In what way....

 The last couple of days, I have been enmeshed in a patient's reaction to a remedy; in this case, an aggravation.  Aggravation is a word we often use, when the presenting symptoms temporarily worsen, or are exaggerated in response to the remedy's influence. Stuart Close, author of _The Genius of Homeopathy_ provides an apt metaphor- that when the rusty, ill-maintained gears and parts of a machine are jump started, we hear the creaking, groaning and grunting of forgotten movement. Likewise, our vital force shaking off the rust of dis-ease makes its presence known. 

As a Homeopath in the infancy of my practice, I fluctuate between holding, witnessing, and guiding my patients' aggravations with both understanding and confidence, and wild wondering and downright clumsiness.  The last couple days have been infused with the latter. This is not to say that I have not been attentive, supportive, and diligent in considering the case before me, and acting accordingly. But more that I've been acutely aware of my own dance with the unknown.


In my life and in yours, the waters of intention are consistently breached by the unknown. Modern life doesn't allow for the unknown so much, and the ease of which we can "know" vast quantities (googlefacebookyoutubewikipediaetc....) makes it hard to resist that pull.  

Homeopathy is an elegant, complete system of medicine with clearly defined principles. It has within it the possibility of a "rapid and gentle cure" for so much suffering. It is coined a 'the medical art' and I think the 'art' is the ability of the practitioner to balance the science with the unknown again, and again, and again.

The unknown does not ask- will the remedy act?

The unknown asks- in what way will the remedy act?

The difference between a Yes/No dichotomy, and a Way is in the motion. Yes and No is strictly back and forth. Way, is flow. Of course Zen teaches us this, but how often do we really apply that to our everyday life? If you are a practitioner or patient of Homeopathy, you are in luck :)

Disease, is back and forth. I am exposed to pollen- I sneeze. I'm not exposed to pollen- I don't sneeze. In a disease state, we are locked into our reaction, which is our suffering (be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual).
Health and healing, is a flow. Sometimes, it's an uphill flow (don't ask me how, this is about the unknown, remember?). Sometimes, it's a steep drop. But however it goes, it's creative, adaptable motion.

You don't need a remedy to create that flow; I am continuously amazed at the healing and movement I have witnessed in friends and family, with not a remedy in sight. But there has been an undeniable step into the unknown, a willingness to be in it, steep drops and all, unused gears screeching and rust flying.

Sometimes, though, we're stuck. The flow has stopped, the Way is obscured. Or maybe, one never even realized there was a motion beyond back and forth. This is where a remedy comes in, and a Way is revealed. How it goes, we don't know. Rapid, gentle, and complete is one way. With creaks and groans and aggravations is another Way. And many other Ways inbetween.


The next time you take a remedy, consider - 'in what way is this remedy acting?' 

How Does 'Like Cures Like' work with Homeopathy?

Like cures like? How? 

Homeopathy is well known for its cornerstone principle- that like cures like. Homeopaths prescribe on the 'similimum'- that substance which would make a healthy person ill, will help cure one who is sick with those exact symptoms. 

For example: syrup of Ipecac is used to induce vomiting. Homeopathically prepared Ipecac can be curative for those suffering from relentless nausea and vomiting. 

The whole idea of similars was refined and cultivated into an elegant medical modality by Samuel Hahnemann, the father of Homeopathy. Its origins, however, are much older, and not only that, we are surrounded by examples of 'like curing like' in unique and surprising ways. I often find myself looking out for examples in our everyday world that reinforce the use of a similar substance, force, or expression as a means to success, solving a problem, or simply making something happen. I'll share a few here in this post- please comment on your own observations and experiences. I'd love to hear them. 

A Fable of Similars 

The Sun and the Wind were in an argument over who was the most powerful. In the heat of the argument, the Wind spied a traveler walking down the road in a coat. Ah ha! he thought. Here is my chance. He challenged the Sun to a duel- the force who could cause the man to remove his coat would be declared the stronger. The Sun readily agreed. 

Eager to prove his might, the Wind began to blow, first with a light breeze and then steadily stronger. The man buttoned his coat and then wrapped it tightly around himself as the Wind whipped up a gale around him. Collar up to his ears, the man sought shelter from the strength of the Wind. Exhausted, the Wind backed off and the Sun took his turn. Steadily, he beamed warm rays on the man who lowered his collar and as the rays of sunlight shone steadier on his shoulders, he unbuttoned his coat. 

The Sun and the Wind watches beads of sweat break out on the man's brow and in short order, he took off his coat and flung it over his shoulder, shaking his head at the oddity of the weather. 

In Aesop's Fables, this story is meant as a moral tale heralding the strength of gentleness and kindness over force. One could debate that point, but i use it here as an example of Similars. 

Remember that the body is always seeking homeostasis. When temperature is out of balance, our systems kick in to right that balance, cooling when we are too hot, heating up when we're cold. 

Some Similars of Physics...

In September, RadioLab, a public radio production, did a story on Lincoln Beachy, an early pilot from San Francisco. Beachy had no experience as a pilot, but worked as a mechanic at air shows. One day, he got his big break: a star pilot got hurt, and Beachey leaped in to take his place. He shot upwards, 3,000 feet into the air...and his motor failed. He went into a nose-diving spin that no pilot had ever survived. And he did what no pilot had ever done: he turned into the spin, regained control, and landed safe and sound. (http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2011/sep/20/loop-loop/) 

What Beachy did was what the Sun did in the Aesop fable- applied the same force to a problem to fix it. In this case,  instead of trying to get *out* of the spin like most pilots had done, thus plunging to their deaths, Beachy did the Similar. And survived. Not only that he went on to become a flying superstar, inventing aerial feats such as figure 8's and vertical drops. 

In discussing these 'similars' with my husband,  he provided examples from his own experiences snowboarding, surfing, and mountain biking. In a gravity sport where you need to turn and you're heading downhill, one's inclination may be to pull back- lean away from the mountain-  but in fact, this is the wrong approach. Instead, you need to lean into the turn, over your bike and enter the field of gravity in order to maintain control.

                                                                             

                                  

 This is not only an beautiful example of similars, but also can be applied to principled of dosing. If you take the actual substance (lean too far in) you'll crash or get out of control. Lean back (apply the opposite) you will find yourself spinning out. Maybe you won't crash, but you won't be succeeding at your sport either. By applying just the right amount of the similar- lean into gravity- you can hit the sweet spot. 

Why Vaccines are Not Similars

Inevitably when people hear about the idea of like curing like, they think, 'like vaccines, right?' But in fact the action of vaccines is nothing like that of homeopathic remedies and provides an excellent frame for understanding how they *do* work. 

The aim of vaccines is that by introducing a killed virus of an infectious agent into the body's immune system, the immune system will create antibodies that will then 'remember' the virus, should one come in contact with the same wild virus out in the world. The antibodies will already be made and the individual will not contract the disease because the body is already prepared to fight it off. 

Does this work? Sure, it does. Not 100% of the time and not in such a pure, simplistic way. For one thing, you are not sick when you get a vaccine- which is not a virus from one disease, but typically 2-4 different strains, mixed with a cocktail of biological and chemical agents that would never come with inhaling or ingesting the wild virus. Bypassing all of the body's preliminary defense mechanisms (nose, mouth, skin, etc...), a disease state is inflicted on the system. The body needs to mount a defense to throw that disease off. Maybe you will encounter that disease again, maybe not. Maybe it will protect you, maybe not. The bottom line is: the individual did not have meningitis, or the flu, or polio, or measles, etc... when a vaccine was given for that condition. 

(this is a very deep and broad topic that i am going to keep fairly superficial to keep with why vaccines are not 'like curing like'.) 

A homeopathic medicine, on the other hand, is only given when someone is demonstrating symptoms that call for that specific remedy. A child shows symptoms of chicken pox: rhus tox, or antimonium tartaricum, or pulsatilla or whatever remedy matches that child's symptoms will be given. The remedy matches the body's own defensive actions, ie; itchy blisters, a cough, a fever, etc...  and assists the vital force in throwing off the disease. It does not take the disease away. It does not give your body a disease it did not already have. It simply energizes and aligns your own vital force so that it can do the job it is already doing: healing. When one has pulled through the illness, true antibodies for a real virus, conferring life-long immunity have been established. The same cannot be said for vaccines. 

Like curing like is not a Homeopathy-specific idea. It has ancient roots, and if we open our eyes and awareness, the examples are all around us. 

November 2011- Occupy Health!

I was planning on writing more in detail about the Similimum- (like cures like) which is the foundation of Homeopathy- this month. But the OccupyWallStreet protests have captured me, as I know they have many others. I have found that the calls for economic justice merge with my own internal dialogue about wellness, and thus i have been "occupied" by health. 

Health has been part of the national conversation for years, and yet- like our economic crisis- it has circled around, simply moving the same pieces on the same board: large corporations charging exorbitant fees for drugs and insurance. Insurance and drugs are a net, but they are not a foundation. Indeed, the net has seemed to blind us to the fact that we *need* a foundation, and that it is ours to build. Keeping us suspended, we are in fear of falling.

 We are not powerless to effect this movement of taking back what is ours, and can do so immediately and realize almost instantaneous benefits.

We can OccupyHealth.    
 

Slow Medicine
I want to be clear that i am not writing a diatribe against physicians and nurses and surgeons. I truly believe that those who see and treat patients day in and day out do so for their love of medicine and science, and a sincere desire to alleviate suffering. Unfortunately, these professions come with a controlling partner- the pharmaceutical companies. Many conventional practitioners have come to see -in their own time and practice- that drugs do not always help their patients in the manner they would expect, and they take steps on their own to expand their knowledge and practice; usually some alternative modality. There are many homeopaths who are physicians and nurse practitioners. Just watching that trend is pretty telling.

 

Like other alternative modalities- Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to name a couple- Homeopathy deals with the whole being. There is a joke that goes like this:

A man sees a homeopath and says, "Doctor, do you have a remedy for my headache?" And the doctor says, "I have a remedy for you who has a headache."

When a person is treated as a whole, dis-ease makes sense. We are biologically programmed to maintain homeostasis- balance-, and we are spiritually striving for alignment with our highest selves. Physical or emotional trauma, abuse, poor diet, exposure to chemicals and radiation, family history: these things impinge on our innate quest for balance. The result? Symptoms.

 

Holistic medicine is Slow Medicine.

It's the medicine of observing, listening, shifting and supporting.

 

Commercial/Conventional Medicine is Fast Medicine. It's the medicine of winning the war, battling the body, and fighting with drugs and other interventions. 

 

Like credit vs. savings, when one relies on pharmaceutical drugs and over the counter drugs, it's like charging your health on credit. It does the trick in the short term, but in the end, you pay. You pay with a depleted immune system and a higher recurrence of future infections and chronic disease. We all pay. By making people reliant on that system- the net without a reliable foundation-  future profits are ensured.

 

Everyone can't stop their medications tomorrow, nor do I advocate that, but we can take the awareness of our own health back. We know our own bodies better than others. For some, it will be a longer road than others to get to that place where we can really know what's going on for us. That's slow medicine: leaning into the subtle changes, researching alternatives and sacrificing a quick fix for the building of our foundation. In doing so we gain our health back. That's no small thing.  

 

Food for thought: 

 

"Over the past two decades the pharmaceutical industry has moved very far from its original high purpose of discovering and producing useful new drugs. Now primarily a marketing machine to sell drugs of dubious benefit, this industry uses its wealth and power to co-opt every institution that might stand in its way, including the US Congress, the FDA, academic medical centers, and the medical profession itself....People need to know that there are some checks and balances on this industry, so that its quest for profits doesn't push every other consideration aside. But there aren't such checks and balances."
"The Truth About Drug Companies" Marcia Angell (1)  

This image was the graphic next to an article entitled, "Drug Channel Profits in the 2011 Fortune 500"  from www.drugchannels.net

is there any need to read the article? But skimming the heavily technical jargon does reveal that, "... the 12 largest pharmaceutical manufacturers on the Fortune 500 list have revenues ranging from $67.8 billion (Pfizer) to $4.5 billion (Genzyme)."  (2)

 Of course, profits in themselves are not bad. It's the cost to individuals and society as a whole in the quest for profits that begs the question of intention. For example, the following from www.rxrights.org:

"The Supreme Court decided last week that corporations' First Amendment rights take precedence over the privacy rights of consumers.

The case was Sorrell v. IMS Health Inc., and the decision means that pharmaceutical companies will continue to have access to prescription data, which allows pharmaceutical representatives to carefully target their drug marketing efforts to doctors. We've

blogged about this in more detail before.

 

This decision is a big victory for pharmaceutical companies, as this type of aggressive marketing helps bring in hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

 

Patients, on the other hand, lose in a big way due to such a precedent. The obvious blow to patient privacy is one thing, but it's also important to note that drug reps are promoting the newest-and most expensive-drugs. In doing so, they disregard patient health and they drive up drug prices." (3) 

 

 

How to Occupy 

 

A  friend who teaches childbirth education classes shared that her goal is to move her families one step beyond where they thought they could go. For example, if the family has chosen a hospital birth with an OB, she hopes by the end of the class they will consider bringing in a doula. For those with a doula, perhaps they might shift from OB to midwives. From birthing center midwives, to possible homebirth.


Only you will know what truly occupying your health might look like, but here are some ideas.  

1. I'm admittedly biased, but constitutional Homeopathic treatment is a pretty good start.  Remedies treat chronic issues, emotional ruts, "never well since," and support you to shift the barriers inhibiting you from living fully. The energetic nature of homeopathy means that it penetrates to the origin of disease- where the vital force is out of alignment. Consistent use of homeopathic remedies strengthens your vital force so you can move out of chronic ailments and be less susceptible to acute illnesses and injuries.

2. Widen your lens and consider the context of your ailments. Is this regular? What is the emotional context of your physical discomfort? What else was going on in your life when this started? Follow the thread to its source. Often by simply acknowleging where we have thrown up resistence (relationship issues, not speaking up, over-control, etc...) the energy begins to shift. Space is made, light comes in, and we can respond differently. 
 
3. Allow yourself discomfort. Commercial medicine banks on people having low tolerance for discomfort. Be it a headache or getting your period an at inconvenient time, Big Pharma is making billions of dollars selling us agents of total control.

4. Begin- or deepen- your education of the body's energy system- yoga, meditation, tai chi and other mindful physical practices bring an awareness to the body that is essential to understanding the confluence of ourselves as biological and spiritual beings.

5. Tweak your diet; bring in as much local, organic food as possible. Eating a diet that consists mostly of monocropped (and now, likely GMO sourced) food is insidious in its effects. Vary the grains, sweeteners, oils, etc... There is strength in diversity. 

6. Teach the children!! We are over our heads right now, and it's a long way out, but we don't need to stick the next generation in the hole with us.  

 

I know that this plea is a bit of preaching to the choir. Most of you reading already use homeopathy and/or other alternative modalities. I hope you recognize the power of your choices, both for yourselves and your families and community. My challenge is- push your concept of how this can be a part of your life one step further! 

 

to all in health- 

Kelly 

 

Sources: 

Sources:

(1): http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2004/jul/15/the-truth-about-the-drug-companies/

(2): (http://www.drugchannels.net/2011/05/drug-channel-profits-in-2011-fortune.html)

(3): http://www.rxrights.org/your-thoughts/2011/06/29/big-pharmas-rights-take-precedence-over-patient-rights

 

 

I know this plea is a bit of preaching to the choir. Most of you reading already use homeopathy and  other modalities. I hope you recognize the power of your choices, both for yourself and your family, but also for our communities.  My challenge is- push your concept of how this can be a part of your life one step further.

 

I know this plea is a bit of preaching to the choir. Most of you reading already use homeopathy and  other modalities. I hope you recognize the power of your choices, both for yourself and your family, but also for our communities.  My challenge is- push your concept of how this can be a part of your life one step further.

 

 

August/September 2011

Testamonial!

 Last month's Home Remedy Kit included a tip for using Ledum for bites and stings. I received the following email from my friend T.W:

[My son] was stung badly last night by several hornets.  In my panic (he was screaming bloody madness and [my husband] is allergic to bees....) I reached for the ledum.  He was fine in 20 minutes.  I did also slip him some arnica ...is that ok to double dose?  No swelling or sting  marks.  Also, I *love* your newsletter.   I will print them and keep them in my remedy kit.   THANK YOU!!! Love T

Awesome!  

To answer the question- is it OK to double dose arnica and ledum? In this case, I would say- not a problem. These remedies do not interfere with each other (some do), and there were indications for each.  

We give one remedy at a time so that we can assess the action: is it working? what's happening?  

Giving more than one makes a muddy picture. But in this case, it was a clear cause and again, there were indicative symptoms for both remedies.  Next time, try one remedy at a time. If you don't get the desired response, move on to the next. 

A Myth and Missed-connections
I end up talking about Homeopathy a lot. It comes up because people know I practice and want some advice on a remedy, or because I'm asked, "so, what do you do?" If they don't know what Homeopathy is, an interesting conversation ensues :)

I learn a lot about what people know, and don't know about this modality. This month's issue is focused on clearing up a dominant myth, and the subsequent missed-connections that can happen when taking a remedy.  

Even if you have a good grasp of the basics of homeopathy, you might learn something new or how to better answer someone's question. Each one Teach one. 

 "Homeopathy doesn't work for me"

This I heard from someone at a party I recently attended. I think it's probably a common assumption when someone has tried remedies, but hasn't experienced the results they wanted.

First, I want to clean up this statement to one that is more true:

I tried a remedy that didn't work.  

Homeopathy is not subjective; it affects the vital force, and everyone has a vital force. If someone has tried a variety of remedies with no positive reaction, then it could be due to one of the following "missed-connections":  

1. It's the wrong remedy.  

Sorry to start with something obvious, but there are *thousands* of remedies. The 60 or so that you can get at the store are a mere fraction of the possibilities.  

2. Don't diagnose from the remedy label.  

It's wonderful that we can get dozens of remedies in the store, but I fear that the 2-3 symptoms listed on the side of the vials are rarely helpful. The remedies that are offered over the counter are what we call "polycrests," that is, they have been proven to be effective for symptoms throughout several body systems (digestive, respiratory, mental/emotional, etc...). Additionally, they are some of the original remedies proven when homeopathy was first established. What that means is we have extensive knowledge of their healing capacity. It also means that the 3 symptoms listed on the vial are only a few of the most prominent symptoms out of the hundreds that particular remedy can affect.  

Imagine that you are feeling like you are coming down with the flu. Tired, achey, sore throat. At least 6 different available remedies may list those symptoms. The key to the right remedy, however, is in the details- what kind of sore throat, what makes you feel better, the quality of your body aches. These details are not listed on the vial.  There is nothing more frustrating than feeling ill, needing some relief and not finding the right remedy. I know- I've done it!   

To accurately discern what remedy is most likely to affect your symptoms, selections should be made using a repertory and materia medica, designed for home use. It is out of the scope of this newsletter to instruct the use of these books, but a repertory and materia medica are the back bone of homeopathic prescribing. There are several excellent choices written for the home. I have listed recommendations at the end of the newsletter. 

3. The condition you are treating is not acute  

Armed with a repertory and materia medica, you can really work wonders in your home. I was a convert to homeopathy when I witnessed the miracle of spongia tosta on my son's croupy cough. I got the point where I could move him through what was normally a 2 week affair, to a long weekend at the most.  

Coughs, colds, flus, basic first aid events (burns, sprains, cuts, etc...)  these are situations that have easily recognizable symptoms, and most importantly, are not chronic or deep in the mental/emotional sphere. As soon as you are familiar with a couple dozen remedies, your success in treating these acute conditions will build.  

Asthma, allergies, chronic headaches or digestive upsets, fatigue, skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis... conditions such as these necessitate a full case taken by a qualified homeopath. The symptoms do not come up overnight, and it takes careful study of the full person to determine the appropriate remedy.  

While of course you may choose a remedy that will palliate chronic symptoms, the likelihood of a complete cure is small. Thus, it can be frustrating to continue taking remedies that seem not to work.  

4. Antidoting

 Antidoting- or cancelling the effect of a remedy- is a often a culprit of failed results.  Many homeopaths caution their patients against substances such as coffee (and decaf), mint, camphor (the universal antidote), and eucalyptus as these have been shown to affect the action of remedies. Others will often recommend a re-dose after dental work or x-rays as well.  

If you are treating yourself, or your family, these substances may be interfering if you are not advising against them.  

5. Potency

Remedies that are available in the store come in a potency of 30c, or less. Sometimes, arnica is available in a 200c.  

The higher the potency, the stronger the remedy.  

30c is often enough to stimulate a response, but in highly vital individuals or with forceful symptoms- trauma or high fevers, for example, a 30c may not be enough to provoke a noticeable response.  

If you are a current patient of a homeopath, call him or her for advice if you suspect this is the issue for an acute case. 

Resources

Recommended homeopathic repertories and materia medicas for home use (both are available at amazon.com):

Miranda Castro is an excellent and well regarded British Homeopath. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook was my first book, so I am partial to it, but I think it has everything one needs to dig in: a comprehensive history and informational section, and clear instructions for using the included repertory and materia medica.  

 Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines by Dana Ullman is a great resource for homeopathic information. This book is an even easier entry than the Miranda Castro book, as it is not separated into distinct repertory/materia medica. Instead the most widely used, available remedies are grouped in chapters such as: Coughs, Headaches, Menstrual Issues, etc... 

Websites

And of course, where would we be without the Interwebs? While I don't recommend looking up remedies online so much (too much information that can be overwhelming and not useful for home prescribing), these websites are fantastic for learning more:  

 http://www.extraordinarymedicine.org/  

www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org 

http://www.impossiblecure.com/index.php

 Home Remedy Kit

Home Remedy Kit
The start of school and change of seasons can throw us a curve. You might catch a sore throat early with one of these 2 remedies:

Aconite

(monkshood) belongs in everyone's medicine cabinet. It's the primary remedy for shock and fright (think car accidents, shocking bad news, etc...) And it's invaluable for early stages of a cold with these key symptoms:

1. Exposure to cold, dry wind. Those days when the kids are out after dusk, the wind is up and they weren't *quite* bundled up? If they start complaining of sore throat, or develop a dry fever in the night- aconite is the first to try.
The sore throat will feel tight and sharp.
2. Dry cough that comes on before midnight. Yes, the time does make a difference!
3. If there is already a runny nose or swollen glands, aconite won't be effective. It is a first stage remedy, pre-infection.

Hepar Sulphuricum 

a chemical compound developed by Hahnemann himself, hepar s. is for those sore throats that come on with swollen glands, when your throat feels thick and its hard to swallow. It can also feel like a splinter in the side of the throat.
The patient is chilly, and especially irritable. They are sensitive to the touch- their pains feel unbearable. There can also be a croupy cough.

For both of these remedies- start with 1 dose (5-6 pellets) of 30c. Remember to "knock on the door" and repeat if there's no answer, but try a different remedy if there's no improvement after the 2nd dose.

July 2011

Signs and Symptoms

The Vital Force speaks to us through our physical body. Through aches and pains, the colds we just can't seem to shake, or the slow development of a chronic illness- our Vital Force calls us to pay attention. Most of us take instant notice of pain, discomfort, or changes in our physical state. These physical sensations carry a deeper message: that our Vital Force is out of alignment.

 Every sign and symptom your body produces is significant in homeopathy; they are your unique expression. Some indicate your inherent susceptibilities, others indicate where life experiences have left their mark. Many people are surprised at the level of detail and description asked by a homeopath. But like tracking an animal through the woods, every mark reveals information about its owner. Likewise, every remedy has distinct markers that indicate how it will be curative.

 No sensation, passing illness, old condition, or infection is insignificant.

 If you are in the habit of just "living with" your body's signals, or viewing all colds and flus as equal, bring a little curiosity to your observations:

• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Note the quality of pain, food cravings and aversions, and tolerances to temperature.
• What about your condition is *different* that your normal state?
• What is your mental state? irritable, whiny, quiet, restless...

 These are just a few details that will give important information to your homeopath when you need a remedy; or for yourself when deciding on a remedy at home.

Acute Illness

Acute conditions are short lived, and are the vital force's response to an impingement on the system.  From a homeopathic perspective, the acute symptoms you experience indicate a healthy vital force

that has the ability to respond and re-align itself. If you have a strong vital force, you can produce a fever, make a productive cough, or keep an allergic reaction on the surface of your body in the form of a rash. The healthier you are, the more acute your illnesses will be.

Wait a minute... you might be thinking... when I'm getting cold after cold in the winter, i do NOT feel healthy.

True enough-  if you are going from cold to flu to cold, then your Vital Force is healthy enough to mount an effort, but it's struggling to keep you in balance and is *not* strong enough to throw off the dis-ease for good. This is especially true if symptoms have been suppressed using decongestants, cough suppressants, or topical steroid cream.  When symptoms are suppressed the energy is driven inward (as opposed to out of the system) and can result in stronger, more serious issues.

Consider forest-fire management. A healthy forest system burns regularly. This kind of clearing is necessary, and the end result is a healthier, more vibrant forest. For years, our state and federal forest management systems have suppressed fire. The result, when fires do burn, are bigger, stronger, and more destructive.

Dosing

When you take a dose of a remedy, remember that you are affecting the vital force, not the physical body. Any physical effects you feel- curative or the revelation of new symptoms-  are your body's response to your vital force realigning itself. That being said, it makes sense that most remedies are prescribed in 1 or 2 doses. It's like knocking on a door- if someone answers, a visit begins. You don't keep knocking on the door :) If no one answers, then you come back later; in other words, you got the wrong remedy/wrong door.

To consider:

In an acute illness/accident, if you have chosen the correct remedy, expect to see results within hours- minutes, if it is a fast acting/moving condition.

For example if your child goes from fine to fever in the span of an hour, and you recognize the red face and glassy eyes of

Belladonna; you would expect to see a response as rapidly as the condition developed.

• If there is *no* response, re-dose (ie- knock one more time). If there is still no response, try a different remedy.  
• If there is a positive response, wait. If a relapse occurs, give another dose. wait.   
• It is not uncommon to try a few different remedies until you get the right one.  
• and if you have the right one, you'll know! You or your patient will be noticeably improved and will only need re-dosing if the patient slips back into their original symptoms.  

Understanding how homeopathic dosing works is tricky for all of us. Although you cannot "overdose" on energy medicine in the sense that you can overdose with allopathic drugs, you *can* stimulate your vital force such that the effect is not the rapid and gentle cure it is intended to be.  

Overall, dosing is an integral part of why homeopathy is an Art, as well as a Science. The vital force is a dynamic energy, as is the remedy. While there are some basic guidelines, the Homeopath is always assessing the nuances of the interaction to facilitate the most rapid, yet gentle cure possible.   

Home Remedy Kit

There is relief for stubbed and toes and biting insects!  

Ledum: homeopathically prepared Rosemary is essential for any kind of puncture wound- be it by insect, needle, or nail. It is prudent to have on hand if you come in contact with ticks, as it is one of the primary remedies for treating Lyme disease- which of course starts with a puncture/bite by a tick. Give one dose of 30c following a tick bite. If Lyme symptoms develop, a full case must be taken by a Homeopath.

General characteristics calling for Ledum include:  

• part is better from cold applications/bathing
• sore joints/rhuematism worse from heat, better cold
• sprains with swelling/bruising
• bites/stings with swelling and inflammation

Hypericum:

St. John's Wort; excellent for injuries to nerves: fingertips, toes, tongue, teeth, etc... A first remedy when there is concern of tetanus following a wound. Pains are shooting, and sharp. Pain following dental procedures, and injuries of the spine.

 

June 2011

This June, I will complete 3 years of professional Homeopathic Studies with Nancy Frederick and the Baylight School of Homeopathy. WOW. There aren't words to express the impact of this experience on so many different levels. Although I have already set my sights on further education, I am ready to step out into the community and offer my services as a homeopath!

This first newsletter is dedicated to introducing some foundational concepts in homeopathic philosophy: our susceptibility and vital force 

I hope that my take on these essential ideas broadens your own light of understanding.

The Vital Force

The vital force is our intrinsic energy... that which keeps us in balance and in health- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In Chinese medicine, the same idea is expressed as chi;

in Ayurvedic (Indian) philosophy, it is known as prana.

When discussing health in terms of allopathic medicine, we mostly refer to our immune system as the gatekeeper of health. And yet, 'immune system' refers to the action of T-cells, phagocytes, and other biological elements that fight microorganisms and maintain homeostasis in the physical body.  It does not encompass the full range of dynamic processes that work together to maintain our health. True health is not only the absence of physical symptoms; it is a state of being- joyful, creative, and free. 

 Have ever found yourself falling ill after some big life event, like a break-up, a week of working around the clock, or upon hearing shocking news? Then you have experienced that our health and vitality is contingent on more than simply the presence or absence of bacteria and viruses.

Susceptibility

If our vital force is what keeps us bouncing back, then it is our susceptibility that strikes us out.

Your cousin Joe and his wife run marathons together, but somehow he still gets the flu at least once a year and she gets through with barely a head cold. Consider the person who thrives under pressure vs. the one who breaks down. The kid down the street has broken 3 bones in 5 years. What's up with that?!

Our susceptibilities are expressed in the way we fall ill, get hurt, and/or stumble into the same life experiences over and over.

Susceptibilities can run in families and might be labeled as 'genetic' in the biological sense, but they are also completely individual- like our fingerprints. Most of us are acutely aware of our susceptibilities, and yet we just live with them. Discovering an individual's susceptibility is the detective work of the homeopath- they are the clues that lead us to the remedy.

 The Pitcher, the Ball and the Batter

It is all very well to talk vital force and susceptibility, but the beauty of these concepts is in their relationship to each other.

Imagine 2 players- a pitcher, and a batter. LIFE is your pitcher- it keeps throwing balls, one after another, at the batter, or, VITAL FORCE. Your vital force valiantly hits at these balls, the best it can. In perfect shape, it can hit every one: the fast balls, the curve balls, the splitter... Would that we were all in perfect shape and could smack them all, right out of the park! Alas, this is where SUSCEPTIBILITY comes in. Perhaps your susceptibility is curve balls, fork balls, the slurve, and the change-up will get you every time. Your Vital Force meets every one as best it can, and sometimes gets a decent hit in, but more often than not, can't hit them right on. Do you know the feeling of struggle? It zaps your energy, it's harder to connect with your inherent joy, and a basic cold can keep you down for weeks.

Life is not going to stop throwing balls at you. You cannot change the balls that are thrown at you. You *can* strengthen your Vital Force.

So... where does Homeopathy fit?   A homeopathic remedy works at the source level- your vital force. How and why? My newsletters will answer this question in many ways, because while homeopathy is an elegant, simple concept, it is also a different paradigm than conventional medicine, and as such, can be difficult to grasp in its entirety. So- keep subscribing- and learn.     

Your Home Remedy Kit - What to have on hand for Summer! 
 arnica montana: The poster child of homeopathy, arnica montana is the most recognized remedy and likely the most widely used. Pick it up in a 30c potency and use for bruises, muscular and body pain associated with over-exertion or accidents, such as sprains or strains. Especially important for head injuries or suspected head injuries! Caution: although they both start with "A," arnica should not be used like Advil, or other over the counter pain meds. In other words- use for those injuries, left untreated, that could be limiting or are not healing as they should

Apis mellifica: potentized honey-bee poison, apis is a go-to remedy for insect stings and other inflammations that present as: hot, red, and swollen with stinging pain and itching. Patient might be shrieking/hysterical from the sensations. A dose (5-6 pellets) or 2 in a 30c potency should help alleviate symptoms.

Newsletter as Blog

I started this blog with the urge to write about Homeopathy several months ago and then quickly found myself in a conundrum. While my goal felt clear, the medium of a blog, which often invites longer more involved writing, didn't seem the best delivery system for grab-n-go education, which is really what I'm after at this point. So I laid the blog to rest and started a monthly e-newsletter, a medium that I am enjoying and seems to be hitting its mark.

I have had requests, however, that the information from the newsletter be accessible for a later date, and easier to access than searching one's email stash. A friend and accomplished blogger in her own right, suggested that I offer the newsletter in blog format. Brilliant! And so, that is what you will find here- a storehouse of the e-newsletters, starting at the beginning. Perhaps at some point I may add additional blog posts but, I'm not promising anything.

So, be well, and read on!