by Dr. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Dr. Robert Ullman
How do you know whether to try homeopathy, either in the form of self-care or consulting a homeopath? If you are in one of the following groups, we suggest that you investigate homeopathy sooner rather than later because you are an ideal candidate to be helped with this safe, gentle, effective type of natural medicine.
Do You Have an Acute Illness?
You will find no quicker response to acute symptoms ranging from traveler’s diarrhea to earaches, sore throats to seasickness, and flu to bladder infections, than with a well-chosen homeopathic medicine. We have seen many a case of a patient bedridden with a flu characterized by dizziness, drowsiness, droopiness, and dullness only to wake up eight hours after a dose of Gelsemium (yellow jasmine) feeling perky and ready for action. Our receptionist, just this past week, went home from work with a debilitating nausea due to flu. After a dose of her constitutional medicine and a two-hour nap, she was fine and was back in the office, fortunately, bright and early the next morning feeling “90% better.”
The quicker the onset of the acute illness, the faster the response to the indicated homeopathic medicine. In the case of a bladder infection, we expect noticeable improvement within an hour, if not sooner.
Pregnancy
Most pregnant women are very reluctant to ingest anything they might consider of possible risk to the fetus, including prescription medications. This is especially true during the first trimester, with high-risk pregnancies, or when the recommended pharmaceuticals are particularly strong or known to impart potential side effects to the baby. Homeopathy can be very effective for morning sickness, though we have seen a single dose take up to ten days to produce a dramatic response in such cases. The effect can be just as dramatic for other physical conditions or for mental and emotional problems in pregnant women.
Another compelling reason to consider homeopathic treatment during pregnancy is a history of threatened miscarriages. Judyth treated a young woman who is now seventeen weeks into a healthy pregnancy. Early on she had begun to experience the same constellation of symptoms, mentally, emotionally, and physically, as during her previous pregnancy which resulted in a miscarriage. Each time the symptoms have returned, she has taken another dose of Cimicifuga, and they have promptly resolved.
Labor and delivery is another prime time to use homeopathic medicine. We have treated women quite successfully for stalled labor and a number of other complications of pregnancy. There are also experienced midwives who practice homeopathy. A homeopathic home birth kit can be a lifesaver, literally.
Babies and Nursing Mothers
Many mothers would prefer, if at all possible, to avoid giving pharmaceutical drugs to their babies, either directly or via their breast milk. We cannot think of a better approach for newborns, mothers suffering from postpartum depression, in need of healing post-episiotomy, or for problems of infancy ranging from colic to insomnia to failure to nurse or thrive. Some homeopaths prefer to administer the medicines to nursing infants to the mothers, but we find it fine to give them to the babies themselves. The pellets are so tiny that even newborns can tolerate letting them dissolve on or under the tongue. We have had the opportunity to treat babies as young as one day old.
Hypersensitive Patients
An increasing number of patients with multiple chemical sensitivities, environmental allergies, or other sensitivities are seeking out homeopathy because of its reputation of being gentle and well tolerated. Homeopathy does not cause side effects like conventional medications. It is possible to have an unpleasant reaction to a remedy, especially if taken too frequently, but it usually goes away immediately on discontinuing the remedy. Most homeopathic practitioners are highly experienced in working with patients to diminish even these reactions.
Patients Who Cannot Swallow Pills
We typically use very tiny pellets or liquid homeopathic medicines administered with droppers. This mode of administration is much better tolerated by children or by adults who, for whatever reason, cannot swallow pills or supplements. This is particularly true when many medications, either conventional or natural, are prescribed. Another advantage of using homeopathy with these patients is that one medicine treats all of a person’s complaints. Therefore, it is not necessary to take ten to twenty supplements or pills, as is the case with naturopathic as well as allopathic medicine.
Patients with Psychiatric Problems
Although some practitioners have found orthomolecular medicine, which entails the use of high-dose nutritional supplements, to be useful with these patients, there is no other natural therapy that matches the ease of administration and effectiveness of homeopathy. We have seen profound results in depression, acute or chronic anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a variety of other psychiatric conditions. Children with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and many other behavioral and learning problems can derive significant benefit from homeopathy. Not only does homeopathy take the place of more nutritional supplements than many patients can tolerate, but also lacks the side effects even of herbs.
Patients Who Dislike Taking Medicine
Homeopathic medicines taste so good that they are highly palatable even for babies, animals, and others who refuse to refuse treatment. It is often possible to administer a single dose of a homeopathic medicine, which lasts for months at a time. The pellets, or granules are tiny. When liquid doses are used, there is no unpleasant taste because only five to six drops are diluted in a half glass or so of water. Homeopathic medicines are far easier to handle than Chinese herbs, Western herbal tinctures, or even capsules.
Children on the Autism Spectrum
These children are well known for their narrow range of acceptable flavors, textures, and odors. Nutritional supplements and other natural preparations, even when disguised, often do not pass the taste test for these youngsters. Touch therapies are often out of the question due to tactile defensiveness. We have not found any autistic children who refuse to take homeopathic medicines. We are finding very promising results with children on the high end of the spectrum.
End Stage of Life
For patients suffering from weakness, an extremely low vital force, or comas, homeopathic medicines offer one of the best natural alternatives. They will not induce nausea or an unpleasant reaction, as can nutritional supplements or herbs. In a liquid form or tiny pellets, they can be administered even to unconscious patients. They can be used alone, or in conjunction with conventional medications, in those in their last days or hours of life. Homeopathic medicines can ease physical pain and suffering and can calm the fears of those who are in the process of dying.
Homeopathy can, of course, be of great benefit to many others than those in the categories above, but these patients are especially good candidates to seek out homeopathic care early in their treatment process.
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