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The ABCs of Homeopathy
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Homeopathy is a system of treatment that uses minute amounts of plant, mineral and animal substances to stimulate the body's own healing defenses. Widely practiced in Europe, its focus is on the specific symptoms of disease, rather than the cause, as experienced by the individual patient.
As his experimentation evolved, Hahnemann noted that, instead of causing symptoms, very minute doses of extracts would cure a person of the same symptoms a large dose would produce. From this phenomenon, he developed homeopathy's most fundamental principle, the Law of Similars - like cures like.
Does It Work?
Today, homeopathic medicine is widely practiced in Europe. England's royal family has been under homeopathic care since the 1830s, and 42 percent of British physicians refer patients to homeopaths. One-third of the French population uses homeopathic medicines; 32 percent of French physicians prescribe them. One-fifth of all German physicians and 45 percent of Dutch physicians consider homeopathic medicines effective. State-of-the-art scientific research on homeopathic medicines continues to demonstrate their effectiveness. In an 1997 issue of a highly respected medical journal, The Lancet, a team of German and American physicians and scientists published a review of 89 clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of homeopathic remedies. These studies covered a wide variety of ailments including asthma, hay fever, ear infection, upper respiratory infection, influenza, migraine headache, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and strains, diarrhea, indigestion, post-surgical complications, varicose veins and childbirth. The results: Patients given a homeopathic remedy were 2.45 times more likely to have a positive result than those given a placebo.
Finding a Homeopathic Physician
International Foundation for Homeopathy
National Center of Homeopathy
Homeopathic Educational Service
How to Take Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic medicines are usually in the form of small, white medicated pellets, most often in a lactose (milk sugar) or sucrose base. The pellets come in different sizes, and dosages will normally be on the bottle label.
Store homeopathic medicines in a cool, dark place, away from strong odors (camphor, eucalyptus, perfume, etc.), and away from electromagnetic fields (heating pads, electric blankets, microwaves, computers, televisions). Do not refrigerate.
To take the remedy, tap the appropriate number of pellets into the cap of the bottle, then pour the pellets directly into the child's mouth under her tongue. Do not place the pellets in your hand or in any other container first. The remedy should be allowed to dissolve slowly under the tongue, although it will probably still work if some gets chewed. No food (even chewing gum) or drink should be taken 30 minutes before or after a dose, and no strong odors, such as those from toothpaste, mouthwash or throat lozenges should be in the child's mouth - it should be empty and naturally clean.
What to Avoid
Children's Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic Combination Medicines
Typically, three to eight homeopathic medicines that are effective in treating a particular condition are combined in these user-friendly medicines. While not as individualized, they can still be effective and will also eliminate the need to switch from a remedy used in the initial stages of a complaint (like Aconite or Arnica) to remedies that continue the healing process (like Rhus tox, Hypericum or Ruta).
Be sure to have these combination remedies on hand:
A-Z Homeopathic Remedies for Kids
Aconitum: colds, fever, influenza, sore throat, cough, laryngitis, cystitis (bladder infection), ear infection, chicken pox, German measles, measles, mumps, black eye, toothache, shock from injury or surgery (use aconite pre- and post-surgery).
The vitamin C of homeopathy, Aconitum is indicated at the first stages of many infectious diseases with sudden, often intense onset of symptoms including fever, acute inflammation and shock from injury or surgery.
Aconitum is not useful for chronic or recurring symptoms, but for symptoms that come on quickly, usually after exposure to cold, dry weather or extremely hot weather (such weather extremes stress a child's immune system, lowering immune resistance and increasing susceptibility to a virus or bacteria).
Allium cepa: cold with runny nose and sneezing, hay fever, respiratory allergies, earache and laryngitis.
If your child's nasal discharge is bland, but the discharge from his eyes is irritating, see Euphrasia.
Anas barbariae: flu.
Marketed under the name Oscillococcinum, (pronounced "Os-seel-lo-kok-si-num") is the most popular flu remedy in France. It works best during the initial onset of flu (the first 48 hours) with symptoms of fever, body aches, general weakness and a runny nose or cough.
Apis mellifica: grass and pollen allergies, hives, insect bites, bee stings, chicken pox, measles, conjunctivitis, sore throat and sties.
Arnica montana (Arnica): first aid for common injuries, sprains, strains, sore muscles and bruises.
Arnica helps normalize heart activity after injury thus stopping hemorrhage, helps the body reabsorb blood clots and the blood pooling under the skin that causes bruises. Arnica stimulates the repair of bruised and damaged blood vessels, and reduces pain and swelling. It is effective in treating ruptures of the tiny blood vessels that appear in the white of the eye after injury as well as black eyes, and is used before and after surgery to lessen shock, relieve pain and swelling and promote healing. Should your child undergo circumcision, suffer a fracture, sprain or strain, or have his fingers or toes caught in a door, give Arnica! Taken before and after strenuous exercise, Arnica will help prevent muscle aches and stiffness. For muscle aches, sprains and strains, using both Arnica tablets and gently massaging in a gel or ointment will really help; for injuries where the skin is broken or for head injuries, use only internal doses of Arnica.
Arsenicum album: colds, sinusitis, sore throat, cough, flu, allergy or asthma, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, indigestion, food poisoning, fever, headaches and insomnia.
Belladonna: Headaches, cramps, colic, toothaches, sore throats, earaches, fevers and chicken pox.
The name Belladonna derives from the Italian words: "bella" (beautiful) and "donna" (woman). The plant was so named because one of its primary chemical components, atropine, causes the pupils to dilate, causing the large pupils thought beautiful in ancient times. In addition to atropine, Belladonna contains other powerful alkaloids including hyoscyamine and scoploamine, which affect the autonomic nervous system, that part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as digestion, circulation and reproductive cycles.
Byronia alba: colds.
Distinct from Aconitum or Belladonna, which both help children with sudden onset of symptoms, Byronia is useful when symptoms come on more slowly. Your child may develop a cold after getting chilled or after gulping a cold drink when he is overheated. Over the next few days, the cold will evolve into a painful cough with congestion, headache and fever accompanied by indigestion, constipation, even pneumonia. The child's mouth and lips will be dry, and tongue dry and coated, usually white. He'll be constantly thirsty, requesting cold drinks. Digestive juices will dry up, too, causing lack of appetite, trouble digesting what is eaten, and constipation with dry, hard, large stools.
Calceria carbonica: runny nose, earaches, colic, diaper rash, diarrhea alternating with constipation, and sour-smelling breath, perspiration and stools.
Cantharis: bladder infections.
Cantharis is used for bladder infections or similar symptoms in the urinary tract, lower bowel, and skin including blisters and burns. If your child has a burning, cutting pain while urinating, urgency and constant desire to urinate, yet an inability to urinate more than a few drops, Cantharis will help. A child needing Cantharis may feel burning pains in various places - the head, eyes, throat, stomach, intestinal tract, ovaries. She may feel as if she is on fire inside but have chills on the outside, be thirsty, but not want to drink. Her discomfort will make her hypersensitive and restless, frequently changing position in her sleep or unable to sleep well at night.
Chamomilla: anger, asthma, colic, diarrhea, earache, indigestion, insomnia, restlessness, teething and toothache.
Chamomilla, renowned for its soothing effect, is often given to teething infants whose normal sweet and happy demeanor has given way to inconsolable irritability or an out-and-out tantrum because they are so uncomfortable. In any illness when a normally nice child turns into a temperamental monster, it's time to give Chamomilla.
Euphrasia: hay fever, allergies with itchy, tearing eyes.
This is the homeopathic treatment for children with hay fever or allergies with itchy, watery and tearing eyes. The child's eyes may feel as if grit or pepper has gotten in them. The edges of the eyelids may be red, swollen and burning. The discomfort will cause the child to blink often and scratch and rub his eyes. Upon waking in the morning, the eyelids may be gummed together. The child may be sensitive to light. Concurrent symptoms include clear, non-irritating nasal discharge that is worse in the morning and when the child is outside; a productive cough, and a headache. The child will feel chilled and have difficulty warming up in bed.
Gelsemium: colds, headaches, flu and measles.
For a fatigued, glassy-eyed child who is anxious, has a cold, headache, flu or measles. Her whole body, especially her limbs, may feel weak and heavy. Lips tend to be dry, cracked. She may tremble from chills; her face and head hot while her extremities are cold. In contrast to Aconitum and Belladonna, symptoms come on gradually instead of suddenly. The child who will be relieved by Gelsemium may have diarrhea or a headache from anxious anticipation of an exam, sports game, class presentation or performance. Although she may have a fever and her lips may be dry, she won't be thirsty, yet will need to urinate profusely and will feel better afterwards.
Hypericum (St. John's wort): injuries to teeth, fingers, toes, spine and head.
Hypericum stimulates the healing of injuries to nerves or areas of the body rich in nerves, such as teeth, fingers and toes, spine and head. The body signals us that nerve injury has occurred by producing shooting pains or numbness. Should your child slip and land on his tailbone, bite his tongue, receive a blow to the head or have one of his front teeth knocked out or injured while playing sports, start him on Hypericum as soon as possible. As most surgery is traumatic for nerves, give Hypericum at least once before surgery and as needed afterwards. Hypericum is also used, both internally and eternally, for treating puncture wounds from nails, splinters, pins, or animal bites or stings. Use Calendula for superficial cuts and Hypericum to help close deeper wounds. If using Hypericum tincture externally, dilute it - 10 parts water to one part tincture - or it will sting due to the tincture's alcohol content.
Ignatia: headaches, indigestion, insomnia and sore throats. A good choice for high-strung, sensitive, nervous, easily excitable children who often bottle up their anger, grief or fear, pretending they are fine, until finally exploding with rage or hysteria. Common presenting complaints are headaches, indigestion, insomnia and sore throats. The child who needs Ignatia will sigh or yawn frequently, be easily upset or offended, and feel misunderstood. Ignatia is the remedy for children who have been physically or mentally abused. The child's moods fluctuate and are contradictory; she may be crying one second, laughing the next or laughing through her tears. Her unexpressed emotions may feel stuck in her throat, and she may have a corresponding physical sensation of a lump in her throat or a lump in her stomach after eating. The Ignatia child may tremble, have difficulty sleeping and a tendency to faint.
Kali bichromicum: allergies, colds, coughs, croup, headaches, laryngitis, measles and sinusitis.
Other signs that Kali bic is the correct remedy include: listlessness, symptoms that migrate from one part of the body to another(headache is replaced by a stomachache or diarrhea), slow digestion (the food sits in the stomach, so the child feels worse after eating), nausea, a craving for acidic drinks (hot tea with lemon, orange juice) and feeling chilly.
Ledum palustre: animal bites, insect stings, poison ivy, poison oak, injury or inflammation.
Ledum is a primary remedy for puncture wounds that are inflamed and itchy, such as bites and stings from mosquitoes, bees, spiders and rats. It is also an excellent remedy for inflammation, such as that caused by poison ivy, oak or sumac, and bruised muscles and connective tissue. Ledum's effectiveness in healing smaller capillaries makes it the remedy to try for bruises to hands and feet and black eyes, especially if Arnica has helped but not cured the condition. Ledum is also the remedy to use for long-lasting bruises. If started immediately, a combination of Ledum taken internally and Arnica applied topically can heal a black eye overnight.
Magnesia phosphorica: colic, muscle and menstrual cramps, backaches or spasms.
The child may feel relief from staying quiet, warmly covered and doubling up in fetal position. Mag phos is also used for cramps, stiffness or numbness that occurs after prolonged use of certain muscles, such as occurs after prolonged writing, playing an instrument, a video game, a long hike or bike ride. If the cramping is abdominal as in colic, the abdomen may be bloated, but passing gas doesn't help.
Mercurius: diarrhea, sore throat, earache, toothache, food poisoning, mumps and conjunctivitis.
Mercury is used when an acute condition seems to be evolving rather than clearing out. Chronic ear infections often respond well to Mercury. Typically, the child will be weak, restless and hypersensitive to hot and cold. She will salivate profusely, soaking her pillow while sleeping. She will also perspire a lot, but won't feel better afterwards, will have a dry throat, an intense thirst for cold drinks and a hunger for sweets. Her sweat, breath, urine and stools will have an offensive odor; diarrhea may cause a burning sensation. If a cold is the problem, it will settle in the throat and the lymph glands will be swollen.
Natrum muriaticum: cold sores, sore throat, diarrhea and German measles.
The child who will benefit most from Natrum muriaticum is a perfectionist. Usually sensitive, intelligent, attractive, well-groomed, well-behaved, the Natrum muriaticum child is very ambitious, hard on himself, and eager to achieve. He may get a headache after intense mental work such as a school report with a large part of his grade riding on it. If he makes a mistake while writing or doing artwork, he will tear up the page in frustration and consider himself a total failure. His perfectionism will also be evidenced in the way he keeps his room neat and organized; he may not want to share his things with a friend or sibling, not because he is selfish but because he is afraid they will be damaged. Nat mur children are sensitive and caring; they blame themselves when anything goes wrong. If their parents divorce, these children will be certain it is their fault.
Nat mur children love salt, are often thirsty, and typically pass hard, dry stools. They have difficulty falling asleep because their minds are busily thinking over the day's experiences, planning the next day or trying to solve the riddle of Infinity. Even if tired, a Nat mur child may try to force himself to stay awake, so he can keep thinking about things. While sleeping, Nat mur children's heads or whole bodies may perspire. When a Nat mur child develops a cold, he will often say the inside of his runny nose hurts or burns; he may have a sore between his nose and upper lip, and his lips may be dry and cracked. If your child fits this profile, is on the shy side, and having problems with enuresis (bedwetting), Nat mur will definitely help. If your child frequently gets cold sores, recurrent diarrhea, or comes down with German measles with symptoms including swollen glands, a sore throat, rash and canker sores, consider Natrum muriaticum.
Nux vomica: anxiety, depression and general ailments.
Homeopathic Prozac, Nux vomica is the remedy for children who are overly excitable, hyperactive and driven. Nux vomica children (and adults) are competitive people who live in the fast lane, work hard and expect everyone else to keep up. Their zeal is counterbalanced by anxiety, and they are often tense, which makes them irritable, critical and impatient. If sick, this child wants to be cured RIGHT NOW! Despite feeling ill, his fastidiousness and desire for everything to be both accurate and in order will cause this child to maintain his room's neatness (it will already be well organized). Because his nervous system is on fast-forward, the Nux vomica child is a light sleeper, sensitive to noise, odors, touch, music, food and drugs. A dark, quiet room is essential for this child; he really needs adequate sleep to recharge and will be very irritable and prone to illness without it.
Although he craves spicy foods and fats, the Nux vomica child may become bloated and flatulent about an hour after eating - particularly after eating meat, milk and cold foods, which may also provoke headaches and respiratory problems such as asthma, allergy symptoms and congestion. In addition to indigestion, particularly after overindulgence, children who will benefit from Nux vomica may become constipated, unable to go despite frequently feeling as if they need to. If a headache accompanies the constipation, it will be worse in the morning, with any stooping or exertion, and from light, sun exposure or coughing. Lots of nasal discharge during the day and congestion at night is also typical.
Pulsatilla - general ailments.
Pulsatilla is often prescribed based more on the child's personality than specific ailment. The child for whom Pulsatilla will be the best remedy soaks up affection and can't seem to get enough; she hates to be alone. As an infant, she needed to be physically attached to her mother, carried in a baby sling or snuggly, and cried whenever laid in her crib for a nap. She's emotional and sensitive, open to and influenced by those around her and her environment. Changeable and moody, she may be crying one minute, laughing the next. Easily hurt, she will cry, softly, if she is criticized, punished or feels ignored, but will quickly become sunny again when she receives the sympathy and attention she needs. Fearing abandonment, she may become clingy, whiny and jealous of her parents' attention to siblings. Because of her impressionable nature, a children's movie with scary scenes will keep her up at night. She'll always want a night-light on and may still frequently appear in her parents' bedroom for hugs and reassurance. She'll need help choosing what clothes to wear to school, what game to play, what food to eat at a restaurant - just about any decision, big or small.
Her physical symptoms - wandering pains that alternate sides of the body - reflect her changeable nature: congestion or a runny nose that moves from one nostril to another, conjunctivitis or a sty that vanishes from one eye and appears on the other, a cold that becomes a cough, a sore throat that metamorphoses into an earache, a headache that is replaced by a stomachache. She won't be thirsty, even if she has a fever.
Rhus toxicodendron: chicken pox.
The two hallmark indications that a child will benefit from Rhus tox are: (1) he is restless, always moving around when awake, tossing and turning when asleep, and (2) the rusty-gate syndrome - upon awakening, he'll feel stiff and achy; initial movement will aggravate things, but continued motion will make him feel better. When he finally rests, however, the syndrome will repeat. He'll feel achy upon initial movement, then gradually better with continued movement. His illness may begin after he gets chilled or wet, especially if he has been playing and is overheated. Cold, wet weather will make him chilly and uncomfortable. At night, symptoms will worsen - his restlessness will prevent him from getting good rest, and what rest he gets will provoke the rusty-gate syndrome. He's susceptible to herpes blisters on his lips, and they may be dry and cracked. He'll ask for cold drinks, even though they make him chillier and worsen cough symptoms. Rhus tox is the most common remedy for chicken pox; the rash will be accompanied by intense itching, especially at night, making the child very restless. If, even when well, your child frequently complains of sore muscles after exertion, consider Rhus tox.
Ruta graveolens (Rue): injuries to bones, tendons or ligaments; bruises.
Rue is the remedy to use for injuries to the periosteum (bone covering), tendons or ligaments, or for any bruise that take a long time to heal and leaves a calcified, knotty lump. Injuries to the periosteum occur at knees, elbows and shins. In carpal tunnel syndrome - an increasingly common problem in children due to frequent and prolonged use of video games and computer keyboards - knotty lumps appear in the connective tissue at the wrist. Any inflammation of muscles due to overuse and repetitive motion, may respond well to Ruta (Arnica works best on sudden injury; Rhus tox on injury with rusty-gate syndrome). As teeth are actually part of the body's bone mass, Ruta is also very effective at reducing pain and speeding healing after dental surgery or after a child's braces are put on or adjusted. Before and after surgery on joints (knee, elbow, wrist, teeth), give Ruta. Sprains and strains that feel hot to the touch will respond well to both Ruta and Rhus tox, as do tennis elbow and chronic knee injuries.
Sulphur: colds, flu, cough, earaches, allergies and bedwetting.
Sulphur is a remedy frequently used with success when acute conditions such as colds, flu, coughs and ear infections linger on. When a lingering condition is not the problem, Sulphur is another remedy chosen more in relation to the personality of the child than the ailment.
If the following profile fits your child, try Sulphur for most any common condition including allergies, bedwetting, boils, fever, headaches, hives, impetigo, measles, poison ivy or oak, sore throats or sties. Sulphur children are intelligent, frequently ask "Why?" and easily integrate new information. New facts and figures fascinate them; these are the people who can rattle off every sports statistic for the last 20 years. They love to talk, are very entertaining, and may spin stories, both to keep talking and for the attention. They are packrats, selfish about their possessions and careless with the possessions of others. Both messy and usually in need of a bath (which they won't want to take), these are the children whose clothes and toys are strewn all over the house or left at a friend's. Despite their unending energy, Sulphur children need to be reminded a dozen times to do their chores and will procrastinate until the last minute. Their constant burning of energy makes them both hot and hungry. They eat a lot (except for breakfast, which they sleep through); favorite foods include salty chips, pizza, chocolate, ice cream and ice-cold sodas. Their internal heat is evident in their coloring - a reddened face, reddened mucous membranes, red lips, red edges of eyelids, nostrils and ears, dry skin and hot feet. Already warm enough, and typically sweaty, they dislike warm weather, rooms, clothing (especially wool), and bedcovers (which they usually kick off). If they have a fever, they won't have chills and will prefer to be uncovered.
History of Homeopathy
A German medical doctor, Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), developed the practice of homeopathy. While seeking to understand the reason why Cinchona officinalis (Peruvian bark) was an effective treatment against malaria, he rejected the conventional wisdom that cinchona cured because of its bitter and astringent properties. Other plants and botanical medicines were more bitter and astringent than cinchona but did nothing to help sufferers recover from malaria. He decided to run a controlled experiment, took cinchona himself,thus promptly developed all the symptoms of malaria. This experience led him to test numerous plants, chemicals and minerals, first on himself, then on healthy volunteers. In each instance, he noted the same interesting effect: Certain extracts produced symptoms similar to those produced by certain diseases.
Many N.D.s (naturopathic doctors) and other holistically-oriented physicians use homeopathy. To find a physician or other health-care practitioner who specializes in homeopathy, check with the following national organizations for a list of qualified homeopaths in your area:
2366 Eastlake Ave. E., Suite 301
Seattle, WA 98102
Telephone: (206) 324-8230
1500 Massachusetts Ave. NW, #42
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 223-6182
2124 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Telephone: (415) 649-0294
The following should also be avoided as they may interfere with or antidote a homeopathic remedy:
The following 25 remedies will provide you with homeopathic alternatives for most any common childhood ailment.
Oscillococcinum)
Related Subjects and Keywords: homeopathy illnesses child
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