~Heal Your Family with Nature’s Remedies~

Craft a Natural Home Medicine Kit

apothecary

 

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. These days it is not so common and many people feel at a loss when they are faced with a feverish child at 2 am, the beginnings of a respiratory infection, or a finger burned from a kitchen mishap. Not only is it common sense to have a natural medicine kit at home, but it is inexpensive to put together and quite empowering to realize that you have the ability to heal yourself and your family of just about any acute illness or injury that you may encounter.

Following is a brief summary of some of the items you may want to include in your natural home medicine kit. They can be purchased ready made, but most of them you can make yourself very easily and inexpensively. A combination of any or all of the herbal items listed below would make a great addition to any home.

 

Herbal Remedies

aloe-vera-277948_1280
Aloe

Aloe vera – Aloe has been used throughout a long portion of our history in treating and healing burns and other minor skin irritations. The best way to use aloe is directly from the plant itself. Break off a plump piece and slice it open. Apply the clear sap inside directly to the burned or irritated area. It is this sap that has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

Calendula cream – This is the first thing we reach for whenever one of the children has a cut, scratch, scrape or rash. Historically, Calendula has been used in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and as an antiseptic. It has been used to treat a variety of skin diseases including skin ulcerations and eczema.

Echinacea Tincture – Echinacea is a wonderful immune boosting herb – anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial. Topically useful for stings and bites (it is a Native American snakebite remedy), as well as skin infections, echinacea is a staple for the home medicine kit. Echinacea is useful for poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, childhood illnesses, upper respiratory infections, the common cold, sinusitis, influenza, herpes, lymphatic swelling and skin ulcers.

Elderberry Elixir – This is an essential remedy to have on hand, especially during the cold and flu season. Rich in vitamins A, B and C, elderberry supports immune system functioning and is one of the best remedies for viral infections. Useful for colds, flus, respiratory afflictions, fevers and upset stomachs. You can read more here.

garlic-139659_1280
Garlic

Garlic – I have heard many herbalists say that if they were stranded on a desert island and could have only one medicine with them – it would be garlic! It is a powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic and has been used to ward off everything from the common cold to the Plague. Some of the ailments it has been used to treat include wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete’s foot, some viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems, and ear aches. Incorporating garlic, especially raw, into your daily diet is a key part of keeping your body healthy and your immune system functioning at optimal levels. You can read more about the benefits of garlic here.

Ginger – Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb as well as an important digestive remedy. It is useful for a broad range of ailments such as: nausea, motion sickness, diarrhea, colic, arthritis, rheumatism, colds flus, headaches, poor circulation and heart conditions. In Asia is it considered a longevity herb.

Plantain/Comfrey/Self-Heal/Chickweed salve – All of these herbs have excellent wound healing properties and one or all of them alone, or in combination with the above mentioned Calendula and St John’s Wort, would make a great salve or ointment for most skin ailments you may encounter.

Hypericum perforatum
St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort salve – While many people these days are aware of St John’s Wort for it’s anti-depressant benefits, they may not be aware that it is one of the best topical anti-inflammatory and wound healing herbs to be found. Some of the ailments that can be helped by the topical use of St John’s Wort include bruises, wounds, burns, hemorrhoids, sunburn, herpes sores, varicose veins, sciatica, nerve pain, rheumatism and arthritis.

 

Yarrow – Yarrow is considered a common weed, but is an extremely useful one (as most weeds are). It is an antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive and tonic herb. It can be used for colds and flu, stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, abdominal cramps, abscesses, trauma and bleeding, and to reduce inflammation.

 

Homeopathic Remedies

For homeopathic remedies, 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. Here are some basics, for the beginner, on homeopathy.

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. 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 that burn, itch, sting and swell with redness and heat and feel better with cool applications.

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Arnica

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 also available in cream form.

Arsenicum – Arsenicum has many uses, 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.

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.

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. Examples are slamming fingers in the door or stubbing the toe.

Ledum – Ledum is the prime remedy to use for 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 thirstlessness, 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.

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Nettle (Urtica)

Urtica Urens – This is an excellent remedy for first degree burns as well as sunburn and nettle stings, or other rashes from plant contact. You can read more about Urtica (Stinging Nettle) and it’s herbal uses here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

bach-flower-therapy-187799_1280Rescue Remedy –  A combination of 5 of the Bach Flower Remedies, Rescue Remedy is useful to have with you at all times for helping to deal with any sort of trauma, whether mental, emotional or physical. It is calming, relaxing and helps to restore balance. I have found it very useful for tantruming children as well as stressed out Mamas.

 

 

 

Essential Oils – Essential oils are extremely potent and must be used with care. If applying topically, ALWAYS dilute them first. Here is more information on how to use essential oils properly and safely.

  • Lavender essential oil is calming, relaxing and useful for soothing bug bites and burns. It is also extremely effective for relieving the pain of headaches and ear infections.
  • Tea Tree is very anti-microbial and can be used for disinfecting. It is also great to inhale for relieving stuffy sinuses and respiratory issues.
  • Oregano is another potent anti-microbial essential oil. Useful for infections and is also anti-inflammatory.
  • Peppermint essential oil has many uses, including soothing sore muscles, relieving pain and calming nausea.
  • Helichrysum is a superior essential oil for healing old wounds, calming inflammation and reducing scar tissue.

 

aide-161214_1280Basic First Aid Supplies -Here is a list of basic supplies to have on hand in your medicine chest so you can be prepared for any minor acute situation that might occur.

Assorted sizes of band-aids, including wound closure strips
Travel sewing kit which contains needle, thread, safety pins
Flannel fabric/wash cloth
Tweezers
Scissors
Fingernail clippers
Plastic eye cup
Ace bandage
Disposable lighter
Various tape
Hydrogen peroxide
Saline
Cotton swabs
Cotton balls
Gauze pads
Instant Hand warmers
Bottle of water
Soap

 Although needs will vary from family to family, having these items on hand will not only cover most minor situations that may occur, but give you peace of mind  – knowing you are prepared and have the ability to take care of your family’s health naturally.

What is in your natural home medicine kit?

 

 


 

~ Vanessa Nixon Klein~
Traditional Naturopath, Herbalist, Homeopath, Aromatherapist and Nutrition Expert

Assisting people who are ready to build a natural lifestyle and take responsibility for their own health to achieve and maintain wellness through lifestyle enrichment and transformation as well as natural health and beauty techniques including herbalism, homeopathy, nutrition, aromatherapy and physical movement is Vanessa’s specialty.

10 Steps to Wellness

1. Let food be thy medicine – Eat whole, real, unprocessed foods. As Micheal Pollan says “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Eating as much of your foods in their raw, whole, unprocessed, organic state as possible is critical. If you are not able to obtain all your foods in an organic state, be sure at least, to only consume animal foods that are organic. Pesticides, antibiotics and  artificial growth hormones bioaccumulate in animal fats, so it is crucial to avoid them.

2. Drink pure water….and lots of it – Since our bodies are made up of over 70% water, it is one of the most important aspects of our health. Did you know that experts believe that 90% of all headaches are caused by dehydration? A good way to keep your body hydrated is this: whenever you feel the least bit thirsty or hungry – drink a glass of water first! Also remember that city tap water contains many substances that are harmful to your body such as chlorine and fluoride. Make sure you either use a good filter or better yet, find a local source of spring water.

3. Breathe – fresh air, outside, in the sun, preferably in a forest, on a beach, or watching the sunset…It’s amazing how easy it is for us humans to forget to breathe. We have become a people who breathe shallowly with bodies deprived of oxygen. Take full, slow, breaths down into the depths of your lungs until you can’t take in any more and then slowly exhale, fully and completely until you feel all the breath gone from your body, Then do it again, and again.

4. Exercise – We all know that exercise is a vital part of health and well-being. Moving our bodies is what allows all the wonderful nutrients that we put into our bodies to circulate and what moves the blood and lymph throughout the body. Bernard Jensen says that “A body can become anemic with the best blood stream in the world if the blood does not circulate fast enough.” In order to live a long life, filled with exhuberent energy you must move your body… and do it often.

5. Sleep – In our fast-paced culture, most of us either do not get enough sleep, or when we do, we do not sleep well enough. One of the biggest blocks we have to getting good sleep is the acknowledgement that we need a good solid 8-9 hours of sleep each night to support our health. We want to believe we can get by on 6 hours a night so we can get back to our multi-tasking rat race. Once we realize how important sleep is to our well-being, we can begin to find ways to support it – breathing exercises, meditation and relaxing baths, are just a few of the many options.

6. Spend time in Nature – Nature, whether it be in the form of a soft furry animal, a sweet smelling flower, or the soothing feel of a summer breeze, has the innate ability to connect with the deepest part of us, that part that comes from nature itself. That fundamental connection is one of the integral elements of well-being. Many of us have lost that connection, and suffer the consequences on a daily basis. But it is easy to reconnect….just open your door and step outside…

7. “Follow your Bliss” – This is one of my favorite quotes, from the late mythologist/theologist Joseph Campbell. In our society, doing what we love is not valued very highly. Instead, we are taught to value what will bring us the most financial wealth and prestige. However, we need to look further at what really makes us happy in life. Doing the things we love on a daily basis, whether it be painting, dancing or skiing is one of the most important things to keep ourselves in a state of vibrant health.

8. Be Present – “…the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness.”  Ekhart Tolle.  Living life in the present, instead of constantly reliving the past, or living for the future is essential to our happiness, which in turn is essential to stress reduction, which in turn is essential to health and wellness.


9. Use natural remedies – Our bodies respond to natural remedies very readily and efficiently. Natural remedies, like herbs, homeopathics, healing foods and body work function by working with your body to support the immune system, provide nutrients and detoxify the tissues. Conventional medical intervention has it’s place, but it is usually best used as a last resort.

10. Use your Brain – Never stop learning. We all were born with an innate desire to learn. For many, as we grew up, that desire was taught out of us. Rekindle that desire and make it a goal to learn something new every day!

Herbal Home Medicine Kit

It wasn’t that long ago when every home had an herbal medicine kit to treat injuries or illnesses that family members might encounter. These days it is not so common and many people feel at a loss when they are faced with a feverish child at 2 am, the beginnings of a respiratory infection, or a finger burned from a kitchen mishap. Not only is it common sense to have an herbal medicine kit at home, but it is inexpensive to put together and quite empowering to realize that you have the ability to heal yourself and your family of just about any acute illness or injury that you may encounter.

Here is a brief summary of some of the items you may want to include in your herbal home medicine kit. They can be purchased ready made, but most of them you can make yourself very easily and inexpensively. A combination of any or all of the herbal items listed below would make a great addition to any home.

Aloe vera Photo by Peter Kratochvil

Aloe vera – Aloe has been used throughout a long portion of our history in treating and healing burns and other minor skin irritations. The best way to use aloe is directly from the plant itself. Break off a plump piece and slice it open. Apply the clear sap inside directly to the burned or irritated area. It is this sap that has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

Elderberry Elixir – This is an essential remedy to have on hand, especially during the cold and flu season. Here is my favorite recipe. Rich in vitamins A, B and C, elderberry supports immune system functioning and is one of the best remedies for viral infections. Useful for colds, flus, respiratory afflictions, fevers and upset stomachs.

Echinacea Tincture – Echinacea is a wonderful immune boosting herb – anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial. Topically useful for stings and bites (it is a Native American snakebite remedy), as well as skin infections, echinacea is a staple for the home medicine kit. Just a few of the various conditions that have historically been treated with echinacea include: poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, mumps, smallpox, and measles, upper respiratory infections, the common cold, sinusitis, influenza, herpes, lymphatic swelling and skin ulcers.

Oregon Grape Root Tincture – Oregon grape is an excellent alternative to Goldenseal, which is endangered, and can be used for many of the same ailments, including bacterial diarrhea, bladder infections, sinusitis, intestinal parasites, sore throat/laryngitis, and eye infections. It is also useful in chronic skin affections, such as psoriasis,  and supporting the liver. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, as well as anti-fungal properties and recent studies have shown it may have anti-cancer properties as well.

Calendula cream or ointment – This is one of the most used items in our home medicine kit. It is the first thing we reach for whenever one of the children has a cut, scratch, scrape or rash. Historically, Calendula has been used in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and as an antiseptic. It has been used to treat a variety of skin diseases including skin ulcerations and eczema.

Image: Tom Curtis / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

St John’s Wort salve – While many people these days are aware of St John’s Wort for it’s anti-depressant benefits, they may not be aware that it is one of the best topical anti-inflammatory and wound healing herbs to be found. It’s use in wound healing dates back to Hippocrates. Some of the ailments that can be helped by the topical use of St John’s Wort include bruises, wounds, burns, hemorrhoids, sunburn, herpes sores, varicose veins, sciatica, nerve pain, rheumatism and arthritis.

Plantain/Comfrey/Self-Heal/Chickweed salve – All of these herbs have excellent wound healing properties and one or all of them alone, or in combination with the above mentioned Calendula and St John’s Wort, would make a great salve or ointment for most skin ailments you may encounter.

Essential oils – Essential oils are of great benefit in treating minor ailments at home. If you are unfamiliar with Aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils, please read my article before purchasing and using them. DO NOT use essential oils internally or undiluted or in the eye area. Some of the essential oils I find most useful are: Lavender, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Oregano, and Peppermint. Lavender is very relaxing, calming and can be employed for easing headaches, muscle strain and stress. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory as well as calming and analgesic. iIt is especially well suited for use with children’s complaints, such as colic and teething pain. Tea Tree is a very popular essential oil because of it’s strong antiseptic properties, useful in deep wound cleaning and treating infections. 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. Peppermint is useful for a great many conditions; colds, flus and respiratory illnesses as well as digestive upsets and headaches are just a few of them.

Witch Hazel – This multi-purpose remedy is essential for treating blisters, burns, swelling, inflammation, bleeding, skin injuries, hemorrhoids, varicose veins and eczema. It is astringent and disinfectant as well as hemostatic.

Garlic Photo by Petr Kratochvil

Garlic – I have heard many people say that if they were stranded on a desert island and could have only one medicine with them – it would be garlic! It is a powerful broad spectrum antibiotic and has been used to ward off everything from the common cold to the Plague. Some of the ailments it has been used to treat include wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete’s foot, some viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems, and ear aches. Incorporating garlic, especially raw, into your daily diet is a key part of keeping your body healthy and your immune system functioning at optimal levels.

Ginger – Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb as well as an important digestive remedy. It is useful for a broad range of ailments such as: nausea, motion sickness, diarrhea, colic, arthritis, rheumatism, colds flus, headaches, poor circulation and heart conditions. In Asia is it considered a longevity herb.

Yarrow – Yarrow is considered a common weed, but is an extremely useful one (as most weeds are). It is an antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary. It can be used for colds and flu, stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, abdominal cramps, abscesses, trauma and bleeding, and to reduce inflammation.

Homeopathy Facts

The following is a compilation of excerpts from an article written by Louise Mclean, LCCH MHMA, editor of Zeus Homoeopathy News and www.homeopathyheals.me.uk

FACT:  Hippocrates ‘The Father of Medicine’ of Ancient Greece said there were two Laws of Healing:  The Law of Opposites and the Law of Similars.  Homeopathy treats the patient with medicines using the Law of Similars, orthodox medicine uses the Law of Opposites, e.g. antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anti-convulsants, anti-hypertensives, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics.

FACT:  Homeopathic theories are based on fixed principles of the Laws of Nature – unlike medical theories which are constantly changing!

FACT:  Homeopathy is an evidence-based, empirical medicine.

FACT:  Homeopathy is both an art and a science.

FACT:  The Homeopathic PROVINGS of medicines are a more scientific method of testing than the orthodox model of RCTs or double blind trials.

FACT:  Homeopathic medicine awakens and stimulates the body’s own curative powers.  The potentised remedy acts as a catalyst to set healing into motion.

FACT:  Homeopathic medicines work by communicating a current/pattern/frequency of energy via the whole human body to jump start the body’s own inherent healing mechanisms.

FACT:  Homeopathy assists the body to heal itself, to overcome an illness which brings the patient to a HIGHER level of health.  Orthodox medicine suppresses the illness, bringing the patient to a lower level of health.

FACT:  The homeopathic practitioner endeavors to search for and treat the CAUSE of the disease in order to heal the EFFECT.

FACT:  Outcomes of homeopathic treatment are measured by the LONG TERM  curative effects of prescribing and complete eradication of the disease state.

FACT:  The homeopathic practitioner treats the WHOLE PERSON, believing all symptoms are interrelated and seeks to select a medicine which most closely covers them all.

FACT:  Homeopathy works FAST in acute illnesses, slower in chronic illness.

FACT:  Homeopathic medicine has been proven extremely effective in Epidemics such as cholera, typhoid, diptheria, yellow fever, polio and influenza and were used extensively in 19th century.  http://www.whale.to/v/winston.html

FACT:  Homeopathic remedies are cheap.

FACT:  Pharmaceutical medicines are expensive.

FACT:  Homeopathy is the 2nd most popular and widely used medicine in the world.

FACT:  There are more than 4,000 homeopathic medicines.

FACT: Homeopathic medicines have no toxic side-effects.

FACT: Homeopathic medicines are NON-ADDICTIVE.

FACT:  In 200 years, there has never been a single homeopathic medicine recalled, unlike pharmaceutical medicines.

FACT:  Every true homeopathic medicine is made using ONE SUBSTANCE – whether plant, mineral, metal, etc. The exact substance is known, unlike most modern drugs where we are rarely informed of the ingredients.

FACT:  Any remedy up to a 12c or a 24x potency still contains the original molecules of the substance and this is known as Avogadro’s number.

FACT:  Every Patient is Unique so homeopathic medicines are individualized.

FACT:  Homeopaths treat genetic illness, tracing its origins to 6 main genetic causes or ‘miasms’: Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Psora (scabies), Cancer, Leprosy.

FACT:  High fevers will drop within minutes after taking the homeopathic medicine Belladonna or Aconite.

FACT :  In the United States in the early 1900s there were 22 homeopathic medical schools and over 100 homeopathic hospitals, 60 orphanages and old people’s homes and 1,000+ homeopathic pharmacies.

FACT:  Members of the American Medical Association had great animosity towards homeopathy after its formation in 1847 and it was decided to purge all local medical societies of physicians who were homeopaths.

FACT:  Big Pharma does not want the Public to find out how well homeopathy works!

FACT:  In 2005 World Health Organization brought out a draft report which showed homeopathy was beneficial causing Big Pharma to panic and the Lancet to bring out an editorial entitled ‘The End of Homeopathy’.

FACT:  In 2005 the Lancet tried to destroy homeopathy but were only looking at 8 inconclusive trials out of 110 of which 102 were positive.  This was a fraudulent analysis.
“The meta-analysis at the centre of the controversy is based on 110 placebo-controlled clinical trials of homeopathy and 110 clinical trials of allopathy (conventional medicine), which are said to be matched. These were reduced to 21 trials of homeopathy and 9 of conventional medicine of ‘higher quality’ and further reduced to 8 and 6 trials, respectively, which were ‘larger, higher quality’. The final analysis which concluded that ‘the clinical effects of homoeopathy are placebo effects’ was based on just the eight ‘larger, higher quality’ clinical trials of homeopathy. The Lancet’s press release did not mention this, instead giving the impression that the conclusions were based on all 110 trials.”
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1375230

FACT:  There have been many clinical trials that prove homeopathy works.  In the past 24 years there have been more than 180 controlled, and 118 randomized, trials into homeopathy, which were analyzed by four separate meta-analyses.  In each case, the researchers concluded that the benefits of homeopathy went far beyond that which could be explained purely by the placebo effect.

FACT:  The Bristol Homeopathic Hospital carried out a study published in November 2005 of 6500 patients receiving homeopathic treatment.  There was an overall improvement in health of 70% of them.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4454856.stm

FACT:  Homeopathy can never be properly tested through double blind randomized trials because each prescription is individualized as every patient is unique.  Therefore 10 people with arthritis, for example, may all need a different homeopathic medicine.

FACT:  Homeopathic medicines are not tested on animals.

FACT:  Homeopathic medicines work even better on animals and babies than on adults, proving this cannot be placebo effect.

FACT:  Homeopathy is safe for women to take while pregnant and safe for old people.

FACT:  Scientists agree that if and when homeopathy is accepted by the scientific community it will turn established science on its head.

FACT:  The popularity of homeopathy has grown in the past 30 years, its revival entirely through word of mouth and estimated to be growing at more than 20% a year the world over!

FACT:  Hundreds of famous people throughout the past 200 years have enjoyed the benefits of homeopathic medicine.  www.homeopathicrevolution.com

FACT:  The Royal Families of Europe use homeopathic medicine and Queen Elizabeth II of England never travels anywhere without her homeopathic vials of medicine.

FACT:  Homeopathy is practised nowadays in countries all over the world.  In India there are 100 homeopathic medical schools and around 250,000 homeopathic doctors!

FACT:  In a recent Global TGI survey where people were asked whether they trust homeopathy the following percentages of people living in urban areas said YES:  62% in India, 58% Brazil, 53% Saudi Arabia, Chile 49%, United Arab Emirates 49%, France 40%, South Africa 35%, Russia 28%, Germany 27%, Argentina 25%, Hungary 25%, USA 18%, UK 15%. http://www.tgisurveys.com/documents/TGIbarometerhomeopathy_Jan08.pdf

FACT: The media as a whole has been unwilling to air a defense of the efficacy of homeopathy and the validity of this 250 year old profession.

Homeopathy

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:

* The Law of Similars

* The Infinitesimal Dose

* The Treatment of the Whole Person

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.

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, “ 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.

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.

Herbalism

Herbal medicine has been the dominant form of “health care” since the beginning of human culture. Even today, 75% of the world’s population depends on some form of herbal medicine as their primary source of health care.

Herbs are considered nutrient-rich foods and, as such, can be utilized as dietary supplements benefiting anyone regardless of their level of health, as well as complementing and supporting conventional therapy.

Herbal formulations work in a subtle manner that is harmonious and synergistic with the body’s healing processes. The body’s natural defenses are strengthened, allowing it to heal itself. Herbal remedies don’t just alleviate the symptoms of illness, but actually work towards fixing the underlying cause of the problem.

There are many different ways to incorporate herbs into daily life. One of the best and most meaningful is to grow them yourself. When you work with plants on a daily basis, you get to know them, their “personalities”, their energies. You begin to get an intuitive feeling for their affinities, what they can offer to you, how they can help you flourish, while, in return,  you offer them a healthy place to grow and flourish.

Some of the myriad methods of utilizing herbal medicine include tea blends, glycerine or alcohol tinctures, capsules, oil or vinegar infusions, salves, ointments, liniments, compresses and poultices.


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