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By: Amir Ghoddoussi
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Homeopathy is an alternative system of medicine that was founded in the early 19th
century by a German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.
It had its greatest popularity in the late 19th century. In the U.S. at this time
15% of the doctors were homeopaths. In many other European copuntries this fraction
was similar. However, with the advent of modern medicine, homeopathy began to look
old and stodgy and its popularity took a nosedive. This trend has reversed recently
and since 1980 homeopathy is experiencing a strong resurgence of interest in the
U.S., the U.K., as well as many other countries.
Homeopathy rests on the principle "Like Cures Like." This means that
a disease can be cured by a medicine that is capable of producing symptoms similar
to those experienced by the patient in a healthy person. Therefore the most important
part of homeopathic treatment lies in the lengthy interview which the homeopath
conducts with the patient in order to determine all the symptoms which the patient
is experiencing. The homeopath then decides which medicine to prescribe based on
the closest match between the patient's symptoms and the known symptoms elicited
by the medicine in a healthy body.
HOMEOPATHIC
REMEDIES
A homeopathic remedy is normally a single substance usually derived from a plant,
an animal, or a mineral which is then subjected to a special procedure which brings
out the medicinal properties of the original substance. There are currently about
2000 substances whose specific effects on the body have been recorded. Examples
are charcoal, salt, poison ivy, snake poisons, etc.
Homeopaths have discovered by experience that the effect of homeopathic medicines
is strengthened dramatically upon successive dilutions and vigorous shaking between
each dilution. The final dilution is very high (ranging from 1 part in 1000 to
1 part in 10^60 and above). It is this use of high dilutions that has given rise
to controversy.
Many conventional doctors claim that homeopathy functions only as a placebo. However,
several controlled clinical studies have been performed by medical researchers,
showing that homeopathy is an effective method of treatment for many diseases.
The best summary of research can be found in a study published in the British Medical
Journal. Its authors are not homeopaths but medical school professors asked by
the Dutch government to review existing research: "Clinical Trials of Homeopathy.",
Kleijnen, Jos, Knipschild, Paul, et al., British Medical Journal, Feb 9, 1991, v302,
n6772, p516(8).
Another, more recent, study showed that homeopathy is decidedly different in its
action from a placebo and can be found in the Dec 20, 1994 issue of the British
medical journal Lancet.
The degree of dilution is referred to as the "potency" of the remedy,
with higher dilutions corresponding to higher potencies. The potency is denoted
by a number and a letter on the label, such as "C6", "C12",
"12X", etc. (higher numbers denote higher potencies).
Homeopathic remedies are available in different preparations: tablets, liquids,
and globuli (small white pellets). Tablets and globuli are made of impregnated
milk sugar, whereas liquid preparations are solutions of the medication in water
with some amount of alcohol added as a preservative.
THE RIGHT REMEDY FOR
ME
The key to finding the right homeopathic remedy is individualization. This means
that the totality of all symptoms experienced by the patient (including thos apparently
unrelated to the main complaint) has to be known in order to prescribe the medicine.
The mere name of a disease, like flu, cold, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. is not
enough. For this reason, please refrain from asking the tempting question: "I
have disease X -- which homeopathic remedy should I take?" In the course of
a thorough interview (normally between 60 and 90 minutes, initially), the homeopath
tries to form a complete picture of your current state. This includes your emotional,
mental, and physical symptoms.
Many health food stores now offer prescription-free homeopathic remedies. They
are frequently labelled with a disease name like "Diarrhea", "Head
Ache", "Allergies", etc..
Since careful individualized matching of symptoms is necessary to find the correct
remedy, these products rarely cure. Sometimes a temporary amelioration of symptoms
can be achieved but in general you should not expect too much from these preparations.
BE AWARE WHEN TAKING HOMEOPATHIC MEDICATION
Homeopathic preparations are extremely safe to take because of their highly diluted
form. They should not be taken together with food because this might interfere
with their absorption. Take them at least 30 minutes before or after eating or
drinking and let them dissolve in the mouth. Your homeopath will give you more
specific instructions if necessary.
Sometimes an initial worsening of your symptoms can occur. This inital aggravation
is usually a good sign and signifies that your body is responding to the remedy.
Although the physical symptoms might get worse for a short period of time, you
as a whole will start to feel better almost immidiately. The aggravation will subside
quickly, followed by the recovery.
HOW FAST
DO HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES WORK?
This is a difficult question to answer in a general way. It depends on the nature
of your illness (acute or chronic, long standing or recent, etc.), your constitution,
and the specific remedy given. In acute cases often times relief can be felt a
few minutes after taking the remedy and the first dose can cure the illness completely.
Chronic cases take longer to respond and a full course of treatment may take many
months.
LEARN MORE
ABOUT HOMEOPATHY
Books about homeopathy are available in many health food stores and book stores.
A list of some of the most common ones is given below:
Miranda Castro, The Complete Homeopathy Handbook Brief introduction to the history
and philosophy of homeopathy. The main part of the book focuses on treating common
acute conditions. Very readable for the beginner.
Dana Ullman, Homeopathic Medicine for the 21st Century Very thorough and exact.
Well worth reading. If you want one book to have by you -- this might be the one.
Richard Moskowitz, Homeopathic Medicine for Pregnancy And Childbirth
Gerhard Koehler, The Handbook of Homeopathy - It's Principle And Practice
This is for the more serious student; it covers the breadth and depth of homeopathy
with exceptional thoroughness. Not so much a practical guide but a well presented
layout of the homeopathic principles.
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