Frequently Asked Questions

     On this page you will find answers to the most common questions about homeopathy and the homeopathic consultation.

What is Homeopathy?

     Homeopathy is an effective and scientific system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It recognizes that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person, and that it is the patient who needs treatment, not just the disease.

     In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick. He called this approach Homeopathy (from the Greek words meaning 'similar suffering'). Like Hippocrates 2000 years earlier, he realized that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similars.

     For example, in a case of insomnia, the conventional treatment is to use sleeping pills to bring on an artificial sleep. These drugs are often required in large doses, can cause side effects and can become addictive.

     The way of similars - the homeopathic way - is to give the patient the minutest dose of a substance that is prepared homeopathically. This substance in a healthy person would cause sleeplessness . The homeopathic preparation, chosen for the symptoms that are unique to the individual, will bring on a natural sleep and because of the minute dosage, no side-effects or addiction will result.

How Does Homeopathy Work?

     Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body's own ability to heal. You might think of a remedy as a bit of information - a trigger that sets the body's inherent ability to heal into action. Many ailments, such as the common cold, can cure themselves over time, but in more chronic diseases, the body requires assistance. In homeopathy, this assistance is provided by way of a Homeopathic remedy to provide the stimulus your body needs to set the curative process into action.

     With the correctly prescribed homeopathic remedy, your body is allowed to be returned to a more normal state of functioning - naturally, safely and with no side effects.

     To understand this process better, imagine you have a common ailment such as eczema. For many years you have been using creams and ointments to rid yourself of this itchy and often painful annoyance. Each time you use the cream, the rash goes away. When you think it is gone for good, you stop using the cream, and before you know it, the rash returns.

     When you are treated homeopathically for eczema, you will not be given any creams to use repetitively. Instead, you will be given one homeopathic remedy which over time, will make the rash go away permanently.

What will the consultation be like?

     You will be asked many questions about yourself as well as your illness, and also about the health of your family, both present and past. Don't be afraid to mention something that you think is unusual or unimportant as such symptoms are often the most useful to your homeopath. The initial consultation will last about two hours and everything that takes place during this time will be held in the strictest confidence.

What will treatment be like?

     The remedy that your homeopath prescribes will normally be in pill form which should be allowed to dissolve under the tongue. Nothing else should be put in the mouth for 20 minutes before or after taking the remedy, not even toothpaste or cigarettes. You may be advised to avoid coffee or peppermint and other sharp smelling substances during your treatment.


What will happen after treatment?

     After taking your remedy you should notice some changes taking place. These changes may occur quite quickly after your first dose or they may take a few weeks to appear.

     It is possible that for a very short time, your symptoms may appear slightly worse. This is called a homeopathic aggravation and means the remedy is taking effect and you should feel the beginnings of recovery when this period has passed. Alternatively, patients often experience a period of well being and optimism.

     If you develop any new symptoms during treatment, and have any questions, you should contact your Homeopath. Whatever happens between appointments, it is important to keep careful track of it so that you can discuss it at your next appointment.

     To understand an aggravation more clearly, I will provide you with an example. Recently I treated a patient for asthma. After carefully taking her case I chose the homeopathic remedy which most closely matched her symptoms, and asked her to take the remedy.

     Hours later, she noticed that she developed cold like symptoms, with a runny nose and sneezing. This lasted for about a day and when then cold cleared up the asthma was also better. Please note that at no time is the patient asked to go off doctor prescribed medicines.

How long is a course of treatment?

     This depends very much on what sort of illness you have. A very slowly developing complaint will not disappear overnight, but other complaints can go quite quickly. Generally, we expect to see some reaction within the first month.

     Complicated cases are healed from the inside, working outwards. This means that superficial skin eruptions are usually the last symptoms to go.

     Be patient, it is much better for you to be relieved of both the cause of your illness and its symptoms, rather than just merely masking the symptoms. Every case is different, just as no two people are alike.

     To illustrate the difference between a chronic disease and an acute disease I have again chosen some of the patients I have treated:

     In the case of a chronic disease which is one that is expected to take longer to heal because you have had it for many years, one could use the example of Mary.

     Mary came to me after many years of ineffective treatment for her Crohn's disease. After taking her case and deciding on her homeopathic remedy, she slowly began to see signs of improvement in her disease. The severity and the frequency of her pain were less but the symptoms were still present. Because we saw improvement however, it was encouraging and we kept up the treatment protocol. After about four months of treatment, Mary was completely well.


Can I treat myself with Homeopathy?

     For simple first aid situations, you can learn to use some homeopathic remedies at home. There are a number of excellent remedies which deal effectively with first-aid problems such as cuts, stings, burns, bruises and stomach upsets.

     You may already have heard of Arnica for bruises, Aconite for the first sign of a cold or Chamomilla for teething in babies. Ask your Homeopath for more information or check back often to see when the next first aid course is being offered.

     You should not, of course, attempt to treat any serious complaint yourself and if any apparently minor complaint does not respond to your first-aid treatment, you should consult your Homeopath immediately.

     Homeopathic remedies in low potencies such as 30C are available at most health food stores.

How do Homeopathic Remedies Interact with Other Medications?

     Homeopathic remedies will not interfere with other forms of treatment and you will never be asked to discontinue the use of your prescription medications.

As your overall health improves over time, you may feel you no longer need the same dosage of your prescription medicine, and at that time you should consult with your family physician to discuss reducing your dose.

Note:  Never stop taking a prescription drug without consulting your family doctor.

Can I use Homeopathy to treat my children?
 
     Treating children with Homeopathic medicine is a safe and effective way to deal with a wide range of ailments from problems with teething and colic to eczema and asthma.

     Homeopathy is also safe for pregnant and lactating mothers and can bring relief of symptoms such as back pain or frequent urination during pregnancy, and mastitis (breast infections) while nursing.

     It is important to note that Homeopathic treatment never replaces conventional medical care but is a wonderful compliment to it. The best way to decide if Homeopathy is right for mother or child is to talk to a Homepath and discuss your options.

Can I treat my animals with Homeopathy?

     In addition to your regular veterinary visits, Homeopathy can be a useful tool to help enhance your animal's health.

     I treat many animals and with great success. Some of the diseases I have treated range from neurological conditions to skin disease and kidney problems. I always insist that the animal has already been seen by a veterinarian and try to stay in contact with the primary health care provider while treating homeopathically.

     If you think you'd like to have your animal treated homeopathically, call for a free 10 minute consultation to find out more. 905-853-1490

Useful link:

     Animal Wellness Magazine is the only magazine produced in North America devoted to natural & holistic health for animals. It features celebrity covers & people who are using their influence to help animals, articles on natural healing and nutrition, advice from leading animal experts & holistic veterinarians, coping with pet loss, alerts to endangered species, a holistic animal store and much much more.

Click below:

http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/index.php

All material herein C 2008, Monica Frohmann, HD