You've seen the vials of little tablets and Whole Foods, but what's the story with them?
Origins and History
Samuel Hahnemann is the father of homeopathy. He studied medicine in the 1770's but found it boring so he went off traveling to the artistic capital at the time, Vienna.
In Vienna he worked under Dr. Quarin, the personal physician to the empress and other noteworthy patients. Eventually Hahnemann finished his medical degree and established his own practice in 1780.
In 1780 we still did things like bloodletting and other barbaric tortures in the name of medicine. Hahnemann experienced them as inhumane and began to study chemistry. Naturally this led to the marriage of the chemist's daughter and they led an almost nomadic life with Samuel being a traveling doctor. Nine children later she probably said enough.
In 1789 Hahnemann had the idea of his life's work and began experimenting on himself. He called this modality Homeopathy based on homois (similar) and pathos (disease). This was expanded by the principle of similia similibus - like treats like.
Hahnemann outlined his healing methodology with three principles.
1. Prevention - removal of the causes of disease.
2. Palliative - contra contraris - healing by opposites
3. Preferred - similia similibus - healing of likes with likes
In 1810 he published The Organon of Rational Medicine and if you are interested there are literary groups dedicated to that text.
Hahnemann lived to be 88 which is a feat during this time period and homeopathy is his legacy.
The first medical association in the United States was the American Institute of Homeopathy, unfortunately it is not good war-time medicine and it's practice all but died in war times.
Currently, interest in this form of medicine has become revitalized and we may see more use of this practice in time.
Homeopathy
REMEDIES and
Constitutions
Many remedies are made from the very things that make us ill. They are dissolved in alcohol or ground up into fine particles then diluted and diluted and diluted. The level of dilution is inversely proportional to the potency of the remedy. The concept is that once all the other stuff has been removed you are left with the energetic essence of the substance and that energy is the curative force.
Remedies are chosen by repetorizing symptoms and consideration of patient's constitutional type. This can be a laborious process and you'll need a good Homeopathic Materia Medica (recommended: KENT or BOERICKE) and Repertory of Symptoms, here is Kent's if you want it: CLICK HERE. The online versions are nice if you can access them - it beats carrying around 20lbs of books just to find a remedy for some symptoms, there are even some apps out there if you wanted easy access.
There are 15 main constitutional types represented with dogs below (just for fun...), select remedies offered even lower.
Homeopathic Basics
for breast health and cancer
just generic information without considering your constitutional type
Click each image for complete information
and for dosing. The longer you've had the symptom the stronger the potency you will need.
Scroll down.
APIS MELLIFICA
The Honey Bee
Reduces edema and inflammation, helpful for mastitis and post radiation irritation.
BELLADONNA
Deadly Nightshade
A great woman's remedy and may help with cyclical breast tenderness as well as many other menstrual ailments.
BRYONIA ALBA
Wild Hops
Helpful if pain in breast feels likes it is being torn apart or if it feels incredibly heavy or hard. Useful in suppressing milk flow during lactation as well.
CASTOR EQUI
Thumbnail of the Horse
Used for cracked and sore nipples, swollen breasts. Reduces breast itching and areolar redness.
May be helpful for papillary lesions.
CONIUM
Poison Hemlock
Great for breast soreness, reduction of inflammation and female cancers, specifically GYN more than breast.
LAC CANINUM
Dog's Milk
Reduces the sensation of fullness in the breast, helps to relieve pressure.
Helps with weaning to dry up milk.
PHYTOLACCA
Pokeweed Plant
Useful for reduction of stinging breast pains with lactation, helpful for treating painful and hard lumps.
RUTA GRAVEOLENS
Rue-Bitterwort
Post operative remedy. Promotes recovery of tissues and may help to sooth post-op pains.
SILICEA
Flint
Indicated for breast pain associated with fever.
Also useful to reduce sharp pains associated with breastfeeding.
ARNICA MONTANA
Leopard's Bane
Especially useful in dealing with physical injury, post biopsy, post surgical, also for sepsis.
BELLIS PERENNIS
Daisy
Used for bruising or trauma to deep internal structures in the abdomen, breasts or trunk.
CALENDULA
Garden Marigold
Useful for open wounds and post operative healing.
Used as an intercurrent cancer remedy, between constitutional remedies.
CHAMOMILLA
German Chamomile
Good for inflamed nipples as well as a mental and emotion remedies.
Used for children complaining of breast tenderness.
CROTON TIGIUM
Croton Oil/Jamaal Gota
For shooting pains during breastfeeding. Specifically for pains that extend into the back.
MERC. SOLUBILIS
Quicksilver/Mercury
For use with ulcerated and sore nipples or if you have painful discharge and are not currently nursing.
PULSITILLA
Wind Flower
Effective for treating breast lumps in younger women - like fibroadenomas if they are painful. Also helpful for weaning.
SEPIA
Cuttlefish Ink
Helpful with yeasty rashes that sometimes form under the breast.
Acts best on brunettes.
An important uterine remedy.
STAPHYSAGRIA
Stavesacre
Remedy is gears to relieve post operative itchiness or pain in the surgical bed.