readily available. Dosage, in acute conditions, may be 1 or 2 pellets repeated every 1/2 to 1 hour if necessary, up to 3 doses. Dosage frequency can then be reduced to 3 times a day for a couple of days, if necessary.

Aconite – This remedy is considered the “A” in the ABC of Children’s Remedies. Aconite is indicated at the onset of chills and colds, especially those that begin after exposure to a cold wind. Symptoms can include frequent sneezing, hot clear liquid from the nose, fever and thirst. Aconite is also indicated for mental trauma, fear and shock – ranging from having an argument to witnessing a terrible accident. Irritability, restlessness and anxiety are often present.

Apis – This is a great remedy for stings and bites, especially those of wasps and other insects. It is particularly indicated in bites and stings which burn, itch, sting and swell with redness and heat and feel better with cool applications.

Arnica – One of the most well known homeopathic remedies, Arnica is an excellent first aid treatment for physical trauma of any kind. Falls, bruises, strains, wounds, muscle soreness and swelling yield particularly well to Arnica. It is the first thing I reach for in just about any injury, from mild to severe.

Arsenicum – Arsenicum has many us, one of which is for vomiting and nausea due to food poisoning – particularly from bad meat. It is also an excellent remedy for colds with painful sneezing and thin, watery nasal discharge, where the person is very chilly and thirsty, but only for small sips of water.

Belladonna – This remedy is the “B” in the ABC’s of Children’s Remedies. It is indicated in conditions like fevers and headaches where there is sudden onset, throbbing pains, red, hot skin and dilated pupils. It can also be used for scalds or burns, if there is throbbing present and inflammation is starting.

Bryonia – This remedy is indicated in colds and flus where there is a delayed onset and the person wants to remain completely still because even the least movement makes the symptoms worse. There is a tendency for the condition to spread to the chest with a dry cough that is worse at night. There may also be a great thirst for cold water.

Calendula – Essential for open cuts and wounds, Calendula is an effective antiseptic and speeds healing. Use Calendula topically instead of Arnica on open wounds.

Carbo Veg – This remedy can be used for stomach upsets and food poisoning, especially when the source is bad fish.

Chamomile – Chamomile is the “C” in the ABC’s of Children’s Remedies. One of the symptoms that almost always indicates this remedy is that one cheek is hot and red, while the other is cold and pale. Useful for teething infants, pain and fever, especially in those who are very sensitive to pain. Other symptoms are intense irritability, restlessness, temper tantrums and children who only calm down when carried.

Hepar Sulph – This remedy is indicated when wounds, sores or boil show signs of infections, such as, redness, heat and swelling. Hepar Sulph is a great remedy for abscesses. It is also helpful in colds that have much sneezing and develop thick, yellow, offensive nasal discharge.

Hypericum – This remedy is extremely helpful in wounds and trauma that involve nerve endings, fingers, toes or spine or those injuries that cause intense pain. Things that come to mind are slamming fingers in the door or stubbing the toe.

Ledum – Ledum is the prime remedy to use in puncture wounds. It is also useful for bites and stings that feel cold (opposite of Apis, above).

Nux Vomica – This remedy is indicated in indigestion, nausea and vomiting which results from nervous strain, stress, overwork or overindulgence in food and drink – the hangover remedy. It is also useful in colds where the nose streams in a warm room, but is stuffed up at night. The person is extremely chilly, cannot warm up and is very irritable.

Pulsatilla – Pulsatilla also can be indicated in indigestion, but from rich or fatty foods. However, it is better known for conditions such as earaches, headaches and colds. In all cases there is usually thirstlessnes, amelioration from the open air and aggravation from warm, stuffy rooms.

Rhus Tox – Useful in cases of joint injuries, sprain, muscular stiffness after over-exertion or exposure to cold and wet conditions, Rhus Tox is also a great remedy for poison oak and chicken pox, as well as colds and coughs. Some of the main symptoms indicating this remedy are restlessness, feeling worse from beginning to move, but feeling better after continued motion, feeling worse at night and from uncovering, but better from warmth.

Ruta – Ruta is used when injuries have occurred to the tendons or cartilage, and especially, to the wrists and ankles.

Urtica Urens – This is an excellent remedy for first degree burns as well as sunburn and nettle stings, or other rashes from plant contact.