K-W Homeopathic Medicine and Wellness Clinic

11/02/2020

Beat the Cold & Flu-Naturally

Stay Healthy and Robust throughout the Winter

Every winter, hundreds of thousands of people get the flu. It can put us out of commission for quite some time, so it is wise to start thinking about an effective prophylaxis already now. Nature has a vast array of healing plants at our disposal to help protect us effectively from the flu & co.

But it is important not to wait too long before leaping into action. If you want to get through the winter without a cold, then start strengthening your immune system already in the fall!

Weare not completely at the mercy of cold and flu viruses. Nature has an abundance of herbs to help us fight them

The winter is high season for colds, coughs and sneezes, because our body takes it easy in this time of year – the human organism goes into a hibernation-like state. Many functions slow down, including our circulation. We shiver and get tired easier. It is no wonder then that bacteria and viruses have an easy time attacking our organism!

Reason enough to strengthen our body’s defenses well in advance…

Flu Shot: Yes or No?

The influenza virus vaccination is often controversial, because the viruses change from year to year.



In these economically tough times, employees cannot afford to stay in bed for a few days when they get the flu. Instead of giving our body’s own defenses enough time to conquer the germs like we did in times past, conventional medicine recommends we get the flu shot.

But the flu shot does not guarantee 100 % protection. Because of the enormous variability of flu viruses, new vaccines have to be developed for each season. So the vaccine always “lags” behind by a season. To be on the safe side, the standard vaccination includes three strains (2 group A and 1 group B). But even if the body has developed its own defenses against a
particular type of virus, this does not by any means suggest that those defenses are effective against a different type from the same family.

The main concern is that the vaccination will create antibodies against one specific type of virus only. But it won’t stimulate the general immune powers of the organism.

On the other hand, natural flu protection is not just aimed at the virus, but at strengthening and rehabilitating the human organism as a whole, so that flu viruses don’t get the chance to spread out.

Why the Flu Shot can’t protect you 100 %



The illness called “influenza” (derived from the Latin influere = creeping in) was already described in 400 B.C. by the famous physician Hippocrates. But the actual cause of the flu (French: gripper = to catch), the virus, was discovered only in 1933 by the Englishman Wilson Smith.



After finding the pathogen, it was thought that a vaccine could be used to combat the virus. But it soon became evident that there are many, many flu viruses (there are 300 of them which we know of to date – they are divided into the different subtypes A, B and C) which change from year to year, that is, they mutate.

This means that the virus that existed in the previous year does not reappear in the same form in the following year. Even if there are only tiny changes in the virus, then the protection from the vaccine is decreased accordingly. For the manufacturers of the flu vaccines, this means that the viruses constantly need to be checked for their mutations.



The new viruses are documented by the way, by the World Health Organization (WHO). These include the Asian flu due to type A (H2N2) beginning in 1957, the Hong Kong Flu due to type A (H3N2) beginning in 1968, and the Russian flu due to type A(Hh1N1) beginning in 1977.

Is it the Flu or is it a Cold?

Cold and flu symptoms can be very similar to each other. Therefore, often a bad cold is mistaken for the flu. Colds are caused by rhinoviruses or adenoviruses, of which there are more than 100 known types. They are based in the nose (runny nose) or in the throat (angina, hoarseness). Generally, colds are harmless and last no longer than 7 days. Colds are much more common than influenza.

Typical signs of influenza are the sudden appearance of complaints which are more serious than those of a regular cold. You go to bed healthy at night and the next morning you feel worn out and exhausted. This sudden appearance is as much a sign of the flu as is a high fever, chills, runny nose, cough, aching limbs, sore throat and headache.

The illness is transmitted from person to person by droplet infection (Myxovirus influenza) – through sneezing, talking or coughing. A person that sneezes squirts the little droplets out of his or her nose at a speed of approx. 160 km/h, spreading the viruses to the whole area. But only those who have weakened immune powers will catch them. If your body’s defenses are
intact, then you can generally fend off the invasion of viruses.

How the body defends itself against the viruses

One of the body’s first immune responses to the flu is a fever. This is nature’s sophisticated way of immediately turning up the inner thermostat of the human organism when attacked by germs and disease agents. Because both viruses and bacteria are sensitive to the heat. Additionally, the heat stimulates the immune system. And it opens the pores in the skin, allowing
for toxins to be released from the body through sweating. This is why a fever should not be suppressed right away! Coughing and a runny nose make sense too: Flu and cold viruses cause inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes. If the bronchi are affected, then the mucous membranes will produce more secretions to trap the viruses. By coughing, the invaders are catapulted out of the body. If the viruses find their way into the nasal mucosa, then here, too, mucous is secreted. With the runny nose, they are flushed right out of the organism.

So the fever, cough, sweating and runny nose are not illnesses, but the body’s natural efforts to free itself of pathogens and their metabolic slags. If you choose to suppress this natural defense mechanism of the body by taking antibiotics, nasal drops, fever reducing medication, codeine syrup for anaesthetization of the cough centre in the brain, etc., then you are
not only paralyzing your body’s natural defenses, but burdening the system additionally with the side effects from these drugs.

Therefore, let’s allow our body to express and heal itself through symptoms. They need to be eased merely if they have persisted for several days or if the body is extremely burdened or stressed by serious illness (cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, renal dysfunction, etc.). Do consult your doctor if the fever exceeds 39.5 degrees, if there is tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia. Also, if you are suffering from a persistent cough and respiratory distress (risk of pneumonia), or if the symptoms are accompanied by a headache with vomiting, sensitivity to light and stiffness of the neck.

If you experience a sudden high fever, runny nose, chills
and aching limbs in the morning, then you have probably caught a flu virus.

Cold and flu viruses are transmitted by sneezing, coughing
and shaking hands, but also via door k***s.

Consult
your doctor if the fever exceeds 39.5 deg.











Homeopathic treatment of Influenza

Interestingly, there has been almost no public discussion on the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of influenza. Homeopathy was used with great success in the United States to treat patients during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918 – 1919.

In 1921, the Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy published a paper by Dr. W. A. Dewey on the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 entitled “Homeopathy in Influenza – A Chorus of Fifty in Harmony”. In it, he gathered information from several doctors who treated patients for the flu. If you used homeopathy, 4 % died, if you didn’t, 68 % died.

Generally, there will be 1 – 5 homeopathic remedies that are most effective for each epidemic. This group of remedies is called the genus epidemicus. They are chosen after careful observation of several cases early in the epidemic. The selection is based on the patterns that emerge once the common symptoms of those early cases are compiled. The genus epidemicus for each epidemic will likely be different from the groups of remedies that were useful in the previous epidemics, which makes it difficult to speculate exactly which homeopathic remedies will work best in the likely event of another influenza epidemic. However, homeopaths now have the ability to communicate directly with other homeopaths all over the world, which enables us to work much more quickly, efficiently and accurately than ever before.

Of course, the best homeopathic remedy for the flu or any other illness is always your constitutional remedy. This is a remedy carefully selected by your homeopath based on the
totality of your symptoms. It is completely individualized to your unique pattern of symptoms. The treatment is very in depth as it incorporates not only your physical complaints, but your mental and emotional states as well. Having a constitutional remedy is very beneficial as it can be used to treat both acute and chronic complaints. I would be happy to discuss this option further with you and answer your questions in a free 15 minute information session. Just call the clinic to book your appointment for this complimentary session, or to book you acute or constitutional treatment: (519) 603-0505.

Fat chance for the Flu when you have a healthy Immune System

It is the job of natural medicines to support the body in such a way that it can fend off any germs and disease agents on its own. In this way, it will come out stronger after contracting a virus and will stay protected against new infections. We are not helplessly at the mercy of these viruses! If that were the case, then the human race would have died out long ago. Therefore, the power of our body’s own defenses is crucial in deciding whether or not we will be in bed with the flu this winter. If you start your prophylaxis early, then your chances of getting through the cold season healthy are good. The fall is the best time to start!

Important: a healthy Gut flora

One of the most important prerequisites for a strong immune system is always an intact gut flora. Because the physiologic gut bacteria have antiviral capabilities in that they form proteolytic enzymes in order to prevent germs from spreading. On the other hand, the intestinal walls are sealed off by the bacterial flora so that no viruses can get into the body from
here.

But many people have an abnormal gut flora, be it for reasons of nutritional deficiencies – particularly due to excessive consumption of sugar or meat, or from medications (antibiotics). This manifests in conditions such as putrefaction, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation, or fungal infestations in the digestive tract. If you want your influenza prophylaxis to be effective, then check first into the condition of your gut based on the above symptoms. To make sure that the preventive measures are not for nothing.

What you can do to restore the gut is to simply have 1 – 2 tbsp. of fresh, uncooked Sauerkraut before meals 3 times per day. Or drink a good organic Sauerkraut juice. If the thought of this makes you cringe, then come in to pick up a good probiotic or prebiotic instead.

Virus protection owing to the Power of Plants

Up until recently, we thought that there was no cure for viruses. But meanwhile, various healing plants have been proven to prevent the spread of flu viruses while mobilizing
the body’s own defenses at the same time. Some examples include melissa, thyme, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cloves and pepper, which contain terpenes in their essential oil content. Particularly the use of specific healing plants rich in terpenes offers excellent protection against viral diseases.

Nourish your body with Fresh, Vital Foods

It is basically understood that a successful flu prophylaxis be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle. After all, how is our body’s own defense system supposed to work if we neglect vital foods? A well-balanced, full-fledged diet with lots of raw fruits and vegetables is an effective barrier against disease-causing germs. Furthermore, products containing vitamin
C are extremely important: Oranges, lemons, mango, sea buckthorn, kiwi, etc. – to bring the body’s own defenses up to speed.

A home-made smoothie with mango, oranges, lemon and kiwi is not only trendy, but
brings your body’s own defenses up to speed

Vitamin A is important too, since it keeps the mucous membranes intact and protects them against drying out. A good source of vitamin A is cod liver oil (2 x 1 capsule after meals). Also, zinc, which is contained in wheat germ, boosts the immune system. And you can support the protective measures even further by using more spices. Therefore, now is the time to add
onions, garlic, thyme, horseradish, radish and cress to your diet!

Horseradish should not be missing from any diet in the cold
season. Its essential oils are antibacterial and good for both the nasal mucosa
and paranasal sinuses.





How to successfully increase your body’s resistance

It is also important to strengthen yourself. Because the cold and damp weather affects the body’s own defenses, it is necessary to train the body for extreme temperature conditions. You can do this by taking contrast showers every morning – first warm, then cold, about 5 consecutive times. To improve your circulation, brush massages, sauna or steam baths are great. If you have chronically cold feet, have daily foot soaks with mustard powder (1 – 2 tbsp. of mustard added to 38 degree C water. Soak feet for 15 minutes and rinse off with cold water afterwards.)

Regular usage of the sauna trains your heart and circulation. The body will be more
resistant to colds.











A warm foot soak in the evening is an old renowned home remedy to help prevent
colds.











As well, make sure not to overheat your home and work space. The ideal temperature should be 20 degrees. 16 degrees in the bedroom is enough (18 – 20 degrees for children). Using a vaporizer in the areas where you spend most of your time is a good idea because the furnace can dry out the air. A few drops of eucalyptus oil or spruce needle oil added to the vaporizer on a daily basis can also be helpful.

And hygiene plays a big role in flu prophylaxis: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

Washing your hands after using public transportation or touching doork***s can reduce
the risk of transmittal of viruses.

Sneeze or cough into your elbow, use disposable tissues and as the case may be, reduce close contact to other persons. Lastly, regular time spent outdoors in fresh air and in the sun is essential. Because this stimulates the body’s own immunizing capabilities. For proof, just look to the Southern countries – people living with more days of sun get sick with the flu less
often than those living in the North.

Make it a part of your routine too, to spend several hours per week exercising outside in the fresh air: Walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc. And breathe deeply, relaxing right down to your smallest toe, during these activities. Because your emotional wellbeing also contributes to your getting through the winter healthy and happily.



Healing Plants with strong Powers of Influenza Protection

Nature has a treasure of healing plants for us and a number of them have proven to be quite effective in preventing colds and flus. The medicinal herbs are chosen according to individual constitution. The flu protection plants listed here can be used in the form of herbal teas or homeopathic tinctures dissolved in a little water which are kept in the mouth
for a short while and then swallowed.

Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)

The blossom tea helps children and adults who are prone to recurring catarrhs and fevers. The
healing plant strengthens their immune system – it is antiviral and
anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, expectorant and detoxifying.

Black
Poplar / Cottonwood (Populus nigra)

The buds of the black poplar survive the winter in a
leathery protection coat that is lined on the inside with resin. This tough,
red-brown and fragrant composite protects the delicate offshoots during the
cold season against bacteria, fungal and pest infections. With the spring’s
first sun rays, the buds burst open and the resinous liquid trickles out,
attracting bees who then collect the goo and carry it to the beehive as a
disease repellent remedy.

The black poplar bud resin contains phenolic compounds such
as styrax, ferulic, coumar and cinnamic acid with strong immune-stimulating,
bactericidal, virostatic and antifungal powers. In botanical medicine, this
natural substance is used to prepare a tincture that is used for influenza prophylaxis in people susceptible
to infections in the respiratory and urinary tracts. By stabilizing the
inflammatory diseases, a person’s tendency to flu-like infections is remedied
at the same time.

Cistus

Blossoms and leaves of the cistus contain polyphenols and
glycosides with a highly detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic and
defense stimulating power. They can be taken as a precautionary measure by
people who react to colds and flus with lymphatic
congestion (swollen neck glands). The improvement in the lymphatic flow has
been proven many times over.

H**p
agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)

The herb and blossoms contain essential oils with terpines,
cymen and thymol which have an anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating and
anti-infective effect. Using h**p agrimony as a flu prophylactic (herbal tea or
drops) helps people who suffer from a general battered feeling and pains in the limbs and bones.

Holly
(Ilex aquifolium )

While the coral red fruits of the holly are poisonous, the
leaves of Ilex are curative. They contain triterpenes, ilex acid and flavonoids
which counter-act catarrhs of the lungs. A three week regimen using holly
leaves is beneficial for persons whose influenza
is accompanied by a catarrh of the
lungs, sharp pain in the lungs (see your doctor!) and fever. The plant has an outstanding reputation to reduce cold
and flu symptoms, as seen in the outbreak of the Spanish flu in 1918.

Meadow
sweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

The blossoms of the meadow sweet contain natural Salicin. As
such, it is a natural “aspirin”. Meadow sweet blossoms act as an analgesic,
anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and immune stimulant. Taken as tea or in drops,
the healing plant is a proven flu prophylactic for persons who often catch colds and infections after exposure to damp
and cold weather. The sensitivity to chilly wet atmospheric conditions can
be remedied with the meadow sweet.

Dense-flowered Mullein (Verbascum densiflorum)

Its blossoms contain verbascosaponines, iridoides and
flavonoids, which have the property to relieve chronic irritation of the
throat. It is suitable for persons who are weakened due to chronic infections
of the respiratory tract and have little resistance to the flu. The blossom tea
strengthens a person’s immunity and removes inflammatory irritations in the throat and pharynx often connected
with continued tickle in the throat (irritable cough), hawking, laryngitis and
pharyngitis.

Small
leaf Linden (Tilia cordata)

At the University of Chicago, the physicians Dr. Hardy and
Dr. Traismann compared the effectiveness of the linden blossom for flu-like
illnesses to that of antibiotics. 55 children sick with the flu were prescribed
bed rest and linden blossom tea. A second group of 67 children received exclusively
antibiotics. The surprising result: The children treated with bed rest and
linden blossom tea got healthy faster and without complications. Reason enough
to drink linden flower tea once per day for a general prophylaxis against flu-like infections, ideally up to 1
liter per day. The well-tasting drink warms, relaxes, strengthens and
detoxifies the body, and alleviates mild irritations and infections in the
respiratory tract.

Masterwort
(Peucedanum ostruthium)

The root contains etheric oil with pinene , phellandren and
limones as well as furanocumarine, which have strong immune strengthening
properties. Masterwort is a flu prophylactic for persons whose bodies have weakened defenses against viruses and
bacteria. They constantly catch colds and often the flu from just the
slightest exposure to cold. The healing plant can be recommended as a
successful remedy for strengthening the immune system.

Pimpinella major

This root is recommended for weakened, exhausted, worn out people who do not have a lot of
vitality. Because of their debilitating condition, they have a tendency to
develop flu-like conditions with bronchitis, cough, throat infection,
hoarseness and laryngitis. Pimpinella strengthens the body’s own resistance of
these persons and helps them to attain a new sense of wellbeing.

Purple
Coneflower

(Echinacea
purpurea)



The purple
coneflower is an immune modulator which, according to pharmacological and
clinical tests has the power to activate the body’s own defenses. The healing
effect, the increase in the immunologic power of resistance, happens via an
increase in white blood cells (leucocytes) into the bloodstream. Echinacea
does not damage or destroy the germs, but conquers them by increasing the
body’s power of resistance, inhibiting the development of viruses, bacteria
or fungi. If the healing plant is taken in the form of a fresh plant tincture
as a three-week long regimen at the right time (November), then the onset of
influenza symptoms or flu-like infections will either stay away altogether or
be very mild.



Siberian
Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

The Siberian ginseng is referred to as an adaptogen in
phytotherapy. That is, as a healing plant which enables us to better adapt to
the burdening conditions of the environment, it abolishes stressful situations
and mobilizes the body’s own defenses against viruses and bacteria.

The root used as a tea or tincture helps those who are prone to catch the flu due to stress and
over-activity. The root was studied
scientifically by Prof. Dr. J. J. Brekhman of Russia and he was able to verify
the active ingredients – adaptogens (eleutheroside A, B, B1, C, D/E) a type of
glycoside, as well as oleanolglycoside (Eleuteroside I, K, L, M). They have an
immune stimulating, building, vitalizing and nerve strengthening effect. For
people affected by stress, the Siberian ginseng is the universal remedy for
prophylaxis of the cold and flu.

Spruce (picea abies)

The young shoots with their content of essential oils
(limones, pinenes, borneol, bornyl acetate) help persons whose breathing capability
is impaired (compromised). They are prone
to develop a catarrh of the respiratory airway and infections of the mucous
membranes within the whole respiratory system. The spruce has the power to revitalize
and renew the halted breath.

Wild /
creeping Thyme (Thymus pulegioides)






To date, the wild thyme is a highly desired healing herb, used
particularly as a proven flu
prophylactic.



An old saying goes: “The next flu will come in due time, but not to
those who are taking wild thyme”.



Thymus pulegioides can be taken for three consecutive weeks as a tea
or fresh plant tincture in late fall (November), in order to prevent against
flu-like infections.





Violet
(Viola odorata)

The violet with its fragrant essential oils (parmon,
zingiberen, isoborneo and curcument) is particularly well suited for children
who easily get sick with the cold after exposure to cold temperatures. A tea
made from the healing plant has proven to be an effective, fragrant preventive measure for flu-like infections
in adolescents.



All of these great helpers can be very effective in
protecting you against colds and flus, but it is also important to consider
your individual
constitution. There is not one remedy or therapy or treatment that’s
equally effective for everyone’s cold or illness. Therefore, the choice of your
natural remedy must be matched to your individual symptom picture. This brings
me back to homeopathy, because a homeopathic
constitutional remedy will do just that. It will focus on what is specific
about you, what makes your complaints
different from the next person’s. Your constitutional remedy is very powerful
because it works holistically, taking into account all of your other complaints too. I would be more
than happy to answer your questions on homeopathy or this article in a
complimentary 15 minute information session. Call the clinic today to book your
appointment: (519) 603-0505.

In good health,

Irene Schwens, C. Tran., DHMHS

Owner / Homeopath

11/13/2018

Dry skin can occur at any age, but it becomes more common ask you get older because the number of oil-boosting sebaceous glands becomes reduced, as does the skins ability to hold moisture. The amount of fat that the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis, contains determines the skins ability to retain moisture and how well it protects the body. Genes can also play a role; if relatives suffer from dry skin, you are more likely to develop the condition. Dry skin can point to insufficiencies in your diet, particularly if you don’t drink enough water, how low intake of the essential fatty acids found in oils and fish, or have a vitamin A or B group deficiency. To counter this deficiency, try eating more red and yellow-coloured fruit and vegetables, plus whole grains and green leady vegetables, all of which are good sources of vitamins A building blocks (such as cartonoids) and B group vitamins. Other triggers to dry skin include exposure to sunlight, cold weather, and central heating, and the over-use of harsh soaps and cleansing products, avoid those that contain alcohol, which is very drying. In extreme cases of dry skin, fish-like scaling of the skin can occur.

Diet: The oils in cold water fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Eating these types of fish at least twice a week can help replenish lost moisture in the skin. Two tbsp. of flaxseed oil a day can also help replenish skin oils. Drinking 10, 8oz glasses of water a day will replenish some of the internal dryness of the body. Eliminate any foods you are allergic to. These foods may include wheat, dairy, corn, eggs, and soy.

Supplements: As mentioned above, fish oils contain fatty acids that have therapeutic functions. Take EPA/DHA daily. Vitamin A, taken each day also nourishes the skin. A good multivitamin/mineral is recommended to sustain overall healthy skin. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Vitamin E is also helpful in treating dry skin. Mix 4 oz. of jojoba oil or non-scented almond oil with 20 drops of rose oil and 20 drops of lavender (for their pleasant smell) with 10 drops of vitamin E. This mixture will moisturize the skin.

Homeopathy: Although dry skin can occur at any time of year, it can flare up even more during autumn and winter months. This results from constantly exposing skin to dry, centrally heated atmospheres and dry, cold winds. There are some simple measures that can be taken to keep your skin supple and well balanced throughout the colder months of the year.

Calendula: Calendula cream makes an excellent skin salve that soothes and moisturizes at the same time. Apply the cream to small dry, flaky patches on the face or body.

Calc carb: This is a good remedy for dry skin that is also pale, chilly, and sweats easily.

Natrum mur: If there is a noticeable tendency for dry, flaky patches of skin to develop around the mouth and the corners of the lips, use Natrum mur. This remedy is likely to be helpful where there’s a history of cold sores (often in response to over-exposure to sunlight), spots, and generally hypersensitive skin.

Graphites: For small patches of tight, flaky skin that develop into cracks during the cold months, Graphites is a helpful remedy. Sites that can be especially vulnerable include the exposed areas behind the ears, lips, and even fingertips.

TIP: USE A CREAM CLEANSER
Avoid washing your face with soap and water throughout the winter. Although this may clean your face, it will strip it of essential oils that help keep skin healthy and supple. Use a gentler cream cleanser, followed by an alcohol-free toning lotion. Or try using a wash-off cleanser that is designed to maintain the oil balance of the skin.

08/01/2018

Join us at The KW Health Expo September 15 & 16th
10 a.m-5 p.m. at The Aud & Arenas
Kitchener Auditorium
400 East Ave. Kitchener
https://www.facebook.com/kwhealthexpo/

The KW Women's Show will be the largest women's show in Kitchener for a fun day out and to browse the 120+ vendors at Bingemans.

06/13/2018

Indispensable for everyday complaints

Homeopathy

and it does work …

The 10 best remedies for your home remedy kit

Homeopathic medicine has been proven as a holistic method of treatment for over 200 years. Homeopathic remedies don’t act “against” a complaint. Rather, they strengthen the weakened vital force according to the Law of Similars.

Find out how to conquer everyday complaints – ranging from infection to muscle pains, to sleeplessness

Samuel Hahnemann (1755 – 1843), a chemist and pharmacist, developed the medical system of homeopathy, which is used successfully by many holistic practitioners. Upward trend. It is also increasingly popular for self-help: In spite of the ongoing discussion between experts of conventional medicine about the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines, approximately 60 per cent of the German population trusts in pellets and other homeopathic preparations. This is according to a 2014 Allensbach study. By comparison: In 1970, it was only 24 percent – slightly more than the percentage of Canadians using homeopathy today. A Canadian online study by Insights West in March of 2016 showed that 22 % of Canadians have tried homeopathic remedies, of which 60 % said that the treatment was very effective.

In all, homeopathy has more female than male fans: 73 per cent of women have taken a homeopathic remedy opposed to “only” 48 per cent of men. This warrants the question of why it is, that conventional medicine practitioners continue to see homeopathy as a “misleading doctrine”.

Surely, an explanation can be found in the fact that the corresponding intellectual edifices of conventional medicine and homeopathy are quite different. The latter does not treat one single sick organ. Rather, it is understood as an expression of a dysfunction affecting the whole person. As such, emotional troubles are not separated from the physical disease process, but rather perceived as an equal part of the whole.

New Energy for a vital force that’s “out of tune”

Homeopathy assumes an “out of tune”, weakened life force. As a result, we see individual symptoms that require individual treatment. This is why there is not – as in conventional medicine – the one antibiotic for everyone. Rather, a specific homeopathic medicine that suits the patient is chosen, somewhat like a key that fits into a specific lock. In doing so, the treatment is always aimed at bringing a patient’s functional ability back into balance.

As such, there is an energetic aspect in the foreground that encompasses the interaction between all organs, including the mental and emotional state, social environment as well as climate factors or environmental factors. This explains why it is so difficult to prove the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.

It is about an empirical science that is more than two centuries old. You cannot really argue its effectiveness away in my opinion. Unless there is an interest in bringing more expensive medications, often causing side effects, to the market. Research into the effectiveness of prescription drugs is unfortunately steered by stakeholders of the pharmaceutical industry.

But there are many other cultures that know about the existing energy fields of the body which do not exist for modern science. For example, they talk about an ethereal body, the aura or chakras. In an increased electromagnetic field, a person’s energy – literally, their radiance – can even be shown in a photograph.

Just try it for yourself, best with the help of an experienced homeopath. Even when it comes to chronic complaints, I clearly see the advantages of homeopathic remedies, because they stimulate a person’s inner life force and can activate a self-healing process that is often more hampered than benefited by chemical drugs such as cortisone or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hahnemann’s Law of Similars “Similia similibus curentur” (“Like cures like”) is the most important principle in homeopathic healing

Helpful medicine for humans and animals alike

If the problem is sleep disturbances, you get excited easily and tense up, then you will be prescribed “the similar” in homeopathy – in this case, the remedy Coffea, which is made from the Arabic coffee plant “Coffa arabica”.

Conventional medicine, by contrast, prescribes something “to relax”. Instead of healing with the similar, it practices a therapy with “opposite” agents. For example, with fever-reducing medicines for infectious diseases or a cortisone cream for skin problems. But if medicines are given specifically to counter symptoms, this also means: The actual cause of the disease is disregarded (!) This results in the genuine risk of developing a chronic condition. At the same time, the body is further weakened in its fight for maintaining health.

The homeopathic globules – the familiar sugar pellets – are sprayed with the homeopathic lotion

Samuel Hahnemann championed the homeopathic treatment of animals too. In one of his lectures he said that animals are healed just as safely and surely as humans using the homeopathic healing method.

The fact that animals are often remarkably improved and healed by homeopathic treatment, is actually proof of the fact that homeopathy does work. Just as therapy on children. In these cases, it is not so easy to use the explanation that it’s all just “imagination”, that is, a placebo effect, as cited by critics.

Classical homeopathic remedies in Veterinary Medicine

Animals can’t talk and describe their sensitivities or the location of a pain. But as an animal owner, you can develop observation skills as to when and how physical and mental changes show up.

Homeopathic remedies can be very helpful for our pets

Ignatia for grief

An eight-year-old poodle developed repeated epileptic seizures after the death of his companion. After a one-time dose of Ignatia, these attacks did not happen anymore. The key ingredient is the dried seeds of the Ignatius bean.

As the remedy first and foremost acts upon an oversensitive nervous system, it is used equally often for human grief or personal offences. It is also typical that a person’s emotional grief would manifest at the physical level in convulsions and cramps in the muscular system.

Homeopathic remedies can be a blessing when you are overburdened and lacking motivation

Dry, stress-induced eczema – accompanied emotionally by fears – can be treated with Arsenicum. A remedy that has been proven even for persistent cradle cap in babies

Phosphorus for coughing fits

A dog contracted kettle cough from a fellow member of his species when out walking in cold air. After that, he developed hefty, dry sounding attacks of cough and increased thirst. After a dose of the medicine Phosphorus in high potency the cough attacks eased off. The dog was completely healthy in due time.

The famous Law of Similars

The questions remains, of how the founder of homeopathic medicines, Samuel Hahnemann, got the idea of the Law of Similars. He was very versatile, knew six languages and translated many specialist books of his time.

He got a crucial impulse in the year 1790: At the age of 35, when he was translating the English pharmacology of the chemist, physicist and renowned physician William Cullen, he came across an entry on the Peruvian bark, which was used at the time successfully to treat malaria. Cullen assumed the effectiveness of this substance in treating malaria to be due to its astringency. Initially, Hahnemann was skeptical, taking himself small amounts of Peruvian bark several times. He was surprised to find that he ended up with malaria symptoms such as fever and shivering fits every time.

Additional trials reinforced his initial discovery: When healthy persons take a certain substance in a small dose, then it will cause symptoms that are typical of the substance. The second discovery: Substances that cause certain symptoms in healthy persons, can heal similar symptoms in a sick person.

To date, the Law of Similars is a key tenet in homeopathy: “Choose a medicine for a sick person that can trigger a smiliar (Greek: homoion) suffering (Greek: pathos) to that which it is to heal – Similia similibus curentur”.

Hahnemann assumed initially that the healing effect of the corresponding remedy – just like the toxic effect – would diminish with splitting and processing. But he was astonished to find out during his experiments that through potentization, as he later called it, the healing effect actually increased.

According to Hahnemann’s principles, it is the art of healing to establish order. As the human being is a healthy person when all is in harmony.

“All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy”

Paracelsus

There are no traceable substances – yet the healing powers are striking

I feel that it is mostly the higher potencies that can act upon the body’s self-healing mechanisms with their energetic powers, and thus, you could speak of vibrational and information medicine.

You have few side effects and profound action – this makes homeopathy very attractive. If it were possible to win a nobel prize with respect to the mechanism of action of high potencies, then that would really call for an answer to the question of why dilutions beyond Avrogado’s number can be effective.

In other words: From a chemical perspective, substantive ingredients can no longer be quantified in the higher homeopathic potencies. This means that the medicine no longer contains any traceable substances after the step-by-step preparation of the primary substance by means of dynamic succussion or trituration. But still, it unfolds healing powers out of, literally, nothing.

For better understanding, simply imagine a quiet lake: Similar to a drop of water falling on a smooth lake surface that draws seemingly endless circles, compelling the water into oscillation, so too does the remedy’s medicinal information magnify in the body.

Just like a single drop compels the water surface into oscillation, the remedies stimulate our self-healing powers

Homeopathy for kids

What parent would want to risk the chances of the side effects of chemical medicine for their offspring? And surely you wouldn’t want to suppress any self-regulating forces. This is why for me, homeopathic remedies as gentle vibrational medicine, are the first choice especially for children.

Many children get recurrent ear infections that keep coming back despite antibiotic treatment. Often, remedies like Belladonna or Hepar Sulphuris – made on the basis of calcium carbonicum and Sulphur derived from oyster shells – make the susceptibility to ear infections disappear.

Another impressive experience with the remedy Belladonna was that of a one-year-old boy struck with a high fever. He was literally burning up. His head was red. After a few questions, the remedy Belladonna was given. One minute after taking a dose of 3 pellets in the potency 30 CH, the extreme heat disappeared and his fever came down more quickly than you would expect from an acetaminophen suppository.

From primary substance to high potency

Starting substances for homeopathy are plants, mineral and animal products, but also whole animals, such as the honey bee. The remedy Apis, for example, is made from the whole bee. This remedy too, belongs in every home remedy kit in the potency 30 CH, for acute infections and swelling for example. But regardless of whether the source material is a bee or a plant like chamomilla, i.e. the “primary substance”. It is always only after the described potentization that the substance ends up being a medicinal remedy.

The homeopathic pellets are made from cane sugar. They are sprayed with the diluted mother tincture – that is, the respective agent – and then air dried.

But homeopathic remedies are also available in the form of tablets or drops. They all contain the information, vibrations and impulses needed to set in motion the trigger to self-recovery in a sick person.

In particular the gentle, easy to administer, lower potencies up to 12 CH are suitable for the home remedy kit. Furthermore, first aid remedies like Belladonna, Apis or Arnica have proven to be effective in the higher potency of 30 CH. You’d usually take one dose only of 3 pellets in an acute case or after an injury resp. a fall. After this dose, improvement can be expected fairly soon.

Homeopathy does not only have great remedies for acute cases. A special field of expertise are particularly the chronic cases in which the weakened life force needs support so that the body can deal with the illness by its own efforts. If the symptoms are merely suppressed, then they may look for another form of expression. For example, when early childhood eczema turns into adolescent asthma or adult-onset rheumatic disease.

There was the case of a small boy who was born with eczema. He suffered quite a bit because the eczema was extremely itchy and he scratched until he bled. All creams, powder and later on also cortisone didn’t help much. It was always better for a short while, but then the attacks came back. Of course, this is very stressful for the parents too.

Finally, it turned out that the mother had several amalgam fillings removed during the pregnancy. A fact that doctors had not considered, but which was of significance in choosing the correct homeopathic remedy. By specific application of several remedies in higher potencies, the boy was symptom-free after about two years, improving progressively during the course of homeopathic treatment.

Limits to self-medication: Always consult a trained homeopath in cases of eczema

The importance of the constitution in treatment

In principle, each organism strives to keep healthy on its own, and to maintain a harmonious equilibrium of all life forces. For the most part, it is able to do this on its own or at least, for quite some time. Once this is no longer the case, homeopathic medicines can be helpful.

If for example, you have certain complaints that keep coming back, then a more comprehensive treatment is recommended. The fact that a person gets sick, and how they get sick, is established in their constitution too, which they are born with. Their constitution is inherited from their parents and ancestors.

A patient’s personality traits are just as important as physical symptoms. It happens all too often that a remedy is given based on physical symptoms alone, only to find out that it doesn’t work. That creates the impression that homeopathy is an unprecise and unreliable form of therapy.

Every now and then, it’s the genetic body plan which isn’t perfect in anyone, that can upset therapeutic success. After all, each person has hereditary constitutional weaknesses. And therefore, also the propensity to react with illness in a certain area. The one person may be particularly susceptible to ear, nose and throat complaints, while someone else is more prone to easily getting an upset stomach.

Homeopathy has constitutional remedies for these cases, to balance the physical, emotional and mental weaknesses as much as possible.

Let’s take the remedy Chamomilla for example, respectively the constitutional remedy Chamomilla. This person is irritable, upset and angry and – very sensitive to pain. The least pain can already be too much and unbearable when you have this predisposition. The plant helps as a general constitutional remedy when the nervous system is overexcited, the body needs calm. In pediatrics, it has proven helpful in colicky babies or diarrhea when teething.

In this context, the combination remedies should be mentioned too. These were developed in order to facilitate the difficult task of finding the suitable single remedy. However, practice has shown that homeopathic remedies work best when they are matched precisely to the presenting symptoms. And this is achieved only when one single remedy is used per treatment.

It is said that even Hahnemann was upset with the combination remedies. “In homeopathy, the real, simple and natural healing method, it is not allowed to treat a sick person with two different medicinal substances at once”. Yet he was unable to stop the further distribution of combination remedies.

“I can’t be without homeopathy. I actually don’t go anywhere without my homeopathic medicines.”

Paul McCartney

The 10 best remedies for your home remedy kit

Not every condition is equally serious. This is why homeopathy talks about hierarchization. Accordingly, the important symptoms – for example, a hot body accompanied by a beet red head – are identified as “keynote symptoms”. The more symptoms of high (e.g. fever) or medium (e.g. desire for lemonade but aversion to milk) similarity match with the respective remedy, the more suitable it is (for example, Belladonna).

For self-treatment, homeopathic remedies are particularly suitable in the case of acute infections, stomach, intestinal and bladder troubles, or rheumatic complaints. As well, for nervousness or sleeplessness, but also for falls and (sports) injuries.

Important: Always take only one remedy at a time, never several at once. As well, if you cannot really find a similarity between the remedy’s symptom picture and your symptoms, then it’s best not to take it.

Use your home remedy kit first and foremost in acute cases in day-to-day life. In the case of chronic complaints, these should be discussed with a homeopath so that a matching remedy can be found together, respectively, a completely individualized constitutional treatment be chosen.

The proper application: In general, a dose of the remedy in the potency 6 CH is to be dissolved under the tongue every hour. The remedy is discontinued once the symptoms have disappeared. If after 24 hours there is no improvement, then the nature of the remedy should be re-examined and perhaps a different one chosen that matches better with the complaints.

1 Allium Cepa, the common onion

The eyes are teary and the nose dripping, as in runny nose and hay fever for example. In that case, the common onion is particularly well suited. The mild flood of tears with concurrently acrid nasal discharge and burning, sharp pain, is typical.

Further symptoms are frequent, forceful sneezing, hoarseness or laryngeal pain and a “tickling cough”. The complaints are worse with heat, damp weather and wet feet. Improvement outside in the open and in cool air.

2 Apis, the honey bee

The honey bee is ideal for the homeopathic self-treatment as first measure (in the 30 CH potency in that case) for rapidly swelling insect bites, allergic swelling of the skin (with edema, bumps, burning, stinging) or sore throat. For tonsillitis and fever.

The affected areas are puffy, shiny and reddish. The symptoms develop fast. Sudden severe pains are possible. The patient is – according to the industrious activity of the bee – characterized by nervous restlessness. He or she is fidgety, and hard to please.

Complaints are worse in the heat and on touch as well as after hot drinks, and better by any kind of cooling.

3 Argentum Nitricum, nitric silver or silver nitrate

This remedy is also referred to as nitrate of silver and is especially suitable when someone’s nerves are shattered. For fears, memory lapses and stage fright. For nervous exhaustion, migraines, eye and gastrointestinal infections, as well as nervous heart complaints.

Typical symptoms are severe abdominal bloating with explosive burping. Furthermore: Diarrhea from emotional trauma. Desire for sweets, cramps and trembling.

The Argentum nitricum type of person is impulsive, hurried and easily thrown off balance mentally and emotionally. He or she wants cool air, cold drinks and cold food. They “suffocate” in warm rooms.

Accordingly, they are aggravated in closed rooms, also from sugar. Being outside does them good.

4 Arnica, the Leopard’s Bane

Arnica, the Leopard’s Bane – a classical remedy for injuries and wounds

The orange-yellow Leopard’s Bane that grows in the mountains is used for injuries – also after surgeries and dental treatments. For pain relief, stimulation of the blood flow, anti-inflammatory, wound healing. As well for muscle pains / sore muscles, complaints of the vessels and heart or for jetlag and the flu. In old age, Arnica can strengthen the heart and circulation. Worse: Motion and the slightest touch. Feeling exhausted, better from rest, warmth and being alone.

I highly appreciate this wonderful plant. Because apart from healing acute injuries after falls or bruising, after pulled muscles and contusions, it also helps with physical and emotional trauma which may be painfully burrowed at a deeper level. But I wouldn’t use Arnica as excessively as it is being used by now. A child doesn’t need a remedy after each bump. A hug and kiss from mommy and the child is totally fine.

A word of advice: Arnica montana is the accident remedy most often used. The harder the impact and the worse the (sports) injuries are, the higher a potency should be selected. Therefore, the travel remedy kit should have a 30 CH in addition to a 12 CH.

5 Belladonna, the Bane wort

It has become a renowned remedy particularly in pediatrics: for dentition, shiny red gums, feverish, restless children with beet red faces. For sudden colic or a middle ear infections. But also for nerve pain, cramping, grinding of the teeth and restless sleep.

Acute onset of symptoms is typical: hot head, cold feet. Intense heat of the whole body with blood congestion to the head. Extreme thirst. Swallowing is complicated by dryness. Intense pain comes and goes in repeated attacks.

The “Belladonna-Type” is over active, excited, loud and talks very fast. Worse on touch, motion, light, noise. Better from rest and light covers.

6 Cantharis, the Spanish Fly

For the homeopathic treatment of acute urinary tract infections, also for sunburn and burns with blistering.

A typical guiding symptom of a bladder infection is a strong desire to urinate with burning, stinging, cutting pains. Accordingly, worse on urination.

7 Cocculus, the Indian Cockle

Cocculus, the Indian Cockle, is particularly helpful for sensitive people

Exhausted, weak, a feeling of emptiness? This calls for the Indian Cockles, the fruit of an Asian tree species. They’ve been proven particularly for nervous irritation and exhaustion. Also, for vertigo and stomach cramps, travel sickness and sea sickness, jetlag and as a stress remedy.

Typical: worrisome, burdening thoughts. The patient needs lots of time for all activities. Anger about trifles, fear of the unknown. Drowsiness and lost in thought. Worse from lack of sleep. Rest is helpful.

8 Coffea, the Coffee Bean

Coffea, based on the caffeine of the coffee plant, helps with over excitement

The remedy coffea is made for the most part from the Arabic coffee plant Coffea arabica resp. its plant-based caffeine. Homeopathically, it is used for complaints due to mental excitement, but also (excessive) joy, for sleeplessness and restlessness. In short: For oversensitivity and overexcitement – all those symptoms that can be the result of excessive coffee consumption. As well, for migraines and nerve pain.

“Coffea types” are either very emotional or quick-tempered. Typical symptoms are complaining, crying and nervous sleeplessness, say because there are a thousand things on their mind. Worse from mental exertion, but also touching, (pleasant) surprises, too much coffee.

9 Echinacea, the narrow-leaved Lebanon squill

The plant also known as the purple coneflower from the Natural order of the compositae is native to North America. It is used for strengthening the immune defenses, for recurring infections of the respiratory system and urinary tract, for emerging cold symptoms, fever, skin infections and acne. Very suitable for children.

Typical symptoms are fatigue, muscle pains, nausea, chilliness and weakness. The mood is depressed, grumpy. Better from rest and lying down. Worse after eating fruit, from cold drinks, damp cold weather and after physical and mental exertion.

The narrow-leaved Lebanon squill, Echinacea, is an ideal remedy for strengthening the immune defenses in the case of frequent infections

10 Ledum palustre, the wild Rosemary

The wild rosemary is helpful for gout and rheumatic complaints. Also, after insect bites and animal bites.

Ledum palustre, the wild rosemary, can help in cases of accident injuries, bruising, joint pain and acne. Also, for gout and rheumatic complaints.

Frequent chilliness, cold body parts are typical. After injuries, discoloration of the tissue lasts for a long time. Rheumatic complaints start in the small joints and move from the bottom up. The soles of the feet are sensitive and painful. Worse from warm coverings and warm air, improvement from the cold, also cool baths.

Hint: Ledum is very helpful for squished fingers or toes, for wounds from impact injuries and blows, after tick bites or insect bites. In the latter case, it also helps to reduce the agonizing itching (also for pets and horses).

I hope that you found this information interesting and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please give us a call, or book an appointment online to be seen.

Very best,

Irene Schwens Hom, DHMHS, C.Tran.

Owner / Homeopath Registration #15241

K-W HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE

……………………….………AND WELLNESS CLINIC

751 King Street West, Suite 310

Kitchener, ON N2G 1E5

T (519) 603-0505

F (519) 603-0506

ischwens@kwhomeopathicmedicine.com

www.kwhomeopathicmedicine.com

“The physician’s highest and only calling

is to make the sick healthy, to cure, as it is called”

--- Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, §1, Organon of the Medical Art ---

Homeopathic medicine has been proven as a holistic method of treatment for over 200 years. Homeopathic remedies don’t act “against” a complaint. Rather, they strengthen the weakened vital force according to the Law of Similars. Find out how to conquer everyday complaints – ranging from infec...