Homeopathy Homeopathy

Introduction to Introduction to Homeopathy Homeopathy

PrinciplesPrinciples

A system of medicine based on the A system of medicine based on the principle of “like cures like” -similia principle of “like cures like” -similia similibus curentursimilibus curentur

Uses the smallest dose possible to Uses the smallest dose possible to produce a responseproduce a response

OriginsOrigins

This principle was first described in This principle was first described in Hindu writings over 3000 years agoHindu writings over 3000 years ago

Also mentioned by Hippocrates , Also mentioned by Hippocrates , Galen in the 2nd century and Galen in the 2nd century and Paracelsus in16th century Paracelsus in16th century

More recently researched by a More recently researched by a German physician Samuel German physician Samuel Hahnemann who developed Hahnemann who developed “Homoeopathy”“Homoeopathy”

HahnemannHahnemann

Disillusioned physicianDisillusioned physician Tried cinchona barkTried cinchona bark Gave preparations to family and Gave preparations to family and

students to provestudents to prove Diluted medicationDiluted medication RemediesRemedies

Examples of the similia Examples of the similia principle principle

Peeling an onion leads to sore, runny Peeling an onion leads to sore, runny eyes, itchy nose and sneezing - Allium eyes, itchy nose and sneezing - Allium cepa used to treat hayfever and coldscepa used to treat hayfever and colds

nettle stings produce a burning, itchy nettle stings produce a burning, itchy wheal on the skin - Urtica urens is a good wheal on the skin - Urtica urens is a good remedy for similar skin lesionsremedy for similar skin lesions

arsenic poisoning causes severe vomiting arsenic poisoning causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea with burning pains and and diarrhoea with burning pains and chilliness - Arsenicum alb. V. effective in chilliness - Arsenicum alb. V. effective in gastroenteritis and food poisoninggastroenteritis and food poisoning

Examples of the similia Examples of the similia principle in medicineprinciple in medicine

Radiotherapy which is used to Radiotherapy which is used to treat cancer also causes ittreat cancer also causes it

Amphetamines which produce Amphetamines which produce hyperactivity, are used to treat hyperactivity, are used to treat hyperactive childrenhyperactive children

ImmunisationImmunisation treatment of erythromelalgia with treatment of erythromelalgia with

Praxilene?Praxilene?

Basis of TreatmentBasis of Treatment

Homeopathy works with the body’s Homeopathy works with the body’s response to illness and remedies response to illness and remedies are prescibed according to the are prescibed according to the symptomssymptoms

one remedy can be used to treat one remedy can be used to treat several ailmentsseveral ailments

one ailment may need to be one ailment may need to be treated with different remedies in treated with different remedies in different patientsdifferent patients

Materia medicaMateria medica

Known symptoms produced by Known symptoms produced by poisoningspoisonings

Symptoms produced by Symptoms produced by provingsprovings

Symptoms relieved when Symptoms relieved when remedy given for other remedy given for other symptomssymptoms

Selecting the remedySelecting the remedy

Detailed Homeopathic Detailed Homeopathic historyhistory

RepertorizationRepertorizationMateria medicaMateria medica

Homeopathic historyHomeopathic history Details of presenting complaint - Details of presenting complaint -

aetiology, aggravations, aetiology, aggravations, ameliorations, modalitiesameliorations, modalities

Aetiology : trauma, bereavement, never Aetiology : trauma, bereavement, never well since -pregnancy, menopause, well since -pregnancy, menopause, glandular feverglandular fever

Aggravations : conditions that make Aggravations : conditions that make symptoms worsesymptoms worse

Ameliorations : improve symptomsAmeliorations : improve symptoms Modalities : conditions qualifying a Modalities : conditions qualifying a

symptomsymptom

Homeopathic historyHomeopathic history

General symptoms - patients’ General symptoms - patients’ reaction to their environment, heat, reaction to their environment, heat, cold, weathercold, weather

Food likes or dislikes, e.g. crave Food likes or dislikes, e.g. crave pickles,like fatpickles,like fat

periodicity - frequency of symptoms periodicity - frequency of symptoms - monthly, weekly, yearly- monthly, weekly, yearly

Mind or Mental symptomsMind or Mental symptoms

Placid, anxious, Placid, anxious, Anxious on Anxious on

anticipationanticipation DepressedDepressed WeepyWeepy ConsolationConsolation Easily boredEasily bored

JealousJealous TidyTidy FearsFears CompanyCompany ShyShy RoutineRoutine ResentmentsResentments

General appearanceGeneral appearance

Vivacious red-headVivacious red-head NervousNervous Laid-back absent Laid-back absent

minded professorminded professor Prim and properPrim and proper ScruffyScruffy Extremely neat and Extremely neat and

colour co-ordinatedcolour co-ordinated

Weepy blondeWeepy blonde Lacks energyLacks energy Flabby handshakeFlabby handshake ClosedClosed Shy, hides behind Shy, hides behind

mothermother Anxious to please, Anxious to please,

maintain eye maintain eye contactcontact

The relevant kingdomThe relevant kingdom

Animal, Mineral or Vegetable (Plant)Animal, Mineral or Vegetable (Plant) Animal – hunter/ hunted, victim, prey, Animal – hunter/ hunted, victim, prey,

pursued, escaping, nurturing, flying, pursued, escaping, nurturing, flying, pouncing, caged, freepouncing, caged, free

Mineral – structural terms, cracking, Mineral – structural terms, cracking, crumbling, stable/ unstable, falling apartcrumbling, stable/ unstable, falling apart

Plant – sensitive to surroundings e.g Plant – sensitive to surroundings e.g light, warmth, smells, cold, damp, light, warmth, smells, cold, damp,

RepertorizationRepertorization

Repertory contains details of Repertory contains details of symptoms produced by remedies symptoms produced by remedies listed under bodily systems e.g. listed under bodily systems e.g. mind, vertigo, head, eye, vision, ear, mind, vertigo, head, eye, vision, ear, hearing, nose, face etc.hearing, nose, face etc. e.g.e.g. heartburn after eating - heartburn after eating - Aesc. Aesc.

agar.agar. Am.c. Am.c. anac.anac. Calc. Calc. p. Calc. Calc. p. carl. carl. Chin. Chin. Cocc.c. con. Croc. Cocc.c. con. Croc. Graph. Iod. Graph. Iod. Lyc. Lyc. Merc. Merc. Nat. mur. Nit. Ac. Nux v. Nat. mur. Nit. Ac. Nux v. Sep. Sil. Sep. Sil.

Repertorisation cont.Repertorisation cont.

Strong features of the history in each Strong features of the history in each area - mind, generals and local area - mind, generals and local symptomssymptoms

The strength of a symptom in a rubric is The strength of a symptom in a rubric is indicated by the type,indicated by the type,

i.e. i.e. bold typebold type--strongly present,strongly present, italic - moderate,italic - moderate, ordinaryordinary typetype - - symptom present for symptom present for

that remedythat remedy

Further considerationsFurther considerations

AetiologyAetiology Peculiar symptoms e.g.Peculiar symptoms e.g.

burning sensation > warm applicationsburning sensation > warm applications asthma > lying downasthma > lying down feels exceptionally well day before feels exceptionally well day before

headache headache

Symptoms can then be fed into a Symptoms can then be fed into a computercomputer

RemediesRemedies

These are These are prepared from :-prepared from :-

minerals,minerals, plants,plants, fish, fish, insects,insects, snakes and snakes and

disease productsdisease products

Sepia - ink sac of the Sepia - ink sac of the cuttle fishcuttle fish

Irritable, intolerant of Irritable, intolerant of contradictioncontradiction

Weepy, depressed, Weepy, depressed, easily offendedeasily offended

Can’t be bothered, Can’t be bothered, can’t copecan’t cope

Indifferent to family, Indifferent to family, wants to run awaywants to run away

Brunettes, butterfly Brunettes, butterfly rash on facerash on face

Pulsatilla - wind flowerPulsatilla - wind flower

Mild, yielding disposition, shy, blushMild, yielding disposition, shy, blush Fair, fat, forty, blue-eyedFair, fat, forty, blue-eyed Laughs and cries easily, craves Laughs and cries easily, craves

sympathysympathy < for heat > fresh air, < damp< for heat > fresh air, < damp > gentle movement, restless> gentle movement, restless Absence of thirst, dislike and upset Absence of thirst, dislike and upset

by fat, pork, spicy foodby fat, pork, spicy food

SulphurSulphur

Absent minded Absent minded professorprofessor

Scruffy with dirty Scruffy with dirty skinskin

< heat< heat Desires fat, salt, Desires fat, salt,

sweetsweet Skin ailmentsSkin ailments Lazy, selfish, irritableLazy, selfish, irritable Hungry 11a.m.Hungry 11a.m.

Case HistoryCase History 40 yr old lady40 yr old lady Depressed, indifferent Depressed, indifferent

to familyto family lacks affectionlacks affection anxious about financesanxious about finances wants to be alonewants to be alone > dancing,walking > dancing,walking

quicklyquickly craves vinegar craves vinegar

premenspremens

Indifferent to loved onesIndifferent to loved ones : : AconAcon. Ars. . Ars. Fl.ac.Fl.ac.Hell.Hell. Merc. Merc. Nat.p. Nat.p. Phos.Phos. Plat. Plat. Sep. Sep.

Fear of Fear of povertypoverty:Ambr.:Ambr.Bry.Bry.Calc Calc Calc.f.Calc.f.chlor. Meli. Nux v. chlor. Meli. Nux v. Psor. Psor. Puls. Puls. Sep. Sep. Sulph.Sulph.

> alone> alone: : Bar.c .Lyc. Nat c. Bar.c .Lyc. Nat c. Nat m. Plb.Nat m. Plb. Sep Sep . .Stann. Stann. Staph.Staph.

> walking fast> walking fast: : Arg n.CArg n.Canth. anth. Carb ac. Carb ac. Ign. Ign. Nat m. Petr. Nat m. Petr. Sep.Sep. Stann. Sul ac. Stann. Sul ac.Tub.Tub.

Desires vinegar: Desires vinegar: Apis.Arn. Apis.Arn. Ars. Ars. Hep. Hep. Kali p. Kali p. Sep. Sep. SulphSulph

Preparation of the Preparation of the RemediesRemedies

Whole plant is macerated in Whole plant is macerated in alcohol mother tincturealcohol mother tincture

1 drop added to 9 or 99 of solution 1 drop added to 9 or 99 of solution results in 1X or 1C potencyresults in 1X or 1C potency

Succussed in between dilutionsSuccussed in between dilutions Standard potencies :- 6C, 30C, Standard potencies :- 6C, 30C,

200C, 1M, 10M, 50M200C, 1M, 10M, 50M

PrescriptionPrescription

6C for local symptoms e.g. joint pain, skin 6C for local symptoms e.g. joint pain, skin eruptionseruptions

30C for acute illness e.g. influenza, 30C for acute illness e.g. influenza, diarrhoea and vomiting, childhood illnessesdiarrhoea and vomiting, childhood illnesses

200C if giving nosodes e.g. glandular fever 200C if giving nosodes e.g. glandular fever nosode, pertussis, measles vaccinenosode, pertussis, measles vaccine

1M or 10M for strong emotional symptoms 1M or 10M for strong emotional symptoms e.g. grief, P.M.T., depression, anxiety etc.e.g. grief, P.M.T., depression, anxiety etc.

Instructions for taking Instructions for taking remediesremedies

Homeopathic remedies are very Homeopathic remedies are very delicate and should not be handled.delicate and should not be handled.

They are absorbed from the mouth They are absorbed from the mouth and so are sucked not swallowed.and so are sucked not swallowed.

Should not be taken near food or Should not be taken near food or drink as these may interfere with drink as these may interfere with the absorption.the absorption.

Store away from strong smells.Store away from strong smells.

Direction of cureDirection of cure

From top to bottomFrom top to bottom From inside to outsideFrom inside to outside From an important organ to a From an important organ to a

lesser onelesser one May develop “old symptoms”May develop “old symptoms”

The clinical place for The clinical place for homeopathyhomeopathy

Where there is no effective Where there is no effective allopathic alternativeallopathic alternative

Where conventional medication is Where conventional medication is unsafeunsafe

Where allopathy has unacceptable Where allopathy has unacceptable side-effectsside-effects

To minimise the use of allopathyTo minimise the use of allopathy

No effective allopathic No effective allopathic treatmenttreatment

AllergiesAllergies AngerAnger BruisesBruises ColicColic Fear/phobiasFear/phobias Glandular feverGlandular fever GriefGrief InfluenzaInfluenza

MastalgiaMastalgia M.E./chronic M.E./chronic

fatiguefatigue NightmaresNightmares Premenstrual Premenstrual

syndromesyndrome TeethingTeething Urethral syndromeUrethral syndrome WartsWarts

Where conventional Where conventional medication is unsafemedication is unsafe

Pregnant womenPregnant women Young children and babiesYoung children and babies The elderlyThe elderly Anticipatory anxietyAnticipatory anxiety

Where the side effects of Where the side effects of allopathy are allopathy are unacceptableunacceptable

AnxietyAnxiety DepressionDepression Menopausal symptomsMenopausal symptoms OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis Situations requiring repeat Situations requiring repeat

antibiotics antibiotics

To minimise the use of To minimise the use of allopathyallopathy

Asthma/eczemaAsthma/eczema ConstipationConstipation DysmenorrhoeaDysmenorrhoea HypertensionHypertension MigraineMigraine NeuralgiasNeuralgias Recurrent otitis media/ U.T.Is/ sore Recurrent otitis media/ U.T.Is/ sore

throatsthroats

The rewards of The rewards of homeopathyhomeopathy

Patient satisfactionPatient satisfaction Effects on consultation techniqueEffects on consultation technique Intellectual achievementIntellectual achievement The joy of detective workThe joy of detective work Understanding aetiologyUnderstanding aetiology Personal satisfaction and Personal satisfaction and

fulfillmentfulfillment

Overall Outcome of Overall Outcome of Treatment Treatment with Homoeopathy - GHHOSwith Homoeopathy - GHHOS

19 19

40

2219

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

No. of patients

1 2 3 4 5

Outcome measure

Outcome 2002

Series1

1 = No change1 = No change 2 = Slight change 2 = Slight change

Improvement in Improvement in wellbeing but not PCwellbeing but not PC

3 = mod improvement 3 = mod improvement 4 = good 4 = good

improvementimprovement No symptoms as long as No symptoms as long as

continue with remediescontinue with remedies 5 = cure5 = cure

Asymptomatic without Asymptomatic without remediesremedies

68% range from 3-568% range from 3-5

Conditions referred for Conditions referred for homeopathy in 2004homeopathy in 2004

Asthma/eczema/allergies/hayfever - Asthma/eczema/allergies/hayfever - 17%17%

Menopausal and PMT symptoms – Menopausal and PMT symptoms – 16%16%

Rheumatological symptoms - 13%Rheumatological symptoms - 13% Chronic fatigue syndrome - 10%Chronic fatigue syndrome - 10% ADHD, IBS, UTIs, neuralgia, ADHD, IBS, UTIs, neuralgia,

candidiasis, depression and anxiety, candidiasis, depression and anxiety, headaches, migraine, etc.headaches, migraine, etc.

1 – No Change1 – No Change 2 – Sl 2 – Sl

ImprovementImprovement 3 = Mod 3 = Mod

ImprovementImprovement 4= Good 4= Good

ImprovementImprovement 5 = Complete 5 = Complete

CureCure

Outcome of Homeopathic Treatment for Rheumatology Symptoms

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1 2 3 4 5

Outcome measure

No

. o

f P

atie

nts

Series1

Audit of Homeopathic Audit of Homeopathic treatment for Rheumatology treatment for Rheumatology diseasesdiseases

Outcome of Menopausal Outcome of Menopausal SymptomsSymptoms

Outcome of Treatment for Menopausal symptoms

0

5

10

15

20

25

1 2 3 4 5

Improvement

No

. o

f p

atie

nts

Series110

20% no change20% no change 10% improvement 10% improvement

in wellbeingin wellbeing 30% some 30% some

improvementimprovement 34% 34%

asymptomatic - asymptomatic - on remedieson remedies

6% asymptomatic 6% asymptomatic - no remedies- no remedies

The evidence The evidence for for

homoeopathhomoeopathyy

RCTs - the meta-analysesRCTs - the meta-analyses

Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, Ter Riet G. Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, Ter Riet G. Clinical trials of homeopathy. British Clinical trials of homeopathy. British Medical Journal 1991; 302 (Feb 9) : 316-Medical Journal 1991; 302 (Feb 9) : 316-323.323.

Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, Melchart D,et al. Are the clinical effects Melchart D,et al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. The analysis of placebo-controlled trials. The Lancet 1997; 350 (Sep 20): 834-843.Lancet 1997; 350 (Sep 20): 834-843.

Kleijnen’s conclusionKleijnen’s conclusion They found that of 107 trials with They found that of 107 trials with

interpretable results, 77 were positive.interpretable results, 77 were positive. They then looked at a sub-group of the They then looked at a sub-group of the

most rigorous trials and discovered that most rigorous trials and discovered that 15 out of 22 found homeopathy to be 15 out of 22 found homeopathy to be superior to placebo.superior to placebo.

One of Kleijnen’s conclusions was that the One of Kleijnen’s conclusions was that the evidence found : would probably be evidence found : would probably be sufficient for establishing homeopathy as sufficient for establishing homeopathy as a regular treatment for certain conditions.a regular treatment for certain conditions.

Linde’s conclusionLinde’s conclusion Linde’s conclusion is “The results of our Linde’s conclusion is “The results of our

meta-analysis are not compatible with the meta-analysis are not compatible with the hypothesis that the clinical effects of hypothesis that the clinical effects of homeopathy are completely due to homeopathy are completely due to placebo”.placebo”.

A reading of the study shows a clearly A reading of the study shows a clearly positive result for homeopathypositive result for homeopathy

42% of the trials were clearly positive and 42% of the trials were clearly positive and a further 39% showed a positive trenda further 39% showed a positive trend

Useful AddressesUseful Addresses

British Homeopathic Association,British Homeopathic Association,

Hahnemann House, 29 Park Street,Hahnemann House, 29 Park Street,

Luton, LU1 3BE.Luton, LU1 3BE.www.britishhomeopathic.org

Academic Department, Academic Department,

Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital, Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital,

1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0XQ 0XQ

Why learn homeopathyWhy learn homeopathy

Your patients will be using itYour patients will be using it Your colleagues will be using itYour colleagues will be using it There is a clinical need for itThere is a clinical need for it It is rewarding It is rewarding