homeopathy. what is homeopathy? homeopathy tackles the cause of ill health rather than suppressing...
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Homeopathy
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy tackles the cause of ill health rather than suppressing the symptoms – it treats the person not the disease.
Remedies are selected on the basis of all aspects of the patient and his or her symptoms. Each treatment – like each person – is unique.
How does it work?
The principles of homeopathy
The “like with like” principle
A substance that causes a symptom in a healthy person will cure that same symptom in an ill person.
Example of “like with like”: Allium cepa
Like with like: what do the sceptics say?
Conventional medicine is geared towards suppressing the symptoms of disease. Some conventional practitioners do not agree with giving more of the responsible agent of the illness to the patient.
The minimum dose: what do the sceptics say?In homeopathy, the
substance is diluted to such a high degree that none of the original material is present in the medicine. Sceptics claim the effect must be a placebo response.
Evidence in favour of homeopathy
60 positive randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
9 positive meta-analyses of RCTsClinical outcome studies
Laboratory studies
Veterinary studies
Evidence in favour of homeopathy
RCTs provide evidence that homeopathy has an effect greater than placebo, especially in influenza, hay fever, fibromyalgia and sinusitis
Clinical outcome studies from the homeopathic hospitals and others consistently show over 70% of patients respond positively to homeopathic treatment
Laboratory (test tube) studies indicate that homeopathic preparations can have biological effects
Veterinary surgeons successfully treat animals with a wide range of medical conditions
The history of homeopathyAncient GreeksHippocrates 2,500 years ago:“through the like, disease isproduced and through theapplication of like, it is cured”
The history of homeopathyDr Samuel HahnemannGeneral Physician 200 years agoOrganised homeopathy into modern
scienceObserved “like with like” phenomenon Developed concept of dilution of
medicines to prevent adverse toxic effects
Coined the term “succussion”
What areas can homeopathy treat?
Respiratory systemDigestive systemSkinLocomotor systemHormonal problemsMental problems
Homeopathy can also help:when conventional medicine is ineffective or non-
existent
when conventional medicine is unsafe
when conventional medicine has side-effects that are unacceptable
to complement conventional medicine
to provide symptomatic relief in untreatable or terminal conditions
Where homeopathy cannot help:
Cannot reverse irreparable damage or replace absent body hormones
Cannot replace surgical procedures
What are the advantages?Safe
No side effects
Not addictive
• Only used while problem present
• No adverse interaction with conventional medicines
The homeopathic consultation
Duration: Usually 1 hour
Objective: to discover the overall picture –“the whole person”
What the consultation will focus onGeneral features - sleep, appetite,
thirstMental features - temperament,
emotions, general sense of “well being”
Particular symptoms – physical characteristics related to the complaint
Other factors:
General likes and dislikes - temperature, time of day, lifestyle, eating habits and preferences
Medical history and family history
Following the consultationCase analysed by
homeopathic practitioner
Homeopathic medicine prescribed
Dosage of medicine
Regular or single dose
Strength of medicineRange of potencies
x rangec range
Examples - 6x, 30c, 200c
Review of treatmentFour weeks after first
consultationUsually 20-30 minutes
longPractitioner will assess
how the treatment is progressing
Response to medicinePractitioner will observe whether
symptoms have been alleviated and to what degree. Onset and duration of improvement will be noted
Outcome of review
No further medicineRepeat original medicine - at
same or different dosePrescribe new medicine
What is homeopathy used for?
Some common examples
Indigestion
Nux vomica 30c three times per day until better and then as needed.
Joint pain – Osteo/Rheumatoid ArthritisRhus tox 30c three times
per day until better and then as needed.
Bruising – acute trauma
Arnica 30c every 15 mins in first hour; hourly for rest of day; then four times per day until better.
Leg / calf cramps – especially nocturnal cramps
Cuprum metallicum 30c three times per day until better and then as needed.
Insomnia
Coffea 30c at bedtime and every 30 minutes if still awake.
Eczema Sulphur 6c three times on one
day only.If no worsening / flare up of
eczema continue twice daily until better.
Beware worsening of eczema / aggravation reactions, especially in children.
ChilblainsAgaricus muscarius 30c
three times per day until better and then as needed.
Warts / VerrucaeThuja 6c twice a day
until a change in the wart is noticed. Then stop.
Teething
Chamomilla 6c four times per day until better and then as needed.
Infantile colic Ensure that medical diagnoses
have been excluded. Colocynth 6c three times per
day until better and then as needed.
• An alternative is Chamomilla 6c
• If no better after 2 days stop medicine and seek medical advice.
Car / motion sickness
Cocculus 30c on the morning of the journey and upon leaving home. Repeat the dose if feeling nauseous during the journey.
Hay feverFor acute symptoms - Combination
remedy containing Allium cepa / Euphrasia / Sabadilla 30c. Give four times daily as needed.
For prevention - Mixed Grass and Pollen 30c twice daily. Start four weeks before season and continue throughout.
Five reasons to choose homeopathy:1. It is often successful where other treatments have
failed and can reduce the need to take conventional treatments
2. Not addictive and no dangerous side-effects3. You are treated as a whole person – emotional and
environmental factors also affect your wellbeing4. It tackles the cause rather than suppressing symptoms5. People often say homeopathy makes them feel better
in themselves
Medically qualified practitionersThe Faculty of Homeopathy trainsdoctors, nurses, midwives, vets,dentists, pharmacists, podiatristsand other healthcare professionalsin homeopathic medicine.
The Faculty promotes an integrated approach to care, where homeopathy is used to complement conventional medicine. www.facultyofhomeopathy.org
Read about homeopathyThe British HomeopathicAssociation publishes Healthand Homeopathy magazine –get the latest news, bookreviews and articles written bymedically qualified homeopaths. To subscribe, join the BHA as aFriend by calling 01582 408675.
Find out more...Contact the British HomeopathicAssociation for a freeinformation pack:
Tel: 01582 [email protected]