| What
is Homeopathy? |
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Homeopathy
is a safe, effective system of natural medicine that the World
Health Organisation says should be integrated worldwide with conventional
medicine. It is estimated that over 500 million people have already
received homeopathic treatment.
In England,
where homeopathy is well recognised and respected, the Royal Family
retains the services of a homeopathic physician. There are five
homeopathic hospitals in the United Kingdom, and homeopathy is
the most popular post-graduate medical course. In Germany, where
homeopathy originated, it is required study in medical school
and there are over 6,000 homeopaths. In France, 40% of physicians
practice homeopathy or refer patients to a homeopath. In India,
there are over 100,000 homeopathic physicians, and Mother Teresa
used homeopathic medicines in her hospital in Calcutta.
The effectiveness
of homeopathy in treating a wide variety of health conditions
has been demonstrated by two hundred years of clinical experience,
and also by research studies published in medical journals such
as The Lancet and The British Medical Journal.
Homeopathic
medicines are prepared from natural sources. They have no toxic
side-effects and, when properly administered by a professional
homeopath, can be safely used by infants, children and adults.
| How
Does it Work?
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Homeopathic
medicines strengthen and stimulate the body's natural healing
systems to cure the underlying disease. Conventional medicine
tends to simply suppress symptoms rather than try to create a
curative response.
The human
body functions as a system and not as a collection of separate
parts. The mind, body, and emotions are interconnected and influence
each other. Homeopathic remedies are chosen based on the totality
of the patients' symptoms - their mental and emotional, as well
as physical, state. This is a truly holistic approach..
There are
no routine prescriptions in homeopathy. Homeopathy treats each
person individually because each person is unique. Each person's
response to stress and pathogens is different, and each person's
pattern of susceptibility to illness differs. A homeopath will
choose the homeopathic treatment that matches the individual patient's
symptom pattern and constitutional make-up. Homeopathic medicines
must be accurately selected in order to be effective.
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Homeopathic Medicines |
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There
are over 2,500 different homeopathic medicines, each with its
own symptom pattern, drawn from all corners of the vegetable,
animal and mineral kingdoms.
The medicines
are prepared in a homeopathic pharmacy through a process of dilution
and succussion (vigourous shaking). The dilution of the medicines
makes each dose extremely small and non-toxic.
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HRT - an alternative way with Homeopathy by Mark Cachia
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In recent weeks studies
have indicated that HRT is linked to breast cancer in certain
age groups. This may naturally raise concerns especially for thousands
of British women who take HRT to alleviate menopause symptoms
such as hot flushes, sweating, mood swings, and to reduce the
risk of bone wasting. Around half take a combination of the hormones
oestrogen and progestogen.
A new study finds that
over the last ten years, thousands of additional cases of breast
cancer in British women aged between 50 and 64 are attributable
to HRT - 75% of those are linked to combination therapy. The risk
however is only associated with HRT taken for ten years or more
and cancer incidence falls appreciably the less time a woman spends
undergoing the therapy. As a result of the studies doctors are
now required to give advice on long term use of HRT to their existing
and new patients.
Homeopathy
During Menopause
From clinical experience at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
70% of patients feel a definite improvement in menopausal symptoms
while using homeopathic medicines.
Many woman feel comfortable
with HRT, however, there are an increasing number who are becoming
concerned with the controversy of this therapy and who may be
seeking an alternative approach to treatment. Homeopathic treatment
can be used as a safe alternative to HRT as medicines are made
from plant or mineral products, they are non toxic and present
no side effects.
Case
example 1. This patient had been on HRT for several years.
She noted that she had always felt tired and easily became depressed
since being on HRT. The common symptoms of hot flushes and sweating
were kept under control with HRT, but for health reasons she became
increasingly uncomfortable with taking this therapy. After having
a homeopathic consultation she decided to temporarily come off
HRT in order to try a homeopathic treatment plan that was specifically
considered for her symptoms. After four weeks she noticed that
she felt more energetic and felt much better emotionally. The
hot flushes and sweating had reduced considerably which made her
life far more bearable. After three months she experienced an
occasional short but mild episode of hot flushes. Thereafter,
infrequent on-going homeopathic treatment was provided to ensure
that she maintained steady progress.
Case
example 2. This patient had been on HRT for ten years
after having a hysterectomy. She was concerned about the long
duration that she had been on this treatment but also about the
risk of osteoporosis. (She was advised to see a dietitian as a
means cf maintaining a calcium rich diet). She experienced common
symptoms of night sweats, burning heat and thirst. After much
thought she decided to stop the HRT and began taking the homeopathic
remedies prescribed for her. After on-going treatment she noticed
that her physical symptoms were not so debilitating and she felt
less weepy than usual. Treating women who have had a hysterectomy
and who wish to come off HRT requires a longer treatment plan
due to the removal of the uterus. However, this patient felt happier
to be receiving on-going homeopathic medication as a natural approach
to her condition.
In general
women are taking more control in how they choose to deal with
the menopause. Alternative approaches such as homeopathy provide
women with the choice of exploring a safer way to maintaining
their health, but are advised to maintain contact with their doctors
alongside any alternative or complementary therapy.
Mark
Cachia LCH - Homeopathic Consultant at The Freed Clinic, Croydon
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Angina
