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Homeopathy for Non–Life-Threatening Ailments
Homeopathy is most popularly used to treat health problems that, though not life threatening, cause discomfort to those who suffer from them.
Chronic Disorders
Homeopathy is often used to treat people with chronic disorders. Homeopaths often suggest lifestyle changes in addition to specific remedies in treating these patients.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Homeopathic remedies are sometimes used to relieve the pain that can accompany chronic fatigue syndrome. The specific nature of the pain partly determines which remedy is used.
- Arsenicum: This substance can be used for restlessness and fatigue accompanied by chills and burning pains that are worse at night.
- Gelsemium: This substance should be taken by people who experience mental exhaustion, including drowsiness and indifference, and physical weakness, such as heaviness of the limbs and eyelids.
- Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla is used for people who are moody and emotional.
- Sulphur: This is used for those who feel fatigued, but who are not emotionally sensitive.
People suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome should work with experienced homeopaths only, as this condition is very complex and can have severe symptoms.
Headaches
Since many over-the-counter pain relievers have been shown to cause stomach problems when overused, home-opathy can be a safe and side effect–free alternative for treating headaches. If your headache problems are chronic and you want to try a remedy that addresses the source of your headache—not just to relieve it—mention this to your practitioner. Because the nature of headache pain can vary widely, the specific symptoms determine the
specific remedy.
- Aconite: Aconite is used for headaches that come on suddenly and are experienced as a squeezing sensation.
- Belladonna: Belladonna may be taken for throbbing headaches that are made worse by movement, light, or noise, and that are soothed when still.
- Bryonia: This substance is often prescribed for sharp stabbing pain that is accompanied by irritability.
- Gelsemium: Dull headaches with constrictive sensations that occur along with vision difficulties and weakness are often treated with gelsemium.
- Nux vomica: Remedies made from nux vomica are used to treat headaches caused by stress and an unhealthy lifestyle involving too much alcohol or rich food, or too little exercise.
Any of the above remedies can generally be found at health food stores.
Colds and Flu
For seasonal complaints, such as the common cold, the flu, or hay fever, homeopathic remedies are usually admin-
istered starting a couple of months before symptoms typically appear. Note that in the case of the flu, people most in danger of flu complications (such as the elderly) should never forgo the traditional annual flu shot in favor of homeopathic remedies alone.
Gastrointestinal Complaints
Gastrointestinal health problems include a wide variety of ailments. For this reason, the FDA requires homeopathic remedies to state specifically on their labels what they treat—it’s not enough simply to claim “relief for gastrointestinal complaints.”
Most homeopathic remedies for gastrointestinal complaints are taken in capsule or liquid form, since the body absorbs them most easily. Remedies vary depending on the particular nature of the symptoms. For example, the following remedies are often given to patients with diarrhea:
- Aloe: Aloe is used for symptoms characterized by weakness and a hungry feeling that follows elimination.
- Arsenicum album: This substance is used for patients with a sore or burning feeling in the stomach, fatigue, and restlessness.
- Mayapple: This is given to people who experience sickness early in the morning and/or afternoon, with rumbling in the stomach before elimination.
In most cases of gastrointestinal complaints, a homeopath also instructs his or her patient on dietary improvements. The practitioner also often prescribes vitamin or mineral supplements, as vitamins and minerals tend to be lost when a patient has a bout of sickness.
Joint Problems
Homeopathy remains a fairly popular way to treat the
many forms of arthritis, from osteoarthritis to rheumatoid arthritis and more. Some of the substances commonly used for treatment are:
- Rhus toxicodendron: This is prescribed for people who have stiffness and pain that is relieved by heat, such as warm water or hot compresses, but is made worse by cold and the first movements after a rest.
- Actea spic: This substance is often given for arthritis in the hands and feet that is experienced as pain and swelling in the joints.
- Bryonia: Bryonia can be taken for pain that is made worse by movement.
Asthma
Homeopathic treatments for asthma are complicated, since sufferers can have widely varying symptoms and can experience them at different times and after different activities. If you consult a homeopath about asthma, make sure to discuss your symptoms as specifically as possible, because the nature of the symptoms determines the chosen remedy. Some of the substances commonly used in remedies for asthma include the following:
- Arsenicum album
- Chamomilla
- Natrum sulphuricum (sodium sulphate)
Mental Health Remedies
In the homeopathic treatment of phobias, depression, and other mental health issues, the patient’s personality and disposition are key factors in the homeopath’s decision about which remedy is best. The substances used in remedies for psychological problems are picked for their connection to the physical, outward symptoms of the mental illness and not the mental problem itself. None of the remedies given for psychological issues target the psychological root of the problem, just the physical aspects. For example, homeopaths treat bulimia with a remedy made from a substance that causes vomiting in regular doses.
Fear of Flying
Homeopathic remedies are often used to treat phobias, one of the most common of which is a fear of flying. Depending on the specific symptoms that a person experience, a host of different remedies are considered in treating flight phobia. The following remedies cause symptoms similar to the physical symptoms that a person experiences during a panic attack associated with a fear of flying.
- Aconite: Aconite is typically given for panic attacks that are accompanied by claustrophobia and a fear of dying.
- Gelsemium: This substance is used to treat fear that comes on simply in anticipation of a flight.
- Argentum nitricum: Silver nitrate is given to treat hyperventilation, claustrophobia, and an intense fear of heights during panic attacks.
Childhood Health Ailments
Although homeopathic remedies are particularly popular in the treatment of mild childhood ailments, you should take great care when considering homeopathy for your child’s health. Never forgo conventional medical treatments in situations in which your child’s long-term health is at risk.
Teething
Teething pain can sometimes seem impossible to alleviate, even with conventional medicine. Homeopathic practitioners
often prescribe chamomilla for babies experiencing intense pain while teething, especially if the baby is restless and constantly wants to be held.
Ear Infections
Homeopathic literature and anecdotal evidence report that childhood ear infections respond well to homeopathy—
in many cases, ear infections do get better without antibiotics. Nonetheless, never ignore complications if they arise:
if your child’s symptoms don’t begin to improve within a few days, or if he or she develops a fever or other complications, seek help from your family doctor.
Common Homeopathic Remedies for Other Ailments
Below is a sampling of some other common ailments, along with a few of the substances that are commonly used in homeopathic remedies for them.
Ailment |
Common Homeopathic Remedies |
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Back pain |
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Carpal tunnel syndrome |
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Chicken pox |
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Constipation |
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Dandruff |
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Hay fever |
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Motion sickness |
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Sore throat |
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| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
