Homeopathic Medicine PDF

**HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE** It stems from the Greek words "homoios" meaning "like or similar" and "pathos" meaning "suffering." Homeopathic medicine is a holistic form of medicine based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. In homeopathy disease is not considered as an attack on a...

**HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE** It stems from the Greek words "homoios" meaning "like or similar" and "pathos" meaning "suffering." Homeopathic medicine is a holistic form of medicine based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. In homeopathy disease is not considered as an attack on a particular organ but rather the generation of imbalance in the vitality of the body. Therefore, the medicine must **encourage vital** **force** within the body **rather than act** on the body. Present day use stems from the work of Samuel Hahnemann, who believed that human beings have the capacity to heal themselves (vital force). He followed these three principles: The homeopaths remove causes of the trouble by stimulating the vital healing processes natural in assisting patients to regain health. A drug picture is built up to similar symptoms produced by illness in the patient. Treatment is NOT based on clinical condition but more on the individual and his symptoms. **The first principle:  Let Likes Cure Likes** The guiding principle of Homeopathy came from the German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. It is stated as "let likes cure likes," *similia similibus curentur*. In the practice of Homeopathic Medicine, a detailed interview of the patient, called the homeopathic case-taking, is undertaken to reveal the physical, psychological and emotional characteristics and complaints of that individual.  The homeopathic practitioner then finds the homeopathic remedy whose Materia medica (drug picture) is the most similar to that of the patient's characteristic quality. That homeopathic prescription (the similimum) is given to the patient to stimulate his/her being to heal. **The second principle:  The Minimum Dose** To minimize side effects, he came upon the idea of potentization-the preparation of a drug form through a series of agitation and dilutions.  Homeopathic medicines are prepared through a series of dilutions, at each step of which there is a vigorous agitation of the solution called succussion, until there is no detectable chemical substance left. The higher the dilution, the more potent the homeopathic remedy.  Thereby you have the minimum dose, which has the maximum therapeutic effect with the fewest side effects.  This makes Homeopathy safe among patients of all ages, including babies, children, pregnant and nursing women, and senior citizens. **The third principle:  The Single Remedy** Most homeopathic practitioners prescribe one remedy at a time which can produce its own unique drug picture.  That remedy is matched (prescribed) to the sick person having a similar picture. This avoids the confusion of effects that might be produced if more than one medicine were given at the same time. **DIAGNOSIS** In homeopathic medicine diagnosis takes into account the individual physical and emotional characteristics of the patient. Remedies are chosen to match the symptoms as closely as possible and so may be different for patient with same affliction. The herbal remedy chosen should produce symptoms akin to those of the illness i.e., onion produces cold like symptoms, so it's used in homeopathy to treat common cold. - Takes account of the total person; Dress, walk, talk, weight, complexion, height and so on. - State of past health and life circumstances, health of one's family, employment, occupation, difficult with relations, food, weather, allergies, temperament, hopes, fears, aspirations, and hobbies are recorded. By arranging people into types based on their makeup, experienced homeopaths match the remedy to a person. The name given is that of the remedy that matches closely. Example: Mercurius solubilis (Mercu sol): introverted and closed people seem detached and arrogant, conceal strong emotions. Need order and stability. Weak areas include blood and mucous membrane. Mouth ulcers, abscesses, fever and swollen glands are common. Natrum muriaticum (Natron mur): extremely sensitive and refined type often women, serious and conscientious, easily hurt by criticism yet are idealist and inflexible. Either pear shaped or square build. Their weak areas include the digestive tract and blood. Nux vomica: highly energetic, competitive, very active, workaholics who work and play hard thriving on challenges, critical of others they explode in anger. Their lifestyle tends to affect weak areas including stomach, liver and bowel. **TREATMENTS** Pseudo-science- also acupuncture though there is evidence, not all right but something Hormesis- a biphasic dose-response to an environmental agent characterized by a low dose stimulation or beneficial effect and a high dose inhibitory or toxic effect, Vaccines Homeopathic remedies are made from substances of the various natural kingdoms (plants, animals, chemicals, fungi, etc..) by taking a small amount and diluting it in water, alcohol, or milk. Friction is applied to the remedy by succussion (if diluted in water or alcohol) or by trituration (grinding with pestle and mortar if mixed with milk sugar). This is repeated severally according to the remedy required. This process of dilution and succession or trituration gives homeopathic remedies their potency. Mother tincture is prepared by maceration and extraction of vegetable, mineral, animal and biological sources in alcohol water mixture up to 1 month followed by pressing and filtration it is stored under controlled conditions for 1 month **Animal remedies** **Bushmaster snake (*Lachesis muta*)** - Used in circulatory problems and vascular complaints. - Menopausal and premenopausal symptoms. - Slow to heal wounds. - Left sided ailments tend to be worse for suppressing emotions. - Throat complaints. **Cuttlefish (*Sepia offinalis*)** - Women complaints especially condition related to hormone imbalance such as PMs and menopause. - Ailments accompanied by exhaustion. **Tarantula (*Tarentula hispanica*)** - Behavioral problems and restlessness especially in children - Abscess - Skin ulcers - Sensitive, itchy genitalia in women- yeast infections - Complaints where the person tends to roll from side to side for relief. **Vegetable remedies** **Onion (A*llium cepa*)** - Burning sensation or neurologic pain. - Symptoms or pain that alternate from side to side usually moving from left to the right. - Complaints with burning, streaming discharge especially from eyes and nose. - Laryngitis, hoarseness and cough. **Belladona** - Acute complaints with a sudden violent onset and throbbing pair and flushing due to blood circulation. - High fever with dilated pupils and staring eyes. - Ailments where there is extreme sensitivity to light noise and touch. **Ipecac (*Cephalis ipecacuanha*)** - Constant nausea with or without vomiting. - Difficulty in breathing and feeling of suffocation. **Lycopodium (*Lycopodium clavatum*)** - Digestive disorders. - Enlarged problems. - Kidney and bladder problems. - Right sided problems. - Emotional problem due to insecurity. **Nux vomica/ poison nut (*Strychnos nux vomica*)** - Digestive complaints. - Insomnia and irritability caused by suppressing anger. - Colds, flu, fever and coughs also benefit. - Headaches and migraines. - Women's complaints. **Stinging nettle (*Urtica urens*)** - Burning and stinging skin complaints. - Rheumatic pain. - Burns with itching and swelling. - Insect stings. - Burning urine. **MINERAL REMEDIES** **Arsenic** - Anxiety and fear due to deep seated insecurity. - Digestive disorders and mucous membranes that are inflamed especially in the digestive tract. - Ailments with burning pain better for heat. **Aurum met/gold (*Auron metallicum*)** - Depression and suicidal thoughts related for fear of failure - Congestion of blood associated with vascular complaints. - Ailments characterized by general over sensitivity to noise, small, taste and music. **Calcium carbonate (*Calcarea carbonica*)** - Slow development of bones and teeth - Joint and bone pain. - Ailments characterized by fears and anxieties, propose, sour smelling perspiration and sensitivity to cold. - Right sided headaches. - Women's complaints such as heavy menstruation and menopausal symptoms. **Mercury (*Hydrargyrum metallicum*)** - Propose strong smelling burning bodily discharges. - Ailments of the throat and mouth such as tonsillitis. **Sulphur** - Skin conditions mostly eczema, where the skin is inflamed itchy and hot. - Digestive disorders. - Women's complaints - Mental stresses such as lack of energy and will power forgetfulness, irritability and indecision.