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.
Arsenicum Album
Typically restless
Slim or thin body type
Perfectionist with strong will and opinion, can appear critical and intolerant
Pessimist personality that needs to be reassured frequently
May suffer from a bit of OCD
Argentum Nitricum
An extroverted, emotional, problem solver
Frequently anxious or stressed which can lead to impulsive behavior
Typically a busy individual who may not get the most sleep
Physically appears older than actual age due to self induced worry
Tends to have a fairer complexion
Calcarea Carbonica
A plump individual who may appear tired frequently
Sensitive and quiet
Easily gains weight, metabolism is sluggish
Can be fearful of failure and may require a lot of motivation to succeed
Might be considered lazy, but generally have a calm demeanor
Graphites
Hearty and rugged individuals with great appetites
Usually have dermatologic problems or rough, chapped or easily cracked skin
Dark and dry hair, sometimes with dandruff
Easy to blush
Stuck in their ways and sometimes irritable about it
Ignatia Amara
A high strung moody individual - sometimes like an emotional roller-coaster
Often slender with bags below the eyes
These individuals easily succumb to addictive behaviors
May be tired and sigh frequently
Respond well to encouragement but may not function well or at all when stressed.
Lachesis Mutus
A creative type that has difficulty with jealousy
Usually of paler complexion with freckles mixed in
Piecing eyes with strong expressions
Talkative type but sensitive to too much audio stimulation
Very ambitious with a busy mind - may be prone to ADHD
Lycopodium Clavatum
Tall individuals with often thin hair, women tend to have wide hips
A flair for the dramatic
Avoids commitment and situations in which failure is possible
Insecure and resistant to changes
Involuntary twitches sometimes and furrow lines on forehead
Mercurius Solubilis
Medium built person prone to perspiration
Has difficulty trusting others and struggle with their own feelings
May have deep rooted insecurities about self and does not do well with critics
Stuttering or stammering in speech is common
May be prone to SAD or chronic fatigue
Naturm Muriaticum
Solidly build individuals with medium to dark hair
Generally cheerful outwardly
May not address their emotions and deal with bouts of depression
Smart and academically successful
Career minded and well suited for professional life
Nux Vomica
A slim easily excitable individual who might appear tense
Can suffer from overindulgence leading to addition of substance or flesh
Active personality who can be easily bored
Prone to competitiveness
Easy to anger and finds relaxation challenging
Phosphorus
Tall, slim and lanky with a keen eye for style
May be artistic and creative; generally fun to be with but sometimes demanding
Expressive and affectionate
Prefers to be in the spotlight or the center of attention
Sometimes fear of darkness remains into adulthood
Pulsitilla
A gentle, kind soul with rosy complexion.
Might be slightly overweight but tends to appear younger than actual age
Not assertive and at times indecisive
Friendly and well liked and supported by others
Tends to weep easily
Sepia
Often tall and sometimes elegant
Dark hair with brown eyes
Can be irritable and easily take offense
Sometimes aggressive with those they love most
Dislikes crowds but prefers company rather than solitude
Silicea
Slim, thin individual with a large forehead, sometimes head appears too large for body
Generally petite appearance with doll like, delicate features
Prone to cracked lips and brittle nails
May suffer from mental exhaustion and lower confidence
Not overly sporty or competitive
Sulphur
Slim with an unkept appearance, may have poor posture
Mentally cluttered and therefore has difficulty with task completion
May be critical and enjoy arguing
Tends to be more energetic in the evening
Mechanically inclined and intelligent
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.