Origins of Alternative Medicine
An Interview about the Emergence of Alternative Med. with a Practitioner of:
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Homeopathy is a system of medical practice based on the principle that diseases can be cured by drugs that produce the same effects as the symptoms (causes) of the disease. They essentially work in the same way as vaccines do in preventing infection and illness. The homeopathic doctrine was first formulated by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. Homeopaths also believe that small doses of a drug are more successful than large doses. The American Institute of Homeopathy was founded in 1844. Homeopathic medicine had its greatest popularity in the late 19th century here in the United States, when 15% of the doctors in this country were homeopaths. However, with the advent of modern medicine, homeopathy began to look old and stodgy and its popularity took a nosedive. However, since 1980 homeopathy has seen a resurgence of interest in the United States and the U.K.; homeopathic books can be found in many bookstores and homeopathic physicians in most towns and cities.
Delphinium Staphysagnia: Homeopathic plant used to treat an array of neurological diseases. |
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| Method: | ||||
| Classical homeopathy rests on three principles: the law of similars, the single medicine, and the minimum dose. The following chart adaquately describes the three principles: | ||||
| The Law of Similars | ||||
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A disease is cured by a medicine which creates symptoms similar to those the patient is experiencing in a healthy person. Hence, an important part of the prescription of a homeopathic medicine is a lengthy interview to determine all the symptoms the patient is experiencing. The homeopathic physician then determines which medicine best matches the symptoms that the patient is experiencing and prescribes it. |
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| The Single Medicine | ||||
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The principle of the single remedy states that a single medicine should cover all the symptoms the patient is experiencing: mental, emotional, and physical. A classical homeopath would not prescribe one medicine for a headache and another for an upset stomach, he or she would find a single medicine that covered both symptoms. |
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| The Minimum Dose (2 parts) | ||||
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1. The homeopathic physician only prescibes a small number of doses of the homeopathic medicine and waits to see what effect the medicine has. 2. The medicine is given in an infinitesimal dose. Homeopaths have discovered that the effect of homeopathic medicines is strengthed upon successive dilutions as long as the medicine is violently shaken between each dilution. Medicines are typically used in very high dilutions such as 30C (1 part in 10^-60) or 200C (1 part in 10^-400). |
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Homeopathy always examines the patient's mental make-up in all cases and remedies are given acting at the level of mind and body together, thus eradicating the disease. This medical system tackles the mind-body disorders with definite therapeutic agents. Homeopathic remedies are capable of influencing the state of mind. By relieving such motions, homeopathic remedies bring about harmonious state of health. Thus Homeopathy demonstrates the possibility of the highest goal of medicine, the therapy for the person rather than for the disease alone. Homeopathic remedies can cure mental and emotional disturbed states. Homopathic practitioners believe in the holistic medical model, which states that an illness is specific to the individual. Hering's Laws of Cure were developed by Dr. Constantine Hering, who stated that healing progresses from the deepest part of the body to the extremities (arms and legs); from the emotional and mental aspects to the physical; and from the upper part of the body (head, neck, ears, throat) to the lower parts of the body (fingers, abdomen, legs, feet). His laws also state that healing progresses in reverse chronological, from the most recent ailments to the oldest. The body attempts to heal its most recent (acute) injuries or disorders before it tackles older, chronic conditions. |
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| Common cures: | ||||
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According to homeopaths, homeopathy claims all this without producing any side effects whatsoever. Unlike antibiotics and other such medicines, homeopathic pills do not hamper digestion, nor lower body's resistance. Neither do they cause any allergies nor cause any damage even if taken over a long period. |
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| Application: | ||||
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If you suffer from a chronic health problem, you should be aware that homeopathic treatment will take time and patience. You should be prepared to commit to six months or more of treatment before the problem is resolved. Also, a homeopathic doctor may suggest changes in diet and lifestyle as part of the treatment. If you are unable to commit to this, you should consider another form of medical practice. Homeopathic remedies are championed by many other alternative disciplines. Herbal medicine and ayurveda, for instance, are therapies which treat patients with very similar remedies, in composition, to homeopathic supplements. Furthermore, there is a lot of overlap in the types of remedies administered in these three therapies. One of the more striking concepts that homeopathy supports but the other two do not is the idea of giving an infinitesimal dosage to the patient. Naturopathic therapists also like homeopathy because of its emphasis on the use of natural substances to cure disease. |
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Modern medicine's perspective: The use of infinitesimal doses is the most controversial aspect of homeopathy and the reason why most conventional doctors claim it functions only as a placebo. However, a number of controlled studies have been performed which show the effectiveness of homeopathic medicine in treating a number of diseases. The best summary of this research is a study published in the British Medical Journal. The authors of this study are not homeopaths, but medical school professors asked by the Dutch government to review the existing research. |
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| Links & Resources: | ||||
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are a number of searchable online databases now available:
The NCH 1998 Directory of Practitioners (Searchable). The NCH also provides a useful State by State Resources page. The HANP searchable database of Members and Practitioners The CHC searchable database of certified Practitioners The database of classical homeopaths maintained by Steven Waldstein. These and the following organizations can help you locate a homeopathic physician in your area. The
National Center for Homeopathy A non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting homeopathy in the United States through education, publication, research, and membership services. Membership is $40/year and includes the Directory of Practitioners and Study Groups, and the monthly magazine Homeopathy Today. An information packet, including the Directory, is available for $6. American
Institute of Homeopathy |
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| Homeo Doctor: http://www.tiruchicity.com/homeo/ An excellent site due to its new homeopathic database software. | ||||
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| Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases: Written in the mid-1800s, Hahnemann's book, originally written in German began the whole practice of homeopathy. An incomple on-line version of the book is setup on. | ||||
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| The Homeopathic Book List: A large collection of book reviews on homeopathy. | ||||
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| Bernie, Simon. "Homeopathy - An Introduction" Internet. 1997 (Apr. 1998) <http://www.dungeon.com/home/cam/homfaq.html>. | ||||
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Dr.Rajesh Shah and Dr.Rupal Shah. "All About Homeopathy" Internet 1996. (Apr. 1998) <http://www.indiaspace.com/Homeopathy/abouthom.htm> |
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| "Clinical trials of Homeopathy.", Kleijnen, Jos; Knipschild, Paul; ter Riet, Gerben; British Medical Journal, Feb 9, 1991 v302 n6772 p516(8). | ||||
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Reilly DT, Taylor MA, Beattie NG et al. Is evidence for Homeopathy reproducible? Lancet, 1994;344:1601-6. |
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| Jacobs J, Jimenez LM, Gloyd SS et al. Treatment of childhood diarrhea with homeopathic medicine: a randomized clinical trial in Nicaragua. Pediatrics, 1994; 93:719-25. | ||||
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Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, ter Riet G. Clinical trials of homeopathy. British Medical Journal, 1991; 302:316-323. |
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1. British Institute of Homeopathy and College of Homeopathy 520 Washington Boulevard Suite 423 Marina Del Rey, California 90292 (310) 306-5408 2. International Foundation for Homeopathy 2366 Eastlake Avenue, East Suite 301 Seattle, Washington 98102 (206) 324-8230 3. National Center for Homeopathy 801 North Fairfax, Suite 306 Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 548-7790 4. Homeopathic Educational Services 2124 Kittredge Street Berkeley, California 94704 (510) 649-0294 (800) 359-9051 |
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| Permissions: | ||||
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Form for homeopathy referal service at http://library.advanced.org/24209/homeopathy.html from National Center for Homeopathy http://www.healthy.net/nch/NCHSearch.htm, nchinfo@igc.apc.org, June 1998. Email message. |
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