Homeopathy is an incredible system that has the ability to heal and help all who call upon it. While deciding on my path there was a great debate whether to go the Naturopathic College or Homeopathic College.

My own years of personal healing made that decision for me. I experienced both protocols growing up and decided to pursue a career as a Homeopathic practitioner.

My principal reasons for embracing this path are simple:

1.         Homeopathic medicine has the ability to deal with the skeletons in the closets, fears, obsessions and negative beliefs and thoughts that humans are plagued by.

2.         This wondrous line of remedies has the ability to address the root cause of the problem and heal symptoms the individual is experiencing.

3.         A well trained homeopath administering a remedy can expect a shift in the condition of the individual within a couple of  hours or sometimes even less. Depending on the severity of the symptoms the condition can often take longer to respond.

4.         Herbs, vitamins and other products of this type take days, weeks and often months for the individual to experience a shift in their condition.

5.         Homeopathic medicines cost less than $10.00 each, so it can be accessible to all, even those with limited budgets.

Most, physicians believe over 90% of all healing takes place “between the ears”. Homeopathy helps with the necessary shift at that level. In a nutshell, that is why I believe homeopathy is one of the most effective and most reliable natural cures we have available to the human race.

Origins of Homeopathy 

The Greek physician Hippocrates is the principal father of homeopathy. He introduced the principle that “like cures like”. This concept means that a person suffering from violent vomitting, would be given a remedy that would produce that effect in a healthy person. The medical beliefs of the time embraced The Law of Contraries, which is the treatment of a condition with a substance that will create the opposite reaction.

Homeopathy and the principles of healing of Hippocrates are also based onthe belief of the vital force, Chi or Tao in the Oriental systems or the Kundalini in the Tibetan/India yoga systems. What this means is – that within every living creature there is an energy force that drives it and keeps it alive. As we proceed through life that vital force is disturbed by traumas, disappointments, and unmet expectations.

Think of an electrical cord and over the years a mouse has chewed little holes into the wires – after some time the light would no longer come on due to the electrical current being unable to flow through the slightly broken wires.

The homeopathic remedy has the ability to go in and repair the many wires at many levels to bring the individual back to their original force they were born to embrace.

The Father of Homeopathy who in 1790 documented the great works we use today is Samuel Christian Hahnemann. Hahnemann was a medical Doctor discouraged by the practices of the time so he began to explore new ways to treat patients. He discovered an article by Dr. William Cullen on the miracles of the Cinchona Peruvian bark, useful in treating malaria. He chose to experiment on himself and found to his astonishment that taking the Cinchona Peruvian bark in a diluted substance produced all the symptoms of malaria. He spent years testing his theories. The responses and reactions varied in individuals, but in everyone, the Cinchona Peruvian bark produced symptoms of malaria to different degrees.

He continued this process of multiple dilutions, and discovered that themore diluted the product the less reactions his patients experienced. In addition he introduced a concept called “succusion”. This process is achieved by vigorously shaking the remedy. There is research being done in the UK to support and show scientific evidence how the succusion process releases molecules of the original substance to increase the healing effect of the remedy. He believed that the homeopathic remedy has the ability to stimulate the vital force of the body and regain the body’s’ natural innate ability to heal itself. As the vital force becomes stronger, the body has the ability to fight illness and infection.

Hahnemann devoted his life to the investigation and development of remedies. He discovered that the greater the dilution the more potent the remedy became. This is a brief overview of the dilution process and effect of the remedies:

.           Remedies that have an X after the number have been diluted in 10 ml of water

.           Remedies with a CH after the number have been diluted in a 100 ml of water

.           Remedies in number less than 29 have the ability to address the physical aspect of the condition

.           Remedies that have been diluted 30 times address the physical and emotional symptoms

.           For a physical ailment like a broken bone use a very low number like4 or 6

.           Remedies diluted 200 times address the emotional and spiritual aspects of the person

.           Remedies diluted 1,000 times and higher address the spirits and the hereditary code we received from our ancestors, both physical and emotional predispositions

After Hahnemann came Kent and Hering, who put together our Materia Medicas. This is an encyclopedia of every symptom a person could experience, and the remedies that will shift those conditions. Remedies are made from the minerals of the earth, animal and plant sources.

How are Homeopathic Remedies Prescribed? 

A homeopath prescribes a remedy based on a thorough fact finding process. The patient tells their story from their conception to the present.  After hearing the personal history, the homeopath will ask questions that will begin to create a picture of the individual, including:

.           Their personality e.g. extrovert or introvert.

.           Their fears.

.           Their goals, desires and wishes.

.           What makes them feel better/what makes them feel worse.

.           How they react to external stimuli like weather and stress.

.           Food preferences and dislikes and/or reactions.

.           Circadian rhythm – what is their best and worst time of day or night

.           Whether discomforts in the body  focus on the right or left

side, or travel from one side of the body to the other.

.           Individual sleep positions.

.           Temperature preferences.

.           Particular habits and/or idiosyncrasies.

These are the external clothes of the body.

The homeopath also delves into an individual’s spirit realm with questions such as:

.           What do they dream about.

.           Childhood and present dreams.

.           Aspirations.

.           Emotions.

.           Phantasmal perceptions –  like a feeling somebody is standing behind you,

or the childs’ fear that somebody is hiding under the bed.

When all this information is compiled a remedy is identified that will support all the criteria, and also address the physical manifestations of the life force imbalance. To recap, if a person was totally healthy and they took a certain remedy, it would produce those mental, physical and emotional symptoms that the remedy would address in an unhealthy person.

Healing is incredibly fast. Often patients leave the office and phone when they get home to report that their acid digestion or depression feels better. It will come back perhaps the next day, and we will need to administer the remedy again, but eventually the old symptoms will dwindle away.

HOMEOPATHIC CASE HISTORY #1:  Ryan 

Homeopathy is prescribed based on as individual’s total life experiences. For example, Ryan (name changed) came to see me recently suffering from partial facial paralysis, excruciating hip and leg pains, colitis and depression.

I used Iridology first to read Ryan’s eye and get a clear picture of what was going on inside him physically, mentally and emotionally, without being clouded by anything I might hear from him later. I next took a comprehensive homeopathic history. I then put all the pieces together, much like solving a puzzle, to identify the precise homeopathic remedy Ryan needed.

Ryan’s eye structure revealed he was a Humanitarian (see Emotional Iridology), a person who under stress can withdraw and keep his emotions and feelings locked inside. These stored negative feelings had been eating away at Ryan for over fifty years, and in his case that lead to bowel problems.

Ryan’s eye structure also revealed tremendous emotional pain after the loss of first his father and then his mother. Ryan confirmed this finding.

Sometimes people can become so disconnected from their feelings that they might not themselves be able to articulate the feeling. That is when my eye reading can help me fully understand what is going on with a person.

Ryan’s father died seven years ago. His mother died two years before the paralysis on the left side of his face showed itself; and the left side of the body rules nurturing and other issues related to one’s relationship and interaction with mother. The grief experienced after the loss of a loved one is a very deep pain that will often bring other uncomfortable feelings to the surface that may include anger, guilt, or any unresolved past emotional issue. The good news is that it is always possible to resolve these emotional issues at any time with the help of homeopathic remedies.

I then took a comprehensive historical timeline of when each of Ryan’s physical symptoms first appeared, and when key mental and emotional traumas in his life occurred.

I treated Ryan with a specific customized homeopathic remedy that would help him change at a very deep emotional level and release layers of grief, guilt and anger.

The outcome was a healthier bowel and the face paralysis was completely corrected.

NOTE: Because everyone’s life experiences differ, the specific homeopathic remedy will differ, even though people may share similar physical symptoms. For this reason I never disclose personalized remedies because they are arrived at only after a thorough personalized consultation.

HOMEOPATHY AND EMERGENCIES

Homeopathic remedies are wonderful to have in the medicine cabinet for emergencies. As already mentioned it is best to put yourself in the care of a qualified practitioner, however, the basic potencies noted here are safe for home use.

A key remedy to have on hand is Arnica. This remedy is made from the leopard’s bane plant.  Legend has it that mountain climbers in Switzerland nibbled on the bark of leopard’s bane to help ease aching muscles. This remedy can help heal all physical ailments after an accident such as: bone fracture, sprains, nosebleeds, eye injuries, and concussions.

Arnica works best if administered as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Use a basic potency of Arnica 30 CH,  and take 3 pills every two hours until the pain eases.  Continue taking Arnica as needed every two hours, reducing it to 3-4 times a day, for up to seven days depending upon the severity of the symptoms.

Here are 10 good reasons to try Homeopathy:

1.  NATURAL ACTION

Homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own natural defence mechanism to promote health and to resist infection and susceptibility to disease.  Although gentle, the results can be powerful and long lasting.

2.  HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Homeopathy improves health generally, rather than merely alleviating localized symptoms.  It treats the whole individual, acting on the mental and emotional levels as well as the physical level, providing a balance in overall health and an increased sense of well-being and quality of life.

3.  EFFECTIVE MEDICINE

When used correctly, homeopathy can be an extremely effective system of medicine, providing long-lasting relief from many acute and chronic conditions and illnesses.

4.  NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS

Homeopathic treatment offers a gentle and non-invasive approach to health, producing no toxic side effects, no dependency or addiction, and no withdrawal.

5.  COST EFFECTIVE

Homeopathic medicines are surprisingly inexpensive to purchase, especially when compared to over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

6.  FAST-ACTING FIRST-AID RELIEF

Homeopathy can be safely used at home or on the road to provide rapid relief for minor problems such as bruises, simple burns, sprains, insect bites, gastric upsets, etc.  However more serious or long-lasting complaints should be treated by a qualified homeopath.

7.  NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS

Homeopathic medicines are tested only on healthy humans in order to determine the range of action of each remedy.

8.  COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Homeopathic medicines can be used independently or along with conventional drugs and other therapies (with the full knowledge of your other healthcare providers).  It can often alleviate unpleasant side effects of conventional treatments (e.g., chemotherapy).

9.  ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Homeopathy has a low carbon footprint.  The manufacturing process follows environmentally sound procedures to minimize energy use, conserve natural resources and not contribute to air and water pollution. Packaging is minimal and it can generally by recycled. Homeopathy is truly a Green Medicine!

10.  MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE

Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world.  It is available in most countries and is gaining in popularity as an alternative to conventional medicine.

NOTE: This is a reprint. Reprints are approved provided there is acknowledgement and links to Canadian Society of Homeopaths at www.csoh.ca

Diane Louie, RCSHom, is the Coordinator of the CSH Homeopathy Awareness Team.

It is morning.

 

I know for many it can be tough to muster that “get up and go” feeling. Maybe your sleep was poor and your usual energy level just isn’t there. When you face the mirror, you do not like what you see. It seems as if the weight is just piling on and your love handles are more present than ever before. If only there were a way to bring a little more love into your life, then maybe you wouldn’t feel so down.

 

The wardrobe is the same old, same old – boring. Is it going to be brown or black today? Perhaps you will get wild and combine the two.

 

Now for breakfast, what to eat? You have about 30 seconds to spare, considering you should have left for work a half hour ago. While weighing your options you remember that, “to lose weight – 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up”. Eggs are a decent option, but simply take too long. Instead, start your morning off right with the Mercurial Green Goddess Smoothie.

 

This healthy morning beverage will help to:

 

• Get the energy flowing
• Remove negativity
• Open up the liver detoxification pathway
• Improve brain clarity and focus

 

Mercurial Green Goddess Smoothie Recipe:

1cup organic spinach

¼ cup fresh organic dill

1 cup almond breeze or homemade almond milk

2 tablespoons of Metagenics ultra-clear Inflamax

3 tablespoons of lecithin (liquid or tablets)

1 pear (organic, cored)

Avocado and 1 strawberry for garnish

 

1.) Combine all ingredients in Vitamix or blender. Mix for 2 minutes.

2.) Pour into an exotic glass and garnish with a sliver of avocado and the strawberry on
a skewer stick.

3.) Inhale and breathe in the dill as you prepare to drink. Focus on your
intention and what you wish to manifest today.

4.) Drink and experience your day unfold as you manifest your heart’s desires.

 

 

What are the key ingredients good for?

– Spinach is a great antioxidant with a high content of vitamin A, C and beta-carotene.

– Antioxidants reduce free radicals that age the body and predispose us to potential cancer.
– Spinach also contains free scavenging manganese, copper, zinc, vitamin E, selenium; and energy boosting B1, B2, niacin, calcium, phosphorous, and fiber to cleanse the body and lower your triglycerides and cholesterol.
– Spinach lowers homocycteine levels. Next time you go to the doctor ask your doctor to check your homocystiene levels.
– Spinach promotes heart health, great vision, and brain health.

– Dill promotes liver detoxification and promotes production of glutathione.

– Pears, in keeping with the theme, will give you more antioxidant bang for your buck.
– Pear’s high fiber will help eliminate constipation. It will also bind to cancer causing chemicals in the colon and help to prevent colon cancer.
– Pears are considered the number one food to introduce to babies, due to their low hypoallergenic factors.

Almonds are amazing! They are an oxymoron. They are a high fat food that lowers LDL (bad cholesterol).

• Almonds are a great evening snack to promote sleep and calmness, due to their high tryptophan content.
• Almonds can help lower predisposition and prevent gallstones.
• Research has shown women who eat one ounce of almonds per day experienced 25% less gallstones. 3- Lecithin is a fat that will help support liver health

 

 

The collections of smoothies I will present over the next couple of months are designed to enhance different aspects of life.

I am undertaking the chore of blogging regularly. I’ve put it off for years and I’m nervous because success is important to me and I need to be in control.
But like my teacher (my husband) says: “Face the fear. If it’s not death, go for it!”
I’m taking a deep breath and publicizing my goal: to blog once a week on either grief or the candida self-help group. Easy to say it, now it’s time for action.
I’ll start with the subject of grief.
I’m well acquainted with grief in my personal history. I lost all my family by the age of 35. I also suffered a loss of physical health; I developed chronic fatigue, fibro myalgia, Epstein Barr, herpes, mono and IBS. Like all FMS patients, I couldn’t sleep at night, I was exhausted during the day and it became a continuous cycle of suffering. When I did manage to sleep I would be haunted by ghastly dreams of walking through grave yards looking for my parents .
I sought a therapist who sent me to a grief facilitator who had organized a grief group. I attended that group for five years.
YES, five years it took me, but I’m a very slow processor of emotions and it takes many people much less time. Nobody heals overnight though so be prepared to be patient with yourself.
Besides therapy and the grief group, I consulted a Naturopath, Sandy Wood. She taught me about the blood type-diet connection. Because I am blood type O, the vegan diet I had been following that consisted of mostly nuts and seeds and vegetables was unsuitable for me. Sandy told me t-bone steaks are highly beneficial for me! Within 3 months of following the diet prescribed for type O blood, my health had bounced back, I could work again and had minimal symptoms.

During that difficult time in my life I discovered three things that only serve to increase emotional pain after a significant loss:

1. Consume alcohol

2. Blame yourself and indulge in “if only’s” such as “if only we had gotten another medical opinion” or, for marital breakups “if only we had done couples
counselling ”

3. Push yourself harder and fill your day with activity to the point
of exhaustion

Eventually I switched tactics (or I wouldn’t be here) and found three things to do that help during difficult times:

1. Increase your intake of multi coloured fruit and vegetables to
benefit from increased antioxidant consumption.

2. Seek out a support group that understands and has compassion for
what you are going through.

3. Light a candle every night, pray and ask for forgiveness for all
the wrongs, real or imagined, that you blame yourself for

If you know someone who has experienced a loss, please forward this to them as sharing in my experience might be helpful to him or her. Also, I welcome your feedback, good and bad. However, since I am overly sensitive to criticism please cushion your criticism with a compliment or positive remark.

Remember grief results from many things: including divorce, illness, bankruptcy,
loss of health, loss of the dream to have children, loss of a job, loss of
self or a loved one to addictions. Even the loss of a pet, can provoke
profound grief.