Today I have a very special Guest Writer joining us, my Homeopath, Kathleen. I have worked with Kathleen for a few years now. My most recent experience with Kathleen was right before the birth of my daughter in September. Kathleen worked with me to find a remedy that would balance out my body and help lower my blood pressure, helping me achieve my goal of having a VBAC delivery. It worked!
My mom laughed when I was taking my remedy, saying it looked like voodoo medicine. I encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with Homeopathy to read this article from Kathleen. Become knowledgeable and you may be willing to try an alternative route to your health and wellness!
From Kathleen: A little birdie asked me to talk about Homeopathy – kind of the “101” on this natural medicine…
It’s helpful to start at the beginning, because I find that people are getting a bit confused by all the “alternative & complimentary” medicine choices. How about we look at it this way: think of “wholistic medicine” as a big umbrella. And under that umbrella are many spokes….you have acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs, massage, healing touch, cranial-sacral therapy, etc. etc. Well another one of those spokes is Homeopathy.
So you see, all the spokes are different, but all fall under the cover of “wholistic medicine.” You can also refer to that as “natural medicine.” But, here is where you must be cautious…there are many modalities and many practitioners – they are not all the same and there is a wide spectrum of effectiveness and safety. Do your research, ask your friends and family what’s worked for them and discover what is best for you and your family.
So, being that I am a Homeopath, guess what – I recommend Homeopathy for your family’s health. This medicine is an effective and scientific system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It recognizes that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of imbalance within the whole person and that it is the individual who needs treatment, not the disease.
These ideas may be new to you, but homeopathy has been used for over 200 years. In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick, which he called homeopathy (from the Greek words meaning similar suffering). Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier he realized that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similars.
Take for example, a case of insomnia. The way of opposites (conventional medicine or allopathy), is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an artificial sleep. This frequently involves the use of larger or regular doses of drugs, which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.
The way of similars, the homeopathic way, is to give the patient a minute (micro) dose of a substance that produces similar symptoms, in this case – something like coffee, which in large doses causes sleeplessness. Surprisingly, when prepared homeopathically, this helps the person to sleep naturally. You see – “likes cure likes,” which is what Homeopathy means.
Homeopaths also believe that illness is a reflection of the balance of the “vital force” which is that part of us that keeps us alive and well. When the vital force is out of balance – symptoms arise and it is the these symptoms that need treatment. When symptoms are treated other than in a homeopathic way, we believe that they are then suppressed deeper and will lead to worse and larger problems later.
Who uses homeopathy?
Anyone can use homeopathy: babies, pregnant women, and the elderly. Homeopathy is used to heal both physical and mental and emotional conditions. The use of homeopathy is advocated by the World Health Organization. Famous people who have used homeopathy successfully include: The Royal Family of Great Britain, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Mark Twain, Tina Turner, John D. Rockefeller Sr., Cindy Crawford and Paul McCartney just to name a few. In fact Homeopathy is common place in many countries around the world with hundreds of schools and hospitals. The University of Michigan began as a homeopathic institution.
Good Reasons to use Homeopathy
No Harmful Side Effects
A special preparation process called potentisation refines the medicines to remove any toxic side-effects. It is safe for babies and during pregnancy and menopause. However it is advised to be under the care of a qualified homeopathic practitioner for issues beyond first aid.
Gentle
Homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own natural defense mechanism to heal itself. Although gentle the results may be powerful and long lasting. Further, they are not psychologically or physically addictive.
Easy To Take & Inexpensive
Homeopathic remedies are given either as small pleasant tasting tablets which dissolve in the mouth, or in liquid form. They cost much less than allopathic prescription medication. Homeopathic medicines are intended to boost the immune system, making you stronger and less likely to get sick.
Not Tested On Animals
Humans respond differently to medication than animals do. All homeopathic medication is tested on healthy human volunteers. The symptoms that a substance taken over time elicits in a healthy person are shown to be exactly those that can be cured in a sick person suffering from those symptoms.
Preventative Treatment
By boosting the body’s immune system, homeopathy can help improve a person’s resistance to illness and infections.
Invaluable For First Aid
Homeopathic medicines can be safely used at home or workplace to treat simple problems such as bruises, minor burns, sprains, insect bites and gastric upsets. However more serious or chronic complaints should be in the care of a qualified practitioner.
The Medicine Of The Future
With over 6000 homeopathic medicines in existence and new ones being discovered all the time, Homeopathy is a growing system of medicine. However unlike allopathic medicine that takes drugs off the market every year as new side-effects are discovered, homeopaths still use the same medicines they were using 200 years ago with new medicines to broaden their scope. Scientists are now discovering breakthroughs in quantum physics that help us to develop a deeper understanding of homeopathy.
Kathleen’s Top 5 First Aid Remedies
Using Homeopathy for first aid issues is a great way to experience their effectiveness and ease. I recommend placing 2 pellets in a 8 oz. of water bottle and letting them melt. Then hit the bottom of the bottle 5 times before taking a sip as a dose.
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Arnica is probably the most well known remedy on the planet. Used for any kind of bruising, sprains and especially good for when the little one’s hit their head and get that big lump!
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Aconite this is my favorite remedy. It’s good for any kind of trauma, shock, accident or sudden fear. Also so helpful for sudden fevers or the very early stages of flu like symptoms
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Apis is a great remedy for bites and stings that are red, hot, and swollen. Try it next time a bee makes himself too well known!
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Arsenicum is effective for what is typically called a “stomach flu”. There is no real “stomach flu” but, you know the symptoms: diarrhea, cramping, nausea, maybe even vomiting, especially after tainted food
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Oscillococcinum is beneficial for the first signs of flu like symptoms. You know, that fever, achy body, chills kind of feeling. Put a few of these very tiny pellets in the lid and melt under the tongue
You can take a sip from your medicated water bottle every few hours or even less if needed for relief. But, once relief is noted – STOP THE REMEDY. With Homeopathy, you don’t have to keep giving the medicine to get results…usually just a few doses will do. If you’ve tried 3 or 4 doses and don’t see any improvement, it’s probably not the right remedy. You can visit www.ABCHomeopathy.com for an easy on-line remedy finder. But, remember to consult with your physician and your favorite Homeopath.
For more information or to set up a consultation, feel free to contact me:
Kathleen Slonager, RN, DiHOM, ADS, AE-C, CCH
Transformational Health, PC
16205 W. 14 Mile – #202, Beverly Hills, MI 48025
#248.613.9662 www.TransformationalHealthPC.com