Of all the therapies available in medicine, two stand out as the most gentle: Homeopathy and Clinical Nutrition. Although either can be used as a preventive modality or as a treatment, homeopathic medicine’s biggest role in general practice is as a therapy, and is extremely useful in preventing many conditions. Clinical nutrition, on the other hand, is most effective as a preventive modality. In this way both complement each other perfectly. Homeopathy derives from the Greek “homoios” for similar, and ‘pathos” for suffering. It was rediscovered and developed in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. Its fundamental science is based in the principle “likes cures like” (similia similibus curantur). Homeopathy is the system of medicine which uses medically active substances at weak or infinitesimal doses that, when administered in health, in a more crude dose, would produce symptoms similar to those for the relief of which they are given. This same principle was also stated by Hippocrates 400 years before the birth of Christ.
Homeopathy is actually the second largest system of medicine practiced in the world, and the fastest growing. It is very popular in parts of Asia and Europe, while in France one person out of four has used homeopathy at least once in a lifetime. Members of Britain’s Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, always travel with a homeopathic treatment kit, while the Queen also consults a homeopathic doctor as one of her personal physicians. In this article I focus on some practical guidelines used by naturopathic doctors and homeopathic practitioners for the treatment of influenza, colds, and injuries.
INFLUENZA
This year, health authorities have warned about the possible severity of the seasonal influenza epidemic. Therefore, I recommend the remedies that follow to counteract this disease. In order to choose the best remedy, identify the one that fits best the following descriptions of that remedy and their symptoms.
Among all the remedies, Gelsemium is undoubtedly the most recommended, but in order for a remedy to be more accurately indicated, the symptoms of the flu sufferer have to be similar to those of the remedy.
Gelsemium: flu is present when the person is drowsy, fuzzy, feels down and worse from damp weather; chills run up and down the spine; great heaviness and tiredness; muscles ache; may have no thirst with the fever; trembling; wants to lie down undisturbed and still.
Metal album: chilliness with great prostration; watery discharges from eyes and nose; cannot stand the cold; thirsty for small, frequent amounts of hot or warm liquids; may have diarrhea or vomiting; restlessness with tiredness and anxiety; may have burning pain which feels better with warm applications.
Eupatorium perfoliatum: this strain of flu is characterized by bone pain; thirst for cold drinks; shivering and chills in back; bones feel broken (in gelsemium, muscles are the ones more affected); wants to stay still; chills preceded by great thirst; eye balls may feel sore.
Baptisia: very rapid prostration; high fever; flu with gastric symptoms; "drugged" state; sore muscles; similar to gelsemium, except that the onset is very fast (gelsemium is slow) and the tongue is heavily coated and thirsty.
In classical homeopathy, prescribing the right remedy is essential for a cure. Nevertheless, for prevention, gelsemium 30CH, Oscilloccocinum (Boiron), Febriplex (Unda), and Thompson's preparation are a natural alternative to flu shots. Or consult your homeopathic or naturopathic doctor.
HOMEOPATHY FOR COLDS
Aconitum: is the first remedy to think of when the onset of a cold is rapid from exposure to dry, cold wind; may be accompanied by a sudden high fever, frequent sneezing, shivers, restlessness, and anxiety, especially at night. The victim feels worse in stuffy rooms. Consult your health practitioner (HP).
Allium cepa: characterized by sneezing; bland discharge from eyes and acrid discharge from the nose; hot and thirsty; better in the open air; worse in warm room; soreness may extend to throat and chest.
Metal album: cold with change of weather; very chilly with thirst for warm water; burning discharge from the nose which makes the lips sore; worse in wet weather, and after midnight; better from heat.
Mercurius: corrosive greenish-yellow discharge; bad breath and taste; worse in both extremes of temperature; may have lots of saliva; worse at night.
Colubrina: very irritable from exposure to dry cold or over-indulgence of food or stimulants; lots of watery discharge but nose may be stuffed up at night; cannot get warm enough, very chilly especially due to the sensitivity to drafts; better after a nap.
Pulsatilla: the person may be very warm, if feverish may not have thirst; loss of taste, appetite, and smell; profuse discharge in the open air and stuffed up in warm rooms, this discharge may be greenish-yellow especially in the morning and evening. If a child, she/he may be more “clingy”; better outdoors, cold applications, slow motion; worse in hot, stuffy rooms, and into the evening.
Euphrasia: cold in the eyes, with an acrid discharge from the eyes and bland discharge from the nose (allium cepa is the opposite); worse in the evening, and indoors.
Belladona: this type of cold is characterized by its sudden onset; victim may feel very hot, congested, flushed, with throbbing headache; sore, raw throat; very thirsty; not much discharge.
INJURIES
Besides the remedies mentioned above, it is recommended to have at home some homeopathic remedies for use with small injuries. When in doubt about the severity of the injury, see your homeopathic practitioner, or go to a hospital, but even in this case some remedies can be of great assistance.
Arnica: is the first remedy to think of with an injury; especially in injuries to muscles, bruises, contusions; after over-exertion, or any accident or injury; for both shock and pain (from sprains, fractures, concussions, dental extraction, accidents); the tincture or ointment is excellent for topical application to the sore part, but never apply on open wounds. Internally, the most used homeopathic potencies (strength of remedy) are 30, 200 and IM.
Calendula: the most often used form of this remedy for injuries, is the tincture, lotion, or succus (juice). The ointment is used more frequently for skin problems. It is excellent for cuts, wounds, and scratches. Also as a gargle following dental extraction; and to stop bleeding. For small injuries, clean the cut, apply a few drops of Calendula and cover the wound with a clean, dry gauze. In addition, Calendula 30CH can be given internally.
Hypericum: This remedy is used when there is nerve involvement with an injury i.e. pain — the kind you get when you hit your finger with a hammer. Any pain from trauma, cuts, or other injury where the nerve endings are affected, especially a trauma involving the tail bone, even on old injuries. Internally, take the 30CH and 200CH. Externally, the lotion is recommended for cuts and burns, septic toes and nails. Internally, before dental extraction.
NUTRITION
In North America, Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s) are the doctors who use more clinical nutrition than any other practitioner. By comparison, ND’s receive about 60% more hours of training in clinical nutrition than a registered dietitian. ND’s also receive about 200 classroom hours in nutrition, and more than a 1000 hours of clinical training incorporating nutrition.
During the last 200 years, we have made more changes in the environment than during the last 2 million years. Atmospheric conditions have been dramatically changed. Food has been modified, processed, preserved, pasteurized, homogenized, coloured, conserved, genetically modified, and irradiated in many ways, especially during the last 45 years. We can observe the consequences of these changes in our Mother Earth and, as well, in our overall health. Immune deficiencies, allergies, degenerative diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and many other conditions are increasing in our western culture.
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) estimates that 50% of women's cancers and 40% of men’s are related to nutrition. Other authors have projected that as much as 35% of all human cancer can be prevented through effective dietary changes. There is a consensus that sufficient circumstantial and epidemiologic data exists linking diet and nutrients to cancer, and in the etiology (cause) of most of our degenerative diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, coronary artery disease, strokes, and cancer, recommending a change in diet and the corresponding use of nutrients to reduce the risk of disease.
Optimal nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and gentle therapies are the keys to achieve and main optimum health.
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