Not just placebo. Homeopathic products have nanoparticles that affect cells.

There was recently a major victory for homeopathic supporters in North America.  A class action lawsuit had been brought against two U.S. homeopathic pharmaceutical manufacturers for allegedly making false and misleading representations about the effectiveness of the ingredients.  However it took the jury less than a day to find that the defendants did not breach any express warranty or violate the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act.

The expert who spoke in defence of the Homeopathic manufacturers spoke about how nanoparticles have an effect in biological cells....

"Dr. Iris Bell, a former Harvard psychiatry instructor and holder of a doctorate degree from Stanford University in neuro- and  biobehavioral sciences who has consulted with Highlands, Inc. to design clinical trials.  Bell testified about her scientific studies in multiple chemical sensitivity and homeopathy, including how "nanoparticles" and "nanobubbles” can have an effect in biological cells. Dr. Bell opined, “It is very clear that nanoparticles in low doses are capable of capable of creating hermetic effects…similar to vaccine.” Dr. Bell explained how “hormesis” is a medical principle that describes how small doses of a substance can trigger the opposite effect of high doses of the same substance."

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7d9b009a-e041-422c-b9cc-bb0437958523

Performance anxiety and homeopathy

Homeopathy has many great remedies for performance anxiety.  In fact it has many great remedies for all sorts of anxiety: anticipatory anxiety; stage fright; performance related in terms of fear of failure; general anxiety due to relationship issues or grieving; fear of flying; panic attacks; etc...  Nonetheless, for the case of this blog we will look just at performance anxiety.  The key to resolving performance anxiety is to get to the root of the issue and understand exactly where that fear comes from, what delusions may exist that are limiting the performer's confidence, and how that anxiety is manifesting in the body.  People in many different walks of life encounter performance anxiety.  There are the traditional performers such as actors, singers, dancers and the like.  But there are also athletes, business owners, professors and teachers who are also required to "perform" in front of spectators, potential investors or students.  And I haven't even mentioned yet sexual performance.  Performance anxiety affects myriads of people in almost as many ways.  There are a couple traditional homeopathic remedies that are used routinely for stage fright and performance anxiety such as Gelsemium and Argentum Nitricum. A self-prescriber might try those remedies to see whether they are helpful.  However, homeopathy works best if it is prescribed for the individual and his/her unique symptoms.  What works for one person will not necessarily work for another because a successful homeopathic remedy must be chosen to match the particular picture that is present.  Seeing as there are over 4,000 homeopathic remedies the odds are such that a professional homeopath can better help bring about the desired changes with a well-prescribed homeopathic remedy. So consider consulting a professional classical homeopath if performance anxiety causes you issues.

Homeopathy is now regulated in Ontario.

April 1, 2015 Homeopathy became a regulated profession in Ontario.  As of that date, only those who have been issued a certificate of registration by the College of Homeopaths of Ontario can use the title “homeopath” and/or hold themselves out as homeopaths.  The establishing of this college is to protect public interest and to ensure that patients using alternative therapies are receiving them from competent and qualified homeopaths.  For this reason I have been absent for some time and not posting new blogs as I had to wait to become a registered member.  I am now a verified member of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario and will be able to resume to call myself a homeopath and to post blog articles to inform and educate people about the effectiveness of homeopathy.  So now you can rest assured that I am a competent and qualified homeopath!

http://www.collegeofhomeopaths.on.ca/ 

Bedwetting and natural remedies

As frustrating as it might feel to a parent to have to wake up enough to change the sheets after a child has wet his bed, it is much more difficult for the child.  He can feel embarrassment, guilt or shame that he has caused this incident, despite that fact that he can have little control over the situation.  Granted there are precautions one can take such as limiting fluids after dinner, being sure the child has used the bathroom before bed etc.  However the involuntary emptying of the bladder has predominantly psychosocial causes.  It could be that a sibling was recently born or that there are new stressors at day-care, kindergarten or elementary school.  Between the ages of 4 and 7 a child is learning to develop complete bladder control.  If a child older than four wets his bed more than once a week, or if it occurs in a child older than seven then you might want to consider homeopathic treatment.  There are several important homeopathic remedies for children experiencing bedwetting.  These are prescribed according to the temperament of the child, what might be causing the child distress, and the symptoms that accompany his individual case.  There is help so that your child can successfully sleep through the night without incident!

Why consider homeopathy?

Homeopathy is recognized by the World Health Organization as the second most prevalently used therapeutic system in the world.  It is currently used by over 300 million users in more than 80 countries.  It is a 200-year old system of medicine that addresses acute and chronic issues as well as being  extremely effective during times of epidemics. Homeopathic remedies are created using substances from the natural world: plants, minerals and animals.

Homeopathy is based on the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself. The body is built for health and well-being and it will always try to get back to its natural, healthy state.  However, sometimes the body needs to be given the right stimulus to provoke the healing process.  Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body’s own natural defence system (a.k.a. immune system) to rev up and overcome that which is challenging it.  A homeopathic remedy is like pressing the reset button or like rebooting a computer.  In this way a person’s own body is stimulated to restore itself back into balanced health. 

Homeopathic remedies don’t chemically affect the body. For this reason homeopathic remedies can safely be used in conjunction with pharmaceutical drugs, supplements or herbal tinctures.  These all work on a chemical level, while homeopathic remedies at an energetic level.

Homeopathic remedies are gentle, non-toxic and deep-acting.  They help facilitate long-lasting, curative effects.  They are safe and can be used by newborns, nursing babies, pregnant women, the elderly and everyone in between.  Homeopathic remedies work to improve overall health by addressing the cause and not just suppressing symptoms.  This is why with a good homeopathic prescription once you are feeling better there is no need to continue taking the remedy as your immune system has reassumed its responsibility to oversee your movement back to a state of balanced health.

Alternative treatment for Shingles

I have been asked a lot about Zostavax the zoster vaccine for shingles.  I have spoken to a number of older people who are concerned about shingles and they have heard a lot about this new vaccine.  I will always tell my patients it is necessary to speak to your doctor and do the appropriate research before making any decisions about getting a vaccine or deciding to not to do so.  It has to be your own decision and one about which you are confident and happy.  I will not advise you as to what to do.  However, what I can do is tell you that there are homeopathic remedies to help you should you get shingles.

If you need more information about what shingles is, you can read up about it at the Mayo Clinic website:http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/basics/definition/con-20019574

There are more than a hundred number of homeopathic remedies for shingles and so you need to observe closely to match your particular symptoms to the right remedy.  I list below only a handful of the most common remedies for shingles.  Try a remedy from below of it seems to fit your picture and consider consulting a professional homeopath if you see no results on self-prescribing.  Remember that with homeopathy the success of the prescription depends on matching the picture well.  Only take a remedy up to 3 times and if it offers no improvement move onto your next choice.  I would recommend you use 30C.

If you are already seeing a homeopath you should contact him or her first but if you cannot reach anyone and you have your constitutional remedy - it would be the first place to start.  Take that remedy and see if it helps you.

Rhus Toxicodendron (Rhus tox) is a classic remedy for chicken pox.  It also happens to be rather useful for shingles.  Rhus tox is in fact the poison ivy plant and it is significant to note that the rash one would have after brushing against such a plant produces a very similar looking rash as that produced by the shingles (zoster) virus.  There is inflammation, intensely painful blisters and unrelenting itching.  In order for this remedy to work it must fit the picture: you get temporary relief on applying a warm compress or having a warm bath; you are very restless and moving about a lot in an attempt to feel better; you are more likely to have left sided symptoms with this remedy picture.

Ranunculus Bulbosus is an effective shingle remedy when there is severe nerve pains that can feel like stabbing pains around the ribcage; these are worse for the slightest touch; and moving makes the pain worse.  This remedy picture can include a rash on the left side of the chest that are slightly bluish in hue.

Iris Versicolor is indicated when the rash is worse on the right; often on the right side of the abdomen and under the right arm.    There could also be headaches, burning in the stomach and vomiting which are ameliorated with a walk outside in fresh air.

Arsenicum Album is another useful remedy for someone who is very chilly, extremely restless and anxious, tremendously fatigued and worse after midnight.  The interesting thing with this remedy type is that they have burning pains that paradoxically feel better for warmth.  This patient is usually very thirsty for cold drinks and will sip their drink frequently.

Mezereum is worth trying if the rash is intensely painful and itchy where the blisters are oozing, bright red and the blisters may burst to form brown scabs.  The rash is made worse for hot applications or getting warm in bed and may be better for cold compresses.  This remedy's rash is found most often on the scalp and face. This patient feels "cold to the bone" or "frozen".

Other remedies for shingles include:  Apis; Cantharis; Lachesis; Mercurious; Natrum Muriaticum; Petroleum; Pulsatilla; Sepia; Sulphur; Thuja; and Variolinum (to name but a few of the many options.)

Wondering what can help you get through a stressful holiday season?

It has been a busy fall and I can't believe it is already December.  I have been growing much busier with my home-based practice and I also joined the wonderful team at Ottawa Holistic Wellness and have been going there 2 days a week to see patients.   Since its inception in the spring I have also been teaching at the Canadian Homeopathic Institute in Ottawa every second weekend.  All this to say, I have been extremely busy and remiss in writing here on my blog.  That said I want to provide some useful information as the holiday season is quickly approaching and it can be a stressful time of year.  

Homeopathy works best if it is individually prescribed.  This means that one person's stress can look very different from another person's stress and it is the individuality and uniqueness of each person's symptoms that need to be examined and prescribed for in order to find a successful homeopathic remedy.   For example, one person might suddenly become very restless, experience shallow breathing, agitation and palpitations.  They could begin to see a tendency of quickly getting into a state of panic.  If this person's symptoms fit a particular picture they might benefit from the homeopathic remedy Aconite.  But there are many different remedies used in homeopathy that are useful during times of stress.  If you find yourself often feeling the effects of stress you might consider visiting a professional homeopath who can help you regain balance so that the stress doesn't begin to create more serious physical, mental or emotional symptoms.

In the meantime for the holiday season you might find it helpful to keep a bottle of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy on hand.  This is a combination of wild flower remedies that is very useful at times of anxiety, tension and crisis.  You can put a few drops straight on your tongue or put a few drops in a glass or bottle of water that you can sip on from time to time as you need a dose.  It will help to take the edge off and will make you feel more relaxed, focused and calm.  Use this remedy for stressful work holiday parties, visits with family and in-laws,  for stressful road trips and air travel (especially if you are nervous flying.) By the way, Rescue remedy is also useful for your pets if they don't travel well and you are travelling over the holidays with your furry family members!

Here is a link to the official website if you would like more information about this product.

http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-information/


I wish you all happiness, health and joy going into this holiday season.