Category Archives: Education in Homeopathy

Concerned about Coronavirus? Improve your immunity

Acute Illnesses, Cold & Flu, Education in Homeopathy, Total Health
MERS virus, Meadle-East Respiratory Syndrome coronovirus, 3D illustration
MERS virus, Meadle-East Respiratory Syndrome coronovirus, 3D illustration

The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) that causes Covid-19 (coronavirus disease) is a current concern for everyone. News outlets and social media provide us a constant stream of detailed information about the outbreak, cancelled events due to coronavirus fears, quarantines and the number of new cases and fatalities all over the world.

Most of the cases are in China, many cases are in Italy, South Korea and Iran.1 According to a recent study, published in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) on February 24th, 2020, researchers looked at 44, 672 confirmed cases in China and characterized 81%  cases as mild, 14% as severe, and 5% as critical. Most people that have died were 70 or older or had chronic health conditions.5

A healthy immune system is the best defense for any viral disease. Prolonged fear of a possible threat causes exhaustion (often referred to as burnout or adrenal fatigue), immune system dysfunction and other emotional and physical issues.6 The best way to stay healthy in the current situation is not to give in to panic, avoid exposure to the virus, strengthen your immune system, and prepare the remedies you might need.

SARS-CoV-2 belongs to a group of viruses called corona viruses, 15-30% of viruses that cause the common cold are corona viruses. It is important  to stop the cold naturally as soon as possible, to reduce the chances of it progressing into bronchitis or pneumonia. Fever is an important part of the defense mechanism of the body, it helps to fight the infectious agents by triggering a greater number of CD8 T-cells that are capable of destroying infected cells.4  Reducing fever, especially right away, is counterproductive in viral diseases.

Avoid exposure

To stay healthy avoid being exposed to the virus and have good hygiene. Wash your hands and face after you go shopping or socializing. Stay away from people who are sick and avoid crowds. Do not share food, utensils, cups and other personal things. Follow travel guidance to avoid unnecessary exposures.

Strengthen your immune system

Increase and maintain your immunity by getting fresh air every day, eating more fruits, vegetables, homemade soups, and eating less processed foods, getting plenty of sleep and physical activity.

Supplements like vitamin C, elderberry extract, tea made from ginger, lemon and honey, and apple cider vinegar are all very helpful before and during colds or flu.

Gemmotherapy extracts Ribes nigrum (Black currant) and Rosa canina (Briar rose) taken twice daily in water are a wonderful way to support immunity. Use your usual dose if you have taken those remedies before. If the remedies are new to you, take 6-16 drops for children 12 to adults, contact your practitioner for the doses for younger children.

Homeoprophylaxis

A homeoprophylaxis (HP) remedy for Covid-19, a homeopathic remedy made from the virus itself or the most used remedy for a current outbreak (genus epidemicus), is not indicated at this time. Luckily, the chances of getting Covid-19 are low for American public – there are 60 cases of Covid-19 in the US (as of 3/3/20). In comparison, 32 million people in the U.S. have experienced flu illnesses this season, according to a CDC estimate. If the necessity arises, the HP remedy will be available. Please contact your homeopath directly to inquire.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathy has a history of tremendous success in epidemics. 3 The most often used remedy in the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic was Gelsemium Sempervirens, the same remedy that has been suggested as the most likely remedy for cases of Covid-19 as well.

Oscillococcinum – Take at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms; aborts bad colds or flu. If you have to travel, take an extra dose before you start your trip.

Based on reports from China several possible remedies have been suggested by the homeopathic community.

Arsenicum album – Burning pains, anxiety and restlessness; dry cough, cough worse after midnight, worse lying down, better with warmth. Thirsty for small sips of water taken often.

Bryonia alba –  Fever, dry hacking painful cough,  dry tongue, stitching pain in the chest, pain is worse by breathing or least motion.

Eupatorium Perfoliatum –  Severe pains in muscles or bones. Feels like bones are broken or bruised. Thirst for cold drinks. Loose cough.

Ferrum phosphoricum – Dry cough, short painful tickling cough, cough when bending head forward, cough worse outside; tired, apathetic, little thirst or appetite, better from rest and cold applications.

Gelsemium sempervirens – Slow onset with dizziness, dullness, extreme fatigue, chills, and low grade fever. Extreme muscle weakness, trembling and body ache all over. Dry cough. Dull pain on the back of the head, no thirst.

Homeopathic remedies above can be used safely in 30C potency.  If you have tried 3-6 doses of a remedy that matches your symptoms the best and do not see any improvement, consult your homeopath for a more specific remedy for you.

Should you have further concerns you would like to discuss, please email or call to book an appointment.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace primary care. This information is not intended to replace the services of any physicians or health care professionals. It is not intended to be a substitute for the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or health condition. This information is for education purposes only.

References:

  1. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
  3. http://www.whale.to/v/winston.html
  4. “Elevated body temperature helps certain types of immune cells to work better, evidence suggests”; December 13, 2011; Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology;  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101130200.htm
  1. Zunyou Wu, MD, PhD; Jennifer M. McGoogan, PhD ,”Characteristics of and Important Lessons From the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in China” Summary of a Report of 72 314 Cases From the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, JAMA. Published online February 24, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2648;  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762130
  1. Jaime Rosenberg, “The Effects of Chronic Fear on a Person’s Health”, Conferences > Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) 2017 Congress – Published on: November 11, 2017; https://www.ajmc.com/conferences/nei-2017/the-effects-of-chronic-fear-on-a-persons-health

 

Cruising with Homeopathy

Education in Homeopathy, Homeopathy, Homeopathy for the Family, Sleep, Total Health, travel

Have you ever been on a cruise ship?

Aconitum Napellus

My friend Luisa and her husband recently went on a cruise for the first time. The night before they were to leave, her daughter Lora, an avid news reader and watcher, could not sleep. She fell asleep but woke up an hour later and went downstairs where Luisa was finishing packing. Lora went to the refrigerator, gulped a cup of cold water and looked anxiously at her parents’ luggage.

She sat on the edge of a chair, then stood up, then sat again. She asked Luisa to tell her more about the trip, although it was discussed in detail weeks ago. “When will you be back?” Lora kept asking. She shared with her mother how scared she was that they were leaving her alone with her grandparents. Luisa was a bit surprised, but after her daughter mentioned that while her parents were busy packing, she watched a scary story on TV right before her bed time, Luisa decided to give her homeopathic remedy Aconitum Napellus. Lora fell asleep in minutes after the remedy and slept soundly through the night.

Arnica Montana

In the morning after goodbye hugs to Lora and Luisa’s parents, a taxi brought Luisa and her husband to the port. The line to get to the checkpoint and the ship was long, and while Luisa was excited about the cruise, her husband – not so much. Lenny was worried that he will be bored with two days at sea, on a ship with nowhere else to go, and no email to read. Luisa had convinced him not to pay for Wi-Fi access to have a real vacation without any googling, facebooking or emailing. Lenny found himself thinking about that last email he had no time to answer before they left, and missed a step, almost fell over his bag and hit his big toe trying to keep his balance. ‘That’s great’, he thought, but Luisa had it under control. “Here”, she stretched out her hand with a tube of homeopathic  remedy Arnica Montana. By the time Lenny stepped on the deck of the ship, he forgot about his toe discomfort.

Nux Vomica

The ship was amazing – multiple levels, beautiful atrium where people have already gathered for drinks and music, amazing view of the port and ocean. The food was plenty, big buffet with multiple choices of food and drinks, several restaurants with tasty foods, from filet mignon to burgers and French fries, and all for free, 24 hours a day! Needless to say, bored Lenny entertained  himself with different foods and drinks while Luisa was busy running from a show to a concert, from bingo games to gaze at the ocean. She was enjoying every moment while Lenny was trying to settle on the ship. By the evening he felt a bit irritated and nauseous, but he recognized the remedy since it happened to him once before – homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica to the rescue! Nux Vomica is an excellent remedy for over-indulging with food or drinks, or a hangover. Lenny felt better right away and even accompanied Luisa to the late evening show. The theater was cold and roomy, the show entertaining, and all in all the day ended well.

Calendula

In couple days the ship reached sunny Bermuda. Luisa works with computers and does not spend much time outside during work week. She likes walking outside, but in New England there is no way to get ready for sunny weather with occasional short walks. She sighed and reached for her sun block, the most natural sun block she could find but still. She also got her hat with a wide brim, oversized sun glasses and a cover dress to use on the beach. Luisa was very careful on the beach trying not to expose her un-tanned skin to the sun too much. The beach sand was so soft, the turquoise water so clear and enticing,  that  Luisa could not get enough of jumping in the waves,  and waking on the beach. By the time they came back to the ship, she felt her skin burning a little, then a little more. Luisa reached for homeopathic Calendula cream and quickly applied couple layers several times until the burning subsided.

Petroleum

The weather was perfect when the ship started on its way back. Luisa was sad to leave the beautiful island but it was time to go home. Even Lenny had to admit that they had a great time on the beaches, walking trough old town of St. George, and going down the Crystal cave. The weather started to change in the evening, and by the morning the wind was blowing harder and harder creating high ocean waves, and making walking on the ship a bit tricky. It was funny  to watch each other walking with a wide stance, but after a while Luisa felt uneasy. She really wanted to play bingo in the concert hall located at the end of the ship. It was not the game of bingo that attracted her, really, but rather the show the ship’s entertainment crew put together during the game. In the middle of the game Luisa felt really nauseous and weak, and after the game ended, she went directly to her cabin. She took homeopathic remedy Petroleum, lay down for half an hour and went to dinner, the waves did not bother her anymore.

Coffea Cruda

On the last day of the cruise Luisa and Lenny sat in the Jacuzzi, watched 2 shows, listened to some ‘oldies’ music, danced, and took as many pictures as they could. Lenny could not fall asleep – after trying to keep up with Luisa he drank 5 or 6 cups of coffee!  Homeopathic remedy Coffea Cruda saved the night, after 2 doses he felt asleep and when he awoke, the ship was already docking.

Travel naturally with your trusted homeopathic remedies!

What is Homeoprophylaxis?

Acute Illnesses, Cold & Flu, Education in Homeopathy, Featured Post, Health Freedom, Homeopathy, Homeopathy for the Family, Homeoprophylaxis or "Homeopathic Vaccinations", Total Health, , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Homeoprophylaxis (HP) is the use of potentized substances in a systematic manner to prevent the development of the characteristic symptoms of disease.”- Dr. Golden

Homeoprophylaxis (HP) is a safe way to “educate” the immune system against infectious and contagious diseases, and it has been successfully used for more than 200 years. HP is based on homeopathic approach and addresses the whole person to promote health and prevent diseases.

Homeopathic remedies used in HP are ultra-high dilutions, they do not contain molecules of the original substances, and are non-toxic. HP remedies are made from plant, mineral or animal sources or disease products, and are given before encountering a disease to “educate” the immune system. HP remedy works on energetic level of the body and serves as an information message to the immune system.

Law of Similars is used in homeopathy to choose correct remedies, and is also applied for prevention. A remedy that produces symptoms similar to those of the disease will cure an individual that has that disease.  The same remedy that will cure an infectious disease will prevent or reduce the severity of that infection if the remedy is given before exposure to the disease.

Regular vaccines contain small amounts of infectious organisms or disease products. In addition to the disease causing microbes, conventional vaccines contain multiple adjuvants and preservatives and can cause serious side effects.  Conventional vaccines are injected directly into the blood stream bypassing the body’s natural early defense mechanisms. The goal of conventional vaccines is to produce antibodies. The expectation is that the person who is given a vaccine for a specific disease will develop antibodies to that disease and thus be protected. Dr. Merrill W. Chase made a discovery in 1940s (1) that antibodies or humoral immunity alone do not provide immunity, non-specific, cell medicated immunity that involves action of different types of T-cells is important as well to protect the body from infections.

In contrast with conventional vaccines, HP remedies have no dangerous additives, preservatives, toxins, antibiotics, and no molecules of the infecting virus remain. HP remedies contain only the information frequency of the disease. This frequency is delivered on tiny sugar pellets, by mouth, one disease at a time. HP remedy “educates” the immune system about a specific virus. HP does not rely on antibody production, but on changing the susceptibility of the person to the disease. Microbes are not seen as the main cause of diseases, rather terrain, or individual’s predisposition to a disease is important – absence of the predisposition to a specific disease makes the person immune to it. Homeopathic remedies are able to remove these predispositions.

Homeopathy has a 200 years history of high success rate in healing and providing protection in epidemic diseases. Dr. Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, used homeopathic remedy Belladonna to treat patients with scarlet fever. He noticed that those who took the same remedy Belladonna before developing the symptoms of scarlet fever, remained healthy even when coming into contact with the disease. (2) Homeoprophylaxis has been used by many well known homeopathic practitioners like Hering, Boenninghausen, Kent, Allen and Boger, and many other homeopathic practitioners since then.

In recent years large-scale observational studies for homeoprophylactic intervention have been conducted in Cuba for Leptospirosis in 2.3 million persons (3), in Brazil for meningitis in 85,000 people (5),  in India for Japanese encephalitis in more than 20 million people (6).

Dr. Isaac Golden from Australia is the world authority on homeoprophylaxis. In 2004 he completed a research on homeoprophylaxis at the Swinburne University, Melbourne. It was a 20 years Homeoprophylactic Program for disease prevention from 1985 to 2004 where 2,342 responses were collected.  According to the research, the effectiveness of homeoprophylaxis  is 90.4% (95% confidence limits 87.6% – 93.2%). Using national attack rates as a control, HP efficacy for three diseases was:  whooping cough – 86.2%; measles – 90.0%; mumps – 91.6%. (7)

No method of disease prevention can guarantee 100% protection from any infectious disease. When you are considering any aspect of your health and health of your children, it is important to research and review all factors and information. Conventional vaccines do have risks, and can be contraindicated to people with severe illness, suppressed immune system, or history of previous vaccine reactions. Some people have religious or philosophical objections to conventional vaccines. Homeoprophylaxis offers a safe alternative for those groups of people.

Vaccinations are a personal choice and require thoughtful considerations. I do not recommend or discourage regular vaccinations. I recommend clients to do as much research as possible to make sure they feel satisfied with the choice they make. Clients make decisions on their own, and some chose conventional vaccines, and others do not. I respect everyone’s decision. If conventional vaccines are being used, specific homeopathic remedies might be suggested to mitigate negative side effects of traditional vaccinations.

HP remedies are suitable for infants, children and adults. HP remedies can be used for people who travel to countries where they may be exposed to infectious diseases not present in their home country. HP is based on sound homeopathic principals, is safe and effective, and has been used successfully by many people around the world.

If you are considering homeoprophylaxis for yourself or your children, please contact Vera.

REFERENCES:

  1. “Merrill W. Chase, 98, Scientist Who Advanced Immunology”,By Anahad O’Connor, Jan 22, 2004, NY Times,  http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/22/nyregion/merrill-w-chase-98-scientist-who-advanced-immunology.html?_r=2
  1. Hahnemann S. 1801. “The Cure and Prevention of Scarlet Fever”, p. 369-384, The Lesser Writings of Samuel Hahnemann, republished by B. Jain Publishers, 1993, New Dehli.
  2. Bracho, G, Varela, E, Fernandez, R, et al. “Large-scale application of highly-diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epidemic control.” Homeopathy. 99 (2010): 156-166.,            https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20674839
  1. Dr. Golden, Isaac. “Homeoprophylaxis-A Fifteen Year Clinical Study: A Statistical Review of Efficacy and Safety of Long Term Homeoprophylaxis.” Gisborne. Vic. 2004
  2. Mroninski, Adriano, Mattos. Homeopathic Links, Winter 2001, Vol 14(4)), Influenza (International Journal of High Dilution Research 2011; 10(36):174-176
  3. Srinivasulu, G. “An Open Observational Study on the prevention of Japanese Encephalitis through Miasmatic Prescription”, Journal of Homoeopathy, January 2014 Volume 103, Issue 1, Pages 78–79,  http://www.homeopathyjournal.net/article/S1475-4916(13)00125-2/abstract
  1. Dr. Golden, Isaac http://immunizationalternatives.com/clinical-research/

BOOKS

REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

Copyright © 2016 –, Vera Volfson, CCH

History of Homeoprophylaxis

Acute Illnesses, Cold & Flu, Education in Homeopathy, Featured Post, Health Freedom, Homeopathy, Homeopathy for the Family, Homeoprophylaxis or "Homeopathic Vaccinations", Total Health, , , , , , , , , , , ,

General and historical review of the long term and historical use of homeoprophylaxis over the last 200+ years

  • 1799: Scarlatina epidemic in Germany was managed successfully by Belladonna.
  • 1801: Hahnemann wrote an article, “The prevention and cure of scarlet fever” in his lesser writings. Also published a pamphlet called ‘Cure and Prevention of Scarlet Fever’, along with each pamphlet, a vial containing Belladonna was distributed. In his footnote to § 73, he wrote, “scarlet fever founds its preventive and curative means in Belladonna.”
  • 1808: In the subsequent scarlatina epidemic in Germany, Aconite was proved effective.
  • 1808: Published a paper, “Observation on the scarlet fever,” in which he described the individual features of the two previous epidemics.
  • 1813: Hahnemann mentioned in his ‘Chronic Diseases’ about Bryonia and Rhus tox for the acute miasm of typhus.
  • 1831: Hahnemann selected Camphor, Cuprum and Veratrum album for the prevention and cure of Asiatic cholera.
  • 1849:  Boenninghausen  successfully used preventives during the cholera epidemic in Europe. The mortality rate was 54-90% in conventional medicine, whereas homeopathy had only 5–16% mortality. In his lesser writings, he had mentioned about his experience on Thuja for the prevention of small pox. Once he said, “Variolinum 200 is far supreme to crude vaccinations and absolutely safe.”
  • 1833, Constantine Hering: He  suggested Psorinum to prevent an infection of itch miasm.
  • 1884, J C Burnet: He suggested Vaccinum 30 as a preventive for small pox.
  • Dr. H. C. Allen: He used Diptherinum for 25 years as a preventive
    of Diptheria.
  • William Boericke: In his Materia Medica, under Baptisia, he writes, “Baptisia in lower dilutions produces a form of antibodies to the bacillus typhosus. It raises the natural body resistance to the invasion of bacillary intoxication.”
  • Dorothy Shepherd: Confirmed the effectiveness of Pertussin in the prevention of whooping cough.
  • Francisco X. Eizayaga. His protocol of homeopathic prophylaxis was successfully used for four decades in Buenos Aires.
  • 1820 – 1904, Dr. Dudgeon: He reported that 10 allopathic doctors  used homeopathic doses of Belladonna on 1646 children as a preventive for scarlet fever, and only 123 cases had the infection. At the same time, 90% of people who had not taken Belladonna got the infection.
  • 1838, Dr. Hufeland: He supported the use of Belladonna as a preventive against scarlet fever, hence, the government of Prussia made its use mandatory in 1838 during an epidemic of scarlet fever.
  • 1907, Dr. Eaton: In 1907, he collated the results of several doctors in Iowa during a smallpox epidemic. As a prophylaxis to small pox, 2806 persons were given Variolinum 30. Out of these 2806 people, 547 persons had definite exposure to small pox. The response was very encouraging. Only 14 cases got the infection, which means the prophylaxis was 97% effective.
  • 1918, W. A. Pearson:  W. A. Pearson of Philadelphia collected 26795 cases of influenza treated with Gelsemium by various homeopathic physicians. The mortality was only 1.05%, but the mortality of cases treated by conventional medicine was 30%.
  • 1988 – 1994, Dr. Isaac Golden:  Conducted a survey among the customers who had purchased his prophylactic kit against diseases like pertussis, diphtheria, mumps, measles, influenza, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. He then conducted a follow-up survey by sending a questionnaire between 1988 to 1994 to each of the parents. He received 879 replies, out of which, only 2% of the children got the infection. Out of 188 children who had definite exposure, only 20 got infected, that too with fewer troubles. There were no adverse effects from the program. The repeated doses actually helped for the long-term prevention.
  • 1974, Brazil: Guarantingueta in Brazil had faced an epidemic of meningitis. As a prophylaxis, Meningococcinum 10C was given to 18640 children. At the same time another group of 6,340 children did not receive the nosode, hence used as control. Out of 18,640, only 4 cases developed meningitis. And, among 6,340 children, 43 cases developed the disease.
  • USA: The homeopaths who worked for the public health departments in USA gained great experience by using the nosodes against smallpox epidemics.
  • 2007, Cuba: In October – November 2007, researchers at Finlay institute, Cuba, reported on their successful use of homeopathic remedy for the prevention of Leptospirosis. They prepared a 200C nosode from various strains of the organism, which was given to 2.4 million people. There was a dramatic decrease in morbidity and reached to zero mortality of hospitalized patients.
  • India: In almost all states in India, homeopathic preventive medicines were distributed during the epidemics of Japanese encephalitis, Swine flu, Chinkungunya, Chickenpox, Conjunctivitis, Dengue fever, etc. The responses from the various sources are quite favorable. The success story of prophylaxis from Andhra Pradesh was a much-discussed topic in the public media. The Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) is always vigilant on the outbreak of epidemic. They have special research centers to conduct studies on prophylaxis. CCRH also conducted studies on the efficacy of prevention of Japanese Encephalitis in states like UP,  WB, AP, Assam (1986-1999). The result was excellent. In India, homeopathic preventives are also distributed by NRHM, State Government departments, Homeopathic colleges, organizations and practitioners. The Government of Kerala has got a special body called RAECH (Rapid Action Epidemic Control cell Homeopathy), which is under the control of the department of homeopathy. It includes medical officers, members from various organizations and also private practitioners in each area. The RAECH has conducted many studies on the efficacy of HP.

Adapted from an article on Homeoprophylaxis by Dr. Muhammed Rafeeque, BHMS, India, Presented for the first time at LIGA 1st – 4th December 2011
Article Published in the March 2012 issue of Homeopathic Heritage, http://californiahomeopath.com/issue/the-california-homeopath-volume-17-3/article/an-attempt-to-solve-the-controversies-in-homoeopathic-prophylaxis1