HOMEOPATHY

Modern homeopathy, which was founded by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), is based on two principles. The first is that 'like cures like'. In other words, medicine given to an ill person can cure the same symptoms that it causes when given to a healthy person. The second principle is that the minimum necessary dose should be given, to avoid causing harm. The first principle was not new; Hippocrates taught it more than 4,ooo years earlier. Hahnemann proved it on himself, however, when he took low doses of quinine and developed the symptoms of malaria. In fact, quinine is used even today to treat malaria.

The Homeopathic Consultation
The first consultation with a homeopath will often take around an hour because homeopaths believe that family history and inherited characteristics should be considered, along with the physical, mental and emotional characteristics that have been acquired by your experience of life. These include what you like or dislike eating, whether you are thirsty, what sort of weather you prefer; your fears and whether you are tidy, a spendthrift or a saver.

The homeopath will want to know about your symptoms in ways that differ from a consultation with a conventional doctor. It is important for the homeopath to discover what makes the symptoms better or worse, when they occur, whether there were any great upheavals or illnesses in your life when the symptoms started, and how your illness is affecting you emotionally. In addition your homeopath may ask questions about the times when you are well. Taken together, all these characteristics are considered to establish the 'constitutional' type of the patient.

Your constitutional type can change during your life, and even to the most experienced homeopath it is not always clear. Some people show characteristics of more than one constitutional type. Other people may truly need more than prescription to become healthy again, although many homeopaths prefer to give just one prescription when possible.

What Can Homeopathy Treat?
Homeopathy can be used to treat almost any complaint that can be treated with conventional medicine, as opposed to one requiring surgery. Chronic conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, headaches, allergies, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression, are best treated with constitutional prescriptions. However, many people become very good at treating their own acute illnesses, such as coughs, colds, stomach upsets and minor injuries (see the homeopathic first-aid box, later post).

What Do Homeopathic Medicines Look Like?
Homeopathic medicines are made up in liquid form, usually with alcohol as a preservatives. This is dropped onto tablets, granules or powders that are usually made from lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose you can ask the pharmacist to use a different sugar. It is also possible to have the homeopathic medicine prepared in liquid form in alcohol or water, but the latter has a very short shelf life.

Homeopathic medicines can be used to treat many medical problems, except those that require surgery.

Homeopathy can restore health and a sense of well-being without causing side -effects.

Cautions And Side-Effects
Homeopathic medicines are very safe for people of all ages but if, as sometimes occur, your symptoms become worse, you should stop taking the medicine. This aggravation will generally reduce within a few days, and often then disappear. Sometimes you will develop new symptoms, or have a recurrence of old symptoms. You should note these because they can help your homeopath choose your next prescription.

The legislation governing who can practise homeopathy varies from one country to another, and some homeopaths are also conventionally trained doctors. If you consult a homeopath who is not a doctor, it is wise for your own doctor to make the diagnosis since other treatment may be more appropriate than homeopathy.

Self-Help With Homeopathy
Homeopathy can be used to treat common everyday ailments very safely. Many people buy homeopathic medicines to treat simple conditions as they arise, and gradually build up a stock of different medicines. To remain effective, the medicines must be stored in closed containers. These should be kept in the dark, and away from perfumes and other aromatic substances, especially mothballs.

Schuessler Mineral Salts
Schuessler mineral salts (also known as biochemic salts) consist of 12 of the minerals that occur naturally in the tissues of the body. They are prepared in the same way as homeopathic medicines, but only to a low potency, and they are used in a similar way.

Suggestions For Your Homeopathic First-Aid Box
Argentum nitricum
Anxiety or fear when anticipating a big event.

Arnica
Shock after injury to yourself or someone else; jet lag, bruising, sprained joints, strained or torn muscles

Arsenicum album
Fear or panic when you are alone; diarrhoea and vomiting occurring together

Bryonia
Swollen joints that are painful when you move; painful dry cough

Calendula ointment
Infection in cuts and grazes

Gelsemium
Influenza with chills, when the head and body feel heavy; anxiety and confusion before an important event

Glonoine
Heat exhaustion, bursting headaches or menopausal flushes

Hypericum
Pain from crushed nerves, such as a crushed fingertip

Ignatia
Shock or grief from bad news

Ledum
Puncture wounds such as insect bites, or after an injection

Natrum mur
The effects of grief or bereavement; a cold or hayfever with sneezing and a clear nasal discharge

Nux vomica
The effects of eating or drinking too much; insomnia from mental strain

Pulsatilla
Sinusitis with yellow bland nasal discharge; the effects of a sudden soaking

Rhus tox
Arthritis that is worse in cold, damp weather, but better after a very hot bath; cold sores and shingles (use in addition to medical advice)

Urtica ointment
Minor burns and scalds, skin allergies, and insect bites and stings

The potency most readily available over the counter is usually labelled 6 or 6c, and it is safest to start with this. In acute conditions take a dose every 30 minutes for up to six doses, but decrease the frequency as the symptoms improve. You may then need to take a dose three times a day for a few days, but you should stop when your symptoms improve. If there has been no improvement after six doses you will need to change the medicine. In chronic conditions, such as arthritis, take two or three doses a day when symptoms are present and none when they are absent.