Homeopathy

Homeopathy was developed by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), in an attempt

to avoid using the drastic medical treatments applied during his time.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a complementary system of medicine that helps the body to become stronger
and to overcome the disease. The homeopathic remedies trigger the body's natural healing
mechanisms.

Homeopathy addresses the individual needs of the patient. Homeopathy takes into account the
fact that everyone is different and everyone experiences diseases in a different way.

The remedies are given according to every patient's symptoms. The remedy needs to fit the
patient's symptoms, otherwise it will have no effect.

Homeopathy does not cure diseases. Homeopathy cures the patient. As a result, the
disease/diseases of the patient disappear.

Homeopathy helps

- to strengthen the immune system

- to balance the metabolism and the hormones
- to get better sleep and energy
- with emotional upsets or mental strain
- to detoxify and to absorb nutrients from food better
- to deal better with inherited predispositions

It can be used for

- day by day illnesses acute treatment

(colds, coughs, flu, tonsillitis, stomach bug, indigestion, earache, various infections,
pregnancy, birth and baby related complaints, teething pain, colics, fevers, childhood
diseases, injury, strains and sprains, overexercise, anxiety before exams etc.)

- recurrent illnesses
- chronic, long term illness constitutional treatment
- emotional upsets or mental strain
- where there is no specific diagnostic and for general health maintenance

(asthma, chronic sinusitis, headache, recurrent tonsillitis, recurrent colds, coughs,

infections, cystitis, back and neck pain, arthritis, period, pregnancy, hormonal and
menopause problems, infertility, digestive problems, heartburn, gastric reflux,
diarrhoea, constipation, IBS, diabetes, under/overweight, high blood pressure, skin
problems, acne, psoriasis, eczema, allergies, tiredness, ME, numbness, insomnia,
stress, depression, grief, anxiety, weak memory, poor concentration, children’s
tantrums, bed wetting, ADD, ADHD, autism, side effects of conventional medicines,
etc., etc.)

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Constitutional treatment can only be given by a homeopath.
Some acute situations can be dealed with by the patient at home.

The remedies are made from a variety of sources. They are easy to take either in the form of
drops or small sweet tablets.

They are specially prepared, very diluted and vigorously shaken and are not toxic.
Homeopathic remedies have different properties and effects compared to herbal remedies.

Potency
The number and letter at the end of the name of the remedy describes the potency (strength) of
the remedy. For example 6X, 30C, 200C. The higher the number the stronger the potency. C
potency is stronger than X potency.

Homeopathy is safe

- for everyone including babies and pregnant women

- for people with many allergies and sensitivities
- it can be safely used along regular medicines when needed, especially in the case of patients
already on long term medication.

How to take the remedies

Do not touch the small pills with the hand as in doing so you might wipe away the remedy. The
remedy is only lightly coating the small pill.

Do not eat or drink or brush your teeth for 5-10 minutes before and after taking the remedy.
Avoid using strong smelling substances like mentholated rubs around the time of taking the
remedy.

Put one homeopathic pill under the tongue and wait until dissolved.

If taking drops, then put 1-3 drops of the remedy under the tongue.

Stop taking the remedy as soon as symptoms improve to avoid over stimulating the body!
Take the remedy again once symptoms start to come back again.
If under constitutional treatment, follow your homeopath's indications.

Store homeopathic remedies away from strong smelling substances such as menthol rubs,
toothpaste, camphor, perfume, incense sticks, etc. as they inactivate the remedy. Keep the
homeopathic remedies in a cool, dry place.

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Going to a homeopath: only a homeopath can treat constitutionally.

The first homeopathic consultation usually lasts 60-90 minutes as the homeopath needs to
understand the patient's symptoms, how is he/she feeling, medical history, family medical
history, etc. All this information is needed to find the appropriate remedy/ course of remedies
that will trigger long term healing.
Usually several consultations are needed, usually one month apart, as the homeopath needs to
assess the progress of the patient and to see what further treatment is needed. The follow-up
consultations usually last 30-45 minutes and cost less.

Homeopathy at home: for occasional acute problems or first aid situations only.

Some basic homeopathic remedies can be found in health shops usually in 30C potency.

Disclaimer
Use your common sense: if the situation is serious and quickly deteriorating and there is no time
to waste, call for professional help or the ambulance first! Homeopathy can treat very serious and
life threatening illnesses, but only if the right remedy is used! It is safer, thus, in serious
circumstances to try to find a homeopathic remedy after calling the ambulance!

How to choose a homeopathic remedy

The exact diagnostic is not a very good guide in finding a homeopathic remedy as many patients
with the same disease may display different symptoms. People with completely different diseases
may need the same remedy.
Give to the patient the remedy whose symptoms or 'symptom picture' match the symptoms of
the patient.

Rules for taking homeopathic remedies

When the symptoms improve, stop taking the remedy! Do not take the remedy again as long as
your symptoms improve!
Take the remedy again when the improvement starts to wear off!

If you don't feel any effect after taking 2-3 doses of the remedy, it means it is not the right
remedy for you at that moment. Stop taking it.

In acute cases, sometimes you need to take the acute remedy required by your symptoms quite
frequently (every 2-3 hours or even every 15-30 minutes). In this case put 1-2 pills of the remedy
in half a glass of water, stir well and take one teaspoon of it as often as needed.

Homeopathic aggravations: occasionally, if a remedy is repeated too often or if the potency is too
high, it can trigger too much of a reaction. It over-stimulates the healing mechanisms of the body
producing symptoms of the disease it cures. It is called homeopathic aggravation. Stop taking
the remedy and the symptoms will disappear shortly without any negative impact.
You actually know you had a homeopathic aggravation because during a homeopathic
aggravation the symptoms are easier to handle, last less than you would expect and after they go
away you feel better than in the beginning!

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Example: you suffer from a cold with chills and weakness for the last 3 days. You take a remedy
that matches your symptoms but it is a little too strong for you and you start feeling as if you
start a fever and go to bed. But in 20 minutes the fever calms down, the chill disappears and you
feel comfortable. The next day the cold is gone and you have good energy.

Some remedies to use at home:

Arnica:
- bruising, inflammation, soreness
– first aid remedy to use immediately after accidents and physical trauma; overexertion
- after emotional shock when the patient says he is fine although he is not: delayed shock
- jet lag

Aconite
– fever coming soon after exposure to cold or cold wind, with feeling of fear
- emotional shock, sudden, with fear and panic

Belladonna
– high fever when the head and body feel extremely hot but there is no sweat, the face is red
and hands and feet may be icy cold.
- heatstroke with hot red face

Pulsatilla – all sorts of fevers and colds in children that become clingy, weepy and need a lot of
attention and affection when ill. Thirstless.

Phosphorus – the patient craves icy cold drinks when ill and although may have high fever, the
child might be actively playing. Also likes affection but doesn't look pitiful like Pulsatilla.

Gelsemium
– flu-like symptoms slowly developing: shivering, chilly, the patient may feel hot and cold in the
same time, tired, dull, heavy eyes.
- sunstroke with tiredness, dullness and chills

Nux-Vomica – the hangover remedy. After too much drinking or too much eating. The next day
the patient feels exhausted, irritable and sensitive to noise. Detox

Hypericum perfoliatum – nerve injury with shooting pains. For example if the patient closes the
door on his fingers, also first stage of puncture wounds.

Ruta: - strains and sprains. In the beginning give Arnica as well for bruising and inflammation

Rhus Tox: – for back pain or joint pain when the pain is worse when first starting to move after
sitting for a while and better for gentle movement, better for heat, and the patient is restless with
the pain. For joint pain due to dampness and cold.

Symphytum: - for broken bones to help bones regenerate. To be used after the bones have been
set in place. Arnica is the first remedy to use to help with the bruising, pain and inflammation.

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Tissue salts are homeopathic nutritional remedies (usually in 6X potency) made from minerals
that are essential to our body. They are diluted so they don't overload the organism and can be
taken twice daily for months. They help the body absorb better the nutrients from food.

They can also be used in acute situation.

Ferrum Phosphoricum 6X
- first aid remedy in cases of haemorrhage and wounds. Powder a few pills and put them on the
wound along with taking the remedy internally.
- internally to help the muscles oxygenate when practising sports or heavy physical work
– in anaemia
- after haemorrhage or exhausting disease.

Calcarea Phosphorica 6X
– teething babies, helps teeth and bones become stronger, ease teething pain
- osteoporosis; poor assimilation of Calcium

Calcarea Fluorica 6X
– teething babies and people with bad teeth – builds the enamel of the teeth

Silica – to support healthy bones, connective tissue and stamina

Kali Phosphoricum 6X
– nervous exhaustion, before/after exams, too much mental work
- stress, sleeplessness and anxiety

Magnesia Phosphorica 6X – spasmodic pain, colic, better for pressure and heat

Natrum Phosphoricum 6X - bad digestion with acid and heartburn

Natrum Sulphuricum 6X – bile disturbance – bitter taste in the mouth

Nartum Muriaticum 6X – dryness of the mouth, skin, eyes, etc

Various combinations of these tissue salts that support the body through several common health
issues are also available in health stores.

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Books

First aid and acute prescribing books

- Get well soon by Misha Norland – a small booklet with an index of common ailments with
recommend remedies to be used for various acute situations and a brief symptom picture of
common first-aid remedies.

- The Complete Homeopathy Handbook by Miranda Castro – a more comprehensive, widely used
book for first-aid and acute prescribing. It includes A-to-Z listings for external and internal
remedies, with explanations for correctly diagnosing the symptoms of any particular injury or
illness. The book also includes case studies and specific dos and don’t s to follow when treating
more than seventy conditions.

Books about homeopathy in general

- A Homeopathic Love Story: The Story of Samuel and Melanie Hahnemann by Rima Handley – an
insight into the history of medicine and homeopathy. How Hahnemann (the founder of
homeopathy) meets his second wife Melanie and how they continue to develop homeopathy
together.

- The science of Homeopathy by George Vithoulkas - a clear and comprehensive text outlining
both the theory and practice of Homeopathy.

- Homeopathy Medicine for the New Millennium by George Vithoulkas - presents the historical
scientific basis for the discipline in simple terms, and shows that homeopathy not only addresses
the health of the whole person, but can succeed in treating many chronic conditions regarded as
incurable by conventional medicine.
- Homeopathy - A Rational Choice in Medicine by Mo Morrish - a concise, easily digestible
journey through the key concepts relating to health and disease, homoeopathy and mainstream
medicine, and addresses many of the questions prospective patients have, concerning ethics, fees,
evidence and the placebo effect.

- Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy by Herbert A. Roberts - an attempt to correlate the
principles that govern the homoeopathic methods of healing with those principles and laws that
govern all life: i.e. motion, growth, development.

For more information or to book a homeopathic consultation contact me,

Carmen Buzoianu, 4th year student at The Irish School of Homeopathy

at carmen.m.buz@gmail.com or tel 087 286 7820