Like Cures Like
To gain more insight into this 200-year-old system of medicine, I spoke with Michael Carlston, MD, author of Classical Homeopathy (Churchill Livingstone). He told me that homeopathy offers a gentler and more natural way to address your well-being than harsh medications.
The Law of Similars
"Like cures like," said German physician Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. His theory: Natural substances that produce similar symptoms in a healthy person can cure those same symptoms in an ill person. In other words, a homeopathic medicine works when it is based on its similarity to the illness. For example, Allium cepa, a member of the onion family, is a common remedy for the tears and runny noses associated with respiratory allergies, including hay fever. (And we all know that peeling onions makes us cry.)
Homeopaths view symptoms as the body's attempt to restore itself to health. Their goal is not simply to control symptoms (as in allopathic medicine), but to cure the underlying problem that is their cause. Homeopathic remedies work not by suppressing symptoms, but rather by activating the body's own natural healing powers to address them.
According to Dr. Carlston, over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic remedies are safe enough to use on your own for simple, acute, self-limited complaints, such as coughs or colds. For chronic health issues (for example, arthritis or asthma), he recommends consulting a homeopath. If you have a serious illness, such as heart disease or cancer, you also should seek conventional medical treatment.
Lower Dose Means Fewer Side Effects
Homeopathic remedies are tiny, sweet pellets that contain what are essentially extreme dilutions -- sometimes as little as one part per one million parts water or alcohol -- of natural substances from plants, animals and minerals. Even though they are sometimes made from toxic substances, such as poison ivy or mercury, they are so dilute that this does not pose a safety hazard.
Conventional medicine dictates that the higher the dosage of a drug, the greater the impact. Unfortunately, higher doses are also associated with more side effects. In homeopathy, only very minute doses of remedies are required -- which means fewer adverse side effects than with conventional medicines.
Treatment Is Individualized
While conventional medical treatments offer the same solution for everyone, homeopathic remedies are carefully individualized. No two people are the same, and a homeopathic practitioner looks for the one substance that will best apply to your individual case. For example, Dr. Carlston points out that there are more than 120 different homeopathic remedies for asthma.
If you visit a homeopath, he or she is likely to spend an hour or more with you on the first visit. You will be asked in detail about your personal and family medical history, personality traits, temperament, moods and emotions, food likes and dislikes and responses to stress. Based on the individual responses as well as the homeopath's observations, a "homeopathic rubric" is created for each person. Even your attitude, body type, hair color and overall appearance will be taken into account. In homeopathy, the thinking is that treatment must be carefully individualized according to a person's constitution, and these are considered clues as to what one's personal constitution is like.
A Selection of Common Homeopathic Treatments
Just as with conventional medicines, such as antihistamines or aspirin, many people like to keep a selection of homeopathic remedies on hand for commonplace ailments such as allergies or headaches. Some of the best to have around the house...
- Allergy, Watery Eyes:Allium cepa
Dr. Carlston recommends this remedy for allergies when the eyes are watery but not irritated and are accompanied by a burning nasal discharge that worsens in warm rooms and improves outdoors in fresh air.
- Allergy, Anxiety, Fatigue: Arsenicum album
This remedy is appropriate for allergies when the eyes and nose are irritated, says Dr. Carlston. Other uses include anxiety and fatigue. A person who is characteristically thin, tense and pessimistic is most likely to benefit from Arsenicum album.
- Insomnia:Coffea
A good example of the law of similars, Coffea (coffee) is recommended for insomnia. This remedy is good for people who are physically or mentally overactive and are sensitive to pain or noise.
- Anxiety and Depression:Ignatia
Ignatia, or St. Ignatius bean, is for anxiety and depression, especially when related to the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship. This remedy is especially good for people who try to -- but cannot manage to -- control their emotions. A good candidate for Ignatia is a thin, dark-haired, sensitive female.
- Headaches Due to Eyestrain or Heat:Natrum muriaticum.
This remedy is for headaches that are aggravated by reading, eyestrain or exposure to the sun and heat. Often, head pain is worse at particular times of the week or month. Natrum muriaticum is also known as sodium chloride, or common table salt, is most appropriate for sensitive, introverted women with a pear-shaped or square build.
- Nausea, Vomiting and Allergies, Colds: Nux vomica
Use this remedy for nausea and vomiting after you have overeaten or overindulged in alcohol. Dr. Carlston notes that it also can be taken for allergies or colds accompanied by sneezing, sensitivity to light, chills, irritability and fatigue. Nux vomica is best for driven, impatient, type-A personalities, who are typically lean and tense.
- Cough, Cold, Depression, Menstrual Issues, Indigestion: Pulsatilla
Also known as windflower, Pulsatilla is good for colds and coughs, depression, menstrual problems and indigestion experienced after consuming fatty or fried foods. This remedy is most appropriate for very emotional people who need lots of sympathy and attention. A person with a Pulsatilla constitution is most likely to be female, shy, plump and fair-haired.
- Muscle Pain: Rhus toxicodendron
Poison ivy! In a highly diluted form as a homeopathic remedy, Rhus toxicodendron is appropriate for people who experience pain, such as arthritis and muscle cramps, which lessens with movement and worsens with resting -- for example, leg cramps in the calf. It is best for those who are sensitive to cold and wet weather.
- PMS, Menopause, Candidiasis: Sepia
The principle indications for Sepia are menstrual problems, menopause and candidiasis. Tall, lean, dark women who are irritable at home and happy in company are most likely to benefit from this remedy.
How to Use a Homeopathic Remedy
The remedies I've described here are widely available in conventional pharmacies as well as health-food stores. They come as single- or multiple-ingredient pellets or drops to place under the tongue and are available in various strengths depending on the dilution of the active ingredient. Avoid touching homeopathic remedies, as contact with dirt or oil on skin can potentially inactivate them. It is best to use a spoon.
It's fine to choose any standard over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic remedy for simple, acute, self-limited complaints, such as coughs or colds, and carefully follow instructions on the label for administration and dosage. Homeopathic remedies are extremely dilute and can often be taken in combination with conventional treatments. However, if you are taking other medications, you should always inform your health-care provider of what you are taking, from homeopathic remedies to vitamins to herbal preparations.
Dr. Carlston cautions that although homeopathic remedies are associated with few adverse side effects, you should not overmedicate with any medicine. Once you experience improvement, stop taking the remedy. If you do not see improvement, seek professional treatment.
How to Find a Homeopath
Homeopaths may be medical doctors, naturopathic physicians (ND), chiropractors, nurses or dentists. Alternatively, they may be licensed only in homeopathy -- unlicensed in other disciplines. The length and training of homeopathic education varies from institution to institution.
To find a practitioner, visit the Web site of the American Institute of Homeopathy at www.homeopathyusa.org or the National Center for Homeopathy at www.homeopathic.org. You also can visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians' Web site (www.naturopathic.org), because all naturopathic physicians are also trained in homeopathy. Find an ND in the area that specializes in the field. It is worth the time and effort of the first visit to have your individual profile created.
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