Enerchi Health - A complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine

FAQ's from EnerChi Health's Expert Advisor on Homeopathy, Karen Jonas

1. What is homeopathy?
Have you ever used the expression - 'I would like to give that person a taste of their own medicine'?

What we really mean is that we feel someone has been inconsiderate to us and we want the offender to experience the same irritation, anger or stress that we experienced, in the hope that they would never treat us badly again.

Homeopathic medicine, developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German medical doctor, in the late 1700's, takes this principle and uses it to treat a variety of health conditions; mental, emotional and physical. The goal of giving a sick person a 'taste of their own medicine' or a medicine that is homeopathic to their
situation, is to remove the irritating, stressful symptoms so they will never be bothered by them again.

For example, we can observe 2 people, one has just finished chopping 10 onions and the other, suffering
from hay fever allergies, has just walked through a field of ragweed in late August. Both are rubbing
their eyes, using a tissue to dry their eyes and blow their nose and complaining of a burning pain in their
eyes.

The person chopping onions has control over their situation - their symptoms disappear shortly after
they walk away from the onions or they can choose not to chop onions. Allergic symptoms, on the other hand, may continue for days or weeks after the person has been exposed to the allergic substance. Even worse, many allergy sufferers find their allergic symptoms get worse and last longer every year.

By applying the principle of giving someone a 'taste of their own medicine', a homeopathic medicine made
from onions can be used to treat the person suffering from hay fever allergies so they will never experience
runny, itchy, burning eyes and a runny nose during hay fever season again.

Another phrase that describes this process of choosing the best homeopathic medicine to treat your particular combination of stressful symptoms is called 'let likes cure likes' or Similia Similibus Curentur. The word 'Homeopathy' comes from the Latin 'Homeo' meaning 'similar' and 'Pathos' meaning 'suffering'.

More than 4000 homeopathic medicines are available to treat any health condition (e.g. asthma, allergies,
arthritis, migraines and many more). The example above illustrated the use of one homeopathic medicine,
made from onions, to treat hay fever symptoms. There are 40+ homeopathic medicines available to treat hay fever. Choosing the best one, to treat your hay fever symptoms, is both a science and an art that takes years of training and experience.

Professional Homeopaths, also called Homeopathic Doctors, work with you to choose the best homeopathic medicine for you. They have spent 800+ classroom hours focused on one subject - homeopathy, to provide their clients with the optimum health benefits a homeopathic medicine is capable of providing. Optimum health is defined by a strong immune system, prevention of future illness, and freedom from irritating, painful symptoms.

In the same way that a pencil used to create a simple sketch by Picasso or a street artist can generate a
different audience response, a homeopathic medicine chosen by a skilled Professional Homeopath, can also make a world of difference to those searching for a 'taste of their own medicine'.

2. Why take homeopathic medicines?
1) Safety - homeopathic medicines are non-toxic. Everyone including babies children, pets and pregnant women can take homeopathic medicine. Midwives around the world have used homeopathic medicines to safely relieve morning sickness, indigestion, headaches and sciatica during pregnancy. Quick, easy deliveries are also possible with the help of a professional homeopath. Homeopathic medicines are even safe for newborns, especially those suffering from jaundice, difficulty nursing, umbilical hernias etc…
2) Tastes Good - Mary Poppins was right, "just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down - in the most delightful way". Children love homeopathic medicines because they taste good and are easy to take. The medicine comes in two forms, liquid or small sugar pellets that dissolve under the tongue. Either form can be mixed in water. Your children or your pets won't even know you have added a homeopathic medicine to their water.
3) Environmentally Friendly - It takes only a few plants to make a jar of liquid plant extract. Homeopathic pharmacies dilute this liquid and make enough medicine for 1 million people.
4) One Remedy Instead of Many Pills to Pop - Professional homeopaths evaluate the 2500+ homeopathic medicines available to identify the one homeopathic medicine best suited to address all of one's health issues.
5) Quick Results - A well chosen homeopathic medicine can produce results in a short period of time varying from minutes, days to months depending on the condition

3. What is the difference between Homeopathic Medicines and Bach Flower Remedies?
Bach Flower essences have been called 'perfume for the heart and mind'.

Dr. Bach began researching the healing properties of distilled flower essences in the early 1900's. The results of his research are now known as the Bach Flower remedies. Dr. Bach believed that a healthy mind is the key to experiencing optimum health and his research focused on 38 flower essences that target 38 specific negative emotions or feelings (e.g. suspicion, fear of the unknown, poor self-image).

A Bach Flower consultation will focus on precisely identifying your current state of mind and then blending the corresponding Bach Flower essences into one dropper bottle. A few drops of Bach Flower essence in the mouth or on the wrist when you are under stress will soon have you feeling your normal, calm, confident self.

While Bach Flower consultations focus on what you are feeling right now a Homeopathic Medicine consultation will collect information about your current and past symptoms (mental, emotional and physical - e.g. history of panic attacks, heart disease, insomnia, arthritis etc…) and your family history. A professional homeopath must then take all the information you have provided and condense it into the 10 most unique or extraordinary symptoms. The next step involves researching 2500 Homeopathic Medicines to find ONE medicine that best matches your 10 distinguishing symptoms. Homeopathic medicines have no taste or smell and can be taken in liquid or pill form.

4. Homeopathic Medicines for Minor Emergencies
Can you identify with any of the following? You've just unloaded the mini-van, checked the kids and slam the door only to hear an agonizing yell from your 2 year old whose finger is now caught in the door. An afternoon hike has become a poison ivy itching nightmare by midnight.

Homeopathy offers prompt, effective solutions to common health concerns. Please note that there are at least 40 homeopathic medicines used to treat all of the situations described below. If none of the suggested medicines helps you please consult with a professional homeopath near you (see www.canadahomeopathy.com). As with all health issues, be sure to seek appropriate medical care immediately.

General Instructions:
1) Choose the Homeopathic Medicine that best describes your symptoms.
2) Take one dose of medicine every 10-30 minutes (maximum - 9 doses over 3 days).
3) Stop taking the medicine if you feel better or if after 3 doses there has been no improvement. If the symptoms return and the medicine worked the first time - take one more dose.
4) If there has been no improvement please consult with a professional homeopath.
5) Homeopathic medicines have varying strengths identified by a number following the medicine name. e.g. Ledum 12X, Ledum 6Ch are as useful as Ledum 30Ch. Buy any Ledum available.

Situation	Homeopathic Medicine: Internal use (except Cuts (1)	Which Medicine should I choose?
Crushed Finger/Toe	Hypericum 30 Ch	Arnica Montana 30 Ch Choose Hypericum for trauma to nerves and burning, shooting pains Choose Arnica Montana for shock and post trauma bruising and swelling
Bites (bee, wasp, mosquitoes, insects)	Apis 30 Ch Ledum 30 Ch Staphysagria 30 Ch	Choose Apis for bites where the skin is swollen, hot, shiny and feels better when covered with cold water or ice. Choose Ledum for bites that feel cold, and feel better when they are kept cold Choose Staphysagria if you are always the first and sometimes the only person to get bitten
Bruises, Muscle Strain	Arnica Montana 30 Ch	Choose Arnica Montana for bruises and swelling after a fall, trauma or muscles that have been over-used
Burns (sunburn, scalding)	Urtica Urens 30 Ch Cantharis 30 Ch	Choose Urtica Urens for burning, stinging pains with blisters or hives. Choose Cantharis for raw, stinging burning pains, skin likes to be kept cold
Fractures	Arnica Montana 30 Ch Symphytum 30 Ch	Choose Arnica Montana for shock, trauma and swelling Choose Symphytum to reduce pain and speed healing of broken bones
Poison Ivy	Rhus-tox 30 Ch	Choose Rhus-tox for hot, itchy skin
Cuts (1)	Calendula 0 (MT) Hypericum 0 (MT) Ledum 0 (MT) Note: Clean wound thoroughly Mix 10 drops in 1cup water Bathe wound with/in mixture	Choose Calendula mother tincture for scrapes and surface cuts. Choose Hypericum mother tincture for deep cuts. Choose Ledum mother tincture for deep wounds or puncture wounds.
Cuts (2)	Phosphorus 30 Ch	Choose Phosphorus for wounds that keep oozing bright red blood

5. Can Homeopathic Medicines Speed Recovery After Surgery?
Homeopathic medicines are recommended by a variety of medical specialists from New York City based plastic surgeons to holistic dentists to speed recover after surgery. Find the medicine below that most closely describes your situation and start using the homeopathic medicine after your surgery or dental procedure to speed the recovery process. Purchase a 30C or 30X strength of your chosen medicine and take 3 doses of medicine per day for 2-3 days. If you feel better OR have used the medicine for 2 days and have not noticed any improvement, stop the medicines.

Please note that there are more than 50 homeopathic medicines available to speed your recovery. If your first choice is not successful please review the list again and choose the next medicine that best fits your situation or contact a professional homeopath in your area.

Arnica Montana is the most common post surgical homeopathic medicine. It reduces swelling, bleeding and bruising. Take 30C or 30X Arnica pills 3 times daily and stop when you feel better.

Aconite Napellus is suggested for eye surgeries when the eye is watery, red and inflamed and feels hot and dry.

Hypericum is suggested for nerve pain or sensitive teeth when the patient suffers burning, shooting pains along the nerve pathway. Excellent for surgery or injury to nerve rich locations e.g. mouth, fingers, toes. If Ledum has not helped heal a puncture wound consider Hypericum as a second choice.

Homeopathic Ledum is used for puncture wounds, keyhole surgeries. People who can be helped by Ledum may also complain that the wound or the area around the wound feels cold and they want to keep the affected area cold.

Phosphorous can reduce the lingering effects of anesthesia. If you are slightly spacey, very thirsty and suffer from on-going hemorrhages, Phosphorous is a good choice for you.

Staphysagria, is often helpful after abdominal surgeries, C-sections etc… The wound is very painful, the area around the wound is extremely sensitive to pressure and patient may suffer from post-surgical nausea.

Disclaimer: EnerChi Health is strictly a resource for information and education only on complementary and alternative health practices. The content on this site is not to be used for the purpose of diagnosing or treating medical conditions or to replace conventional medical treatment in any way. If you have a medical concern you must consult a qualified health care provider.

6. Is Homeopathy practiced in other countries besides Canada?
Yes. Homeopathy is very popular in Europe (Holland, France, Germany), England, India, Pakistan, and South America.

Some reports indicate that 32% of French Physicians and 42% of British Physicians recommend homeopathic medicines to their patients or refer their patients to professional homeopaths. There are also a number of countries that have integrated homeopathy into their mainstream health care plans (e.g. Germany, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Mexico). Homeopathic hospitals in London, England and India allow patients to choose homeopathic treatment so they can attempt to delay or even avoid surgery completely.

In England, members of the royal family have been under the care of a homeopathic physician for more than 100 years. It is estimated that one half of French citizens have used homeopathic cold/flu medicine to reduce or eliminate congestion and achy joint pains caused by the flu.

7. How Do I find a Good Homeopath?

1) First interview - 1 to 2 hours. You can expect your visit to feel like a cross between visiting a psychologist and a physician. For a sample of the type of questions and answers your homeopath is interested in visit www.abchomeopathy.com (Online Remedy Finder section). Questions can cover topics such as your weather, food and beverage preferences, to a complete history of all your aches and pains - head to toe. The most important information you can provide is what makes you feel better or worse (i.e. is your joint pain better with heat or cold; moving or not moving, damp or dry weather ...). The way arthritis affects you personally is as important to a homeopath as X-rays or blood work, are to physicians.

2) One homeopathic medicine at a time. For example: If you took every blood pressure pill on the market for one week how would your M.D. figure out which pill and dose was best for you? Homeopathy has the same challenge. By administering one homeopathic medicine at a time and waiting 7-60 days to see if it helps you, will maximize your health results in the shortest time-frame.

3) Best question to ask your prospective homeopath: How good are you at matching people to homeopathic medicines? Good homeopaths have the ability to match people and medicines within the first 3-4 attempts - regardless of whether the medical diagnosis is vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, ADD, menopause symptoms etc....

4) Most unproductive questions to ask your prospective homeopath: Have you treated my condition X? and what is your success rate? If your condition is rare and you are looking for a homeopath that has treated multiple cases of it, you may end up suffering for months or years longer than necessary. Homeopaths work with a wide range of health conditions and often find homeopathic medicines to help - even if it is the first time they have encountered a specific condition.

8. Natural Flu Fighters

If you are one of the 'unlucky' few to get hit with the flu bug one of the following homeopathic medicines may help you feel better sooner.

These are just some of the homeopathic medicines that I have recommended most often in the past few weeks. Please contact a professional homeopath near you if your symptoms don't closely match any of the medicine profiles listed below.

1) Bryonia if you are experiencing...
a. Achy, sore joints - all you want to do is lie still
b. Irritable mood - you want people to leave you alone
c. Extremely thirsty (more than normal)
d. Painful, hacking, dry cough
e. Skin dry, or mild perspiration
f. Bad headache, worse with the cough
g. Everything feels dry or parched (mouth, throat, lips etc…)
h. Worried about finances or missing important business deals

2) Phosphorus if you are experiencing...
a. High fever
b. Want to be with people
c. Nosebleed
d. No perspiration
e. No thirst when feverish, otherwise really thirsty for cold water
f. No appetite - food tastes funny
g. Achy, sore joints - restless - can't get comfortable
h. Headache
i. Some coughing but not much

3) Nux Vomica if you are experiencing...
a. High fever - worse at night
b. Heavy perspiration - worse at night
c. Thirsty - mostly for hot drinks
d. Chilly - feet feel ice cold even when well covered
e. Headache
f. Feel nauseous but can't/won't vomit
g. Coughing makes the headache worse
h. Impatient to get back to work, flu is preventing you from achieving your goals

4) Oscillococccinum (If you don't think any of the other medicines fit your symptoms)
a. General flu symptoms
b. Achy, sore joints
c. Headache, cough, fever

9. Homeopathy for Pets

Homeopathy is well loved by many pet caregivers. It's an easy no fuss, no fights medicine that has no taste and no smell so pets don't even know they are taking a medicine. Vets specializing in homeopathy and many homeopathic practitioners will help you treat your pet if you ask them.

Pet caregivers are often amazed that the same homeopathic medicines used to treat human ailments can also be used for pets. Many pets experience vomiting and diarrhea at some point in their life. This sounds just like how most people feel after a bout of food poisoning and the homeopathic medicine Arsenicum 30 can be used to help both pets and people recover quickly.
New kittens or puppies may exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety when they are first brought home. Ignatia 30 can help a young pet adapt to their new home more easily and with less stress.

Other situations that respond really well to homeopathic medicines include teething, seizures, itching, hot spots, behaviour problems (e.g. aggression, fear of thunderstorms), kidney disorders and arthritis.