Homeopathic MedicineHomeopathic Medicine““Let likes be cured by likesLet likes be cured by likes””

Advanced Concepts of Advanced Concepts of PharmacologyPharmacology

Nursing 545Nursing 545

Penny NealPenny Neal

OutlineOutline Homeopathic medicine and it’s historyHomeopathic medicine and it’s history The Principles of homeopathic medicineThe Principles of homeopathic medicine How homeopathy differs from traditional How homeopathy differs from traditional

medicine and herbalsmedicine and herbals How homeopathic medicines are madeHow homeopathic medicines are made How to use homeopathic medicinesHow to use homeopathic medicines Compatibility, side effects and Compatibility, side effects and

overdosingoverdosing Example of homeopathy useExample of homeopathy use

Alternative MedicineAlternative Medicine

The use of alternative medicine is growing The use of alternative medicine is growing significantly in the U.S.significantly in the U.S.

According to a study published by According to a study published by JAMA, JAMA, 4 4 out of 10 Americans use some form of out of 10 Americans use some form of alternative medicine.alternative medicine.

Between 1990-1997, visits to alternative Between 1990-1997, visits to alternative medical practitioners rose 47%.medical practitioners rose 47%.

The most common forms of alternative The most common forms of alternative medicine are homeopathy, massage, medicine are homeopathy, massage, meditation, therapeutic touch, acupuncture meditation, therapeutic touch, acupuncture and herbal remedies. and herbal remedies. Lehne, 2004, pg. 1137Lehne, 2004, pg. 1137

What is Homeopathy?What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine whose Homeopathy is a system of medicine whose principles are even older than Hippocrates. principles are even older than Hippocrates.

It seeks to cure in accordance with natural laws It seeks to cure in accordance with natural laws of healing and uses medicine made from natural of healing and uses medicine made from natural substances: animal, vegetable, and mineral. substances: animal, vegetable, and mineral.

““Discovered” in the early 1800s by a German Discovered” in the early 1800s by a German physician, Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann physician, Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann became disillusioned with the brutal and became disillusioned with the brutal and senseless treatment methods (bleeding, senseless treatment methods (bleeding, purging, cautery and blistering) of the day. purging, cautery and blistering) of the day.

Homeopathic Medicine at Home. Panos and Heimlich. Page 9)Homeopathic Medicine at Home. Panos and Heimlich. Page 9)

Samuel Hahnemann and Samuel Hahnemann and Homeopathic History Homeopathic History

Hahnemann eventually gave up the practice of Hahnemann eventually gave up the practice of medicine and turned to medical translating. medicine and turned to medical translating. While translating a Scottish professors medicine While translating a Scottish professors medicine book he stumbled across the key to curing sick book he stumbled across the key to curing sick people. The author claimed that quinine people. The author claimed that quinine (cinchona bark) could cure malaria because of (cinchona bark) could cure malaria because of its “astringent and bitter” qualities. Hahnemann its “astringent and bitter” qualities. Hahnemann decided to test it on himself and found that by decided to test it on himself and found that by taking quinine he could induce the symptoms of taking quinine he could induce the symptoms of malaria in himself. He reasoned that malaria malaria in himself. He reasoned that malaria was cured by quinine, not because of its bitter was cured by quinine, not because of its bitter taste but because the taste but because the drug produces the drug produces the symptoms of malaria in a healthy personsymptoms of malaria in a healthy person..

Homeopathy HistoryHomeopathy History

In 1890, there were 14,000 homeopaths In 1890, there were 14,000 homeopaths compared to 100,000 conventional physicians.compared to 100,000 conventional physicians.

In some areas, one out of four physicians was In some areas, one out of four physicians was a homeopath. a homeopath.

There were 22 homeopathic medical school There were 22 homeopathic medical school and over 100 homeopathic hospitals.and over 100 homeopathic hospitals.

The rise of the drug industry after the Civil War The rise of the drug industry after the Civil War changed the practice of medicine and by changed the practice of medicine and by 1940’s the homeopathic physician was almost 1940’s the homeopathic physician was almost obsolete. obsolete. (Panos and Heimlich, Homeopathic Medicine at Home, pg. 17)(Panos and Heimlich, Homeopathic Medicine at Home, pg. 17)

Homeopathy StatisticsHomeopathy Statistics

Homeopathy is alive and well in other parts Homeopathy is alive and well in other parts of the world.of the world.

Britain has over 200 homeopathic physicians.Britain has over 200 homeopathic physicians. France has nearly 800 homeopathic France has nearly 800 homeopathic

physicians.physicians. India is the stronghold of homeopathy, with India is the stronghold of homeopathy, with

124 homeopathic medical schools. 124 homeopathic medical schools. Mexico, as well as Brazil, Chile and Argentina Mexico, as well as Brazil, Chile and Argentina

have homeopathic colleges and many have homeopathic colleges and many practicing physicians. practicing physicians.

The Principles behind The Principles behind Homeopathic MedicineHomeopathic Medicine

Homeopathy is based on three principles.Homeopathy is based on three principles. #1 The Law of Similars #1 The Law of Similars

#2 The Law of Proving#2 The Law of Proving#3 The Law of Potentization#3 The Law of Potentization

First Principle of First Principle of HomeopathyHomeopathy

The Law of SimilarsThe Law of Similars: States that a : States that a remedy can cure a disease if it produces remedy can cure a disease if it produces in a healthy person symptoms similar to in a healthy person symptoms similar to those of the disease.those of the disease. How this law works in practice: A person How this law works in practice: A person

develops a fever, with flushed face, dilated develops a fever, with flushed face, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of pupils, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of restlessness. The homeopathic physician restlessness. The homeopathic physician studies these symptoms, then searches for a studies these symptoms, then searches for a remedy that produce all these symptoms in a remedy that produce all these symptoms in a healthy person. healthy person.

Second Principle of Second Principle of Homeopathy Homeopathy

The Law of ProvingThe Law of Proving: : This principle refers This principle refers to the method of testing a substance to to the method of testing a substance to determine its medicinal effect. To prove a determine its medicinal effect. To prove a remedy, a group of healthy people are given a remedy, a group of healthy people are given a dose of the substance daily, and each person dose of the substance daily, and each person carefully records the symptoms experienced. carefully records the symptoms experienced. When the proving is completed, all the When the proving is completed, all the symptoms that the people consistently symptoms that the people consistently experience are recorded and listed in the experience are recorded and listed in the Materia MedicaMateria Medica, a prescriber’s reference. , a prescriber’s reference.

Third Principle of Third Principle of HomeopathyHomeopathy

The Law of Potentization: The Law of Potentization: This refers to the This refers to the preparation of a homeopathic remedy. These preparation of a homeopathic remedy. These medications are prepared by successive diluting and medications are prepared by successive diluting and shaking to the point where the resulting medicine shaking to the point where the resulting medicine contains no molecules of the original substance. These contains no molecules of the original substance. These small doses are called small doses are called potencies. potencies. As strange as it may As strange as it may seem, the higher the dilution, the greater the potency seem, the higher the dilution, the greater the potency of the medicine. of the medicine.

A potentized remedy does not contain sufficient A potentized remedy does not contain sufficient matter to act directly on the tissues, which means that matter to act directly on the tissues, which means that homeopathic medicine is nontoxic and cannot cause homeopathic medicine is nontoxic and cannot cause side effects. side effects. In over 150 years of use, no homeopathic In over 150 years of use, no homeopathic remedy has ever been recalledremedy has ever been recalled. .

A Comparison of Homeopathy A Comparison of Homeopathy and Standard Medicine and Standard Medicine

(Allopathy)(Allopathy) HomeopathyHomeopathy

Symptoms are a healthy Symptoms are a healthy reaction of the body’s reaction of the body’s defense mechanism.defense mechanism.

Treats the patient Treats the patient according to the according to the symptoms.symptoms.

The aim is to strengthen The aim is to strengthen the body so it can resist the body so it can resist harmful organisms.harmful organisms.

AllopathyAllopathy Symptoms are Symptoms are

manifestations of the manifestations of the disease, to be opposed disease, to be opposed or suppressed.or suppressed.

Treats the patient Treats the patient according to the disease.according to the disease.

The aim is to identify the The aim is to identify the organism and select a organism and select a drug to destroy the drug to destroy the specific germ.specific germ.

Some Homeopathic Medicine Some Homeopathic Medicine is used in Conventional is used in Conventional

Medicine TodayMedicine Today

A large number of A large number of homeopathic homeopathic medicines were medicines were adopted by allopaths, adopted by allopaths, and some are still and some are still being used today.being used today.

One of the best known One of the best known is nitroglycerine is nitroglycerine tablets.tablets.

A comparison of Homeopathy A comparison of Homeopathy and Herbalismand Herbalism

HomeopathyHomeopathy Scientific medicine that Scientific medicine that

follows procedures of follows procedures of preparation.preparation.

Prepared according to an Prepared according to an exact process and exact process and prescribed according to prescribed according to the law of similars.the law of similars.

The potentized The potentized medication contains only medication contains only minute amounts of the minute amounts of the original substance and is original substance and is nontoxic.nontoxic.

HerbalismHerbalism Preparation depends on Preparation depends on

the herbalist’s intuition the herbalist’s intuition and experience. and experience.

Uses a combination of Uses a combination of a number of herbs.a number of herbs.

Many medicinal herbs Many medicinal herbs are toxic. A self-help are toxic. A self-help herbalist has no way of herbalist has no way of knowing what knowing what constitutes a “safe” constitutes a “safe” dose. dose.

How Homeopathic medicines How Homeopathic medicines are madeare made

Homeopathic medicine is made in Homeopathic medicine is made in accordance to the Homeopathic accordance to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).

Homeopathic medicines are regulated by Homeopathic medicines are regulated by the FDA.the FDA.

In 1938, Congress wrote the Food, Drug and In 1938, Congress wrote the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and included homeopathic Cosmetic Act and included homeopathic medicine as defined by the HPUS.medicine as defined by the HPUS.

The HPUS defines each remedy’s substance, The HPUS defines each remedy’s substance, lowest safe dilution, and initial method of lowest safe dilution, and initial method of preparation. preparation.

When and how to use When and how to use Homeopathic medicinesHomeopathic medicines

Match the symptoms of the patient as closely Match the symptoms of the patient as closely as possible to the symptoms that were as possible to the symptoms that were produced in healthy humans. (Law of similars)produced in healthy humans. (Law of similars)

Give only one remedy at a time.Give only one remedy at a time. Continue giving the remedy until Continue giving the remedy until

improvement starts, then increase the interval improvement starts, then increase the interval between doses. between doses.

Medicine should be taken in a clean mouth, Medicine should be taken in a clean mouth, placed on or under the tongue, free of food, placed on or under the tongue, free of food, drink, tobacco, toothpaste, mouthwash, mints drink, tobacco, toothpaste, mouthwash, mints or anything except plain water. or anything except plain water.

Compatibility with other Compatibility with other medicationsmedications

Homeopathy is 100% compatible with Homeopathy is 100% compatible with other medications and will not other medications and will not interfere with the effectiveness of interfere with the effectiveness of other medicines.other medicines.

Other medications may lessen the Other medications may lessen the effects of homeopathy. Many remedies effects of homeopathy. Many remedies can be affected by strong odors, can be affected by strong odors, steroids or caffeine. steroids or caffeine. (www. 1-800homeopathy.com)(www. 1-800homeopathy.com)

Side Effects of HomeopathySide Effects of Homeopathy

““A homeopathic remedy does not cause A homeopathic remedy does not cause side effects. side effects. When I prescribe, I do not When I prescribe, I do not have to worry, Is this drug safe? I have have to worry, Is this drug safe? I have never heard of a homeopathic medicine never heard of a homeopathic medicine being recalled for causing adverse side being recalled for causing adverse side effects, which is an enviable record effects, which is an enviable record considering that these remedies have considering that these remedies have been in use for more than 150 years.” been in use for more than 150 years.”

( Homeopathic Medicine at Home, pg 29)( Homeopathic Medicine at Home, pg 29)

Can a Patient OverdoseCan a Patient Overdose

No! All remedies are only sold in very No! All remedies are only sold in very safe dilutions. safe dilutions. ((www.1-800homeopathy.comwww.1-800homeopathy.com))

A homeopathic remedy, even an A homeopathic remedy, even an entire vial consumed at one gulp, is entire vial consumed at one gulp, is not toxic or poisonous. not toxic or poisonous. (Panos, Homeopathic (Panos, Homeopathic Medicine at Home, pg. 43)Medicine at Home, pg. 43)

What to avoid with What to avoid with homeopathic medicationshomeopathic medications

Coffee can neutralize Coffee can neutralize the action of the the action of the remedy.remedy.

Avoid aspirin, laxatives Avoid aspirin, laxatives and sleeping pills.and sleeping pills.

Do not use nasal Do not use nasal drops, antiseptics, drops, antiseptics, liniments, or liniments, or preparations preparations containing camphor.containing camphor.

Observation: The key to Observation: The key to prescribingprescribing

Selecting a remedy that matches the totality Selecting a remedy that matches the totality of the symptoms. of the symptoms.

Two people may be “bitten” by the same bug, Two people may be “bitten” by the same bug, but react differently and require different but react differently and require different remedies. remedies.

Example of two people both exposed to Example of two people both exposed to streptococcus infection: streptococcus infection: Jane: flushed, restless, burning with heat, red throat, Jane: flushed, restless, burning with heat, red throat,

pounding head, thirstless, and acutely ill. According to her pounding head, thirstless, and acutely ill. According to her symptoms, Jane needed symptoms, Jane needed Belladonna, Belladonna, took it and recovered.took it and recovered.

Dick: Not so quick to show symptoms. Gradually became Dick: Not so quick to show symptoms. Gradually became quieter, grew pale, and was very thirsty, he was irritable and quieter, grew pale, and was very thirsty, he was irritable and developed a dry, racking cough. Dick needed developed a dry, racking cough. Dick needed BryoniaBryonia, and , and after taking a dose felt better. after taking a dose felt better.

Questions to considerQuestions to consider

There is a growing popularity of There is a growing popularity of alternative medicine, especially alternative medicine, especially homeopathic medicine. homeopathic medicine.

What are some explanations you What are some explanations you have heard from patients or friends have heard from patients or friends who use alternative medicine? who use alternative medicine?

How would you counsel a patient How would you counsel a patient who wants to try homeopathic who wants to try homeopathic medicine? medicine?

ReferencesReferences

Learn Homeopathy. Retrieved January Learn Homeopathy. Retrieved January 2005 from http://www.1-2005 from http://www.1-800homeopathy.com.800homeopathy.com.

Lehne, R.A., (2004). Lehne, R.A., (2004). Pharmacology for Pharmacology for nursing care. nursing care. (5(5thth ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.

Panos, M.B. & Heimlich, J., (1980). Panos, M.B. & Heimlich, J., (1980). Homeopathic Medicine at Home. Homeopathic Medicine at Home. New New York: Penguin Putnum Inc.York: Penguin Putnum Inc.