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How Homeopathy Can Help

Homeopathy is a sophisticated system of medicine which can effectively treat adults, children, animals and plants.

Chronic and acute disease

Influenza, for instance, would be classified as an acute illness. Chronic diseases, however, are deep-rooted conditions which usually worsen with time. This class of illness includes inherited tendencies, and susceptibilities such as asthma and arthritis. Both categories of illness respond well to homeopathy, but while an acute condition may clear up rapidly, chronic disease involves complex causes which take time to unravel and heal.

Homeopathy and the common cold

The majority of people will suffer from colds at some time in their lives, and many of us regularly 'catch' colds every winter. This acute illness has puzzled research scientists for decades, for they have so far failed to find a cure. Homeopathy can often help in such cases, either by preventing a cold occurring in the first place, or by methodically itemizing individual symptoms and prescribing a remedy on the basis of 'like cures like'.

Homeopathy recognizes that the tendency to catch colds springs from many different causes, inherited or acquired later in life. For example, since the widespread use of the tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), many people have had a layer of tubercular weakness grafted on to their basic constitution which makes them more likely to catch colds. Homeopathic doses of tuberculinum will help combat this weakness.

The type of cold you catch depends on the effect of viruses or bacteria on the underlying constitution as well as any specific exciting causes. If they are to be successful, homeopathic cold remedies must be chosen especially carefully, according to your individual signs and symptoms, to find the correct remedy for you.

Whatever kind of cold it is, the right remedy taken at the right time will do much to reduce discomfort and clear up the cold as soon as possible. Aconitum 30, for example, would be appropriate for a sudden chill accompanied by a dry, painful cough made worse by cold, dry weather. Fever, sleeplessness, and a heavy, bursting headache are also Aconitum symptoms. Gelsemium 30, another common cold remedy, is used to treat a very different set of symptoms. A person with a typical Gelsemium cold would be feeling extremely drowsy, with heavy, drooping eyelids. Their cold is likely to have developed slowly, especially in damp mild weather, and will be accompanied by chilliness up and down the back, a lack of hunger and thirst, pain at the back of the head and a stuffy nose. There are many other remedies as well, depending on the kind of cold.

Natural defences

Allopathic medicine tends to treat colds and flu by suppressing their characteristic symptoms. Homeopaths have observed that this drives the illness deeper into the body, where it is likely to become more serious. A rise in temperature, or slight fever, frequently accompanies a bad cold and is conventionally suppressed with anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin. But fever is part of the body's defence mechanism.

A high temperature is a by-product of your body fighting infection by increasing the number of white blood cells. As these cells become more active, they produce more interferon, which is a body protein that prevents an increase in viral growth. (Of course, a prolonged bout of very high fever can be dangerous and needs to be treated appropriately. There are many homeopathic remedies for high fever, depending on the particular signs and symptoms of the condition.)

Catarrhal discharge is also frequently suppressed by decongestants and nasal sprays. Again, such conventional methods are not helping the body- and may even exacerbate a straightforward cold, especially in children. Catarrh represents toxic waste, which the body is throwing out. It contains dead white blood cells, bacteria, viruses and mucus and, quite simply, is better out than in. Homeopathic treatment can reduce the incidence of frequent colds by ensuring that the body clears itself completely, without inhibiting its natural defence mechanisms.

Homeopathy and allergies

Allergies seem to be on the increase. The acute stage of an allergic reaction does superficially resemble a violent cold. Repeated sneezing, watering eyes and a runny nose are common allergic reactions brought about by an over-reaction of the immune system to the allergen, or foreign body.

Household chemicals, pollen, cosmetics, animal hairs and food are all capable of triggering allergy attacks in sensitive people. Asthma and eczema, which make many people's lives a misery, are also defined as allergic reactions -although they can also be brought on by stress and emotional states. Homeopaths regard allergies as being symptomatic of a fundamental chronic condition, and seek to strengthen the body's overall resistance. Professional homeopathic care can, in many cases, reduce allergy attacks -or eradicate them altogether.

Hay fever

Hay fever is a recurrent seasonal allergy to pollen. Conventionally, it is usually treated with antihistamines which, although they effectively suppress allergic symptoms, neither cure the illness nor provide long term relief. In addition, side effects such as drowsiness can make it dangerous to drive, or operate machinery. If you suffer from hay fever, homeopathy could be the answer.

Asthma and eczema

Asthma and eczema often begin in childhood, and may or may not be outgrown by the time a sufferer reaches maturity. These illnesses frequently appear together, and are known to be linked. Homeopaths believe that suppression of childish eczema with steroid creams can cause the disease to be driven into the body, from whence it will re-emerge as asthma at a later date.

Asthma may prove difficult to treat homeopathically because of long term use of suppressant medications. It is particularly difficult to get a clear homeopathic 'picture' of an adult asthmatic who has a long history of conventional medication. Many homeopaths are in fact not keen on their patients giving up their inhalers (used during acute attacks), as sudden withdrawal would complicate the picture too much. Instead, they are gradually weaned off and a suitable homeopathic remedy substituted. Therefore homeopathic treatment for adults is a long term undertaking. However, the story is different with children. If they are seen early enough, it is possible to control the asthma without recourse to a lifetime's dependency on inhalers.

Asthma and eczema are closely linked. It is important to note that as asthma improves (in asthma/eczema sufferers) eczema eruptions may temporarily worsen. These eruptions should not be suppressed, otherwise the asthma will re-emerge and the vicious circle will never be broken.

Nobody knows what causes eczema, but it is often inherited. Psychological factors such as anxiety and stress seem to contribute to the severity of attacks, and eczema sufferers may also experience other allergies such as hay fever. A homeopath will want to know whether the eczema is worse at night, or in damp weather. Where the inflammation occurs is also important, for this helps to determine which remedy is prescribed. By improving overall levels of health, homeopathy can provide constructive help.

Homeopathy, pregnancy and birth

Many modern mothers are now seeking safe medical care during pregnancy, labour, and while breast-feeding their babies -and this is an area where homeopathy can certainly provide a valid option. There are safe, effective homeopathic remedies for morning sickness, breathlessness, swollen ankles (edema) and heartburn, none of which can harm the baby or cause side effects worse than the complaint.

Homeopathic remedies are also invaluable during labour, for they can be used to strengthen the mother physically and mentally, decrease delivery time, and speed up recovery after the birth. Three French researchers published the results of a double-blind trial in 1987 which tested five homeopathic medicines commonly used to aid labour. A double-blind trial is one where neither the patients nor the doctor administering the medicine know which substance is being used. In this way, it is argued, independent assessment of its action is assured. It is very difficult to judge homeopathic remedies by this method because they are generally prescribed on an individual basis.

However, this particular trial successfully showed that Caulophyllum (blue cohosh) decreased both birth time and difficulties during lap our. The women who were given homeopathic medicines were in labour for an average of 5.1 hours, while those who received a placebo averaged 8.5 hours. Caulophyllum has such a reputation for speeding up the process of childbirth that it must never be self-administered, for it is own to bring on premature labour. After the baby is born, homeopathy can help with breastfeeding problems, post-natal depression and post-natal incontinence.

Homeopathic care of babies and children

Babies and children respond well to homeopathy, which has the important added benefit of producing no damaging side-effects. It can help with colic in newborn babies, which can be distressing for infant and parents alike. Some homeopathic doctors and practitioners specialize in this field, which can be especially helpful for problems such as hyperactivity.

Conventional medicine, modern hygiene and nutrition have certainly helped to reduce the incidence of infant mortality. And many children now survive thanks to the antibiotics and advanced surgical techniques which are available today. Yet such dramatic medical intervention is unnecessary for common childhood problems like teething, minor infections, or colds. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics may even be dangerous -tetracycline, for instance, can affect bone growth, cause liver damage, and cause unsightly permanent stains on children's teeth.

Homeopathy can be particularly effective in dealing with the after-effects of vaccination. One of the main effects of the vaccines, which have prevented many children from falling victim to whooping cough, polio, diphtheria and tetanus, is increased catarrh and mucus production. This has resulted in many children suffering from 'glue ear', as the mucus collects in the space in the middle ear. While this is not life-threatening, it leads to a significant degree of deafness, usually different in each ear. The orthodox response to this is the insertion of grommets, small drainage tubes, in the ear. Homeopathic treatment however, carried out early enough after the vaccinations will help to avoid the grommet insertion.

Homeopathy at home

Common minor problems are easily treated at home with homeopathy -and many homeopathic pharmacies supply ready-made first aid kits for home use. It must be emphasized that any persistent or distressing symptoms require professional care -but day-to-day domestic upsets will readily respond to homeopathic remedies.

As a general rule, four or five doses should produce results -remember to stop taking the remedy as soon as you can see an improvement. For acute condition, these doses may be taken at half-hourly intervals, increasing to once every two or three hours as improvement occurs. Homeopathic remedies are subtle and sensitive -so wait for twenty to thirty minutes after eating before you take them. This rule applies before meals too. Peppermint toothpaste, camphor, tobacco and coffee can also interfere with their action, so avoid using these substances half an hour before and after taking medicine as well. Special, bland homeopathic toothpaste is available in some pharmacies for this reason.

Keep your remedies out of direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place where they will not come in contact with any strong smelling substances which could damage them. Carefully stored they should last a long time; some experts maintain that they may even be effective after 50 years.

How homeopathic remedies are made

Using homeopathy

Homeopathy advantages

Common homeopathic remedies

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