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"May the blessing of light be on you-- light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire."
~Old Celtic Blessing~
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
WHAT IS A HOMEOPATHIC PROVING?
Each Homeopathic remedy is scientifically "proven" so that we can know what symptoms it will correct. A proving requires supervisors and provers. There is a one to one ratio. The supervisors take an intake case evaluation on each prover to find out what symptoms are already part of that provers make-up and to eliminate people with chronic illnesses. We want healthy males and females of different ages in our provings. Then, these people are given a potentized substance. Neither the provers nor the supervisors are told what is in the potentized remedy.
Over the next few days, the provers keep a journal of anything unusual to their general being. No symptom is too small to record. They may develop a fear of high places, performance anxiety; their dreams may change and have intense themes. They may develop a dull headache in the left temple area. The provers are often Homeopathic students who are willing to put up with a few days of discomfort to find new tools for Homeopathy. Meanwhile, the supervisors are talking with the provers daily and keeping their own journal of the information they collect.
Then the journals are collected from the provers and supervisors. All the common symptoms from the provers are studied and turned into useful rubrics, our name for symptoms. We use a Repertory to list symptoms and the remedies that alleviate those symptoms. The first Repertory of Homeopathic Materia Medica was published in 1897 by J.T. Kent, M.D. It's a long, painfully detailed process but completely necessary to keep Homeopathy honest and a respected science.
Over the next few days, the provers keep a journal of anything unusual to their general being. No symptom is too small to record. They may develop a fear of high places, performance anxiety; their dreams may change and have intense themes. They may develop a dull headache in the left temple area. The provers are often Homeopathic students who are willing to put up with a few days of discomfort to find new tools for Homeopathy. Meanwhile, the supervisors are talking with the provers daily and keeping their own journal of the information they collect.
Then the journals are collected from the provers and supervisors. All the common symptoms from the provers are studied and turned into useful rubrics, our name for symptoms. We use a Repertory to list symptoms and the remedies that alleviate those symptoms. The first Repertory of Homeopathic Materia Medica was published in 1897 by J.T. Kent, M.D. It's a long, painfully detailed process but completely necessary to keep Homeopathy honest and a respected science.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOMEOPATHY
There are many types of Homeopathy currently used by Homeopaths around the world. Below is a short description of the the more popular types.
ACUTE HOMEOPATHY
The condition you are treating has either just started or it is not more than a day to a month old. The flu, chicken pox or a sports injury are examples.
The information needed to find the right remedy is:
Did the problem begin after an event or does it have a cause? i.e., I woke up with a headache after a stressful week of long hours at work, too much coffee and eating too much fast food. Or, I suddenly developed a headache after a disagreement with my husband.
What are the symptoms? i.e., My head is throbbing on the left side and I'm feeling nauseous.
What are the modalities? This means, What makes it worse or better and is there a time or situation that affects it. i.e., My headache is worse in bright lights and when I hear loud noises. It was there when I woke up this morning.
Are there any changes emotionally and/or mentally since the condition began?
i.e., I have been really irritable and impatient when people want to talk to me. I've snapped at my wife this morning. I'm normally not like that.
CLINICAL HOMEOPATHY
This is Homeopathy used for a condition you've had for a long time. We call the condition chronic. Reflux, arthritis, panic attacks, depression or migraines are chronic conditions. We basically ask the same questions that we did in an Acute case. This type of treatment generally deals with only the one condition.
CONSTITUTIONAL HOMEOPATHY
This is also called Classical Homeopathy. The Homeopath wants to know everything about you. It is much more holistic in nature than the Clinical approach. The following are just a few of the questions you will be asked.
What are the physical symptoms that you are experiencing? What are the modalities and causes of each of those symptoms?
Who are you emotionally? How do you feel and react in certain situations?
How are your mental faculties (concentration, memory, etc.)?
How are you sleeping?
How is your appetite? What are your favorite foods and what foods do you hate?
How is your energy level? How are your periods? How is your sex drive? Are you happy with your job, your mate and/or your life?
We collect a history on parents and grandparents. We want to know about your birth and childhood.
The average case takes one to three hours, depending on the Homeopath and his style.
The goal is to find one remedy that captures your essence completely and not only helps the physical conditions but deals with the underlying causes so that it will not reappear in another form. The correct remedy will help you to feel a peace of mind and balance. You will be more able to go after the type of life you desire.
COMBINATION REMEDY HOMEOPATHY
A combination remedy usually contains six to thirty remedies in each tablet. It is sometimes referred to as a "shot-gun" approach. There hasn't been a real case taken. But, the bottle labeled "Arthritis" is bound to have at least one remedy in it that will at least improve your symptoms. The theory is that the energy of the remedies that are not needed just falls away. As a Classical Homeopath I don't agree with this theory but I would rather someone with a sinus infection try this before an antibiotic. I also believe that the formulas with the fewer remedies are better. This makes Homeopathy accessible to everyone. Combination remedies are now available in CVS, Whole Foods and most health food stores.
The next post will be What Are Provings?
ACUTE HOMEOPATHY
The condition you are treating has either just started or it is not more than a day to a month old. The flu, chicken pox or a sports injury are examples.
The information needed to find the right remedy is:
Did the problem begin after an event or does it have a cause? i.e., I woke up with a headache after a stressful week of long hours at work, too much coffee and eating too much fast food. Or, I suddenly developed a headache after a disagreement with my husband.
What are the symptoms? i.e., My head is throbbing on the left side and I'm feeling nauseous.
What are the modalities? This means, What makes it worse or better and is there a time or situation that affects it. i.e., My headache is worse in bright lights and when I hear loud noises. It was there when I woke up this morning.
Are there any changes emotionally and/or mentally since the condition began?
i.e., I have been really irritable and impatient when people want to talk to me. I've snapped at my wife this morning. I'm normally not like that.
CLINICAL HOMEOPATHY
This is Homeopathy used for a condition you've had for a long time. We call the condition chronic. Reflux, arthritis, panic attacks, depression or migraines are chronic conditions. We basically ask the same questions that we did in an Acute case. This type of treatment generally deals with only the one condition.
CONSTITUTIONAL HOMEOPATHY
This is also called Classical Homeopathy. The Homeopath wants to know everything about you. It is much more holistic in nature than the Clinical approach. The following are just a few of the questions you will be asked.
What are the physical symptoms that you are experiencing? What are the modalities and causes of each of those symptoms?
Who are you emotionally? How do you feel and react in certain situations?
How are your mental faculties (concentration, memory, etc.)?
How are you sleeping?
How is your appetite? What are your favorite foods and what foods do you hate?
How is your energy level? How are your periods? How is your sex drive? Are you happy with your job, your mate and/or your life?
We collect a history on parents and grandparents. We want to know about your birth and childhood.
The average case takes one to three hours, depending on the Homeopath and his style.
The goal is to find one remedy that captures your essence completely and not only helps the physical conditions but deals with the underlying causes so that it will not reappear in another form. The correct remedy will help you to feel a peace of mind and balance. You will be more able to go after the type of life you desire.
COMBINATION REMEDY HOMEOPATHY
A combination remedy usually contains six to thirty remedies in each tablet. It is sometimes referred to as a "shot-gun" approach. There hasn't been a real case taken. But, the bottle labeled "Arthritis" is bound to have at least one remedy in it that will at least improve your symptoms. The theory is that the energy of the remedies that are not needed just falls away. As a Classical Homeopath I don't agree with this theory but I would rather someone with a sinus infection try this before an antibiotic. I also believe that the formulas with the fewer remedies are better. This makes Homeopathy accessible to everyone. Combination remedies are now available in CVS, Whole Foods and most health food stores.
The next post will be What Are Provings?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy is a holistic method of healing based on the teachings of Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843).
Holistic refers to anything that takes into consideration the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects which make up the whole of a person.
A Homeopathic Consultant wants to know about your physical complaints, what are your emotional feelings and reactions, how is your mental clarity, concentration, memory function and who you are spiritually. Then it is up to the Homeopath to find just the right remedy which reflects those aspects of you. That remedy will help to bring you into balance and become the best YOU possible.
The central Principle of Homeopathy is based on the Law of Similars or the concept of "Like Cures Like." That which causes symptoms in a healthy person will cure a sick person with these symptoms. The 16th century pioneer of chemical medicine, Paracelsus, declared that small doses of "what makes a man ill also cures him."
We are all familiar with several versions of this Principle. "Eat a hair of the dog that bit you" is an old saying. An alcoholic can wake up in the morning feeling hung over and shaky, within and without. A small amount of alcohol quickly takes these symptoms away. Of course, more will simply get him drunk again.
Vaccines are another example of The Law of Similars. A harmful disease like Polio is injected into the body to create antibodies against Polio and will usually keep the person from getting Polio.
Homeopathy uses a similar approach. However, our remedies are first diluted and succussed (a specific way of shaking) many times so that the side effects often seen with vaccines, etc. no longer exist. This process is called potentization. The remedies bring the body into balance so that it can naturally dispose of disease. Our bodies possess the wisdom and physical mechanisms to know how to heal in most cases.
Let's look at an example. When you cut up a red onion it causes your eyes to burn and tear and often your nose will drip like a water faucet. When that same onion is made into a Homeopathic remedy, Allium cepa, it will take away the same symptoms in someone suffering from a similar cold or allergy.
Let's take another example. When the average person rubs up against a poison ivy plant his skin begins to itch, turn red, feel hot and eventually break out in blisters, which drain and crust over before healing. If he is especially sensitive to the plant, he develops swollen joints which can feel hot and stiff. He will become irritable, restless (mentally and physically) and develop insomnia.
The Homeopathic remedy made of poison ivy is Rhus toxicodendron. It can then be used in one of two ways. Acutely, one of its uses is to treat chicken pox. Remember, poison ivy contact produces that same type of intense itching and blistering. I should point out that Rhus toxicodendron is not the only remedy that can be used for Chicken Pox. It would need to match all the acute symptoms the person had at the time.
At a more chronic level, a Constitutional level, it's used for an arthritic person with swollen, stiff joints who is very irritable, can't sit for long without feeling even stiffer, feels somewhat looser moving about and has problems sleeping from a mental and physical restlessness.
Each remedy is "proven" under precise standards so that we can know what symptoms each one will match. More will be written about this method on a later post.
The Art of Homeopathy comes into play when the Homeopath sits down to take the case. How skilled is the Homeopath at getting the client to give the information necessary to find the right remedy? This is part of a Homeopaths training. (You can go to the link for the American University of Complimentary Medicine to look at the requirements a Homeopath must complete.)
Homeopathy is amazing! It can bring you into a state of well being that you may not have experienced for years. Anxiety quiets, concentration is easier, stiff muscles relax and you can cope with the world a little easier. Homeopathy brings you into balance so that you can get out there and achieve your true purpose.
On my next post I will write about "The Types of Homeopathy."
Enjoy and use this article, but please be legal. Include this resource block and all is good.
Jeanne Zeeb-Schecter, DHM is a lecturer and teacher for Homeopathic programs and classes. She has a practice in Valley Village, CA. Follow Dr. Jeanne at her blog,
http://thoughtsonhomeopathyandhealth.blogspot.com
Holistic refers to anything that takes into consideration the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects which make up the whole of a person.
A Homeopathic Consultant wants to know about your physical complaints, what are your emotional feelings and reactions, how is your mental clarity, concentration, memory function and who you are spiritually. Then it is up to the Homeopath to find just the right remedy which reflects those aspects of you. That remedy will help to bring you into balance and become the best YOU possible.
The central Principle of Homeopathy is based on the Law of Similars or the concept of "Like Cures Like." That which causes symptoms in a healthy person will cure a sick person with these symptoms. The 16th century pioneer of chemical medicine, Paracelsus, declared that small doses of "what makes a man ill also cures him."
We are all familiar with several versions of this Principle. "Eat a hair of the dog that bit you" is an old saying. An alcoholic can wake up in the morning feeling hung over and shaky, within and without. A small amount of alcohol quickly takes these symptoms away. Of course, more will simply get him drunk again.
Vaccines are another example of The Law of Similars. A harmful disease like Polio is injected into the body to create antibodies against Polio and will usually keep the person from getting Polio.
Homeopathy uses a similar approach. However, our remedies are first diluted and succussed (a specific way of shaking) many times so that the side effects often seen with vaccines, etc. no longer exist. This process is called potentization. The remedies bring the body into balance so that it can naturally dispose of disease. Our bodies possess the wisdom and physical mechanisms to know how to heal in most cases.
Let's look at an example. When you cut up a red onion it causes your eyes to burn and tear and often your nose will drip like a water faucet. When that same onion is made into a Homeopathic remedy, Allium cepa, it will take away the same symptoms in someone suffering from a similar cold or allergy.
Let's take another example. When the average person rubs up against a poison ivy plant his skin begins to itch, turn red, feel hot and eventually break out in blisters, which drain and crust over before healing. If he is especially sensitive to the plant, he develops swollen joints which can feel hot and stiff. He will become irritable, restless (mentally and physically) and develop insomnia.
The Homeopathic remedy made of poison ivy is Rhus toxicodendron. It can then be used in one of two ways. Acutely, one of its uses is to treat chicken pox. Remember, poison ivy contact produces that same type of intense itching and blistering. I should point out that Rhus toxicodendron is not the only remedy that can be used for Chicken Pox. It would need to match all the acute symptoms the person had at the time.
At a more chronic level, a Constitutional level, it's used for an arthritic person with swollen, stiff joints who is very irritable, can't sit for long without feeling even stiffer, feels somewhat looser moving about and has problems sleeping from a mental and physical restlessness.
Each remedy is "proven" under precise standards so that we can know what symptoms each one will match. More will be written about this method on a later post.
The Art of Homeopathy comes into play when the Homeopath sits down to take the case. How skilled is the Homeopath at getting the client to give the information necessary to find the right remedy? This is part of a Homeopaths training. (You can go to the link for the American University of Complimentary Medicine to look at the requirements a Homeopath must complete.)
Homeopathy is amazing! It can bring you into a state of well being that you may not have experienced for years. Anxiety quiets, concentration is easier, stiff muscles relax and you can cope with the world a little easier. Homeopathy brings you into balance so that you can get out there and achieve your true purpose.
On my next post I will write about "The Types of Homeopathy."
Enjoy and use this article, but please be legal. Include this resource block and all is good.
Jeanne Zeeb-Schecter, DHM is a lecturer and teacher for Homeopathic programs and classes. She has a practice in Valley Village, CA. Follow Dr. Jeanne at her blog,
http://thoughtsonhomeopathyandhealth.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 25, 2010
INITIAL THOUGHTS
On my first post I want to give you, the reader, an idea of the content you will find here. I will write about basic principles in Homeopathy and the significance of fundamental, healthy lifestyle changes (i.e. clean water, healthy diet, exercise, sunshine, etc.), the absence of which Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy, called "obstacles to cure." I will write about Flower Essences and give you "essence recipes" for weight loss and stress.
I plan to post several protocols that I usually suggest which can have a positive effect on particular health challenges. My belief is that even though I consider Homeopathy miraculous, I think vitamins and certain supplements are also necessary for optimal health. The first two protocols will be on Allergies and Aids to Stop Smoking.
I will post links to pertinent articles that have come across my desk or were suggested by one of my peers. For example, yesterday I downloaded a short article on Anti-Cancer Superfoods, including a shopping list to take to the market. It's from an television episode of Dr. Oz. The article has simple suggestions that can easily be incorporated into your life today.
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-anti-cancer-superfoods-grocery-list-with-david-katz/
My next post will be a simple article titled, "What is Homeopathy?" For those of you that have prior knowledge of Homeopathy, I plan to build on these elements in future postings. However, I want this space to be for everyone so it's necessary to begin with the basics.
I look forward to your comments and any suggestions for future topics. I will do my best to work them into the appropriate post.
I plan to post several protocols that I usually suggest which can have a positive effect on particular health challenges. My belief is that even though I consider Homeopathy miraculous, I think vitamins and certain supplements are also necessary for optimal health. The first two protocols will be on Allergies and Aids to Stop Smoking.
I will post links to pertinent articles that have come across my desk or were suggested by one of my peers. For example, yesterday I downloaded a short article on Anti-Cancer Superfoods, including a shopping list to take to the market. It's from an television episode of Dr. Oz. The article has simple suggestions that can easily be incorporated into your life today.
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-anti-cancer-superfoods-grocery-list-with-david-katz/
My next post will be a simple article titled, "What is Homeopathy?" For those of you that have prior knowledge of Homeopathy, I plan to build on these elements in future postings. However, I want this space to be for everyone so it's necessary to begin with the basics.
I look forward to your comments and any suggestions for future topics. I will do my best to work them into the appropriate post.
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