Homoeopathy
Index of Symptoms and Guide to the Selection of Medicine
A B C D E F G H I J L L M NO P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
What is Homoeopathy?
The basic principle of Homoeopathy has been known since the time of the ancient
Greeks. Derived from the Greek word 'Homoios' meaning 'like', Homoeopathy
is the medical practice of treating like with like. That is to say, treating
an illness with a substance which when taken by a healthy person produces
symptoms similar to those displayed by the person who is ill.
Current medical opinion takes the view that symptoms are a direct manifestation
of the illness and, therefore, treats the ailment by suppressing the symptoms.
Homoeopathy, by contrast, sees the symptoms as the body's reaction against
the illness as it attempts to overcome it, and seeks to stimulate and not
suppress the reaction.
Homoeopathy is essentially a natural healing process, providing remedies to
assist the patient to regain health by stimulating the body's natural forces
of recovery. The remedies appear to trigger a healing process in the body,
leading to the correction of the illness.
How Homoeopathy Began
In the eighteenth-century Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the great German physician,
appalled by the medical practices of the day sought a method of healing which
would he safe, gentle and effective. He believed that human beings have a
capacity for healing themselves and that the symptoms of disease reflect the
individual's struggle to overcome his illness. He reasoned that instead of
suppressing symptoms he could seek to stimulate them and so encourage and
assist the body's natural healing process.
Hahnemann discovered that when he took an infusion of cinchona bark (quinine)
it produced the symptoms of Malaria. When given to a patient suffering from
the disease it alleviated the symptoms. From this Hahnemann deduced the first
principle of Ilomoeopathy - similia similibus curentur -'let like be treated
by like'. In other words, a substance which in a healthy person produces the
symptoms of a disease will, in a person suffering from that disease, have
a curative effect.
Hahnemann went on to discover that remedies obtained from animal, vegetable,
and mineral sources were just as effective in extreme dilutions. This was
especially apparent in the case of poisons which often produced symptoms similar
to those of certain illnesses and which, in very diluted doses, suggested
themselves as remedies on the 'like cures like' principle.
Over a long period Hahnemann and his assistants took small doses of various
substances, carefully noting the symptoms they produced. These were called
'provings'. Subsequently, patients suffering from similar symptoms were treated
with these substances. The results were usually encouraging and often remarkable.
Hahnemann then worked to establish the smallest effective dose, for he realised
that this was the best way to avoid side effects. In so doing he unexpectedly
discovered the second principle of homoeopathy; that the more a remedy is
diluted the more effective it becomes.
The third principle of homoeopathy is that people vary in their response to
an illness according to their basic temperament.
Thus, Homoeopathy, concentrates on treating the patient rather than the disease
and it follows, therefore, that a homoeopath does not automatically prescribe
a specific remedy for a specific illness. Instead, he tries to determine the
patient's temperament and responses and so prescribe on a more individual
basis. Patients suffering from the same diseases often require different remedies.
On the other hand, another group of patients, with different diseases, may
all benefit from the same remedy.
So to summarise: by close observation and careful experiment, Hahnemann
established the three principles of homoeopathy
1. A medicine which in large doses produces the symptoms of a disease will
in small doses cure that disease.
2. By extreme dilution, the medicine's curative properties are enhanced and
all the poisonous or undesirable side effects are lost.
3. Homoeopathic medicines are prescribed individually by the study of the
whole person, according to basic temperament and responses.
Questions and Answers
1. Is homoeopathy safe?
Homoeopathic medicines are not harmful because they arc so greatly diluted.
They are safe, non toxic and non addictive. They are prepared in labouratories
licensed by the Department of Health, to stringent standards of quality.
2. Is homoeopathy effective?
Since the early nineteenth century homoeopathy has proved effective for millions
of people worldwide; it has often been successful where other forms of treatment
have failed. In more recent years medical journals have published positive
reports of the results of scientific research into homoeopathy.
3. Is homoeopathy recognised officially?
Homoeopathy was recognised by Act of Parliament in 1948, and accepted as a
safe alternative form of medical treatment. It is practised by doctors who
are fully qualified through conventional medical training and recognised by
the General Medical Council. homoeopathic prescriptions are available under
the National Health Service.
4. Can homoeopathic medicine be taken with ordinary drugs?
It is safe to do so, although any side-effects caused by the ordinary drug
may complicate the symptom picture and make the correct choice of a homoeopathic
medicine more difficult. ALWAYS follow your doctor's advice.
5. If the symptoms become worse when first taking a homoeopathic
medicine is it all right or does this indicate the wrong choice of medicine?
Homoeopathic medicines seek to stimulate symptoms, not suppress them, so that
the body will overcome the disease nat orally. Therefore, if symptoms are
aggravated briefly, this usually means that the medicine is working.
6. Can the medicines be taken safely during pregnancy?
The safety of homoeopathic medicines is well known. However, medicine manufacturers
are forbidden by law from claiming that any medicine is safe during pregnancy.
For guidance, consult a qualified homoeopathic doctor.
7. Are homoeopathic medicines safe for children?
Yes. They can be given safely to even the youngest infant.
8. How do I know what potency to use?
In most cases the 6th potency should be used, but choosing the right remedy
is the most important thing to do. If the remedy is right, the results will
be good.
9. Can animals be treated with homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is as effective for animals as it is for humans. There is an increasing
number of veterinary surgeons pract ising homoeopat by in the United Kingdom.
Addresses are available from the British Homoeopathic Association, in London.
Medicines in Common Use
These medicines are stocked in most health stores and in many chemists. Some medicines that are recommended or prescribed have not been included on this list as in general they are available only from specialist homoeopathic pharmacies.
1. Aconitum napellus(Aconite)
2. Actaea racenucsa (Actaea rac.) :
3. Apis mellifica (Apis met.)
4. Argentum Nitricum (Argent. Nit.)
5. Arnica montana (Arnica)
6 . Arsenicum Album (Arsen. Alb.)
7. Belladonna (Belladonna)
8. Bryonia alha (Bryonia)
9. Calcarea Carbonica (Cale. Ca rb. )
10. Calcarea Fluorica (Cale. Fluor)
11. Calcarea Phosphorica (Cale. Phos. )
12. Cantharis vesicatoria (Cantharis)
13. Carbo vegetabilis (Carbo veg.)
14. Cupruin Metallicum (Cuprum Met.)
15. Urosera rotundifolia (Drosera)
16. Euphrasia officinalis (Euphrasia)
17. Ferruin Phosphoricum (Ferr. Phos. )
18. Gelsemiuni sempervirens (Gelsemium)
19. Graphites (Graphites)
20. Hamamelis virginica (Hamamelis)
21. Hepar Sulphuris (Hepar Sulph.)
22. Hypericum perforatuin (Hypericum)
23. Ignatia amara (Ignatia) 24. lpecacuanha (Ipecac.)
25. Kalium Bichromlcum (Kali Bich.)
26. Kalium Phosphoricum (Kali. Phos. )
27. Lycopodium clavatum (Lycopodium)
28. Mercurius Solubilis (Mere. Sol.)
29. Natrum muriaticum (Nat. mur.)
30. Nux vomica (Nux vom.)
31. Phosphorus (Phosphorus))
32. Pulsatilla nigricans (Pulsatilla)
33. Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox.)
34. Ruta graveolens (Ruta gray.)
35. Sepia (Sepia)
36. Silicea (Silica) :
37. Sulphur (Sulphur)
38. Thuja occidentalis (Thuja)
Selecting and Using the Right Remedy
This guide to self-treatment relates to ailments which are usually treated at home. However, it cannot be over-emphasised that with chronic conditions or where the symptoms are serious or prolonged a qualified doctor should he seen.
1. Note your main symptoms and any strong likes and dislikes that may arise from them.
2. Study the INDEX OF SYMPTOMS to find a selection of medicines from which you can make your choice.
3. Study MEDICINES AND THEIR INDICATIONS carefully and select the medicine which most closely matches your symptoms.
4. You do not have to experience all the symptoms listed under a medicine nor need you exhibit all the likes or dislikes mentioned; they are often expressed as an extreme which may not always apply. Simply try to match up with the set of symptoms most similar to yours.
5. When treating simple, everyday ailments it is recommended that the 6th potency is used. This potency is most easily available from your local pharmacy or health food store.
6. Dosage: The suggested dosage is two tablets for adults, one tablet for a child and one tablet, finely crushed, for an infant.
7. Frequency: In acute conditions every two hours for six
doses, then three times a day, between meals until relief is obtained. Watch
the response to each dose.
When improvement is evident, increase the interval between doses. Continue
for two more days then STOP.
Repeat only if the original symptoms recur.
8. If symptoms are somewhat increased do not be alarmed; this indicates that the medicine is working. Postpone the next dose until this increase or `aggravation', as it is known, has passed.
9. Keep the medicines in a cool, dark place and away from strong smelling substances (camphor, etc).
10. To obtain the best absorption, tablets should be sucked or chewed, not swallowed whole. They should also be taken apart from food or drink and dissolved on a clean tongue when the mouth is free from the effects of tobacco or strongly flavoured toothpaste.
11. Always avoid handling the tablets; they should be tipped into a clean teaspoon and then dropped into the mouth.
12. Always replace the cap of one container before opening another; this is to avoid cross-contamination of the medicines.
As with every new skill, practice and familiarity improve the performance.
The better you get to know the medicines and your own reactions, the more
accurate will be your selection and the more effective you will find the medicines.
Index of Symptoms and Guide to the Selection of Medicine
A B C D E F G H I J L L M NO P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
IMPORTANT:
If symptoms are serious, prolonged or unusual, you should contact
a qualified doctor.