Guide for taking Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are made from various plant, mineral and animal materials, and are manufactured and labeled under specifications recognized by the U.S. FDA. They have been safely and effectively used for over 200 years. After herbal medicine, homeopathy is the second most widely used heath care system in the world. There are no additives, fillers, etc. Remedies are not habit forming.

Homeopathic remedies stimulate our body's natural ability [the vital force] to heal us and homeopaths consider our individual symptoms the gifts that tell us what needs to be cured. Since symptoms are actually efforts to reestablish homeostasis or balance, it is logical to seek a substance that would, in overdose, cause similar symptoms to those the person is suffering. 'Homoios' in Greek means similar or same and 'pathos' means disease or suffering. Thus the remedies go with rather than against our body's natural defenses. Because human beings react differently each person is treated on the basis of his or her individual symptoms.

How to take them.

A dose is considered as the number of times a remedy is taken, not the number of pills. The number of pills, except in very low strengths such as 3X or 4X, isn't critical. Your practitioner will tell you how many pellets constitute one dose. Depending on the size of the pellets anywhere between 5 to 8 pellets are usually prescribed. Tip the pellets into a plastic. spoon or glass, both are inert, and then place them directly under your tongue and let them melt. It is best if the pellets are taken at least 1 /2 hour away from [before or after] meals. In an emergency don't wait.

Repeat as directed, or in accordance with the label. For chronic conditions Your homeopath may recommend taking your remedy in liquid form on a daily basis. Some chronic conditions may be helped quickly, but the overall resolution may take weeks or months. It's recommended to stop repetition for any reoccurrence of old symptoms, any new symptoms or for remarkable improvement.

Aggravations can occur, but it is relatively rare and short lived. It seems to occur when the body's response to the remedy is too vigorous. The body's natural ability to heal can cause what some call a healing crisis - the body simply working too hard and making the patient uncomfortable. Remedies cannot give you a disease. If the aggravation is too uncomfortable, the remedy can be antidoted by a number of ways - drinking coffee, using mint products or cam phor and other strong smelling products. Even the same remedy in a lower potency can sometimes be usedas an antidote. These same antidotes to an aggravation can also distract the body's healing process and antidote the positive effects of a remedy as well.

Remedies can be ruined.

To keep your remedies effective for years, store them at room temperature in a dry place away from strong smells and electrical fields. Avoid touching/contaminating them. Don't put spilled remedies back into the container and avoid heat higher than 130 degrees.

Strength/Potency

The strength of a remedy is denoted by a number and a letter - X potencies refer to remedies with one part crude to 9 parts dilutant, and one part crude to 99 parts dilutant are for the C potencies. Once 24X and 12C potency is achieved there are no molecules of the crude, only the signature of the remedy is left to work with your vital force. Quantum physics is just beginning to understand the principle behind this system of dilution and succussion [ vigorously shaking between each dilution ].

LM potencies are highly diluted and are especially useful for sensitive people. They are made somewhat differently and are used differently and are not to be confused with "C" potencies such as 38, 200,1M, 50M, etc. Details are found in the 6th Organon written by Samuel Hahnemann. *

Safety

Homeopathy is safe during pregnancy, with babies and animals, but like with anything applying a little common sense is advisable.

*Samuel Hahnemann was a German physician, who lived from l755 to 1843 developed homeopathy as a medical system, At the core of his system are the concepts of 'like cures like' the minimum dose and one medicine at a time. 'Like cures like' is an idea that stems all the may back to Hippocrates and refers to the idea that while a large dose may do harm, a small dose of a similar matter may stimulate healing. For instance poison ivy will make you itch and a homeopathically prepared dose of poison ivy provides relief from the itch. The minimum dose refers to using the smallest amount of the medicine necessary to initiate healing. One medicine at a time is felt to be critical in understanding the effect of any healing medicines or method. Hahnemann also developed a method of proving/testing the remedies using healthy people instead of sick people or animals.

For more information contact the National Center for Homeopathy
www.homeopathic.org or call 703-548-7790