What is
Homeopathy and Homotoxicology?
Homeopathy is a science based on the Law of Similars or “let like
cure like”. For example, a red itchy rash is often relieved by the
homeopathic preparation Rhus Tox – which comes from poison oak,
something else that can cause our skin to become red and itchy.
Homeopathic remedies have been around for over 200 years. They are
still classified as “over the counter” medicine and regulated by
the FDA. The unique
benefit of these remedies is that there are no known side effects or
drug interactions with this form of medicine.
Even a simple aspirin can’t boast such a claim!
Remedies are made by making dilutions. The more diluted the
substance, the higher the potency. For example, Rhus Tox in 30x is a
higher potency than 6x. The 6x means
that we took 1 part poison oak to 10 parts dilution medium (usually
lactose or alcohol and sterile water) and grind or succuss it. (Succuss
means to shake vigorously.) This is now a 1x preparation. Taking 1
part of the 1x and adding it to another 10 parts dilution and grinding
or succussing again, we now have a 2x potency, and so forth. By the
time we get to 12x, there is nothing left of the Rhus Tox. It's all
been diluted out.
In classic homeopathy, a single remedy at a specific potency is
used for a specific condition. As the person heals, the remedy is
changed to suit the conditions. In homotoxicology, multiple
remedies (often at multiple potencies) are used to facilitate healing
on multiple levels. Both approaches have their place in healing and
depend upon the needs of the individual. Most remedies are quite
affordable. Many single remedies run about $6.00 for a bottle of 100
tabs and the combination remedies vary between $6.00 to $30.00 for a
month's supply. Quite reasonable when compared with prescription drugs
and surgery. Especially if you are one of the millions without health
insurance.
Skeptics
claim that homeopathy is nothing more than sugar pills
and response is a placebo effect. However, the FDA still requires a
prescription from a medical doctor for some remedies. Why? If it
is just a placebo, why do we need a Rx from a doctor that is very
likely untrained in homeopathy and unwilling to prescribe it? The
answer is that some remedies work so well that they may create hazards
from prescription drugs. For example, someone on insulin who starts
using homeopathy to correct the metabolic syndrome, needs to be aware
of the Somogyi Effect. This is when the blood sugar drops so low over
night, that the liver is forced to release emergency sugar stores into
the body to prevent death. In the morning, the person will have a high
sugar reading. If one begins to use homeopathic remedies to correct
the sugar problem and is unaware of what is happening, they (or their
doctor) are likely see the high morning sugar and think they need to
increase their night time insulin dose rather than decrease it. This
could lower the blood sugar so low so as to cause death. Obviously, we
wouldn't want people with diabetes walking into any health food store
and buying a homeopathic that could rapidly reduce the need for
insulin and cause this effect. They need to work with a trained
physician and/or homeopath.
Prior to the
1930's, medical schools taught homeopathy as well as drugs and
surgery. Doctors knew how to use them together. However, creation of
the FDA, heavy financial investment into the newly established pharmaceutical
industry and advancing surgical industry in the 1930's soon wiped out
the old eclectic medical schools in the US. Only the schools that
focused heavily on drugs and surgery remained. While the rest of
the world continues to use homeopathy in accordance with standards set
by the United States (known as HPUS - Homœopathic Pharmacopœia of
the United States), here in the states the vast majority of MD's and
DO's are untrained in homeopathy. They know little to nothing about
the standards set by our country and their benefits are seldom offered
to their patients. Today is it a sad fact that homeopathy is more
likely to be ridiculed or scorned as being 'snake oil' or fraud by the
majority of doctors. When I recovered from my vasculitis, I returned
to my long time family doctor and excitedly presented her with a
homeopathic handbook and kit for her own experimentation and as a
potential source for helping others. She just rolled her eyes and
pushed them back across the table at me and informed me that she was
certain homeopathy had NOTHING to do my recovery. How unfortunate! I know homeopathy was pivotal in
my
healing and I see
it have great
positive impact on others almost daily in my office.
Want to know more? Join us for Homeopathy
class in May
