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.