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What is Homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy
is a method of treatment that supports the body's own
healing mechanism. It 's based on the law of similars
"like cures like". A Homoeopathic remedy is an extremely
pure, natural substance that has been diluted many times.
In large quantities these subtances would cause the
same symptoms the patient is trying to cure. In small,
pure, diluted doses, it is not only safe and free from
side effects, but it will trigger the body to heal itself.
Example: Allium cepa is a remedy that is used for watery
eyes and runny nose, it is created from red onion. If
you've cut open a red onion you'll notice the same symptoms.
When the body creates a similar "symptom picture" to
Allium cepa and you take a dose of Allium cepa, it activates
the body to go about the process of stopping watery
eyes and a runny nose.Homoeopathic
remedies are regulated and manufactured under strict
quality controls by the United States Food and Drug
Administration-FDA. Homoeopathic remedies come in several
forms tablets, powders, liquids and ointments. Tablets
are the most common and popular. Tablets are sugar pills
with the liquid remedy infused. They are taken sublingually
(dissolved under the tongue).
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What
is the Difference Between Homoeopathy and a Vaccination?
A
vaccination infects the person with the actual disease.
This is why some people may get sick from the vaccination.
Homoeopathy on the other hand uses a remedy that will
produce similar symptoms to the disease. In fact Homoeopathic
remedies can be very useful to offset negative reactions
to vaccinations.
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How
Do I Select A Remedy?
The
important part of selecting the correct remedy is to
'match' the symptom picture of the remedy as closely
to your own symptoms. Symptom pictures, or descriptions
of symptoms take into account the condition of the whole
person, not just one symptom. If two remedies seem to
be very close and hard to decide between, pick the one
that best matches your most annoying symptom.
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Potency
Homoeopathic
remedies are classified into three levels of potencies.
X,C and M refer to 10, 100 and 1,000 in terms of the
amount of dilution. The confusing and amazing aspect
of Homoeopathy is that the more a tincture is diluted,
the more potent it becomes. So, while a C is more dilute
than an X, the C is more potent. The M classification
is very potent and is usually prescribed by Homoeopathic
physicians. Homoeopathic
remedies begin with part of the original substance dissolved
in alcohol, called the mother tincture. The mother tincture
is then diluted many times. After each dilution the
solution is shaken or "succussed", this shaking activates
the remedy. The solution is then made into pills, powders,
tinctures or creams. A 1X potency is created by mixing
1 part of the mother tincture and 9 parts alcohol or
distilled water. In each successive number (increasing
the potency 2X, 3X, 6X ), 1 part is taken from the previous
potency and diluted according to the new potency.
Example: A 3X remedy (10x10x10=1000) has one part of
the 2X remedy to 999 parts of alcohol or distilled water.
What
does this mean to you when you are trying to select
the remedy and potency?
1) The higher the potency (30th potency) the more confident
you need to be that you have selected the correct remedy.
2) Use the lower potency (6th potency) when you are
uncertain of the remedy.
3) Higher potencies take less doses. Lower potencies
take more doses.
4) A general rule is double the C potency number to
get the equivalent X potency.
15C
= 30X
6C = 12X
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How Do I Take A
Homoeopathic Remedy?
The
remedies should be kept in cool, dark place. Be careful
not to touch the tablets when taking them, pour the
tablets into the cap and then into your mouth. Allowing
them to dissolve under your tongue. Always follow the
recommend dosage on the packaging.There
are just few guidelines to consider when using Homoeopathy.
Certain foods, substances or odors are thought to interfere,
or antidote the action of the remedy. Garlic, onions
and caffeine should be avoided. The use or smell of
strong perfumes, eucalyptus, menthol or anything minty,
(baking soda can be a good alternative for toothpaste).
Also avoid eating anything 15 minutes before or after
taking a remedy. These
are only guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Some people
feel that these things greatly interfere with the remedy,
others do not. It is just a matter of finding out how
sensitive you are. Typically
only one remedy is taken at a time. Although when you
go to the store to purchase a remedy you will undoubtedly
see combinations of remedies, packaged to treat a sore
throat, or flu. Here again, there seems to be two schools
of thought on the subject, and again it is up to you
to decide what works best for you. Homoeopathic
remedies can be found in most health food stores, and
are starting to be carried in regular pharmacies. You
can also get them through mail order.
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How Do I Know if
its Working?
There
are several ways the body reacts to Homoeopathy.
1) Physical
symptoms get a little worse, but the mental state improves.
Later the physical symptoms improve. 2)
Most common reaction is improvement of mental and physical
symptoms. Often the improvement is rapid, 20-45min..
3)
The patient starts to feel better, then progress seems
to level off or decline. If the symptoms are still the
same then take another dose of the same remedy.
4) The patient
starts to feel better, then progress seems to level
off or decline. If the symptoms have changed since the
initial remedy, select a new remedy. 5)
The patient does not improve, feels worse or the physical
symptoms improve but the mental state is worse. These
reactions could signal a few things. The incorrect remedy
was selected initially. The illness is due more to a
constitutional imbalance. Depending on the seriousness
of the condition; try selecting a remedy again, or see
a doctor. The
rule of thumb is if there is improvement the patient
should be left alone. While Homoeopathy is safe, over-prescribing
can be a problem, as it can confuse the symptom picture.
We tend to think; if a little is good - more is better.
With Homoeopathy a little goes a long way. Be patient,
and watch the symptoms.
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So Is Homoeopathy
Just For Runny Noses?
Homoeopathy
can be used to treat more than just acute illness, it
can also be used to strengthen and support the immune
system by means of constitutional remedies. A constitutional
remedy is a remedy that works on a deep cellular level
to bring the body and emotions back to a state of health
and balance. By doing so it makes the whole system more
resistant to disease. To find your constitutional remedy
you will need to see a trained Homoeopathic physician.
They will ask you many questions, some may seem irrelevant,
like what kinds of foods do you crave, or if you prefer
the mountains or the seashore. And don't be surprised
if you are given a single dose. Constitutional remedies
are deep and long acting. Many people find that it is
useful to get a "constitutional tune-up" once a year
or at the change of the seasons.
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