Homeopathy
By Walter Last
Homeopathy is a system of
medicine based on the principle that 'like cures like'. A substance that
produces disease-like symptoms in healthy people will in properly diluted form
cure a sick person with similar symptoms. For example, onion juice will cause
watering, irritated eyes and sneezing; but in a very diluted form (Allium
cepa) it is useful in relieving symptoms of eye and nose irritation, as in
hayfever. To distinguish it from homeopathy, conventional medicine, in which
symptoms are treated with large doses of opposing agents, is known as allopathy.
However, homeopathy cannot
be understood as a substance based method, such as drug medicine or herbalism
where any healing effect is due to chemical reactions. A simple calculation
shows that in the higher potencies not a single molecule of the original
substance will be present. But these high potencies are often more effective
than low potencies. Therefore, homeopathy can only be understood as working
with energy remedies.
The explanation is that
every natural substance has an etheric field around its molecular structure.
The special shaking action or potentizing used in homeopathy separates the
etheric fields from their material substance. The latter is then discarded and
the former concentrated. These concentrated etheric fields are much more potent
in this way than when they were combined with matter. Similar etheric
concentrates can be produced with radionics instruments. The healing effect of
such concentrates depends on their vibrational frequency. Because of this the
name vibrational medicine has been coined for these methods.
Homeopathic medicines,
properly diluted or 'potentized', may be used as prophylactics; they will also
combat allergy reactions. A homeopathic medicine's sphere of curative action is
found by administering it in high doses to human volunteers of both sexes and
recording the emotional, pathological and physiological reactions to the
medicine. This test is called a proving, and hundreds of substances have
been proved in this way. Consequently, homeopathic remedies are effective over
the whole range of mental and physical disorders. The medicines are made from
plants, minerals, animals and chemicals. Remedies from diseased animal products
are called nosodes. Sometimes a product of a disease is used in
potentized form for treating the same disease; this is called isopathy.
Homeopaths may either use
the classical approach or practice clinical homeopathy. The classical approach
is to use only one dose of one remedy at a time and another dose or remedy only
if any effect of the previous remedy has worn off. More commonly clinical
homeopathy is used where several remedies are combined and taken several times
daily.
Use Your Own Body Fluids
While for general treatment
of common symptoms it is more convenient to use established homeopathic
remedies, to overcome obstinate individual problems it is frequently more
effective to prepare remedies from your own body fluids; this a form of
isopathy known as autotherapy.
Urine, for example,
contains traces of almost all body chemicals: the normal ones such as enzymes
and hormones, as well as foreign and toxic substances, viruses, and so on. A
properly diluted sample of your urine will initiate the correction of all
unbalanced, unnatural body chemistry, while normal, balanced amounts of body
chemicals are harmless. This, then, is an excellent way to improve the balance
of your glandular system, which is difficult to influence directly by any other
method.
Other body fluids that may
be used are a drop of diluted blood to treat blood disorders; diluted pus if
there is an infected wound or a boil; sputum for mouth and throat disorders;
tears for eye problems; feces for intestinal diseases; ear discharge for ear
diseases, and so on. Apart from balancing gland activities and general body
chemistry, this method is known to be very effective in stimulating the body's
immune system, so essential to combat cancer and other degenerative diseases.
How to Prepare Your Own
Remedies
To prepare remedies from
your own body fluids, dilute a small sample of the selected fluid 1:100 with
pure water. This means 1 part sample and 99 parts water, for instance 1
teaspoonful of sample and 99 teaspoonfuls of water. The water should be
purified, that is distilled or filtered.
Shake the mixture
vigorously 40 or 50 times in a bottle or jar, accentuating the downward stroke.
Alternatively, strike the mixing bottle 40 to 50 times on a resilient surface.
This sample is now in the first potency, described as 1 C. Take 1 part of this,
dilute it again with 99 parts water, shake, and you have a potency of 2C. This
process is repeated until the desired potency is reached.
If dilution proceeds in
steps of 1:10 instead of 1:100, the first potency is IX, the second 2X and so
on. A potency of 12X corresponds in dilution strength to 6C. However, the
number or potencies as well as the overall dilution are important for the
quality of a remedy. Start using your own diseased body fluids at a potency of
12C. If this does not bring an improvement after some time, experiment with
higher and lower potencies. However, use urine in 6X potency and start foods to
which you may be allergic at 4x before increasing in steps to 5X and 6X. Use
remedies made of your own body products only for yourself, not for anyone else
To produce your own
remedies from herbs, make a 'mother tincture' by soaking a fresh or dried
sample in high-grade alcohol - vodka or brandy. After a week or two you may
dilute part of the mother tincture as previously described, but for the first
1:10 dilution, use alcohol and water half and half. Using this technique, you
have to buy a specific commercial tincture only once. If the bottle is almost
empty, dilute its contents with either 9 parts or 99 parts water-alcohol
mixture and shake for some time.
You may also try a
combination of homeopathy and herbalism. Herbs often seem to be more effective
when used as low-potency homeopathic remedies. In this way any undesirable side
effects of concentrated herbs are lessened, while specific healing effects,
especially cleansing actions, are greatly strengthened. You may experiment by
potentizing 1 part of an unheated herbal extract or tincture with 4 or 9 parts
water.
If you did use a strong
mother tincture of a rather potent herb then start by taking only one or two
drops several times daily; keep them in the mouth; increase the dose gradually.
If the extract was rather weak or of a harmless herb, then take spoonfuls or
even a cupful at a time. You can make a watery extract of fresh or dried herbs
in a blender or better by shaking the powdered or pureed herb in water.
Alternatively, you may make a tincture by keeping them covered with alcohol or
glycerine in a jar for several days.
If the remedy is to be
stored for more than a few days a mixture of half vodka or brandy and half
water should be used for the last step. This gives the solution an alcohol
content of about 30 per cent and will prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Alternatively, refrigerate the remedy but it may lose its effectiveness due to
the strong electromagnetic field.
How to Take Your
Remedies
Take homeopathic remedies
with a clean mouth; the best time is before meals and at bedtime. The usual
dose is three to five drops in a little water (about 2 ounces) sipped slowly
over five minutes. Alternatively, you may keep three drops in a little water
under the tongue. Generally, take one dose four times daily, for chronic
conditions twice daily, for severe or acute conditions every 10 minutes until
some improvement is noted, then reduce the frequency. If the patient cannot
swallow, moisten the inside of the lips and the tongue with the remedy. Try not
to have the remedy come in contact with metal, use a plastic spoon rather than
a metal spoon.
If a reaction to the remedy
is noted (sometimes as a temporary aggravation of symptoms) this is a sign that
the correct remedy was selected, but wait until the reaction has subsided
before giving the next dose. Any overdose of homeopathic remedies is harmless.
Store homeopathic remedies protected from heat and light as well as away from
magnets and strong electromagnetic fields. For best results, you should not
change remedies too frequently.
If tablets are used, do not
touch them, but shake a tablet into the bottle cap and from there directly into
the mouth; keep it under the tongue. Generally, however, it is not recommended
to use homeopathic remedies in tablet form because of the possibility of
intolerance to lactose or sucrose. This is accentuated by keeping the tablets
in the mouth, which provokes stronger allergic reactions than swallowing them,
and swallowing is not desirable for homeopathic remedies.
Which Potency to Use
The most commonly used
potencies are 6X, 12X, 12C, 30C, 200C, l000C (M), l00M (CM), 500M (DM) and
1000M (MM). Sometimes the letter C is omitted, and '30' and '200' are used
instead of '30C' and '200C'. In Europe, 'D' is used instead of 'X'.
After selecting the correct
remedy according to your symptoms, it is important to choose the correct
potency as well. A general rule is that the lower potencies affect mainly
physical symptoms while the high potencies work at the mental and emotional
energy levels. The high-potency remedies may be used only once a day or once a
week or after any reaction has subsided.
For a longstanding problem,
you may start using a low-potency remedy, say, 12X; after a week or two you use
30C, then 200C and afterwards M at spaced-out intervals. If you wish to use less
different potencies, try 12 X and 30C. You may also be able to find the correct
potency by using muscle testing or a pendulum. Draw a half-circle on which the
various potencies are marked and see to which one the pendulum points. The M to
MM potencies have been used to remove heavy metals from the body either after
an acute poisoning or from chronic exposure, as in the case of chronic mercury
poisoning from teeth filled with amalgam.
In addition to low-potency
remedies from allergenic foods, which you can produce yourself, you may also
buy M to MM remedies of foods to which you are allergic. If you have had much
X-ray treatment, buy and use X-ray remedy; if sensitive to electricity,
fluorescent lighting or house dust, use the corresponding commercial remedy.
However, you may also make these remedies yourself by exposing pure water to
strong electromagnetic fields or prolonged fluorescent lighting or potentize
the content of the vacuum cleaner. There are commercial remedies for various
cancers (for example, bowel, lung, stomach), for bacilli and other infectious
agents. There are also extracts of glands, such as adrenals and thymus, which
may be used to normalize glandular functions.
Finally, there are
combinations of remedies available for the treatment of a wide range of
diseases and common complaints. If someone has been bitten by a poisonous
snake, spider or other creature, try to obtain some of the poison by crushing
the head of the insect in water or by sucking some of the poison out of the
wound, or simply use some blood from the wound. Make and use 30C potency. A
healing center might establish a collection of potentized remedies of the
common poisonous creatures of the area.
Detailed descriptions of
homeopathic remedies and their range of action can be found in a homeopathic
Materia Medica; most commonly used is the Materia Medica with Repertory by
W. Boericke.
The Home-Kit Remedies
The following is a list of
15 basic remedies for home use and as a travel kit.
ACONITE 30C:
Controls feverish symptoms that come on suddenly. Any acute condition in the
early stages. Aconite is indicated when the patient is frightened and/or worse
after dark.
BELLADONNA 30C: Covers
feverish conditions that are more violent than those treated by aconite: red,
dry, hot painful head and throat symptoms. Also indicated for angry outbursts,
and for patients whose condition is aggravated by light, noise or jarring.
CHAMOMILLA 30C: For
children during teething or in cases when the patient is irritable. Suitable
for stomach upsets. Indicated for children who improve on being carried.
A. G. E. 30C (ARS. IOD.,
GELSEMIUM, EUPATOR): A combination remedy for colds and influenza. Contains
a mineral remedy and two herbal preparations to cover all stages of a cold from
early onset to fully developed influenza and lingering final stages that will
not clear away. One dose fortnightly will reduce the incidence of simple colds
and influenza. This combination remedy is also useful for apprehensive fearful
states. Use also for stomach and bowels upset as well as aching in the bones
and sick headaches that are better after sweating.
ARNICA 30C: This is the
remedy for accidents and shock. It reduces the effects of injury, fatigue and
shock both mental and physical. Indicated for bruising, broken bones and blood
blisters, also for stroke and heart attack, and in cases when the patient fears
being approached or touched.
COCCULUS 30C: Useful
for nausea, vomiting, travel sickness, morning sickness, stomach upsets and
exhaustion.
NUX VOMICA 3OC: For
stomach upsets caused by overeating or indulgence in rich foods, and for the
effects of too much alcoholic drink or tobacco or drugs. Indicated for
irritability and bad temper and for sleeplessness when the mind is crowded with
thoughts. Useful in cases when the patient is easily chilled and cannot be
uncovered. Also for stuffy head colds extending to throat or chest, and sour
eructation, sweat, vomit and bowel movements.
HYPERICUM 30C: For
injuries to nerves, and any injury that is more painful than would be expected.
Blows to the head and coccyx, crushed fingers and toes, injuries to lips, ears,
genitals. Intolerable violent shooting pains along nerves. Lingering pains
after injury, operation.
IGNATIA 30C: A herbal
stress reliever for the effects of bereavement, grief, tension, worry and
fright. Suitable for hypochondria, also for real illness when the patient is
excessively worried about the condition. Promotes sleep when the patient is
suffering from sadness or worry.
LEDUM 30C: Used for
puncture wounds, cuts and stings of insects. Follows arnica for bad bruising,
especially around the eye. Think of ledum for pain of fractures and joints.
Anti-tetanus.
PULSATILLA 30C: For the
effects of rich foods, earache from water in the ear, and measles. Useful for
the patient who is changeable and weepy, whose pains shift, or who needs open
air when the heat of the room or a car is unbearable. Indicated for many
children's illnesses when aconite has given limited relief, also for menstrual
problems.
RHUS TOX 30C: For simple rheumatism,
and for strains, sprains and the effects of overexertion. Useful when the
patient has been exposed to cold, wet conditions, also when restless and pains
are better if the affected part is kept in motion. Suitable for influenza not
covered by A.G.E.
RUTA GRAV 30C: This
herb (rue) is the best remedy for twisted ankles and sprained wrists. It is
excellent for blows to the muscles and for injuries to the bones, also
accidents when the bone sheath is damaged. Brings relief from eyestrain,
neuralgia, burning eyes, dim vision, runny eyes.
URTICA URENS 30C: For
burns, rashes, stings and allergies, and any condition when burning, stinging
pains persist. Use for scalds and burns internally with hypercal* externally.
Use urtica for bladder complaints, bedwetting and hives, also for swollen,
painful breasts and genitals.
HYPERICUM/CALENDULA *
MOTHER TINCTURE (HYPERCAL*): An antiseptic, use five drops in a cupful of
tepid water for all external wounds, cuts and eruptions. This mixture may be
used to rinse out the mouth after extraction of teeth. Apply to burns and press
a pad soaked in this mixture to injuries requiring bandaging. Use one drop in
an eyebath of water for eye irritation.
Cell Salts
In the late nineteenth
century Dr W. H. Schuessler originated a therapeutic system he called biochemic
medicine, based on 12 essential cell salts or tissue salts; these are
homeopathic preparations of mineral salts usually present in the body. They are
commonly used as 6X tablets. The main drawback of the tablets is that they are
based on lactose to which many individuals are allergic or react weak with
muscle testing. This weakening factor is accentuated by the common practice of
keeping the tablets in the mouth until dissolved.
However, for those who
should best avoid lactose the benefits of cell salts may be obtained by using
cell salts as normal homeopathic tinctures. The only disadvantage is that these
are not as readily available as the tablets and are stocked by fewer retailers.
The 12 cell salts and their
main indications are:
I. Calc.flour. - over-relaxed abdominal wall, piles, varicose
veins
2. Calc. phos. - anemia, poor circulation, cramps, rheumatism
3. Calc. sulf. boils. - catarrh, yellow pus and scabs
4. Ferr. phos. - inflammations, low fever, anemia, circulation,
wounds
5. Kali. mur. - croup, catarrh and skin diseases with white
discharge
6. Kali. phos. - High fever, paralysis, sepsis, neuralgia,
debility
7. Kali. sulf. - catarrh, skin diseases with watery discharge
8. Mag. phos. - shooting pains, neuralgia, spasms itching
9. Nat. mur. - constipation or diarrhea, cold hands or feet,
drowsiness
10. Nat. phos. - gout and rheumatism, overacidity, blackheads
11. Nat. sulf. - liver and gall-bladder diseases, dropsy,
migraine
12. Silicea - boils, skin ulcers, nasal catarrh, night
sweats, gout
They may be used
individually or in combination. For more information see http://www.cellsalts.net .
Flower Remedies
Flower remedies represent a
combination of herbalism and homeopathy. Their main therapeutic effects are on
the emotional level. Best known are the Bach flower remedies, originated by Dr
Edward Bach, an English physician. In recent times, Australian wildflower
remedies and Californian flower essences have also become available. These are
sold mainly in health food shops and by various practitioners.
Flower remedies are best
used together with appropriate affirmations. In clinical situations it is
recommended to use a standard questionnaire for emotional to allow a more
speedy and accurate selection of the appropriate remedies. This information may
then also be used for other emotion-directed therapies. Of special significance
is the Bach Rescue Remedy, which should be part of every first aid kit. Individual
flower remedies may be combined for treatment according to symptoms. In
selecting Bach flower remedies, it is recommended to combine no more than six
different remedies. However, the Composite Rescue Remedy may be counted as a
single remedy.
The usual dosage is two to
four drops of the composite preparation in a teaspoonful of water at least four
times daily, before meals and especially first and last thing daily. Hold this
in the mouth and under the tongue for some time. Store remedies in a cool place.
In some cases, flower
remedies may be taken for long periods for the treatment of chronic illnesses,
while those for acute (short-term) problems are used only when the problem is
noticed. These short-term remedies may be changed frequently according to
changing moods.
Following is a
quick-reference guide for the selection of Bach flower remedies.
Agrimony - suffering or worry hidden by smiling face
Aspen - apprehension, vague fears of unknown origin
Beech - intolerance, arrogance, tendency to be overcritical
Centaury - susceptibility to influence and exploitation,
weak willed, timidity
Cerato - lack of confidence, doubt, constant requests
for advice
Cherry plum - uncontrolled temper, desperation, fear
of loss of mind
Chestnut bud - slow to learn, lack of observation, repetition
of mistakes
Chicory - possessiveness, self-love, self-pity, attention
seeking
Clematis - indifference, dreaminess, lack of interest
Crab apple - feeling of being unclean, shame, self-dislike;
the cleanser
Elm - occasional feelings of inadequacy, too much
responsibility
Gentian - discouragement, self-doubt, negative
attitudes, depression
Gorse - hopelessness, despair, despondency
Heather - self-centeredness, love of talking,
inability to listen
Holly - envy, suspicion, revenge, hatred, jealousy
Honeysuckle - living too much in the past, homesickness
Hornbeam - mental and physical weariness
Impatiens - impatience, irritability, mental tension
Larch - lack of confidence, expectation of failure,
feeling of inferiority
Mimulus - fear of known things, shyness, timidity
Mustard - deep gloom or depression of unknown cause
Oak - onward struggle despite despondency/despair
Olive - mental and physical exhaustion or weariness
Pine - self-blame, self-reproach, guilt, false
humility
Red chestnut - fear and anxiety for others
Rock rose - terror, panic, extreme fear
Rock water - self-criticism, rigidity, self-denial
Scleranthus - uncertainty, indecision, hesitation, lack of
balance
Star of Bethlehem - after-effects of shock and trauma
Sweet chestnut - extreme anguish, hopeless despair, loss of
faith
Vervain - over-enthusiasm, fanaticism, nervous
tension, strain
Vine - dominance, leadership, craving for power,
ambition, inflexibility
Walnut - helps in changes, link breaking, protects
Water violet - aloofness, reserve, pride
White chestnut - unwanted persistent thoughts, worry, inner mental
arguments
Wild oat - dissatisfaction at not having found goal,
uncertainty
Wild rose - resignation, lack of interest, apathy
Willow - resentment, bitterness, 'not-fair' attitude
Rescue Remedy (a composite of cherry plum,
clematis, impatiens, rock rose and star of Bethlehem) - use for shock, terror,
upsets, fright and accidents; give frequently in all emergencies, apply
externally on wounds.
While the flower remedies
are usually selected according to the problems you wish to overcome, you may
also look at what you wish to achieve, how you wish to become. For this, you
may use the opposite to the descriptions given for the various remedies. The
keywords for the positive attributes we wish to acquire (with the
negative aspects we wish to overcome in parentheses) for some of the remedies
are as follows.
Attentiveness (being dreamy) - clematis
Certainty (indecision) - scleranthus
Courage (terror) - rock rose
Faith (doubt) - gentian
Humility (pride) - water violet
Patience (impatience) - impatiens
Peace (torment) - agrimony
Service (self-love) - chicory
Strength (weakness) - centaury
Sympathy (fear) - mimulus
Understanding (fanaticism) - vervain
Wisdom (foolishness) cerato