Complementary therapy 1: Homeopathy, Bach Remedies and aromatherapy Flashcards
What are the different types of complementary therapy (3)?
Alternative medicine
Holistic medicine
Natural therapies
What are the traditional forms of medicine (3)?
Allopathic medicine
Western medicine
Orthodox medicine
Whats the scope of complementary therapy (10) ?
- Homeopathy
- Aromatherapy
- Bach remedies
- Herbal medicine
- Hypnotherapists
- Acupuncture
- Osteopaths
- Chiropractice
- Shiatsu
- Psychotherapy
Who regulates Complementary therapies?
The General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT)
What do the GRCCT have?
a Code of Conduct and Ethics
a Requirement for member to complete CPD
a complaints procedure
produced National Occupational Standards (NOS)
• NOS have been published for aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, massage, reflexology, Reiki
Is registration and regulation with the GRCCT obligatory?
NO - it is voluntary
What minor ailments are complementary therapies used for?
Back pain – very common, not easy to treat Depression Insomnia Severe headache or migraine, Stomach or intestinal illnesses
What does holistic mean?
characterised by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.
Who is the founder of homeopathy?
Dr Samuel Hahnemann
- believed medical interventions should not be harmful
What was carried out in the observation stage of Homeopathy?
- He took cinchona bark - used to treat fever
- he developed symptoms of fever
- give less of the substance to increase the potency
What is the hypothesis of homeopathy?
“Remedy effective against a disease would produce symptoms resembling those of the disease when given to a healthy person
How was homeopathy tested?
- he repeated the tests on his family
- he also tested other products
What does Similia Similibus Curantur mean?
- Let like be treated with like (use something that causes the symptoms to treat the condition)
Treatments stimulate the body in a way which oppose the disorder
What makes homeopathic medicines more effective?
- Dilution
- Shaking
Explain the preparation of homeopathy
- Preparation of mother tincture (plant extract, animal origin etc)
a. source material
i. If soluble, with alcohol/water
ii. If insoluble, titrated with lactose until can be suspended - Mother tincture diluted to required potency
a. Succussion – shake in between each dilution
b. Diluted homeopathic liquid added to blank pellets, dried and packaged
How are preparations expressed?
As potencies:
- 1x = 1 in 10
- 3x = 1 in 10, followed by 1 in 10, followed by 1 in 10 (shake between each dilution)
- 1c = 1 in 100 etc
What happens to the potency the more you dilute?
The more you dilute, the HIGHER the potency
What are some homeopathic preparations?
- Tinctures
- Tablets
- Powders
- Pills
- Creams
How should homeopathics be stored?
- Protect from sunlight and strong smelling
- Ideally in glass containers
- No fixed shelf life
Quantity expressed as number of grams which equates to:
o 1g = 10 tablets
o 2.5g = 18 tablets
o 7g = 50 tablets
What are some considerations regarding administration?
o Not handled
o Suck or chew
o Avoid taking anything oral within 15 minutes
Is homeopathy available via the NHS, and can they be prescribed on an NHS prescription?
Yes (although not widely available/used as there is no clear or robust evidence to support the use)
Many homeopathic remedies are available for self management by patients. How would you advise a patient which to take?
o Complete a diploma in Homeopathy
o Homeopathic formularies
What are the organisations concerning Homeopathy?
• The Society of Homeopaths
-Society for professional homeopaths
• The Faculty of Homeopathy
-Regulator for homeopathic training for health professions
-DFHom
-MFHom
• The British Homeopathic Association
-Lay members plus health professional
Who is Dr Edward Bach, and what did he do?
He believed diseases arose when there was a disharmony between mind and body
- remedies worked on the negative state of the mind
How were Bach’s Flower Remedies prepared?
o Flowers floated on spring water and exposed to sunlight
o Diluted 50% with brandy
o Further diluted with water and brandy
How were Bach’s Flower Remedies administered?
o Several drops taken in spoonful of water at least four times a day
o Can be applied to lips, temples, wrists or behind ears
What is aromatherapy?
- A holistic approach
- Essential oils have a systemic action to balance toxic effects and restore balance
- Usually oils are administered via a massage or inhalation
What are the different types of oil used in aromatherapy?
- Essential oils or essences obtained by distillation or extracted by pressure
- Infused oil – infuse into base oil
- Oils are then diluted with a base or carrier oil
What is a safety consideration about lipid soluble extracts for essential oils?
They are more concentrated than whole herb
