Hi auntpat,
For ease of reading, I have broken down my answer into sections
relating to each of your questions, including the individual
medications you asked about, with some additional resources at the end
that you may find of interest.
GENERAL
The Mayo Clinic website, Complementary and Alternative Care area
explores homeopathy in some detail. Here is an excerpt from their
site:
“Homeopathy is a controversial treatment that uses highly diluted
preparations of natural substances, typically plants and minerals, to
treat symptoms of illness. Homeopathic medicine is based on two
beliefs:”
* The law of similars. When given to a healthy person in large
quantities, some plant, animal and mineral substances produce symptoms
of disease. But when given to a sick person, much smaller doses of the
same substances can (theoretically) relieve the same symptoms.
* The law of infinitesimals. Literally, infinitesimal means too small
to be measured. According to this belief, substances treat disease
most effectively when they are highly diluted, often in distilled
water or alcohol.
“The law of similars is sometimes stated as "like cures like" — a
capsule summary of homeopathy. Vaccination, a conventional practice,
is based on a similar idea: Injecting a small dose of a modified
infectious agent stimulates the body’s immune system to fight diseases
caused by that agent.”
Source:
Mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/conditioncenters/invoke.cfm?objectid=11AA627C-1D61-4FE3-B298E9FA0855313F
HOW AND WHY HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES WORK
Homeopathy is based on the principle of “like cures like”. It puts
forth the idea that by mimicking the disease condition, it will
stimulate the body to heal or correct itself. While this seems to run
contrary to the allopathic (treating disease with remedies that
produce effects different from those caused by the disease itself)
method of treating the symptoms, the theory is essentially the same as
that of vaccines, where a very small dose of a toxic substance (the
disease itself) is used to stimulate the body’s immune system to
defend itself.
The idea behind a homeopathic remedy is that by mimicking the disease,
it will stimulate the body to correct itself, and will tackle the
causes of the illness, rather than just treating the symptoms.
IS HOMEOPATHY MORE THAN A PLACEBO?
The Mayo Clinic website mentioned above offers the following on
whether homeopathy has anything more than a placebo effect:
“Many studies of homeopathy examine whether the benefits claimed for
this treatment result from a placebo effect — that is, from the belief
of patients in the treatment rather than the treatment itself. In
1997, the Lancet published an analysis of approximately 100
controlled, randomized studies. The analysis concluded that homeopathy
appeared to have results that went beyond the placebo effect. However,
researchers determined there wasn’t enough evidence to conclude that
homeopathic treatment was effective. There is little published
evidence that homeopathy can effectively treat specific diseases or
conditions.”
Source:
Mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/conditioncenters/invoke.cfm?objectid=11AA627C-1D61-4FE3-B298E9FA0855313F
HOMEOPATHY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
“… in general, homeopathy departs widely from conventional medicine.
Modern drug therapy primarily uses substances to reverse symptoms, not
produce them. In addition, medical doctors find it difficult to accept
the law of infinitesimals — especially when homeopathic treatments are
so diluted that no trace of the original substance remains. Although
highly diluted substances may not help you, they probably won’t harm
you either.
“Traditional medical training isn't required to practice homeopathy.
However, some homeopaths are physicians or other types of licensed
health professionals, such as chiropractors, nurses or pharmacists.
Regulation and licensure of homeopathic practitioners vary from state
to state.
“People who practice homeopathy (homeopaths) may also recommend
changes in diet, exercise and other health-related behaviors. But
avoid practitioners who encourage you to use homeopathic remedies
instead of the medications that your doctor prescribed.”
Source:
Mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/conditioncenters/invoke.cfm?objectid=11AA627C-1D61-4FE3-B298E9FA0855313F
AURUM
Regarding Aurium, a search on “aurium pellets” returned no results.
There is, however, a homeopathic medication called “aurum metalicum”,
and I am assuming that this is the remedy that you are asking about.
“By far one of the most powerful anti-depressive remedies is Aurum
metallicum or the metal gold. Indeed, it does not have any healing
powers in its crude form, but prepared according to homeopathic
methods it becomes a gem.”
Source:
Homeopathy for Depression
http://www.drluc.com/depression.html
An article that appeared on the website of Swisstox, a professional
consulting service located in Basel, Switzerland, with a broad range
of expertise in toxicology, offered the following regarding aurum as a
homeopathic remedy.
“The "remedy picture" for aurum (gold), for example, can be for those
prone to severe depression. The type may be quite acquisitive and
powerful and need to be best at whatever they do (going for gold), but
also have a low opinion of themselves. Such patients might be trading
in the stock market, Lawrence said, and the type to jump out of the
window were share prices to plummet sharply. Aside from this, aurum
can also be used for a whole range of symptoms, including mental
exhaustion, digestive problems and heart and vascular disorders.”
Source:
Homeopathic Metals May Cure All Manner of Ailments
http://www.swisstox.net/en/news_e.php?st_lang_key=en&st_news_id=546
LYCOPODIUM
Lycopodium is an evergreen, perennial club moss, more closely related
to a fern than an actual moss. You have probably seen them in the
woods—they resemble miniature evergreen trees, about six inches tall.
For a photograph, see:
Triplebrook Farms
http://www.tripplebrookfarm.com/iplants/Lycopodium.html
Traditional Usage:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Bladder Health Maintenance
- Eczema
- Edema
- Fevers
- Gastritis
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Infections (externally)
- Memory Loss
- Painful Urination
- Senility
- Skin Irritation
- Urinary System Gravel
- Urinary System Problems
- Water Retention
Possible Side Effects/Long Term Use:
“Herbs from the genus Lycopodium are generally reputed to be nontoxic
when used as recommended and Lycopodium clavatum is listed by the
German Commission E for treating several different conditions. With
prolonged use, however, toxic alkaloids may irritate the mucus
membranes, cause vomiting, and diarrhea. Club moss alkaloids have been
reported to cause uterine contractions and peristalsis in the small
intestine in rodents. Excessive or prolonged use of club moss in
humans is not recommended, as it may cause irritation to the lining of
the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. Allergic and asthmatic
reactions to the spores of Lycopodium clavatum have also been noted in
several studies. The spores are highly flammable and should be stored
with caution; they were used in early flash photography, stage
lighting and for fireworks. It is also important to note that the
common club moss, Lycopodium clavatum, can be easily confused with
Lycopodium selago, the fir club moss. Two patients were recently
reported (2000) who drank a tea, erroneously prepared from dried herbs
of Lycopodium selago, which resulted in sweating, vomiting, diarrhea,
dizziness, cramps, and slurred speech. These symptoms were suggestive
of a cholinergic mechanism. The amount of huperzine A found in the
Lycopodium selago sample used for the tea preparation was calculated
to be sufficient for a relevant acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Researchers concluded that the signs and symptoms of Lycopodium selago
poisoning are consistent with the anticholinesterase activity of
huperzine A and should favorably respond to atropine therapy. This
report demonstrates once more that laymen should not be encouraged to
gather their remedies from "Mother Nature" without advanced botanical
knowledge.”
Source:
Canada Health Information
http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/canada/healthinformation/encyclopedias/ClubMoss.asp
BACH’S RESCUE
Edouard Bach was an English doctor, surgeon, bacteriologist and
homoeopath who lived from 1886 until 1936. During the last part of his
life (1930-1936), he collected the essences of 38 flowers, to use in
the treatment of negative emotional states he considered responsible
for physical disease. He reasoned that the disease will improve when
the psychic well being does.
The following are the flowers that he collected, and the emotional
state that they are used to improve:
States of Fear:
Mimulus
cherry Plum
Aspen
Red Chestnut
Rock Rose
States of Hypersensitivity to Influences and Ideas of Others:
Centaury
Agrimony
Walnut
Holly
States of Loneliness:
Heather
Water Violet
Impatiens
States of Uncertainty:
Cerato
Gorse
Scleranthus
Hornbeam
Gentian
Wild Oat
States of Excessive Worry Toward Others :
Vervian
Chicory
Vine
Rock
Water
Beech
States of Insufficient Interest in the Present:
Clematis
White Chestnut
Honeysuckle
Mustard
Wild Rose
Chestnut Bud
Olive
States of Dejection and Despair:
Pine
Willow
Elm
Oak
Star of Bethlehem
Crab Apple
Sweet Chestnut
Larch
Sources:
Homeophyto.com
http://www.homeophyto.com/gb/2002/01/bach.phtml
Detailed information on each flower and its uses can be found here:
Bach’s Flowers
http://www.e-voyance.com/Dossiers_divers/Bach'sflowers.htm#tab1
Every reference that I found on Bach’s Flowers indicated that there
are no side effects.
“Bach's Flowers are not medications. They don't present any side
effects and can be used concomitantly with other medical treatments.
So they are safe to use. Still, to fully enjoy the benefits of the
treatment, it is best to start by assessing the individual's needs and
state of mind.”
Source:
Osmoz
http://www.osmoz.com/mag/fiche_reportage1.asp?ID=149&CATEGORIE=REPORT&LANGUE=en
SUCCUSS
“Succuss- to shake: The process of potentization-vigorously shaking
with impact the properly diluted homeopathic remedy. The vial is to be
held in the hand and with an up and down motion of the forearm strike
the vial against a leather bound book at least ten times. Today
mechanical means are also employed to accomplish this potentizing
process.”
There is a good, informative discussion here about the formulation,
preparation and philosophy of homeopathic medicines, that I think will
provide good reading to help understand some of the medications you
may be taking. It discusses the process of succussion in the
preparation and strength of the medications.
Homeopathic Medicines
http://earthrunner.com/classical/homeopathy/medicines.html
This site has some other pages that you may be interested in taking a
look at.
How are Homeopathic Remedies Made?
http://earthrunner.com/classical/homeopathy/mfg.html
Staying Healthy Through the Holiday Season
http://earthrunner.com/classical/waystohealth/intro.html
Stress
http://earthrunner.com/classical/waystohealth/stress.html
which contains information on antibiotics and the balance of good/bad
bacteria
SIDE EFFECTS AND TAKING HOMEOPATHIC MEDICATIONS WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER
DRUGS
In the Swisstox consulting firm article referenced above under
“Aurum”, some further information regarding metals in homeopathic
remedies is given.
“In homeopathy the metal is ground down into a very fine particle
state before being taken into a liquid carrier and diluted further
still. Kayne [Dr. Steven Kayne, Consultant Pharmacist at the Glasgow
Homeopathic Hospital and Pharmaceutical Dean of the Faculty of
Homeopathy] noted molecules of the medicine can be found in low
potencies below 12c (where one drop is diluted in 100 drops 12 times
in a row), but none can be detected in those above 12c due to greater
dilution.
“With higher potencies Kayne said it could be assumed that there was
no toxicity. With lower potencies he said: "Clinical evidence suggests
there is not a problem, but theoretically there might be." But he
pointed out that arsenicum was frequently prescribed in low potency 6c
without any adverse side-effects other than the normal aggravations,
which indicated a remedy was working. Indeed, the problem for many
critics is that homeopathic medicines can be so diluted that there is
nothing identifiable in the final dose except water. But Lawrence said
they still contained a certain essence or dynamic of the substance.
"Logically it doesn't make sense, but even modern nuclear physics
doesn't make sense," he contested. "It depends on the mental modeling
you use."”
Source:
Homeopathic Metals May Cure All Manner of Ailments
http://www.swisstox.net/en/news_e.php?st_lang_key=en&st_news_id=546
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE COLITIS
C.Diff. (also known as Clostridium Difficile Colitis,
Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, or C. Difficile) is a bacteria that
lives in the intestine. Normally, healthy and ill people alike have
millions of bacteria residing in their intestines, some helpful and
some potentially harmful.
“Clostridium difficile is a "bad" bacteria. Fortunately, when you are
healthy and not taking antibiotics, the millions of good bacteria in
your system keep the c - diff under control and in smaller numbers.
However, when you take an antibiotic, the levels of good bacteria are
reduced down to a smaller number. If your c-diff is strong and
doesn't get killed by the antibiotic along with the good bacteria,
then it is possible that the c-diff will overpopulate inside your
intestine or colon. When this happens, you may get the illness
called clostridium difficile colitis.
“When you have an imbalance of bacteria and c-diff takes over, it
creates two main types of toxins that affect your body and give you
the symptoms of the actual disease. The toxins attack your intestinal
wall and left untreated may cause ulcerations. Your symptoms may
include diarrhea and cramping at first. The later stages are
commonly flu-like symptoms of weakness, dehydration, fever, nausea,
vomiting and in advanced stages - blood in your stool / feces
“Antibiotic usage is usually the initial cause of developing this
disease. Additionally, antibiotics are usually the cause of recurrent
cases of c-diff. Ironically - two very powerful antibiotics are used
to primarily treat the disease!”
You can read more about C.Diff, diagnosis, treatment and alternate
treatments at the C.Difficile Colitis Support Group
http://www.cdiffsupport.com/aboutcdiff.html
And their main page is here:
http://www.cdiffsupport.com/
FOOD/SCENTS TO AVOID
I found mention of several things to avoid under both of these topics.
Among the items most often mentioned were coffee (although decaf,
regular tea, colas and chocolate are alright to consume), peppermint
tea, perfume, camphor, and other strong odors.
“Regular use of coffee (including decaffeinated) and mint products
(like mint tea, mint toothpaste and mouthwash) will decrease your
body’s response to a remedy by about 75%. Other offending substances
include aromatics like strong perfumes, camphor, wintergreen,
eucalyptus, menthol, and essential oils. These are found in products
such as Vicks, Tiger Balm, Ben Gay, Mineral Ice, various throat
lozenges and bubble baths. Small amounts of perfume (applied to
clothing not skin) and deodorants are acceptable. Anti-perspirants,
while not detrimental to homeopathic remedies, are nonetheless
unhealthy because they suppress a normal physiological response. Black
or green tea in moderation and cooking herbs are fine, however,
regular use of herbal teas (some of which are remedies in their own
right) may pose a problem.”
Source:
Patient Section
Taking Remedies
http://www.dr-dom.com/patient_taking.html
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The government’s National Institute of Health offers a guide sheet
entitled, “Are You Considering Using Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (CAM)?” It contains valuable information about evaluating
alternative therapies, and coordinating with conventional medical
treatment.
NIH
National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/decisions/index.htm
MedlinePlus
Health Information
Alternative Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alternativemedicine.html
A page of links to various medical referenced on alternative medicine.
I hope that this information has been helpful and has answered your
questions about homeopathic remedies, auntpat. As I am sure you
realize, Google Answers provides general information only, and is not
intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice.
Should you require clarification of any of the above, please do not
hesitate to ask.
Regards,
Beth
Search criteria:
homeopathy OR “homeopathic remedies”
homeopathy OR “homeopathic remedies” placebo
aurium OR “aurium pellets”
aurum “side effects”
aurum homeopathic "used for"
lycopodium
lycopodium liquid
lycopodium “side effects”
“Bach’s flowers”
"Bach's flowers" "side effects"
homeopathic OR homeopathy food OR scents avoid OR avoided coffee
perfume |
Clarification of Answer by
bethc-ga
on
08 Oct 2002 07:52 PDT
Hi auntpat,
I found some additional information on studies done regarding the
placebo effect and homeopathy, and wanted to pass it along to you.
This is from a website called “The Scientist”. To read the entire
article you will need to go through a registration process, but there
is no charge for the access. It has an interesting perspective on
placebo.
“If, for a number of patients, an inert substance with nil toxicity
produces the same beneficial results as a toxic pharmaceutical
compound, logic would require that the phenomenon be thoroughly
investigated for the patients' benefit, and for its potential to
reduce medical costs. However, because of the implicit psychological
mechanisms underlying the effect, placebo has maintained and
reinforced its dubious reputation, thus impeding further research.
“Hence, the real placebo paradox, which illustrates the schizophrenic
paranoia of today's medicine: since placebo equates in the minds of
many to a psychosomatic, i.e., unreal illness, administering it is
synonymous with medical deception and unscientific maneuvering, even
if the patient's pathology improves. Modern medical logic would rather
that treatments were inefficacious than incomprehensible. And yet, for
economic, ethical, and purely scientific reasons (especially in an era
when certain effects of the immaterial soul can be pinned down to a
secretory activity of the brain), the placebo effect warrants further
investigation, as does homeopathy, a controversial practice plagued by
the same type of ostracism.”
Later in the article, the following statements are made regarding
clinical studies and the unlikelihood of either side changing their
position.
“Nobody seems to be interested in exploiting homeopathy as a placebo
tool, or in funding bona fide research that should prove (or disprove)
the underlying theory. Here, again, the attitudes of the proponents
and opponents of the hypothesis evoke religious wars, irrationality,
and intellectual dishonesty. Yet, several clinical studies suggest
genuine effects (K. Linde et al., Lancet, 350:824-5, 1997). But the
debate being a passionate one, it will probably never come to a head,
every side determined to debunk and ridicule the opponent's position
before even considering the evidence.”
Source:
The Scientist
Commentary: From Placebo to Homeopathy: The Fear of the Irrational
By Dimitri Viza, Director of the Immunobiology Laboratory at the
Faculte de Medecine des Saints-Peres in Paris
http://www.the-scientist.com/yr1998/sept/comm_980914.html
And here are some additional studies regarding the placebo effect:
“Klaus, L., et. al. (19 97) Are the clinical effects of homeopathy
placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet
(September 20): 834-43. This analysis looked at 186 published studies
of homeopathy ranging from allergy to hemearthrosis to tooth extr
action. Only 89 of the studies fit the authors’ inclusion criteria and
were thus analyzed further. The authors concluded that the clinical
effects of homeopathy are not placebo effects (with a combined odds
ratio of 2.45 in favor of homeopathy).”
“Ma yaux, M. J., et. al. (1988) Controlled clinical trial of
homeopathy in postoperative ileus. Lancet (March 5): 528-9. This
double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial compared
homeopathic preparations of 'opium' and raphanus to placebo for post-o
perative ileus in 150 patients. There was 'no significant difference
between any of the groups' for this acute condition.”
“Reilly, D., et. al. (1986) Is homeopathy a placebo response?
Controlled trial of homeopathic potency, with pollen in hayfever a s
model. Lancet (October 18): 881-6. This double-blinded,
placebo-controlled, randomized trial tested homeopathic preparations
for symptoms of hay fever in 160 patients. The study demonstrated a
greater overall reduction in symptoms from the homeopathic
preparations than placebo.”
“Reilly, D., et. al. (1994) Is evidence for homeopathy reproducible?
Lancet (December 10): 1601-6. This double-blinded, placebo-controlled,
randomized trial compared efficacy of homeopathic immunotherapy to
placebo for sym ptoms of allergic asthma in 28 patients. It showed a
reduction of symptoms for the homeopathic preparations where placebo
showed little or none.”
Source:
Washington University in St. Louis
School of Medicine
Homeopathy
by Judson Brewer
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~compmed/CAM_HME.HTM
ADDITIONAL READING
Homeopathic Remedies vs. the Placebo Effect
Richard Moskowitz M.D.
http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=2149
Impossible But True: Science Validates Homeopathy
Jeremy Appleton, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (August 24, 2000)
http://www.thebetterhealthstore.com/News/Homeopathy0824.html
I hope you will find this additional information of interest.
Beth
Search criteria:
homeopathic OR homeopathy placebo
|
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