In this day of financial stress for most, homoeopathy is a drug-free medication that can keep you well with little cost for years. Understanding how to use it and look after it, is important. We can go back to Hippocrates to understand the philosophy of homoeopathy, and to the sixteenth century doctor Paracelsus who selected his remedies in a similar manner. However the actual foundation of the technique was set down in the eighteenth century by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann. Homoeopathy uses very diluted doses of medications which in the concentrated dose would give a healthy person symptoms similar to those of the particular disease. The basis of homoeopathy is ‘like cures like’. Homoeopathics are derived from animal, (spanish fly and snake poison), vegetable, (chamomile and comfrey) and mineral (silver and gold) products. Some of these products in their original state are highly poisonous, but in their extremely diluted form, they are potent healing agents and much safer than drugs. For example, the potentised form of ‘Rhus Tox’ actually stops severe itching in minutes. In its original state as found in the garden, its mere touch can have a nasty reaction on the skin and may affect breathing. Homoeopathy has been scientifically proven. On 30 June 1988, newspapers around the world published the report of laboratory experiments which showed objectively that extreme dilutions of a substance have a measurable effect on biological matter. Homoeopathic medicines have a far greater than placebo effect. In Newscientist (7th Nov 2001) laboratory evidence exists as a possible first scientific insight into how some homoeopathy works.

In recent years there has been an increase in interest and a reduction of public resistance to homoeopathy. It is effective, safe and an acceptable form of therapy for acute and chronic problems. Homoeopathy can offer therapeutic options when conventional care has failed, or where no such therapy exists, or if it is contra-indicated, or if conventional medicine is poorly tolerated because of side effects. Homoeopathy can be integrated with medical treatment but not if steroids are used. Aromatics (eg camphor, peppermint toothpaste, coffee etc.) are contra-indicated when homoeopathics are given. Homoeopathics naturally have their limitations. They cannot achieve healing beyond the healing potential of the body. They have a palliative effect only on cancer, where organ breakdown is irreversible for bodily function. However although homoeopathics cannot affect longevity of life, it can and does help quality of life and symptom control.

My own mother’s digestion and bowel function was immeasurably eased with homoeopathics as she gently came to the end of her life with cancer. She died peacefully. Her mental and emotional attitude was well supported by carefully chosen homoeopathics. This system of healing works to stimulate the person’s own healing ability by matching the energies of the remedy to the picture of the illness. It is important to see the whole picture by stopping all other supplements for the time needed, even if that means going off pain-killing tablets. When it comes to diagnosis, the type of pain is important as well as the emotional component of the disease. The homoeopath will ask such questions as ‘What makes you feel worse or better?’ and ‘Can you lie on the side of the pain?’ or ‘Do you feel better up and walking about?’ or more ‘Does a cold, wet day make you worse or better?’

People always comment if most of their pain is felt on one side of their body only. Homoeopathy caters well for the person who suffers predominantly left-sided or right-sided pain. Accuracy in symptom analysis is very important. A homoeopathic practitioner will be diagnosing you instantly by your touch. A cold clammy hand may indicate a calcium intolerance. Your every word and the way you say it becomes a clue in this exciting method of healing. One of my child patients was observed on occasions waving his arms over his head as if he was brushing off a cobweb. He also complained at the same time that his school hours were very long. The remedy was immediately suggested by the words ‘time stands still’ (a classical homoeopathy symptom) coupled with the physical symptom of ‘brushing away cobwebs’. Two doses of ‘Argentum Nitrum’ and his nervous condition ceased. Unusual symptoms make the diagnosis easier in homoeopathy.

The family background is also important to the type of remedy selected, as we are all products of our ancestor’s genetics. If grandma suffered varicose veins then you are also likely to have them, while asthmatics will have children who are prone to asthma. These histories mean a lot to homoeopaths in evaluating the sequence of medication. The essence of the substance is all that’s left of the original and, for that reason, highly sensitive people respond very well to this form of healing. Patients who have marked food intolerances and severe allergenic reactions are treated comfortably with homoeopathy.

Donna’s story: My first encounter with homoeopathy occurred when my son was about nine years old. He was suffering from an unusual complaint in that his joints were continually dislocating. Although he had become competent in "putting them back in place", one particular time he fell heavily and dislocated his elbow painfully. It became clear that I must find some treatment for him. The physiotherapist who treated his elbow was most concerned about my son and directed me to a paediatric orthopaedic doctor. He claimed what I said was happening to my son was impossible. He sent us away suggesting it was me who needed the treatment! When I explained to the homoeopath what was happening to my son, she walked out and re-entered with a small bottle of homoeopathic drops. She said that she knew exactly what was wrong and told him to take these drops three times a day. I was skeptical, but my son did as he was told and within a few days the syndrome disappeared and never returned. I will always be grateful that his ligaments returned to normal elasticity.

ANTIBIOTIC FAILURE

Homoeopathic medicine is superb for viral illnesses where no drug treatments exist. The fear of all mothers is ‘what can I give my baby when he becomes ill?’ The answer undoubtedly is homoeopathic medicine. More and more doctors are studying and using this modality especially as people are becoming antibiotic resistant. Homoeopathic remedies can be made up in tablet, granule or liquid form in alcohol. They are then broken down to a diluted solution. There are strict rules on preserving the remedy especially to do with aromatic products being stored in the same place. Homoeopathics should be stored in a cool place, away from direct sunlight, perfumes, disinfectants, camphorated mothballs and perfumed hand creams. Once you start using homoeopathic remedies, you will be convinced of their excellence. A low dose is suitable for physical ills - for example, a bruise can be treated successfully with a 6x potency of ‘Arnica’, but for an emotional shock or grief (such as a death in the family) a higher dose, ‘Arnica 200x’, would be required. A 30th potency and over are professional dosages.

Homoeopathic remedies of low doses are available in kits at health food stores. They can be ordered for you, or your homoeopath can make them up for you. A thorough collection of homoeopathic remedies would include:

ACONITE - first remedy for everything. Fear.
ALLIUM CEPA - for colds with runny eyes and nose.
ANTIMON TART - for coughs, wheezing: great sleepiness.
APIS - for bee stings, insect bites and hives.
ARNICA - for bruises, injuries. After surgery.
ARSEN ALBUM - for sickness after midnight. Thirsty.
BELLADONNA - for burns, sunstroke, fever, throbbing pain.
BRYONIA - for colds when patient wants to rest.
CALC PHOS - for delayed teething, growing pains.
CARBO VEG - for aversion to milk & meat, gas in stomach.
CHAMOMILE - for teething problems Pain intolerance.
COLOCYNTHIS - for colic in infants under 6 months..
DULCAMARA - for problems caused by change of weather.
EUPHRASIA - for sneezing and early symptoms of colds.
GELSEMIUM - for ‘flu aches and pains.
HEPAR SULPH - for greeny yellow phlegm.
HYPERICUM - for pain.
IPECAC - for vomiting and diarrhoea.
LEDUM - for all puncture wounds.
NUX VOMICA - for food poisoning, constipation, stuffy nose.
PHOSPHORUS - for profuse bleeding anywhere.
PULSATILLA - for colds when fresh air is needed. Arms above head in sleep. Feminine remedy.
RHUS TOX - for itching and rashes. Better for movement.
SULPHUR - for infected skin conditions. Thirsty.

If you want a basic selection, you could start with the ABC of Homoeopathy for children: ‘aconite, belladonna and chamomile’. To these, I would then add ‘arnica, ipecac and nux vom’ as a beginner’s pack. Homoeopathy is alive and well throughout the world today. There has been a massive upsurge of interest in response to the public demand for non-drug medication. It is not something quickly learned, however. But basic formula is easy to buy and use. Homoeopathic schools have sprung up in capital cities though there is no registration yet in Australia.

Extract from Leonie McMahon’s book of “Freedom from Pain & Distress”.