347 61 17MB
English Pages [132] Year 2000
Everything
you need
ROBERT ULLMAN,
to
know
to
make
N.D.
JUDYTH REICHENBERGULLMAN,N.D,M.S.W.
the
most
ofyour treatment
and care
Digitized by the Internet Archive in
2012
http://archive.org/details/patientsguidetohOOrobe
THE PATIENT'S GUIDE TO
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE
THE PATIENT'S GUIDE TO
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE ROBERT ULLMAN,N.D. JUDYTH REICHENBERG ULLMAN,N.D.,M.S.W.
Picnic Point Pri
sn
Edmonds, WASHING rON
© All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be
used, reproduced or transmitted in any
form electronic or mechanical,
including print, photocopying, recording or any retrieval or storage system, or by
any other means whatsoever without the prior written permission of the copyright holders except in the case of brief quotations
embodied
For information, please contact Picnic Point
Press,
Edmonds, WA 98020.
First printing
in critical articles or reviews.
131 Third Avenue, N., Suite B,
1995.
Publisher's Cataloging in Publication
Ullman, Robert W., 1951-
The patient's guide to homeopathic medicine / Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman. p.
cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-9640654-2-8
1
.
Homeopathy.
I.
Reichenberg-Ullman, Judyth.
II.
Title.
615.5'32'03
RX71.U55 1995
QB 195-20062 Designed by Kate
L.
Thompson.
This book is intended for educational purposes only.
It is
purposes of self-diagnosis or
it is
self- treatment.
Further,
not intended for not intended to
diagnose, treat, give medical advice for a specific condition, or in any way to replace the services of a qualified medical professional.
ISBN 0-9640654-2-8
LCCN
94-90871
99 98 97 96 95
5 4 3 2
Picnic Point Press
131 Third Ave. N., Suite
Edmonds, WA 98020
B
1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS SPECIAL THANKS tions
to
Miranda Castro,
and publishing savvy, and
editor,
Hazel Orme, to
for
for her helpful sugges-
connecting us with her excellent
whom we
are very grateful.
We
Marilyn Osterman, our copy editor, for her careful attention to
and Kate Thompson, our book our cover, book
Morrison
interior,
for writing the
and
designer, for her excellent
logo.
We
particularly
kind encouragement.
for sharing their love
detail
work on
thank Roger
foreword and for sharing his self-publishing
experience and thank his lovely wife and colleague for her
thank
Nancy Herrick
We also thank Barry and Joyce Vissell
and support for our relationship and our book.
Many thanks to all of you who reviewed our manuscript and gave us
helpful
feedback
including
Dr.
Rajan
Sankaran,
George
Vithoulkas, Dr. Jennifer Jacobs, John Clancey, Jay Borneman, Dr.
William Shevin, Dr. Karen
Fuller,
Linda DeBoer, Steve and Randa
Cleaves, Dr. Michael Traub, Julian Winston, Dr. Ellen
Amy
Haines, Dr.
Goldman, Stacy Hartog, Dana Ullman, Dr. Stephen Messer, Dr.
Stephen King, Dr. Sheryl Kipnis, Peggy Chipkin, and Mort Yanow.
To
all
of you
your support.
we
forgot to mention, our sincerest gratitude for
DEDICATION We dedicate this book to all those who made it possible: To Samuel Hahnemann for his brilliance, courage, and inspiration; To all of our teachers of homeopathy for their wisdom;
To homeopaths
everywhere for their dedication and compassion; To our colleagues
and
friends,
who
end;
To our
patients,
have supported
who
all
of our endeavors.
from beginning
to
continue to be our greatest teachers of
homeopathy; To our parents in
this project
for their love, prayers,
and confidence
2 6 9 81
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
.
Foreword
VI
Introduction
IX
Homeopathy: Roots and Renaissance
1
Samuel Hahnemann, The Founder of Homeopathy
2.
1
Hahnemann Discovers Homeopathy The Rise and Decline of Homeopathy
3
Homeopathic Renaissance and Research
4
1
Homeopathic Training
5
Homeopathy throughout the World
6
What in the World is Homeopathy?
9
The Law of Similars Illness,
9
Balance and Health
The Vital Force and
1
the Defense
Mechanism
The Importance of Symptoms The Simillimum
1
13
Individualization of Treatment
14
Treating the Underlying Cause of Illness
1
Dynamic Healing through Homeopathy
1
Suppression Versus Cure
1
Law of Cure Homeopathy Different from
Hering's
How is
Conventional Medicine? 3
.
1
2
22
Why Choose Homeopathy?
25
Homeopathy is Highly Effective Homeopathy for Cancer and AIDS
25
27
Homeopathy for Mental and Emotional Problems
28
Homeopathy for Animals
34
Homeopathy is Safe Homeopathy is Cost Effective Homeopathy Can Enhance the
35
Conventional Medicine ill
35 Effects of
36
4.
From Snake Venom to Squid Ink
39
Poisons as Medicine
40
Salts
5.
42
of the Earth
From Dog's Milk to Red Ants The Homeopathic Healing Power of Plants
42
New Remedies
44
7.
43
The Unique Preparation of Homeopathic Medicines The Homeopathic
6.
39
The Source of Homeopathic Medicines
Paradox: Weaker
is
Stronger
47 47
Potentization
48
The Importance of Succussion
48
How Homeopathic Medicines are Dispensed and Sold
48
Homeopathic Dosages
49
Combination Remedies
50
Getting to
Know the Patient from the Inside Out
53
The Homeopathic Consultation
53
The Books of the Homeopath
54
Dos and Don'ts for Homeopathic Patients Taking the Remedy
57
57
Dos and Don'ts About Taking Homeopathic Remedies 57 Antidoting
57
What to Avoid While Under Homeopathic Treatment Factors Which Do Not Interfere With
59
Homeopathic Treatment
61
The Patient's Freedom During Homeopathic Treatment 8.
62
'
What Do Need to Know About I
Homeopathic Treatment?
65
How Soon Will Notice a Response to My Remedy? How Do Know if the Remedy is Working? What If My Progress Seems Too Slow? How Often Will Need to Take a Remedy? I
I
I
Prescription
Will
I
When
Have
Drugs and Homeopathy to
Should
Take I
a
Homeopathic Remedy
Contact
My Homeopath IV
65
67 67 68 69
Forever?
70 70
.
9
1
.
Real Patients Real Cures
73
Donna: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
75
Sally:
77
PMS,
78
Endometriosis, and Infertility
Helen: Eczema
81
Gina: Arthritis
81
Carlos: Obsessive Jealousy
83
Charles: Flu
84
How to Find the Right Homeopath The Legal
87
Status of Homeopathy
87
Choosing Your Homeopath
87
Are There Different Kinds of Homeopaths?
88
How Can 1 1
76
Depression
Sonya: Menopause Lucy:
10.
73
,
Cliff: Allergies
I
Tell If I
Am Seeing The Right Homeopath?
89
Making the Most of Your Homeopathic Treatment It's
9
Never Too Late
9
The Role of Homeopathy in Your Life
9
Your Responsibility as a Patient
92
Our Goal and Your Goal
92
More
Appendix: Learning
94
Recommended Books
94
General Interest
94
Self-Treatment
94
For the
Homeopath or Serious Student
95
96
Resources
Homeopathic Book Distributors
96
Homeopathic Organizations
96
International
Homeopathic Organizations
97
Homeopathic Pharmacies
97
Homeopathic Software Organizations
98
Homeopathic Training Programs
99
Glossary
1
00
Index
1
03
FOREWORD by
Roger Morrison, M.D.
GREAT PLEASURE to introduce this wonderful book to the public and to my professional colleagues. The homeopathic It
IS
A
community has needed such a book for many years. This is because The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine is the first book tailored exactly to the needs of homeopaths there exist
many
fine introductory
offer explanations
and
their patients.
of homeopathy without the details of
works from inside the healing process. This puter without a manual.
Now,
While
books on homeopathy, most
is
how
akin to selling a
for the first time,
it
com-
homeopathic
patients have a user's manual.
The purpose of this book
to make the homeopathic process The chapters on the homeopathic
is
understandable to the patient.
interview and dos and don'ts for patients are unique in homeopathic
books addressed to the general public. These chapters give truly indepth explanations to the questions patients commonly ask in
homeopathic
practice.
empower our
patients,
As knowledge empowers, this book will making them partners in treatment rather
than passive participants.
Of almost equal importance with the explanatory portion of this book is
its
friendly
and supportive tone. The book invites the patient
into the perspective of the trained
homeopathic
patient.
The
homeopath or
the seasoned
authors evoke the passion and wonder
every experienced physician feels for this magnificent healing
art.
This book gives the patient an idea of the commitment and love that each homeopath has for his
art.
capacity for healing in our lives full
The
authors communicate the
full
and help the patient understand the
scope of the truly miraculous changes that homeopathy offers.
known throughout the homeopathic their commitment to excellence, their compassion
Judyth and Robert are
community for
toward their patients, and their dedication to homeopathic education.
The
authors are regular contributors to Resonance, the VI
magazine of the International Foundation for Homeopathy; the
Townsend Letter for journal of the cians.
Both authors
teachers
Doctors',
and
also write for Simillimum, the
Homeopathic Association of Naturopathic Physiare licensed naturopathic physicians have
been
of repute in naturopathic medical schools, and are
instructors in the International fessional course. It
is
Foundation
a rare event
for
Homeopathy s pro-
when two such proficient and rec-
ognized physicians take time to look through their patient's eyes and carefully outline
homeopathy from
VII
this perspective.
Homeopathy
is
one of the
most dynamicforms of medicine in the world today, capable ofproducing
profound, lasting healing.
INTRODUCTION HOMEOPATHY
ONE
IS
of the most dynamic forms of medi-
cine in the world today, capable of producing profound, lasting
enjoying growing recognition worldwide, and the
healing.
It is
media
devoting more coverage to homeopathy than ever before.
is
The National
Institutes
of Health recently included homeopathy as
an area of alternative medicine that merits further research.
new
fortunate to be part of a
committed
to
generation of homeopaths
promoting and perpetuating
We feel
who
are
highly effective
this
form of natural medicine.
Over the past ten years, we have
treated thousands of patients in
we answer the questions that patients commonly ask about homeopathy. The result is a con-
our homeopathic practices. In
cise
and
are
book,
homeopathic treatment.
practical guide to
Informed patients
this
more likely to follow through with home-
They can better understand and follow their practitioners' instructions. They pay closer attention to their symptoms and communicate them more clearly to their homeopaths. They are also more knowledgeable about opathic treatment and derive benefit from
it.
avoiding anything that might interfere with their treatment. If patients derive
more
benefit
from
ment because of the information they have achieved
purpose.
its
their family
and
As
homeopathic
receive here, this
We hope that,
treat-
book
will
through homeopathy,
as
human
suffering can be
satisfied patients share their
enthusiasm with
well as through other forms of healing, greatly alleviated.
their
friends,
more and more people can be helped by
homeopathy.
The identities of patients
referred to in this
guised to protect their privacy.
book have been
We alternate "he" and "she"
purpose of equality of gender reference.
IX
dis-
for the
More books and articles have been published
about homeopathy in last five years
the
than in the
preceding fifty.
Homeopathy: Roots and Renaissance FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS, world have found the solutions to
homeopathy. yourself,
If
you
are
new
people
their health
problems through
homeopathy, you
to
over the
all
may
be asking
"What is homeopathy?" "Where did it come from?"
start at the
Let's
beginning.
Samuel Hahnemann, The Founder ofHomeopathy Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) was a German cian,
and chemist.
scholar, physi-
He was fluent in at least seven languages and well Hahnemann was
versed in the medical thought of his day.
appalled by the often dangerous and ineffective methods of healing
used by his contemporaries. Treatments such
stances, like
mercury and arsenic,
vomiting, purging,
in large doses often
patients' suffering before finally killing
was treated with repeated bloodletting
The
as
and using poisonous sub-
sweating, bloodletting, applying leeches,
prolonged the
them. George Washington
in
an attempt to cure a fever.
"cure" killed him. Prior to his discovery of homeopathy,
practice of medicine because he could
patients or prolong their illnesses.
He
Hahnemann gave up
no longer bear
the
to injure his
chose instead to
make
his
living as a medical translator.
Hahnemann Discovers Homeopathy Hahnemann was
a tireless student of the medical literature
relentless investigator.
stances
While
translating a
and
a
book on medicinal sub-
by William Cullen, an eminent Scottish physician, Hahne-
mann questioned why Cinchona
bark (from which quinine was
later
derived) could cure malaria. Cullen's explanation that the bark cured
malaria because of its bitter taste did not satisfy
soned that its
\t
Cinchona
Hahnemann. He
bark's curative properties
bitterness, then other bitter substances 1
were based
rea-
solely
on
should be equally curative,
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine which he knew from
was not the
his clinical experience
decided to take an extract of the bark himself to experience firsthand.
Hahnemann found
the medicine, he developed realized,
upon taking
that
chills,
case. its
He
effects
successive doses of
weakness, and sweats. These, he
were very similar to the actual symptoms of malaria.
From
this
Hahnemann
experiment,
recognized the principle
that like cures like. This principle, called the law
of similars,
is
not new. Ancient healers such as Charaka in India (c.1000 B.C.),
Hippocrates in Greece (c.400 B.C.), and Paracelsus, the medieval
European physician,
referred to this principle in their writings.
Hahnemann theorized that if Cinchona toms similar
to malaria
and could
could be true of other substances this
He
bark could produce symp-
also cure malaria, then the as well.
same
Hahnemann expanded
ancient idea into a complete medical system for the
first
time.
coined the term homeopathy, from the Greek roots for similar
and
suffering to describe the
new system
that he evolved
from the
law of similars.
He such
began to
test
many
as Belladonna, Arsenic,
symptoms
other natural or medicinal substances
Mercury, and Sulphur to see the range of
that each substance could produce in a healthy person.
These experiments, conducted on himself, dents, were
known
as provings.
working knowledge of
a
family, friends,
Hahnemann
number of
and stu-
gradually built
up
a
medicines, called materia
medica, which he found to be highly effective with patients.
Hahnemann began ments
as early as
1
to write
about
his
homeopathic experi-
792, but his major work on homeopathic philos-
ophy and treatment, the Organon ofMedicine, was not published until 1810. Five editions of the Organon were published between 1810 and 1 843
as
Hahnemann kept experimenting and improving
the medical art that he
had developed. A sixth edition was published
more than 75 years after his death. The physicians of Hahnemann's time strongly opposed his new
in 1921,
system of medicine, in part because
it
was a
orthodoxy of the time, but also because
its
radical
change from the
success provided signif-
Hahnemann was forced to leave the city of the bastion of German medical learning, because his ideas
icant competition.
Leipzig,
were too unconventional for most of his colleagues.
Homeopathy: Roots and Renaissance Over the course of of patients, including
and government
his
life,
many
Hahnemann
highly respected intellectuals,
Germany and
officials in
treated thousands
France.
He
proved almost a hundred medicines before his death 88.
artists,
personally
at the
age of
By that time, he had finally received the recognition he deserved
for his
groundbreaking discoveries.
The Rise and Decline ofHomeopathy Even before Hahnemann's death, homeopathy had spread from
Germany and France throughout Europe and to the United States. The first homeopathic medical school was established in the United States in 1836 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The American Institute of Homeopathy, the
founded
in 1844.
first
national homeopathic organization, was
Homeopathy achieved
great recognition for
success in treating epidemics such as cholera, scarlet fever,
yellow
By
fever.
the turn of the century, approximately one in five
physicians was a homeopath. hospitals, over
its
and
More than one hundred homeopathic
twenty homeopathic medical schools, and
at least a
thousand homeopathic pharmacies flourished in the United States l
at that time.
Despite
its
clinical success, there
homeopathy, both
in
was considerable opposition
Europe and the United
States.
to
The American
Medical Association was founded in 1846, in opposition to the
homeopaths. State medical
societies in the
United States prohibited
members from referring to, or even consulting with, a homeThe pharmaceutical companies, standing to lose considerable profits if inexpensive homeopathic medicines became too popular, published articles disparaging the new medical system. their
opath.
Many
orthodox physicians
felt
threatened by the growing accep-
tance of homeopathy. In 1910, the Carnegie Foundation hired evaluate
all
Abraham
Flexner to
of the medical schools in the United States to determine
which would
receive funding
from the foundation. Flexner gave the
homeopathic medical schools poor
ratings, largely
not emphasize laboratory
Homeopathic schools
facilities.
because they did lost
foun-
dation support and state licensing boards began to use the Flexner report to determine
which graduates could take licensing exams. As
3
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine a result,
homeopathy
nearly died in the United States by the mid-
twentieth century.
Gradually
all
of the homeopathic medical schools were forced
out of business or converted to conventional medical institutions.
With the advent of modern medicines such as sulfa drugs and penicillin,
the
the "wonder drugs" of the 1940's, public interest turned to
new pharmaceutical drugs and support of homeopathy waned By 1950,
dramatically.
schools
left in
there were
the United States
practitioners remaining.
The opportunity
the United States was nearly small, but dedicated,
to use
homeopathy.
tradition
no homeopathic medical
and there were only a few dedicated
lost.
to learn
homeopathy
During the 1960s
in
a relatively
group of practitioners and patients continued
One
of the main ways that the homeopathic
was preserved was through study groups,
in
which
people studied homeopathy together on a regular
basis.
study groups are more widespread than ever and
many are
lay
Today these coordi-
nated by the National Center for Homeopathy. (See the Appendix for
more information.)
Homeopathic Renaissance and Research During the
late
1960s, interest in alternative
began to blossom. healthy way to
lifestyles
and medicine
Many people were searching for a more natural,
live.
Vitamins, herbs, homeopathy, and other forms
of natural healing began to be in demand and by the
homeopathy began
to experience a resurgence in the
late
United
1
970's
States.
Once again, seminars and training programs were offered to serious students of homeopathy. George Vithoulkas, an innovative
Greek homeopath, was a primary influence in training a new generation of homeopaths. Vithoulkas
had acquired vast experience from
having treated thousands of patients from
homeopathic clinic ical
He
in Athens.
all
over Europe at his
synthesized his tremendous clin-
knowledge into a practical textbook, The Science ofHomeopathy.
Enthusiastic
North American homeopaths developed
homeopathic treatment began United States and Canada.
It is
to
clinics
and
be available in a few areas of the
some of these same homeopaths, who
now practiced homeopathy for ten to twenty years, who provide much of the homeopathic education in this country today. have
Homeopathy: Roots and Renaissance
in
More books and articles have been published about homeopathy the last five years than in the preceding fifty. There are more than
one thousand medically-trained homeopaths
now practicing in
the
United States, including medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, naturopathic physicians, chiropractors, physician assistants, acupuncnurses, nurse practitioners,
turists, dentists,
addition, a growing
and
veterinarians. In
number of unlicensed, yet well-trained homeo-
pathic practititioners, are currently seeking certification.
In 1992, the National Institutes of Health appointed a group
of respected health professionals to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative therapies, including
homeopathy. This was a break-
through towards mainstream acceptance of homeopathy and other effective alternative therapies.
1993, issue of the
A survey in
the January 28,
New England Journal ofMedicine revealed that
more than one-third of Americans were using some form of alternative medicine, including homeopathy. The total number of visits to alternative practitioners
care physicians.
Landmark research studies icine
was greater than those to primary
2
in the efficacy
of homeopathic med-
were published in two highly prestigious medical journals in
1994. Jennifer Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H. conducted a randomized clinical trial
The
of children with acute childhood diarrhea in Nicaragua.
study, published in Pediatrics, indicated a statistically signifi-
cant decrease in duration of the diarrhea and encouraged further
homeopathic
research. 3
undertook a
clinical
study, published in
David
Reilly,
M.D., of Glasgow, Scotland,
study of patients with allergic asthma. This
The Lancet,
also
demonstrated the efficacy of
homeopathy. 4 These studies are hopefully the
first
of many to be
published in conventional medical journals and to confirm the clinical effectiveness
of homeopathy.
Homeopathic Training Although there United
are
still
no accredited homeopathic
States, there are a
growing number of opportunities
homeopathic education. Homeopathy riculum
at all three colleges
versity, the
colleges in the
is
for
an integral part of the cur-
of naturopathic medicine: Bastyr Uni-
National College of Naturopathic Medicine, and the
5
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. These three colleges are the only medical degree
programs that include a significant
amount of homeopathy in their training. The Hahnemann College of Homeopathy, the International Foundation for Homeopathy, the National Center for
Homeopathy, and the New England School
of Homeopathy offer postgraduate programs for licensed health care professionals.
The International Foundation for Homeopathy, the HomeoAcademy of Naturopathic Physicians, the National Center for Homeopathy, and the American Institute of Homeopathy are all pathic
very active in supporting the spread of homeopathy in the United States.
Each of these organizations publishes
a
homeopathic journal
and sponsors an annual conference. The National Center
Homeopathy, the Atlantic Academy of Homeopathy, the
for
Pacific
Academy of Homeopathy, and the New England School of Homeopathy all offer courses for nonprofessionals.
Homeopathy Throughout The World
Homeopathy is widely practiced
in India,
England, France, Ger-
many, Mexico, and South America, and
is
gaining acceptance
among conventional medical practitioners
in
Western Europe. In
England, homeopathy has been used by the royal family since 1
830. There are more than twenty homeopathic schools or part-
time courses there including a course for medical doctors
at the
Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. In England, there are
many
registered professional
the Society of
homeopaths who
are
members of
Homeopaths. A recent study on the attitudes of complementary medicine found that 42
British physicians to
percent refer to homeopaths. 5 In France, over
1 1
,000 physicians
use homeopathic medicines, which are dispensed by
more than
20,000 pharmacies. Twenty-five percent of the French people have been treated homeopathically. 6 Postgraduate homeopathic courses are offered throughout Europe, particularly in Belgium,
Germany, France and Greece. Standards for education in homeopathy and a model course curriculum are being formulated
and promoted by the European and International Councils Classical
Homeopathy. In
for
India, as part of the legacy of British
Homeopathy: Roots and Renaissance colonialism, there are 120 homeopathic medical colleges
many
as
and
as
100,000 homeopathic practitioners. The Indian gov-
ernment sponsors nineteen medical homeopathic
colleges
and
a
number of
hospitals. 7
Notes 1
Ullman, Dana, Discovering Homeopathy-Medicine for the 21st Century.
North Atlantic Books, 1988,
Berkeley:
2 Eisenberg
DM,
Kessler
RC,
pg. 40.
Foster C, Norlock FE, Calkins,
DR, and
Delbanco, TL., "Unconventional Medicine in the United States." TV
EnglJ Med\993; 328:246-252. 3 Jacobs
J,
Jimennez M, Gloyd
S,
Gale J, and Crothes D., "Treatment of
Acute Childhood Diarrhea With Homeopathic Medicine: ized Clinical Trial in Nicatagua."
4 Reilly D, Taylor MA, Beattie
A Random-
Ped 1994; 93 719-725.
NG, Campbell JH, McSharry C, Aitchison
TC, Carter R, and Stevenson RD.,
"Is
Evidence for Homeopathy Repro-
ducible?" Zrfwrrf- 1994; 344: 1601-1606. 5
Wharton
R, Lewith G.,
Practitioner." Brit
6 Ullman, op 7 Ibid.
cit.,
Med J
pg. 48.
"Complementary Medicine and the General 1986; 292:1498-1500.
7
Homeopaths treatpeople, not diagnoses.
What Is
The World
In
Homeopathy?
The Law ofSimilars
Homeopathy uses natural substances that can cause symptoms in a symptoms in a person who is ill. Can you remember the last time you were stung by a bee? The
healthy person to cure similar
stinging,
burning pain, swelling, heat, and redness are probably
etched in your memory. These are the symptoms that you experience
when an angry bee
injects
its
venom
into your healthy body.
How can a poisonous substance like bee venom (Apis mellifica) be medicine?
used
as a
that
makes
it
It is
precisely the fact that
homeopathic medicine, can
it
relieve the
symptoms as a
pain and discomfort of bee
stings as well as other illnesses that have similar
suffering
causes
Bee venom, when used
useful as a medicine.
symptoms. People
from conjunctivitis (pink eye), who complain of stinging
or burning pain, redness
and swelling of the
horn Apis. The type of arthritis that stinging pains
may
also be
is
eyelids, often benefit
hot, red,
and swollen with
cured or helped by a dose of homeo-
pathic bee venom. If you think
ferent in
it is
about the law of similars, you
Western society have been taught
eliminate a bacterial infection against.
The
battle being is
may realize how dif-
from the philosophy of conventional medicine. Most of us
use of antibiotics
is
is
to believe that the only
based on the belief that there
waged in the body which must be won, and
unable to win
it
way
to
with antibiotics. "Anti" means
that the
is
a
body
without the antibiotics. Antibiotics tend to
kill
microorganisms that are associated with disease or interfere with their reproduction. This
may allow the body to recover from
the
illness.
A homeopath might also say that the body needs help in fighting the infection, but
ent way.
When
pattern of the
a
homeopathy gives
that assistance in a differ-
homeopathic remedy
is
given, the
remedy matches the symptoms of the 9
symptom
disease
and
10 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine strengthens the body's balance. tion
own ability to fight the infection and restore
Homeopathic theory
says that the real cause of an infec-
not the microorganism, but the
is
person's
of conditions in a
set
body that provides an environment in which the viruses or and multiply
bacteria can survive
If
you can
restore the natural
ecology of the body with homeopathy, the microorganisms will no longer be able to create disease. In the conventional medical approach,
ducing too
much hydrochloric acid,
the stomach's ability to secrete acid. gies
a drug
if is
the stomach
is
pro-
given which reduces
A person suffering from aller-
given an antihistamine, which prevents the release of hista-
is
mine, the chemical secreted by the mucous membranes in response to an allergen. Steroids, such as hydrocortisone, are used to suppress inflammatory responses. It
may sound like a good idea to
fight against invading organ-
isms or processes that cause damage to the body. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antacids, antifungals, and antihistamines do
produce
effects
and on the surface
ever, these
medications
The
may
result
may
drugs
to severe side effects.
be only temporary or superficial healing. These
ultimately cause
rather than against
Illness,
more
serious problems than they
it.
Balance and Health
homeopath,
a
may produce mild
Over time, how-
Homeopathy, on the other hand, works with the body
cure.
To
relieve illness.
illness
is
an energy imbalance that occurs
first at
the most fundamental levels of the person. This underlying imbal-
ance
the cause of disease
is
symptoms, which
and shows
are created
correct the imbalance. addresses, using the
It is
itself eventually in
the
body as
by the body in the process of trying to
the imbalance itself that
symptoms
as
homeopathy
a guide to the natural substance
that can be of assistance in the process. If
you
are in perfect balance,
which
is
unusual, you will not
develop any symptoms. If you are totally healthy, you are free of pain
and physical symptoms, have plenty of energy, think clearly, ence happiness and a passion for others.
You are
free to
life,
and genuinely
be yourself and to express your
experi-
care about
creativity.
What Homeopathy attempts level
In
The World
Homeopathy?
Is
to bring each individual to the highest
of health possible on the physical, mental, and emotional
Samuel Hahnemann affirmed, "The highest ideal of cure is
levels.
to restore
health rapidly, gently, permanently... in the shortest, surest, least
harmful way according to clearly comprehensible
*
principles..."
You may have felt healthier, happier, and more energetic at some earlier time in your life. You may believe that you're just getting old and that good health is no longer possible for you. Homeopathy can often restore your health and vitality beyond your expectations.
The Vital Force and the Defense Mechanism
The dynamic
balance of all the functions of your body within the
narrow range that maintains sis.
life
and health
Homeostasis means keeping things
that your
body is
vigorously,
it
try to topple
a gyroscope.
As long
will stay in balance,
it.
If you
push
it
to
known as homeosta-
is
static or constant.
as the
gyroscope
is
Imagine spinning
even though outside forces
one side,
it
will return to
its
may
upright
position naturally.
Homeostatic and self-regulatory mechanisms constantly maintain the physiology of the body.
Numerous feedback
body stimulate necessary adjustments
in
carbon dioxide content of your blood begins to
more deeply or you begin coffee or beer, urination
your body.
is
to
yawn.
loops in the
When the
your physiology.
When
rise,
you breathe
you drink too much volume
increased to decrease the liquid
in
When your immune system recognizes a protein that is
foreign to your system, antibodies are produced to take the protein
out of circulation before
it
can do any damage.
These self-regulatory mechanisms operate
ficult to
in
an organized fash-
them
ion, but the organizing principle that causes
to function
observe directly. Physiologists assume that there
underlying principle because the body continues to digest, reproduce,
things,
we
and move.
When
the
body
fails
consider a person to be dead. So what
between being
alive
Homeopaths
live,
is
is
is
dif-
an
think, eat,
to
do these
the difference
and being dead?
believe that, as long as
you
within you a living, intelligent energy that
is
are alive, there exists
responsible for healing
1
1
12 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
and maintaining balance
in
energy is called the vitalforce. tures
and
your body, mind, and emotions. This
The idea has been shared by many cul-
throughout the world, using names such
life force.
Although the
vital force
is
as ki,
prana, mana,
intangible,
its
effects are
readily apparent.
The
defense
mechanism
is
the aspect of the vital force that
responsible for preventing illness and bringing
tems back into equilibrium. organisms and keeps
all
helps your
It
of your
all
body
is
sys-
repel invading
of your internal biological functions
running smoothly.
The immune system is the physical aspect of the defense mechanism.
It
uses specialized cells
immobilize any foreign
The
defense
cells
and
tissues to neutralize, destroy, or
or tissues.
mechanism
not just physical; there are also
is
mental and emotional aspects of the defense mechanism.
It is just as
responsible for healing the grief from a death in the family, or the
confusion and delusions of the schizophrenic mind, ing a bruised toe, a cold, or an ulcer. grief,
and sadness;
to forgive those
your emotional balance.
It
It
helps
you
as
it is
for heal-
to release anger,
who have hurt you; and to restore
can also help you regain mental concen-
of thought, and good memory. You can help strengthen your defense mechanism and prevent minor health problems from becoming more serious if you pay attention to the messages your body is communicating to you. tration, clarity
When
your defense mechanism cannot prevent a situation, you
begin to notice warning signals. You
may
get a slight sore throat,
then a runny nose, then aches and pains, and then a signs
from the defense mechanism prompting you
and restore your health. get
more
It is
rest, eat lightly,
your life. Suppose that
fever.
to
over.
You can
and reduce the
stress in
your responsibility to take
take Vitamin C,
in the process
of defending you, however, the
body keeps generating more symptoms severe, and do not go away. This
is
These are
pay attention
that
become
increasingly
when homeopathy can help.
The Importance of Symptoms
Common
symptoms such
and changes
as pain,
inflammation,
fever, swelling,
in perspiration, urination, sleep, hunger,
and
thirst,
What
In
The World
often point to an imbalance in the body.
Homeopathy?
Is
Without symptoms, you
would never know that you were ill and your homeopath could not assist
you
in getting better.
Your homeopath takes physical examination
a careful case history
of your symptoms, then uses them to remedy. easier
The more
it is
and performs
when necessary. She observes you, select
homeopathic
a
and unusual your symptoms
peculiar
a
listens to all
the
are,
to find a medicine that uniquely matches them.
Local illnesses without symptoms, such as a brain tumor, rectal polyps, breast lumps, or cancer of the cervix often go undetected for a long time, unless discovered
on routine physical examination.
Your defense mechanism may not yet have found a way to bring the
problem
to
your attention or to correct
erates other
can notice. These the illness
it.
Sometimes the body gen-
symptoms, along with the hidden
and
symptoms
often lead your
to prescribe a
illness,
homeopath
remedy which will cure
which you to discover
it.
Joan on her
32, complained of a skin rash physical exam, a Pap smear,
recommended. The Pap smear cerous
cell
face.
which was
As part of her routine
several years overdue,
results indicated significant
was
precan-
changes in her cervix (cervical dysplasia). Although the
cervical dysplasia
was asymptomatic, the rash led her
to seek treat-
ment. Through homeopathy and other natural therapies, both the rash
and the
cervical dysplasia
were cured.
The Simillimum
Homeopaths which
prescribe only
best matches your
may be other homeopathic symptoms, but there simillimum
is
the
is
one remedy
symptoms, remedies
is
that will
no other remedy
remedy
at a time.
This remedy,
called the simillimum.
have an
that will
that will cure your
effect
work as
There
on your
well.
The
symptoms, based on
the principle of like cures like.
At another time, your body might produce
symptoms and
require another remedy. This
the simillimum at that time. In
some
a different set
of
new remedy would be
cases,
one remedy
is
all
a
13
14
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine person ever needs to remain healthy. Generally, during treatment for chronic illness,
which
is
more
called constitutional treatment,
than one remedy may be needed over time to help you stay healthy. If the pattern
of your symptoms changes enough to
scope of the original remedy, a
new remedy is
outside the
fall
needed.
Individualization of Treatment
Homeopaths illness
has
not diagnoses.
treat people,
When
you
are
your
ill,
own unique pattern of symptoms. You will tend to get
its
those illnesses that result from the particular pattern of imbalance that
is
unique to your personal heredity and environmental
ences. If
you have
a
influ-
may
weakness in the urinary system, you
develop symptoms of bladder infections or kidney disease. If your skin
is
the problem,
the digestive system
you may be prone is
the focus,
to rashes, herpes or warts. If
you may
suffer
from
con-
ulcers,
may run
stipation or hemorrhoids. Patterns of certain illnesses
in
your family and be passed on from generation to generation. People with the same diagnosis will not
opathic remedy. There instance, for flu.
need the same home-
all
no one homeopathic treatment,
is
Your homeopath needs
treated. Your flu requires a
to
know whose
flu
is
for
being
homeopathic medicine that matches
your particular pattern of symptoms. Someone
will
flu
else's
respond to an entirely different homeopathic remedy.
You may have a flu
that
comes on
right after exposure to a cold,
dry wind. Suddenly, you develop a high surprise, that lently,
one cheek
your nose runs
croupy cough. You
is
pale
fever.
and the other
like a faucet,
You red.
and you have
notice, to
your
You sneeze
vio-
a nagging, dry,
feel uncharacteristically restless.
You have
a
strong fear that you might get worse, even die, because your symp-
toms have come on so suddenly and violently. Your mouth dry and you
can't
drink enough
water.
You
feel chilled to
You need the homeopathic remedy Aconitum
napellus,
is
bone
the core.
which
will
rapidly restore your health.
Suppose your neighbor
gets a flu
over a few days. Just before she
which comes on
became
sick,
gradually,
she was very nervous
about giving a speech in front of five hundred people. She
feels great
exhaustion and can hardly keep her eyes open, or even move. She
What experiences icy chills
In
The World
up and down her
spine.
Is
Homeopathy?
Her mouth
feels like
Her body aches all over, like she's been pound backpack. Her arms and legs feel terribly
cotton, but she's not thirsty.
carrying a
fifty
Her limbs
heavy.
tremble. She feels dizzy, drowsy, droopy
Although your neighbor's diagnosis would
also
and
dull.
be influenza, she
needs a different homeopathic medicine. Gelsemium sempervirens will
not only cure her
The
how
flu,
may help her stage fright as well.
but
following three cases of patients with hay fever
each individual
set
show
of symptoms, even with the same diag-
can lead a homeopath to prescribe very different homeo-
nosis,
pathic medicines.
Prabha Prabha was a 30 year old East Indian woman who was led to homeopathy because of hay until
mid
fever.
Her bouts normally lasted all spring awoke in the morning with a dry upper lungs, and slight wheezing.
or late summer. She
cough, congestion in the
During the day she complained of
terrible itching in the ears,
Eustachian tubes, and some itching in the throat, nose, and eyes.
She had occasional sneezing, runny nose, and dry
toms
lasted
The sympwhen she was
eyes.
throughout the day and were better
We gave Prabha Nux vomica because of the dry cough with
indoors.
wheezing on waking, combined with the sneezing and itching inside the nose. benefit.
She received the remedy in the spring, with great
She continued
summer.
When
to take
it
occasionally, as needed, during the
she returned to us the following spring, with the
same symptoms, she was again given Nux vomica.
Erik Erik, a
young Norwegian man, had been bothered by hay
the age of
five. It
attack in late time. His
was usually worse
March prompted him
him
to see a
main problem was frequent,
which occurred every so ing
in the
to "run
often.
around with
a
fever since
summer, but
homeopath
a severe
for the first
violent, fitful sneezing,
He had a watery, runny
nose, caus-
handkerchief all the time. "The skin
1
5
16
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine under
nose became red and sore. His eyes were
his
irritated.
His nose was
stuffy,
and
itchy, dry,
whether he was indoors or out. His
forehead itched. Erik found himself lethargic with the hay fever and
he had slept ten hours the night before. This was extremely unusual for
him
was generally a very high energy person. Since the
since he
hay fever began, he was ness. Erik
which
grass,
irritable
was given Sabadilla,
and felt victimized by this acute a
remedy made from
a
ill-
Mexican
helpful for spasmodic sneezing, nasal congestion,
is
itching inside the nose,
and profuse watery
nasal discharge.
The
sneezing and itching were relieved completely within two days. briefly experienced a swelling
He
of the nasal passages, which passed.
Todd Todd, a 26 year old computer programmer, lamented, "I'm to everything that's not food during all
the time.
itchy, puffy,
He was
allergic
hay fever season!" His nose ran
using half a box of tissue a day. His eyes were
and watery.
He
suffered
from a post-nasal drip which
made
his throat sore.
fever,
causing a pressing headache. His symptoms were definitely
He was generally tired and wiped out with the hay
worse outdoors. fever.
In the past
it
had lasted on and off for four months. This time
he saw his homeopath
bout
ever.
He
His sinuses sometimes swelled with the hay
after
only a few days since
this
was
his
worst
reported that he had "tried everything" orthodox
medicine had to offer him. Todd received Allium cepa (onion).
(Think about what happens you'll
works
know just for a
hay
watery eyes and his
to
you when you
the kind of hay fever fever,
lots
slice
an onion, and
which needs Allium
of sneezing.) Todd called three days
nose was no longer running.
remedy, he experienced
lots
The
first
day
all
later to say
after starting the
of sneezing, which passed quickly. Then
he had a few mild headaches and pressure behind his time he called,
cepa. It
or a cold, that runs like a faucet, with itchy,
eyes.
By
the
of the symptoms had gone away.
Treating the Underlying Cause ofIllness
Homeopaths
symptoms are begins from a mental or emotional trauma. The
find that the root of illness, even if the
only physical, often
What homeopath searches
for the state
The World
In
Is
Homeopathy? 17
o^ each individual that allows that
person to be susceptible to particular symptoms. This state gives to a vulnerability that can subsequently result in disease.
occurs on a mental/emotional
occur on any
level,
The
rise
state
however the repercussions can
level.
Each homeopathic medicine is characterized by a particular state of mind. Each person,
any given point
at
in time, also experiences a
particular state. This state reflects that individual's response to the
world around him and permeates
and
how that person acts,
talks, thinks,
Imagine that a young boy goes on a rafting
feels.
trip
father
and older brother. The rapids become very swift, the
turns,
and
The
his brother
is
thrown off the
older brother screams at
him
raft into
with his raft over-
the swirling water.
to reach out to
him, but he
is
frozen in terror. The brother is carried by the current and drowns. The young man feels an overpowering sense of helplessness and guilt. His recurrent thoughts about his brother become an obsession. He replays the event over
and over
scene. His parents
and
mind, wondering
in his
if he
could
He dreams again and again of the drowning
have saved his brother.
him
friends reassure
but he doesn't believe them.
He begins
that he did
to feel that
he
all
is
he could,
being pun-
ished by
God for having failed to save his brother. This belief that he
deserves
punishment extends
and business ventures
fail.
to each area of his
life.
His relationships
Nothing brings him happiness. He may
even carry this belief to his grave. This particular state
is
represented
by the homeopathic medicine Kali bromatum (potassium bromate). It
can
alleviate this deep-seated belief that
If this
medicine were given to
alleviated
done
all
and he would come
he could to help
In the
same way,
that a person
which
is
man,
one deserves divine wrath.
his desperate state
to understand
and believe
could be
that he
there
is
a
homeopathic medicine
for every state
might experience. Each of us experiences some
some way. These
on from one generation
states, if
to another.
untreated, are
are deeply depressed with self-destructive tendencies,
chronic alcoholics. Such a state states,
may
state
The homeopathic
medicine, Aurum metallicum (gold) can be helpful for people
found depressive
had
his brother.
limiting to us in
often passed
this
who
such
as
predispose not only to pro-
but also to a number of physical complaints
18
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine such as sinus problems, bone pain, and sensitivity to
understanding the
state
light.
of the person, homeopaths are able to
By
treat
body, mind, and emotions simultaneously.
Casey
A mother brought in her
10 year old son Casey for help with his
excessive worrying, particularly about the family finances. also afraid that
something bad would happen
might die. This the It
fear
had begun
to his
right after he got his
neck caught in
window of the car for a minute as his mother was
was the panic which Casey experienced so
prolonged
state
He was
mother and she
rolling
it
up.
briefly that triggered a
of fear and anxiety. This child was given homeo-
pathic Aconitum napellus, and his fear was relieved.
Dynamic Healing Through Homeopathy The simillimum catalyzes a dynamic process of healing. In acute illnesses, your symptoms may disappear within minutes or hours. For example, a boy awakens screaming in pain in the middle of the night with a fever of 1 03 degrees, complaining of terrible pain in his right ear.
The
comfort. If the
parents desperately rest
want
of his symptoms
fit
to relieve their son's dis-
the homeopathic remedy,
Belladonna (deadly nightshade), he will usually fall right asleep and
wake up the next morning as
if nothing
had happened. The parents
how rapidly the healing occurs. may take longer. A patient that her headaches become may find longstanding migraines
are often surprised at
In chronic illnesses, the recovery
with less
frequent and milder within a week or two of beginning
opathic treatment, but they
more months. sclerosis
home-
may not go away completely for one or
Patients suffering
from severe
arthritis or multiple
may find some relief very quickly, but the healing will con-
months or years until their symptoms and overall well-being are stabilized and significantly improved. Homeopathy can also produce dynamic changes on the tinue to occur over
mental and emotional
levels.
and humiliation from being
A woman who has held in her anger a victim of incest as a child
with homeopathic treatment, that she
is
may find,
finally able to express
her
What rage in a healthy way.
The World
In
Is
Homeopathy?
A man who has experienced panic attacks so
severe that he cannot shop in the supermarket, can, with
opathy, often regain his peace of
normal
life.
mind and once
home-
again lead a
Even deep mental and emotional imbalances such
as
comhomeopath v.
depression, attention deficit disorder, extreme jealousy, and pulsive handwashing, frequently respond very well to If the
simillimum
toms have persisted
is
found, cure will result even
for a
if your
number of years. Homeopathy
symp-
taps the
inherent power of the vital force within each person to bring about
healing and lasting change. Discovering the correct remedy
finding just the right key for a lock. Even closed for years, once the key
homeopaths
is
found,
alike are continually
amazed
if
it
is
like
the door has been
opens. Patients and
at the
power of homeo-
pathic medicines.
Suppression Versus Cure Suppression occurs
toms on one
when
level,
treatment apparently removes symp-
a
but causes them to appear
often deeper, level. If the
symptoms on
a
more
is
prevented from expressing
superficial level,
recourse than to generate
common
body
at a different,
symptoms
it
at a
may
have no other
deeper one.
Many
treatments in orthodox medicine, such as hydrocorti-
sone cream for eczema, laser treatment for venereal warts, or antihistamines for allergy-induced nasal discharge, are potentially suppressive.
Some
people can receive these conventional
medications and interventions without experiencing suppression.
For others, the treatment will make the person even
sicker.
Helen Helen, age 53, developed an acute skin condition called erythema
nodosum at age 30. A large, legs.
red, irritated area
appeared on one of her
She was hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics and cor-
ticosteroids. Shortly after she
began to
feel
was discharged from the
hospital, she
pain in her joints. This pain, diagnosed as arthritis,
plagued her for more than twenty years.
homeopathic care that her
arthritis
It
was only when she sought
was considerably relieved As her
19
20 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine joint pains improved,
Helen
briefly re-experienced a rash similar to
erythema nodusum on her face and hands. The rash went away and so did her joint pains.
The phenomenon of suppression
has been observed by
opaths since the time of Hahnemann and has become
home-
much more
prevalent due to the increasing strength of pharmaceuticals and
widespread self-treatment with topical hydrocortisone preparations.
Whether state
or not a treatment will be suppressive depends
on your
of health, the strength of your resistance to disease, and the
intensity
and duration of the treatment.
Another
common way
that suppression occurs
is
through the
use of products such as antiperspirants and antihistamines. Dis-
charges are the body's
way to vent waste and the products of disease.
In certain susceptible individuals, suppressing a discharge will lead to
more
serious health problems.
Jamie Jamie, age 9, was brought to us by his parents because of left hip
pain which caused
him to
limp.
even hip surgery, without
the picture of the homeopathic medicine, Silica
child
and
Soon
after receiving the
fit
He had received conventional care, He was a sensitive and delicate
relief.
(flint).
medicine, the hip pain quickly resolved.
We did not see Jamie again for two years. At that time, his parents brought him back for another pletely for
gone
until the previous
no apparent reason.
told us that he
visit.
His hip pain had been com-
few weeks, then suddenly returned
When we questioned Jamie thoroughly, he
had begun
to have
body odor
recently
mother had bought him an antiperspirant. Soon using
it,
larly
susceptible to
his hip pain returned. Patients illness
needing
and that
after
his
he started
Silica are particu-
from suppressed perspiration. He
stopped using the antiperspirant, we repeated the
Silica,
and
his
hip pain again went away quickly.
Your body,
in
its
attempt to keep your symptoms
at the
most
superficial level possible, frequently develops skin eruptions as
its
What defense. Infants
first
they are is
first
may
The World
In
Is
Homeopathy? 21
develop eczema, either at birth or
when
introduced to cow's milk ot formula. If the cow's milk
removed or the child
is
treated homeopathically, the
eczema
usually resolve readily. If the child's
cortisone cream, the eruption
and
eczema will
treated with hydro-
is
itch disappear, but the allergic
tendency remains. Homeopaths have observed that infants treated in this
way may go on
more
to develop asthma, a
condition. Although the eczema
is
serious allergic
gone, the child
is
much
less
more hydrocortisone being deeper mental and emotional
healthy. If suppression continues, with
given to suppress the asthma, then a
problem, such
as severe depression,
may eventually occur.
The body has a reason for generating particular symptoms as part of its attempt to cure the illness. Some medical doctors are beginning to recognize this phenomenon of suppression in childhood asthma. In a study published in the medical journal Pediatrics in
1
99 1 the authors ,
speculated that a type of paralysis in asthmatic children
due
to suppression
by asthma medications such
may in fact be
as steroids. 2
Herings Law of Cure
One of the guiding principles
in
homeopathy
is
Herings law of cure,
named after Constantine Hering, an early American homeopath of German origin. Herings law states that cure proceeds from top to bottom, from inside out, from most important organs to tant organs,
many cases do, and these principles are
often useful in determining whether the idea behind Herings
keep symptoms
your
impor-
and from most recent to oldest symptoms. Although every
case does not follow this order,
The
least
at the
Law
most
remedy is working
that your
body
is
superficial level possible
overall health, function,
mechanism will attempt to
is
properly.
always trying to
and
to
promote
and freedom of action. Your defense
heal
and balance first those structures and
functions that have the greatest impact
on your health and well-being.
Mary Mary
suffered
had used
from eczema during most of her
life.
topical hydrocortisone to control the itching,
that covered her face, neck, torso
For years she
burning rash
and arms. The eczema was worse
22 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine in the
bends of her joints and the creases in her
aggravated by bathing and perspiration.
Her
skin.
Mary stopped
skin was
the hydro-
cortisone before taking her homeopathic medicine. In response to
remedy and discontinuing the hydrocortisone, Mary's eczema
the
came out fiercely. The outbreak lasted for ten a
Mary was given
days.
mild moisturizing cream made from marigold flowers to soothe,
but not suppress, the eruption.
Then the rash started to clear from the top down. It left her face and moved down to her neck. Then it began to clear from her torso and became worse on her arms. As the worse, the
eczema
symptoms on
finally
moved down
became worse, her arms
rash
on her arms became much
the neck and trunk began to clear up.
As her hands
the arms to the hands.
started to
become
less itchy.
The
Slowly, over six
months, the eczema finished clearing from her body and did not return.
Often mental and emotional symptoms, which occur at a deeper than physical symptoms, will be alleviated
level ical
symptoms, such
as a skin
first.
In
fact,
the phys-
eruption or a nasal or vaginal discharge
may temporarily become worse. When this occurs, it is important to be patient instead of attempting to eliminate the physical problem.
Susan Susan responded very well to the remedy Lachesis for a
to
left
ovarian
She did not need the surgery that had been recommended prior
cyst.
homeopathic treatment. Several months after her cyst disappeared,
a rash developed
on her
face
and on the skin
just over
both
ovaries.
Despite her discomfort from itching and swelling, she resisted her friend s advice to consult with a dermatologist. that
it
was important that she not suppress the
Her intuition told her rash.
She understood
that suppressing the rash could result in the return of her cyst.
homeopath confirmed her wait,
and
that the rash
intuition
would disappear in
How Is Homeopathy Different From Homeopathic medicine is based on
time,
Her
that
it
was best
which
it
did.
and told her
to
Conventional Medicine?
entirely different concepts than
conventional Western medicine. Conventional medicine uses syn-
What thetic drugs.
In
The World
Is
Homeopathy? 23
Homeopathy uses only natural medicines based on
the
law of similars.
medicine
Conventional
aims
destroy
to
viruses, control physiological processes,
tions within the range necessary to sustain believes that
all
life.
these goals can be accomplished
the individual's resistance
medicine specializes
in
and healing
Homeopathy
by strengthening
abilities.
Conventional
understanding the functions and
of discrete parts of the body.
and
bacteria
and maintain body func-
Homeopathy specializes
illnesses
in treating
the whole person.
Conventional physicians often give
one time, each
Homeopaths
to control a different
give only
many different medicines at
organ or physiologic process.
one medicine
at a time. Allopathic
(non-
may have serious side effects. Homeopathic may produce additional symptoms during the course of
homeopathic) drugs medicines
treatment, but these are rarely serious or harmful. Conventional
medicine evaluates
its
rate
diate condition resolves.
of success based on whether the imme-
Homeopathy attempts
to eliminate not
only the immediate condition, but also the underlying susceptibility,
and
to
promote long-term
health.
Notes 1
Hahnemann
S.,
Organon ofMedicine. Sixth Edition, Los Angeles:
J. P.
Tarcher, 1982, pg. 10.
Shahar, E, sis
Hwang,
P,
Niesen, C, Murphy, E, "Poliomyelitis-like Paraly-
During Recovery from Acute Bronchial Asthma:
and Risk
Factors."
Ped 1991;88:276-279.
Possible Etiology
"
li
Homeopathy cures a
larger percentage of cases than
any other
form of treatment.
— Mahatma Gandhi
Why Choose Homeopathy? Homeopathy is Highly Effective In acute
and chronic
disease,
whether the symptoms are physical,
homeopathy produces subtle, yet often draFrom newborns to centenarians, most people can benefit from homeopathy. Homeopaths treat common illnesses such mental, or emotional, matic, healing.
as allergies,
asthma, digestive disorders, gynecologic problems, skin
conditions, insomnia, chronic fatigue, headaches,
homeopath can
and arthritis.
find the simillimum for the individual,
If the
most diseases
with reversible pathology can be treated. Even chronic autoimmune or hereditary diseases such as diabetes, scleroderma, psoriasis,
systemic lupus erythematosis
may respond
ment, especially in the early stages of the
Although homeopaths prescribe than the specific disease
homeopathic
and
treat-
disease.
for the
state, injuries
colds, flus, fevers, sore throats,
to
whole person rather
and acute
illnesses,
such
as
and bronchitis can improve very
quickly with homeopathic treatment.
Homeopaths know
that
antibiotics are not the only successful treatment for infections. Ear infections, conjunctivitis, bladder infections, vaginal infections, boils,
and
ment.
cellulitis
Many
nessing
its
frequently respond well to homeopathic treat-
people have
rapid action
come
to respect
on a painful
homeopathy
after wit-
sore throat or the relief provided
by the homeopathic medicine Arnica montana (Leopard's bane) after
an injury.
In cases of kidney stones, gall bladder disease, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, the need for surgery
prompt homeopathic treatment. surgery
more advanced or emergency cases,
may be the treatment of choice. Even when
to heal the
the
body is unable
problem completely, the symptoms of these illnesses, such as
bleeding, inflammation,
When
In
and
may sometimes be avoided with
surgery
is
and
pain, can often be significantly
necessary, homeopathic medicines such
25
improved as
Arnica
26 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine can help prevent excessive bleeding and speed healing after surgery.
Homeopathy can often provide benefit to patients with neurologic conditions such as Bell's palsy (a type of facial paralysis),
syndrome, twitches, numbness, and sciatica,
epilepsy, carpal tunnel
and other kinds of nerve pain. rosis,
It
may sometimes help multiple scle-
Parkinsonism, and other more serious neurologic diseases.
Even homeopaths are sometimes surprised at what homeopathy can accomplish,
as in the following case:
Elizabeth Elizabeth, a 2 V2 year old girl tic
was diagnosed with cerebral
quadriplegia, blindness, deafness,
genitally small head).
rolled her
con-
to the age
of two,
2% milk and weighing only nineteen pounds. Eliza-
beth was "in her
and
(a
Her mother had taken drugs throughout her
pregnancy Elizabeth had been malnourished up being fed only
palsy, spas-
and microencephaly
own world". She plugged her ears with her fingers to side. Her eyeballs moved in differ-
head from side
ent directions. She hated being touched or bathed and was terrified
of having her diaper changed. Elizabeth could not walk, crawl, or
sit,
and was
able to
make
only spastic movements of her arms. She never stopped moving her
arms unless she was tress
to
fall
asleep.
asleep.
improvement was
She slammed her head against the mat-
Her homeopath had no
possible,
how much
idea
but he studied the case and prescribed
When
was no
Tarentula hispanica.
(Spanish spider).
improvement
after five
weeks,
was
He restudied the child's symptoms carefully and then
incorrect.
there
was evident that the
it
remedy
first
prescribed Stramonium. Five weeks later her mother called
him
to
communicate the changes. Elizabeth no longer minded being touched. She loved to play with water now, though she still screamed when she was bathed. She had begun to crawl. She was no longer slamming her head against the mattress. She was to get into a sitting position or to
Three days crawled
later
five feet across
bend her
still
unable
torso.
her mother reported that Elizabeth had the living
room
floor!
Four months
later she
was making some vocal sounds and could crawl on her stomach
Why Choose Homeopathy? 27 using her arms. Nine months after being given the correct
microencephaly. Her head she
still
size
was
now just over normal. Nor was
categorized as having cerebral palsy or quadriplegia. She
the full use of her arms
weeks. She was
still
and had been
had
actively crawling for seven
blind and had a 70 percent hearing impairment.
She was able to hold her head up and
ued
homeo-
Elizabeth no longer carried the diagnosis of
pathic remedy,
to be mildly retarded
and
a year
in a high chair.
sit
and
a half later
She contin-
was doing well
in a special education class in the public school system.
Opponents of homeopathy often suggest
that
its
effectiveness
has not been scientifically proven in double blind studies, but this is
not
so.
In a 1991 review article in the British Medical Journal, a
group of Dutch researchers evaluated 107 controlled research studies ical
on homeopathy
journals between
showed
that
had been published
1966 and 1990.
1
clinical
in
med-
Eighty one of the studies
positive results (76 percent) in such conditions as respira-
tory and other infections, digestive disorders, influenza, hay fever,
recovery after surgery, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and psychological problems. Although the authors of the article thought that
some of the
which they rated
showed
research
methodology was flawed,
best, fifteen
in the studies
out of twenty- two (68 percent)
still
positive results.
Homeopathy for Cancer and
AIDS
Homeopathic journals from the nineteenth century record cases of cancer treated effectively with studies have
homeopathy 2 however no modern ,
been conducted. The medico-legal environment makes
cancer treatment a perilous proposition for the practitioner.
Some
cancer patients seek out homeopathic treatment in addition to surgery,
chemotherapy and
radiation. In such cases,
homeopathy
serves to reduce the side effects of the allopathic treatments
stimulate the
body
to relieve pain
and
to
promote healing
and
to
to the
greatest extent possible.
Homeopaths
treat
treated patients with
London, has
people
who
are HIV-positive
AIDS. Michael
Strange, a
and have
also
homeopath
treated seventy HIV-positive patients, sixteen of
in
whom
28 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine have been under treatment for two to four years. to develop
symptoms of AIDS.
cess in treating patients
None has gone on
In addition, he
had had some suc-
who have AIDS. During
1990, only five out
of fifty of his patients died of the disease. 3 In cases of
ment
are
HIV
infection, patients
sometimes able to maintain
under homeopathic
their health
treat-
and energy and
delay progression to AIDS. In a study at Bastyr University in Seattle,
HIV-positive patients
who
received natural therapies, including
homeopathy, increased their survival
and
their quality
of life
as
patients receiving conventional treatment alone. 4
compared with Since few
rate
AIDS
patients have chosen to use
homeopathy
as their
only form of therapy, effectiveness has been difficult to evaluate.
Homeopathy For Mental And Emotional Problems Homeopathy
starts a process
Homeopathic medicine can be very depression, grief, phobias, chiatric disorders
such
with developmental
of transformation in your
disorders.
as autism, the behavioral
disabilities
take
problems associated
Facilities
more
a
do not
and emotional problems homeo-
and controlled environment. Experienced home-
on some of
especially if there
environment.
Deeper psy-
and schizophrenia have
guarded prognosis, but can sometimes be helped.
pathically in a safe
life.
successful in treating anxiety,
and other mental
yet exist to treat severe mental
may
just
your physical health. The homeopathic remedy
in
can be a catalyst that
opaths
more than
has the potential for producing far
improvements
is
on an outpatient
basis,
for the patient in her
home
these cases
enough support
During the nineteenth century,
homeopathic
mental hospitals flourished and provided some of the most
humane and effective treatment available for mental patients.
John
One
night, nearly ten years ago, a patient called a
practitioner in a panic. She
and he had
lost his
had broken up with her boyfriend, John
job the same day.
suicide note. In the note
homeopathic
He disappeared,
he said that his
life
was
leaving her a
a failure
and he was
going to jump off a bridge. She was about to leave to search for him
Why Choose Homeopathy? 29 and wanted
know if there was anything that could be prescribed
to
him out of his desperate state. The homeopath suggested the remedy Aurum metallicum, made from gold, This medicine is for
to help
people
who
feel a
deep sense of
commit
often wish to
ceive to be bleak
and
failure
suicide to escape
and depression, and who
from
a
life
which they
hopeless. She notified the police
found him on the bridge, contemplating arrived just in time to save him.
per-
and they
his leap. Luckily they
They brought him back and he was
cowering in a corner. She gave him a dose of Aurum. Within a few hours he no longer
felt suicidal.
He
continued with homeopathic
treatment and became a successful architect.
Rosa Rosa, a 50 year old Mexican
woman, complained of terrible anxiety.
She had become extremely anxious two years before when her hus-
band
suffered a heart attack. She
was
terrified that
he would
die.
Since that time she was afraid to go anywhere without him, even
though he encouraged her ities
to
do
that she previously enjoyed.
so.
She abandoned
doing something wrong. She knew her did not
make
all
of the activ-
She was always afraid that she was fears
were
the situation any better. She
irrational,
had
but that
tried anti-anxiety
medications without benefit. She was given Phosphorus. She has
now resumed tennis and engagements with friends. She feels much better about herself, can
ning a
trip to
go on long
trips
without
fear,
and
is
plan-
Mexico.
Homeopaths are quite successful deficit disorder and
with attention
in treating children
diagnosed
related behavioral disorders.
These children often manifest unusual and unique symptoms,
which allows the homeopath
to
more easily find
the correct remedy.
Sharon Sharon, age 16, was referred to a homeopath by her family practice physician because of a five year history of attention deficit disorder.
She remembered being sent out of the classroom
in
kindergarten for
30 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine talking too sixth grade.
much. She had been on stimulant medication Sharon hated taking
it.
She didn't
since the
feel like herself,
even
while on the medicine. Without the medication, Sharon was unable to focus, or
pay attention. She became distracted
movement, which made
it
easily
hard for her to take
by noise or
tests in school.
When talking to someone, her eyes became tired and she stared into space.
She complained of talking without thinking. She told herself
to be quiet, but blurted out her thoughts or feelings anyway.
couldn't stop herself.
It
was sometimes embarrassing
though much of the time she had
how
little, if any,
She
to her,
self awareness
about
she acted with other people. She was unaware of how loudly
she spoke and people around her
would say "shhh...."
Sharon was always fidgeting and clicked her nails
on her
hugged, and pulled
She constantly
fiddling.
teeth or tapped her fingers. She poked,
at other people,
annoying them. She couldn't
keep her hands to herself and was always moving some part of her body.
"It's
not
me
that's
doing these things," she
said. "I
wouldn't
ever be touchy or pokey." Sharon often acted childishly.
At times Sharon
felt
was always moving
so hyperactive that she
her fingers, bouncing her knee, or skipping down the hall to release the pent
up
energy. She
had so much energy inside
screaming. She described "as if the
energy
is
it
as feeling frustrated
that she felt like
and out of control,
trapped and has to be pushed out."
Sharon described herself as
"a
major procrastinator," regardless
of whether she was on medication or not. She was gullible and asked
"dumb
questions," even though she was very bright
grade point average. .Often the answers just didn't
and had a 3.8 click.
She was
slow to get a joke.
Her
fingers
and
loved pickles and ate
toes
were always cold when she
skied.
Sharon
them straight from the jar. She used to eat a lot
of salt and lemons. She also liked to suck on
ice.
Sharon discontinued the stimulant medication and took Vera-
trum album (white hellebore) and returned doing extremely well. Her
in five weeks.
She was
test grades were improving. The last time
she had tried to stop taking the medicine, she had gotten
remarked that she had found our parking
lot
all
F s. She
without directions,
something she could normally do only while on the stimulant med-
Why Choose Homeopathy? Her parents reported that her energy was much more positive.
ication.
She no longer stared blankly. Her friends told her that she "wasn't crazy as she used to be." She was not as fidgety
more controlled. She now had "a real appetite" urges.
anymore and
felt
as
a lot
instead of just sporadic
She was no longer poking, hugging, and pulling other people.
Her leg wasn't restless anymore and she had stopped clicking her nails against her teeth. She didn't have "that special taste" for pickles any-
more, but she was
still
thirsty
and procrastinated just as much.
Sharon was given another dose of the Veratrum three months later after eating coffee-flavored
A
remedy.
year
later,
candy that interfered with the
she continued to do remarkably well. She
began to experience some sensations and
was a
since she
noticed
when
little girl.
tastes that she
she became hyperactive and could stop
had been unable
to
do before the homeopathy.
opened the curtains and
had not had
She was no longer staring into space. She
let
me
see."
She was
it,
which she
"It's like
somebody
now
able to notice
when her voice got loud and quieted down. She became fidgety only once in a while. Sharon was a changed young woman. As you experience the are likely to experience
sharper
benefits of homeopathic treatment,
more
you
energy, to have a clearer mind, a
memory, and more balanced emotions. After being given
remedy, homeopathic patients often report,
a
myself
"I feel like
You may not even notice all the changes in yourself at first, but others will. They may ask, "What did you do for yourself? You seem so happy and healthy!" You may also respond differently to others. You may find that you are more tolerant with people who again."
used to
you.
irritate
one who used
to
You may also
find yourself standing
Sometimes these changes take some getting used tionships
may shift as your internal
yourself being
and
this
givers. let
less
patterns change.
dependent on others
can be disconcerting to those
You
up
to
some-
dominate you.
are likely to be stronger
the people around
you know
as
who
you
rela-
find
to.
your health improves
and more
that
Your
You may
have been your careresilient. It
is
good
to
are going through a heal-
ing process, that they can expect you to be different, and that you
might be making some changes
in
your
life
that
may surprise them.
3
1
32 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy and psychotherapy often work well together. This combination of therapies
is
especially
important in people who have
been sexually abused or have experienced other types of trauma and
need extensive help
to process these experiences. Patients
with
anorexia or bulimia or with chemical dependencies also benefit
most from using both
therapies.
Homeopathic treatment can speed
the process of psychotherapy by allowing the patient to access
deeper issues more quickly. Patients often
make
psychological
breakthroughs using homeopathy and subsequently decide to begin
psychotherapy to explore their issues on a deeper level. Psychother-
apy allows people to process the
feelings that
come up
as
become healthier emotionally during the homeopathic process. chotherapy also helps patients integrate into their that result
lives
they Psy-
the changes
from homeopathic treatment.
Callie Callie, age 35,
came from an
abusive, alcoholic
home. Her parents
always told her that she was ugly and couldn't do anything right. She eventually believed them. She
demeaning job and sulted a
went from one oppressive and
relationship to another.
homeopath, she was
By
the time she con-
suicidally depressed
and very
angry.
She hated her boss. She didn't have the courage to stand up to him to his face,
but she would go
her lungs.
A
home and
swear at him at the top of
combination of treatment with homeopathic Ana-
cardium (marking nut) and intensive work with a psychotherapist helped to relieve her suicidal feelings and allow her to itive
about her own
same
abilities.
boss, but realizes that
move on
At this
it is
time, she
is still
feel
more pos-
working for the
only a matter of time before she will
to a job that better suits her.
Ashley Ashley, a
37 year old kindergarten
teacher,
was
referred for
homeo-
pathic treatment by her psychotherapist because of depression, profuse menstrual bleeding, chronic
abuse. She complained to her
muscle pain, and a history of sexual
homeopath of a painful whiplash injury
Why Choose Homeopathy? which occurred during a recent ther,
car accident.
Ashley recounted a history of a
the history of accidents Ashley's right eye, her
When questioned fur-
of car accidents. Hearing
series
and noticing the broken blood
homeopath began
to consider the
remedy Arnica montana, mentioned previously as for trauma, whiplash, bruising, bleeding
a
and muscle
vessel in
homeopathic
major remedy soreness.
Ashley shared that each time her sexual abuser had assaulted he would push her
her,
down on
would feel Knowing that an
the ground. She
extremely sore and bruised the following day.
individual's pattern or story frequently reflects itself in dreams, her
homeopath inquired about any recurrent dreams. Ashley dreamed jumping from one
repeatedly of being a frog
next. Despite the soft surface of the lily pads,
would
she
feel
sore
and bruised. She
lily
pad
to the
wherever she landed,
dreamed of
also
car
accidents.
In an effort to understand the origin of this
homeopath inquired
theme of injury, the
any trauma during birth or
as to
Ashley reported that she was given a transfusion
in utero.
at birth, at
which
time she was separated from her mother. After receiving Arnica, not only did Ashley's muscle pain,
heavy menstrual bleeding, and depression improve, but her
dreams changed. She dreamed that she backed up her car parking
almost
lot.
hit,
in her past
Another car backed up
but they
She thought
didn't.
dreams the two
Ashley reported,
this
at the
cars
this
would
was curious because
collide.
very incident occurred in
accident was avoided. This
is
the level of
in a
same time and they
The
next day,
real life
and an
reprogramming
that
is
possible with homeopathy.
The homeopath then
inquired as
to
whether Ashley's
mother experienced any traumas or accidents during her pregnancy with Ashley. Ashley didn't know back the next day
mother was four or
after five
at the time,
speaking with her mother.
months pregnant with
husband were on the way
to an
but called
When
her, she
appointment with the
her
and her
obstetri-
when a trailer truck pulled out and headed straight towards them. The only way they could avoid an accident was for her hus-
cian
band
to
immediately veer off the road.
It
was
a frightening expe-
33
34 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine rience for both of them
and may have
dents and trauma in Ashley's
theme of acci-
initiated the
life.
Homeopathyfor Animals Opponents of homeopathy say only as a placebo, but so well to
if this
were
that
homeopathic medicines
true,
why would animals respond
act
homeopathic treatment? A number of homeopathy books
have been written by veterinarians, of whom a small, but growing,
number now incorporate homeopathy into
We
their practices.
have found excellent success in treating our
own
animals
with homeopathy over the past ten years.
Jasmine
Our
month old golden retriever puppy, Jasmine, began to limp after we took her jogging for a couple of days. The veterisix
narian diagnosed her condition as osteochondritis dessicans, an
inflammation of the
no
that she be given
cartilage.
The
exercise for a
veterinarian
recommended
few weeks and that surgery
would probably be needed. We treated her with Calcarea phosphorica, a well known remedy for bone and cartilage problems. Several days later she was
puppy
self.
Now,
bouncing around
her exuberant
like
three years later, she jogs with us regularly
and
has had no further problems.
We also have a
13 year old golden retriever
Every time she went backpacking with cold stream she could find.
us,
she
named
Leila Rose.
would lie in every icy,
We would wake the next morning in our
tent to find Leila stiff and shivering.
By
the time
we
got home, she
could barely jump out of our station wagon. She would limp inside the door
and fall into a heap. She was
not even walk up the shivering. This first
stairs to
so stiff and sore that she could
happened when she was
very frightened that she might die.
emergency room. They
didn't
thought about what caused
lie
limp and
six years old.
We were
her dinner. She would just
We
took her to a veterinary
know what was wrong with her. We
this state
and realized
tion of her exposure to the cold streams
it
was a combina-
and overexertion.
We gave
her homeopathic Rhus toxicodendron and she was back to her
Why Choose Homeopathy? playful self within hours. Leila has continued to benefit
from Rhus
toxicodendron for the past seven years.
Homeopathy Is Safe
Homeopathy is one of the safest forms of medicine, even nant women, infants, and the
elderly.
when
substance in nature disappear
homeopathically. In order for
medicine, the substance
is
Any toxic effects
it
that substance
to be
made
into a
for preg-
of a crude
is
prepared
homeopathic
diluted sufficiently to eliminate
all
toxic effects.
many children have swallowed an entire bottle of homeopathic medicine, with no ill effects. HomeoBecause
it
tastes like candy,
pathic medicines do not cause allergic reactions. If a person repeat-
edly takes a specific homeopathic medicine that
is
not appropriate
him or her, it is possible for that individual to begin to experience some new symptoms, called proving symptoms, but this rarely occurs when a patient is treated by an experienced prescriber. When proving symptoms do occur, they are generally mild and usually disappear when the medicine is stopped. Homeopathic medicines are recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration to for
be so safe that most are
classified as over the
counter medicines.
Homeopathy is Cost Effective Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, homeopathic medicines are very inexpensive. years
is
Enough homeopathic medicine
likely to cost less
cost of homeopathy
is
to last several
months or
than a single course of antibiotics. The main
the office
visit.
Many people consider home-
treatment options.
when compared with the other available Homeopathy may prevent future hospitalizations
by keeping you
good
opathic treatment a bargain
in
health, resulting in substantial long-term
savings. Patient visits are generally infrequent tional medicine, acupuncture,
and
compared
to
conven-
chiropractic care.
Insurance reimbursement for homeopathy depends on the terms of your policy and the license of your practitioner. If your
company does not
cover your homeopathic practitioner, you
may
wish to request that the coverage be added to your policy or consider switching insurance companies. Even
if
homeopathic treatment
is
35
36 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine not covered by your insurance,
many
patients find that
well
it is
worth the additional expense. Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska
set
up
a series of
town
meetings throughout the state of Washington to find out what type
of medical treatment people wanted.
A
large
number of people
attending these meetings strongly expressed their desire to have
homeopathic medicine covered by
their insurance,
which
led Blue
Cross of Washington to establish, in 1994, their Alternapath pilot
program covering homeopathy, naturopathy, and acupuncture. Hopefully other companies will follow suit.
Homeopathy Can Enhance the Effects of Conventional Medicine
When conventional medicine is necessary, homeopathy can still be of great benefit. If you take the remedy Arnica before and surgery,
your healing process will generally be
seen this repeatedly with
many
and plastic surgery. Sur-
geons are often surprised that their patients little
use
homeopathy
often relieve the nausea which results as a side
from chemotherapy. In
remedies
who
or no pain medication after surgery and recover quickly.
Homeopathy can effect
much faster. We have
types of surgery, including dental
surgery, repair of fractures, hysterectomies,
need
after
homeopathic
cases of terminal illness,
may ease the transition
into death.
Madeline Robert was able to attend his mother
month of her life
as she
at her
bedside during the
last
was dying from lung cancer. Although the
cancer had metastasized and
it
was no longer possible
death, her suffering was considerably relieved.
to prevent her
One
of her main
problems, towards the end, was difficulty in breathing due to mucus congestion in her lungs. She had been prescribed morphine and sco-
palamine patches to ease her breathing.
The morphine made
her
drowsy and the scopalamine caused confusion and hallucinations. Robert prescribed the homeopathic medicine Carbo (charcoal)
which helped her breathe more
easily,
vegetabilis
making the other
medications unnecessary. She was able to die peacefully at home,
Why Choose Homeopathy? 37 surrounded by her family,
free
of pain, and was lucid until just
before she died.
Notes Kleijnan J, Knipschild,
1
P,
ter Riet G., "Clinical Trials
of Homeopathy."
Brit MedJ 1991; 302:316-323.
2
Murphy
R.,
Homeopathic Medicine and Cancer, Portland: Murphy,
1983.
Homeopathic Medical
3 Ullman, D., Address to the California
Society,
April 2 1,1992.
4 Standish L, Guiltanan J, Trial
McMahon E,
Lindstrom,
C, "One Year Open
of Naturopathic Treatment of HIV Infection Class IV-A in men."
J Naturopathic Med,
1992;3:42-64.
"
"Poisons
kill.
Poisons cure. It
depends on how
you use them.
—
Indian sage.
From Snake Venom to Squid Ink The Source ofHomeopathic Medicines Homeopathic remedies the exotic to the is
from
collected
are derived
from substances ranging from
mundane. The material plants, animals,
is
making homeopathic medicines and
symptoms
that
it
homeopathic remedies
and minerals from
world. Everything in the natural world to
for
all
game when
fair
over the it
comes
will act curatively if the
causes in a healthy person
match those of the
person being treated.
Nux vomica, a remedy for ambitious, people with spasmodic symptoms,
comes from
a plant
hard driving, workaholic
irritability
and
from the Phillippines known
as
sleeplessness,
Quaker's but-
tons or poison nut. Arnica montana, for bruises, sprained ankles
and traumatic
injuries,
comes from
a pretty yellow flower that
grows in the mountains, where such injuries are Sepia
irritable,
morning
are feeling depressed,
weepy, and have lost their sex drive.
They may suffer from
sickness, hot flashes, or menstrual or liver problems.
Patients needing Sepia generally feel exercise. Sepia
comes from squid
over a century ago.
ink,
Women who
much
better after vigorous
which was used
in quill
pens
repeatedly licked the quills to
moisten their pens developed these symptoms. sionally
likely to occur.
women who
primarily a remedy for
is
Men also may occa-
need Sepia.
Ted Ted sought help for a chronic hepatitis that drained him of his energy
He
was a triathlete, but his fatigue left him unable to compete, even though he found exercise exhilarating. Ted was skinny, sallow, and looked very sad.
During the course of the
that his
first
homeopathic
Ted
revealed
symptoms had begun while he was working as a prep cook 39
..
interview,
in a
40 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine natural foods restaurant. His job, each day,
was
squid to be served as a macrobiotic delicacy.
up hundreds of
to cut
The more he handled the
squid, the sicker he became. His direct contact with the squid, along with
symptoms, led us to prescribe Sepia. This remedy helped him
his specific
to regain his stamina
Other remedies
and he was once again entering triathalons. are
made from very common
as table salt, coffee beans, sand, oyster shells,
aluminum, and
iron, copper,
medicines are
made from
example,
may
be used for
Platinum
is
the
gold.
these
substances, such
and metals including
A few currently used allopathic
same substances. Gold
difficult cases
shots, for
of rheumatoid
main constituent of a widely used drug
arthritis.
for cancer
treatment.
Poisons as Medicine
venom of the become nontoxic when prepared
Even extremely poisonous substances such Bushmaster snake
{Lachesis),
as the
homeopathically.
Natalie Natalie, pregnant for the
first
time
at age 33,
opath for severe varicose veins of her
months pregnant. At the suggestion of her wearing support hose able.
What
all
the time, but
felt
no
sought out a home-
when
left leg
she was seven
obstetrician, she relief.
was
She was miser-
bothered her the most was the severe throbbing and
which was worse from standing
for even a short
time. Six days after she received Lachesis, the pain
was completely
aching of her
leg,
gone. She no longer wore support hose except stand
all
day.
when
ered a healthy
little girl.
Thorn apple {Datura stramonium),
a poisonous
the source of the homeopathic medicine Stramonium to
treat
she needed to
She enjoyed the remainder of her pregnancy and deliv-
patients suffering
from hallucinations,
and
rage,
plant, is
is
known
violence,
nightmares, and strong fears of the dark or water. This remedy, due to the strongly violent nature of contemporary American culture
media,
is
prescribed with great frequency by
and
modern homeopaths.
From Snake Venom
to
Squid Ink 41
Mark Mark, age
5,
was brought
things at people,
and
conscious control.
and Mr. Hyde.
by
his
mother because of his violent
screamed, scratched, cursed, threw
bit people, all
He
child in the face. His
in
He
and abusive behavior.
of which seemed to be out of his
once pounded
mother described
When
a
developmentally disabled
his personality as Dr. Jekyll
asked what he most liked to do,
Mark
when he was
angry,
responded, "Kill dinosaurs." This child cursed
which happened every ing,
day.
Mark also had facial
tics,
tongue
and grimaces. After being given Stramonium, Mark's
grimaces disappeared within one month.
He
click-
tics
and
completely stopped
cursing and had only rare angry outbursts, with none of the previ-
ous violence and intensity.
Who ivy?
can forget the red, itching blistering eruptions of poison
Known as Rhus toxicodendron, poison ivy is an excellent medicine
for skin eruptions, arthritis, injuries,
Called the "rusty gate remedy," develops after exposure to cold,
it
and ailments from overexertion.
relieves joint stiffness
death.
is
one of the best reme-
and insomnia. People who have been poisoned with
become extremely
arsenic
that
damp weather or cold water.
Arsenicum album, made from arsenic, dies for anxiety
and pain
restless, chilly, agitated,
Homeopathic Arsenicum album can bring
and
terrified
of
great relief to a
person in such a state of anxiety.
Evelyn Evelyn,
64
years old,
was
in a terrible state.
from tremendous anxiety with a racing a
tremendous
fear
She had been suffering
heart, feelings
of panic, and
of being alone, which was quite unlike her usual
self. She woke at three in the morning with a dry mouth worrying about who would take care of her if she became ill.
independent
She feared that she would be taken to a mental hospital or have a heart attack or a stroke. She
felt
very jittery and had developed a ner-
vous stomach. She vacillated between feeling very hot, with needle-like sensations, to having "nervous chills." Arsenicum relieved her of the anxiety
and allowed her
album
to "feel like herself again."
42 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
Salts
ofthe Earth
Many minerals have found their way into the homeopathic materia medica. The most common of these is table salt, known as Natrum muriaticum
.
allergies,
tis,
It is
a useful medicine for headaches, cold sores, sinusi-
and conditions
in
which the person
being out in the sun. People needing sitive
and
this
get their feelings hurt easily.
feels
worse from
remedy are extremely sen-
They isolate themselves and
cry their salty tears only in solitude.
Karen Karen's chief complaints were a rash around her rent genital herpes. She
rienced grief due to an
was
a very sensitive
unhappy childhood.
food cravings, she said she loved taking
that this
woman was a musician,
potato chips. After
skin rashes were gone,
herpes outbreaks were few and far between.
recur-
woman who had expeWhen asked about her
salty foods like
Natrum muriaticum, her
mouth and
It is
and her
interesting to note
because people needing Natrum
muriaticum are known to be very deeply affected by music. Kali carbonicum (potassium carbonate), joint pain, asthma,
and
gas. Patients
complain of a feeling of anxiety
is
a useful medicine for
needing
in their
this
remedy often
stomach. They commonly
wake at night between two and four a.m.
Doris
While on vacation, Doris developed an acute sciatica that woke her up
at three a.m. every night.
was
to get
The only way she could relieve her pain
up and walk around. Kali carbonicum
relieved the pain
considerably and allowed Doris to enjoy the rest of her travels.
From Dogs Milk to Red Ants Animal substances make an important contribution to the homeopathic materia medica. We have already mentioned honeybee and squid ink. Dog's milk (Lac caninum)
of nursing mothers.
It is
is
also useful for
helpful for breast problems
some people with low
self-
From Snake Venom esteem, a disconnected or floating sensation, and
Squid Ink 43
to
symptoms
that
alternate sides.
Ginny Ginny, age 38, suffered the devastating
due
to
loss
of her infant daughter
sudden infant death syndrome. Her breast milk continued
flow, continually
When we
reminding her of the
to
of her precious child.
gave her Lac caninum, her breast milk quickly dried up
within a few days.
Ginny went on
Red ants (Formica for eruptions that
ligencer
loss
to
have a healthy son.
rufa) are used for wandering arthritic pains
and
look like ant bites. An article in the Seattle Post-Intel-
began by saying, "A handful of ants a day keeps the doctor
away." The article explained that ants had been found to be especially effective against society,
rheumatism, according to the Chinese entomological
because of the formic acid in the insects.
More than 250,000
rheumatism sufferers had been successfully treated by using ant remedies.
Ants wander and bite. What they cause, they can cure. Theridion (the
tremendous
Orange
spider),
sensitivity to noise,
is
good
for
which seems
anyone who has
to
a
go right through
them, especially into the teeth, causing nausea and dizziness.
Danny Danny, a 5 year old boy, was brought
mother because of his insomnia.
for
homeopathic care by
his
He would wake in the middle of the When asked
night with great fear and crawl into his parents' bed.
what he was
it
was the noises outside the
house that scared him and woke him up.
He would always cover his
ears
afraid of, he replied that
when he heard loud
noises
and had
a frequent habit of making
nervous grimaces. After being treated with Theridion, able to sleep through the night
and was no longer
Danny was
fearful
of noises.
His nervous system was calmed and the grimaces disappeared.
The Homeopathic Healing Power of Plants
One of the most important sources of homeopathic medicine is the plant kingdom. Chamomile tea (Chamomilla), a common herbal
44 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine beverage, child
is
the friend of
is
in great pain
who
many
a
mother with a cranky,
irritable
from teething or an earache.
Johnny Johnny's
mom
was
at
her wit's end with her 18
because nothing pleased him.
pushed other kids who were
month
old son
He had a tough kid look on his face,
in his way,
and always seemed
wake
to
up grumpy. Johnny suffered from chronic ear infections and the doctors
were recommending myringotomy tubes. His parents remem-
bered that homeopathic Chamomilla had helped
him
in the past
with his teething. After another dose of Chamomilla, he was easier to live
much
with again and his ear infections improved dramatically.
wind flower, is highly effective in many cases of women with menstrual difficulties or irregularities. It is also used for people who are suffering from a "ripe" cold with proPulsatilla, the
gentle, tearful
fuse yellow nasal discharge. People needing Pulsatilla often feel too
hot and love the open
air.
They are
usually not very thirsty.
Susie Susie tried
homeopathy because of her mood swings and
depres-
sion.
She had recently remembered a history of sexual abuse
as a
child
and
plump and had
the
felt
very sad and angry. She was
appearance of a
little girl,
She talked about her
was very young.
fear
even though she was in her
late thirties.
of abandonment, which began when she
Susie's periods
were painful and
irregular.
She had
of gas, especially when she ate fried foods or meat. Pulsatilla helped Susie to feel much stronger within herself. Her mood swings lots
and weepiness improved, her menstrual
cycle
became
regular,
and
she could handle fried foods without indigestion,
New Remedies Even though the number of remedies still
being discovered.
is
already large,
new ones
are
New remedies are being added to information
on homeopathic remedies,
called the materia medica,
as
they are
From Snake Venom
to
Squid Ink 45
proven. Recent provings of Hydrogen, Chocolate, and Scorpion have
been conducted by a British homeopath, Jeremy Sherr. People taking
Hydrogen experienced a great feeling of lightness and exhilaration followed by a profound sense of disconnectedness. Chocolate, in
homeopathic form, tional feelings
is
useful for certain people
who have strong emo-
about mothering and being nurtured. These people
often have a strong craving for chocolate. ate
its
One woman in his study
two pounds of chocolate a day! Those proving Scorpion devel-
oped tendencies of maliciousness and most comfortable
in isolation.
antisocial behavior
and
felt
The
more homeopathic
remedies are diluted and shaken, the stronger their
action becomes.
The Unique Preparation of Homeopathic Medicines The Homeopathic Paradox: Weaker Is Stronger Homeopathic remedies and shaking known dies are diluted
are prepared
as potentization.
Hahnemann found
tized, the less often
curative action after
The more homeopathic reme-
and shaken, the stronger
Chemically, the substance becomes
however,
by a process of serial dilution
needed
it
their action
becomes.
more and more dilute.
Clinically,
that the
more
a substance
was poten-
to be given to the patient to
and the deeper was
its effect.
produce a
Now, over 150
Hahnemann's death, homeopaths continue
years
to validate this
observation and cure patients with what seem to be infinitesimally small doses of natural substances.
The
degree of dilution of homeopathic remedies
extraordinary. Imagine
one drop of ink dissolved
may seem
in ten drops of
Only 1/10 of the ink would be present. If you diluted it again, only 1 / 1 00 of the ink would remain. Barely any color would still be visible. Now, repeat this process until you have made six dilutions. Only one part per million of the original drop of ink would remain in water.
and the mixture would appear
the solution,
potency is one of the
least diluted,
colorless.
This 6x
or weakest, potencies
commonly
how dilute
drop of ink
used in homeopathic practice. Imagine
that
would be after being diluted one thousand, ten thousand or even one million times!
The "more
is
be true.
caused
popularly held better." It is
this
belief,
when
it
comes
Homeopaths have found
to medicine,
is
just the opposite to
concept of using infinitesimal doses that has
many people,
including most proponents of conventional
medicine, to reject homeopathy categorically without further investigation.
that allows
However,
homeopaths
it is
successful daily clinical experience
to accept this seemingly paradoxical
proposition as true. 47
48 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathy Potentization
The are
dilutions of the original substance are called potencies.
X potencies are diluted 99. To make an X potency,
tesimal.
to
added
to 9 parts of solvent.
original substance 1
There
two commonly used dilution scales, X or decimal, and C or cen-
is
part of the original substance
1
To make
added to 99
C potencies are diluted
and
to 9
1
a
C
potency,
1
1
is
part of the
The 6C potency is common potencies prepared range from 6C (6 dilutions) to
parts of solvent.
times as dilute as the 6X. The most
by pharmacies
in the
United States
CM (100,000 dilutions). Many homeopaths refer to potencies fo 30C
or below as low potencies and potencies of 200C or above as
high potencies.
The Importance ofSuccussion Shaking each dilution a
the crucial factor in preparation.
is
It
allows
homeopathic remedy to remain potent past the point where none
of the original molecules of the substance remain in the dilution. This vigorous shaking nally succussed each
is
known
as succussion.
remedy by rapping the
Hahnemann
origi-
vial against a large,
leatherbound book. In modern manufacturing,
it is
performed by
machine. Succussion allows the medicinal power of the substance to be
enhanced
far
beyond what
is
possible with simple dilution.
The purely chemical effect of a substance is lost as it is diluted more and more, but the homeopathic effects shaken.
With succussion,
dilution
is
stronger
and longer
lasting
remedy gets
with each successive dilution.
Hahnemann came upon
the idea of succussion after noticing
that the medicines he took with
potent than those he kept in his succuss, not just dilute, his
are released, as long as each
the homeopathic
him on house
office.
calls
were more
This observation led him to
homeopathic remedies.
How Homeopathic Medicines Are Dispensed and Sold Homeopathic remedies
are dispensed in the
dilutions, or tablets for internal use,
ments
for external use.
remedy to you
form of pellets, liquid
and salves,
Your homeopath
directly or will instruct
you
tinctures,
and oint-
will either dispense the
to obtain
it
from a home-
opathic pharmacy. Although most homeopaths in the United States
The Unique Preparation of Homeopathic Medicines 49 give the remedies in the also
form of pellets or tablets, the remedies may
be given in water.
As long
as the correct
remedy
is
patient went to her
The homeopath
any mode of One homeopathic
given, nearly
administration will produce a positive
effect.
homeopath for help with anxiety and insomnia.
prescribed Arsenicum
album
to take orally.
The
and dumped the contents of The remedy still worked.
patient misunderstood the instructions
the envelope in her bath water.
Many
herb and natural food stores and pharmacies stock
6X or 30C potency. Homeopathic pharmacies sometimes restrict the sale twenty or thirty single homeopathic remedies, usually in the
of high potency remedies to practitioners only,
as their safe use
requires adequate training. Kits of low potency remedies for
use are sold by
home
most homeopathic pharmacies.
Homeopathic Dosages
A dose
is
defined by the frequency of taking the remedy rather than
by the amount given. Your homeopath will instruct you to take a dose.
There
in deciding when If you are
are specific guidelines that
and how often
how often
homeopaths follow
to administer a particular remedy.
being treated by a homeopathic practitioner,
idea to ask her before self- administering
it is
a
good
any homeopathic medi-
cines, even for minor illnesses. Taking a homeopathic remedy at the wrong time can interfere with the healing process.
Willie Willie, 9 years old, disability
and
and aptitude
was being treated successfully
a recurrent
cough and
for learning, as
rash.
confirmed by
for a learning
His attentiveness his teachers,
improved substantially during the course of a year and
had
a half
of
homeopathic treatment with the remedy Baryta carbonica (barium carbonate). After Willie's mother prescribed several doses of Rhus toxicodendron for what she thought to be an outbreak of chicken pox, Willie relapsed within one week and needed another
dose of his original remedy.
If Willie's
mom had called his home-
opath before giving him the Rhus toxicodendron, an alternative
50 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathy could have been suggested that would have relieved the itching but
not interfered with his homeopathic treatment.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your homeopath
may choose to administer the remedy either in a single dose, with a long period of time before repeating the medicine, or in
relatively
more frequent, perhaps even single high
potency dose
remedy given
daily, doses.
may
In other circumstances, a
be given followed by a low potency
daily or at other prescribed intervals.
The practitioner
may recommend that you continue to take the remedy for a certain time period, or that you stop taking it when you feel better. How often the dose is repeated depends on many factors including the strength of your vital force and whether
you
are taking allopathic
medications. Prescription drugs sometimes interfere with the action
of homeopathic medicines and make
necessary for your
it
home-
opath to instruct you to take your remedy more frequently. If your not very strong, or you are very sensitive to medica-
vital force
is
tions, the
remedy may be given more
potency, so as not to aggravate your
frequently, but in a lower
symptoms
unnecessarily.
Combination Remedies Combination remedies infections, sinusitis,
for teething, bedwetting, colds, flus, bladder
and other minor
don't have access to a trained
the most
common
hope that the
can be useful
if you
homeopath. Combinations contain
single remedies for a given condition, with the
single
remedy
that you
the combination. For example, a flu napelluSy
illnesses
need
will
be
among
those in
remedy might contain Aconitum
Gelsemium, Bryonia, and Eupatorium, the most prescribed
remedies for treating influenza. Teething
tablets,
produced by most
of the homeopathic pharmacies, are one the most effective of the
combination remedies.
A
large
number of
problems need Chamomilla, which in all
is
one of the remedies included
of the teething combinations.
Many people for
is
infants with teething
minor
report getting relief from combination remedies
illnesses,
but
if you
do not benefit from
because the single remedy you need
bination. This
is
is
these remedies,
it
not contained in the com-
the time to see an experienced homeopath.
Although combination remedies may be
effective in
some acute
The Unique Preparation of Homeopathic Medicines 51 they are never
illnesses,
recommended
for chronic conditions. If
taken over time, they can confuse a chronic case and cult for
make
it
diffi-
an experienced homeopath to find the correct remedy.
Experienced homeopaths find that the greatest and most long
last-
ing improvements in health result from taking the similliumum in the
form of a
single
remedy
rather than in
combination with other
remedies.
Billy
One mother complained
to a
work. Her son Billy had a
dry*,
a
homeopathic combination
Phosphorus, Drosera, Spongia, for coughs,
homeopath irritating
for
that
homeopathy
didn't
cough. She had purchased
coughs that contained Bryonia,
and Aconite,
all
but his cough did not improve.
of which are excellent
When
the
homeopath
asked about the cough, the child said he had a tickle and pointed to the base of his throat. Recognizing this to be a characteristic
tom of the medicine Rumex,
One dose was
all
that
the
was needed
homeopath gave
it
symp-
to the child.
to alleviate his cough.
Teething Children
Many crying,
teething children experience
initial relief from a
com-
bination teething remedy containing Chamomilla. Because combi-
nation remedies are low potency, they often need several doses a dav to get results. .After a
few days or weeks, mothers sometimes com-
plain that the combination
no longer works. In such
dose of Chamomilla in the combination remedy
exhausted
When
its
effectiveness
Chamomilla
potency; the effect
is
and
a higher
last
much
longer.
low
may have simply
potency may be needed.
given to these children by
may
cases, the
itself in a
higher
A common complaint
amongpatients of conventional medicine is
that their practitioners
do not listen
to
them.
You won 7 be able to say that about your homeopath.
Getting to Know the Patient from the Inside Out The Homeopathic Consultation
Homeopaths conduct an
extensive
taking lasting one to two hours thirty
minutes on return
and
careful interview or case
on the first visit and approximately
A common
visits.
patients of conventional medicine
is
complaint
that their practitioners
among do not
them. You homeopath. The purpose of the homeopathic consultation is to understand you as a whole person and how your vital force is expressing itself in won't be able to say that about your
listen to
the
form of symptoms. Your homeopath attempts
understand
to
An idiosyncrasy that you might have irrelevant may be the key your homeopath needs to
your unique symptoms. thought to be
find the right medicine for you. If you have asthma,
wheeze and
feel tightness in
your
chest.
The
you
fact that
wheeze at the seashore, when you hold a cat, while you after
you drink
a beer, or at exactly 2 a.m.,
are likely to
you only
are singing,
makes your asthma
unique and allows the correct remedy to be found.
Mary Mary, a 9 year old after
girl
with asthma, found that her wheezing came on
damp conditions like skiing or swimming The remedy that fit this symptom the best was Natrum
being exposed to cold,
in cold water.
sulphuricum (sodium sulphate), which rapidly helped her condition. After the
An
remedy she was much more
and damp.
conventional physician will generally ask you only about
your chief complaint.
A
homeopath views
only the beginning, and wants to will ask
tolerant to cold
the chief complaint as
know much more about you. He
you about your physical symptoms and your emotions. Trau-
matic incidents from the past that might shed light on your present
symptoms
are also important.
Your medical and family history 53
as
54 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine well as
what you were
like as a child are
taken into account. You will
be asked what was happening in your life appeared, what makes your
first
at the
symptoms
time your symptoms
better or worse,
and
under what circumstances they occur. Your homeopath will inquire about your memory and concentration and about your relationships with others. The more accurate the information you provide, the easier
it
will
be for your practitioner to prescribe correctly.
Once you have
told your story to the best of your ability, your
homeopath begins to see the patterns of possible remedies and will ask you
confirm the symptoms of certain remedies
specific questions to
under consideration crave
for
your case. You will be asked which foods you
and dislike and which ones make you sick; whether you like hot
or cold drinks or food; and sleep
is
if you are
a chilly or a
warm person. Your
important, including insomnia, dreams, favorite position,
whether you like the window open or closed, and whether you get hot in
bed at night. You may be questioned about how much you perspire
and about your sexual desire, whether you like the ocean or the mountains,
and what kind of weather makes you feel worse. Just relax and do
your best to share what
is
going on with you. Whatever information
you give will be carefully listened to,
respected,
and held in confidence.
Your unique symptoms are crucial to finding the correct homeopathic medicine.
The fine lines of difference between
important that you
tell
your homeopath
Your homeopath may perform
ommend
all
remedies
a physical examination or rec-
laboratory testing. Laboratory tests can rule out hidden
pathology and serve treatment. This
is
as a baseline for
measuring the progress of your
important, for example, in monitoring the
a uterine fibroid through pelvic ultrasounds or
thyroid levels in the case of a thyroid disorder.
is
and that
testing
is
not
as
size
of
measuring serum
You
will find that
homeopaths generally order only those laboratory tests essary
make it very
about yourself.
that are nec-
primary a source of information
as
it
for a conventional physician.
The Books ofthe Homeopath Books
are the tools
of the homeopath. You
homeopath, during the interview, indispensable
book
is
flips
may
notice that your
through a thick book. This
called a repertory
and includes nearly every
Getting
symptom
to
Know
imaginable, followed by a
icines that
have been
known
repet tory that has been used
some other excellent
The consult
the Patient from the Inside
most
universally
repertories have
is
symptom. The
Kent's Repertory,
been published
book
that your
but
recently.
homeopath
will
called a materia medica, consisting of many chapters, each
including most of the information
remedy.
of all the homeopathic med-
to cure that particular
other principal type of
is
list
Out
The Materia Medica
known about
a particular
with Repertory by Boericke, Lectures
on Homeopathic Materia Medica by Kent, and Desktop Guide
to
Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms by Morrison are widely used,
many other excellent materia medicas are available. These and many other books are now available in comprehensive comalthough
puter database programs such as MacRepertory, ReferenceWorks,
CARA, and RADAR (see Appendix).
5 5
"
"All these things
must be eliminated or
else
avoided as
much as possible if cure is
not to be
prevented or impeded.
— Samuel Hahnemann, Organon ofMedicine,
Sixth Edition.
dos and don'ts for Homeopathic Patients Taking the Remedy After taking your case, your practitioner will select the single
opathic medicine, or remedy, that best matches your will either give
home-
symptoms and
you the remedy or have you buy it at a homeopathic
The remedy is impregnated on grains, pellets or tablets, made of either table sugar (sucrose) or milk sugar (lactose). A dose of remedy is one or more of these grains, pellets or tablets placed on pharmacy.
or under the tongue. Unlike are sweet
and pleasant
to exactly
most medicine, homeopathic remedies
tasting.
how often to
Your practitioner will instruct you
take your
as
remedy
Dos and Don ts About Taking Homeopathic Remedies While under homeopathic treatment for chronic illness, notify your
homeopath
before taking any
homeopathic remedies. In ever,
and
a first aid or
it is
best to
new medications or other
emergency
situation,
how-
you should take the appropriate remedy or action immediately call
your practitioner afterwards.
Avoid touching the remedy with your hands
if
handled a strong smelling substance. Use the
you have recently
vial
cap or a clean
spoon, and place the remedy under your tongue to avoid contaminating the remedy.
Don't expose your remedy to direct sunlight, high temperatures, magnets, electromagnetic
fields,
or strong aromatic odors such as
camphor, solvents, paint, and chemicals.
Antidoting Certain substances or influences can disturb the fering with the action of the
enon
is
commonly known
vital force, inter-
homeopathic medicine. This phenom-
as antidoting.
57
When
antidoting occurs,
58 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine the healing effects of the
and your symptoms
nently, relapse
ing
usually sudden, but
is
unknown.
is
remedy stop,
It
either temporarily or
perma-
return, partially or completely. The may be gradual. The cause of antidot-
may occur at any point in treatment, in rare cases
even two years or more after a remedy has been given. After the healing response to a homeopathic remedy has stabilized, you
more
may
be
resistant to antidoting factors.
Debbie Debbie's health improved dramatically from Sulphur. irritation
strual
vaginal
symptoms were no longer
a problem, and her energy was some coffee-flavored cookies at a "A week later my constipation, hemorrhoids, and
much better. That is, Christmas
party.
until she ate
vaginal itching returned. so
Her
was improved, her hemorrhoids were gone, her premen-
good
for seven
nosedive.
I felt
months
dramatically different. After feeling
after taking Sulphur,
My energy lagged.
I
I
went back
took a
had headaches, mood swings, and
premenstrual acne again. By mid-January,
bad anymore.
my health
I
couldn't stand feeling so
to get another remedy.
cookies don't have espresso in them.
It's
really
Make sure
not worth
those
it."
Tess
Tess
had derived considerable benefit from Borax
and touchy moods.
Many of her symptoms
for her joint pains
returned
less
than one
month after she took her last homeopathic remedy. Her homeopath to wait another month to evaluate Tess'
was puzzled and decided
symptoms. As Tess checked out with the ajar out of her purse. is
clinic receptionist, she
"By the way, I want
to
compatible with homeopathic remedies.
homeopath noticed
that
took
make sure this lip balm
On reading the label, her
camphor was one of the
first
ingredients.
This explained why her symptoms had returned so soon.
The
substances and influences listed below
the action of homeopathic remedies
when
may interfere with
a sensitive patient
is
exposed to them, but the approach taken by each practitioner to the issue
of antidoting varies. Practitioners often give their patients a
list
Dos and Don'ts
for
Homeopathic Patients 59
of substances to avoid, which can be brief or more extensive. Other
homeopaths do not make antidoting an
their patients,
A
it
actually
Some homeopaths believe that antidoting never happens to
occurs.
not act
issue unless
long
as
and consider other explanations
if
the
remedy does
as expected.
number of homeopathic
practitioners estimate that the
treatment of approximately 60 percent of their patients will be adversely affected by ingesting coffee. Your
homeopath may
rec-
ommend that you avoid coffee entirely or she may say nothing at all until she sees
whether the treatment has been
successful.
The guidelines below are what we give to our patients based on our own clinical experience and a consensus of homeopaths we have consulted. Their opinions varied with their own experience with patients.
We
many
have seen
cases in
influences below have interfered with
which the substances and
homeopathic treatment.
We
prefer to err in the direction of being overcautious, particularly
while is
we are still trying to find the best remedy for the patient. What
most important
homeopath
is
that that
you follow the instructions of your
in this matter.
What to Avoid While Under Homeopathic Treatment Coffee:
This
is
the one substance that
homeopathic treatment. Even one
amount of coffee
sip
most often
candy may be
sufficient
Other patients
to drink several cups of coffee or drink coffee regularly
for a period
of time to cause their symptoms to return. In some
patients, coffee does not interfere.
pounds
with
of coffee, decaf, or a small
in ice cream, liqueur, or
to disturb the treatment in very sensitive patients.
may need
interferes
in coffee rather
It
appears to be a variety of com-
than just the caffeine that creates the prob-
lem. Other caffeinated substances, such as black tea
and cola drinks,
although not considered healthy, do not usually interfere with
homeopathic treatment. Electric blankets: They
can affect the action of remedies by affecting
your body's electromagnetic
field.
Aromatic substances: Avoid camphor, eucalyptus, and any products that contain
them including
liniments, lip balms, mouthwashes,
60 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine cough drops and lozenges. This includes aromatherapy oils and other aromatic compounds such oil
as tea tree products.
Strong fumes from
based paint, turpentine, and paint thinner, certain household
cleaning agents containing pine smelling industrial chemicals
oil
or phenol, as well as strong
may also interfere, depending on indi-
vidual sensitivity.
Medications: tion drugs
Homeopathic medicines
will
not prevent prescrip-
from working, but some prescription drugs may inter-
with homeopathic remedies. In individual
fere
oral medications interfere.
such
as antibiotics, narcotics
cases, topical or
and
steroids can
Consult with your practitioner about any drugs that you
are taking.
Immunizations: Immunizations sometimes interrupt the homeopathic healing process in certain individuals.
them or not
is
your personal choice, but you
Whether you
may want
take
to discuss
each specific immunization and your particular circumstances with
your homeopath.
Dental work: Dental
drilling
and the use of novocaine may disturb
the effects of homeopathic remedies.
It is
preferable, if possible, to
wait at least three or four months after taking a remedy to have dental
work done. This delay gives your vital
force
more time
to be
strengthened by homeopathy. In the case of emergency dental work,
have
done and call your homeopath afterwards. In
it
gency,
homeopathic remedies
have a chance to
visit
your
Recreational drugs: Av oid
cocaine, tion
is
LSD,
recreational drugs including marijuana,
and amphetamines. Alcohol
in
modera-
not a problem.
Other homeopathic remedies: Except in a use
you
dentist.
all
barbituates,
a dental emer-
will often relieve the pain until
first-aid situation,
them without discussing them with your homeopath
do not
first.
Check with your homeopath before using herbs for specific medicinal purposes. Herb teas for beverage use, when varied from day to day, are fine, as are culinary herbs. If you've been given Natrum muri-
Herbs:
aticum,
you will usually be advised to avoid menthol and peppermint
Dos and Don'ts in all forms, including tea.
not a problem. There
it
generally
be other specific substances that your
to avoid
when
Using a particular vitamin
tom may make
is
taking a particular remedy.
homeopath know which vitamins you
Vitamins: Let your taking.
Homeopathic Patients 61
For other patients, peppermint
may
homeopath will ask you
for
difficult for
to eliminate a particular
are
symp-
your homeopath to evaluate your
symptoms. Multivitamins and minerals
are generally compatible
with homeopathic treatment.
Permanent waves: These may interfere with remedies because of the harsh and aromatic chemicals used.
Other therapies: Acupuncture and therapeutic ultrasound have been
known to disturb homeopathic treatment in some cases, although both may also have significant therapeutic value. Please discuss these therapies with your practitioner.
Factors
Which Do Not Interfere with Homeopathic Treatment
Medications:
We have not seen aspirin, acetominophen, ibuprofen
and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
interfere
with homeopathic treatment.
Heating pads and water bed heaters.
Medical tests: Blood
tests, x-rays,
mammograms, Pap
smears.
Dental examination and cleaning. Cleaning products: Ammonia and bleach. Personal care products:
Most
toothpastes, aftershaves,
ants that are not strongly aromatic
are fine.
and deodor-
Soaps, perfumes, and
colognes that do not contain the substances listed above are rarely
any problem. Therapies:
Massage (using nonaromatic
ments and other forms of bodywork homeopathy. joints,
it is
If your
oils),
chiropractic adjust-
are generally compatible with
complaints are primarily
in
your muscles and
best to discuss the frequency of these treatments with
your homeopath.
62 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
The Patient's Freedom During Homeopathic Treatment
when starting anything new to have a period of adjustment. Avoiding some things like coffee or your electric blanket, which are important to you, or postponing dental work or your natural
It is
may seem like a big imposihomeopathy for the first time. If
next permanent wave appointment tion
when you
are just trying
your homeopath asks you to avoid certain things, you that he places too
many
on your
restrictions
life
may
feel
and makes you
feel rebellious.
Most patients who choose homeopathy find that it becomes reland
atively easy to avoid these substances
dies to
work over time
is
well worth the effort.
and increased freedom
better health
that allowing their reme-
homeopathy is more important than
They
find that the
in their lives resulting
from
the freedom to drink coffee or
use camphor.
Your homeopath does not want reason.
When
worked
for you,
the
treatment.
remedy you need
you may be able
you have avoided
to restrict
if
is
to use
you without good
and it has definitely some of the things which
clear
they do not interfere with your individual
The most crucial time
for avoiding antidoting factors
homeopath has evaluated the effectiveness of the prescribed remedy. If the remedy does not get a sufficient chance to act because of an antidoting factor, your symptoms may not improve. If your homeopath interprets this lack of improvement is
as
before your
an incorrect prescription and changes remedies, the correct
medicine
may be abandoned
If you feel too restricted
too soon.
by your homeopathic treatment,
cuss this with your practitioner. Perhaps
you
are avoiding
dis-
some
substances unnecessarily. If a potential antidoting substance
important to you, discuss using results. If
it
is
in a controlled way, noting the
your symptoms return or become worse, you can stop
and your homeopath can
using
it
if you
need
give
you another dose of remedy
it.
Give your homeopathic treatment a chance to work. In a chronic case,
it
may take several months before the correct remedy
has been found and has produced definite improvement.
You can
Dos and Don'ts
for
Homeopathic Patients 63
play an important role in your treatment success by carefully
following your homeopath's instructions and being patient with the process.
Many patients who are treated homeopathically
are so satisfied that they continue to use
homeopathyfor the rest of their
lives.
What Do Need to Know About I
Homeopathic Treatment? THERE
A DEFINITE COURSE of treatment
IS
of follow-up remedy,
visits,
when
to
that
homeopaths
number and frequency
follow with their patients. This includes the
change or repeat a homeopathic
how to deal with interfering factors, and what to do in case
of an emergency All of these depend on the symptoms, prognosis,
and circumstances of the individual
patient.
Willi Notice a Response to My Remedy?
How Soon
You may notice an immediate response from your homeopathic remedy,
as in the
following case:
Jody Jody, age 6, that she
came in because of left-sided ear pain. She was so lethargic
remained curled up in her mother's lap during the entire half
hour interview. She was fair-skinned with long blonde curly hair and blue eyes. Since she developed the ear pain, she was very
wanted to be with her mom all of the time. to drink anything.
Within
five
It
weepy and
was a struggle
to get her
She was given Pulsatilla (wind flower) in the
office.
minutes she was running around happily and said that
her ear pain was gone. She looked like a normal, healthy child again. In other cases,
it
may take several weeks or a couple months after
taking your remedy before you notice a change in your symptoms.
The
length of your treatment depends on
many
the severity of your illness, the clarity of your
factors,
including
symptoms, your past
medical and family health history, the type of treatments which you
have had in the past, and the overall strength of your body's defenses.
Acute
diseases,
such
as colds, flus,
tions respond very quickly to a
pneumonia, and bladder
homeopathy and will
few hours or one to two days. In chronic 65
infec-
usually be cured in
illnesses,
such
as arthritis,
66 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine allergies,
asthma, uterine fibroids, and
colitis, it
may take longer to may experi-
respond to the remedy. After you take your remedy, you ence a brief worsening of your symptoms. This tion.
is
called
an aggrava-
Most aggravations last from a few hours up to several days.
aggravation occurs, usually
means
it is
probably a normal part of treatment and
remedy has been
that the correct
Symptoms
that
If an
you have had
in the past
course of homeopathic treatment. This
symptoms. Usually they will
last for a
is
given.
may recur during the
called the return
few days, then recede.
though the body were remembering, then
of old It is
as
repairing, an old illness.
Often these symptoms will not return again.
Homeopathic treatment is analogous and digging up weeds by the
to
both peeling an onion
root. If you are trying to clear a black-
berry patch to plant a garden, you need to eradicate the plants at the roots.
Cutting back the vines
is
only a temporary solution.
Home-
opathy heals by finding and curing the roots of disease. As symp-
toms from the past appear, your homeopath will recognize a layer of illness as
it
comes
to the surface to be healed, or a predisposition that
needs to be eliminated. She will prescribe a remedy that matches the
symptoms of the
layer.
This process continues until
all
the layers,
even back to your childhood and your hereditary predispositions,
have been removed. During the
this process,
you may continue
same homeopathic medicine, or you may need
dies,
need
to
different reme-
depending on your state of health.
Sunita Sunita, age 25, heard about
homeopathy from
a close friend
hay fever had been cured. She suffered from chronic
hoped
whose
allergies
and
that she could be helped, too. Because of her particular
emo-
Nux vomica.
This
tional state
and
allergy
remedy made the
months
later,
symptoms, she was given
allergy
symptoms 80 percent
better.
Three
Sunita had a flareup of her eczema, which had been
suppressed with hydrocortisone cream since childhood. She had
ter-
night scratching herself raw. She
felt
rible itching
and was awake
very hot in bed at
all
night. These symptoms are characteristic of home-
opathic Sulphur. After receiving Sulphur, Sunita had an aggravation
What Do
I
Need
Know About Homeopathic Treatment? 67
to
of the eczema for two months. She had a strong belief in homeopathy and her homeopath assured her that the flareup of the eczema
was necessary
for her healing to
be completed. Afterwards her
eczema was 90 percent better and the improvement has continued.
How Do I Know If The Remedy is Working? Four to eight weeks
after
will evaluate the results
There are a
you take your remedy, your homeopath
of the prescription
specific criteria
which he
at the first
follow-up
visit.
uses to evaluate your response to
homeopathic remedy, including how much energy you have,
whether your chief complaint
is
better,
and whether you
are better
mentally and emotionally. By comparing your current symptoms
with
how you were
before the remedy, he decides what to do next.
He looks for what has changed and what has stayed the same in your may be obvious to you that you have improved, but some-
case. It
times our memories are long for pleasure and short for suffering.
You might be surprised when he reminds you of all of the symptoms you reported before you took the remedy.
Kristy Kristy sought treatment for her chronic headaches
During the
initial interview,
we asked how
anger.
she stated that she had suffered from
headaches every single day of her later,
and
life.
On her return visit five weeks
she was doing. She replied that she wasn't sure.
She had not noticed a change
in her anger. Yet she
enced one single headache, for the
first
had not
experi-
time in over forty years. Kristy
had quickly forgotten how debilitating her chronic headaches had been. She had been given
Nux vomica,
a
remedy
for
both headaches
and anger. As her homeopath suspected, by the time of her next visit two months
later,
her anger had diminished considerably.
What If My Progress Seems If you
tient
to
have a chronic
illness,
Too Slow?
there
and want mote immediate
remember how long
it
may be times when you feel impa-
results
from homeopathy.
took to develop the
stand that the healing of chronic
illness
illness
may take time.
It is
useful
and
to under-
It is
unrealistic
68 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine to expect that
you will be completely better
have suffered from an cumulative.
illness for years.
in a
few days when you
Homeopathic healing
is
A patient who continues with treatment for more than a
year generally finds that her overall level of health improves considerably.
Her complaints become more minor.
asthma, she
may
Instead of having
only experience a mild bout of hay
fever.
Rather
than the suicidal depression she experienced before homeopathy, she
may have only an occasional day of "the blues."
Barbara Barbara began homeopathic treatment twelve years ago. At that time, she complained of terrible headaches, premenstrual syndrome which
and asthma. She was married
nearly incapacitated her,
to a
man who
constantly put her down. She wanted desperately to leave the marriage,
but didn't feel strong enough to do
so.
cession of homeopathic remedies.
Over the first few years after starting
She responded very well to a suc-
treatment, her premenstrual symptoms, asthma,
and headaches
improved. After four years, she left her husband and felt much happier.
She found a more lucrative job, which she liked much better. A couple of years later she started a relationship with a man who treated her tenderly
and was very supportive. She has had no problems with asthma
for seven years. For the past
few years, her homeopath has seen her only
two or three times a year for periodic episodes of neck stiffness and pain
and mild premenstrual symptoms. She has been given remedies these feels
for
symptoms and felt better within days. She is happy with her life,
good, and has few colds or minor
How Often
illnesses.
Will I Need to Take a Remedy?
Your homeopath
will
determine
when you need
to take a
remedy
based on your progress. She will decide whether or not to repeat or to
change your remedy.
It
important thatyou return for your scheduled
is
appointments at specified
intervals,
even ifyou are doing well, so that
your practitioner can carefully evaluate your progress and see if a new
remedy or potency
is
scheduled every one to If,
for
some
reason,
needed. Follow-up appointments are usually six
it is
months, depending on
how you are doing.
impossible for you to return for a follow-up
What Do visit, at least
Need
I
to
Know About Homeopathic Treatment? 69 knows what is happening
write to your homeopath so she
with you and are willing to
how the remedy has
do phone interviews
Many homeopaths
affected you.
if an in
person visit
is
not possible.
Do not be surprised if your homeopath decides to wait weeks or months before prescribing another remedy. More harm is likely to be done by giving a remedy too soon than by waiting too
long, or
changing the remedy before the first remedy has completed Prescription
may
by
action.
Drugs and Homeopathy
If you are taking prescription
he
its
prescribe the
drugs when you
homeopathic remedy
first
see a
homeopath,
low potency daily
in
doses. This often involves a delicate balance of gradually decreasing
the dosage of your prescription medication as your
symptoms
are
improving, with the guidance of the prescribing physician. If you
have taken thyroid medications for years or are on heart medication or insulin,
you will probably need to remain on
your physician prescribes them, for the
rest
these medications, as
of your life, with or with-
out homeopathic treatment. Another alternative
is
to wait to begin
your remedy until nonessential medications are stopped so that there will
be no confusion between the
results
of starting the remedy and
stopping the prescription drug. This requires coordination between the patient, the
homeopath, and the prescribing physician.
Some homeopaths
not
will
on
treat patients
because they think that prescription medications less favorable.
The
despite the drugs
allopathic drugs,
make the prognosis
majority of homeopaths, however, will treat you
you are taking. Certain drugs may not be compatible
with homeopathic treatment, including antibiotics, steroids and
chemotherapeutic drugs
when used on an ongoing
ication that suppresses the likely to interfere
may work control
symptoms
with homeopathic treatment.
at cross purposes.
One example
pills specifically to treat irregular
comfort.
body
the
By preventing ovulation,
may be masked, making the
the real
The two
of this
is
is
treatments
symptoms of menstruation true
This
and
Any med-
the use of birth
task of finding the correct
to suppress a discharge or a skin eruptions. for healing
basis.
trying to express
periods and menstrual dis-
remedy difficult or impossible. The same is your body needs
is
these drugs
if you
homeopathic
are taking drugs
may be the outlet that may thwart that process.
70 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
Willi Have Yes
to
Take a Homeopathic Remedy Forever?
and no. As long as you
the better,
are well, or in the process
you may not need a remedy
for
of changing for
months or even
years.
Homeopathy makes you more resistant to disease, but life is stressful and you may not
ment
stay well forever, even if your
has been effective. If you develop
symptoms return, see if you
it is
need to be treated again.
rest
new symptoms
treat-
or your old
important to check in with your homeopath to
homeopathically are so thy for the
homeopathic
of their
satisfied that
Many
patients
who
are treated
they continue to use homeopa-
lives.
When Should I Contact My Homeopath? Ifyou develop an acute
illness
that needs treatment. Call your
opath before seeking other forms of treatment for acute
you have a medical emergency such
home-
illnesses. If
as a car accident, severe bleed-
ing, heart attack, stroke, or poisoning, get
emergency medical
treat-
ment immediately, then call your homeopath as soon as possible. If you have rapidly progressing acute symptoms such as an earache, pain when urinating, or an unusually bad cough, call your homeopath immediately.
If you
cannot reach your homeopath, seek con-
ventional medical care for severe acute illnesses.
Ifyou think that you have been exposed interfere
to
to
one of the substances that
with homeopathic treatment. Your homeopath
may wait one
two weeks before re-evaluating your case and deciding whether to
repeat your remedy. This waiting period evaluate whether your previous
is
symptoms
sometimes necessary return
and
to give
to
you a
chance to recover without the need for repeating the remedy. Ifyou think nothing has happenedfrom the remedy andyou want to use another form of treatment
to alleviate
have waited long enough to
feel
the
have been given, or another remedy
your symptoms. You full effect
may
not
of the remedy you
may be needed.
In either case,
using another treatment before the action of the remedy has been evaluated
may confuse your case. Your practitioner may be able
recommend something
to
that will alleviate your discomfort yet will
not interfere with your homeopathic treatment.
What Do
Need
I
Know About Homeopathic Treatment? 71
to
Ifyou experience a severe aggravation after you take a remedy This unusual, but
about
it
it
can happen and your practitioner should
is
know
immediately.
Ifyou experience significant symptoms that you have never had before
These may come from the remedy you have taken or from another cause, but they
need
promptly evaluated by your homeopath.
to be
Ifold symptoms return severelyfor more than two weeks.
symptoms
is
usually mild
A return of old
and short lasting, but occasionally the
sit-
uation needs evaluation and treatment.
Ifyou want
to use prescription
discussed with
anti-inflammatories, that
medications that you have not already
your homeopath. This includes
antibiotics, steroids,
hormones and other strong
prescription drugs
may disturb your treatment.
Ifyou need to have dental work or surgery. If it
is
an emergency and
you can not reach your homeopath, have the work done. dental care can wait, your
when the dental work
is
homeopath may have
least likely to interfere
If the
a preference as to
with your homeo-
pathic treatment.
Ifyou need extensive diagnostic procedures. Invasive diagnostic inter-
may affect your treatment. You should use these diagnostic techniques when nec-
ventions such as exploratory surgery or other procedures
essary,
but
let
Ifyou do not
your homeopath know.
know when
to
come
in for your next follow-up appoint-
ment or you are unsure whether
to
Your homeopath can guide you
to the
your healing process.
which
is
If
continue homeopathic treatment.
most appropriate next step
homeopathy has not worked
occasionally the case, your
in
well for you,
homeopath may
refer
you
to
another homeopath or to a different type of practitioner. Ifyou are traveling and need medical care. Your homeopath able to treat
you by telephone, or
to
recommend
nearby. In emergencies, remedies can be sent
taken on your trip in a traveling interfering with your treatment.
kit.
This
is
a
may be
homeopath
by overnight mail or
far better
than to risk
"
"I sank
deeper into
depression. It was at this
time that I saw
article
an
by a homeopathic
doctor and decided that I would try, one time, to get
more
my life on
an even keel
.
.
That was
the best decision I have
ever made.
Real Patients, Real Cures The FOLLOWING ARE TRUE
CASES from our
clinical practice. All
of the patients whose stories are told gave their permission and
were eager to share their positive experiences with homeopathy.
The names have been changed, in the
book, to protect privacy.
the patients themselves. cases
from our
as
have
the other patients'
all
The stories
The
names
in quotations are told
by
others are narrative summaries of
practice.
Cliff: Allergies "It
for
wasn't until
I
got better that
restful sleep, feeling
crashing, dog-tired, to be alone. life
My typical day
was just
haunted by past events for most of the
From time to
time,
everyone
else's,
like
was
allergic to
I
except
was
I
trees, grass,
I
genetic?
me
gave
I
me
allergies.
and molds,
all
of which
and sneezing. After taking the
concluded that
"Unfortunately, a few years later
was inside of
had
began taking injections of a dark syrupy sub-
few years,
I
I
A series of skin tests indicated
14.
stance that relieved the congestion
but were worse.
day,
At the time I thought my
sneezed.
I
tomatoes, dusts,
seemed unavoidable.
injections for a
so
by four in the afternoon, and then going home
"I battled allergies since I
saw how sick I was.
I
most of my 36 years consisted of slowly waking from a not
I
my allergies not only returned,
had not been cured
as
I
had thought. Whatever
that caused the allergies
had never had
a
good
was cured.
was
relationship with
still
there.
Was
it
it
my father and this
even more reason to resent him. After millions of years of
genetic evolution, this was the best
my body could
manage?
"My medical doctors suggested surgical desensitization ing the nerve endings out of my nose.
It
ble believing that the nerve endings in
problem and
I
didn't
want to
seemed so
on
of me that
my part,
73
I
by scrap-
had trou-
my nose were the fundamental
lose a part
"After considerable study
barbaric.
I
I
couldn't get back.
found that
if I ate
only
74 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine rice
and frozen vegetables and took seventy-five assorted
day
I
was
fine.
With my health under
tion to working out
control,
I
turned
pills
each
my atten-
my anger towards my father. At 33, 1 went to a
few Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings and began to explore
my past. "My
decision to seek additional help at this time was purely
economic.
someone
I
was spending a fortune on
to help
me
my homeopathic doctor.
found
inventory of vitamins, extracts,
Ours was
taking.
extensive detail events, gies.
I
each
pills
determine which ones
to be a short
month and wanted
didn't really need.
I
I
him I just wanted to cut the and unknown compounds I was
I
told
term relationship.
I
explained in
poor nutrition, resentments about past
that
and bad luck had conspired against me and
resulted in aller-
was sure that better nutrition was the answer.
"He
listened to
me
a lot during that
without saying much about
first
appointment. Then,
my medicine cabinet full of pills, he gave
me a little envelope filled with a small amount of white granules. He said
it
"I
was a preparation of salt.
I
took it in the evening before bed.
woke the next morning from the most restful sleep I had had To my disbelief, both of my nostrils were open and clear! I
in years.
felt fifteen
years younger, could breathe easily,
throughout the day.
was not that felt
I
I
was delighted
could eat anything.
And
I
to find that afternoon fatigue
human
a typical part of the adult
"My body worked better and I It felt like
experience.
did, with great relish.
bloated or poisoned by foods that
had changed.
and had high energy
I
I
also I
found
no longer
ate.
that
something deep inside
a big tuning fork in
my abdomen had been
felt
given a big whap. Every part of my felt
the need for the
pills
I
body worked better. I no longer was taking. It seemed like magic.
"Over the next few months myself gradually improved.
I
I
noticed that
my attitude toward
was no longer as self critical and
afraid
I became more vulnerable. Then a few months after first taking the remedy I began to feel such deep emotions that I thought I was going crazy. The remedy seemed to nudge
of being hurt emotionally.
to
life
"I
feelings that
had been suppressed very deeply.
took the
remedy, Natrum muriaticum, for about a year.
salt
was very pleased with what was happening.
I
My only complaint was
Real Patients, Real Cures
my case was apparently so simple and that something as basic as
that
had needed
all
along.
some changes
in
my disposition.
was the cure
salt
then
"I
felt
again for the care to sively
I
first
time in months.
I
felt like
do anything or go anywhere.
and began
period in
I
I
began
to sneeze
couch potato.
a
did not
I
found myself working obses-
to snap at people at work.
I
recalled
an
earlier
my life that was very similar.
"My homeopath prescribed another remedy, Nux vomica. I no longer
time
I
felt
driven to work.
My sneezing stopped once again. By the
recognized that the intense anger
healing process started by the remedy,
"Over the
five years
I
I
it
was was
tive
by the old negative
longer a problem.
opathy helped
which enabled
I
me me
feelings that
my
release
fears
I
guided
can eat any food;
to get
over.
have been under homeopathic
has improved steadily and dramatically.
life
feeling was part of the
I
care,
my
am no longer held cap-
my life. Allergies are no
have more energy.
Home-
about intimate relationships,
married and have a child.
My wife
and
daughter have also enjoyed the benefits of homeopathy."
Donna: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Donna was
a bright
29 year old
office
manager who sought out
homeopathy because she was tired. Really tired. She had been that way for close to five years. Donna loved to sleep. When she woke up morning, she was
still
exhausted and
another two hours. She
felt
exhausted after work. Even
in the
wasn't working, she
was
still
felt like
she could sleep
when
she
extremely fatigued at the end of the day.
When Donna was tired, she felt like a cloud came over her. Her body felt like it just
was too but
faded away and, before she
tired for sex.
when she was
knew it,
she was asleep. She
She was normally a very kind and gentle person,
tired,
she became defensive and grumpy.
Before the fatigue began,
Donna was
quite industrious and
enjoyed cooking and gardening. She enjoyed her challenging job,
Donna didn't want to change jobs because she and she had a fear of new situations.
but worked too hard. "wasn't a risk taker"
Donna complained of severe,
debilitating headaches.
bowel movements only every three days. She was very
She had
chilly,
espe-
75
76 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine her
cially
sun.
feet.
She loved
Her overall
to
wrap up
health had been
in a blanket
good
and be out
in the
until the fatigue set in.
Donna was given Silica (sand). This is a homeopathic mediwho lack "grit." They just don't have the energy to
cine for people
respond to the demands placed upon them. They have desires and it is just too much effort to act on them. They beome very fatigued when they work too hard. Their nature is to be gentle, refined, and timid. They are chilly and often constipated like Donna. After one month Donna reported that she was no longer
strong opinions, but
exhausted, just normally tired at the end of the week, and she
needed
She
less sleep.
Her mind was
felt
good when she woke up
report that her sexual energy was back to normal.
warmer.
Donna
noticed that she stood up for
newfound energy enabled her began
sailing lessons,
in the
morning.
She had no headaches, and she was happy
clearer.
to enjoy her
which she
to
Her body also felt herself more. Her
weekends again. She
really enjoyed.
By six weeks after the homeopathic remedy, Donnas energy was back to normal and she no longer felt
irritable.
Even though she was
under stress, she was coping quite well. Her improvement has for
lasted
more than two years.
Sally: Depression "I
decided to visit a homeopathic doctor after several years of battling
depression.
I
was able
to maintain an
tency and appeared to deal with sion
and deep
feelings
counseling, had read
reconnected with
life,
outward appearance of compe-
but inside I was fighting depres-
of inadequacy. Over the years
all
of the
self help
books
I
I
had been
in
could find, and had
my spiritual beliefs. For the first time I truly felt that
my life did make sense and that there was a reason to live. But the sadness
and lack of self-confidence remained. Every avenue of self help
that
I
last. I
would help for a short period of time, but the effect did not felt at that time like I was on an endless pendulum. Each time it
tried
swung,
I
sank deeper into depression.
It
was at this time that I saw an
article
by a homeopathic doctor and decided that
more
my life on an even keel.
time, to get
I
would
try,
one
Real Patients, Real Cures
"That was the best decision
I
have ever made. After several years
of counseling and homeopathy,
I
have
life
where
I
feel
stop the pendulum. Finally
about
life,
myself,
effect
my
reached a point in
finally
good about myself. The
of homeopathy was to
have a feeling of quiet peace and joy
I
and the people around me.
I
do not consider
homeopathy the answer to the questions of life. What it has done
is
of fear which resulted in depression.
It
to reduce the endless feelings
reduced
my emotional swings to the normal variations in mood that What
everyone must experience.
is
even more important,
now
I
have enough peace to search and can take joy in that search for the
answer to
'Why am I
here?'"
Sonya: Menopause Sonya, a 44 year old
artist,
periodically for years.
had received homeopathic treatment
During
that time she
and
fully for depression, headaches,
homeopath because of anxiety
sulted a
was treated success-
digestive problems.
that
seemed
to
She con-
come on
with menopause.
Sonya told her homeopath, pressure in
my head. My mind
burning hot
my head mind
is
flashes
and
"My brain has been
used up.
does not want to function.
I
I
feel
have
from the slightest excitement. They spread from
my whole
face to
body.
My whole
constantly thinking about business.
I
body
sweats.
My
wake frequently
at
am always figuring things out during my sleep. I organize my mind for work. I'm always taking care of business. "My fingers and arms get numb easily on waking. It is worse from sleeping on my left side. have an aching sensation in my forenight.
I
things in
I
arms and
on the
wrist, especially
but kind of feels icy cold and
right side.
tingles.
almost a burning,
It is
My lower eyelids, back and legs
are twitching lately. "I
have a hurried
enough time. effort. I
I
have to
feeling.
Nothing connects.
get so speedy that
I
It's
overwhelming. There's not
myself to slow down.
tell I
lose
I
can't think.
my train of thought.
I
It's
an
forget words.
forget half of what I'm thinking about.
"I'm bloated and
I
have
inner gnawing feeling. If
I
gas.
My bowels are sluggish.
get hungry,
I
have an
watch out and don't get
77
78 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine near me!
have a tightness in
I
my larynx.
It feels
Sonya had had no menstrual period months. She was generally
tense."
for the previous five
much warmer
since the hot flashes
began. She couldn't find a comfortable sleep position because her
mind was "chewing" all the time. She desired sweets and spicy food. She was thirsty for cool drinks. The sun and light were bothering her again lately and she noticed recently that she was more afraid of heights.
Sonya was very anxious
to feel better.
Sonya was treated with Iodum people whose metabolism restless. It is as
They
speed.
when
though
feel
all
Iodum
(Iodine).
extremely high.
their engines
is
remedy
a
They are
all
the time
for
hurried and
were revved up to
they must be busy
they are quiet.
of heat
is
.
and
maximum
are anxious
They become very warm and can have flushes
over the body, with red cheeks, and profuse perspiration.
They often have voracious appetites, feeling in the larynx
Sonya
as
Sonya did,
and a gnawing sensation
called her
homeopath
several
as well as a tight
in the stomach.
weeks
after she
took the
remedy to say how well the remedy had worked. The rushed feeling in her
mind and
restlessness
were gone within twenty-four hours.
track." The hot flashes disapThe numbness in the fingers and arms was gone, aching of the wrist. These symptoms were still better
Within two weeks, she was "back on peared completely. as well as the
two years
later.
Lucy: PMS, Endometriosisy
and Infertility
Lucy, a 29 year old realtor, sought out
homeopathy because of years
of endometriosis, an abnormal growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus.
She had undergone laparascopic surgery a year and a half
earlier to
remove endometrial
tailbone.
She had been
tissue in the area
infertile for the
of the rectum and
previous three years and very
much wanted a child. Lucy had a miscarriage shortly before coming to see us.
She drank heavily during the pregnancy, but had been
in
recovery and completely free of alcohol since that time.
"My PMS inside.
I
try
is
ridiculous.
not to take
get angry even at
it
I
get really aggravated.
out on others, but
the way my husband
I
I
feel
think they're
breathes.
I
snap
at
angry
idiots!
him.
I
If he
1
Real Patients, Real Cures
me to make a decision, I'm short. I say, 'Don't ask me.' or 'Give me my space.' I'm like this for about ten days every month. I feel
asks
few hours
better a
after
my period arrives."
Lucy had plenty of premenstrual symptoms:
have massive
"I
My eyelids get puffy and my abdomen bloats. My breasts get really sore. My uterus feels heavy, like a rock. have uterine pain during sex before my period. My sex desire goes down with the
water retention.
I
PMS.
get
I
my back.
I
low back pain,
during a bowel "I
too. It
movement if I
was bulimic
for
about
are
I
bear down. five years.
I
didn't have
tage cheese every day, then I
hard to
for
sit
supposed
1
My periods
only ate a small amount of cot-
when I was
17.
then cheap white wine.
to. I've it
been
rains.
I
minutes.
five
movies or a car.
the day before
this
It's
way
1 I
to 26,
drank hard liquor
would drink half a
can only stand in one spot without I
my knees often. It's my knees don't fit where they're
have to crack
as if
since
They ache.
Lucy complained of little cuts.
flowed heavily for three
vomited at night. From age 2 1
are often sore.
about
in
for
days.
"My knees moving
I
started drinking
for the first four years,
two
I
any periods
my uterus hurts when I put in a tampon. My
bulimia lasted from age 19 to 25.
gallon in
drawn out of
had to put in a tampon every hour or two.
okay now, except
drank all day.
is
my rectum before my period and
four of those years. Then, for three years, or four days.
blood
as if all the
is
get a sharp pain inside
I
I
was
12.
can't crawl
My knees are worse
around on
my knees."
They felt like Her wrists had
sores inside her nose.
A couple of her teeth turned black as a child.
always been weak.
"I'm
chilly.
My extremities are cold, but
makes
me cranky.
about
five years ago.
her
left side.
I
can't
I
don't like the heat.
stand saunas or hot baths.
When
it
snows,
it
I
broke
really hurts."
It
my ankle
Lucy
slept
on
She was diagnosed with an iron deficiency starting
at
age 12 and often took iron supplements.
Lucy was usually easy going and self in
fear
relaxed.
new situations, but once she did,
It
was hard
to
put her-
she was fine. She had a great
of spiders. She would sweat, shake, and become paralyzed
saw a spider on TV. She couldn't even of her husband leaving
her.
talk
about them. She had
if she
fears
79
80 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine "I
my parents
was 12 when
separated.
was horrible
It
My world blew apart. There were four of us. That's when doing drugs.
G.E.D.
family. All three years.
want
I
alcoholic.
is still
it
my
from an alcoholic been married
I've
five
can be too sympathetic with people.
I
for everyone.
is
me.
started
and got
senior year
My mother
of my siblings are in recovery.
get very jealous.
to fix
my
quit high school in
I
My father
for
I
Then
I
berate myself when
I
I
can't."
Lucy received Calcarea phosphorica (calcium phosphate), an important remedy for dental problems,
remedy
also a
PMS, bone and joint weakness and pain, and an inability to assimilate calcium.
related to
all
for menstrual or
puberty, for anemia, jealousy,
It is
hormonal problems beginning
and
is
a
common remedy
for
at
knee
pain as well as for incomplete healing of fractures.
At her next visit,
five
weeks
later,
she reported that she had no
emotional symptoms before her period. tenderness was mild. Sex was pain
free.
The premenstrual breast The shooting rectal pain
was gone. She hadn't had a premenstrual time this too it.
good
to be true?" she asked.
He asked Lucy in disbelief, five
absolutely
no premenstrual
to
Her energy was
remarkably
it
couldn't believe
here already?" She did not gain
seven pounds before her period. She had
her usual
better.
"Is
this easy in years. "Is
Her husband
irritability.
increased.
Her knees were
She was
less jealous.
a
little
She
felt
better.
When Lucy consulted her homeopathy four months later, her main complaint was nausea of pregnancy! She was very excited about being pregnant, felt
horrible
all
after three years
the time.
"It's as if I
of unsuccessful
have the
flu,
but
I
efforts,
but
don't throw
moment she woke up in the morning. p.m. "I feel like I'm gonna die." The
up." She had nausea from the It
was worse around 2 to 3
nausea was worse from laughing, from the smell of car exhaust,
smoke and pregnant.
coffee.
Her
sexual energy was "zip" since she
became
Her breasts were tender. some of Lucy's old symptoms were back. She
In addition,
felt
the sharp pain in the rectum again. She was angry with her hus-
band
like before the
remedy.
the previous two days. She
one day for the
first
The low back pain had
returned over
experienced a little twinge of jealousy
time since the remedy. Lucy was given another
Real Patients, Real Cures
dose of Calcarea phosphorica because her symptoms this
remedy
picture. This
still
matched
was four and a half months
after the
original dose.
Lucy
much drive
homeopath
called her
less
nauseous.
a
Her energy
was coming back. She was
week
was a
level
was feeling
later to say she
Her sex Now, over receives home-
little better.
feeling less irritable.
three years later, she has a healthy daughter who also
opathic treatment and Lucy continues to be very healthy.
Helen: Eczema years, I had seen eight medical doctors in my my eczema. The medical doctors prescribed drugs
"Over the past four attempt to cure
and ointments that were as as the disease itself.
debilitating, physically
They told me,
and 'Maybe you should
it
I
did as
I
live
with
was told
to
it'
do
only suppressed the symptoms and
did nothing to cure the disease.
I
and emotionally,
have to learn to
see a psychologist.'
by the medical doctors, but thoughts of suicide.
'You'll
My
skin was so bad
I
even had
My quality of life became the issue. am so glad I
looked for help once more and tried homeopathy. "It's
able
all
a miracle.
I
can wear clothes.
can
I
sleep.
I
can be comfort-
day without drugs or medicated ointments. These
ments bring
tears
of joy to
my
eyes.
I
had suffered from skin
eruptions and constant, uncontrollable itching. ing skin wounds.
state-
I
had open, weep-
My scratches became so infected that
I still
have
my body."
scars all over
Gina: Arthritis Gina, 72 years old, had suffered from arthritis
all
her
life.
When she
was a child her mother had always told her she wasn't strong, which
had angered she
her. Gina's
knees hurt from age
1
2 until her
20's,
when
became pregnant. She had always had weak ankles and had
turned them frequently in the past.
Now she was stooped over with
osteoporosis.
At the time of her heaviness
and tension
first
in her
homeopathic low back.
visit,
she complained of
It felt "all
bound
up."
It
was
8
1
82 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine worse on
getting
first
everyday Gina
up and
felt tired
better
from loosening up. By noon
and she would nap
after lunch.
She
felt
that
she just didn't have enough energy. Gina's knees hurt to walk.
Putting weight on them gave her a sharp pain, especially her
left
knee. This caused her to lose her balance. She complained of upper
back pain when she was
tired
and experienced a continuous pain
between her shoulder blades. This pain was better for fifteen ful
if
she lay
down
minutes with her knees up. At age 52, she had a success-
laminectomy
to relieve sciatic pain.
She complained of having
always had "lousy hair and nails."
Gina was
way
to eat.
a
raw foods vegan and
felt this
She had been constipated
eating raw foods exclusively. She
had
all
was the only correct
her
life
until she
began
a healthy appetite, but never
gained weight. She had been manic depressive in her 30's and took lithium carbonate for eight years. She had an early menopause at age 39. She tried estrogen for a few years.
Gina had two and four
a
problem with insomnia. She often woke between
in the
morning. The insomnia was worse
worried or upset. Her sleep was not very sound. to relax.
She
felt
It
she was
if
was hard
for
Gina
a sense of anxiety in her stomach, like "butterflies."
She hated deadlines, but she was extremely punctual. She didn't like it
when
other people were
late.
Gina was quite neat and did not
appreciate her roommate's sloppiness. She was very sensitive to the
cold and
felt chilly
even in
warm weather.
Her homeopath gave Gina Kali carbonicum (potassium bonate), a prominent homeopathic arthritis medicine. for people
who suffer from
It is
car-
helpful
pain in the low back and shoulder blade
and who wake between two and four a.m. Pain
in the knees
is
also
common in people needing this medicine, as well as a sensitivity to cold weather and a feeling of anxiety in the stomach or solar plexus.
how
They
are often quite proper, with fixed ideas
ought
to be. Gina's stringent dietary regimen, punctuality
tidiousness are typical of the rigid
way
in
about
things
and
fas-
which someone needing
Kali carbonicum might think.
At her
first
follow-up appointment, one
after the
felt much better. She was sleeping well and much warmer. Her joint symptoms were much better. She was
remedy, Gina said she felt
month
Real Patients, Real Cures
not having pain in the lower back, knees, ankles, or the upper back.
Her energy was
By
greatly improved.
the time of the second
visit, five
weeks
that she felt better with every passing day. hurt.
later,
Her
Gina reported
joints
still
did not
She had gained a few pounds and was 118 now. Her ankles
stronger.
felt
now than I have been for a much stronger. She felt feelings much more freely, and she
She commented, "I'm better
long time." Her hair and nails had grown that she
was able
to express her
was more accepting of herself. Gina's
symptoms have con-
arthritic
tinued to improve.
Carlos: Obsessive Jealousy "I
have suffered chronic back pain and persistent stomach prob-
lems for the past sixteen years. times in
my
Some
life.
removed with a
have also had kidney stones several
I
stones required surgery; others were
great deal of discomfort.
As
a result,
I
learned to
deal with pain firsthand.
learned to deal with adversity early in
"I also
a
humble
I
was 10 years
rural
old.
I
my mother's
arated after
were sent to
live
life. I
was born
in
My mother died when was the oldest of seven children. We were sep-
community in Puerto death.
Rico.
Our home was
with different
relatives.
I
destroyed and
we
experienced hunger
and hardship. "Last
summer,
no apparent reason,
for
became extremely
I
I found no comfort in my loving family. me so much joy before. Now I felt as if they
despondent and depressed. Their love had brought didn't
me and
need
could have been further from the truth, but
became insanely jealous of my wife without death with each sunrise and sunset. quately express what
I
I
I
Within
was willing a
is I
how
I
felt.
wished for
I
my
can find no words to ade-
was
I
to try
few months
my homeopathic doctor.
met
with alternative medicine,
perate that
I
this
cause.
was feeling at that time.
"In this state of mind, iar
nothing
didn't care if I lived or died. In reality,
a little apprehensive,
Unfamil-
but so des-
almost anything.
after
experiencing subtle changes in
beginning homeopathy,
I
started
my personality and my thinking.
I
83
84 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine developed a new, positive outlook on
was able
to release
tience. In the past,
that
much I
excused
have a Latin temper.
I
life
and
rejuvenated.
I
my bad temper with the simple alibi I
don't need this excuse anymore.
enjoy a sense of serenity which
I
never before experienced.
formerly indispensable bottle of antacids in
been replaced with
felt
of my insecurity, intolerance and impa-
classical
music
tapes.
I
my
I
The
nightstand has
have never
felt
so good."
Charles: Flu Charles, age 61
asked
him
weak and office.
to
it
,
sounded desperate when he called. His homeopath
come
was
in immediately.
difficult for
him
He looked awful. He was very
to climb the flight of stairs to the
He complained of a recurrent fever with chills
over the pre-
vious ten days. His fever, about 102 degrees Fahrenheit,
begin at
five
or six p.m. and
last until
about four a.m.
extremely confused, which was quite unusual for him. appetite
do was
and had lost twenty pounds
lie
in
down. He had no energy or
worried him a great deal. His wife,
would
He was
He had no
two weeks. All he wanted to interest for anything,
who
which
brought him in for his
appointment, was also quite concerned. Charles received China (cinchona bark), to take every four hours until
he
felt better.
great weakness
China
and
is
an important homeopathic medicine for
for fevers that periodically
go up and
down
at
consistent times. Charles called the next day to say he was feeling better. clearer,
He had more and the
energy, the diarrhea stopped, his
mind was
fever did not last as long the night he started the
He called the following day to say all of his flu symptoms were markedly better. He was much relieved and his appetite was back. China.
We hope these stories of homeopathic cures will motivate you to seek
homeopathic treatment
stay with treatment until
you
for yourself and
your family, and to
receive the benefits
you
desire.
These
show the kinds of improvement you might expect during your own treatment. Homeopathy can help you change your life and health in dramatic ways. Since homeopathy inspiring case histories
treats the
whole person,
positive changes
may occur on any level,
Real Patients, Real Cures
physical,
mental or emotional. The cases in
this
chapter and
throughout the book indicate only a few of the conditions for
which homeopathy is
useful.
Consult with your homeopath to find
out what kind of results you might expect from homeopathy in
your
case.
A
well -trained
homeopath has spent hundreds or thousands of hours learning homeopathy, often in addition to years of
prior medical training.
Mastery of homeopathy is
not something that
can be acquired in a
few weekend seminars or even in practicingfor
a couple ofyears.
How to
Find
the Right Homeopath The Legal Status of Homeopathy Certification through examination
is
offered
tute of Homeopathy for medical doctors
the
by the American
Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians
pathic physicians
homeopaths
(DHANP). There
in the
United
Insti-
and osteopaths (DHt) and
no
is
for naturo-
specific licensing for
States except in Arizona,
Connecticut
and Nevada. The North American Society of Homeopaths
(NASH)
is
homeopaths
establishing standards for unlicensed professional in the
will hopefully
United
States
and Canada. Such standardization
pave the way for homeopathic licensure.
practice of homeopathy vary from state to Homeopathy can be practiced in most states, depending on the
Laws regarding the state.
licensure of the practitioner. Naturopathic physicians are licensed to practice shire,
homeopathy in Arizona, Alaska, Connecticut,
Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Florida, and
the District of Columbia.
where licensure ers
New Hamp-
efforts are
and the public inform
tions that they want
They
also practice in
under way.
many
other states
important that practition-
It is
their legislators
and
state
medical associa-
continued access to homeopathic medicine.
Choosing Your Homeopath
Most homeopathic
practitioners have a degree, are licensed in a
health care profession, and have taken postgraduate training in
homeopathy. Some
lay or professional
formal medical training, but
A
homeopaths do not have
may be highly skilled
in
homeopathy.
homeopath has spent hundreds or thousands of hours learning homeopathy, often in addition to years of prior medwell-trained
ical training.
Mastery of homeopathy
is
not something that can be
acquired in a few weekend seminars or even in practicing for
couple of years.
a
88 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
One important factor in choosing a homeopathic practitionet is
the level of experience. Find out
devoted to homeopathy and
what percentage of her practice
if homeopathy
is
her primary
of treatment. Most serious homeopaths will devote precent of their practices to homeopathy, even therapies.
Homeopaths improve with
complicated condition, you specialized in
likely
to
experience. If
be well worth
it.
use other
you have
a
may wish to find a practitioner who has
homeopathy for at least five years. Even
travel to see a well-trained,
50 to 75
at least
if they also
is
method
if you
have to
experienced homeopath, the results will
We and many other homeopaths are willing
do long distance phone consultations since there
are
many areas
without trained homeopaths. Directories of homeopaths in the United States are published
by the International Foundation
for
National Center for Homeopathy.
A
physicians
who
board
are
Homeopathy and The
directory of naturopathic
certified in
homeopathy
is
available
through the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians.
Are There Different Kinds ofHomeopaths? Practitioners
be
classical
follow the principles of Hahnemann are said to
who
homeopaths. Classical homeopaths conduct the type
of extensive interview we have mentioned and base their prescripof the symptoms that the patient relates during the They prescribe only one remedy at a time, based on the law of similars. We strongly recommend that you find a classical homeopath for the most effective and long lasting results. If you have any doubt as to whether a particular homeopath follows a tion
on
all
interview.
classical
approach, ask that question
uncertain, select a
homeopath
listed
specifically. If
you
are
still
in one of the directories
mentioned above. Practitioners
who use electrodiagnosis, auricular therapy,
pen-
dulums, radionics or kinesiology to determine the correct
remedy may use homeopathic medicines, but they are not practicing homeopathy as it was developed by Hahnemann. They usually prescribe many remedies in combination and do not base their prescriptions
matches the
on
careful selection of the
patient's
symptoms.
one remedy that best
How
How Can The
I
Tell
criteria that
right for
If I
Am
you use
Find the Right Homeopath
to
Seeing The Right Homeopath? for determining if
your homeopath
is
you are personal, but the following general guidelines may
be useful:
Does he listen
to you
and to your concerns?
Does she seem interested in your progress and well-being?
Are you improving from the treatment? Is
your chief complaint better? Have you improved mentally and
your energy and
Are other symptoms
emotionally?
Is
improving?
your improvement generally following the laws of cure?
Is
Have you been If there
is
vitality better?
treatedfor a longtime without success?
no improvement
ment, perhaps
months
after six
to
one year of treat-
it is
time to find another prescriber or ask for a con-
sult or a referral to
another homeopath. If you decide to change to
another practitioner, discuss your decision with your present
homeopath. Does he behave unethically or abusively
Abuse or unethical behavior
is
to you in
any way?
never appropriate in the homeo-
pathic process.
Does she inform you about your treatment andprognosis?
Honest communication between homeopathic practitioner and patient
is
Do you
usually have to return for visits
It is
essential.
more often than monthly?
unusual that your homeopath would need to see you more than
monthly, except for very serious chronic
illness,
acute illnesses, or
emergencies.
Does he keep complete and confidential records? This
is
important not only to accurately document your
progress, but also for insurance later to
and
legal purposes. If
clinical
you decide
switch to another homeopath, a transfer of your complete
homeopathic treatment history
is
important.
89
Homeopathic treatment
can open a door to a healthier
life.
You have
the choice whether or
not to walk through the
door and make the
changes in your life that will prevent the same
patterns of illnessfrom
emerging again.
Making the Most of Your Homeopathic Treatment Its
Never Too Late
The
homeopathic treatment
best time to start
matter what your health problems
are,
is
now.
It
does not
how old you are, how many
doctors you have seen, what treatments you have already tried, and
what has and has not worked understand where you are
Homeopathy cannot
it.
Your homeopath will work to
now and what can
benefit
dering if you should try
for you.
you
be done to help you.
if you are still
on the
We can only encourage you to give
and make the most of what homeopathy can do
won-
fence,
it
a try
for you.
The Role of Homeopathy in Your Life Life, health, career,
you adapt
and relationships
to the changes impacts
are
all
subject to change.
How
your well-being and provides an
Homeopathy cannot prevent you may experience in life; but home-
opportunity for personal growth. every illness or trauma that
opathy can help you maintain the energy, physical well-being, ity
of mind,
and equanimity
creativity,
that
you need
clar-
to learn the
most from and cope with the ups and downs of life.
Homeopathy is a wonderful tool for regaining health and maintaining balance in your
Homeopathy
you.
you
life.
As with any tool, how you use
to heal a sprained ankle or get over a cold or the flu.
level
you choose
up
to
At whatever
homeopathy can help. For those of you treating yourselves and your families, we hope
to use
who are interested in
it,
you understand the importance of seeking care from
homeopath
it is
can treat severe chronic illness, or simply help
for chronic illnesses,
and only
treating
a professional
minor conditions
on your own.
The best way to maximize it
as part
of an integrated
network of family and
the benefits of homeopathy
lifestyle
is
to use
including a loving and supportive
friends, challenging 91
and meaningful work,
a
92 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine healthy diet and exercise program, and a spiritual
you peace and healthier
Homeopathic treatment can open
joy.
You must choose to walk through
life.
the changes in your terns of illness
which brings
life
life
a
door to a
the door
and make
that are necessary to prevent the
same
pat-
from emerging again.
Your Responsibility as a Patient Your understanding of the homeopathic process and your willingness
you by your practititioner can make
to follow the guidelines given to
a big difference in the success of your treatment. to play in the process.
You have a vital role
You have the power to use homeopathy in many
ways to enhance your well-being.
It is
not just in your homeopaths
hands, but in yours, too. Take an active role in your treatment. Observe
Ask questions. Be aware of your response
yourself and your symptoms. to the treatment
It is
your respon-
or see your homeopath regularly and whenever questions
sibility to call
or problems
and tell your homeopath about it.
arise. It is
up
to
you
to be aware of those influences that
may interfere with your homeopathic treatment and to avoid them. Your participation
is
vital to
The most important cess in treatment
is
your success with homeopathy.
make towards sucover months and years.
contribution you can
to stay with the process
As your overall health improves, you will need fewer office visits, but regular follow-up will help
opath can observe
slight
you remain
treatment before any significant essential part
healthy.
An
astute
home-
changes in your health and adjust your illness occurs.
Prevention
of the homeopathic process, just as important
is
an
as treat-
ing your acute and chronic illnesses.
Our Goal and Your Goal Our goal in writing this book is to experience the benefits
happy lives.
to help as
If your goal in reading
better so that
you can
many of you as possible
of homeopathy and to
get well
it is
and
to
live healthy,
understand homeopathy
stay well, please use the infor-
mation we have given you to truly make the most of your homeopathic experience.
We hope all of the guidelines and suggestions we
have offered throughout the book do help you to better understand
and make use of this fascinating
art
and
science.
Making
the
Most of Your Homeopathic Treatment 93
Whether homeopathy cine for
you or you
is
an entirely new philosophy of medi-
are a seasoned
homeopathic
always more to learn. Reading this book
books,
articles, classes
and courses
knowledge. For those of you
about
it,
we
who
is
a
patient, there
is
good beginning. Other
are available to
expand your
just can't wait to learn
more
offer the following resources for further exploration.
.
Appendix:
Learning
More
Recommended Books General In terest The Patient Not the Cure. Santa Barbara: Woodbridge
Blackie, Margery.
1978.
Press,
Handley, Rima. A Homeopathic Love Story. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1990.
Johnston, Linda. Everyday Miracles. Van Nuys: Christine Kent Agency, 1991. Neustaedter, Randall. The Immunization Decision:
A
Guide for
Parents.
North Atlantic, 1990. Ullman, Dana. Discovering Homeopathy: Your Introduction to the Art and Science of Homeopathic Medicine. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1988, rev. Berkeley:
1991. Vithoulkas, George. Homeopathy: Medicine for the
New Man. New York:
Arco, 1979. Weiner, Michael and Goss, Kathleen. The Complete Book of Homeopathy. New York, Toronto: Bantam, 1982.
Whitmont, Edward. Psyche and Substance: Essays on Homeopathy Light of Jungian Psychology. Richmond: North Atlantic, 1980.
Wood, Robert
S.
in the
Homeopathy, Medicine That Works. Pollock Pines:
Condor, 1990.
Self-
Treatment
Castro, Miranda. The Complete
Homeopathy Handbook.
New
York:
St.
Martin's, 1990.
Castro, Miranda.
York: Kruzel,
St.
Homeopathyfor Pregnancy,
Birth,
and the First Year. New
Martin's, 1992, 1993.
Tom. The Homeopathy Emergency Guide. Berkeley: North Homeopathic Educational Services, 1992. Maesimund and Heimlich, Jane. Homeopathic Medicine at Home.
Atlantic,
Panos,
Los Angeles: J.P.Tarcher, 1980.
Ullman, Dana and Cummings, Stephen. Everybody's Guide pathic Medicine. Los Angeles:
J. P.
to
Homeo-
Tarcher, 1991
Ullman, Dana. Homeopathic Medicines for Our Infants and Children. Los Angeles: J.P.Tarcher, 1992. 94
Appendix: Learning More 95
For the Homeopath or Serious Student Agarwal, M.L. Materia Medica ofthe Human Mind, Sixth edition. Delhi: Pankaj Publications, 1993. Barthel,
H. and Klunker, W. Synthetic
Repertory.
New
Delhi: B. Jain,
1990.
Wm., M.D. Materia Medica
Boericke,
with Repertory. Santa Rosa:
Boericke and Tafel, 1927. Coulter, Catherine R. Portraits ofHomeopathic Medicines. Three volumes.
Berkeley:
North Atlantic, 1986.
Coulter, Harris. Divided Legacy:
A
History of the Schism in Medical
Thought. Vol 3. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1981.
Hahnemann, Samuel. Organon of Reprint. Los Angeles:
J. P.
Medicine.
Sixth
1842.
edition,
Tarcher, 1982.
Herscu, Paul. The Homeopathic Treatment of Children: Pediatric Constitutional Types. Berkeley: North Atlantic, Homeopathic Educational Services, 1991. Julian,
O.A. Materia Medica of New Homeopathic Remedies. Oxford:
Beaconsfield, 1979.
Kent, James T., Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1979.
Kent, James T., Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica. Reprint.
New
Delhi: B.Jain, 1982.
Kent, James T., Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica. Reprint. New Delhi: B.Jain, 1991.
Morrison, Roger. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Albany:
Hahnemann
Clinic, 1993.
Moskowitz, Richard. Homeopathic Medicines for Pregnancy and Childbirth. Berkeley:
North Atlantic, 1992.
Phatak, S.R. Materia Medica of Homeopathic Medicines.
New
Delhi:
Indian Books and Periodicals Syndicate, 1977. Sankaran, Rajan. The Spirit ofHomeopathy. Bombay: Homeopathic ical
Med-
Publishers, 1991.
Sankaran, Rajan. The Substance ofHomeopathy. Bombay: Homeopathic Medical Publishers, 1994. Schroyens, Frederik, ed. Synthethis: Repertorium Homeopathicum Syn-
London: Homeopathic Book Publishers, 1993. M.L, Homeopathic Drug Pictures. Devon: Homeopathic Research
theticum. Tyler,
and Educational Trust, 1952.
Van Zandvoort, Roger, Leidshendam: Institute
ed.
The Complete Repertory: mind. Homeopathic Information and
for Research in
Symptomatology, 1994. Vithoulkas, George. The Science ofHomeopathy.
New York:
Grove, 1980.
96 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
Resources Homeopathic Book Distributors
Homeopathic Educational
Ser-
American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists PO Box 61067 Los Angeles, CA 90061
vices
2124KittredgeSt.,#71-Q Berkeley,
CA 94704
(510)649-0294 (800)359-9051
Foundation
for
Homeopathic
Education and Research 2124KittredgeSt.
(orders only)
Berkeley,
CA 94704
(510)-649-0294 (inquiries and
Homeopathic Informational Resources,
LTD.
catalogues)
(800)359-9051 (orders only)
9099 Oneida River Park Drive Clay,
NY 13041
Homeopathic Academy
(800) 289-4447
of Naturopathic Physicians
PO Box 69565 The Minimum 250
Price
H St., PO Box 2187,
Blaine,
WA
98231
Portland,
OR
97201
(503) 795-0579 Journal: Simillimum
(800) 663-8272
Conference transcripts
for sale.
Directory of Practitioners
Homeopathic Books and Supplies 250 H St., PO Box 2904 Blaine, 98231 (604) 572-8879 (800) 572-7765 (orders only) Pacific
WA
available.
Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States
PO Box 40360 4974 Quebec
St.
N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
Homeopathic Organizations American
Institute
of
Homeopathy
International Foundation for
Homeopathy 2366 Eastlake Dr., E. Seattle, WA 98102 (206) 324-8230
1585Glencoe CO 80220 (303)370-9164
Journal: Resonance
Journal Journal ofthe American
Conference transcripts for sale.
Denver,
:
Institute
ofHomeopathy
Directory of Graduates of the Professional Course available.
Appendix: Learning More 97
The National Center for Homeopathy 801 N.Fairfax, #306 Alexandria,
VA 223 14
(703) 548-7790
548-7792 Homeopathy Today Journal: Directory of Practitioners and Study Groups available.
Hahnemann Society Avenue Lodge, Bounds Green Road London N22 4EU, England Journal: Homoeopathy Today
Fax: (703)
The Homeopathic Education Society
Natakkar Gadkari Road, Ida, Vile Parle (West)
North American Society of
Bombay 400 056,
Homeopaths 10700 Old County Road 15
Journal: Indian Journal of
Plymouth,
India
Homeopathic Medicine
MN 55441
Journal: The American
Homeopath
International Homeopathic
Homeopathic Links Bantigerstrasse 37 CH 3006 Bern, Switzerland
Fax004l31352 73 83
Organizations
Journal: Homeopathic Links British Homeopathic Association 27 A Devonshire Street London, WIN 1RJ England Journal: Homoeopathy
Liga
Medicorum
Homeopathica Internationalis P.O. Box 66, 2060 AB Bloemendaal, Netherlands
Centre D'Etudes
Homeopathiques De France 228 Boulevard Raspail Paris, France 75014
Journal: Journal ofthe
Pan-American Homeopathic Medical Congress Edificio 166, Entrada
The European and
International
LMHI.
D.
Unidad Kennedy, Mexico
9, D.F.
Councils for Classical
Homeopathy
ECCH and ICCH Secretariat School House, Market Place Kenninghall, Norfolk
NR16 2AH, Tel/Fax: 01
The
England
Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
Ormond Street
London,
Wl
IDF, England
Journal: The British Homoeopathic
Journal
Homeopaths
Northampton, NN1 4HU United Kingdom. Journal: The Homoeopath
144 953 88 163
Faculty of Homeopathy
Great
Society of
2 Artizan Road
Homeopathic Pharmacies Ainsworth's Homeopathic
Pharmacy 39
New Cavendish Street,
London W1M7LH, England 0114471935 5330
98 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine Boericke and Tafel, Inc. 2381 Circadian Way
Santa Rosa,
CA 95407
(800) 876-9505 (West Coast)
Boiron
USA
de Mexico CalleMirtoll6yll8 Mexico, D.F. Mexico 06400
Standard Homeopathic Co.
98-C W.Cochran St. Simi Valley, CA 93065 (800)
Propulsora Homeopatia
BLU-TUBE
Campus Blvd. Bldg. A Newtown Square PA 1 9073
210
W
131st
Los Angeles,
St.,
Box61067
CA 90061
(800) 624-9659
or 6
,
(800) 876-0066
Dolissos America, Inc.
3014
Rigel Ave.,
Las Vegas,
NV 89 102
Washington Homeopathic Products, Inc.
4914 Del Ray Ave. Bethesda,MD 20814 (301)656-1695 (800) 336-1695
(orders only)
(800) 365-4767
Homeopathic Software Ehrhart and Karl
33 N.Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60602
(312)332-1046
Organizations
CARA Distributors:
Homeopathic
Educational Services
Hahnemann Pharmacy
2124KittredgeSt.
1918 Bonita Ave.,
Berkeley,
(415)548-5015
CA 94704 510)649-0294 (800)359-9051 (orders
Homeoden
HomeoNet
76-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Institute for Global
0119125 87 33
18DeBoomSt.
Berkeley,
CA 94704
Kasteellaan
only)
Communications
CA 94107 (415)923-0900 or Kent Homeopathic Associates San Francisco,
Homeopathy Overnight 4111 Simon Rd. Youngstown, 44512 (800) ARNICA 30, ext. 140
OH
MacRepertory and ReferenceWorks
Kent Homeopathic Associates Luyties Pharmacal Co.
4200 Laclede St.
Louis,
St.
MO 63108
(800) 325-8080
POBox39
CA 94978 (415)457-0678
Fairfax,
Appendix: Learning More 99
RADAR Homeovia P.O. Box 56603 8601 Warden Avenue Markham, Ontario L3R OM6
Hahnemann College of Homeopathy 1918 Bonita Ave., Berkeley,
CA 94704
(415)849-1925
(800) 668-7543 International Foundation for
Homeopathic Training Programs Academy for Classical Homeopathy 7549 Louise Ave., Van Nuys,CA 91406 (818)776-0078
Homeopathy 2366 Eastlake Dr., E. Seattle, WA 98102 (206) 324-8230 National Center for
Alexandria,
Academy of Classical Homeopathy 21 West 58th St., Suite 6E
Atlantic
New York, NY
10019
(718)518-4593
144
VA 223 14
(703) 548-7790
National College of
Naturopathic Medicine
11231 SE Market Portland,
Bastyr University
Homeopathy
801 N.Fairfax, #306
St.
OR 972 16
(503) 255-4860
NE 54th
Seattle,
WA 98 105
(206) 523-9585
New England School of Homeopathy 356 Middle
Street
MA 01 002
British Institute of Homeopathy
Amherst,
520 Washington Blvd., Suite 423 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 (310)306-5408
(203)763-1255 Pacific
Academy of Homeopathic
Medicine
The College of Homeopathy 1101 E. Third
St.
Long Beach, CA 90802 (310)306-5408
l678ShattuckAve.#42 CA 94709 (510)549-3475
Berkeley,
The School of Homeopathy Four Winds Seminars
187 Hillside Drive Fairfax,
CA 94930
(415)457-8452
(Devon, England) Center for Preventive Medicine
and Homeopathy 111 Bala Ave.
BalaCynwyd, PA 19004 (610)667-2927
Glossary acute illness - a condition which
is
self-limiting
and short-lived, generally
only lasting a few days to a couple of months.
aggravation - a temporary worsening of already existing symptoms
after
taking a homeopathic remedy.
allopathic medicine
produce opposite
— treatment of disease through using drugs which
such as conventional medicine. antidote — a substance or influence which interferes with homeopathic effects,
treatment. artificial disease
- an
illness
which
is
given to a person intentionally, in
the form of a homeopathic medicine, in order to overpower the already existing disease.
case taking - the process of the in-depth homeopathic interview.
centesimal - a type of preparation of homeopathic medicines which based on
serial dilutions
chief complaint
-
the
of
1
to 99, designated
by the
main problem which causes
letter
is
"C".
a patient to visit a
health care practitioner. classical
homeopathy -
a
method of homeopathic
only one remedy, based on the a time, followed
totality
prescribing in
of the patients symptoms
is
which
given at
by a period of waiting to evaluate the action of the remedy.
combination remedy -
a mixture containing
more than one homeo-
pathic medicine.
common symptoms - those signs and symptoms which are common to any person carrying
a particular diagnosis.
constitutional treatment
- homeopathic treatment based on
the whole
person, involving an extensive interview and careful follow-up.
decimal - a type of preparation of homeopathic of homeopathic medicines
which defense
is
based on
serial dilutions
mechanism -
of
1
to 9, designated
that aspect of the vital force
by the letter "X".
whose purpose
is
to
maintain health and defend the body against disease.
empiricism — a method of scientific inquiry which
is
based on observation
and experience.
symptoms - those symptoms pertaining to the body as a whole. Herings law of cure - the principle that cure occurs from the top to the bottom, from the inside out, from the most important organs to the least, and in the reverse order in which the symptoms presented. high potency remedies - remedies of a 200C potency or higher. homeopathic medicine - a medicine which acts according to the princi-
general
ples of homeopathy.
100
Glossary: Learning
homeopathy—
More 101
same substance which causes a particular same symptoms. HPUS - the standard homeopathic pharmacopeia of the United States. law of similars - the concept that like cures like. low potency remedies - remedies of a 30C potency or lower. materia medica - a book which includes individual homeopathic remeset
and
dies
relieve those
their indications.
mechanism - a a
the use of the
of symptoms to
type of scientific thought which views the individual as
machine whose individual
parts can be understood
and
miasm — an
inherited or acquired layer of predisposition.
minimum
dose - the
a
change
least
repaired.
quantity of a medicine which produces
in the patient.
modality — those
factors that
mother tincture —
the
make
initial,
a particular
symptom
better or worse.
standardized alcohol preparation from
which homeopathic dilutions are subsequently made. nosodes - homeopathic medicines made from the products of disease. particulars — those
symptoms pertaining to an individual part of the body. polychrest - a widely used homeopathic medicine which treats many symptoms. potency - the specific strength of a homeopathic medicine determined by the number of serial dilutions and succussions. potentization - the preparation of a homeopathic remedy through the process of serial dilution and succussion. prover- a person who takes place in a systematic experiment of taking a particular medicine for the purpose of eliciting symptoms. proving - an experiment in which a substance or medicine is taken repeatedly and the effects carefully documented. relapse — the return of symptoms when a homeopathic medicine is no
longer acting.
remedy -
homeopathic medicine prescribed according
a
to the law
of
known
to
similars.
repertory -
a
book which
lists
symptoms and
the medicines
have produced such symptoms in healthy provers or in patients. return of old
symptoms - the re-experiencing of symptoms from
after taking a
rubric - a
symptom
listed in a repertory
which may produce the
symptom
Schuessler
the past
homeopathic medicine. this
symptom
followed by a
in a healthy
list
of the medicines
person and
may
relieve
in a patient.
cell salts
-
a collection
of twelve low potency homeopathic
remedies which are taken individually or in combination.
simillimum - that one medicine which is nearest to the totality of the symptoms of the patient and which will produce the greates relief. single remedy- one single homeopathic remedy given at a time.
102 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine succussion - the systematic and repeated shaking of a homeopathic
medicine
after
each
serial dilution.
suppression - the elimination of a particular symptom without the force being strengthened,
totality
vital
and sometimes being weakened. comprehensive picture of the whole person:
of symptoms — a and emotional.
physical, mental, vital force
— the
invisible
energy present in
all
living things
which
creates
harmony, balance, and health. vitalism
-
the philosophy of science
with an all-pervading energy
force.
which imbues each
living
organism
1 1
1
1
Index Appendix, 95-99 Accreditation, 5
Arnica montana, 25, 33, 36
Acetominophen, 61
source of, 39 Aromatherapy oils, interference with medicines, 60
Aconite 51
Aconitum
napellus, 14,
50
Acupuncture, 36, 61
Arsenic, 2
Acute
Arsenicum album, 4
illness,
100
Aggravation of symptoms, 66, 100 Aging,
Arthritis,
AIDS, 27-28 10,25,66,73
Kali carbonicum
Natrum muriaticum
Artificial disease, for,
42
Nux vomica for, 66 cepa,
for,
16
See also Conventional medicine
for,
41
100
Aspirin, 61
Homeopathy, 6 Attention deficit disorder, 19,
29-30
Alternapath pilot program, 36
American Institute of Homeopathy, 3, 6, 87 American Medical Association, 3 Anacardium, 32
8 1- 83
Asthma, 21, 25, 42, 53 Atlantic Academy of
Allopathic medicine, 100
Auricular therapy, 88
Aurum
metallicum,
17,28-29
Autism, 28
Anger, 7
B
Anorexia, 32
Balance of energy, 10-11,91
Antibiotics, 60, 71
See also
Antidote, 100 Antidoting, 31,50, Antihistimines, and
57-62 symptom
suppression, 19
Anti-inflammatory drugs, 71 Antiperspirants,
and symptom
suppression, 20
Symptoms
Barium carbonate, 49 Baryta carbonica, 49 Bastyr University, 5, 28 Bee venom, 9 Belgium, 6 Belladonna, 2, 18 Bell's palsy,
26 69
Antisocial behavior, 45
Birth control
Ants (Formica
Bladder infections, 25
rufa),
43
pills,
Anxiety, 28, 29, 41
Bleeding, 25, 33
Apis mellifica, 9
Blindness,
103
1
9
Rhus toxicodendron
to cow's milk, 2
hay fever, 15-16,
Allium
for,
Formica rufa for, 43 gold shots for, 40
Alcohol use and abuse, 17, 60, 79 Allergies,
18,25
Apis mellifica
1
26—27
8
104 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine Blood
tests,
61
Chocolate,
Blue Cross, Alternapath pilot
program, 36 Body, natural ecology of the, 10 Boils,
25
Chronic fatigue syndrome, 75-76 Cinchona bark (China), 1-2, 84
94-96
Cleaning agents, interference with medicines, 60 Coffee, interference with
distributors,
96
medicines, 31, 58, 59
Colds, 25, 44
Borax, 58 Breastfeeding, 42,
Cold sores, 42 Combination remedies, 50-51,
43
6
100
Bronchitis, 25
Bruising,
homeopathy, 88, 100
Classical
Bone problems, 18, 20, 34 Books, recommended, 54-55,
Britain,
45
Cholera, 3
Common symptoms,
33
100
Communication homeopath to patient,
Bryonia, 50, 51
Bulimia, 32, 79
52,
53-54 Calcarea phosphorica, 34, 80
patient to homeopath, Compulsive behaviors, 19
Camphor,
Conjunctivitis, 9, 25
interference with
Cancer, 27
Constitutional treatment, 14, 100
easing transition to death, 36
Conventional medicine
platinum in chemotherapy, 40
comparison with homeopathy,
8,9,22,23,47,52-53
reduction of nausea from
chemotherapy, 36 vegetabilis,
in conjunction
prescription drugs, 50, 60,
Carpal tunnel syndrome, 26
69,71 supression of symptoms
Cases from clinical practice,
73-85
vs. cure,
3,
6
Cost effectiveness, 35-36
25
Centesimal preparation, 48, 100
26—27
tea.
Cough, 49, 51 Councils for Classical
Certification, of homeopaths,
Chamomile
19-20
views on homeopathy,
Case taking, 53-54, 100
Cerebral palsy,
with
homeopathy, 36-37
36
Carnegie Foundation, 3
Cellulitis,
92
Constipation, 75, 76
medicines, 58, 59
Carbo
ix,
87
See (Chamomilla)
Chamomilla, 43-44, 50, 51
Homeopathy, 6
C potencies, 48 Cullen, William,
1
Charaka, 2 Charcoal (Carbo
vegetabilis),
36
D
Chief complaint, 100
Datura stramonium, 40
China, 84
Deadly nightshade (Belladonna),
Chiropractic adjustments, 61
Deafness,
26—27
1
1
1
Ind
Decimal preparation, 48, 100 Defense mechanism, 12, 100
Electric blankets, interference
Dental work
Electrodiagnosis, 88
drilling
and novocaine,
with medicines, 59
interference
with medicines, 60, 71
examination and cleaning, 61
19,76-77,83
Depression,
Arnica montana
Aurum
metallicum
Pulsatilla for,
Desktop Guide
to
for, 17,
29
44
Endometriosis,
78-81
England, 6
Keynotes and
disabilities,
28
Diabetes, 25
Epilepsy,
26
Eucalyptus, interference with
medicines, 59
Eupatorium, 50 Evaluation of remedy, 67
Diagnoses interference factors,
from antidoting
39
Dilution, of medicines,
35,47-48
Dosages 49, 50
infinitesimally small, 35,
47-48 vs. cure,
75-76
maintain homeostasis,
(conventional), 71
Digestive disorders, 10, 25, 42, 83
of,
Fatigue, 39, 58, 74,
Feedback mechanisms, to
Diagnostic procedures
frequency
Exercise,
62
and philosophy of homeopathy, 8, 14
poison
to contact
health
Confirmatory Symptoms, 55
Developmental
when
homeopath, 70-71 Emotional problems. See Mental Empiricism, 100
33
for,
Emergencies,
France, 6
38
relationship with
1
Abraham, 3 Flint (Silica), 20, 76 Floating sensation, 43 Flu, 14-15,50,84 Food cravings, 42, 45, 54 Formica rufa, 43 Flexner,
symptoms
Fumes, interference with medicines, 60
of illness, 2
Dreams, 33, 54 Drosera, 51
Drug
use and abuse,
60
Gall bladder disease, 25
Gandhi, Mahatma, 24
Gelsemium sempervirens, Earache and infections, 17, 25,
15,
50
General symptoms, 100
Germany, 6
44,65 Eczema, 2 1 66-67, 8
Glossary,
,
Education and training,
5-6
funding for homeopathic schools,
programs,
3-4
103-104
study groups, 4
100-103
Gold, 17
Aurum
metallicum, 17,
shots for arthritis,
Greece, 6
40
28-29
105
106 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
H
conventional medicine,
Hahnemann, Samuel,
8, 9,
22,23,47,52-53 the consultation, 53-54
1—3, 48, 56
Hahnemann College of Homeopathy, 6 40
controlled clinical research
Hallucinations,
studies,
27
Hay fever, 15-16
cost effectiveness,
Headaches, 25, 42, 67, 75
decline
35-36
3-4
of,
dos and don'ts for patients,
migraine, 18
57-63
Health, as an energy balance,
10-11
freedom during, 62-63
Heating pads, 61 Hepatitis,
background, 1-4
historical
39-40
international use of, 3, 6
Hering's law of cure, 21, 100
committment to, 91-92 reference sources, 54-55 renaissance of, 4 - 5
Herpes, 42 High potency remedies,
why choose, 25-37
Herbs, interference with
lifelong
medicines, 60
Hering, Constantine, 21
Hippocrates, 2
Homeostasis,
History, of homeopathic
balance,
medicine, 1—4
HPUS
Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians,
Homeopathic medicine.
5,
87, 88
Illness as
Homeopathic software, 98-99 Homeopaths
Immune system, of,
89
U.S., 5
70-71
Treatments
medicines, 60
6
Infections effectiveness of homeopathy
on, clinical practice,
comparison with
12
Immunizations, interference with
India,
Homeopathy, 9-22, 101. See also
73-85
18-19,66,67-68 of, 16-18
underlying cause
types of, 88
from
an energy imbalance, 10
chronic,
87-89
guidelines for evaluation
to contact,
29-31
Ibuprofen, 61
97-98
cases
(standard homeopathic
I
96-97
Homeopathic pharmacies,
when
71
pharmacopeia), 101
Hyperactivity,
Homeopathic organizations international, 97
number in
dynamic
Hydrogen, 45
See
Homeopathy
choosing,
as a
11—12
Hormone treatments, Hot flashes, 39
HIV infection, 27-28
national,
35
safety of,
48, 100
70,
9- 10, 25
HIV, 27-28 Infertility,
78-81
Inflammation, 25
2
18
Index 107 Lupus erythematosis, 25
14-15,50,84
Influenza,
Insomnia, 39, 41 42, 43, 54, 82 ,
Insurance coverage,
M
35-36
Interference with treatment
Malaria,
57-61, 62 self- administration, 49—50, 60 antidoting, 31, 50,
International Foundation for
Homeopathy,
88
6,
Interpersonal relationships, 31, 54
Interview of patients, 53 Iodine,
78
1-2
Maliciousness, 45
Mammograms, 61 Mana (vital force),
12
Marking nut (Anacardium), 32 Massage therapy, 6 Material Medica with Repertory, 55 Materia medica,
2, 44, 55,
101
computer database programs,
Iodum, 78 Irritability,
39,
55,98-99 Mechanism (the individual
44
as
machine), 101
J
Jealousy,
Medical emergency, when
19,83-84
Joint stiffness
and
contact homeopath,
pain, 4 1 42, ,
58,79,82
Medicines. See Treatments
Memory,
K
12,
54
Menopausal symptoms, 39,
77-78
Kali bromatum, 17 Kali carbonicum, 42, Kent's Repertory,
81-83
Menstrual problems, 32-33, 39,
69,79
55
Kidney stones, 25 Kinesiology, 88 Ki
to
70-71
(vital force),
Pulsatilla for,
44
Mental health 45 18,28,29,41 and the defense mechanism,
12
antisocial behavior, anxiety,
Laboratory testing, 54, 61
panic attacks,
Lac caninum, 42—43
phobias, 28,40,79 and sexual abuse, 1 8, 32, 33 and underlying cause of
Lachesis, 22,
40
Law of similars, Learning
Lectures on
Mediea,
9-10, 101
2,
49
disabilities,
Menthol, interference with medicines, 60
55
Leopard's bane (Arnica montana),
Mercury, 2
Miasm, 101
25,33,36,39
Micrencephaly, 26—27 Milk
Licensing, of homeopaths, 87 Life force, 12
Light, sensitivity to,
Like cures
like, 2,
16-18
illness,
Homeopathic Materia
1
1
8,
9- 10,
42
from cows, 21 from dogs,
101
Minimum
Liver problems, 39
Low potency remedies, 48, 49,
1
1
42-43
dose, 101
Modality, 101
1
6
1
2
1
108 The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine Morning sickness, 39
Parkinsonism, 26
Mothering, feelings about, 45
Particulars, 101
Mother
Patients
tincture, 101
Multiple
26
sclerosis, 18,
dos and don'ts
Muscle soreness, 33
informed,
for,
responsibilities of,
N
92
Pendulums, 88
National Center for Homeopathy,
The,
57—63
ix
4, 6,
88
Peppermint, interference with medicines,
National College of Naturopathic
Medicine, 5
60-61
Permanent waves, interference with medicines, 61
National Institutes of Health,
ix,
5
Personal care products, 61
Natrum muriaticum, 42, 74 Natrum sulphuricum, 53
Pharmaceutical industry, 3
Naturopathy, 36, 87
Phobias, 28, 40, 79
Nausea, 36, 80
Phosphorous, 29, 5
New England School of
Physical examination, 54
Homeopathy, 6 Nightmares, 40
Physicians (conventional). See
Noise, sensitivity
Pharmacies, homeopathic,
97- 98
Conventional medicine to,
43
87
Physicians, naturopathic,
North American Society of Homeopaths, 87
Pine
Nosodes, 101
Pinkeye
Novocaine, interference with
PMS
medicines, 60 Numbness, 26
Poison ivy (Rhus toxicondendron),
Nux vomica,
oil,
interference with
medicines, 60 (conjunctivitis), 9,
78-81
15, 39, 66,
75 Poison nut. See
O Onion
Poisons, 38,
(Allium cepa),
Organizations,
25
(Premenstrual Syndrome),
Polychrest, 101
1
96—97
Organon ofMedicine, Ovarian cysts, 22, 25
2,
Nux vomica
40-43
Postgraduate programs,
56
Overexertion, 4
Over-the-counter homeopathic medicines. See Self- administration
5,
6
Potassium bromate (Kali
bromatum), 17 Potassium carbonate (Kali carbonicum), 42, 8
1
—83
Potency, 48, 49, 101 Potentization, A7, 48, 101
Prana Pacific
Academy of Homeopathy, 6
Paint fumes, interference with
medicines, 60
Pap smears, 61 Paracelsus (medieval physician), 2
(vitalforce),
1
Pregnancy, 33, 40, 80
Premenstrual Syndrome, Prescription drugs,
78-81
and homeopathy
treatment, 50, 60, 69, 71
Proven 101
.
Index 109 Schizophrenia. 28
Proving, 2, 35. 101 Psoriasis,
25
Schuessler
cell salts,
1
1
42
Psychotherapy, 32
Sciatica, 26,
Publications, 5
Science of Homeopathy, The, 4
Pulsatilla, 44,
65
Scorpion,
45
Self-administration
caution
Quakers buttons. Quinine,
See
Nux vomica
in,
49-50
interference with medicines,
60
Sensitivity*
1
emotional. 42
R
to light.
Radionics, 88
to noise,
Recommended
books,
94—95
Recreational drugs, interference
with medicines, 60
Sepia,
42
43
39-40
Sex drive, 39, 54, 75 Sexual abuse, 18,
32-33
Shaking, of the medicines. 4", 48
Relapse, 101
Relationships with others, 31. 54
Sherr, Jeremy,
Remedv, 101
Side effects, 10, 35
Repertory, 101
Silica,
20, 76 Similhmum,
Research studies, 27 Resources,
96-99
Response time
45
13, 19. 101
Single remedy. 101
for treatment,
65-67
Sinus problems, 18, 42
Skin conditions. 25
Responsibility of patients,
ix,
eczema. 21.22,66-6", 81
'
57-63,92 Return of old symptoms, 66. ~ 1 101
Rheumatism, 43 Rhus toxicodendron, 34-35, 41, 49 Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, 6
Rubric, 101
eruptions, 41, 69
erythema nodosum, 19 rash, 13
Sleeping position, 54
Snake venom
(Lachesis), 22,
sulphuricum), 53
-99
Rumex, 51
Software, 98
"Rusn- gate remedy." See Rhus
Sore throat. 2^
toxicodendron
Sources or medicines,
39—45
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, 6 Sabadilla, 16
Spanish spider, 2d
Safety of medicines, 35
Spasmodic symptoms. 39
(Natrum muriaticum), 42, 74 Sand (Silica), 20, 76
Spastic quadriplegia.
Salt
Scarlet fever, 3
Scleroderma, 25
40
Homeopaths. 6 Sodium sulphate (Natrum Society of
Spiders
(
Tarentula.
(Thendwn Spongia, 5
1
.
26—27
26
26, 43
1
1
10
1
1
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine Squid ink
(Sepia),
39 -40
Thorn apple
Steroids, 60, 71
(Stramonium), 26,
40-41
Stramonium, 26, 40-41
Totality of symptoms, 102
Succussion, 47, 48, 102
Touching medicines, avoiding, 57 Training. See Education and
28-29, 32 Sulphur, 2, 58, 66 Sun, exposure to, 42 Suppression vs. cure, 19-21 Suicidal feelings,
training Traveling, 7
Treatments active observation of response
Surgery, 71
avoidance
of,
22, 25
to,
use of Arnica montana,
36
Symptoms
self- administration,
active observation of, illnesses
92 caution against
without
importance
of,
early,
13
100
constitutional, 14,
12—13
dos and don'ts for patients,
57-63
and individualization of treatment, 14-15, 53
evaluation
progression during cure,
follow-up appointments,
21-22
of,
67
68-69,71,92
recurring, 66, 71
how dispensed and sold, 48-49
response time for treatment,
if progess
proving, 35
65-67 suppression
seems slow, 67—68
individualization of, 14
significant new, 71
— 16,
53
now is the best time to start
of, vs. cure,
19-21
91
that alternate sides of the
preparation
body, 43
of,
46,
response times
for,
47-5 65-67
when to contact homeopath, 70-71
responsibility of the patient,
worsening of, 66
simillimum, 13, 19, 101
92 sources
of,
storage of,
Tarentula hispanica,
Tea
49—50
combination remedies, 50 -5
92
26
things to avoid during,
57-61,70
tree products, interference
16 — 18 when to contact homeopath, 70-71
with medicines, 60
for underlying cause,
Teething, 44, 50, 51
Temperature, feeling cold or hot,
Twitches, 26
54,75-76,79 Terminal
illnesses,
39-45 57
36
Terror,
U
Theridion,
Ultrasound, interference with
17,29 43 Thirst, 44
medicines, 61
1
Index United Kingdom, 6 U.S. Food and
Drug
Administration, 35
Uterine fibroids, 25
V Vaginal problems, 25, 58
Veratrum album, 30 Varicose veins, 40
Veterinary treatment, 34 Vital force,
11-12,50,53, 102
Vitalism, 102
Vitamins, 61 Vithoulkas, George, 4
w Washington, George, 1 Water bed heaters, 6 Weather, and symptoms, 54 Whiplash,
White 30
32-33
hellbore (Veratrum album),
Wind flower
(Pulsatilla),
Workaholics, 39
X X potencies, 48 X-rays, 61
Y Yellow
fever,
3
44, 65
1
1
1
About the Authors Robert Ullman, N.D. received
his B.S. in
Biology from Ursinus
College and did graduate study in psychology at Bucknell University.
He
graduated from
The National
Medicine with a Doctorate
College of Naturopathic
Naturopathic Medicine in 1981.
in
was formerly chair of homeopathic medicine
He is
He
at Bastyr University.
currently Vice President of the International Foundation for
Homeopathy (IFH). Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, N.D., M.S.W. graduated with a B.A. in Spanish Literature from George Washington University and a Master's in Psychiatric Social
Work from the University of Wash-
ington. She received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from
Bastyr University in 1983. She
President of the
is
IFH and former
Vice President of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians.
She
on the faculty of the Southwest College of Naturopathic
is
They are
Medicine.
tation if there
number is
is
available to treat patients
no homeopath
in
your
area.
by telephone consul-
Their
office
telephone
(206) 774-5599.
Both Judyth and Robert
and board
certified
are licensed naturopathic physicians
members of
the
Homeopathic Academy of
Naturopathic Physicians. They are cofounders of The Northwest
Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, Washington
where they
are in private practice.
They specialize
in
homeopathic
family medicine.
IFH Professional Course and teach They are columnists for Resonance, the publication of the IFH and The Townsend Letterfor Doctors. They have pubThey are
and
instructors in the
lecture widely.
lished over
150
articles in various
magazines and journals.
If you are
them speak to your organization, please contact Picnic Point Press, 131 3rd Avenue, N. Suite B, Edmonds,
interested in having
them
WA
at
98020.
Tel: (206)
233-1155.
Robert and Judyth reside with their two lovable golden retrievers
and one furry
overlooks beautiful Puget
Edmonds, Washington, which Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
feline in
Order form me
Please send
copies of The Patients Guide to
Homeopathic Medicine.
Name: Address: City:
Zip:
State:
Telephone:
VISA/MC
(
)
number:
Exp. date:
Signature:
Prices
1-4 copies: 5 or
more
$ 1 0.95 each plus shipping and handling.
copies: $6.50 each plus shipping
and handling.
Shipping and Handling S3. 00
for
Washington
the
first
residents
book; $1.00
add 8.2%
each
for
sales tax.
additional
Allow 30 days
book.
for delivery.
Telephone Orders Call (206) 233-1 155. Leave a message with your name, address,
telephone number, Visa/Mastercard
number and
expiration date,
and quantity ordered.
Mail Orders Please
make checks payable
to:
Picnic Point Press
131 Third Ave., N., Suite B
Edmonds,
WA
98020
EDICINE/HOMEOP
Robert Ullman and
Dr.
Ullman
Dr.
Judyth Reichenberg-
are board certified diplomates of the
Homeopathic Academy
of Naturopathic Physi-
They teach homeopathy
cians.
to health profes-
sionals through the International Foundation for
Homeopathy, of which President
and
Dr.
Ullman
is
They write,
Vice President.
Reichenberg-Ullman
Dr.
and
teach,
lecture widely.
is
They are
co-founders of The Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, WA. where they are in private practice.
"This book
is
well-organized, comprehensive, easy to read and understand, and covers
all
the important topics of homeopathy. Well done!"
—
George Vithoulkas, xMIH.
Director,
Athenian School of Homeopath}'. Author of
The Science of Homeopathy and Homeopathy. Medicine of the
New Man
"Robert and Judyth have done an excellent job of creating an educational and inspiring
book for homeopathic
way which
is
patients.
The concepts
of
homeopathy
are presented in a practical
easily grasped by the lay reader."
—
Dr.
Raj an Sankaran, Bombay, India. Author of Tl)e Spirit of Homeopathy and
The Substance of Homeopathy
"This book
is
a long-awaited event in the homeopathic community.
and accurate. The Patient's Guide
recommend
to his or
is
her patients so that they
pathic treatment."
—Nancy
Herrick,
P.A.,
It
answers
all of
the
is
their
homeo-
Medical Clinic, Albany, CA. Internationally
and teacher
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine formative.
useful, readable,
may benefit the most from
Hahnemann
respected practitioner
u
It is
a must for every homeopathic practitioner to
of
homeopathic medicine
concise, yet comprehensive
and
in-
most frequently asked questions and should be
required reading for every homeopathic patient."
—
Jennifer Jacobs, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Washington School
of Public Health;
Member, Alternative Medicine Program Advisory Council,
National Institutes of Health
"Whether you are a homeopathic patient wanting of this wonderful system of medicine or
templating treatment, this book
— Miranda
is
to
Complete Homeopathy Handbook
Birth,
and Your Baby's First
1095 $10.95 US /$ 14.95 Canada ISBN 0-9640654-2-8
9
l
780964"065420
the process
for you."
Castro, FS Horn. Author of The
and Homeopathy for Pregnancy,
5
know more about
whether you are a prospective patient con-
Year