The cold and flu season is rapidly approaching. As a matter-of-fact, I happen to have my teenage daughter home sick today with a sore throat and fever. So in truth, it is ALREADY upon us.
Many friends and clients ask me my opinion regarding the flu shot. There are so many alternatives to the flu shot, one needs only to have a desire to think outside the box-todays box that is, or perhaps think more like your grandmother. Grandmother knew best. Get plenty of rest, sunshine, good whole foods, and WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! Seriously, this is the best prevention out there, keep your environment free of chemicals, bacteria and the like, but washing your hands after an outing, keeping them away from your mouth, nose and eyes, will do wonders!
For those of you who might need a bit more than grandma’s old-fashioned, common sense remedies, I would like to recommend a wonderful homeopathic remedy by the name of Oscillococcinum. If you stare at this word for a few minutes, you will eventually be able to pronounce it! It is pronounced just as it is spelled. Os-cill-oc-coc-cinum. It took me all last year, but I eventually got it!!!! This remedy can be taken prophylactically as well as taking it at the first sign of a cold or flu bug. I elected to give this to all my family this year in advance. (Naturally I made this decision after my youngest got sick!) If you have multiple family members, may I suggest you do this all on a day when everyone is most likely to be home. This way you can remember who you gave it to, and how many doses were given. To do this, open one vial from the box. Pour the pellets in the cap provided until it is full. This is one dose. Take under the tongue until they dissolve. Do this every hour for three hours, for a total of three doses. The box comes with several vials of this remedy. The instruction read to take an entire vial. For this dosing purpose, that is not necessary. Repeat one week later in the same fashion. If you have a child under the age of 2, I suggest you speak with a homeopathic professional first before hand.
There are many other flu remedies available, however a clear symptom picture is required. If you or a family member should come down with a cold or flu, please do not panic. Help is as near as a phone call. Homeopathy has been treating the flu for over 200 years with great success. It was the homeopathic hospitals in the early 1900′s that rescued many from the Flu of 1918. Somehow this has been removed from our history books!
It is my greatest desire to educate and inform people of alternative choices available to them. I pray that one day, it will be flu shots, and the like that will be considered the “alternative” and that homeopathy will receive the respect and notability it once had in this country some 100 years ago. Please feel free to contact me at my office any time to book an appointment, or just to ask a question. 760-579-1692
To your health!
xoxo Julie
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/08/20/vicious-attack-by-fda-to-eliminate-most-of-your-supplements.aspx
Busting the Myths About Homeopathy!
Submitted by cchm on Fri, 08/26/2011 – 13:52
If you have spent any time on the internet, on social media sites like Twitter or Facebook or even watch the television, you have probably seen people saying that Homeopathy just doesn’t work. These people often call themselves “sceptics”. They claim that they are all about the scientific process, yet when presented with clear evidence to the contrary, they almost blindly cling to their opinions. Accordingly, I like to refer to these people as “pseudo sceptics” as they do not appear to follow scientific thinking at all. In fact, scientists are supposed to propose a hypothesis for further research and study and then try to prove their hypothesis wrong. Furthermore, the appears to be evidence that many of these “pseudo sceptic groups” (the best example is the UK group Sense About Science) actually receive funding from the Pharmaceutical industry suggesting that their efforts to badmouth Homeopathy is coming from a vested interest or at least, that Homeopathy is a threat to the pharmaceutical industry.
What Are These Myths?
Myth Number 1: Homeopathy Is Just Placebo!
The placebo effect is defined as “a remarkable phenomenon in which a placebo– a fake treatment, an inactive substance like sugar, distilled water, or salinesolution — can sometimes improve a patient’s condition simply because the person has the expectation that it will be helpful.” (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31481)
There are hundreds of clinical studies that have been published in peer-reviewed journals showing that homeopathic remedies have an effect exceeding those of placebo. The more important point is that homeopathic studies on cell cultures and animals have demonstrated a positive effect in excess of that of the placebo effect. Both animals and cells are not susceptible to the placebo effect. Finally, if the placebo effect were the explanation of a wide variety of Homeopathic cures, then a Homeopath could administer any remedy and the patient would improve. Any Homeopath will tell you that it is only by closely following the “Law of Similars” that a true improvement and/or cure can only take place.
Myth Number 2: There is No Evidence That Homeopathy Works!
I hate to repeat myself here again, but this is just incorrect. As the website www.extraordinarymedicine.orgstates “This is the most often repeated falsehood emanating from the anti-homeopathy pundits. A tenet they hold as sacred, cite from each other and repeat without shame to media and public alike”.
Do you want to know the truth? The truth is that there are over 600 published research studies, including the gold-standard double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, that demonstrate the effectiveness of Homeopathy over both placebo and conventional medicines. There are clinical studies for acute and chronic disease in both humans and animals which include conditions such as fibromyalgia, eczema, asthma, mastitis in cows, ADHD, HIV/AIDS and much more.
Homeopathy is Dangerous Because It Encourages People From Delaying Medical Treatment
Again this is untrue and reflects an effort to try to promote a culture of fear. Patients have a right to choose which type of medical treatment they would like to pursue. This tactic not only takes agency out of the hands of patients, it also suggests that patients cannot do their own research and make well-informed decisions about their healthcare. Homeopathy does not have to be a stand-alone treatment either. One of the wonderful advantages of Homeopathic treatment is that it is not contraindicated if a patient is pursuing conventional medical treatment and especially pharmaceutical medications.
Apparently these “pseudo sceptics” resort to this argument presenting Homeopathy as dangerous at the same time they try to present it only as the placebo effect. Unfortunately, a medicine cannot be dangerous and have nothing in it at the same time.
In the true interest of upholding evidence-based medicine, I encourage you to critically examine statements by such individuals or groups who seem to be more interested in slandering homeopathy than in the truth.
I would also encourage you to read a wonderful article about Science and Homeopathy by a scientist turned Homeopath at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/15/homeopathy-works-scientific-evidence
Many people seeking holistic health care want to know about a variety of products and services beside homeopathy. In my journey to become a homeopath, I have learned that it is not always a straight road to heath. There are often times many bends in the road, with hills to climb and obstacles to overcome before we rest in the comfort of the valley of perfect health.
It is not uncommon when seeking homeopathic care for a chronic condition, that the patient may become ill with colds and flus and perhaps experience a return of some old symptom from their past. To a homeopath, this is solid gold! We know we are on the right path to cure when this happens, but for the patient themselves, this is often frustrating if not down right annoying. It is during these times that a Homeopath, HHP or Naturopathic Doctor might recommend some adjuct product or products to help the patient through a rough spot.
I have recently stumbled across this fabulous web-site that I would like to share with you. This web-site has a host of wonderful products with fantastic pricing along with free delivery.
www.vitacost.com Take a peak. There are some wonderful deals and products to be found here.
These past few months have been particularly hard on me. I have been concentrating on graduating from the Homeopathic Academy of Southern California, making sure I meet all my obligations, taking care of the few clients I am blessed to have and at the same time doing all I can to continue to learn about the awesome healing principals of homeopathy. This has been quite the challenge. I have been held up at my desk, cramped into a hard wooden chair, avoiding my daily routine of exercise, and perhaps having a few too many glasses of red wine in the evenings…medicinal of course! In essence, doing everything I tell my own clients and friends NOT to do. So what is that about? Since my graduation in May, I have had time to think a great deal about the stress that I experienced my last year of school. I have to admit that it did infact send me into orbit a few times. You can ask my husband and three daughters. There are times in our lives that seem to contradict the very principals that we stand for, taking us into directions that we would otherwise prefer to avoid. So what are we to do when this happens? Well, this is what my training is preparing me for, to help others through these stressful times, and at the same time, teaching myself to seek out this very thing when needed. I believe this is the most challenging part of all, asking for help when we need it, and taking that very help from the very people we seek it from. Often times we may ask for advice, but far too often we fail to adhere to it.
So, I would like to take this time once again, to remind all of you as well as myself, of the wonderful healing benefits of homeopathy. We are not just that achy body scrunched into a hard chair, or that stressed out student, burnt out teacher, or new mom who hasn’t had a good nights sleep in days. We are body, mind and spirit. So the next time you find yourself leaving one of these vital parts along the road side, please consider a holistic approach to your health. Homeopathy can help with many ailments. Just to name a few: Stress, migraines, hormonal balancing, chronic fatigue, all childhood ailments, chronic cystitis, depression, physical trauma and more. I am available by appointment. 760-579-1692
There has been a lot of controversy recently regarding the Hylands Teething Tablet product. This is of some concern, because any miscommunication about homeopathy is never good, for the consumer or for homeopathy in general. If I could just take a moment here to quiet a few fears regarding these products. As a classical homeopath, it is a general rule of thumb, that we do not use combination remedies. We take the totality of symptoms from the patient and decide on one remedy that will cover this totality to put the patient in balance. When combination remedies are used, we can not be sure which remedy is acting either positively or negatively. As I have explained in previous posts, homeopathy is based on the philosophy Like cures Like. We look for remedies that cause those same symptoms in a healthy person. If someone takes a remedy that is not properly prescribed, there is a chance that they may have what is called a proving. In other words, elicit those symptoms associated with that remedy.
There is one other thing that is very important when using homeopathic remedies, especially for the needs of babies, and that is potency. Homeopathic remedies come from all aspects of nature. Toxic substances being one of them. However, in the process of creating the homeopathic equivalent of these toxins, they are diluted many many times. The higher the number the more dilute it is. The lower the number, the closer it is to the original crude substance. The potencies used in the Hylands Teething tablets are of the 3x potency. Which means they are closer to the original crude substance. It is always a good idea to check with a homeopathic professional before giving any remedy, regardless of the potency to babies. Now having said that, it can be very frightening for parents to see their children go through a proving state. Their regular pediatrician is not trained in homeopathy, and only see Belladonna on the label and justifiably panic. They tell their young mothers, that they are poisoning their infants by using this product. Please be assured this is not the case, and that these symptoms will subside and leave no side effects. The symptoms will stop with in a 24-36 hour period of the discontinuation of the remedy or product. Homeopathy is a very safe and effective way to treat all kinds of ailments. However, I would like to truly emphasize the need for professional homeopathic care. It can be very frustrating for a young parent going it alone and in the end turn them off to homeopathy completely. I am speaking from experience when I tell you this. There are classes available for parents to take in various communities. For the non-threatening acute ailments, these are truly valuable courses. I have put together a few single remedies below, that are tried and true teething remedies. They should be used alone, and again it is always best to consult a homeopathic practitioner. For a homeopath in your area, please go to www.homeopathy.org website. (North American Society of Homeopaths) The homeopaths that are associated with this society hold to a very high standard of certification and study.
Common Teething Remedies~
Chammomilla~ This baby is very angry and not so much fun to be around! They are irritable, fussy, whining and moaning. Capricious. The child may want many things, which are then refused. Discontented and demanding. They do not know what they want. This baby wants to be carried and held.
Calcarea carbonica~made from the oyster shell, the baby who needs this remedy may have a calcium deficiency due to difficulty in assimilating calcium. This baby is quite plump and fair and sweats about his large head. Calc carb helps to promote the assimilation of calcium. He has a milk intolerance and possibly a delay in the closing of the Fontanelle. This baby hates to be cold and is better in dry weather.
Silica~Great for the painful delay of teeth. This baby may be cranky and irritable and resents interference, sweats about his feet, hands, head and neck. He is alert. He is worse from heat and being wrapped up about the head(hats, bonnets) A dose of silica can bring about that stubborn delay of teeth.
With the cold and flu season upon us, it is important to keep these helpful remedies available in your home kit. If you are on a constitutional remedy, it is always important to check with your homeopathic practioner before changing to an acute remedy.
These remedies can be purchased at your local health food store, or by asking your homepathic practioner to order them for you.
Single Homeopathic Remedies For Unique Flu Symptoms & Individuals
Belladonna: When Flu Symptoms are Hot hot hot! Sudden fevers, colds, flu, heat conditions, redness, inflammation, throbbing headaches.
Aconitum nap: Effects of scare, anger, or cold wind. It can stop a cold at a sniffle, minimize fever, shock, inflammation.
Bryonia alba: Grumpy bears when sick, worse w/ motion- colds, flu w/ dry cough; frontal headaches, constipation/nausea.
Ferrum phos: The first aid cell salt offers vital support for inflammation, infections, fevers, colds, acute anemia, blood loss, fatigue, acute ear pain, headaches and other issues with symptoms of redness, throbbing and heat.
Gelsemium: Weak heaviness marks its colds, flu & aching fever; anticipatory nerves with butterfly stomachs, diarrhea.
Cinchona: Recovery and fatigue especially w/ dehydration from flu, diarrhea, vomiting, breast feeding, blood loss.
Nux vom – Restless cold or flu with chilliness, suffocating cough, fatigue and irritability, especially if stress increased susceptibility.
Ars alb – Particularly apt for restless flu or stomach flu that affects stomach with violent vomiting and burning diarrhea.
A 30c potency is a great place to start for an acute cold or flu. Ask your practioner about dosing instructions. As always, like our mothers told us, it is important to eat right, drink plenty of fluids, and to stay rested, paying particular attention to stress levels during these Fall/Winter months. To your health! Julie
Even though homeopathy has been around some 200 years, there is still a lot of work to be done in educating the general public on what homeopathy is exactly. Some people think that using herbs or simply shopping at their local health food store is homeopathy. That’s not to say that these are bad things, in fact they are quite good. However, what I would like to do here with this post is to give you a simple lesson on what homeopathy is, and how it works.
Let’s first start by discussing the basic philosophy of homeopathy. The basic principle of homeopathy is based on what is called the Law of Similars. Or ”Like Curing Like.” The holistic approach goes back as far as the 4th century BC to the writings of Hippocrates, but the man who truly put homeopathy on the map was a man named Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician(1755-1843). We will discuss him further at another time.
In conventional medicine symptoms are viewed as being inflicted on the organism by the disease, thus they must be eradicated or suppressed by drugs, treatments or surgery. Where as with homeopathy, we see these symptoms (ie. burning sore throat, throbbing headache, a fever that comes on fast and furious) as the language of the body, an expression of an underlying imbalance. This imbalance is displayed as symptoms. These symptoms are guide posts and signals that tell us and direct us to a deeper understanding of a person’s state. With the Like Cures Like principle we take those symptoms and compare them with homeopathic medicines that cause those same symptoms in a healthy person. Yes, you read that correctly. Homeopathic medicines are tested on the healthy, and then their symptoms are recorded and catalogued. A very simple example of this is the remedy (remedies are what we call homeopathic medicines) Allium cepa. Allium cepa is made from the red onion. We have all experienced what happens to our eyes, nose and throat when cutting an onion. The eyes first start to burn, then tear up, our nose begins to run and we may experience burning in our throat. Now think of a person with hay fever, or a cold you may have experienced with burning, itching watery eyes, and a clear running nose. This is a very simple understanding of the Law of Similars and the idea that Like Cures Like. It is an example that most can relate to. What is more important however, is that we understand that the body tells us what we need. It is designed to do this in a very sophisticated, yet simple, manner. That is why in homeopathy we say we treat “the person” not the “disease,” for everyone experiences ”dis-ease” in their own way and for their own reasons. We look at the totality of a person, not just what is going on physically, but what is going on with them mentally and emotionally as well.
Let’s take these symptoms I mentioned above, the throbbing headache, the burning sore throat, and the fever that comes on fast and furious, seemingly out of no where into consideration. I could prescribe a remedy that addresses just those physical symptoms, and we may have success, or I could take the time and find out a bit more about what is going on in the life of this patient. What weakened this patient’s immune system to begin with that made him or her susceptible to this acute condition? On further examination we may find this patient has been working overtime perhaps at school and on the job and is under tremendous financial stress, therfore working double time while trying to complete his education. By adding in those mental and emotional symptoms to our assessment, we better serve this patient. Will a homeopathic remedy remove the financial burdens of this patient?? Well, that would be nice wouldn’t it? The answer is naturally no, BUT, what it can do is put his body in a state of homeostasis (balance) strengthening his immune system and therefore making it easier for him to better deal with the curve balls life throws sometimes. We have nearly 4000 remedies to choose from, and out of those, I am sure to find a remedy for the person who is ill because of being over industrious and is experiencing anxiety do to his personal finances. If we cure only what is on the surface we aren’t addressing the underlying problem, and chances are, the patient will continue to get sick, usually in the same way, over and over again. Now, the very next person that may walk in my office may well be experiencing the same exact symptoms. Am I going to prescribe the same remedy? Chances are not likely. On further investigation of this patient, we find that he or she has just lost a loved one. Perhaps its been a month, or even a year. The grief is deep and seemingly unending. This person is not ill due to being over industrious. This person is physically ill do to his or her grief. They will not receive the same remedy. Again, treating the person, not the disease.
Homeopathy has changed my life, my parenting, and how I chose to treat myself as I walk through this life. We are exposed to so many stressors that we were not subjected to some several hundred years ago. In an effort to make our lives easier in this life, we have managed to make them exceedingly more complicated. With homeopathy less is more. With homeopathy we can take back a simpler approach to life. I hope I can help you experience this.
This is a copy of one of my favorite prayers: Saint Teresa of Avila
Saint Theresa’s Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.