The Rise of CAM
Complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) is “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine” (NCCAM). Some of the most common practices include: acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbalism, naturopathy, ayurveda, massage, yoga and meditation. The core philosophy of these therapies is about healing and understanding health in a new way. More and more value and attention is being given to CAM therapies as an effective option for improving health and preventing illness. On a consumer level, the demand is constant and growing like never before. With our current economic and healthcare situation, this transformation toward a more natural and holistic approach to health and healing could not have come at a better time.

The role of CAM in health and healing is becoming more prominent in our society today through modern medical practice, healing practitioners, and schools. Here in the Twin Cities we have Abbott Northwestern’s Institute for Health and Healing, with one of the largest outpatient integrative medicine services available in the country. In the education sector we have the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. Minnesota is also one of the most well known states for alternative healthcare practitioners like acupuncturists, chiropractors, naturopaths, herbalists and homeopaths.

Transforming Lives: What CAM offers us
At the heart of the CAM approach to health is the ability to heal deeply and transform lives. It also offers us invaluable concepts to contemplate and practical benefits to consider in our own healthcare.

Understanding healing
CAM continues to grow because it offers a system to explore our understanding of healing. All of us have a deep need within us to understand what it means to heal and how to heal. Healing is a dynamic process, similar to disease. We know this in some way within each of ourselves. For example, fibromyalgia, a migraine, depression, or anxiety, do not just develop overnight. They are the result of our day-to-day living, combined with a multitude of factors that continually create and build upon one another and contribute to an imbalance, or disease process.

To be listened to
The healing process begins when we feel listened to and understood. This unfortunately is not given space in our busy lives and healthcare system. More often than not we settle for the magic pill the commercials promise. However, behind the superficial desire for a quick fix there is a deeper desire to be listened to and understood. This is the philosophy behind compassionate, patient-centered care within CAM therapies. To listen compassionately, to simply “Be” there and help put things into perspective. It has such a huge capacity and people know and appreciate it. Patient-centered care answers the demand for having more time for consultation and discussion of people’s needs. In my own homeopathic practice, many people reaffirm this notion by sharing comments such as, “You are the first person that has really listened to me and understood me, thank you.”

Responsibility for our health
CAM also teaches us to have responsibility toward our own health, which at times falls short. In one way or another we put off our health and do not really worry about it. It is only when something goes wrong we feel the doctor is responsible and he/she should take care of it. It is an ingrained habit of traditionally giving our power to the healthcare system. Health is not thought about on a daily basis, in terms of what we eat, do, think and say. These have a powerful influence though on our health in the long term. An alternative health practitioner can help identify many of these variables and help us to better understand our role and responsibility in our health. Many negative consequences can then be prevented and we will become freer and more creative in our lives as a result.

Transitioning to a new approach
The rise of CAM also allows us the opportunity to transition to something new, something more dynamic and full of potential. To allow ourselves to do this, we often have to come to a breaking point in our own healing. With established social norms, advertisements, insurance plans, and even family dynamics, the pursuit of a new approach toward health can be difficult. It often requires a lot of effort, or simply coming to a dead end in answers to our health concerns. Having an open and inquiring mind, and confidence to pursue what your gut tells you, is the first step in making a needed transition. By making this transition we reap the countless benefits to our own health, learn about a more sustainable and effective approach to healthcare, and support a system that is much more economical for us, and healthcare as a whole.

Effective and well-established
CAM therapies also offer us some of the most effective and well-established types of healthcare available today. One of the best measurements of how effective a modality is its qualitative outcome. Qualitatively, people report repeatedly they feel better and healthier overall, as their specific concern also heals. Medical research is beginning to recognize this as a valid outcome measure and incorporating it into research design. Quantitative research through NCCAM and NIH also supports the effectiveness of many of these practices.

Systems like acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy and homeopathy also have a well-established history as comprehensive forms of healthcare. Chinese medicine has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to demonstrate its efficacy in many areas.  The system of naturopathic medicine dates back to the late 1800’s, has four well-known schools within the US, and offers multiple modalities to benefit health. The chiropractic profession has grown steadily since 1895, with over 20 percent of adults engaging the beneficial effects of chiropractic care, according to a 2002 CAM national survey. Homeopathy is over 200 years old and has an excellent track record, dating back to the 1800’s cholera epidemic, as well as effectively treating many modern day chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia (Bell, 2004). According to a CAM study through the National Center for Health Statistics, over 44 percent of people considered naturopathy in 2004, and 2.1 million used acupuncture in 2002. Homeopathy is one of the fastest growing alternative modalities, with over 3.4 million adults having used it in 2002, while in 2005 was recognized as “the second most common form of alternative medicine in the world” (WHO, 2005). Overall, it is evident that CAM modalities continue to grow rapidly due to public demand for better health.

Accessible, convenient and affordable
The accessibility, convenience and affordability of CAM therapies are also an advantage for many individuals and families. These types of therapies are widely available, scheduling is easy and appointment availability is usually within the same week. Service is often prompt and convenient, with shorter and less frequent office visits in general. Practitioners are usually available for after hour’s calls, and messages are commonly returned within the same day. One practitioner can conveniently be engage for multiple concerns, such as chronic and acute needs, rather than having multiple health care providers for different concerns.

CAM therapies are also highly affordable. They are often much less expensive in comparison to conventional care and its medications. CAM therapies also have a high efficacy rate and help prevent illness, which reduces the need for spending on regular office visits, and may save many from expensive allopathic procedures and medications. Overall, CAM therapies provide a real cost benefit to families making healthcare more economical for both short-term and long-term care.

A complex systems approach
Many modalities within CAM utilize what modern science terms as a complex systems approach to health. Acupuncture, naturopathy, chiropractic and homeopathy are the most well known in this area. A complex system is like a network, where individual parts interact and influence the system as a whole. The system is seen as dynamic, not static. Within homeopathy for example, a person’s illness in a given location is an emergent property of the person as a whole, indivisible system, not something separate that is to be isolated out and treated. “There is self-similarity at every level of scale, down to the local parts. This self-similarity concept is parallel to the clinical notion in homeopathy that deep examination of any symptom will reveal the larger disturbance in the person as a whole,” for which a single homeopathic remedy is indicated (Bell, 2005). This type of complex systems approach has far reaching benefits to a person’s health.

Healing and CAM
Healing is at the heart of all the benefits of CAM therapies. They deeply and gently heal both mind and body. As healing progresses under alternative care a person is able to handle problems with more ease and is not affected by the health problem as before. They become less limited on a physical, mental and emotional level. Essentially they become freer from the problem they came with and more free in general. This healing of suffering and increased freedom on all levels of a person is what is so powerful and heart warming to see in the complimentary and alternative healing arts, and as a homeopath.

References
NCCAM – National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine -www.nccam.nih.gov
World Health Report (2005). “WHO Global Atlas of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (Map Volume).=
Bell, Iris MD, PhD (2005). “Complex Systems and Network Science: A Bridge toward Translating Classical Homeopathy into Appropriate Research Designs.”

Bell, Iris MD, PhD, et al. (2004). “Improved clinical status in fibromyalgia patients treated with individualized homeopathic remedies versus placebo.” Rheumatology, Jan. 20 issue.

Published in Twin Cities Naturally, April 2009, Minneapolis, MN

First of all, the idea of sensation itself is really not something new. In the Organon, Hahnemann refers many times to sensation being the expression of the disease. Aphorisms 9, 11, 86, 98, 126, and 137 are the most direct references. Aphorism 11 states, “It is only this vital force thus untuned which brings about in the organism the disagreeable sensations and abnormal functions that we call disease.” Aphorism 89 states, “Only when the patient, whose own account of his sensations is most to be trusted…” Aphorism 98 states, “Since the physician must pay particular attention to what the patient himself says about his complaints and sensations, and the exact expressions the patient uses…”

Hahnemann himself spent a lot of time investigating and trying to understand remedies. He even found similarities among various remedies, causing him to classify them into various miasms. Sensations are also a way of understanding remedies, with each family expressing similar sensations. These sensations are founded upon a deep understanding of materia medica and repertory. Homeopaths have sifted through the hundreds of symptoms within remedies and observed patterns of expression.

Hahnemann also advocated freedom from bias, the development of unprejudiced senses and fidelity in recording the image of the disease – aphorism 83. So often in homeopathy we lead the patient, pigeon-hole the patient, and interpret what the patient says. With the application of the sensation method, we fully allow the patient to describe the image of the disease, by asking further and further clarification on what they mean, what they feel and experience, until there can be no doubt. Interpretation has little avenue for expression when the patient actually describes the sensation itself and what is happening.

Disease, Hahnemann felt, was the totality of signs and symptoms. When Sensation is described on both a local and general level it brings together the totality of signs and symptoms into one crystallized picture of the disease itself. This is because sensation, which describes what is, on both a physical and mental level, becomes and expression of the whole being on a very deep level. It is totality at a subtle level, a non human level, an energetic level.

This energetic level is the vital force itself. The closer we can get to its expression, the clearer picture we can behold. We must therefore understand the remedies and their expressions on the same level to effect lasting cure.

One could also argue that since the sensation method itself is not outlined in the Organon, and Hahnemann’s reference to sensation was most likely in conjunction with the physical level, that this method should not be practiced.

Hahnemann also felt that remedies should not be used until fully proven and understood. The sensation method leads us into the realm of source words and being able to at times understand what a person needs by them actually using words that lead to a specific remedy. This is probably the area that is most controversial.

There are still many families of remedies that have not been researched and therefore do not have sensations associated with them. One is then forced to default to the older method of collecting various signs and symptoms and their attending modalities.

There is an enormous amount of information that is now available to homeopaths. Hahnemann was successful in his time with perhaps only 200 remedies or fewer and a simple straightforward interview process. Is there validity then in further provings and newer methods? Why establish something new? Perhaps though since homeopathy is a dynamic phenomenon, its way of prescribing and thinking of disease needs to also be dynamic.

What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a natural, holistic and scientific approach to healthcare. Its formal practice was codified by Samuel Hahnemann MD over 200 years ago, although its principles date to Hippocrates. Homeopathic care does not suppress symptoms, but stimulates the body’s natural healing capacity. It also helps prevent illness. It is highly effective for acute and chronic mental and physical conditions. Homeopathy is unique in that it seeks to understand the person on a physical, mental and emotional level, not just a single symptom or condition. Homeopathic remedies are safe, FDA approved, have no side effects, and do not interfere with allopathic medicines.

Holistic Health and Homeopathy
The beauty and strength of homeopathy is it embraces the concept of holistic health. “The word holistic is derived from the Greek holos, which means completeness and perfection in all components and parts of an entity, as well as within the whole that is more than the sum total of all its parts. Thus holistic health is the pursuit and accomplishment of health in the complete personality, with a perfect co-ordination and harmony among all its parts” (Veda, 2000). Homeopathic treatment allows for the re-coordination between the mental, emotional and physical aspects of a person to eradicate dis-ease and re-establish functioning to maximum capacity.

Complex Systems and Homeopathy
Homeopathy is often recognized in modern science as an applied approach of complex systems. Similar to the concept of holistic, a complex system is like a network, where individual parts interact and influence the system as a whole. The system is seen as dynamic, not static. Within homeopathy for example, a person’s illness in a given location is an emergent property of the person as a whole, indivisible system, not something separate that is to be isolated out and treated. “There is self-similarity at every level of scale, down to the local parts. This self-similarity concept is parallel to the clinical notion in homeopathy that deep examination of any symptom will reveal the larger disturbance in the person as a whole,” for which a single homeopathic remedy is indicated (Bell, 2005). This type of complex systems approach within homeopathy has far reaching benefits to a person’s health.

Homeopathic Principles

Totality of Symptoms
In homeopathy, the deep examination of any symptom, to reveal the larger disturbance, is done by gathering the totality of symptoms. On a physical level each symptom is explored fully, regarding its location, local sensation, sidedness, concomitants, what makes the problem worse or better, discharge, and changes since onset. The homeopath also explores the specific mental state and emotional nature of the client, as well as general information, such as life history, dreams, interests, work, relationships, lifestyle, diet and sleeping patterns. The whole person is understood and treated, not just a single part or condition. A single homeopathic remedy is then used to bring balance on a mental, emotional and physical level.

Individualized
Homeopathy is individualized in its approach. Each person is seen as unique. Just as the same exercise program, or the same diet is not beneficial to everyone, the same homeopathic remedy will not necessarily help everyone with the same health problem. The person must be understood in relationship to what it is they are suffering.

A Homeopathic Case Example
A 45-year old woman came to see me for knife-like stomach pains, insomnia and fear of evil spirits in the form of centipedes. Ever since her marriage and leaving her country and family to come to USA she had slowly developed these symptoms. She missed her family terribly, and was often left alone during the day while her husband worked. She was frightened to be alone and would often manifest this through hallucinations about centipedes coming after her in the apartment. She would react violently to the centipedes and want to kill them. The hallucinations and stomach pain often kept her from sleeping and made her condition worse. She was superstitious and felt there was a witch or psychic bothering her. She would also dream of dead people, witches, water and as if something were chasing her. She would often pray to God to keep the evil spirits away.

What was important to understand in her case was since her move to the USA she was in a state of fright, feeling helpless, fearful and with no support. She manifested this fright through many fears, particularly of evil spirits in the form of centipedes. Each symptom was understood and analyzed in relationship to her as a person. The homeopathic remedy Datura stramonium was given for her as an individual based on her totality of symptoms. Within a few weeks of the remedy her stomach pains, insomnia and hallucinations resolved completely. She also began to feel stronger within and let go of her fear of being alone while her husband was away.

An Excellent Whole Systems Approach
Homeopathy offers an excellent whole systems approach to health and healing. The treatment of the individual and their totality of symptoms often ensures greater healing success than treatment of just single symptoms or specific disease conditions. Each part must be explored deeply enough to reveal the larger disturbance in the person as a whole. The person themselves must be understood on a mental, emotional and physical level, along with what they are suffering. Whether it is a disturbance on a digestive level, or mental level, each represents a disturbance on a more global level. Healing must begin from this global level of understanding. Only then can there be true holistic healing, with perfect coordination and harmony between mind and body.

Wishing you health and happiness.

References
Bell, Iris MD, PhD (2005). “Complex Systems and Network Science: A Bridge toward Translating Classical Homeopathy into Appropriate Research Designs.”
Veda, Swami PhD (2000). “What is Holistic Health.” Positive Living. 20- 24.
World Health Report (2005). “WHO Global Atlas of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (Map Volume).

Published in Uptown Neighborhood News, November 2008, Minneapolis, MN
Published in The Edge, May 2009, Minneapolis, MN

Awareness
How do we change how we respond to stress factors? It simply begins with what is called Awareness. Take a moment as you read this to become aware of your body, feel the back of your neck and your shoulders, notice your breathing pattern, notice what thoughts are flitting through your mind. What did you notice? If you became more aware of yourself than before, you have made a step toward greater self-awareness. You see, simply becoming aware of what is happening on a body, breath and mind level is the major key to reducing stress. To become aware is to come into the present and be fully conscious of how we are reacting to many stress factors in our lives. Once we become aware, then we have a choice in how we respond. We are then able to live our lives in a way that prevents stress from building up in the first place. It is not so easy though, because many of us live out of our bodies and find it hard to be aware in the moment. We have trained ourselves pretty well to live in the past, be on the go, and strive toward that next goal. Rather than becoming alive to the present moment awareness of what is, we live in what was and what will be.

Transitioning from a Tense State to a Relaxed State
Let us begin with three earth grounding basics: stretching, relaxation and breathing. These are so simple, yet so profound in their ability to reduce and prevent stress in your life.

Stretching
Stretching is one of the best ways to become aware of yourself and how you respond to certain stressors and hold unnecessary tension in the body. Anywhere from 15-45 minutes of stretching per day is beneficial. The basic postures and joints and glands exercises of hatha yoga are ideal in this regard. When taught well, a class incorporates movement, breath and relaxation into the flow of stretches. Classes at The Meditation Center (www.themeditationcenter.org) are taught from this perspective.

Relaxation
Relaxation is also effective in releasing tension especially when combined with proper breathing techniques. The corpse pose or shavasana is an ideal posture to learn how to relax the body. Relaxation should be progressive and systematic through the body. As you become more adept in relaxation practices, you begin to carry this relaxed state into life. Relaxation then becomes your natural response to stress situations. Where you became stressed and tense before, you naturally become relaxed.

Breathing
The diaphragmatic breath is by far the most effective tool for releasing tension and keeping the mind peaceful. Most of us are used to using the chest muscles to breath. We forget we have this large diaphragm muscle that is much more effective in carrying out a healthy breath cycle. There is a close relationship between the breath, the mind and body. If the breath is shallow and tense, this reflects in the body and mind. Likewise, if the body or mind is tense, the breath will become tense. In essence, the breath is our barometer of emotions. Retraining the breath involves specific and systematic exercises, but overall one should learn to develop an even, deep, smooth and noiseless breath. Makarasana or crocodile pose is one of the best ways to learn how to breathe diaphragmatically.

Mind and Habit Patterns
The mind is a storehouse of many habit patterns. Our habitual self talks and perceptions dramatically influence our behaviors, physiological responses and feelings in any given situation. How we respond to stress ultimately is influenced by how we habitually have responded in the past. The only way to break this cycle is to change these mental habit patterns.

Meditation is a highly effective solution. It is an art and science that allows for new grooves to form and negative habit patterns to be transformed over time. Meditation involves the process of becoming more aware of what is flowing in the mind stream, accepting it and then letting it go. It is an act of witnessing. We become the observer. From this vantage point of increased self-awareness, we are then able to choose a different thought or action, one that hopefully brings a less stressful response. We also begin to identify less with our thoughts, that they are somehow different from who we are.

Over time we develop a more conscious volition in our daily lives that can be implemented on all levels of body, breath and mind. For those interested, yoga philosophy provides an excellent foundation of what mind is, how it functions, and how to work with it effectively.  An introductory book on this is The Art of Joyful Living by Swami Rama (available at www.themeditationcenter.org).

Homeopathic Treatment for Stress
Homeopathy, the second most common form of alternative medicine in the world today (WHO report 2005), is a highly effective treatment to manage stress. Similar to the system of yoga and meditation, homeopathy is a whole system approach to health. Homeopathy involves a comprehensive intake that looks at one’s individual symptoms from a mental, emotional and physical health standpoint. Specifically with stress, the homeopath is concerned with how a person reacts to the various stress stimuli, both with respect to his total being and specifically his/her individual parts. A particular state or way of coping with stress is understood that is unique and individual to the client. Once the homeopath understands this underlying causal mechanism it can be matched with a homeopathic remedy to effectively reduce the intensity and frequency of the troubling and limiting mental, emotional and physical symptoms. The result of homeopathic treatment is not only better health but the individual becomes more aware of his/her own internal processes. The individual learns to observe his/her own biorhythms, habit patterns and mental processes much more effectively. How their thoughts and emotions affect them directly becomes more apparent. Homeopathy helps the individual learn about him or herself. Similar to meditation, the knowledge gained through this self observation of homeopathic treatment, aids the person in the process of bringing into conscious awareness elements of his/her existence that before were happening on an unconscious level.

With more awareness, comes a stress-less way of life!
If you are feeling overburdened, that life is not working for you, and you don’t know what to do next, try some of these simple, yet effective techniques of yoga and meditation. Slowly an increase in awareness will build up in you. If it is a chronic stress issue and you have other chronic problems, you may also consider consulting a homeopath to reduce your life limiting symptoms.

Published November 2008 in Uptown Neighborhood News, Minneapolis, MN

TCM Treatment of Infertility
Fortunately, there are many things the couple can do to increase the chances of conception before resorting to expensive traditional IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatments or assisted reproductive technology. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has been used for thousands of years in China and was brought to the USA in the 1970’s.  Chinese medicine looks at fertility challenges in a different light by addressing the root cause of the imbalance. It is important to identify the correct Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis to obtain the maximum benefit of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for complete balancing.

For the female factor, it is important to regulate the menstrual cycle before conception can occur.  Usually, this takes approximately 3 months of treatment to balance out. This would entail the woman to chart her fertility to become more in tune with her own body, timing intercourse accordingly and make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes. For the male factor, usually diet and lifestyle changes and herbal/acupuncture treatments will improve sperm conditions. Acupuncture and herbs have been known to regulate the menstrual cycle and promote ovulation and to improve sperm quality, quantity and motility. They work on balancing the endocrine hormone axis responsible for making the ideal condition for conception to take place.

The male factor has to deal with sperm abnormalities (quality, quantity, motility), high scrotal temperature, erectile disorders, toxic exposures, testicular injury, infections or endocrine abnormality. Combined factors maybe a combination of both male and female factors.  The unexplained fertility may be due to emotional stresses by self or others.  It may be deep seeded fears that are stuck in the body that are preventing the conception process. Some nutritional deficiencies may also be a contributing factor to decreasing the optimal fertile conditions.  Therefore, it is important that the cause of fertility challenges be properly diagnosed.

Homeopathic Treatment of Infertility
Homeopathy is a powerful and unique healing system of alternative medicine and is one of the fastest growing in the world today (WHO report 2005). It is highly effective in stimulating and supporting the body’s own healing capacity, while at the same time addressing the underlying mental, emotional and physical imbalances that can contribute to infertility. In this way it strengthens one’s vitality without producing side effects common to conventional medicine. Homeopathic treatment is highly individualized, using one of over 3,000 remedies to treat each person’s totality of symptoms.  This form of individualized treatment is what allows homeopathy to be effective in treating many conditions such as infertility. A recent study of “Individualized homeopathic therapy for male infertility”, Homeopathy, 2002 by Gerhar I and Wallis E of University of Heidelberg, Germany, Dept of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproduction, showed significant evidence of improved sperm density, motility and general health of men over an average 10.3 months of homeopathic treatment.

By Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc. and Aaron Means MA – Homeopathic Practitioner
Published February 2008 in Natural Awakenings Magazine, Phoenix, AZ

Homeopathy to the Rescue
Homeopathy can help ease and alleviate many of the nagging and debilitating symptoms of colds, coughs and flu, and have you back up and running in no time. Homeopathy is the second most common form of alternative healthcare in the world today and is growing rapidly. It is safe, gentle and effective. It also stimulates the immune system and helps prevent future illness. Homeopathic remedies are made from natural substances and do not produce side effects. They are inexpensive and can often be found at your local health food store or coop.

I know, it is so easy to reach for that cough suppressant, nasal spray, a cold capsule, or fever reducer, but these only offer temporary relief. In fact they actually impede the body’s own healing response. The cough reflex, mucus production and fever are necessary symptoms being expressed by the body to rid the body of infection and heal itself. Homeopathy can be a great alternative to suppression, as it works more with the body’s symptom expression and stimulates healing.

There are over 3,000 different homeopathic remedies a homeopath works with nowadays. Literally hundreds of remedies could be helpful for the symptoms of a cold, cough or flu. It depends on the entire symptom expression. Some of the more well known remedies are discussed below.

Remedies for the Cold
A cold is usually a mild illness that is often much warranted due to our consistently hectic schedules. It is a sign to relax and let the body replenish itself. At times though it can become severe and linger and limit our capacity to function.

Aconite napellus, a remedy made from the plant Monkshood, is for colds that come on suddenly, especially after exposure to cold weather or cold, dry winds. Like the weather just around the corner here in Minnesota! It is especially indicated within the first 24 hours of symptom onset. The predominant mental state is anxiety and fear, with an internal restlessness that does not allow them to remain still. A high fever with runny nose and great thirst for cold drinks may also be present.

Atropa belladonna, a remedy made from the plant Deadly Nightshade, is for colds that also come on suddenly and very effective in the early course of illness. The key symptoms are sensitive, redness, intensity and heat. They are sensitive to any kind of motion, being touched or jarred and light. An intense, high fever with a hot, red face and throbbing in the head is also common. Mentally there may be a tendency to sudden, explosive anger or a delirium with fearful, wide, glistening eyes.

Allium cepa, a remedy made from the plant Red Onion, is for colds that produce clear, watery and sometimes burning nasal discharge. The nose is like a faucet that won’t turn off. The eyes have profuse tearing and become red and may also burn. Think of the time when you cut that last red onion! The symptoms of this type of cold are often worse in warm rooms, the evenings, and better in open air.

Remedies for the Cough
A cough often develops when a person with a cold becomes infected with a virus or bacteria in the throat, trachea or bronchi. There are many types of coughs. Some are wet or dry, loose or tickling, shallow or deep, all depending on where the infection is and how serious it may be.

Bryonia alba, a remedy made from the plant Wild Hops, is for coughs that have traveled down into the chest already. The cough is dry and hard. You will find the person wants to hold the chest while coughing or even breathing, since there is so much pain from even the slightest movement. There is a pronounced irritability and they often want to be left alone. In general there is a thirst for large quantities of water, with warm drinks in particular helping to relieve the cough temporarily.

Rumex crispus, a remedy made from the plant Yellow Dock, is for coughs that are dry and tickling. There is an intense tickling in the trachea area that produces an incessant, violent cough with very little mucus production. The incessant coughing may be set off by inspiration of cold air, even the slightest temperature change from room to room, when uncovering, or when asked to talk. Often the cough is worse at night around 11pm.

Phosphorus, a remedy made from the mineral Phosphorus, is for coughs that are also dry and tickling like Rumex. The phosphorus cough though has a burning sensation in the chest area and may be accompanied with hoarseness. There can also be a feeling of tightness, constriction and suffocation in the chest area. They are worse in the evening or twilight, lying on the left side, or from spicy foods. They have a tremendous thirst for ice-cold drinks. Mentally they are anxious when alone and better when they have others around.

Remedies for the Flu
Influenza is associated with a certain group of viruses that infect the respiratory system. When the common cold symptoms are combined with fever, marked weakness, a depleted feeling, and muscular ache throughout the body, it is time to look at flu remedies.

Gelsemium sempervirens, a remedy made from the plant Yellow Jasmine, represents the classic flu symptoms. The fever is slow in onset and there is great fatigue, weakness and sleepiness, with droopy eyelids. The head and limbs feel very heavy and the mind dull. They are often thirstless and have a characteristic symptom of chills running up and down the back.

Eupatorium perfoliatum, a remedy made from the plant Thoroughwort, is for flus that have a high fever and severe, unbearable muscular aching in the body. The bones feel as though they are broken. There is a pronounced chill and sensitivity to cold air, yet a great thirst for cold drinks and general craving of cold foods. Nausea and vomiting are worse during the chill. In general they are worse in the morning and have a hard time lifting their heavy, aching head from the pillow.

Potency and Dosage
When purchasing a remedy, it is best to buy either a12c or 30c potency. The remedy may be taken 3-4 times daily and less frequently as symptoms improve. If there is no change after 36-48 hours, then a different homeopathic remedy should be considered.

Consulting a Homeopath
Enjoy exploring the world of homeopathy. It will undoubtedly bring many successes and benefits to the family. Yet, do know there are bound to be many times where it seems you have tried every remedy you know and nothing is working. This is the time to think of consulting a professional homeopath. Dependable results have many factors. Choosing the right potency and frequency of dosing are important factors often overlooked. When managed correctly they can be very effective in resolving an acute sickness. Distinguishing between the characterizing symptoms of each remedy and what is important in a case is also an art and skill. It is what homeopaths devote so much of their time as professionals developing. Another important factor to consider is seeing one’s own symptom picture, or state of illness, can be difficult if not impossible. One often needs someone else to clearly and objectively understand and see the symptoms being expressed.

Homeopathic Kits
Homeopathic Kits are a wise alternative to purchasing single remedies. They are cheaper in the long run and you can be more assured you will have the right remedy on hand when needed. Helios pharmacy at www.helios.co.uk and Hahnemann Labs at www.hahnemannlabs.com are two excellent homeopathic pharmacies that have reliable and quality made home remedy kits available for shipment.

Published October 2008 in Twin Cities Naturally magazine, Minneapolis, MN

Today, homeopathy is growing rapidly in popularity. Homeopathy is now “the second most common choice of alternative medicine in the world,” according to a recent survey from the World Health Organization. Even in the US homeopathy is becoming more and more well known and established. People are seeking homeopathic care, homeopathic schools are increasing, professionally trained homeopaths are in demand, and many healthcare professionals are learning about homeopathy.

Why such an interest? The results are in. People are simply getting better using homeopathy. Whether it is the past epidemics of flu and cholera, recent NIH research funded studies in fibromyalgia using homeopathy, or homeopaths with clinical evidence of people’s better health, homeopathy has a strong track record. It is based on clear and time-tested principles that have produced dependable results over the last 200 years, making it a form of healthcare that stands well on its own.

Benefits of Homeopathy
The benefits of homeopathy are far reaching. Simply put, it is safe, natural and effective. Homeopathy also stimulates the immune system, helps prevent illness, and supports the person as a whole rather than suppressing symptoms. Homeopathy also does not have side effects, so it is safe for babies, children, adults and seniors. It also can be used safely in conjunction with conventional medication.

Homeopathy also embraces the simplicity of patient centeredness and compassion, combined with deep listening and understanding. An initial two-hour consultation time is given to hear the full health concerns of each person and deeply understand their unique expression. Often people are not used to simply being heard, so the process of consultation in and of itself often provides a window to better self-understanding and for healing to begin.

Homeopathic Treatment
Another unique and powerful benefit of homeopathy is its individualized approach to a person’s health. Each person is different and has a unique symptom expression. Therefore, the same diet, pill, exercise program, advice, or the same homeopathic remedy, is not necessarily effective for everyone. Each case requires individualization and time to understand the whole physical, mental and emotional symptom picture. Various areas of a person’s life are also explored, such as habits, food cravings, hobbies and interests, sleep, body temperature, traumas, fears and relationships. Everything is understood in relation to the whole. A homeopathic remedy is then chosen which closely matches the symptom picture to alleviate the intensity and frequency of the health concern(s).

Homeopathy and the Family
Homeopathy also offers many practical benefits for the individual and family to consider in their healthcare process. Most importantly, homeopathy is cost effective, being much less expensive than conventional care and its medications. Homeopathic care is also not standardized, but provides an individual care plan and regular follow-ups that are modified according to the person’s needs. Homeopathy has dependable results with minimal intervention, so office visits are usually brief and scheduled between 1-6 months accordingly. Homeopathic care is also very accessible and convenient. Scheduling is easy and appointment availability is usually within the same week; long waits are not necessary. After hour’s calls and messages are also promptly returned by one’s homeopath.

Healing is at the heart of all the benefits of homeopathy. It deeply and gently heals both mind and body. As healing progresses under homeopathic care a person is able to handle problems with more ease and is not affected by the health problem as before. They become less limited on a physical, mental and emotional level. Essentially they become freer from the problem they came with and more free in general. This healing of suffering and increased freedom on all levels of a person is what is so powerful and heart warming to see as a homeopath.

Published October 2008, in Hill and Lake Press, Minneapolis, MN