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Information on Homoeopathy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)- Homeopathy

 Questions:

 Where can I learn more about Homeopathy?

Which remedy should I take?

What is the Materia Medica?

What is the Repertory?

How do Homeopathic remedies work?

How are Homeopathic remedies prepared?

What can I expect when I visit a Homeopath?

What are the different dosage forms?

What is difference between acute and chronic illness?

What is constitutional treatment?

How to take the medicines?

Do homeopathic medicines expire?

Is Homeopathy Regulated?

Can I learn to treat myself or my family and pets with Homeopathy?  

Answers:

Where can I learn more about Homeopathy?

            Thousands of educational books are available; there are also many courses available. Books are available from Aggarwal Book Centre.

 

Which remedy should I take?

Every remedy is different.  Each remedy has a certain "symptom picture" asso­ciated with it.  The correct remedy to take is the one, which has a symptom picture that most closely matches the symptoms you are exhibiting.

 More Details:

Homeopathic medicines work on each level of the body: physical, mental and emotional. Many times, the mental or emotional symptoms may guide you to the right remedy. Other times, what makes you feel better or worse may guide you to the right remedy. The right remedy is sometimes easy to find, and at other times-the symptom picture is less pronounced. 

Many homeopathic remedies listed in the Materia Medica have gone through a process called a "proving." Provings are controlled experiments in which healthy people are given the remedy that is being tested (like Arnica Montana) in large quantities sequentially over a period of time and the symptoms that the body creates are recorded.  For example, when healthy people were given Belladonna sequentially over a period of time, the following symptom picture was exhibited in the people:

Ø      High Fever

Ø      Right Sided Pain

Ø      Throbbing Pain

Ø      Irritable

Ø      Sensitive to External Noise, Light

Ø      Thirsty for Small Sips of Cold Water

 This symptom picture looks like that of a teething baby, somebody with a migraine or somebody with an earache, but just because a baby is teething doesn't mean Belladonna is the right remedy.  The symptom picture of the teething baby must closely match that of the symptoms that are listed in the Materia Medica under Belladonna.

 The best way to determine which single remedy to take is to list the symptoms you are exhibiting, look up those symptoms in the Repertory, and read the remedy symptom listings in the Materia Medica.  After reading about the remedies, make a determination as to which remedy is the most appropriate for your symptoms.

 What is the Materia Medica?

The Materia Medica is a book, which lists all of the homeopathic single rem­edies and their symptoms.

 More Details:

Most remedies that are commonly used are listed in the homeopathic.  Materia Medica.  The Materia Medica lists the single remedy and the symptom picture that fits each remedy.

 

Because homeopathic medicines work on all systems of the body, mental, physical and emotional guiding symptoms are listed in the following order of importance:

Ø      Emotional

Ø      Mental

Ø      Physical

 Each physical system is detailed from most important to least important:

Ø      Mind & Head

Ø      Each individual "part" of the body from head to toe (eyes, ears, throat, stomach, etc.)

Ø      Each system from inside out (respiratory, circulatory, extremities, skin)

Ø      Modalities (what makes it better or worse)

 These symptoms listed in the Materia Medica are called guiding symptoms because they guide you to the right remedy. It is important to remember that you don't have to exhibit ALL of the symptoms for the remedy to be the correct one.  The remedy that matches the majority of they symptoms is probably the one you need.

 What is the Repertory?

The Repertory is a book that lists all of the symptoms for the homeopathic single remedies.  It is like an index for the Materia Medica.

 More details:

Every single remedy has a set of symptoms associated with it.  Rather than read the entire Materia Medica every time you want to find a remedy, it is easier to look up the specific symptoms first.  The Repertory lists the guiding symptoms and corresponding single remedies.  The Repertory is like an index to the Materia Medica.

 A sample listing in the Repertory is as follows:

 THROAT

PAIN

Sore

Right:  Ars., bell, calc-p. carb-ac., ham., ind., lac-c., lith., Lyc., lyss., mag-c., merc., merc-i-f., nat-p., nicc., phyt.,ptel., sars.,- tarent., ter., xan.

 The 'code" to the listing of remedies is as follows- Bold = 1, Italic = 2, Normal Type = 3. When looking up symptoms, each remedy should be listed in terms of importance.  Bold symptoms are stronger than italicized symptoms and italicized symptoms are stronger than normal typed symptoms.  Unless you are very sure of the symptoms- stick with the strongest symptoms in bold or italics.

 How do Homeopathic remedies work?

Most people agree that how these remedies work is still a mystery. After a number of dilutions, the original substance is no longer detectable in the remedy; yet these remedies are capable of treating symptoms related to that substance. Even more difficult to understand is why continued dilution can produce more effective results. This principle of higher dilution doesn't fit comfortably into medical and pharmacological thinking. But though we may not understand the process, all homeopaths recognize that it does exist.

Hahnemann's explanation was that in giving such a tiny, miniscule dose, the homeopath could activate something in each individual that is capable of switching the body from sickness to health. Hahnemann called that something the "Vital Force." The energy of this force is thought to be responsible for the healthy functioning of the body. Disease (dis-ease) is considered to be an imbalance of this energy. Stress or trauma, for example, can cause such a disturbance.

 By energizing the Vital Force, the homeopathic remedy re-establishes the body's balance, thereby making disease disappear. Many scientific reports meanwhile have proven the efficacy of homeopathy by refuting the often-made charge that its success is due to the placebo effect.

 How are Homeopathic remedies prepared?

The remedies are prepared from trituration of plants, minerals, or animal products, which are repeatedly diluted and shaken (or succussed). As the repetition of this process increases, the action of the remedy becomes stronger. This process is called potentization and it is the hallmark of all homeopathic remedies.

 What can I expect when I visit a Homeopath?

An initial interview will last about two hours. The homeopath requires detailed information about your health and you as a person, in able to understand what individualizes your case. A successful prescription is based on the totality of the symptoms -- it is a truly holistic approach. Of particular interest for the practitioner will be your own reactions to the external world, such as temperature, weather, food, etc. Your mental and emotional makeup is of utmost importance in selecting a remedy, regardless of what the presenting complaint is. The practitioner will always search for factors which may have contributed to or caused your illness; this includes stress, shock, traumas, or perhaps family history.

 Your homeopath might prescribe immediately or may study your case and supply a remedy at a later date. Generally a prescription consists of one to three doses of the remedy. A follow-up assessment is usually scheduled after four to six weeks, and the practitioner will decide if the prescription should be repeated.

 What are the different dosage forms?

There are many different dosage forms: soft tablet triturates, compressed tablets, medicated pellets, dilutions and topical (ointments, oils, sprays, soap).

 More details:

Homeopathic medicines work when taken orally (by mouth) or when used topically (on the skin).  There are different forms of oral and topical preparations.

 v      Soft Tablet Triturates are soft, molded tablets: They dissolve almost instantly when you put them in your mouth because they contain only the active ingredients in a base of lactose with a little bit of acacia gum to hold them together.

v      Compressed Tablets are hard tablets that do not dissolve instantly when put on your tongue. These are often meant to be swallowed with water because they take too long to dissolve under the tongue.  Medicated Pellets are round 80% sucrose (sugar), 20% lactose (milk sugar) pills that have been medicated with a dilution.  The dilution is sprayed on the pellets three times to insure saturation of the pellets.  Most "high potencies" are available in pellet or dilution form. 

v      Dilutions. are liquids, usually dispensed via dropper directly. under the tongue or, in a little distilled water.  They consist of 20% to 80% alcohol.

v      Topical are applied directly to the skin to stimulate healing “on, the spot.” These include:

Ointments - usually in a petrolatum base.

Sprays - usually in an alcohol or glycerin base.

Oils - usually in a mineral oil base.

Soap - usually in a natural cold compressed soap base.

What is difference between acute and chronic illness?

Acute illnesses are those that will eventually resolve without any medical su­pervision (colds, teething). Chronic illnesses are more serious illnesses that require medical supervision (like Tuberculosis or Cancer).

 More details:

An Acute illness typically will 'run its course' regardless of whether or not there is drug intervention.  Coughs, colds, teething, PMS, sleeplessness are all examples of such illnesses.  Usually, medicines for acute illnesses are regulated over-the-counter drugs.

 A Chronic illness is one that requires medical supervision and is often a disease that has formed over a long period of time.  Examples of chronic illnesses are Cancer,' AIDS, Kidney Disease and Diabetes.  Usually, medicines for chronic illnesses are regulated as Prescription Only.

 Homeopathy is often used for treatment of both acute and chronic illnesses.  As with any disease, if a chronic illness is being treated using homeopathy, medical diagnosis and monitoring is still required.

 What is constitutional treatment?

Constitutional treatment is when one homeopathic medicine is used to treat a constellation of symptoms in one person.  Generally, constitutional treatment is used in treating more chronic cases.

 More details:

Homeopathic medicines work on every system of the body - mental, physical and emotional. Homeopathic medicines are also useful for both acute illness (those that run its course without any drug or physician's intervention) and chronic illnesses (those which must be monitored by a licensed practitioner).

 

Each homeopathic medicine has it's own symptom picture.  Many times, a homeo­pathic remedy's symptom picture may "look like" a person.  For example, the symptom picture most often associated with Nux Vomica includes: conditions brought on by excess eating, drinking, smoking, etc.; hyperactivity; dyspepsia; headache over the eyes; wakes up at 3:00 a.m.; worse from stimulants.

 

If somebody is classified as a 'type A' personality - always moving about, addicted to caffeine, does everything to extreme (in work and play), has a nervous stomach, often wakes at 3:00 a.m. thinking about what didn't get accomplished that day (or what needs to be done the next day) and is always drinking a cup of coffee, that person may be classi­fied as a 'constitutional Nux Vomica.'

 

If somebody is under the care of a homeopathic physician, they will often be treated with one remedy, their constitutional remedy, because that remedy will treat their whole person - on all levels to relieve the many acute symptoms and bring the overall person to a state of better health.

 

Often, people are treated with one constitutional remedy and then their entire constitution changes to another remedy.  This is very important to note because a licensed practitioner should supervise constitu­tional treatment - of any kind -.

How to take the medicines?

Homeopathic medicines should be placed under the tongue of adults and children or in the cheek of an infant where they will dissolve.  It is preferable that there be nothing in the mouth to eat or drink 15 minutes before or after taking homeopathic medicines.

 More details:

Look under your tongue. it is an environment full of capillaries (blood vessels) surrounded by very soft tissue.  If you want something to be absorbed directly into the human body, what better place to do it that somewhere that is rich in blood vessels that carry blood throughout your system rapidly?

     Homeopathic products are very clean - meaning they have no binders or fillers or coatings.  The soft molded lactose tablets are made to dissolve almost instantly when placed in the mouth.  Because the remedies dissolve in the mouth, they are absorbed by the mucous membranes in the mouth and carried directly into your system.  Because the remedies are absorbed directly into your system through your mouth, they work faster than conventional medicines because conventional medicines are usually coated and don't get absorbed into the system until the coating is dissolved by the stomach acid, and that generally takes about twenty minutes.

 Homeopathic medicated pellets take longer to dissolve, but they don't taste bad so it is worth the wait. Dilutions are liquid and should be dropped directly under the tongue.

 Because the remedies are very clean and fragile, avoid handling them.  It is prefer­able to drop the tablets or pellets into the cap of the bottle, and pour them from the cap into your mouth.  Try not to handle the medicines.  If more than four pour into the cap, take four - don't put the pills back into the bottle.

 You cannot overdose on homeopathic medicines.  If you take fifteen tablets or five tablets (or 100 tablets for that matter) AT ONE TIME it is one dose.  You will. stimulate your curative responses one time.  So, it is not a tragedy if more that six tablets fall into the cap, just take them rather than risk putting a contaminated pill back into the bottle to contaminate the others in the bottle.

 Finally, some homeopathic medicines may be antidote by things like mint, caffeine or other remedies.  In order to help prevent antidotes, take your remedies one at a time, with a “clean mouth,” meaning nothing to eat or drink 15 minutes before or after taking the remedies.

Do homeopathic medicines expire?

Homeopathic medicines do not expire.

 More details:

Homeopathic medicines are made from all natural sources.  Unlike synthetic drugs, they never lose their potency or efficacy because the components are all natural, and they are not combined with any unnatural substances that expire.

 If a homeopathic medicine is exposed to very strong scents (like Tiger Balm), left out in the extreme heat or cold for a period of time or contaminated by returning pills to the bottle which have been handled, they may be ineffective.  If this happens, it is best to throw the product away.  Don't reuse the bottles - send them to the recycling center.

 A general rule of thumb to keep your homeopathic medicines effective: treat your remedies like you treat your children and they will work for many years.

Is Homeopathy Regulated?

Yes, Homeopathic Medicines are- fully regulated as drugs. All homeopathic medicines are “governed” by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia.

 More details:

Homeopathic medicines are regulated, as drugs by inclusion in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  All homeopathic medicines are required to have DC (Drug Codes) listed on the front panel of the label and box and identify that the products are registered. Homeopathic medicines, like all drugs are also regulated as prescription and non-prescription.  If a remedy is regulated as a prescription item, it is necessary to have a written prescription from a physician to obtain the remedy.

 Drugs are made according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Pharmacopoeias contain the procedures for manufacturing drugs- either prescription or non-prescription. Because homeopathic medicines are regulated as drugs, in order to prescribe or dispense homeopathic medicines, you must have a license to prescribe medicine.  If somebody makes an individual decision to use a homeopathic over- the- counter drug for an acute illness, that is their decision. It is illegal to tell somebody- which remedy to take unless you have a license to prescribe.  It is not illegal, however, to guide people towards books and informational materials that will help them determine which remedy may best match their symptom picture.

Can I learn to treat myself or my family and pets with Homeopathy?

You can learn to use homeopathy to treat simple things such as cuts, burns, insect stings, bruises, and stomach upsets (to name a few). However, it is important that you first understand the basic principles of homeopathy and how to apply the remedies. There are some excellent books available that will help you with home prescribing, many of which are available at your local library. Books are available from Aggarwal Book Centre.

         When administered correctly, homeopathy is a gentle, safe, and inexpensive method of health care for humans and animals alike, for all ages from newborns to the aged. You should not, of course, attempt to treat any serious complaints yourself, and if a minor complaint does not respond to your first aid treatment, you should seek professional help.