KT FORUM

KID'S TRAIL MENU

EMAIL

HOMOEOPATHY FOR THE FAMILY
An article by G Gayler

Homoeopathy - Working with our bodies' ability to heal ourselves
I grew up with a suspicion of modern medicine. My mum hardly ever took me to the doctor, who was too busy to give us the time Mum thought necessary. I was taught to manage without prescription medicine, relying on herbal remedies and non-invasive treatments. Today I am convinced that parents can usefully take a more active role in their children's healing, empowering them to mend themselves.

This article is dedicated to one of many alternative therapies - homoeopathy.

Concept
The basic law of homoeopathy is "simila similibus curentur" - "let likes be cured with like", from the Greek homoios (similar), and pathos (disease / suffering). In other words, any substance that can produce symptoms of disease in a healthy person can cure those symptoms in a sick person.

The whole person
Treating the "whole person" is an essential element of homoeopathy. This is based on the belief that symptoms, diseases, or pains do not exist in isolation; they are a reflection on how the person as a whole is coping. It is possible that two people with the same complaint be prescribed different remedies, after the homoeopath considers the totality of symptoms (both physical and emotional).

Preventative medicine
Building health - and therefore preventing disease - is of greater benefit in the long term than any temporary suppression of the symptoms. When we take responsibility for what happens to our bodies we can create for ourselves the balance we want in our lives, and we can start tuning into our own feeling of what is wrong with us. By developing a positive approach towards creating a healthy life for ourselves we can move away from automatically taking a defensive position towards illness. If we do fall ill, being involved in our own healing processes gives us self-confidence, increases our personal strength and gives us more choices. How can we make it less likely that our children will have strong immune systems, and be able to fight disease swiftly? By making sure they have a good diet, lots of fresh air, exercise, sleep, and love. When my child gets coughs and snuffles, I don't let her have unnecessary antibiotics, don't suppress her symptoms with paracetamol or antihistamines. Instead, I nurse her through these illnesses with plenty of fluids, avoidance of dairy products, rest and supportive therapies, such as homoeopathy. I know that this way she comes through the episode stronger and fitter, rather than weaker and damaged.

Homoeopathic treatment
Babies and children respond very well to homoeopathic treatment, and enjoy taking the remedies, which are sweet. As children grow up, it is very useful to ask them if they need a remedy, if they need help to get better. We all have the ability to heal ourselves; the homoeopathic remedy taps this resource and puts us in touch with it. Many children have and can develop the ability to heal themselves, if encouraged to do so. I like to think that my daughter will grow up telling me if she needs a remedy or not. I'm hoping that sometimes she will say she can get better by herself. I believe that if you introduce this concept to a child, they will pick it up quickly.

It is important to fully understand the difference between acute and chronic illness, so that you know which you may safely and appropriately treat, and which you need to take to a professional homoeopath. Acute disease is not deep-seated, and - given time - will usually clear of its own accord. Homoeopathy lends itself well to self-treatment, especially for acute disease. However, some acute illnesses - meningitis, pneumonia - are extremely serious and can, rarely, be fatal. These are outside of the scope of the home prescriber, and always need expert advice. Cough, colds, flus, chicken pox are examples of acute illness. Well chosen homoeopathic remedies will speed up recovery, alleviate pain, and ensure there are no complications.

Chronic disease is deep-seated, develops slowly and continues for a long time, usually accompanied by deterioration in health. Arthritis and heart disease are examples of chronic illness. Never treat chronic illness at home without consulting your GP, or a qualified alternative practitioner.

The remedies
Homoeopathic remedies are commonly available in tablet form. They keep their strength for years, if stored in a dark, cool, dry place, with their tops screwed on tightly, and away from strong smelling substances, which will make the pills lose their potency.

When taking a homoeopathic remedy, tip it out on the palm of the patient's hand (or directly in their mouth, if possible). The patient can touch his / her remedy, but if you are giving a remedy to someone else, avoid touching it. Never put back into the bottle tablets that have been dropped, as you may contaminate the rest of the tablets. Ideally tablets should be dissolved under the tongue, where they are immediately absorbed into the body. If the tablet is swallowed whole, it will work less effectively, as it becomes mixed with the stomach acids. For young children remedies should be prepared by placing a tablet in a glass half filled with water previously boiled and allowed to cool. Stir and give one teaspoonful up to three times daily for 3 days (only if needed). If you notice an improvement, stop giving the remedy, and only resume if (when) the symptoms worsen again. It is preferable not to eat, drink, or brush your teeth for twenty minutes before and after taking the remedy, so that any food residue does not affect the action of the remedy. It is sometimes difficult with babies and small children. If you can manage a five minute gap either side of taking the remedy, chances are the remedy will work.

It is possible to buy emergency kits containing remedies used to treat colds, coughs, sore throats, minor burns, bruises, and pains. Most pharmacies now stock homoeopathic first-aid boxes, in various shapes and sizes. You may wish to look around first, and decide which kit you would best like to build on. This way the new remedies you buy slot in easily each time, and you don't end up with different size bottles.

If you travel abroad, do not put your remedies through the X-ray machine, as it has been known to antidote them. Carry them in your pocket, or hand over to airport staff while you go through customs control.

Internal remedies
I personally don't prescribe internal remedies (for myself or my daughter) without consulting our homoeopath. However, I include here a short list of internal remedies, which - in my experience - work very well. These can be used successfully, using the method advised above. Start off with a "6" potency, and give one or two doses (sips for babies, tablets for children). If you feel that the symptoms improve, but not as fast as you would like, move on to a "30" potency.

• Bruises - Arnica
• Colds - Use Aconite in the very early stages, Euphrasia when sneezing, with watery eyes, and pulsating headache. If the cold is dragging on slowly, and the sinuses feel blocked, use Silica.
• Cracked nipples - Phytolacca
• Teething pains - Chamomila (tablet or granules). Chamomila "teething granules" are available from most pharmacies.

• Tinctures - a solution of the plant in alcohol
• Lotions - a dilution of the tincture in water, which you will have to prepare yourself, usually by diluting half a teaspoon of tincture in a quarter pint of boiled water which has been left to cool.
• Eye-bath - 2 drops of tincture to an eighth of cooled, boiled water.
• Cream - tincture in a water-soluble base (bought over the counter).

• Bee stings - Dab on neat tincture of Urtica Urens.
• Bruises - If the skin is unbroken, use Arnica cream or lotion. Apply to the affected area as soon as possible. If the skin is broken, use Hamamelis (witch hazel) cream or lotion.
• Burns - Calendula cream or lotion for the later stages (when the pain has subsided).
• Cracked nipples - Phytolacca tincture (neat), or Calendula cream.
• Cuts and grazes - Calendula or Hypercal (mixture of Hypericum and Calendula) cream or lotion; soak cut fingers or elbows in water to which a teaspoon of Hypercal tincture has been added to ensure you remove any bits of dirt, then apply the cream. If there is no visible dirt in the wound, use a Hypercal "first aid" spray, which you can buy in most pharmacies.
• Eczema / rashes - Calendula lotion or cream will ease the itching, but you should seek medical help for finding the underlying cause of the eczema.
• Eye infections / inflammations - Euphrasia eye-bath in the first instance. If Euphrasia doesn't help, use Hypercal eye-bath (2 drops of tincture in an eye-bath of cooled, boiled water). Clean the eighth with boiling water after each eye, to prevent the spread of infection.
• Insect bites - use neat Hypericum tincture on any insect bite. If swelling persists, apply the lotion as a compress, and keep it in place for as long as practical. On itchy bites, try Ledum tincture.
• Insect repellent - Pyrethrum lotion, applied to all areas of the skin. Some pharmacies sell Pyrethrum in a spray. If you can't get the spray, and make up your own lotion from tincture, ensure you prepare a fresh batch every day.
• Mouthwash - Calendula use a strong lotion after tooth extractions, or any dental work where the gum has been cut.
• Nappy rash - Calendula cream several times a day. Ensure nappy area is clean and dry before applying cream. Avoid using commercial baby wipes, use water and cotton wool instead. If Calendula hasn't helped, try Symphytum ointment (tincture in a lanolin base, which makes it non-water soluble).
• Sunburn - Calendula lotion or cream.
• Wasp stings - dab the wound with tincture immediately after being stung.
• Rescue Remedy This is a wonderful all-purpose "remedy", based on flowers and is not - strictly speaking - homoeopathic. It has been known to help anything from bruises, cold sores, cracked nipples, eczema, insect bites and stings, nappy rash and piles, to sunburn. If Rescue Remedy is all you have, then use it. Take a few drops on the tongue and repeat as often as needed - once for a minor injury and every few minutes for a serious situation. You can also add the drops to water and sip often, or apply the drops (or a ready-made cream) externally for headaches, rashes, bruises, as often as needed. If you are under a lot of emotional stress, try seven drops to a bath, and soak well.