1.
Should I take my homeopathic medicine indefinitely
?
No, Once your
symptoms start to lessen you should increase the time
between doses according to the directions on the pack.
Only restart treatment if your symptoms begin to
re-appear.
2. What
happens if I take the wrong homeopathic medicine
?
You can come to no
harm by taking a homeopathic medicine that is not
suitable for the symptons you are
experiencing.
If the medicine you have selected
is not working you should check that it is the right
medicine by referring back to the self-treatment guide.
If it is, then make sure you are taking it correctly. If
your symptoms do not go away, talk to your pharmacist,
doctor or qualified homeopath.
3. How do I
store homeopathic medicines ?
Being very dilute the
medicines are sensitive and should therefore be stored
in a dry place below 25'C, in their original container
and away from strong smells such as perfume, aftershave,
coffee and moth repellents.
Although they are
perfectly safe, as a general rule as a general rule all
medicines should be kept our of reach of children.
4. Do qualified
homeopathic doctors approve of self-treatment ?
Yes. They are pleased
with the rise in the popularity of homeopathy and the
fact that many minor ailments are being effectively
treated by people selected the appropriate treatment
themselves.
5. Are there any
conditions I should not treat myself ?
By all means use
homeopathic treatment for minor ailments. For severe or
recurring problems always consult your pharmacist,
doctor or qualified homeopath.
6. What if I am
taking conventional medicine already
?
There is no conflict
between conventional medicines and homeopathic medicine
and indeed both systems of therapy may sometimes be used
together to compliment each other. In most cases when
starting homeopathic treatment you should remain on your
current conventional medicines. This is why it is so
important to consult a homeopathic doctor as they will
be able to advise you on how to reduce your conventional
medicine in a sage way.
7. How did
homeopathy begin ?
As long ago as the
5th century BC Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, was
aware of the homeopathic approach to illness and the
role of nature as a healer. Homeopathy as it is
practiced today was established in the late 18th and
early 19th century by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. He gave us 3
principles :-
a. A substance
that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used to
treat these symptoms when they occur in an ill
person.
b. Diluting
the homeopathic medicine increases it collative powers
and avoids unwanted side-effects.
c. Homeopathy treats the
whole person and not just the illness.
8. How are
homeopathy medicines made ?
Homeopathic medicines
are prepared by taking a solution of the concentrated
ingredient and diluting it many times. Vigorous shaking
of the preparation is vital at each stage of dilution.
Each stage is known as a potency and homeopathic
medicines at the 6th centesimal potency are suitable for
treating minor ailments.
9. Does
homeopathic medicine work ?
Homeopathy is very
popular and widely used throughout Europe, France,
Germany and Holland all have a large number of doctors
who prescribe homeopathic medicines.
Research
claims to have confirmed the efficacy of homeopathic
medicine and the old idea that it only worked
psychologically has been disproved. Additional support
comes from the fact that animals also benefit form
homeopathic treatment and it is unlikely that they will
react psychologically to a medicine they often do not
know they are being given.
A recent survey
suggested that 80% of people receiving homeopathy in the
UK were satisfied with their treatment.
10. Is homeopathy
safe ?
Yes. Even though some of the medicines
are potentially harmful in their non-homeopathic state,
the extreme dilutions used for homeopathic treatment
eliminate these dangers and unwanted
side-effects.
11. Can
homeopathy treat anything ?
Homeopathic medicines
are available for a wide range of conditions, from cuts
and bruises to stomach upsets and colds. Minor aliments
can be treated easily by yourself. If the symptoms
persist, or are severe you must seek the advice of your
doctor.
12. Will
homeopathy suit me?
Yes, Homeopathic
medicine can be used by most people, but as there are
many different homeopathic medicines available, and as
each person responds to illness in a different way, take
care in matching your symptoms to a particular
homeopathic medicine and ensure that you carefully
follows the instruction for taking it.
13. Can I treat
myself ?
Yes. It is very
straightforward to treat minor ailments in yourself and
your family. Study the list of ailments in this booklet
and select the medicine which most closely matches the
symptoms of the person requiring treatment. Always
follow the instructions for dosage given on the
pack.
14 When do I need
to see a qualified homeopath ?
Although homeopathy
is suitable for home treatment of minor ailments and for
first aid use, if you have a longstanding or more
serious illness a qualified homeopathic doctor should be
consulted.
As we are all so very
different in our mental and physical makeup it is
reasonable to expect that our reaction to an illness
will also be different and individual. Illnesses which
occurred many years previously, sometimes in childhood
or even in our parents and grandparents, can often lead
to areas of weakness in our constitution and a skilled
homeopath may spend some time in tracing and removing
these defects by the use of the correct homeopathic
medicine.
15 How do I take
a medicine ?
Homeopathic tablets
should be dissolved under the tongue or simply chewed,
not swallowed whole. For young children the tablet can
be crushed to a powder before being given. Food, drinks,
smoking and toothpaste should be avoided for 30 minutes
before and after taking a medicine, if possible.
16 Does handling
the medicine reduce its effect ?
Yes, it may. The dose
is so minute that it can be easily contaminated, so tip
the pill(s) into the cap of the container and avoid
touching with your fingers.
17 What reactions
should I expect ?
Very occasionally
after taking a homeopathic medicine your symptoms may
become slightly worse. This effect will be brief and is
a good sign that the body's natural healing energies
have started to counteract the illness. After this, the
symptoms will subside as you regain your heath. If
symptoms do not go away, talk to your pharmacist, doctor
or qualified homeopath.
18 Does taking a
stronger dose have a greater effect ?
No. It is the
frequency of taking the dose that matters, not the
number of tablets. Always follow the instructions on the
pack.
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