When Is It Best to Consult A Homeopathic Practitioner?
Randall Neustaedter, OMD, Lac, CCH
Homeopathic treatment for children can be separated into two categories:
self-limiting, acute conditions such as colds, sore throats, and
stomach flu, or persistent,
chronic conditions such as allergies and eczema. Homeopathy is successful
in both categories.
First, the acutes. For simple illnesses, parents can often learn
to treat symptoms at home. Homeopathic treatment will stimulate
a healing reaction, encouraging the body to fight off an infection.
Several good books exist that instruct parents in finding the correct
homeopathic medicine for these illnesses. Most of these books also
inform parents about when to seek professional medical care as well.
To find the right homeopathic medicine, parents compare the symptoms
of the child to the descriptions in the books. The downside to home
treatment is that finding the remedy may not always be a simple
process, since the correct prescription is usually based upon discerning
subtle differences between one remedy and another. The books may
have vague and incomplete descriptions, or babies and even older
children may not have clear enough symptom pictures to find the
right medicine. Parents without experience in prescribing may be
left frustrated in their attempts. However, homeopathy is forgiving,
and even a partially correct prescription may help to relieve symptoms.
Parents would do well to purchase a home prescribing kit of homeopathic
remedies in 12c or 30c strength. Then get two or more books on home
prescribing to compare their descriptions. Homeopathic remedies
are also available individually in many health food stores. Single
remedies achieve the best results. Combination remedies involve
a shotgun approach. Several commonly used remedies are mixed together
and labeled Cough or Colic.
The manufacturer hopes that the right remedy will be present in
this mixture. If it is not, then the treatment will be ineffective.
Now for chronic problems. These require consultation with a well-trained
homeopathic practitioner. The most common reasons to consult a homeopath
are allergies, asthma, eczema, recurrent respiratory or ear infections,
and behavior or attention problems. Homeopathy has earned a tremendous
reputation in the treatment of these conditions. The treatment involves
at least a one-hour office visit and the prescription of a constitutional
homeopathic medicine. The prescription may be a single dose of a
high potency or a daily dose of a lower or an LM potency. The homeopath
will want to see the child again in 2-4 weeks for follow-up. Constitutional
prescribing requires experience and an understanding of homeopathic
theory and case management principles. This is not the realm for
parental home prescribing.
General home
prescribing books
Homeopathy for Children,
Gabrielle Pinto and Murray Feldman, C.W. Daniel Company, 2000.
Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic
Medicines, Stephen Cummings and Dana Ullman, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam,
1997.
Homeopathic Self-Care,
Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, Prima Publishing, 1997.
For more detailed descriptions of medicines
The Homeopathic Emergency Guide,
Thomas Kruzel, North Atlantic Books, 1992.
To order books and kits
Homeopathic Educational Services, 800 359-9051 (for orders), or
510 649-0294 (for inquiries), or www.homeopathic.com.
Finding a homeopath
Contact the Council for Homeopathic Certification at
www.homeopathy-council.org
or call 408-971-5915. The homeopaths listed in their directory have
passed a rigorous national certification exam in classical homeopathy.
Dr. Neustaedter has practiced homeopathic medicine for over twenty
years, specializing in child health care. An accomplished and well-recognized
author, his works include an authoritative text, Homeopathic
Pediatrics, and a popular book for parents, The
Vaccine Guide: Making an Informed Choice (1996), a revision
of his previous book, The Immunization
Decision (1990). He has contributed extensively to the journals
that comprise the homeopathic medical literature. A licensed acupuncturist
with a doctorate in Oriental Medicine, Dr. Neustaedter practices
at the Classical Medicine Center in Redwood City, California (650-299-9170).
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Use the information provided on this site as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices. It is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific illness.