Homeopathy for Women: A Comprehensive, Easy-to-Use Guide for Women of All Ages - Softcover

Rose, Dr. Barry; Scott-Moncrieff, Christina

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1552093034 ISBN 13: 9781552093030

Publisher: Firefly Books, 1999

Synopsis

Women who seek alternatives to orthodox medical treatments will welcome this data-intensive new reference book. Beautifully illustrated with color photographs, drawings, charts and sidebars, Homeopathy for Women provides detailed information on the most common ailments and their homeopathic remedies for treatment at home. The book clearly matches symptoms to remedies in the following chapters:

The Breasts, Reproductive & Urinary Systems
Pregnancy, Birth & Post-Partum Problems
The Menopause
Head & Throat
The Chest, Heart & Circulation
Digestive System
The Skin, Joint & Muscles
Metabolic Problems
Emotional Problems
Emergencies

The final chapter is titled Common Homeopathic Medicines, listing the 50 most common medicines used in homeopathic treatments.

Anatomical illustrations and panels, tables and sidebars of important data enhance the valuable information provided throughout the book, especially on improving well being and tailoring treatments to individual symptoms and constitutional profiles. There is a special section that lists addresses and telephone numbers for homeopathic organizations and homeopathic pharmacies/manufacturers. A glossary and bibliography make this book a complete reference.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Barry Rose, a homeopathic physician for more than 25 years, recently retired as Dean of the Faculty of Homeopathy of Great Britain. He is now in private practice using both conventional and homeopathic medicine.

Dr. Christina Scott-Moncrieff is a general practitioner in private practice and on staff at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital (U.K.)

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Homeopathic medicines have been used for some 200 years to treat a wide variety of illnesses safely and effectively. The word homeopathy means 'like suffering'. It describes the basic principle Of homeopathic treatment: that the symptoms that a person experiences can be cured by a substance that would cause the same symptoms if given to a healthy person. This principle was recognized by Hippocrates 2,400 years ago, but it was not used in a systematic way until Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) grew tired of the brutal medical practices of his day and began to experiment with other forms of treatment. Using herbs, and later other substances including the medicines of the day, such as arsenic and mercury, Hahnemann gathered a group of healthy people who took the substance he was investigating, and then reported their symptoms. These were called 'provings' and were recorded. They became the basis of the prescriptions Hahnemann later gave to ill people with the same symptoms.

Taking medicines that caused the same symptoms that a patient was already experiencing sometimes caused an aggravation of the symptoms. To overcome this, Hahnemann devised a method of preparing the medicine by systematically diluting the original medicine, or 'mother tincture', and shaking it vigorously between each dilution. To his surprise, this method enhanced the action of the medicine. He called the method 'potentisation' and the resulting medicines 'potencies', thus the highest potencies contain the weakest solutions.

Hahnemann's method is still used today. The mother tincture is diluted on one of two scales: either one part in ten, or one part in 100. The number of dilutions that a medicine has undergone is recorded on each bottle of medicine by a number, which is usually printed just after the name of the medicine. The dilution scale is indicated by a letter, so x or d> means that each dilution was one part in ten and c denotes dilutions of one part in 100. For example, a medicine which has 6c on it means that the mother tincture has been diluted by one part in a hundred six times. A 1000c dilution is usually denoted as 1M.

Giving such small doses has always been controversial because the original substance must eventually disappear altogether. Modern chemistry tells us that this occurs at about the 12c dilution, so how can the higher potencies be effective? It is thought the medicine leaves some sort of message in the water during the vigorous shaking between dilutions, and that this message somehow resonates with the body to promote healing.

The Vital Force

Hahnemann believed that the body contains an innate power to heal itself. He called this the Vital Force. He believed that when a person is ill this force becomes disordered and that homeopathic medicines are able to restore it in a unique way. The choice of medicine depends on the symptoms that are present and is called the symptom medicine in this book. The term local medicine is sometimes also used. In more long-standing illnesses, the Vital Force may put up a good resistance to the progress of the disease, but over a period of time the illness becomes more severe. Symptom medicines may bring some relief, but they rarely cure this type of illness and a constitutional medicine may be needed. Such a prescription is based on the whole personality and appearance of the patient.

How to use this book

Part one of this book contains information about the problems and ailments that women may encounter during their lives. Each chapter has an introduction that provides more useful information and there are self-help tips. Part two is the Materia Medica section where there is a detailed description of 50 common medicines.

To select the most appropriate medicine for your current complaint you should:

• Use the list of book contents and/or index to find the entry that most closely describes the problem.
• Read through the symptoms to find those that best describe your symptoms so that you can select the most appropriate medicine.
• Use the Materia Medica section, where possible, to confirm your choice. The introduction to the Materia Medica will help you use this section.
• You should take the medicine at least half an hour after eating and when your mouth is free of other strong flavors, such as peppermint, toothpaste or tobacco. In an emergency, if you cannot wait, rinse your mouth with water if this is possible.
• Allow the medicine to dissolve in your mouth.

Taking a course of treatment

• If the symptoms improve, reduce the frequency of the doses of medicine and stop it altogether when you are symptom free. If the symptoms do return, you need to start taking the recommended medicine again.
• If any of the symptoms get worse you should stop taking the medicine. Even with the very dilute 'potentised' medicines it is possible that you are 'proving' the medicine or experiencing an aggravation (see opposite). This is not necessarily a bad sign, because it shows that the medicine is having an effect, and the reaction will almost always subside within a day or two leaving you symptom free. If some of your symptoms persist, try a few doses in a higher potency, but it is a good idea to check whether another medicine might be more appropriate. If in doubt consult a homeopath. If the symptoms are severe, or if you have other health problems, seek medical help.
• If some symptoms still remain while others improve, you should take the medicine less frequently, eventually stopping it. You will need to change to a different medicine if some symptoms remain.
• If new symptoms appear, stop the medicine. All homeopathic medicines have a wider action than those mentioned in this book and you may be 'proving' the medicine (see opposite). If the symptoms persist consider taking another medicine.
• If your symptoms do not change, try to find a more appropriate medicine.
• If you are concerned about what is happening always seek professional advice. Remember to consult your doctor before you stop any conventional medication or alter the recommended dose. You should also always tell your homeopath what medicines your doctor has prescribed for you

Further Help

Homeopathic medicines are increasingly available from drugstores and health food stores. Higher potencies and less common ones can be bought by mail order from a homeopathic manufacturer using a credit card (see p. 173).

There are organizations in Canada and the United States that maintain lists of registered homeopathic practitioners (see p. 173). Although a growing number of health care providers prescribe homeopathic medicines, not all Jurisdictions have homeopathic licensing boards or require practitioners to pass an examination. In the U.S., the letters DHt after a practitioner's name indicate membership in the specialty board of the American Board of Homeotherapeutics. In Canada, R.Hom or H.D. indicates completion of standardized educational programs.

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1552093034
• ISBN 13: 9781552093030
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176