In order to look at the future homeopathy one must look at the past of it. The history of homeopathy begins with the discoveries of its founder Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician. Hahnemann first coined the word "homeopathy” to refer the law of similars that is its basis. Actually, the law of similars was previously described by Hippocrates and Paracelsus and was utilized by many cultures, including the Mayans, Chinese, Greeks, Native American Indians, and Asian Indians, but it was Hahnemann who codified the law of similars into a systematic medical science. Hahnemann was particularly disliked by many in the medical profession of the time and the apothecaries especially because he recommended the use of only one medicine at a time and believed in prescribing only limited doses of it. Because he recommended small doses of each medicine, the apothecaries could not charge much for them. And because each medicine required careful preparation, Hahnemann found that the apothecaries were not always making them correctly or were intentionally giving his patients different medicines. As his distrust grew toward the apothecaries, he chose to dispense his own medicines, an illegal act at the time in Germany. The apothecaries then accused Hahnemann of "entrenching upon their privileges by the dispensing of medicines." Arrested in Leipzig in 1820, he was found guilty and forced to move. He then moved to Kothen, where he was delegated special permission to practice and dispense his own medicines by Grand Duke Ferdinand, one of the many European royalties who supported homeopathy. Despite the persecution, homeopathy continued to grow. It grew not just because it offered a systematic approach to treating sick people, but also because orthodox medicine was ineffective and even dangerous. Most medical historians today agree that orthodox medicine of the 1700s and 1800s frequently caused more harm than good. Homeopathy then comes into strong opposition from the Physicians of the time. They criticized herbalists, midwives, and various other "non-regular" practitioners because they were not medically trained. Homeopaths, however, could not be discredited as being unlearned, since they had been were graduates from many of the same medical schools as "regular" physicians. In fact, many of the initial practitioners of homeopathy graduated from some of the most prestigious medical schools of the day. Perhaps the most important reason that conventional physicians disliked homeopathy and homeopaths was well expressed at an A.M.A. meeting by one of the more respected orthodox physicians who said, "We must admit that we never fought the homeopath on matters of principles; we fought him because he came into the community and got the business." Hahnemann's principles posed a philosophical, clinical, and economic threat to orthodox medicine. Although most physicians, past or present, won't as easily admit it, economic issues play a major role in what is practiced and what is allowed to be practiced.
Homeopathy despite so many attempts to be snuffed out is again experiencing a renaissance in the United States. In the early 1970s there were only 50-100 physicians who specialized in homeopathy, and yet by the mid-1980s, it can be estimated that there are approximately 1,000 physicians who specialize in homeopathy. There has been many a news article speaking to the numbers of physicians in the U.S. who specialize in homeopathy and even speculate that it has doubled from 1980 to 1982. Approximately 1,000 other health professionals in the U.S. use homeopathic medicines, and these include dentists, podiatrists, veterinarians, physician assistants, nurses, naturopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and psychologists. Although these numbers still represent only a very small percentage of licensed health professionals, the rapidly growing interest in homeopathy portends significant increases to come. The rediscovery of homeopathy by the general public is even more encouraging. It is difficult to predict how the future of homeopathy will be in the United States in the 21st century. Growing numbers of consumers are learning to self-prescribe homeopathic medicine for common acute conditions and hopefully will demand homeopathic care from their physicians for more serious medical conditions. All of this struggle; this rich and dramatic history brings us into the NOW and into the future of homeopathy. In Washington State today 2009 homeopaths still must fight for the legal right to practice because homeopathy falls into the scope of “practicing medicine with out a license” the Naturopathic doctors curiously aren’t supportive of the lay homeopath and want the exclusive rights to homeopathy. These brothers with a similar vision in healing are now part of the suppression of the lay homeopath. The medical community and state laws currently enacted completely ignore aphorism 11 from the Organon which beautifully states that “the spiritual vital force” is the only thing that is being treated in homeopathy. I believe they are in violation of a human beings right to practice a form of healing that delves into the spiritual realm and should never be suppressed. I am finding that it is requiring of me more than anticipated. Not only do I desire to be a healer but it is now requiring me to be an activist as well. My vision for the homeopathic future is long, I also see it being arduous and difficult but I also see it in micro steps just like these beautiful micro doses that our founder placed in the world for us. Diane Miller a Minnesota attorney and activist for homeopathy states: “I think homeopaths need to be leading the world in understanding energy, people and the law of similars. Homeopathy is by nature evolving, just as the human spirit and consciousness is evolving. Homeopathy is assisting us in out own understandings. If homeopathy can’t evolve, it will harnessed and corralled by those that do not honor or understand energy and the breadth of the human experience and homeopathy will lose its vitality and it will become impotent and die.” I believe homeopathy shouldn’t be regulated by the government, but we regulate ourselves so that it is allowed to evolve and grow in a natural way. I believe homeopathy is safe and like many professions in out culture that should be protected as always being free to practice in the public domain. I will fight for that right as long as I am blessed with the gift of homeopathy and its wonder.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Unlike children's over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, homeopathy is SAFE and EFFECTIVE.
Does your child have a cough or cold? With homeopathy there is a safe and effective way to help them!
Newspapers around the country ran headlines in early October 2007 about the withdrawal of several popular brands of cold and cough medicines for young children. Doctors have warned that these products pose health risks of kids up to age 6 and especially for children under age 2. According to USA Today, "54 children had died from 1969 to 2006 after taking kids' medicines that use the ingredients ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. The FDA also found that 69 deaths of children were linked to antihistamines that contained diphenhydramine, brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine. Most of the children who died were under 2, and the FDA said that the medicines haven't been proved to work in little kids. Earlier research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1,500 children under 2 had suffered serious health problems after using the medicines. The American Academy of Pediatrics also has warned that kids' cough and cold products are not safe or effective for kids under 6."
As most parents who regularly use homeopathic remedies know, homeopathy provides a safe and effective way to help their young children. For example, the NCH provides an introductory Child Resource Guide which can be downloaded from our page of introductory articles. It provides many handy tips for parents.
Unlike conventional allopathic medicines, which only suppress symptoms rather than curing -- sometimes at the expense of dangerous side-effects, homeopathy supports the natural curative mechanisms within a child's body and can lead to a gentle and often rapid resolution of a cold or cough. Homeopathic medicines are readily available at all drugstores and mass merchandisers as well as natural food stores. They are generally recognized as safe and are inexpensive. They are easy to use and label directions should be followed.
Consider the following testimonial from a parent whose child had recurrent intense croup. In this case, "constitutional" treatment by a homeopathic doctor, based on the whole symptomatic picture of the child (both physical and mental) led to a resolution of the chronic condition entirely (rather than merely symptomatic relief). For a more simple case of common cold or cough, self-treatment using over-the-counter homeopathic remedies would usually be adequate (see resources below).
"My daughter Sophie, who is now ten, suffered from recurrent, spasmodic croup from age 2 to 81/2 . It was labeled "recurrent" because children usually grow out of croup by the time they are 4 or 5. She was hospitalized twice, with difficulty breathing, and the only effective treatment was a strong steroid, which she was given in the hospital to open her throat and airways and which we carried around with us in case of emergency. The side effects are not at all desirable, especially for a growing child.
We took her to specialists, but every time she had a little runny nose, we would hear the characteristic bark, and her fear and memory of previous attacks would tend to make it worse. When we moved to New York, I brought her to a homeopath (Dr. Edward Shalts) who, after much deliberation and a thorough interview with her and with me, prescribed a one-time dose of Calcarea Sulphurica 30C (not the textbook croup remedy) and I am happy to say that it cured her. We in the family all felt this was a miracle - no croup for the rest of the winter! When, the following year, the tell-tale cough reappeared mildly, I gave her another dose and it went away immediately.
Sophie and her father and I are so grateful, and relieved not to have to rely on the heavy drugs. I now look to homeopathy first. Thank you Calcarea Sulphurica!
Sincerely, K.R."
- Editorial Note: There are MANY other remedies for Croup and they are prescribed individually.
Research studies also support the effectiveness and superiority of the homeopathic approach in comparison to conventional allopathic treatment. Consider the following study:
Homeopathy versus conventional treatment in respiratory tract complaints: homeopathy gets 82.6% response, conventional gets 67.3% response.
In an outcome study, 30 practitioners in four countries enrolled 500 consecutive patients with at least one of three complaints: upper respiratory tract complaints including allergies; lower respiratory tract complaints including allergies; or ear complaints. Of 456 patients, 281 received homeopathy and 175 conventional treatment. The primary outcomes criterion was response to treatment, defined as cured or major improvement after 14 days of treatment. Results showed a response rate of 82.6% in the homeopathy group compared to 67.3% in the group receiving conventional medicine. The authors concluded that homeopathy appeared to be at least as effective as conventional treatment of patients with the three conditions studied.
Riley D, Fischer M, Singh B, Haidvogl M, Heger M. Homeopathy and conventional medicine: an outcomes study comparingeffectiveness in a primary care setting. J Altern Complement Med 2001; 7: 149–159.
There are many homeopathic self-help books that can help parents treat their children, safely and effectively, for common colds and coughs.
Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic Medicine at Home
Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants
Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Your Baby's First Year
The Complete Homeopathy Handbook
The National Center for Homeopathy's magazine, Homeopathy Today, also includes numerous articles about the home use of homeopathic remedies for treating problems like the common cold, cough, croup, ear infections, and more. One is provided below, followed by other suggestions accessible to members of the NCH. For full access to the online archives of Homeopathy Today, join the NCH!
From Homeopathy Today September 2004
Beyond Flat Earth Medicine - Colds, coughs, and earaches
A do-it-yourself guide to caring for your kids
by Timothy R. Dooley, MD, ND
"How is your daughter?" I inquired of one of my students at the naturopathic medical clinic. Jim had brought his little girl into the clinic the day before with an upper respiratory and middle ear infection—like zillions of other kids I have seen and successfully treated with homeopathy.
Jim's eyes were shadowed with fatigue. "I had to take her to the emergency room last night," he replied. "What happened?" I asked. "Well, the remedy didn't work. Her fever was 103°. She's now on antibiotics."
An unnecessary trip to the ER
I was surprised to hear he had taken this unnecessary trip to the ER, but I didn't want to make him feel bad, so I simply said, "How's she doing now?" "I think she's a bit better," he replied.
In retrospect, I probably should have taken Jim aside when he was better rested and talked to him about his decision-making process. I mean, "had" to take her to the emergency room? If his daughter had been prescribed antibiotics instead of a homeopathic remedy, he would never have gone to the ER just hours later because her fever had not yet dropped. He would have given a fever-lowering drug such as Tylenol and allowed the antibiotics time to work.
I think he was really saying something like: "Even though my daughter had been taking the homeopathic remedy only a few hours, I don't really believe in this stuff and am more comfortable with conventional medicine."
So, why the double standard? Why was this man, now a naturopathic medical doctor, unable to give natural medicine a chance?
Fear, a powerful motivator
I guess the simple answer is this: he's a human being whose kid was ill. He was scared. And when you are in a state of fear, you don't always do the rational thing. I used to be an emergency room doctor, and I know that the overwhelming majority of kids brought in by their parents in the middle of the night are there because their parents are afraid, not because the child's illness constitutes an emergency.
If I had known my student's tendencies a bit better, I would have cautioned him in advance not to be afraid if his daughter had a fever during the night. After all, fevers often spike up in kids at this age, especially at night. It's part of their natural immune response to an illness. I would have advised Jim to give the homeopathic remedy a little more frequently if the fever spiked. And I'd have told him that I'd be happy to re-check his daughter the next day if needed.
A dangerous practice
More and more evidence is accumulating that taking antibiotics when not really necessary is a dangerous practice. For example, antibiotic use and breast cancer were recently shown to be correlated in a study published in the February edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In other words, the more antibiotics a woman has taken, the higher her risk of breast cancer. As a naturopathic physician, I routinely use homeopathy successfully to treat patients with many health conditions for which most doctors would use antibiotics.
All that is required to help parents overcome their natural parental fear is the experience of treating a few ill children with homeopathy and seeing that the kids do indeed get well—and usually more quickly than they would on antibiotics. You don't have to be a doctor or medical student to treat your children with homeopathy. Any parent can do it with a few simple observations and a handful of homeopathic remedies.
5 remedies for kids
Here are five common homeopathic remedies useful for treating young children with upper respiratory and ear infections. For good results, pay particular attention to the unique symptoms of the child, as opposed to just the diagnosis. (If none of these remedies seems to fit your sick child, you can consult one of the many excellent self-care books on homeopathy for more choices.)
Chamomilla. Children needing this remedy are really cranky. They demand to be carried; they demand a certain toy, then throw it down and complain loudly. The tone of their crying and complaining is quite irritating—enough to set your teeth on edge. They often get into this state with an upper respiratory infection or ear infection, especially while teething. Curiously, one cheek is sometimes glowing red and the other pale. They occasionally have diarrhea which can be greenish in color.
Pulsatilla. This remedy is commonly indicated in young children with colds, ear infections, coughs, fevers, etc. The child usually feels wimpy and needs attention and hugs. Their cry is not as irritating as the cry of a child needing Chamomilla. Discharges are often green or yellow-green. They typically aren't very thirsty and are better when you bring them into the open air—that is, they cough less, seem calmer, etc.
Aconite. When the child goes to bed pretty much OK, but wakes in the middle of the night feverish and with a croupy-sounding cough, this is usually the remedy to give. Think of it for feverish illnesses with a sudden onset, especially associated with a fearful anxiety and restlessness. The child is usually thirsty and sometimes has the curious feature of a flushed face when lying down that turns pale when they sit upright.
Belladonna. Like children who need Aconite, those needing Belladonna often have feverish illnesses with a sudden onset. But instead of that anxious restlessness associated with Aconite, these children's faces have a glowing flush and they have bright, often dilated eyes. When you touch them, your hand will feel hot. They are usually dry and while not anxious like Aconite, they are excited and have a "twitchy," restless sleep. Their senses become overly reactive, making them averse to jarring, light, noise, etc. This is a helpful remedy in many illnesses and feverish states in children.
Ferrum phosphoricum. Think of this remedy for those with feverish inflammatory illnesses (such as bronchitis or ear infection) without the intensity of Aconite or Belladonna. In other words, the child may be feverish and flushed but does not have the excitement or anxiety associated with those remedies. Ferrum phosphoricum is usually indicated in the early stages of illness and not so often in more established illnesses.
"Take two & call me in the morning"
Any of the common homeopathic potencies sold for home use (such as the 6c, 12c, 30c, 6X, 12X, or 30X) can be safely used. As a general rule, you give a dose (usually 2 or 3 pellets) more frequently when the patient is in a more acute state and less frequently when more stable. For example, when the patient seems more ill, in pain, or has a high fever, you might give a dose every 10 or 15 minutes. When that acute phase passes and they don't seem quite so sick, just give a dose every 2 to 4 hours.
Don't be afraid to change remedies as the symptoms warrant. For example, a child might need Ferrum phos in the early stages of an illness and then need Pulsatilla for a few days as they recover.
Develop confidence to treat your family
These homeopathic remedies are safe and non-toxic. Can you use them concurrently with conventional medicines? Yes, you can, although the conventional drug may make it more difficult to determine which homeopathic remedy is most indicated, because it may mask the body's innate symptoms.
Using homeopathic remedies does not necessarily mean you will never use conventional medicines again, however. There are times when conventional treatment can be lifesaving. You will find, however, that you'll need a lot less conventional medicine the more you use homeopathy as your first treatment choice.
Don't be afraid of illness, but do respect it. Have your ill child checked by a medical practitioner as you treat them homeopathically. Develop a criteria with your practitioner about when a trip to the ER might be appropriate, and don't be shy about going if needed. Your practitioner may or may not be competent in homeopathy; what is most important is that they be supportive of your efforts to care for your family's everyday health complaints. Over time you will develop confidence in the ability of the body to heal itself, with the help of this gentle, yet effective system of medicine, homeopathy.
Sidebar:
In a study of 20,000 Canadian children and 1,200 physicians from 1996 to 2000, researchers found that when children went to the doctor for a respiratory illness caused by a virus, 45 per cent of physicians prescribed antibiotics—contrary to Canadian Pediatric Society guidelines (antibiotics do not work against viral infections like colds).
The study also found that children were more likely to receive an antibiotic for a viral infection if:
—their doctors were general practitioners vs. pediatricians
—their doctors trained outside the U.S. or Canada
—their parents had a low income
—they were boys.
—Source: Toronto Star, July 23, 2004, "Children at risk from antibiotics; preschoolers may be building up resistance."
About the author:
Dr. Timothy R. Dooley is a graduate of National College of Naturopathic Medicine as well as Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine. He practices homeopathy in San Diego, California, and teaches at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences. He is the author of the easy-to-read introductory book, Homeopathy: Beyond Flat Earth Medicine. The complete text can be read on-line at http://www.beyondflatearth.com. For more information, visit http://www.drdooley.net. He can be reached at or drdooley@drdooley.net.
Newspapers around the country ran headlines in early October 2007 about the withdrawal of several popular brands of cold and cough medicines for young children. Doctors have warned that these products pose health risks of kids up to age 6 and especially for children under age 2. According to USA Today, "54 children had died from 1969 to 2006 after taking kids' medicines that use the ingredients ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. The FDA also found that 69 deaths of children were linked to antihistamines that contained diphenhydramine, brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine. Most of the children who died were under 2, and the FDA said that the medicines haven't been proved to work in little kids. Earlier research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1,500 children under 2 had suffered serious health problems after using the medicines. The American Academy of Pediatrics also has warned that kids' cough and cold products are not safe or effective for kids under 6."
As most parents who regularly use homeopathic remedies know, homeopathy provides a safe and effective way to help their young children. For example, the NCH provides an introductory Child Resource Guide which can be downloaded from our page of introductory articles. It provides many handy tips for parents.
Unlike conventional allopathic medicines, which only suppress symptoms rather than curing -- sometimes at the expense of dangerous side-effects, homeopathy supports the natural curative mechanisms within a child's body and can lead to a gentle and often rapid resolution of a cold or cough. Homeopathic medicines are readily available at all drugstores and mass merchandisers as well as natural food stores. They are generally recognized as safe and are inexpensive. They are easy to use and label directions should be followed.
Consider the following testimonial from a parent whose child had recurrent intense croup. In this case, "constitutional" treatment by a homeopathic doctor, based on the whole symptomatic picture of the child (both physical and mental) led to a resolution of the chronic condition entirely (rather than merely symptomatic relief). For a more simple case of common cold or cough, self-treatment using over-the-counter homeopathic remedies would usually be adequate (see resources below).
"My daughter Sophie, who is now ten, suffered from recurrent, spasmodic croup from age 2 to 81/2 . It was labeled "recurrent" because children usually grow out of croup by the time they are 4 or 5. She was hospitalized twice, with difficulty breathing, and the only effective treatment was a strong steroid, which she was given in the hospital to open her throat and airways and which we carried around with us in case of emergency. The side effects are not at all desirable, especially for a growing child.
We took her to specialists, but every time she had a little runny nose, we would hear the characteristic bark, and her fear and memory of previous attacks would tend to make it worse. When we moved to New York, I brought her to a homeopath (Dr. Edward Shalts) who, after much deliberation and a thorough interview with her and with me, prescribed a one-time dose of Calcarea Sulphurica 30C (not the textbook croup remedy) and I am happy to say that it cured her. We in the family all felt this was a miracle - no croup for the rest of the winter! When, the following year, the tell-tale cough reappeared mildly, I gave her another dose and it went away immediately.
Sophie and her father and I are so grateful, and relieved not to have to rely on the heavy drugs. I now look to homeopathy first. Thank you Calcarea Sulphurica!
Sincerely, K.R."
- Editorial Note: There are MANY other remedies for Croup and they are prescribed individually.
Research studies also support the effectiveness and superiority of the homeopathic approach in comparison to conventional allopathic treatment. Consider the following study:
Homeopathy versus conventional treatment in respiratory tract complaints: homeopathy gets 82.6% response, conventional gets 67.3% response.
In an outcome study, 30 practitioners in four countries enrolled 500 consecutive patients with at least one of three complaints: upper respiratory tract complaints including allergies; lower respiratory tract complaints including allergies; or ear complaints. Of 456 patients, 281 received homeopathy and 175 conventional treatment. The primary outcomes criterion was response to treatment, defined as cured or major improvement after 14 days of treatment. Results showed a response rate of 82.6% in the homeopathy group compared to 67.3% in the group receiving conventional medicine. The authors concluded that homeopathy appeared to be at least as effective as conventional treatment of patients with the three conditions studied.
Riley D, Fischer M, Singh B, Haidvogl M, Heger M. Homeopathy and conventional medicine: an outcomes study comparingeffectiveness in a primary care setting. J Altern Complement Med 2001; 7: 149–159.
There are many homeopathic self-help books that can help parents treat their children, safely and effectively, for common colds and coughs.
Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic Medicine at Home
Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants
Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Your Baby's First Year
The Complete Homeopathy Handbook
The National Center for Homeopathy's magazine, Homeopathy Today, also includes numerous articles about the home use of homeopathic remedies for treating problems like the common cold, cough, croup, ear infections, and more. One is provided below, followed by other suggestions accessible to members of the NCH. For full access to the online archives of Homeopathy Today, join the NCH!
From Homeopathy Today September 2004
Beyond Flat Earth Medicine - Colds, coughs, and earaches
A do-it-yourself guide to caring for your kids
by Timothy R. Dooley, MD, ND
"How is your daughter?" I inquired of one of my students at the naturopathic medical clinic. Jim had brought his little girl into the clinic the day before with an upper respiratory and middle ear infection—like zillions of other kids I have seen and successfully treated with homeopathy.
Jim's eyes were shadowed with fatigue. "I had to take her to the emergency room last night," he replied. "What happened?" I asked. "Well, the remedy didn't work. Her fever was 103°. She's now on antibiotics."
An unnecessary trip to the ER
I was surprised to hear he had taken this unnecessary trip to the ER, but I didn't want to make him feel bad, so I simply said, "How's she doing now?" "I think she's a bit better," he replied.
In retrospect, I probably should have taken Jim aside when he was better rested and talked to him about his decision-making process. I mean, "had" to take her to the emergency room? If his daughter had been prescribed antibiotics instead of a homeopathic remedy, he would never have gone to the ER just hours later because her fever had not yet dropped. He would have given a fever-lowering drug such as Tylenol and allowed the antibiotics time to work.
I think he was really saying something like: "Even though my daughter had been taking the homeopathic remedy only a few hours, I don't really believe in this stuff and am more comfortable with conventional medicine."
So, why the double standard? Why was this man, now a naturopathic medical doctor, unable to give natural medicine a chance?
Fear, a powerful motivator
I guess the simple answer is this: he's a human being whose kid was ill. He was scared. And when you are in a state of fear, you don't always do the rational thing. I used to be an emergency room doctor, and I know that the overwhelming majority of kids brought in by their parents in the middle of the night are there because their parents are afraid, not because the child's illness constitutes an emergency.
If I had known my student's tendencies a bit better, I would have cautioned him in advance not to be afraid if his daughter had a fever during the night. After all, fevers often spike up in kids at this age, especially at night. It's part of their natural immune response to an illness. I would have advised Jim to give the homeopathic remedy a little more frequently if the fever spiked. And I'd have told him that I'd be happy to re-check his daughter the next day if needed.
A dangerous practice
More and more evidence is accumulating that taking antibiotics when not really necessary is a dangerous practice. For example, antibiotic use and breast cancer were recently shown to be correlated in a study published in the February edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In other words, the more antibiotics a woman has taken, the higher her risk of breast cancer. As a naturopathic physician, I routinely use homeopathy successfully to treat patients with many health conditions for which most doctors would use antibiotics.
All that is required to help parents overcome their natural parental fear is the experience of treating a few ill children with homeopathy and seeing that the kids do indeed get well—and usually more quickly than they would on antibiotics. You don't have to be a doctor or medical student to treat your children with homeopathy. Any parent can do it with a few simple observations and a handful of homeopathic remedies.
5 remedies for kids
Here are five common homeopathic remedies useful for treating young children with upper respiratory and ear infections. For good results, pay particular attention to the unique symptoms of the child, as opposed to just the diagnosis. (If none of these remedies seems to fit your sick child, you can consult one of the many excellent self-care books on homeopathy for more choices.)
Chamomilla. Children needing this remedy are really cranky. They demand to be carried; they demand a certain toy, then throw it down and complain loudly. The tone of their crying and complaining is quite irritating—enough to set your teeth on edge. They often get into this state with an upper respiratory infection or ear infection, especially while teething. Curiously, one cheek is sometimes glowing red and the other pale. They occasionally have diarrhea which can be greenish in color.
Pulsatilla. This remedy is commonly indicated in young children with colds, ear infections, coughs, fevers, etc. The child usually feels wimpy and needs attention and hugs. Their cry is not as irritating as the cry of a child needing Chamomilla. Discharges are often green or yellow-green. They typically aren't very thirsty and are better when you bring them into the open air—that is, they cough less, seem calmer, etc.
Aconite. When the child goes to bed pretty much OK, but wakes in the middle of the night feverish and with a croupy-sounding cough, this is usually the remedy to give. Think of it for feverish illnesses with a sudden onset, especially associated with a fearful anxiety and restlessness. The child is usually thirsty and sometimes has the curious feature of a flushed face when lying down that turns pale when they sit upright.
Belladonna. Like children who need Aconite, those needing Belladonna often have feverish illnesses with a sudden onset. But instead of that anxious restlessness associated with Aconite, these children's faces have a glowing flush and they have bright, often dilated eyes. When you touch them, your hand will feel hot. They are usually dry and while not anxious like Aconite, they are excited and have a "twitchy," restless sleep. Their senses become overly reactive, making them averse to jarring, light, noise, etc. This is a helpful remedy in many illnesses and feverish states in children.
Ferrum phosphoricum. Think of this remedy for those with feverish inflammatory illnesses (such as bronchitis or ear infection) without the intensity of Aconite or Belladonna. In other words, the child may be feverish and flushed but does not have the excitement or anxiety associated with those remedies. Ferrum phosphoricum is usually indicated in the early stages of illness and not so often in more established illnesses.
"Take two & call me in the morning"
Any of the common homeopathic potencies sold for home use (such as the 6c, 12c, 30c, 6X, 12X, or 30X) can be safely used. As a general rule, you give a dose (usually 2 or 3 pellets) more frequently when the patient is in a more acute state and less frequently when more stable. For example, when the patient seems more ill, in pain, or has a high fever, you might give a dose every 10 or 15 minutes. When that acute phase passes and they don't seem quite so sick, just give a dose every 2 to 4 hours.
Don't be afraid to change remedies as the symptoms warrant. For example, a child might need Ferrum phos in the early stages of an illness and then need Pulsatilla for a few days as they recover.
Develop confidence to treat your family
These homeopathic remedies are safe and non-toxic. Can you use them concurrently with conventional medicines? Yes, you can, although the conventional drug may make it more difficult to determine which homeopathic remedy is most indicated, because it may mask the body's innate symptoms.
Using homeopathic remedies does not necessarily mean you will never use conventional medicines again, however. There are times when conventional treatment can be lifesaving. You will find, however, that you'll need a lot less conventional medicine the more you use homeopathy as your first treatment choice.
Don't be afraid of illness, but do respect it. Have your ill child checked by a medical practitioner as you treat them homeopathically. Develop a criteria with your practitioner about when a trip to the ER might be appropriate, and don't be shy about going if needed. Your practitioner may or may not be competent in homeopathy; what is most important is that they be supportive of your efforts to care for your family's everyday health complaints. Over time you will develop confidence in the ability of the body to heal itself, with the help of this gentle, yet effective system of medicine, homeopathy.
Sidebar:
In a study of 20,000 Canadian children and 1,200 physicians from 1996 to 2000, researchers found that when children went to the doctor for a respiratory illness caused by a virus, 45 per cent of physicians prescribed antibiotics—contrary to Canadian Pediatric Society guidelines (antibiotics do not work against viral infections like colds).
The study also found that children were more likely to receive an antibiotic for a viral infection if:
—their doctors were general practitioners vs. pediatricians
—their doctors trained outside the U.S. or Canada
—their parents had a low income
—they were boys.
—Source: Toronto Star, July 23, 2004, "Children at risk from antibiotics; preschoolers may be building up resistance."
About the author:
Dr. Timothy R. Dooley is a graduate of National College of Naturopathic Medicine as well as Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine. He practices homeopathy in San Diego, California, and teaches at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences. He is the author of the easy-to-read introductory book, Homeopathy: Beyond Flat Earth Medicine. The complete text can be read on-line at http://www.beyondflatearth.com. For more information, visit http://www.drdooley.net. He can be reached at or drdooley@drdooley.net.
New Evidence for Homeopathy
The press release below has been picked by a wide variety of media outlets, thanks to the efforts of the NCH and others.
Two new studies conclude that a review which claimed that homeopathy is just a placebo, published in The Lancet, was seriously flawed.
George Lewith, Professor of Health Research at Southampton University comments: ‘The review gave no indication of which trials were analyzed nor of the various vital assumptions made about the data. This is not usual scientific practice. If we presume that homeopathy works for some conditions but not others, or change the definition of a ‘larger trial’, the conclusions change. This indicates a fundamental weakness in the conclusions: they are NOT reliable.’
The background to the ongoing debate is as follows:
In August 2005, The Lancet published an editorial entitled ‘The End of Homeopathy’, prompted by a review comparing clinical trials of homeopathy with trials of conventional medicine. The claim that homeopathic medicines are just placebo was based on 6 clinical trials of conventional medicine and 8 studies of homeopathy but did not reveal the identity of these trials. The review was criticized for its opacity as it gave no indication of which trials were analyzed and the various assumptions made about the data.
Sufficient detail to enable a reconstruction was eventually published and two recently published scientific papers based on such a reconstruction challenge the Lancet review, showing that:
• Analysis of all high quality trials of homeopathy yields a positive conclusion.
• The 8 larger higher quality trials of homeopathy were all for different conditions; if homeopathy works for some of these but not others the result changes, implying that it is not placebo.
• The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless.
• Doubts remain about the opaque, unpublished criteria used in the review, including the definition of ‘higher quality’.
The Lancet review, led by Prof Matthias Egger of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Berne, started with 110 matched clinical trials of homeopathy and conventional medicine, reduced these to ‘higher quality trials’ and then to 8 and 6 respectively ‘larger higher quality trials’. Based on these 14 studies the review concluded that there is ‘weak evidence for a specific effect of homeopathic remedies, but strong evidence for specific effects of conventional interventions’.
There are a limited number of homeopathic studies so it is quite possible to interpret these data selectively and unfavorably, which is what appears to have been done in the Lancet paper. If we assume that homeopathy does not work for just one condition (Arnica for post-exercise muscle stiffness), or alter the definition of ‘larger trial’, the results are positive. The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless: the original 110 trials were matched, but matching was lost after they were reduced to 8 and 6. But the quality of homeopathic trials was better than conventional trials.
This reconstruction casts serious doubts on the review, showing that it was based on a series of hidden judgments unfavorable to homeopathy. An open assessment of the current evidence suggests that homeopathy is probably effective for a number of conditions including allergies, upper respiratory tract infections and ‘flu, but more research is desperately needed.
Prof Egger has declined to comment on these findings.
References
Lüdtke R, Rutten ALB. The conclusions on the effectiveness of homeopathy highly depend on the set of analyzed trials. J Clin Epidemiol 2008. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.06.015. (For an abstract, see www.sciencedirect.com)
Rutten ALB, Stolper CF. The 2005 meta-analysis of homeopathy: the importance of post-publication data. Homeopathy 2008. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.09.008.
For further information, please contact:
Prof George Lewith Tel: +44 (0)7970 067884 email: gl3@soton.ac.uk
Rainer Lüdtke Tel: email: r.luedtke@carstens-stiftung.de
Dr Lex Rutten Tel: +31 765 227340 email: lexrtn@concepts.nl
Two new studies conclude that a review which claimed that homeopathy is just a placebo, published in The Lancet, was seriously flawed.
George Lewith, Professor of Health Research at Southampton University comments: ‘The review gave no indication of which trials were analyzed nor of the various vital assumptions made about the data. This is not usual scientific practice. If we presume that homeopathy works for some conditions but not others, or change the definition of a ‘larger trial’, the conclusions change. This indicates a fundamental weakness in the conclusions: they are NOT reliable.’
The background to the ongoing debate is as follows:
In August 2005, The Lancet published an editorial entitled ‘The End of Homeopathy’, prompted by a review comparing clinical trials of homeopathy with trials of conventional medicine. The claim that homeopathic medicines are just placebo was based on 6 clinical trials of conventional medicine and 8 studies of homeopathy but did not reveal the identity of these trials. The review was criticized for its opacity as it gave no indication of which trials were analyzed and the various assumptions made about the data.
Sufficient detail to enable a reconstruction was eventually published and two recently published scientific papers based on such a reconstruction challenge the Lancet review, showing that:
• Analysis of all high quality trials of homeopathy yields a positive conclusion.
• The 8 larger higher quality trials of homeopathy were all for different conditions; if homeopathy works for some of these but not others the result changes, implying that it is not placebo.
• The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless.
• Doubts remain about the opaque, unpublished criteria used in the review, including the definition of ‘higher quality’.
The Lancet review, led by Prof Matthias Egger of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Berne, started with 110 matched clinical trials of homeopathy and conventional medicine, reduced these to ‘higher quality trials’ and then to 8 and 6 respectively ‘larger higher quality trials’. Based on these 14 studies the review concluded that there is ‘weak evidence for a specific effect of homeopathic remedies, but strong evidence for specific effects of conventional interventions’.
There are a limited number of homeopathic studies so it is quite possible to interpret these data selectively and unfavorably, which is what appears to have been done in the Lancet paper. If we assume that homeopathy does not work for just one condition (Arnica for post-exercise muscle stiffness), or alter the definition of ‘larger trial’, the results are positive. The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless: the original 110 trials were matched, but matching was lost after they were reduced to 8 and 6. But the quality of homeopathic trials was better than conventional trials.
This reconstruction casts serious doubts on the review, showing that it was based on a series of hidden judgments unfavorable to homeopathy. An open assessment of the current evidence suggests that homeopathy is probably effective for a number of conditions including allergies, upper respiratory tract infections and ‘flu, but more research is desperately needed.
Prof Egger has declined to comment on these findings.
References
Lüdtke R, Rutten ALB. The conclusions on the effectiveness of homeopathy highly depend on the set of analyzed trials. J Clin Epidemiol 2008. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.06.015. (For an abstract, see www.sciencedirect.com)
Rutten ALB, Stolper CF. The 2005 meta-analysis of homeopathy: the importance of post-publication data. Homeopathy 2008. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.09.008.
For further information, please contact:
Prof George Lewith Tel: +44 (0)7970 067884 email: gl3@soton.ac.uk
Rainer Lüdtke Tel: email: r.luedtke@carstens-stiftung.de
Dr Lex Rutten Tel: +31 765 227340 email: lexrtn@concepts.nl
Homeopathy for Summer: Your book, your bag, your skin
Summer Greetings from all at The Art Of Cure,
What can I do if my child is sick?
For simple mild conditions many parents are interested in starting home treatment with hopes of not needing to go to the doctor. I love doing workshops on this subject and teaching parents to be empowered, you can learn to help your babies on your own in the beginning stages of illness. One option is to use the A to Z section of a book I personally love and recommend: Natural Baby and Childcare by: Lauren Feder. You can look up common complaints for children & (adults too). The suggestions are compiled from Dr. Lauren's experience (and other parents)in treating her own babies when illness shows up at their home. It is empowering for parents to be able to treat mild conditions.
Remedies for Travel:
The summer is now upon us which means many of us will be leaving town for vacation. I am often asked about natural medicines to bring on the trip for prevention or just in case someone gets sick. I have found it invaluable to bring some of the more common homeopathic medication and herbs; travels kits are a cost effective option. Especially for time changes and jet lag, consider boosting up with PROBIOTICS which is great for the gut.
Homeopathy for your summer bag:
ARINCA: I highly recommend keeping ARNICA with you (which I keep in my purse all the time) to treat all bumps and bruises. I like to give it to my boys when they might hit their head or fall down. I recommend Arnica to all my clients for all active and contact sports, injuries, and after surgery care.
APIS MELLIFICA: This is great to have on hand in the event of a bee sting that is improved by cold and the person is experiencing swelling and intense itching.
Sunblocks and Sunscreens:
(Excerpt from Natural Baby and Childcare by Lauren Feder, M.D.)
At the beginning of your outdoor season, take your child out for ten minutes a day, preferably in the morning hours before 10 a.m. and increase exposure time gradually. Avoid the noon hour outside. Gradual exposure allows her skin to become accustomed to the sun, and within several weeks, she will be at less risk for sunburn. If skin ever appears too red, go inside. When outside, drink plenty of water and eat vegetables (the antioxidants in vegetables help protect against sun radiation). Be sensible and avoid excess exposure.
Sunscreens are absorbed into the skin creating a chemical sun barrier which are usually invisible when rubbed into the skin. I prefer and recommend the use of the more natural varieties that are chemical free and PABA free.. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is known to cause allergy and is rarely used these days.
In addition, emerging research suggests sunscreens may not be enough to prevent skin cancer, since they do not offer protection against the formation of moles, which have been implicated in skin cancer, including the common and sometimes fatal form, melanoma. Only clothing can prevent moles from forming on the skin.
Most sun damage occurs during childhood, so it is particularly important to take precautions in these early years. Children and babies are more vulnerable to the effects of the sun and should be well covered, whatever the weather. Dress your child in a long white t-shirt (an adult sized t-shirt can be used to protect legs) and hat. The hat should also protect the eyes. If this is not sufficient, consider sunglasses with 100 percent UV filtration. Clothes provide minimal protection with an SPF of 5.9. and remember that sunscreen should not be used on babies less than six months old.
What can I do if my child is sick?
For simple mild conditions many parents are interested in starting home treatment with hopes of not needing to go to the doctor. I love doing workshops on this subject and teaching parents to be empowered, you can learn to help your babies on your own in the beginning stages of illness. One option is to use the A to Z section of a book I personally love and recommend: Natural Baby and Childcare by: Lauren Feder. You can look up common complaints for children & (adults too). The suggestions are compiled from Dr. Lauren's experience (and other parents)in treating her own babies when illness shows up at their home. It is empowering for parents to be able to treat mild conditions.
Remedies for Travel:
The summer is now upon us which means many of us will be leaving town for vacation. I am often asked about natural medicines to bring on the trip for prevention or just in case someone gets sick. I have found it invaluable to bring some of the more common homeopathic medication and herbs; travels kits are a cost effective option. Especially for time changes and jet lag, consider boosting up with PROBIOTICS which is great for the gut.
Homeopathy for your summer bag:
ARINCA: I highly recommend keeping ARNICA with you (which I keep in my purse all the time) to treat all bumps and bruises. I like to give it to my boys when they might hit their head or fall down. I recommend Arnica to all my clients for all active and contact sports, injuries, and after surgery care.
APIS MELLIFICA: This is great to have on hand in the event of a bee sting that is improved by cold and the person is experiencing swelling and intense itching.
Sunblocks and Sunscreens:
(Excerpt from Natural Baby and Childcare by Lauren Feder, M.D.)
At the beginning of your outdoor season, take your child out for ten minutes a day, preferably in the morning hours before 10 a.m. and increase exposure time gradually. Avoid the noon hour outside. Gradual exposure allows her skin to become accustomed to the sun, and within several weeks, she will be at less risk for sunburn. If skin ever appears too red, go inside. When outside, drink plenty of water and eat vegetables (the antioxidants in vegetables help protect against sun radiation). Be sensible and avoid excess exposure.
Sunscreens are absorbed into the skin creating a chemical sun barrier which are usually invisible when rubbed into the skin. I prefer and recommend the use of the more natural varieties that are chemical free and PABA free.. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is known to cause allergy and is rarely used these days.
In addition, emerging research suggests sunscreens may not be enough to prevent skin cancer, since they do not offer protection against the formation of moles, which have been implicated in skin cancer, including the common and sometimes fatal form, melanoma. Only clothing can prevent moles from forming on the skin.
Most sun damage occurs during childhood, so it is particularly important to take precautions in these early years. Children and babies are more vulnerable to the effects of the sun and should be well covered, whatever the weather. Dress your child in a long white t-shirt (an adult sized t-shirt can be used to protect legs) and hat. The hat should also protect the eyes. If this is not sufficient, consider sunglasses with 100 percent UV filtration. Clothes provide minimal protection with an SPF of 5.9. and remember that sunscreen should not be used on babies less than six months old.
TEETHING NECKLACES: Why Every Mom should own one
WHAT IS AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE?
A Baltic amber teething necklace is made for wearing (not chewing) when a baby is teething. The warmth from the skin releases the active ingredient in the Baltic amber, succinic acid. Recent scientific research has proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human body. It improves immunity and the balance of acids when absorbed into the bloodstream; it stimulates the thyroid glands to help reduce drooling and soothes red inflamed cheeks. Amber's anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are recognized by allopathic medicine as a natural analgesic, which will help to relieve teething pain and calm a baby without resorting to drugs. The skin's warmth releases healing oils from the amber, a resin, which is absorbed into the bloodstream.
HEALING PROPERTIES OF NATURAL BALTIC AMBER It reduces red inflamed cheeks and stimulates the thyroid glands to reduce drooling. Amber is associated with sunlight and warmth and reputed to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, accelerates the healing of wounds; reduce inflammation of the throat, ear and stomach infections and respiratory disease. There are no tablets, medications or pastes that can compete with this amber teething necklace, the necklace is unique and has amazing results which are all natural.
SAFETY USING AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE As a safety feature there is a knot before and after each bead, so that even in the extremely unlikely event of the string being torn, no beads are lost and there is no risk of choking. Amber teething necklaces are secured with a traditional screw clasp, not a hook and ring!
PERFECT & LUXURY BABY GIFT Baby necklaces are a worthwhile investment as a treasured family heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. These necklaces also make wonderful luxury baby gifts for special events such as christenings, birthdays and name days.
AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE FACTS:
• A natural analgesic, amber will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs.
Amber is a fossilized resin, not a stone. It is therefore warm to the touch, as well as very comfortable and light to wear.
• Wearing Baltic amber necklaces on the skin can have a soothing and calming effect on teething babies and toddlers.
• When amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases miniscule amounts of healing oils from the amber which are then absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream.
• Amber's anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are also recognized by allopathic medicine. In Austria, Switzerland and Germany, you will find amber teething necklaces sold in local pharmacies.
• They are 13 inches long
(ref.: http://shop.theartofcure.net/teething-necklaces-every-mom-one/)
A Baltic amber teething necklace is made for wearing (not chewing) when a baby is teething. The warmth from the skin releases the active ingredient in the Baltic amber, succinic acid. Recent scientific research has proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human body. It improves immunity and the balance of acids when absorbed into the bloodstream; it stimulates the thyroid glands to help reduce drooling and soothes red inflamed cheeks. Amber's anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are recognized by allopathic medicine as a natural analgesic, which will help to relieve teething pain and calm a baby without resorting to drugs. The skin's warmth releases healing oils from the amber, a resin, which is absorbed into the bloodstream.
HEALING PROPERTIES OF NATURAL BALTIC AMBER It reduces red inflamed cheeks and stimulates the thyroid glands to reduce drooling. Amber is associated with sunlight and warmth and reputed to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, accelerates the healing of wounds; reduce inflammation of the throat, ear and stomach infections and respiratory disease. There are no tablets, medications or pastes that can compete with this amber teething necklace, the necklace is unique and has amazing results which are all natural.
SAFETY USING AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE As a safety feature there is a knot before and after each bead, so that even in the extremely unlikely event of the string being torn, no beads are lost and there is no risk of choking. Amber teething necklaces are secured with a traditional screw clasp, not a hook and ring!
PERFECT & LUXURY BABY GIFT Baby necklaces are a worthwhile investment as a treasured family heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. These necklaces also make wonderful luxury baby gifts for special events such as christenings, birthdays and name days.
AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE FACTS:
• A natural analgesic, amber will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs.
Amber is a fossilized resin, not a stone. It is therefore warm to the touch, as well as very comfortable and light to wear.
• Wearing Baltic amber necklaces on the skin can have a soothing and calming effect on teething babies and toddlers.
• When amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases miniscule amounts of healing oils from the amber which are then absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream.
• Amber's anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are also recognized by allopathic medicine. In Austria, Switzerland and Germany, you will find amber teething necklaces sold in local pharmacies.
• They are 13 inches long
(ref.: http://shop.theartofcure.net/teething-necklaces-every-mom-one/)
Protect Yourself Durning FLU Season
Let us talk about the flu, and what your alternatives to the vaccines are. I first and foremost am a classical homeopath so I have a very specific point of view that should be taken into consideration for those of you who are pro vaccine so keep that in mind. Now there is a lot of information here but I feel it is important and necessary.
As a homeopath I am always very passionate about this stuff and love to spread the word and I am always taking new patients. I do not tell people whether they should get the shot or not I just pass along information and let the patient make up their own mind.
Every autumn and winter, many children and adults suffer from the familiar flu symptoms. Body aches and pains, congestion, fever and chills - we all know the symptoms of the flu. During these seasons, we are inundated with information about the flu shot, and other latest standard medical products. As a physician, I receive many inquiries regarding the natural or homeopathic approach to flu prevention.
This is the following list of general recommendations during the flu season:
• Common sense - you have it, use it.
• Frequent hand washing
• Avoid swimming during autumn and winter, especially for susceptible children and adults.
• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid becoming chilled, wear an extra thin layer of clothing
• If your child is ill, keep him or her at home
• Minimize junk food (refined sugar compromises the immune system)
Many families take the homeopathic flu product called Winter Tonic Influenzinum. It has been used in Europe for years during the flu season. Every year, the World Health Organization predicts which flu viruses are most likely to infect and cause flu symptoms. Based on this information, the homeopathic solution is reformulated year to year to help prepare the body during the flu season. It has no side effects, can be purchased over-the-counter, and is for the whole family. During the flu season beginning in November, 8-10 pellets are taken weekly for 4 weeks and then once three weeks later. Like all homeopathic medicines, it is pleasant tasting. It can be repeated again in January-February
Another common homeopathic medicine used during the flu season is
Oscillococcinum (this you can get at whole foods)
Oscillococcinum is useful for all types of flu, especially in the earlier stages. Many of my patients claim that Oscillococcinum greatly shortened the duration of the flu. It can be used for both children and adults.
CAN BE BOUGHT AT SEVERAL ONLINE HOMEOPATHIC WEBSITES:
HERE ARE 2 homeopathic pharmacies FOR CONVENIENCE:
http://www.hahnemannlabs.com/
http://www.homeopathyworks.com/
THIS IS AN ARTICLE THAT I THOUGHT HELPFUL AS WELL:
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Shot Update:
by Jay Gordon, MD, FAAP
I have seen more children and adults with influenza-like illness: 104 degree fevers, muscle soreness, sore throat and negative tests for strep, than in any summer I can remember. I haven't used the "flu swab" to test anybody, but I'm sure that many if not most of these sick people had Swine Flu. They all felt miserable, and they are all feeling just fine now.
Preventing outbreaks of this "novel H1N1" influenza may be a mistake of huge proportions. Yes, sadly, there will be fatalities among the 6 billion citizens of the planet. Tens of millions of cases of any illness will lead to morbidity and mortality, but this is completely (tragically) unavoidable. The consequences of not acquiring immunity this time around, however, could be really terrible and far outweigh a mass prevention program.
Here's my rationale for not using Tamiflu: If (if, if, if) this virus circles the globe as the rather innocent influenza it now appears to be, but mutates and returns as a very virulent form of influenza, it will be quite wonderful and life-saving to have formed antibodies against its 2009 version. These antibodies may be far from 100% protective, but they will help. This is incredibly important but being ignored in the interest of expediency.
In 1918, it appears that influenza A (an H1N1, by the way) did this globe-trotting mutation and killed millions. The times and state of medical care are not comparable, but a milder parallel occurrence is possible. Perhaps this happens every 100 years or so, perhaps every three million.
Whenever possible, we should form antibodies against viruses at the right stage of their existence and at the right stage of our lives (For example, chickenpox in childhood and EBV/mono in early childhood. There are many other examples.) Getting many viral illnesses confers lifetime immunity, and very few vaccines do.
Tamiflu is a very powerful drug with little proven efficacy against this bug, and with its major side effect being tummy upset. I'm not using it at all. Psychiatric side effects are also possible.
I also won't be giving the flu shot to the kids and parents in my practice unless there are extraordinary risk factors. I anticipate giving none at all this year. I doubt that there will be any really large problems with the vaccine, but I also doubt any really large benefits. As I said, I think that this year's version of this particular H1N1 is as "mild" as it will ever be and that getting sick with it this year will be good rather than bad. The chances that a new "flu shot" will be overwhelmingly effective are small.
I consider this, and most seasonal and novel influenza A vaccines, as "experimental" vaccines; they've only been tested on thousands of people for a period of weeks and then they'll be given to hundreds of millions of people. Not really the greatest science when we're in that much of a hurry. Yes, one can measure antibodies against a certain bacterium or virus in the blood and it may be associated with someone not getting sick, but there are very few illnesses common enough or enough ethics committees willing enough to do the right tests. That is, give 1000 people the real vaccine and 1000 placebo shots, expose all of them to the disease and see who gets sick. Seriously. I know it sounds terrible.
This is, obviously, a difficult public discussion because it touches on the concept of benefits and risks, again, of morbidity and mortality. Few public officials have the courage or inclination to present all facets of this difficult decision. I give vaccines to my patients every single day, but I always err on the side of caution. Implying that this is a dangerous new shot is not scientifically or statistically correct and represents hyperbole and even dishonesty on the part of the so-called "anti-vaccine" camp.
It sure isn't "sexy" to suggest handwashing, good nutrition, hydration, extra sleep and so on. It's not conventional to suggest astragalus, echinacea, elderberry and vitamin C. Adequate vitamin D levels are crucial, too.
I just think that giving this new H1N1 vaccine is not the cautious nor best thing to do.
Best,
Jay Gordon, MD FAAP
As a homeopath I am always very passionate about this stuff and love to spread the word and I am always taking new patients. I do not tell people whether they should get the shot or not I just pass along information and let the patient make up their own mind.
Every autumn and winter, many children and adults suffer from the familiar flu symptoms. Body aches and pains, congestion, fever and chills - we all know the symptoms of the flu. During these seasons, we are inundated with information about the flu shot, and other latest standard medical products. As a physician, I receive many inquiries regarding the natural or homeopathic approach to flu prevention.
This is the following list of general recommendations during the flu season:
• Common sense - you have it, use it.
• Frequent hand washing
• Avoid swimming during autumn and winter, especially for susceptible children and adults.
• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid becoming chilled, wear an extra thin layer of clothing
• If your child is ill, keep him or her at home
• Minimize junk food (refined sugar compromises the immune system)
Many families take the homeopathic flu product called Winter Tonic Influenzinum. It has been used in Europe for years during the flu season. Every year, the World Health Organization predicts which flu viruses are most likely to infect and cause flu symptoms. Based on this information, the homeopathic solution is reformulated year to year to help prepare the body during the flu season. It has no side effects, can be purchased over-the-counter, and is for the whole family. During the flu season beginning in November, 8-10 pellets are taken weekly for 4 weeks and then once three weeks later. Like all homeopathic medicines, it is pleasant tasting. It can be repeated again in January-February
Another common homeopathic medicine used during the flu season is
Oscillococcinum (this you can get at whole foods)
Oscillococcinum is useful for all types of flu, especially in the earlier stages. Many of my patients claim that Oscillococcinum greatly shortened the duration of the flu. It can be used for both children and adults.
CAN BE BOUGHT AT SEVERAL ONLINE HOMEOPATHIC WEBSITES:
HERE ARE 2 homeopathic pharmacies FOR CONVENIENCE:
http://www.hahnemannlabs.com/
http://www.homeopathyworks.com/
THIS IS AN ARTICLE THAT I THOUGHT HELPFUL AS WELL:
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Shot Update:
by Jay Gordon, MD, FAAP
I have seen more children and adults with influenza-like illness: 104 degree fevers, muscle soreness, sore throat and negative tests for strep, than in any summer I can remember. I haven't used the "flu swab" to test anybody, but I'm sure that many if not most of these sick people had Swine Flu. They all felt miserable, and they are all feeling just fine now.
Preventing outbreaks of this "novel H1N1" influenza may be a mistake of huge proportions. Yes, sadly, there will be fatalities among the 6 billion citizens of the planet. Tens of millions of cases of any illness will lead to morbidity and mortality, but this is completely (tragically) unavoidable. The consequences of not acquiring immunity this time around, however, could be really terrible and far outweigh a mass prevention program.
Here's my rationale for not using Tamiflu: If (if, if, if) this virus circles the globe as the rather innocent influenza it now appears to be, but mutates and returns as a very virulent form of influenza, it will be quite wonderful and life-saving to have formed antibodies against its 2009 version. These antibodies may be far from 100% protective, but they will help. This is incredibly important but being ignored in the interest of expediency.
In 1918, it appears that influenza A (an H1N1, by the way) did this globe-trotting mutation and killed millions. The times and state of medical care are not comparable, but a milder parallel occurrence is possible. Perhaps this happens every 100 years or so, perhaps every three million.
Whenever possible, we should form antibodies against viruses at the right stage of their existence and at the right stage of our lives (For example, chickenpox in childhood and EBV/mono in early childhood. There are many other examples.) Getting many viral illnesses confers lifetime immunity, and very few vaccines do.
Tamiflu is a very powerful drug with little proven efficacy against this bug, and with its major side effect being tummy upset. I'm not using it at all. Psychiatric side effects are also possible.
I also won't be giving the flu shot to the kids and parents in my practice unless there are extraordinary risk factors. I anticipate giving none at all this year. I doubt that there will be any really large problems with the vaccine, but I also doubt any really large benefits. As I said, I think that this year's version of this particular H1N1 is as "mild" as it will ever be and that getting sick with it this year will be good rather than bad. The chances that a new "flu shot" will be overwhelmingly effective are small.
I consider this, and most seasonal and novel influenza A vaccines, as "experimental" vaccines; they've only been tested on thousands of people for a period of weeks and then they'll be given to hundreds of millions of people. Not really the greatest science when we're in that much of a hurry. Yes, one can measure antibodies against a certain bacterium or virus in the blood and it may be associated with someone not getting sick, but there are very few illnesses common enough or enough ethics committees willing enough to do the right tests. That is, give 1000 people the real vaccine and 1000 placebo shots, expose all of them to the disease and see who gets sick. Seriously. I know it sounds terrible.
This is, obviously, a difficult public discussion because it touches on the concept of benefits and risks, again, of morbidity and mortality. Few public officials have the courage or inclination to present all facets of this difficult decision. I give vaccines to my patients every single day, but I always err on the side of caution. Implying that this is a dangerous new shot is not scientifically or statistically correct and represents hyperbole and even dishonesty on the part of the so-called "anti-vaccine" camp.
It sure isn't "sexy" to suggest handwashing, good nutrition, hydration, extra sleep and so on. It's not conventional to suggest astragalus, echinacea, elderberry and vitamin C. Adequate vitamin D levels are crucial, too.
I just think that giving this new H1N1 vaccine is not the cautious nor best thing to do.
Best,
Jay Gordon, MD FAAP
Homeopathy: An Introduction
HOMEOPATHY: AN INTRODUCTION
I had just turned 30, met a wonderful man, and was working of my first television series. Life was blooming and I was going to get married. Then out of nowhere I started experiencing these horrible anxiety attacks. I’d think to myself…Am I having an allergic reaction? Maybe it was those apples I ate. Am I having a heart attack? Something is seriously wrong here! So I took myself to the doctor. I had lots of testing…an EKG and EEG, my thyroid and other blood work, x-rays, and various other pokings and proddings. The results? “You are a perfectly healthy woman…it must be in your mind!” How could this be, how could I be having such chest pain and be healthy? I was told I should see a psychiatrist and a psychologist and sent home. The journey was beginning and I didn’t even know it. My life would be forever different. I began a regimen of anti depressant and anti anxiety medication. I felt so angry and pissed off, a mental illness are you kidding me, god I’d rather have something that I can get rid of not something I’m going to have to manage my whole life. I never in a million years thought I’d be wishing for a “Different” disease. I remember hearing people break down the word Dis-ease. I wasn’t unhappy, was I? The universe was showing me my Dharma; it was showing me the way. The medication helped, sort of, but somehow I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the end of the road and certainly not a solution. I am not against taking medicine if you’re postpartum and going to hurt your baby or if you’re suicidal but this was not me. So I took my medicine like a good girl, went to yoga, and changed my diet, tried super hard not to take the Xanax that felt oh so good towards the end of a long hard day, and wondered will I have to deal with this forever?
As time moved on and the medicine was managing my symptoms. I slowly was forgetting that I even had this issue. It’s like the medicine worked but didn’t cure me, I didn’t have to work on it myself, I didn’t have to think about anymore. I didn’t have to change or confront the reason that this illness was presenting itself in the first place. So time had passed and my husband and I had decided to have a baby and I didn’t want to take any medication during the pregnancy because depending on which doctor I talked with each had a different opinion as to whether the medication would hurt the baby. I felt like I could handle myself and a little discomfort so I stopped the medication until the pregnancy was over. Well about 2 months into my pregnancy my symptoms resurfaced with a vengeance. What was I going to do now? I was being pushed to look within, to go deeper, and to become a seeker of my own personal truth. I couldn’t avoid ME any longer. I was back to where I started! I sought out acupuncture, a naturopathic doctor, and even tried neurofeedback. Imagine me with a skull cap on with hundreds of electrodes attached. I looked like something out of the horror film hellraiser or some science fiction film. I then came across the word “homeopathy” in my search for answers. I sought out a practitioner and, knowing nothing, went to an appointment feeling like I’d become a full time doctor junkie. This pivotal moment changed the course of things to come. My visit with the homeopath took 2 hours. I talked and talked; I cried, became hysterical, despairing that I’d never get better! That I just new there was something wrong with me. Through my tears I explained that normally, “I’m a very happy person.” It makes me laugh now because this seems so long ago and I have learned so much. So what is homeopathy anyway? How does it work? What happens when you take it? Here is the official definition…
WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?
Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that works by using a small dose of a substance to help stimulate the body's healing forces. Homeopathy is an effective safe treatment that is gentle yet extremely effective when used properly. The principle of homeopathy is based on the "law of similars." In other words, a substance that could cause symptoms in large amounts can heal you in minute homeopathic doses.
Let's look at an example: The homeopathic remedy Allium Cepa (Red Onion) is used to treat the runny nose and watery eyes from a cold or hay fever, the very symptoms it would cause if one were cutting a red onion in the kitchen. There are thousands of remedies made out of plants, animals, minerals and many other interesting and imponderable things like color and sound, the planet venus, and even xray.
Homeopathy was founded by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, over 200 years ago. Homeopathy is a natural therapy that is safe and effective treatment for accidents and illnesses. It is an energetic medicine that helps the body by elevating the vital force (or the immune system) to defend itself against illness and infection. Homeopaths treat the whole person rather than a single symptom. The homeopath does not diagnose an illness but treats the whole person. It is not necessary to know the name of the disease. Each person may receive a different remedy at a different potency designed to match each one’s need. Homeopathic remedies are small pellets and are generally taken under the tongue or are dissolved in water. They are non-toxic and are safe for pregnant women, infants, adults, and pets and are FDA approved. I find this interesting since the medical world won’t even recognize homeopathy yet they want to regulate the medications. Homeopathy is not herbal or vitamin supplements. It can take time; a typical homeopathic appointment can last from 1 to 2 hours they will ask you everything about yourself, your dreams, what is perhaps peculiar about yourself and unique. It can be an awesome experience, and for some make you think about yourself in a whole new way. Homeopathy works with your body to enable it to fight disease more effectively. Disease is part of life. It cannot be removed, but it can be dealt with effectively. In allopathic medicine (the more traditional medicine practiced in the United States) treatment is by opposition. “Allos” from the Greek means “opposite” and “pathos” meaning “suffering”. When you think of allopathic medicine you hear words like antibiotic, antidepressant, antiviral, antacid, anti-inflammatory. The one thing they all have in common is the prefix “anti”, meaning “against”. Homeopathy works with the body…not against it. Now this is where I get turned on, where I get so passionate, this is where I could babble on and on about this beautiful system of medicine. Homeopathy works on the bigger picture not just a local site. In an acute situation like an accident, a homeopathic remedy like aconite works quickly to help with shock. In the long term, if you have a chronic condition that allopathic medicine can only placate on manage, homeopathy looks to the horizon and perhaps may offer hope and a cure. Interestingly children treated with homeopathy from the beginning of their lives most of the time; do not end up with chronic illnesses. This I believe is because they have fortified their vital force and worked with their bodies and have not suppressed their symptoms. Suppression means that when you treat a disease allopathically you push it deeper into the body. A good example: When young children have psoriasis or eczema and use cortisone creams it’s not uncommon that you will see asthma in their futures In life today it seems almost inevitable that we get these chronic conditions, it’s normal to see the elderly on numerous pill just to stay alive. I find it so awesome to think that it is not inevitable that we end up on tons of pills, that we get chronically sick, that there is a different way to grow and age. That for me is the wave I choose to ride in my life, It gives me hope.
Who can homeopathy help?
Children
Your child’s health is very important to you and as a parent you will face many decisions about your child’s care...from vaccinations to childhood illnesses and behavior problems. Homeopathic treatment works very well for children and used long term prevents chronic illness as they grow to adulthood. Many parents use teething tablets when their infant starts teething. Teething tablets are one of the most common forms of homeopathic treatment and many parents use them without realizing it is a homeopathic remedy. Many childhood ailments can be treated effectively with homeopathy – ear infections, coughs, skin rashes, allergies, and behavior problems are just some of the things I see in my homeopathic practice. In more serious cases homeopathy works very well as a complementary treatment with allopathic medicine to help your child retain his vital force and maintain it after treatment.
Women & men
Women and men seek homeopathic care for a variety of physical and mental conditions. The most common theme however would be that they want more out their health care experience. They are experiencing side effects from their allopathic medicines, or their doctors simply cannot help them. Pregnant women seek treatment for safe treatment during pregnancy since they are unable to take most allopathic medicines.
ANIMALS
Animals respond very well to homeopathic treatment. Family pets can suffer from many ailments - arthritis, allergies, dry skin or eczema, ear infections, coughs, auto immune problems, and cataracts. Dogs and cats can take a remedy the same way an infant would.
CONTINUED
.
When my first child Bodhi was small, I noticed that he wouldn’t sleep with my husband and me. He would head butt out of some impulse and bite at the breast. It was as if he was adverse to hugs and cuddles. I didn’t know if this was just his personality or something that was like a heavy cloud that he was burdened. Homeopathy says that we inherit the suppressions of our ancestors (genetic predisposition) to some extent and that this inheritance can affect what we become sick with. In homeopathy this is called a “Miasm” a very long and interesting subject in and of itself. Given the little knowledge I had, I was convinced that homeopathy could help. He was given an individual prescription and his remedy worked right away. He has since become and open hearted, polite, inquisitive, loving little boy and that dark cloud is a thing of the past. It is like homeopathy came in and blew a gentle wind on the cloud and it just dispersed. I have used homeopathy for nightmares, temper tantrums, growing pains, pregnancy, teething, fevers, and everything else that we have needed in our health care lives. It seems that homeopathy uses in our lives are never ending and I am forever grateful for it, in face can’t imagine my life without it. I am a different person because of it.
Philosophy
Jennie Vaughn-Campbell received her professional education in classical homeopathy at the Los Angeles School of Homeopathy in Los Angeles, California. She performed her clinical internship at the Los Angeles homeopathic clinic. I am a member of the North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH) and a practitioner member of the National Center for Homeopathy (NCH). I am also involved with the Washington State Homeopathy Association, National Health Freedom Coalition and the World Homeopathy Awareness Organization. I am seeking to promote and expand Homeopathic education and knowledge. I have studied with some of the most renowned prominent homeopaths in the world, and my education is always on going. Jennie was introduced to homeopathy when she was diagnosed with an illness and went on a personal mission to heal herself. Her love of homeopathy was born from this journey due to the success of her treatment. Her practice provides comfort and healing because it is based on understanding, nurturing and in-depth communication. Homeopathy is not just about the ailment or illness; it seeks complete understanding of health issues via personality type, habits and lifestyle. Jennie is devoted to helping each of her patients reach their health goals Jennie is from Vancouver, Washington and currently resides in Pasadena, Ca where she can practice being an open minded person about alternative medicine and have a holistic approach to healing the human body. Her practice is based on the belief in the body’s inherent ability to cure itself. From time to time the body requires a slight boost to the vital force. It is known in Chinese medicine as CHI, and in the yoga world PRANA. It is the energy that animates all living beings. As a mother, Jennie understands the importance of homeopathy and personally experiences how it keeps her children healthy. She enjoys the honor of watching her clients heal. Her ability to understand, nurture, and communicate provide a great source of comfort regardless of a persons age or ailments. It isn't just about the ailment or illness. It is a complete understanding of each unique individual’s personality, habits and lifestyle which enable Jennie to treat with compassion and commitment. She works with each patient to help them reach their health goals.
I had just turned 30, met a wonderful man, and was working of my first television series. Life was blooming and I was going to get married. Then out of nowhere I started experiencing these horrible anxiety attacks. I’d think to myself…Am I having an allergic reaction? Maybe it was those apples I ate. Am I having a heart attack? Something is seriously wrong here! So I took myself to the doctor. I had lots of testing…an EKG and EEG, my thyroid and other blood work, x-rays, and various other pokings and proddings. The results? “You are a perfectly healthy woman…it must be in your mind!” How could this be, how could I be having such chest pain and be healthy? I was told I should see a psychiatrist and a psychologist and sent home. The journey was beginning and I didn’t even know it. My life would be forever different. I began a regimen of anti depressant and anti anxiety medication. I felt so angry and pissed off, a mental illness are you kidding me, god I’d rather have something that I can get rid of not something I’m going to have to manage my whole life. I never in a million years thought I’d be wishing for a “Different” disease. I remember hearing people break down the word Dis-ease. I wasn’t unhappy, was I? The universe was showing me my Dharma; it was showing me the way. The medication helped, sort of, but somehow I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the end of the road and certainly not a solution. I am not against taking medicine if you’re postpartum and going to hurt your baby or if you’re suicidal but this was not me. So I took my medicine like a good girl, went to yoga, and changed my diet, tried super hard not to take the Xanax that felt oh so good towards the end of a long hard day, and wondered will I have to deal with this forever?
As time moved on and the medicine was managing my symptoms. I slowly was forgetting that I even had this issue. It’s like the medicine worked but didn’t cure me, I didn’t have to work on it myself, I didn’t have to think about anymore. I didn’t have to change or confront the reason that this illness was presenting itself in the first place. So time had passed and my husband and I had decided to have a baby and I didn’t want to take any medication during the pregnancy because depending on which doctor I talked with each had a different opinion as to whether the medication would hurt the baby. I felt like I could handle myself and a little discomfort so I stopped the medication until the pregnancy was over. Well about 2 months into my pregnancy my symptoms resurfaced with a vengeance. What was I going to do now? I was being pushed to look within, to go deeper, and to become a seeker of my own personal truth. I couldn’t avoid ME any longer. I was back to where I started! I sought out acupuncture, a naturopathic doctor, and even tried neurofeedback. Imagine me with a skull cap on with hundreds of electrodes attached. I looked like something out of the horror film hellraiser or some science fiction film. I then came across the word “homeopathy” in my search for answers. I sought out a practitioner and, knowing nothing, went to an appointment feeling like I’d become a full time doctor junkie. This pivotal moment changed the course of things to come. My visit with the homeopath took 2 hours. I talked and talked; I cried, became hysterical, despairing that I’d never get better! That I just new there was something wrong with me. Through my tears I explained that normally, “I’m a very happy person.” It makes me laugh now because this seems so long ago and I have learned so much. So what is homeopathy anyway? How does it work? What happens when you take it? Here is the official definition…
WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?
Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that works by using a small dose of a substance to help stimulate the body's healing forces. Homeopathy is an effective safe treatment that is gentle yet extremely effective when used properly. The principle of homeopathy is based on the "law of similars." In other words, a substance that could cause symptoms in large amounts can heal you in minute homeopathic doses.
Let's look at an example: The homeopathic remedy Allium Cepa (Red Onion) is used to treat the runny nose and watery eyes from a cold or hay fever, the very symptoms it would cause if one were cutting a red onion in the kitchen. There are thousands of remedies made out of plants, animals, minerals and many other interesting and imponderable things like color and sound, the planet venus, and even xray.
Homeopathy was founded by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, over 200 years ago. Homeopathy is a natural therapy that is safe and effective treatment for accidents and illnesses. It is an energetic medicine that helps the body by elevating the vital force (or the immune system) to defend itself against illness and infection. Homeopaths treat the whole person rather than a single symptom. The homeopath does not diagnose an illness but treats the whole person. It is not necessary to know the name of the disease. Each person may receive a different remedy at a different potency designed to match each one’s need. Homeopathic remedies are small pellets and are generally taken under the tongue or are dissolved in water. They are non-toxic and are safe for pregnant women, infants, adults, and pets and are FDA approved. I find this interesting since the medical world won’t even recognize homeopathy yet they want to regulate the medications. Homeopathy is not herbal or vitamin supplements. It can take time; a typical homeopathic appointment can last from 1 to 2 hours they will ask you everything about yourself, your dreams, what is perhaps peculiar about yourself and unique. It can be an awesome experience, and for some make you think about yourself in a whole new way. Homeopathy works with your body to enable it to fight disease more effectively. Disease is part of life. It cannot be removed, but it can be dealt with effectively. In allopathic medicine (the more traditional medicine practiced in the United States) treatment is by opposition. “Allos” from the Greek means “opposite” and “pathos” meaning “suffering”. When you think of allopathic medicine you hear words like antibiotic, antidepressant, antiviral, antacid, anti-inflammatory. The one thing they all have in common is the prefix “anti”, meaning “against”. Homeopathy works with the body…not against it. Now this is where I get turned on, where I get so passionate, this is where I could babble on and on about this beautiful system of medicine. Homeopathy works on the bigger picture not just a local site. In an acute situation like an accident, a homeopathic remedy like aconite works quickly to help with shock. In the long term, if you have a chronic condition that allopathic medicine can only placate on manage, homeopathy looks to the horizon and perhaps may offer hope and a cure. Interestingly children treated with homeopathy from the beginning of their lives most of the time; do not end up with chronic illnesses. This I believe is because they have fortified their vital force and worked with their bodies and have not suppressed their symptoms. Suppression means that when you treat a disease allopathically you push it deeper into the body. A good example: When young children have psoriasis or eczema and use cortisone creams it’s not uncommon that you will see asthma in their futures In life today it seems almost inevitable that we get these chronic conditions, it’s normal to see the elderly on numerous pill just to stay alive. I find it so awesome to think that it is not inevitable that we end up on tons of pills, that we get chronically sick, that there is a different way to grow and age. That for me is the wave I choose to ride in my life, It gives me hope.
Who can homeopathy help?
Children
Your child’s health is very important to you and as a parent you will face many decisions about your child’s care...from vaccinations to childhood illnesses and behavior problems. Homeopathic treatment works very well for children and used long term prevents chronic illness as they grow to adulthood. Many parents use teething tablets when their infant starts teething. Teething tablets are one of the most common forms of homeopathic treatment and many parents use them without realizing it is a homeopathic remedy. Many childhood ailments can be treated effectively with homeopathy – ear infections, coughs, skin rashes, allergies, and behavior problems are just some of the things I see in my homeopathic practice. In more serious cases homeopathy works very well as a complementary treatment with allopathic medicine to help your child retain his vital force and maintain it after treatment.
Women & men
Women and men seek homeopathic care for a variety of physical and mental conditions. The most common theme however would be that they want more out their health care experience. They are experiencing side effects from their allopathic medicines, or their doctors simply cannot help them. Pregnant women seek treatment for safe treatment during pregnancy since they are unable to take most allopathic medicines.
ANIMALS
Animals respond very well to homeopathic treatment. Family pets can suffer from many ailments - arthritis, allergies, dry skin or eczema, ear infections, coughs, auto immune problems, and cataracts. Dogs and cats can take a remedy the same way an infant would.
CONTINUED
.
When my first child Bodhi was small, I noticed that he wouldn’t sleep with my husband and me. He would head butt out of some impulse and bite at the breast. It was as if he was adverse to hugs and cuddles. I didn’t know if this was just his personality or something that was like a heavy cloud that he was burdened. Homeopathy says that we inherit the suppressions of our ancestors (genetic predisposition) to some extent and that this inheritance can affect what we become sick with. In homeopathy this is called a “Miasm” a very long and interesting subject in and of itself. Given the little knowledge I had, I was convinced that homeopathy could help. He was given an individual prescription and his remedy worked right away. He has since become and open hearted, polite, inquisitive, loving little boy and that dark cloud is a thing of the past. It is like homeopathy came in and blew a gentle wind on the cloud and it just dispersed. I have used homeopathy for nightmares, temper tantrums, growing pains, pregnancy, teething, fevers, and everything else that we have needed in our health care lives. It seems that homeopathy uses in our lives are never ending and I am forever grateful for it, in face can’t imagine my life without it. I am a different person because of it.
Philosophy
Jennie Vaughn-Campbell received her professional education in classical homeopathy at the Los Angeles School of Homeopathy in Los Angeles, California. She performed her clinical internship at the Los Angeles homeopathic clinic. I am a member of the North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH) and a practitioner member of the National Center for Homeopathy (NCH). I am also involved with the Washington State Homeopathy Association, National Health Freedom Coalition and the World Homeopathy Awareness Organization. I am seeking to promote and expand Homeopathic education and knowledge. I have studied with some of the most renowned prominent homeopaths in the world, and my education is always on going. Jennie was introduced to homeopathy when she was diagnosed with an illness and went on a personal mission to heal herself. Her love of homeopathy was born from this journey due to the success of her treatment. Her practice provides comfort and healing because it is based on understanding, nurturing and in-depth communication. Homeopathy is not just about the ailment or illness; it seeks complete understanding of health issues via personality type, habits and lifestyle. Jennie is devoted to helping each of her patients reach their health goals Jennie is from Vancouver, Washington and currently resides in Pasadena, Ca where she can practice being an open minded person about alternative medicine and have a holistic approach to healing the human body. Her practice is based on the belief in the body’s inherent ability to cure itself. From time to time the body requires a slight boost to the vital force. It is known in Chinese medicine as CHI, and in the yoga world PRANA. It is the energy that animates all living beings. As a mother, Jennie understands the importance of homeopathy and personally experiences how it keeps her children healthy. She enjoys the honor of watching her clients heal. Her ability to understand, nurture, and communicate provide a great source of comfort regardless of a persons age or ailments. It isn't just about the ailment or illness. It is a complete understanding of each unique individual’s personality, habits and lifestyle which enable Jennie to treat with compassion and commitment. She works with each patient to help them reach their health goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)