Homeopathy

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy tackles the cause of ill health rather than suppressing the symptoms – it treats the person not the disease.

Remedies are selected on the basis of all aspects of the patient and his or her symptoms. Each treatment – like each person – is unique.

How does it work?

The principles of homeopathy

The “like with like” principle

A substance that causes a symptom in a healthy person will cure that same symptom in an ill person.

Example of “like with like”: Allium cepa

Like with like: what do the sceptics say?

Conventional medicine is geared towards suppressing the symptoms of disease. Some conventional practitioners do not agree with giving more of the responsible agent of the illness to the patient.

The minimum dose: what do the sceptics say?In homeopathy, the

substance is diluted to such a high degree that none of the original material is present in the medicine. Sceptics claim the effect must be a placebo response.

Evidence in favour of homeopathy

60 positive randomised controlled trials (RCTs)

9 positive meta-analyses of RCTsClinical outcome studies

Laboratory studies

Veterinary studies

Evidence in favour of homeopathy

RCTs provide evidence that homeopathy has an effect greater than placebo, especially in influenza, hay fever, fibromyalgia and sinusitis

Clinical outcome studies from the homeopathic hospitals and others consistently show over 70% of patients respond positively to homeopathic treatment

Laboratory (test tube) studies indicate that homeopathic preparations can have biological effects

Veterinary surgeons successfully treat animals with a wide range of medical conditions

The history of homeopathyAncient GreeksHippocrates 2,500 years ago:“through the like, disease isproduced and through theapplication of like, it is cured”

The history of homeopathyDr Samuel HahnemannGeneral Physician 200 years agoOrganised homeopathy into modern

scienceObserved “like with like” phenomenon Developed concept of dilution of

medicines to prevent adverse toxic effects

Coined the term “succussion”

What areas can homeopathy treat?

Respiratory systemDigestive systemSkinLocomotor systemHormonal problemsMental problems

Homeopathy can also help:when conventional medicine is ineffective or non-

existent

when conventional medicine is unsafe

when conventional medicine has side-effects that are unacceptable

to complement conventional medicine

to provide symptomatic relief in untreatable or terminal conditions

Where homeopathy cannot help:

Cannot reverse irreparable damage or replace absent body hormones

Cannot replace surgical procedures

What are the advantages?Safe

No side effects

Not addictive

• Only used while problem present

• No adverse interaction with conventional medicines

The homeopathic consultation

Duration: Usually 1 hour

Objective: to discover the overall picture –“the whole person”

What the consultation will focus onGeneral features - sleep, appetite,

thirstMental features - temperament,

emotions, general sense of “well being”

Particular symptoms – physical characteristics related to the complaint

Other factors:

General likes and dislikes - temperature, time of day, lifestyle, eating habits and preferences

Medical history and family history

Following the consultationCase analysed by

homeopathic practitioner

Homeopathic medicine prescribed

Dosage of medicine

Regular or single dose

Strength of medicineRange of potencies

x rangec range

Examples - 6x, 30c, 200c

Review of treatmentFour weeks after first

consultationUsually 20-30 minutes

longPractitioner will assess

how the treatment is progressing

Response to medicinePractitioner will observe whether

symptoms have been alleviated and to what degree. Onset and duration of improvement will be noted

Outcome of review

No further medicineRepeat original medicine - at

same or different dosePrescribe new medicine

What is homeopathy used for?

Some common examples

Indigestion

Nux vomica 30c three times per day until better and then as needed.

Joint pain – Osteo/Rheumatoid ArthritisRhus tox 30c three times

per day until better and then as needed.

Bruising – acute trauma

Arnica 30c every 15 mins in first hour; hourly for rest of day; then four times per day until better.

Leg / calf cramps – especially nocturnal cramps

Cuprum metallicum 30c three times per day until better and then as needed.

Insomnia

Coffea 30c at bedtime and every 30 minutes if still awake.

Eczema Sulphur 6c three times on one

day only.If no worsening / flare up of

eczema continue twice daily until better.

Beware worsening of eczema / aggravation reactions, especially in children.

ChilblainsAgaricus muscarius 30c

three times per day until better and then as needed.

Warts / VerrucaeThuja 6c twice a day

until a change in the wart is noticed. Then stop.

Teething

Chamomilla 6c four times per day until better and then as needed.

Infantile colic Ensure that medical diagnoses

have been excluded. Colocynth 6c three times per

day until better and then as needed.

• An alternative is Chamomilla 6c

• If no better after 2 days stop medicine and seek medical advice.

Car / motion sickness

Cocculus 30c on the morning of the journey and upon leaving home. Repeat the dose if feeling nauseous during the journey.

Hay feverFor acute symptoms - Combination

remedy containing Allium cepa / Euphrasia / Sabadilla 30c. Give four times daily as needed.

For prevention - Mixed Grass and Pollen 30c twice daily. Start four weeks before season and continue throughout.

Five reasons to choose homeopathy:1. It is often successful where other treatments have

failed and can reduce the need to take conventional treatments

2. Not addictive and no dangerous side-effects3. You are treated as a whole person – emotional and

environmental factors also affect your wellbeing4. It tackles the cause rather than suppressing symptoms5. People often say homeopathy makes them feel better

in themselves

Medically qualified practitionersThe Faculty of Homeopathy trainsdoctors, nurses, midwives, vets,dentists, pharmacists, podiatristsand other healthcare professionalsin homeopathic medicine.

The Faculty promotes an integrated approach to care, where homeopathy is used to complement conventional medicine. www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

Read about homeopathyThe British HomeopathicAssociation publishes Healthand Homeopathy magazine –get the latest news, bookreviews and articles written bymedically qualified homeopaths. To subscribe, join the BHA as aFriend by calling 01582 408675.

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