Homeopathy Flashcards
homeo + pathy
homeo = same
pathy = suffering/disease
*(allo = opposite)
Hahnemann (18/19th century) & 3 principles
- The principle of similars = “like cures like”
- Substances that cause specific symptoms in a healthy person are thought to be able to cure individuals who are ill displaying the same type of symptoms - The principle of infinitesimal dose = less side-effects and more he could boost potency of drug
- The principle of specificity of the individual = if the remedy is to cure, it must match the symptom profile of the patient
Specificity of the Individual
- A cold is not a cold; Each cold is unique to the individual
- goal of homeopathy is to carefully match a person’s global symptoms complex with a specific medicine; The closer the match, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome
more precise the match … the higher the dilution, the less substance is actually given
- Dilutions chosen by degree of match. Poorer the match of symptoms, the lower the dilution. In other words, the more medication is given.
Hahnemann dilution findings
dilute substances (herbs, minerals) in an alcohol-water solution
Shaking = necessary action
- releases stores of vital energy
Homeopathic Materia Medica
book that lists remedies, and exhaustive lists of symptoms associated with those remedies.
Homeopathic treatments
diluted remedies made from animal, vegetable, and mineral substances
Homeopathic treatments believe the energy of ______ pattern from homeopathic substances in the solutions stimulate healing by activating the _____ force
- vibrational pattern
- vital force
mother of tincture
plant parts are dissolved in alcohol and water and left to sit for 2-4 weeks
succession
Solution is used to make different potencies by repeatedly diluting it with water/alcohol and vigorously shaking
T or F: Many homeopathic remedies are diluted to 30C - resting solution is unlikely to have even a molecule of the original solution
T
Homeopaths remedy has ______ of the original solution and that is enough to influence body symptoms
memory
Practitioners consult repertories and ____________ to determine the remedy to be used that matches with the patient’s symptoms or profile
materia medicas
If given to a well person, ________; given in diluted doses to a sick person, substances ______
well = substances cause illness
sick = thought to cure illness
NCCIH & FDA beliefs on safety
homeopathic remedies are generally considered safe and unlikely to cause severe side effects
No adverse effects from alcohol have been found/reported to FDA
Have not been found to interfere with conventional drugs
Health Conditions Treated by Homeopathy
headache, sore throat, cough, earache, digestive disorders, colic, diarrhea, fever, sleep disturbances, mumps, measles, hemorrhoids, shingles, hives, allergies, joint pain, etc.
T or F: remedies can be over-the-counter
T
5 Steps Used When Prescribing Homeopathic Treatments
- Note the symptoms
- Look up the symptoms
- Decide which remedy is appropriate
- Decide the dosage and how often/when to repeat it
- Evaluate the results
Rule when prescribing dosage
the MINIMUM dosage required to initiate a healing response is first given
- Dosage is dependent on the severity of symptoms
Principle: WHOLE PERSON SHOULD BE STUDIED before prescribing a homeopathic remedy
- temperament
- personality
- emotional
- physical responses
- genetic/personal health history
- body type
NCCIH reports on homeopathy
“very little evidence supports homeopathy as an effective treatment for any condition”
- many remedy options for patient profile (200+ for headaches)
difficult to study using current research methods due to the problems in standardizing homeopathic remedies
homeopath defence claims
claim mechanism of many allopathic drugs (aspirin) is also not scientifically explained
Dr. Hering
- Student of Hahnemann
- brought homeopathy to US
1900: ____ homeopathic med schools, ____ hospitals , ___ homeopathic pharmacies in US
22
100
1,000
in 1900, ~___% of all US physicians were homeopathic practitioners
15%
Homeopaths: ____ German,____ French, India = ____
> 6K
5K
300K
legal regulation of homeopathic practitioners in the UK
none - anyone can practice as a homeopath, even if they have no qualifications or experience
Diarrhea/ constipation example of solution is dilution
Canadian homeopathy regulations
Regulated in Ont. 1869, deregulated 1970, re-regulated in 2015. Not nationally regulated
US homeopathy regulations
some states regulated, most not
