1. Are homeopathic remedies drugs?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers homeopathic remedies to be “drugs”. However, these medicines are given in extremely dilute form (parts per million or less), whereas allopathic drugs, like penicillin and aspirin, are administered in concentrated doses. The actions of homeopathic remedies are opposite the actions of standard drugs. For example, aspirin will cause excessive bruising and bleeding if given in high dosage but will reduce the tendency to bruise or bleed when given in very dilute dosage.
2. Are homeopathic remedies considered prescription medicines?
Some homeopathic remedies can be bought “over the counter” and require no prescription, just as some drugs can be bought the same way. Non-prescription homeopathics are usually combinations of several remedies in low potency (1X to 12X). Generally, any remedy that is greater than 12X potency will require a prescription and some remedies in lower potencies require the same. In homeopathy, the higher the dilution, the greater the potency, and the frequency of dosage must become less and less. This requires an exact prescription to reduce the likelihood of an unpleasant reaction, called an “aggravation” or “proving”.
3. What is an “aggravation” or “proving”?
Unlike drugs prescribed by allopathic physicians that are tested on laboratory animals, homeopathic remedies have been tested or “proven” on healthy people. A proving occurs when a homeopathic remedy is taken frequently, causing symptoms to develop which are peculiar to each remedy. An “aggravation” is an accidental proving that sometimes occurs when a patient takes a remedy more often than needed. Symptoms become worse (aggravated), although standard laboratory tests usually do not confirm an actual worsening of the condition. Stopping the remedy or taking an “antidote” will result in elimination of these symptoms, improvement generally occurring in 2 to 24 hours.
4. What is an “antidote”?
Most homeopathic remedies have other remedies, which have an opposite effect when taken at the same time. These are listed in the Materia Medica used by the Homeopathic physician. Camphor and coffee are antidotes for many homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic coffee* can be prepared by the patient at home, if needed. Antidotes do not totally stop the reaction of remedies, but reduce the unpleasant reactions.
*Make one cup of coffee using regular ground coffee. Take 1 teaspoon of the prepared coffee and mix thoroughly in 8 ounces of water. Shake the contents for 15 seconds (or 100 times). Take 1 teaspoon just as you would a homeopathic medicine. Hold in the mouth for 2 minutes before swallowing. Repeat this ever 15-30 minutes for 4 doses. Take as needed thereafter to control symptoms of the aggravation if they return. Do not take the homeopathic remedy that caused the reaction for at least seven days.
5. How careful do I have to be in locating my remedies near electrical outlets and TVs?
Never allow your remedies to be X-rayed. Never place your remedies on or within 3 feet or equipment that radiates a strong magnetic field (e.g. TV, microwave oven, magnets, etc.). Any electrical wiring, outlet or switch will have a weak magnetic field, and remedies should be safely located 6 inches or more away. Homeopathic remedies possess dynamic electromagnetic fields of varying amplitude, depending on their potencies. These fields become distorted and unpredictable when strongly affected by other magnetic fields.
6. Are homeopathic remedies poisonous if accidentally consumed by a child?
No. The frequency of dosage is much more important in treatment than the amount consumed at one time. The consumption of an entire bottle of pills, tablets, or liquid is only as dangerous as its sugar or alcohol content and has nothing to do with the homeopathic remedy.
7. Can someone else take my remedy if they have a similar physical condition?
Yes, but they should not be discouraged if the remedy doesn’t help them. Each person is different. The same remedy needed to treat arthritis in one individual may not help another with the same condition.
8. Is it possible to immunize my children using homeopathic remedies, rather than DPT, Rubella, Rubeolea (measles) and Mumps shots?
Yes and No. Homeopathic remedies do not immunize people in the same way as DPT shots. Always remember that homeopathy works by stimulating the internal “Vital Force” to resist disease. Homeopathic physicians were the “heroes” who saved their patients in the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918-1919 which witnessed the death of 500,000 Americans and 20 million people world-wide. Given once weekly in a 30X potency, or once monthly in a 200C potency, doses of homeopathic Diphtherinum, Pertussin, Rubella, Rubeolea, and Mumps, etc., can raise the body’s resistance and prevent these diseases. The daily administration of a homeopathic 30X dose of the immunization being given by the health department for one week usually prevents unwanted side-effects.
9. Mandatory Immunizations: What is your opinion?
Enacting laws to enforce specific medical treatments (such as immunization and water fluoridation) on the public is unwise, unhealthy and probably unconstitutional. While there are undoubted changes which occur when immunization is used, which may confer a degree of benefit in terms of resistance being heightened against a particular micro-organism, the benefit is qualified greatly by the health of the individual. There are major negative effects and hazards which accompany the apparent protection, making the process a highly questionable one. The immediate harmful effects are well known, but long-term dangers are poorly understood and may be more profound in terms of the human suffering potentially involved. Usually, weakened or attenuated versions of originally virulent micro-organisms, and/or toxins produced by them, are injected into the patient, totally ignoring the health status of the individual. This is an unnatural approach. Homeopathy offers a safe, effective method of immunization without side effects. For example, Pertussinum (whooping cough) in homeopathic doses can be given to children at the immunization. If you are interested in the homeopathic approach, you need to study the facts. We highly recommend the book, Vaccination and Immunization: Danger and Alternatives (What Every Parent Should Know), by Leon Chaitow, published in 1987 by the C. W. Company Limited, 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JP, England (ISBN No. 0 85207 191 4).
10. How often do I need to be checked at the Clinic?
The first follow-up evaluation needs to be done in 4 weeks, allowing time for completion of the prescribed remedies. The second follow-up examination is usually 3 months later and 6-12 months thereafter. You will improve with homeopathic remedies as your body eliminates disturbing influences. As you become stronger, remedies will be selected that stimulate the body from the surface or superficial to the deeper levels of the cells. Different homeopathic remedies are needed to root out the deep-seated miasms that are the result of genetic inheritance.
11. What is a “Miasm?”
All of us are the sum total of our inheritance. Our ancestors had many diseases and some of those diseases have weakened us through their adverse effects on the complex magnetic fields in the DNA molecules of our cells. Almost everyone had ancestors who suffered with tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis, scabies, and viral disease. Since the early 1800s, the first three have been recognized by homeopathic physicians as the underlying weaknesses of many individuals. Patients who develop cancer have inherited weaknesses to their “vital force” from ancestors who had all three, syphilis, gonorrhea and tuberculosis (or leprosy). The cancer patient does not have these three diseases, but rather a combined inherited miasmatic condition: tuberculosis interferes with the body’s ability to absorb and assimilate nutrients; syphilis destroys organs and tissues; and gonorrhea stimulates growth. Thus, the cancer victim does not absorb or assimilate nutrients well, and has a destructive growth present. All of us have inherited weaknesses from our ancestors extending over several thousand years. The need to take a remedy to eliminate a
psoric, sycotic or syphilitic miasm is in no way a reflection on the individual or his immediate ancestors.
12. How often should I take my homeopathic remedies?
They can be taken at any time, day or night, but the frequency of dosage must be correctly followed. Although your physician may occasionally alter the dosage schedule, the general rule is as follows:
- <6X—Take 10 drops, 6 globules, or 6 tablets every hour as needed until symptoms improve. Then take 4 times daily for 2 weeks;
- 12X—Take 10 drops, 6 globules, or 6 tablets 3 times daily for 2 weeks;
- 30X—Take 10 drops, 10 globules, or 10 tablets 1 time daily for 6 weeks;
- 30C—Take 20 drops, 10 globules or 10 tablets 2 times weekly for 6 weeks;
- 200C/1M—Take 1 teaspoon, 20 globules, or 20 tablets once a week for 6 weeks. Then stop.
- >10M—Take 1 teaspoon, 20 globules, or 20 tablets once a month for 4 months. Then stop.
13. How frequently may I take a homeopathic remedy in an acute situation?
Generally, the rule of thumb for homeopathics is that it’s the frequently, not the dosage, that’s the critical factor. So, for an acute situation (e.g., injury, cold symptoms, etc.) the remedy should be taken as follows: (1) Every 15 minutes for two hours, then (2) Every 30 minutes for two hours; then (3) every hour until improved. Some homeopathics, such as Nux Vomica/Carbo Vegetalis used for symptoms of upset stomach (e.g., heartburn, indigestion, bloating, etc.) can be taken every 5 minutes until improved.
14. What happens if I continue taking a homeopathic after my acute symptoms improve?
Please be advised that once improvement has occurred in an acute situation, either the remedy should be decreased and taken as normally prescribed (e.g., three times daily) or discontinued. The reason for this is that continuing to take a homeopathic remedy after improvement has occurred can result in the proverbial pendulum swinging the other way and symptoms becoming aggravated. If this occurs, the patient my either discontinue the remedy or take a coffee antidote to attenuate the symptoms. However, both courses of action will obtain relief.
15. How do I make a coffee antidote?
Coffee is considered a universal antidote to a homeopathic aggravation. This antidote is made by taking one teaspoons of real coffee and placing it in a glass or bottle of water. Shake the glass or bottle 100 times by hitting it against your hand. This process is known as “succussion”, which puts kinetic energy into the homeopathic preparation. You have now made a homeopathic remedy. Assuming a teaspoon is 5 ml, and the glass is 95 ml, you have a 1C or 1/100 preparation. Sip on this by holding it in your mouth and/or under your tongue for 30-60 seconds. This can be done every 5-15 minutes until improvement has been noted.
16. When should I take my remedies?
Ideally, it is best to take the remedies at a time when you have had nothing in your mouth for 10 minutes (water is OK). Some foods possess homeopathic activity and may “antidote” your remedies (e.g. peppermint, garlic, onion, coffee). Also, remember not to eat or drink anything, other than water, for 10 minutes after taking the homeopathic remedies.
17. How long do I have to keep the remedies in my mouth?
30-60 seconds is adequate.
18. Do they have to be placed beneath the tongue?
This is preferred, but not essential. A heavy collection of lymph and blood vessels are present beneath the tongue for quick absorption. If swallowed, the acids in the stomach may alter the remedies.
19. What about babies? They can’t hold the remedies in the mouth for two minutes?
True, but babies do not generally have the acid production in their stomachs as do adults. Babies and children usually respond more dramatically to homeopathic remedies because their vital force is more dynamic and powerful.
20. Can I take my homeopathic remedies together if I have more than one?
Generally, unless given other instruction, the remedies can be taken at the same time.
21. Can homeopathics be prepared in water for individuals “allergic” to alcohol and sugar?
Yes, but remedies homeopathically prepared in water have a very short duration of action, 4-5 hours at best. Alcohol, on the other hand, is able to preserve the energy of a remedy for an indefinite period of time. For those sensitive to alcohol, some relief can be obtained by removing the dropper and placing the opened homeopathic bottle in warm water for 15-30 minutes. This reduces the alcohol content through evaporation. Very few patients have experienced any difficulty in taking homeopathics, regardless of their allergic state.
22. May I drink coffee, regular tea or herb teas while taking my homeopathic remedies?
Drinking coffee or teas of any kind on a daily or frequent basis may modify the action of some homeopathics. When consumed regularly, such drinks will act like weak homeopathic remedies and occasionally will act as antidotes. Eliminating coffee and regular tea, while drinking a variety of herbal teas is best. Regardless, do not consume any food or drink approximately 10 minutes before or after taking your remedies.
23. Some tinctures, called “drainage remedies”, are also prescribed. Can they be takenwith the remedies?
Yes, unless you are told not to do so.
24. What should I do with the amount remaining in the containers when I finish taking the remedy for the time prescribed?
Either discard it or save it “just in case” you need it in the future. Sometimes symptoms will recur several months later. When you call your doctor, he may suggest you take another “dose or two” or a remedy prescribed earlier.
25. How long will remedies keep?
Indefinitely, if you store them properly.
26. How do I store them properly?
Place in a safe area, away from magnetic influences, out of direct sunlight at room temperature.
27. Is it necessary to place the drops of the tincture (drainage remedy) in water before taking it?
Tinctures are not homeopathic remedies. They are taken to stimulate organs of elimination to clear toxins generated as a result of the action of homeopathic remedies. They are a concentrated form in a strong (150 proof) alcohol solution. Not only do they present an unpleasant taste, but also result in stinging and burning of the mouth and tongue when taken directly. Diluting with water reduces the unpleasantness.
28. May I take vitamin and mineral supplements while taking homeopathics?
Yes, they do not interfere with the remedies.
