“Homeopathic Remedies”
Tami Herndon CCH, RS Hom(NA)
Have you ever wondered, what exactly IS a homeopathic remedy? Actually there is more to the sweet- tasting little white pellets than meets the eye. Homeopathy, like all truly natural therapies, seeks to stimulate the innate healing power of the individual, so that all systems function at their best. As the person moves toward his or her optimal level of vitality, he or she feels better. Homeopathic remedies do not directly treat a symptom or condition. Instead, the remedies simply help initiate the process by which the person heals himself or herself. Simply stated, the remedy acts as a message to the person‟s vitality for it to begin ordering and balancing itself. Since the remedy is a messenger rather than a treatment, as little remedy as possible should be used. Homeopathic remedies are derived from simple plant, animal product, and mineral sources. These substances are prepared by a process of repeated dilution and succussion (firmly striking the bottle on a hard surface). After a substance has been through this repeated process, it becomes a clear liquid. This clear liquid is put onto small sugar pellets, which are then packaged in vials sold at natural food stores. Note: The „x‟ and „c‟ in the potency notation of a remedy stands for 10 and 100 dilution/succussion processes, respectively. It is believed that succussion releases the energy of the substance with none of the effects of the physical substance remaining. Homeopathic remedies, in potencies above about 24x and 12c, have no chemical molecules of the originating substance. Homeopathic remedies, therefore, are “energetic” in action. Any substance that can support the vitality of a person can be made into a homeopathic remedy. A quick look at the remedies available gives one an idea of the broad range of substances used. There are remedies derived from plants, like Rhus toxicodendron a.k.a poison ivy; remedies derived from minerals, like Natrum muriaticum a.k.a. sodium chloride or table salt; and remedies derived from animal products, like Apis mellifica a.k.a. the stinger from a bee. These remedies are available over the counter at most natural food stores. As always, if you are taking medication prescribed by a medical doctor, do not stop taking the medication without consulting a medical doctor. No matter the source from which it is derived, the remedy must be chosen according to its homeopathic indications for the whole person. Homeopathic indications for a substance are obtained via a series of experiments called “provings”. In a proving, groups of individuals with well-ordered vitalities take small doses of a substance daily, recording all effects the substance has on them including physical effects, sleep, hunger/thirst, body temperature, feelings, thoughts, etc. As I‟ve mentioned before, classical homeopathy is based on the premise of “like treats like”. This means that any homeopathically prepared substance that can produce a group of characteristics in a well-ordered vitality can address and support the total state of a disordered vitality. Homeopathic remedies are made at FDA-regulated and approved homeopathic
pharmacies, according to very high standards of purity. Every remedy is produced exactly as the remedy used in the original provings to ensure retention of the homeopathic “whole person” indications as defined in the provings. The FDA requires that all over-the-counter medications have indications printed on the label. Since homeopathy views a person‟s health as a reflection of the entire individual, rather than in terms of the presence or absence of disease, there is no specific disease indication for any homeopathic remedy. A homeopath selects the remedy based on a thorough understanding of the person‟s group of unique characteristics, also known as a person‟s “total state”. Therefore, a remedy, recommended to support a person‟s vital force during an acute cold or flu, may be labeled as indicated for constipation. This is quite confusing to the consumer so it is best to seek guidance in the selection of a remedy homeopathically indicated for the whole person. Classical homeopathy employs only one remedy at a time because it is difficult to predict how two or more substances might hinder or alter each other‟s action upon the vitality. Having said this, there are many “combination remedies” available to the consumer. These products contain a mixture of many single homeopathic remedies in various potencies. Results from these products are varied and unpredictable as there have been no provings done on the combination of remedies in a given mixture. When taking a remedy, never handle the pellets with your hands, as they have no protective coating. Pour the pellets into the cap of the vial, and then tip them from the cap under your tongue. Do not take water with the remedy. There should be no strong taste in your mouth: allow 15 minutes before and 1 hour after meals or the use of any strong flavored substances such as toothpaste, tobacco, menthol, mouthwash or herbal teas. Also, it is best to store the remedies in a cool, dark place away from strong smelling medicines or lotions, especially camphor. So the next time you place a homeopathic remedy under your tongue you‟ll know there is more to the little white pellets than meets the eye!