Some Myths and Facts about Homeopathy
1] What kind of diseases can Homeopathy treat?
Homeopathy can treat wide range of diseases including short term illnesses such as cold, coryza, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, allergies, infectious diseases and even some diseases where surgery is imminent.
Some areas where homeopathy has helped avoid surgery are diseases of nose, throat, tonsils, kidneys, gall-bladder (bile stones), prostate gland, asthma, migraine.
In brief, all diseases without irreversible pathological changes can successfully be treated with homeopathy.
2]Do Homeopathic Medicines have side effects?
Single homeopathic remedies prescribed are safe, even if taken for longer period. The same cannot be said about multi-ingredient medicines, as there is no dependable scientific study to show their safety through claims by manufacturing companies abound. Good homeopaths avoid prescribing multi-ingredient medicines.
3] Are Homeopathic remedies slow to act?
In cases of recent origin, homeopathy works faster than any other mode of treatment. But the bulk of cases coming to homeopaths consists mostly of chronic cases; cases that have defined the skills of many specialists; cases that have been over druged and cases that have been declared incurable.
Most of the patients visiting homeopaths bring reports and prescriptions. They say they have suffered for years. They have “tried” every doctor or specialist they have been referred to. In such cases if homeopathy takes few months to affect cure or provide long lasting relief, that, in all fairness, should not be misconstructed as “slowness” of homeopathic remedies.
There is difference between “prompt and temporary relief” and a “cure”. Homeopathy does not try to suppress or cover up symptoms to provide prompt relief rather addresses the underlying cause so that the disease is radically cured whenever it is possible.
Single homeopathic remedies prescribed are safe, even if taken for longer period. The same cannot be said about multi-ingredient medicines, as there is no dependable scientific study to show their safety through claims by manufacturing companies abound. Good homeopaths avoid prescribing multi-ingredient medicines.
3] Are Homeopathic remedies slow to act?
In cases of recent origin, homeopathy works faster than any other mode of treatment. But the bulk of cases coming to homeopaths consists mostly of chronic cases; cases that have defined the skills of many specialists; cases that have been over druged and cases that have been declared incurable.
Most of the patients visiting homeopaths bring reports and prescriptions. They say they have suffered for years. They have “tried” every doctor or specialist they have been referred to. In such cases if homeopathy takes few months to affect cure or provide long lasting relief, that, in all fairness, should not be misconstructed as “slowness” of homeopathic remedies.
There is difference between “prompt and temporary relief” and a “cure”. Homeopathy does not try to suppress or cover up symptoms to provide prompt relief rather addresses the underlying cause so that the disease is radically cured whenever it is possible.
4] Is Homeopathy a Cure all Medicine?
No, it is not. Homeopathy can cure almost all diseases in shorter period than any other system of medicine.
It is highly effective in number of chronic diseases. It can safely cure several such cases where surgery seems imminent. But like any other science it has its scope and limitations. Cases with advanced tissue changes usually do not respond well to homeopathic treatment, though, in such cases too, a temporary relief can be obtained.
5] Can these remedies be taken by children, pregnant women and nursing mothers?
There are no restrictions in case of acute illnesses.
6] All Homeopathic Treatments for a certain disease work for all people.
Homeopathic medicine treats every person differently. Therefore, a single remedy will not treat every person who has the same disease or medical condition. The right remedy depends on the specific symptoms of a patient. This principle is a far cry from traditional medicine, which provides a single medication to treat general conditions.
No, it is not. Homeopathy can cure almost all diseases in shorter period than any other system of medicine.
It is highly effective in number of chronic diseases. It can safely cure several such cases where surgery seems imminent. But like any other science it has its scope and limitations. Cases with advanced tissue changes usually do not respond well to homeopathic treatment, though, in such cases too, a temporary relief can be obtained.
5] Can these remedies be taken by children, pregnant women and nursing mothers?
There are no restrictions in case of acute illnesses.
6] All Homeopathic Treatments for a certain disease work for all people.
Homeopathic medicine treats every person differently. Therefore, a single remedy will not treat every person who has the same disease or medical condition. The right remedy depends on the specific symptoms of a patient. This principle is a far cry from traditional medicine, which provides a single medication to treat general conditions.
7] Homeopathic medications are hard to find.
That was not a myth a few years back. But today, a lot of homeopathic remedies are available at major drug stores. Big retailers sell homeopathic medications for conditions such as flu, colds,and insomnia.
However, specialized remedies, or those prescribed by homeopaths for a certain case, are not readily available. Such medications are available at drug stores and are FDA approved/regulated.
8] Homeopathic medicine has never been proven effective in large-scale trials.
This misconception, which stems from some people looking at the wrong information, is not true. Several successful trials are in fact quite large.
That was not a myth a few years back. But today, a lot of homeopathic remedies are available at major drug stores. Big retailers sell homeopathic medications for conditions such as flu, colds,and insomnia.
However, specialized remedies, or those prescribed by homeopaths for a certain case, are not readily available. Such medications are available at drug stores and are FDA approved/regulated.
8] Homeopathic medicine has never been proven effective in large-scale trials.
This misconception, which stems from some people looking at the wrong information, is not true. Several successful trials are in fact quite large.
9] Increases Blood Sugar Level and Cannot be Consumed by Diabetes
Homeopathic medicines are dispensed in the form of pills that are made of sacrum lactose. They do not contain sugar that we use in everyday life. The total number of sugar pills consumed as medicine will not even add up to a small tea-spoon. So do not worry as they do not add to the blood sugar levels.
10] Cannot be used for Children
Homeopathic medicines are the safest way of treating children. They are gentle, sweet, safe and without any side effects whatsoever. Children like the medicine because it is sweet, parents find it easy to administer and a Homeopath is confident of the medicine because it does not harm the child in any way and boosts the immunity of the child from within.
Homeopathy is very effective and "safe" for children especially those suffering with "developmental" problems (delayed milestones like cutting teeth, walking, talking, inability to gain weight etc.) and "low immunity" (frequent colds, coughs, respiratory problems, digestive problems, food sensitivities etc.).
However, there is a flip side to this. Since the medicines are easy to dispense, many parents resort to self-diagnosis and medication. The most important thing when attempting to diagnose and treat illnesses at home is to know when to stop. If symptoms persist, go and see your doctor; even if you feel your symptoms seem unworthy of professional help, minor symptoms can often be a sign of something more serious.
Homeopathic medicines are dispensed in the form of pills that are made of sacrum lactose. They do not contain sugar that we use in everyday life. The total number of sugar pills consumed as medicine will not even add up to a small tea-spoon. So do not worry as they do not add to the blood sugar levels.
10] Cannot be used for Children
Homeopathic medicines are the safest way of treating children. They are gentle, sweet, safe and without any side effects whatsoever. Children like the medicine because it is sweet, parents find it easy to administer and a Homeopath is confident of the medicine because it does not harm the child in any way and boosts the immunity of the child from within.
Homeopathy is very effective and "safe" for children especially those suffering with "developmental" problems (delayed milestones like cutting teeth, walking, talking, inability to gain weight etc.) and "low immunity" (frequent colds, coughs, respiratory problems, digestive problems, food sensitivities etc.).
However, there is a flip side to this. Since the medicines are easy to dispense, many parents resort to self-diagnosis and medication. The most important thing when attempting to diagnose and treat illnesses at home is to know when to stop. If symptoms persist, go and see your doctor; even if you feel your symptoms seem unworthy of professional help, minor symptoms can often be a sign of something more serious.
11] Dietary Restrictions
Certain common misconception about the dietary restrictions stem from the fact that some commonly consumed items like coffee, certain fruits of the citrus class and food items are prohibited in homeopathy. These are mostly medical restrictions and not dietary restrictions as commonly misunderstood.
It is usually recommended that patients must refrain from eating or drinking anything 30 minutes before or after partaking consumption of homeopathic medicine. The reason lies in how homeopathic medicine works. homeopathic medicine is absorbed through the tongue and the inner lining of the mouth (called the Buccal Mucosa, in medical parlance). To ensure best absorption and hence, optimum treatment, it is recommended that homeopathic medicines should be consumed on a clean pallet.
While on a course of homeopathic treatment, patients should avoid strong flavours such as mint (including toothpaste), coffee or camphor. Black coffee, without milk, acts as an antidote to homeopathic medicines. Citrus fruits, bananas and ice creams should not be consumed in case a person is suffering from common cold.
That's all. There are no other across-the-board dietary restrictions in homeopathic treatment. You can continue your normal lifestyle, consume what you like and regain health the painless way through homeopathy without bothering about any dietary restrictions.
Certain common misconception about the dietary restrictions stem from the fact that some commonly consumed items like coffee, certain fruits of the citrus class and food items are prohibited in homeopathy. These are mostly medical restrictions and not dietary restrictions as commonly misunderstood.
It is usually recommended that patients must refrain from eating or drinking anything 30 minutes before or after partaking consumption of homeopathic medicine. The reason lies in how homeopathic medicine works. homeopathic medicine is absorbed through the tongue and the inner lining of the mouth (called the Buccal Mucosa, in medical parlance). To ensure best absorption and hence, optimum treatment, it is recommended that homeopathic medicines should be consumed on a clean pallet.
While on a course of homeopathic treatment, patients should avoid strong flavours such as mint (including toothpaste), coffee or camphor. Black coffee, without milk, acts as an antidote to homeopathic medicines. Citrus fruits, bananas and ice creams should not be consumed in case a person is suffering from common cold.
That's all. There are no other across-the-board dietary restrictions in homeopathic treatment. You can continue your normal lifestyle, consume what you like and regain health the painless way through homeopathy without bothering about any dietary restrictions.
