On January 24, 2011, CBC’s Marketplace aired an episode entitled “Homeopathy: Cure or Con?” which concluded that homeopathy is: a) Basically made up of sugar pills with no therapeutic effect; and b) a danger to consumers who choose homeopathy over conventional drug treatment.
In response, Vitality put the word out that we were seeking public reaction to the CBC show, along with accounts of real life experiences that people have had with homeopathy. We received so many responses that we couldn’t fit them all in the magazine. So here is a representative sampling of those, and the complete round-up of responses has been posted in an extended version of “The Great Homeopathy Debate” on our website.
COMMENTS FROM PATIENTS
Chronic Bronchitis Healed with ‘Sugar Pills’?
This is to let people know that Homeopathic Medicine works! I have had chronic bronchitis twice a year for the last 40 plus years, which by the way I have not had in two years since I’ve been treated with homeopathy.
The media would like us to think this is all in our minds [placebo effect]. If this was a sugar pill how did it heal my chronic bronchitis and other serious infections of the lungs? I find it hard to believe that ONLY antibiotics can heal, when in two years I have not had any infections, of the lungs or any other illness.
This letter is to show that there is something to Homeopathic Medicine and it is not in our minds. It’s funny how the media went after Chiropractors in 2005 and now Homeopaths.
You be the judge, not the media!
David Scott
Sails Through Perimenopause
Having good health in general, when Peri-menopause hit I sought help naturally with homeopathy. Keeping my symptoms monitored regularly, I sailed through hot flashes and improved my overall health. Mentally, emotionally and physically my health continues to improve. I would never be without the care and guidance of a homoeopath and I recommend mine to anyone who asks me how I maintain such a high level of good health and energy.
Maxine Warsh
Thyroid Returns to Normal
Five years ago I went to emergency experiencing severe weakness and an irregular heartbeat. I was immediately transferred to intensive care and was told I was experiencing Atrial Fibrillation caused by a thyroid storm (an autoimmune condition in which the thyroid attacks itself). After further testing I was informed the recommended course of action was to kill my thyroid with radiation and I would be on a thyroid pill for the rest of my life. At this time my symptoms included rapid and irregular heartbeat, maximum sleep of 3-4 hours per night, and a constant feeling of extreme agitation even though I felt mentally calm.
Upon the advice of my son, I decided to seek out a homeopath. After three months of taking the prescribed homeopathic remedy, my heart rate went back to normal, my heart palpitations ceased, I slept through the night and the internal agitation disappeared. On the advice of my doctor I had further testing and was told by the specialist “I don’t understand this – your thyroid is testing normal now”.
Thank you Tamara der Ohanian and your gift of homeopathic medicine … it has given me back my life.
J. P. Maybee
Quick Recovery from Bronchitis
For thirty years I suffered from bronchitis once a year. But after I started seeing the homeopath, Tamara Der-Ohanian, my health improved. With her expertise, I was able to ward off any attack of this illness for four years. Even when the bronchitis returned last December, Tamara’s remedies cut my recovery time in half without the aid of antibiotics. I am, therefore, most grateful for her knowledge of homeopathic medicine. A. B.
Praise from a Mid-Lifer
I am a fifty-six year old woman, who was introduced to homeopathy about a year and a half ago. I was a little sceptical in the beginning but that changed very quickly as I got great results. I am a changed person because of it. I have nothing but praise and admiration for my homeopath. I encourage other people to look into it.
Janice Stern
Depression Lifts; Energy Returns
Having suffered for many years from low-grade depression, I had succumbed to the concept that this would be part of my life forever. I had been on anti-depressants and other medication with short-term results but no lasting relief.
A homeopathic consult was suggested. Being a sceptic and having already gone through several types of so-called help, I balked. However at the time, the depression had a hold of me and I was desperate for ‘something’.
After a detailed and in-depth consultation and being given my ‘remedy’, I felt a change within a few days. Daily, I felt better, more motivated, energized and much more balanced. I take my remedy only periodically now and have not taken any anti-depressants or other mind-altering substances of any kind for almost 20 years. I don’t need to.
I have good days and bad days as we all do. However, by taking my remedy, I've been able to remain balanced and hopeful throughout. I have since recommended several friends and colleagues to my homeopath and the results have been outstanding. We can’t all be wrong!
DM
Shoulder Pain Resolves; Dementia Disappears
I have had personal experience with homeopathy that was very positive and have friends and family members that have experienced similar results. In my personal case, I had a chronic shoulder issue for many years. I had seen many medical doctors as well as alternative health care practitioners over the years to try to resolve the issue. It initially started with an injury and never fully recovered to the full pain-free function I had before the injury.
I had treatments from many practitioners (regularly over several years) including medical doctors, shoulder specialists, massage therapists (RMTs), chiropractors and naturopaths, none of which could help my shoulder recover to an acceptable level. I am not against conventional medicine and have tried a large amount of it, but just have not experienced the recovery I was seeking for my shoulder through any of those treatments.
Before trying homeopathy, I did my own research and sought out a specialist because homeopathic medicines have shown traditionally to be very complex and I felt it best to seek a practitioner that specializes in the field, rather than a practitioner in another field that also practices homeopathy but has less homeopathic-specific training.
After starting homeopathic treatments, I experienced the recovery I had sought for many years. The pain and stiffness diminished and eventually completely resolved. My restriction of movement recovered and I was eventually able to exercise pain-free and my shoulder healed to its pre-injury state. The healing and recovery happened gradually over time, but I finally achieved the results I had wanted.
After my experience with homeopathy, I thought my grandmother of 87 (at the time) could benefit from treatment as well as she was experiencing a progression of dementia. My family had taken my grandmother to several medical doctors and specialists (who diagnosed her case as advanced) as well as a naturopath but no improvements had shown. She was also experiencing a lot of issues with digestion and the naturopath thankfully resolved those issues.
My grandmother had become very quiet over the past several years and was not engaged in conversations in the very active manner that she used to be. When we took her for her homeopathic session she was in a very confused state. My mother obtained her complete medical history and assisted her through the questionnaire and evaluation process as my grandmother at the time was not able to recall many specifics or understand some of the questions. Through the process, she was not clearly aware of what the treatment was for or where she was, and therefore had no bias towards “the placebo effect”.
After taking the prescribed homeopathic remedy, the change in my grandmother was great. She became highly interactive and present of mind similar state to 20 years earlier. This change was so profound and her awareness so great after a relatively short period of treatment, she made the statement “I can’t believe how confused I was. I have been in a very dark place for a long time”. My grandmother has returned to my family, and homeopathy was the treatment that accomplished this.
I know that my positive experience is not unique and there are thousands upon thousands of other people with similar experiences.
Trevor
User Comments