Homeopathic, Natural and Not-So-Natural Teething Remedies

Many parents know all to well the signs of teething in their baby but many feel powerless to help their child's teething problems. However, there is a range of teething remedies for all stages of your baby's teething. Knowing the remedy available and how and when to apply it is the key.

Homeopathic teething remedies are a great way to ease the discomfort of baby teething. Homeopathic remedies have been used for many years and can be highly effective, but you should only use a homeopathic teething remedy in conjunction with expert advice and guidance.

Apis mellifica is used to ease swollen gums before and after the eruption of teeth. Apis mellifica means 'whole honeybee' and was first discovered by the Rev. Brauns, in Thuringia, Germany, in 1853.

Calcarea carbonica: Some babies are late to teeth and the experience can be very distressing for late developers. Babies who need this remedy are usually chubby, slow to learn to crawl or walk and their heads often sweat during naps or sleep at night.

Essential oil of cloves has long been known as a natural local anesthetic. You administer the clove oil by adding one drop in one or two tablespoons of organic sunflower oil.

Kreosotum: This remedy can ease a child's stress when she has irritating saliva and severe discomfort during teething. Kreosotum is very beneficial if a baby's teeth succumb to decay soon after erupting from the gums.

Pulsatilla: especially good for teething babies who are clingy, nervous or tearful.

Sulphur: good if your baby has a reddish irritation or rash on the chin or diaper area during teething episodes. Diarrhea (often whitish) is not caused irectly by teething but because of stress from teething. The baby is irritable and anxious, feeling worse from being warm.

Other Natural Homeopathic teething remedies include a stick of licorice and chamomilla. As stated above, any parent contemplating using a homeopathic remedy for teething should do so only in conjunction with expert medical advice.

Natural teething remedies are becoming more popular as many parents want to avoid the use of any drugs or medicines on their baby. Many natural teething remedies have been around for thousands of years; there effectiveness depends on the child.

Bread, in various forms has been used for thousand of years, more recently the bagel has been used by parents in both Europe and America; the bagel being the right consistency - as is doesn't break apart too easily - and it's also a very easy shape for young child to grab hold of. Teething biscuits are also very popular. In the recent past many parents began to avoid buying teething biscuits as the biscuits often contained large amounts of sugar, salt and other ingredient not good for babies. But, things have changed and many manufacturers make teething biscuits free of these bad ingredients.

Vegetables are also commonly used to ease the pain of baby teething. Vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers make ideal soothers because of their texture - you can also put them in the fridge beforehand, as the coolness will also numb teeth and gums.

Some of the more dubious natural teething remedies include the wearing of coral as a necklace. The ancient Egyptians recorded this practice. Also amber necklaces have, and are still used, as natural teething remedies, as are silver spoons.

For those parents who don't care whether a teething remedy is natural or not the following can be tried.

The first recorded use of teething rings has been found on Sumerian sandstone tablets, around 3000 years ago. Perhaps teething rings could be considered natural but many were made of plastic using diisononyl phthalate - a chemical which can be cancer causing. The chemical is used as a softening agent during the manufacturing process and most teething toys contain about 10 to 20 percent phthalate. Many manufacturers have now stopped using this chemical but not all!

Other no-so-natural teething remedies include teething gels. Many teething gels contain a mild analgesic that act as a painkiller and also contain mild antiseptics that kill a variety of bacteria and fungi that might infect sore or broken skin in the mouth. Experts caution against the excessive use of teething gels as they contain benzocaine. There is a risk of allergic reaction. In addition, benzocaine can cause numbing of the throat and could lead to choking. Consult your doctor if you want to help relieve your child's pain with benzocaine.

Teething tablets are designed to melt quickly in the child's mouth and, in so doing, help alleviate the pain of teething. The active ingredients are usually Chamomilla (see homeopathic remedies above), which helps reduce irritability, and Belladonna, which helps reduce inflammation. Consult your doctor before using teething tablets.

The above are just some of the options available to parents to help ease a child's teething pains but there are many more teething remedies. Perhaps the best teething remedy for your baby is just good old fashioned patience, distraction and, above all, lots of cuddles.

Robin O'Brien is founder of a website dedicated to baby teething. There, you can learn everything from teething symptoms to natural teething remedies.

Homeopathic Remedy For Snoring

Snorers don?t really have the affinity for ?Z?s?, no matter how often these come out of their mouths. The funny thing about snorers is they don?t know that they snore, unless they have partners who leave them bruise marks to prove it.

Some people are unmindful of the consequences of snoring. For them, it?s nothing but a bedtime issue, and mostly, not theirs but their partners?, who they keep up all night. However, snoring, regardless of the extent, can actually result to serious problems. It can affect you and your family socially. You, and those you sleep with, will eventually develop erratic sleeping patterns. This also means that you?ll all be prone to having restless days and irritable moods.

There are a lot of snore cures available. All of these insist that they can put an end to your sleeping woes. However, if a particular cure works for your next-door neighbor, it might not be as effective to you. To play safe, choose the homeopathic remedy for snoring. Like all others, this is not a guarantee that your snoring will be gone forever. But what could be safer than the all-natural cures?

The market shelves have anti snoring pills that claim to be an effective homeopathic remedy for snoring. Examples would be SnorEase, Snore MD, Snore RX, Snore Stop, and Dr. Harris? Original Snore Formula. These pills are made from herbs and natural enzymes from plants that work by allowing the body to absorb back secretions such as mucous so that nasal congestion may be reduced. This type of homeopathic remedy for snoring is also believed to provide more room for air to flow through by preventing enlargement of the nose and throat tissues.

Homeopathic remedy for snoring is not restricted to the pills. Other products that fall under this category include nasal sprays as well as nose drops. Such products are SnoreControl Oral Spray, Homeo-S Nasal Spray, Sinus Buster Nasal Spray, SnoreStop Oral Spray, and YSnore Spray and Nose Drops.

The homeopathic remedy for snoring is found to be the most popular snore cures among snorers and their sleeping partners. The most important fact about this type of snore medication is that these do not have any known side effects.

The other products and devices in the market may look promising, but we?ll never know if they?re as effective and safe as the homeopathic remedy for snoring is. Mouth gadgets and wrist devices may sound very innovative, but are we sure these won?t just leave us with an aching mouth and a painful wrist? Or worse, surgery anyone?

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Snoring and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Snoring web site. For more articles and resources on Snoring related topics, Snoring Causes and Treatments, Natural Snoring Remedies and much more visit his site at:http://snoring.need-to-know.net/

Let Nature Work For You - Homeopathic Remedy for Snoring

There are hundreds of cures for snoring. In milder cases, a person may be relieved from snoring by trying different sleeping positions in such a way that the air passage is not constricted to avoid obstructions, losing weight, or avoiding certain substances that triggers snoring. For chronic snoring, doctors might recommend anti snoring devices or even surgery to relieve a person from snoring.

However, prior to having a surgery performed on you (which could cost you hundreds of dollars and might leave you with a scar and a cut jaw bone) you might want to try homeopathic remedy for snoring. Homeopathic medicines are derived from nature and use your body's natural defenses. Since it's made from natural ingredients, there are minimal side effects or none at all compared to artificial products that work by suppressing symptoms.

The homeopathic remedy for snoring study

A team of physicians in Portland, Oregon, conducted a study to compare the efficacy of homeopathic remedy for snoring (as a pill) versus a placebo in reducing the intensity or incidence of snoring. 90 patients were recruited and divided into two groups ? those receiving the homeopathic remedy for snoring and the placebo group. After the 10-day study period of taking the two distinct pills, 61.4 percent of the patients who received the homeopathic remedy for snoring reported improvements ranging from moderate to excellent compared to 21.7 percent from the placebo group.

There are hundreds of anti-snoring pills and any can be a homeopathic remedy for snoring. These pills contain natural extracts from plants and herbs that work by breaking down body secretions and mucus, the leading causes of congestion. The herbs used in these pills are known to prevent the swelling of the throat and nose tissues. The snoring sound is primarily produced a by the vibrations of the soft tissues in the air passage and having them opened or widened lessens the occurrence of snoring.

Not a pill alone

A homeopathic remedy for snoring is not just a pill. A range of products like nasal sprays or nose drops, which applies similar natural formulations, also work by clearing the air passages to take out any obstructions. SnoreControl and Zapnea are examples of nasal sprays homeopathic products.

These inexpensive homeopathic remedies for snoring may be your first option to chronic snoring. The advantage is that they have no known side effects and homeopathic remedies are the first line of natural products that were approved by the FDA a "drug product".

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Snoring and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Snoring web site. For more articles and resources on Snoring related topics, Snoring Causes and Treaments, Natural Snoring Remedies and much more visit his site at:http://snoring.need-to-know.net/

Alternative Homeopathic Medicine

What are the various types of alternative medicines?

The first classification of alternative medical system is based on complete systems of both practice and theory. These systems may have either evolved separately or earlier than their conventional medical counterparts.

Examples of these alternative medical practices that developed in Western cultures include naturopathic and homeopathic medicine. Medical systems that originated in cultures outside the Western world include Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

The second type of alternative medicine is called mind-body intervention. This makes use of various techniques to improve the capacity of the mind to affect various functions of the body. Some techniques that used to be considered as alternative now have become conventional. They include cognitive and behavior therapy as well as patient support groups.

Nowadays, even spiritual practices are being considered as a valid form of therapy. These include prayer, meditation, mental healing and therapies that make use of creative outlets such as music, dance and art.

The third classification of alternative medicine involves therapies based on biology and makes use of natural products such as herbs and vitamins. Examples of this type include herbal products and dietary supplements. They also include natural yet scientifically unproven methods such as making use of shark cartilage as a cancer cure.

Another type is called body-based manipulative methods, which are centered on moving parts of the body. Examples of this are osteopathic manipulation and massage.

The last category is termed energy therapy. It makes use of the body?s energy fields. There are two types. Biofield therapies intend to affect energy fields that surround the body by applying pressure and manipulation. Examples of this are Qi Gong, therapeutic touch and Reiki. On the other hand, Bioelectromagnetic?based therapies involve the use of magnetic and pulsed fields.

Before trying out anything, be sure to consult your doctor for advice.

Alternative Medicine provides detailed information on Alternative Medicine, Alternative Herbal Medicine, Alternative Medicine Schools, History of Alternative Medicine and more. Alternative Medicine is affiliated with Chiropractic Clinics.

Top 5 Homeopathic Cures for Morning Sickness

What is Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness is a series of nausea fits associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Some pregnant mothers complain of having this sickness throughout the pregnancy, but typically this something that occurs early on. It is not too uncommon to avoid such activities as long car rides, sailing, amusement park rides and other jarring activities that will only upset the symptoms of this. Most mothers who experience this complain of similar symptoms of ailments such as stomach viruses or eating bad food. The experience is most unsettling and makes the pregnancy more grueling than what it is.

Common Homeopathic Cures For Morning Sickness Relief

Although a doctor can prescribe something for the symptoms, most mothers find this to be superfluous. And indeed for the most part, it is. There are some natural treatments for this condition that will avoid the use of a doctor and will ultimately help calm the symptoms. Some of these include, cut out excessively fatty and spicy foods. Avoid strong odors such as coffee and garlic. Eat several small meals instead of three large ones. Try acupressure; wear sea bands three quarter of an inch down your wrist in between tendons. Infuse bathwater with grapefruit, orange, mandarin or lime aromatherapy oils. Try ginger. If you don't like the taste of it raw, try ginger tea or invest in some all-natural ginger ale at your local health food store. Take 10-20 g of vitamin B6. Try taking homeopathic remedies such as Nux Vomica 30C, Sepia 30C or Ipecuana 30c three times daily for five days. Try supplementing with two slippery elm tablets during each meal, which help soothe the digestive track.

Herbal vs. Non-Herbal Remedies

For the health conscious mother, herbal remedies, some of which are mentioned above, can be induced as opposed to some of the non-herbal types. These can be very helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms without utilizing chemically enhanced prescriptions. Whatever your decision, there are many home remedies available that should do something for the symptoms you are experiencing. Of course, wearing maternity clothes that fit propertly (such as mimi maternity clothes) also helps. This should take the stress of worrying about your own sickness and get on with the excitement of having a baby.

Article By Michelle O'Connor, Kids Toy Boxes

Symptoms of Allergies and Homeopathic Remedies

Symptoms of Allergies:

? Sneezing, itching and irritation of nose, ears, throat, skin.

? Stuffy, runny or tingling nose.

? Burning, watering, itchy or red eyes.

? Cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.

? Flu-like symptoms

? Skin rashes?Eczema, Hives, etc.

? Feeling of sinus pressure in and around the nose and cheeks.

? Ear fullness and popping

? Difficulty swallowing, throat hoarseness with soreness

? Headaches and/or heart palpitations

? Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle pains.

? Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

? Swelling especially in the lips, other parts of the mouth and throat, eyelids, genitals, hands and feet (angioedema)

? Anaphylactic Shock is a serious allergic reaction, which requires immediate attention.

Homeopathic Remedies:

Allergies signal a defective or depleted immune system and are considered in Homeopathic parlance?the body?s communication that something is not right. Homeopathic doctrine believes that the allergen is just the trigger to the problem and not the underlying cause. Homeopathic remedies can remove the underlying cause for the allergic tendency and eliminate it completely.

A Homeopathic practitioner does not treat the disease itself, but looks at the entire individual and how the whole body reacts. An appropriately selected Homeopathic remedy that is individually chosen to the totality of symptoms that the person is experiencing, not just the allergy symptoms, stimulates the body?s vital force and immune system so that the body can heal itself. However, Homeopathic remedies can also be used to treat the acute phase of the allergic reaction.

Homeopathic treatment is safe and gentle, without any side-effects. Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the basis of physical, emotional and genetic make up of the person. Therefore, unlike pharmaceutical or OTC medications?one pill doesn?t fit all.

Homeopathy is very effective in managing all the symptoms of Allergies and also plays an important role in preventing relapse of the condition and improving the general health of the person. Another important aspect of Homeopathic remedies is that people on multiple remedies for other issues can safely take additional remedies without concerns regarding negative interactions. All Homeopathic remedies are natural substances that work with the body and not against another remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are non-habit forming; no addictive characteristics and have a proven 200 year safety record with the FDA. Since Homeopathy treats the body in totality, it leads to a permanent long-lasting cure, unlike the temporary suppression of symptoms created through pharmaceutical or OTC medications.

Homeopathic remedies are best used under the supervision of an experienced Homeopath. It is not advisable to resort to self-diagnosis for any body symptom?albeit something as common as allergies could signal something more serious than merely an allergic reaction.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, international speaker specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

Homeopathic HGH

The term homeopathic HGH is often used to refer to products that claim to either contain human growth hormone and replace it in the body, or stimulate the human pituitary gland to produce more of the hormone. These are not homeopathic remedies in the classic sense. The controversial practice of homeopathy relies on the idea that symptoms can be alleviated by administering very minute amounts of natural substances (usually herbs) that will cause the same symptoms (like cures like). Thus, if you have a sore throat, homeopathy dictates that you take a dilute solution of an herb that causes sore throat in order to get rid of the symptom.

So called homeopathic natural HGH supplements for anti aging are not based on this idea - if they were, they would contain a miniscule amount of an ingredient that causes symptoms of aging, not a hormone that allegedly restores youth! If you understand this concept, you will understand why, rather than trying to produce homeopathic HGH, homeopaths will usually direct treatment at a specific symptom, such as joint pain, or lack of energy.

Having said that, products marketed as homeopathic HGH do exist. They don't really contain real human growth hormone and if they did it would not be beneficial because the hormone must be injected to have any effect. These natural HGH supplements either aim to stimulate production of HGH by the pituitary, or they aim to replace the hormone by providing amino acids necessary to bestow the same effects on metabolism and health. Because true human growth hormone must obtained by prescription and injected at regular intervals - usually at tremendous expense - the natural HGH supplements are popular among middle aged and elderly consumers seeking to protect or regain the energy and good health of youth.

The idea behind HGH injections, homeopathic HGH and all the other approaches is that human growth hormone, which decreases in the body over a lifetime, can prevent or reverse physical aging if youthful levels can be restored. A few studies have noted positive changes in seniors treated with injected growth hormone (increased strength, bone mass, decreased fat storage, younger looking skin), however, it is misleading to draw conclusions from these results: the numbers of people tested were too few, the studies did not continue for long enough, and the side effects were not assessed over the long term. Moreover, it is a long way from HGH injections in a senior to natural HGH supplements in a middle aged baby boomer.

The bottom line is that the homeopathic HGH industry is a booming anti aging market, catering to the masses of baby boomers who seek to prolong their quality of life late into their senior years. Bit it is based on too little information. Let's hope that more rigorous scientific research is carried out to answer the questions about efficacy and safety of natural HGH supplements, and produce an affordable product that we can have confidence in

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. You can learn more about HGH on the AntiAging Information site.

Understanding Homeopathic Remedies For PMS Helps Women Make Better Treatment Choices

Women find a number of different recommendations for relieving the symptoms associated with PMS, including homeopathic remedies for PMS, herbal remedies, the best diet, PMS exercise plans and prescription medications. Here we look at some of these options and the theories on which they are based.

Based upon the theories of Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), traditional homeopathic remedies for PMS would involve evaluating a woman?s symptom or symptoms and finding a substance that, when given to a healthy person, would cause that same symptom or symptoms. For example, if a woman was feeling bloated; then a homeopathic healer might recommend bovista, a type of mushroom. If Hahnemann, himself came up with this remedy, he ate the mushroom, observed that it caused his hands or feet to swell and made a note of it. (He did this with hundreds of different herbs and plants.) Then, when someone came to him for treatment of a condition, he found the plant or herb that caused those symptoms when he ingested it. In a greatly diluted form, he would give it to the patient. He called this treating ?like with like?.

Chemically speaking, it has been found that homeopathic compounds are so heavily diluted that nothing of the original material remains. But, homeopaths believe that some ?essential property? of the substance remains and that the more it is diluted; the more potent is the remedy. None of this has any basis in scientific fact, but sometimes, when people believe in a treatment it can work. In a small double blind, placebo controlled study; women receiving personalized homeopathic remedies for PMS experienced significantly fewer symptoms over a period of three months.

Not many scientific studies have been conducted concerning homeopathic remedies for PMS. Homeopathy is not a scientific form of treatment. It is belief-based. Numerous studies have been conducted concerning choosing the best diet, PMS relieving foods and vitamins. Studies do not always return consistent results, but the majority of evidence indicates that the best diet, PMS-wise, is one that is high in complex carbohydrates; fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, there is evidence that soy isoflavones, which have an estrogen like effect on the body, are helpful.

Several theories have been used to develop the best diet, PMS relieving foods and vitamins. One is that eating carbohydrates increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that transmits signals between nerves in the brain and body. It is important in mood regulation, appetite and sleep cycles. In one study, women with PMS symptoms like depression and irritability were given either dietary supplementation of carbohydrates or an antidepressant. Both were found to relieve symptoms effectively.

Plant estrogens, like soy isoflavones, are sometimes suggested for inclusion in the best diet, PMS-wise, because of the theory that low levels of estrogen during the two weeks preceding menstruation cause most of the symptoms associated with PMS. This is the reason that some doctors prescribe birth control pills and other hormone containing medications for women with PMS, even though they are not approved by the FDA for this use.

Modern herbal remedies are based on treatments used by traditional healers from different cultures around the world for thousands of years. Ancient healers used ?tests? similar to those used by Hahnemann, except that they looked for herbs and plants that ?relieved? symptoms, rather than those that ?caused? symptoms. Many of the first effective medications were found in this way. Today, scientists study the chemical composition of plants, test them in laboratory settings, typically first on cell lines, then on animals and finally in clinical settings on humans for safety and effectiveness. There is really no question that traditional homeopathic remedies for PMS are safe, when used as directed. Whether or not they are effective can not be proven scientifically. As previously mentioned, there is no chemical compound to test.

Modern homeopaths have changed their view of treatment, to a certain extent. Some now recommend black cohosh for PMS relief. Black cohosh was used traditionally by Native American healers for a number of reasons. It was used to correct hormonal imbalance, was an effective diuretic and a mild sedative. It is now widely recommended by herbalists for PMS relief. However, homeopathic remedies for PMS that contain black cohosh may be heavily diluted and therefore ineffective.

The FDA has not approved any prescription medications for typical PMS, but because some medications are approved for treating a severe form of PMS, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, doctors sometimes prescribe them. Like herbal remedies, the best diet, PMS vitamins, etc. but unlike homeopathic remedies for PMS, prescription medications are based on theories relating to the cause of the syndrome. Either hormonal changes, changes in brain chemicals, the effects that hormones have on brain chemicals or hypersensitivity to any of these changes are the suspected causes. No one knows for sure.

Many people do not understand how homeopathic remedies for PMS or any other condition are supposed to work. Designing traditional homeopathic remedies for PMS is unlike designing the best diet, PMS herbal remedies or supplements. Nor is it similar to the holistic approach which would typically involve lifestyle changes, meditation and stress management techniques. Traditional homeopathy bears no resemblance to acupuncture, biofeedback or any other form of alternative or conventional medicine. This informational article was not intended to be critical of traditional homeopathic healers, nor those who believe in them. It was only written to help women searching for answers to better understand different treatment options.

If you are interested in learning more about natural remedies for PMS, please visit our website at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles related to women's health. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com

Homeopathic Schools

Seeking an alternative health education? Perhaps one of many homeopathic schools may be a unique option for you. Homeopathic schools offer training and education in homeopathy at learning institutions, and via home study or distance learning programs.

Generally, teaching the history and philosophy of homeopathy, homeopathic schools provide educational courses based on the principles of homeopathy and teach students how to evaluate and assess conditions in patients; how to use and prepare remedies; to understand guidelines of potency and client sensitivity; and how to facilitate common business management practices.

Homeopathic school curriculums may require mandatory study materials including but not limited to books on homeopathic remedies and relevant material (e.g. Materia Medica of Homeopathic Remedies, Science of Homeopathy, Dictionary of Homeopathic Terms, etc.) Additional coursework may provide training and education in various forms of homeopathy, including constitutional, classical, combination and complex. Overall, homeopathic school students are taught how to treat acute and chronic health issues (depending on laws governing the practice of medicine); how to prevent disease; and how to promote wellbeing.

Homeopathic school programs may vary in length and cost, and tuition may run between two hundred dollars ($200) and over seven thousand dollars ($7,000) depending on nature of courses.

Students who successfully graduate from a homeopathic school or homeopathic distance education program may take an exam offered by the Council for Homeopathic Certification to become certified in homeopathy.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

C. Bailey-Lloyd is the Public Relations' Director for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Homeopathic Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

What Is Homeopathic Medicine?

Homeopathy is a safe, natural form of medicine, based on the practice of treating like with like. Homeopathy is derived from the Greek words homios, meaning like or similar, and italios, meaning suffering.

Homeopathy is concerned with treating the whole person rather than the illness alone. The homeopath will consider the patient as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into account the patient's physical appearance, their likes, dislikes and their temperament. It is there fore a highly personalized form of treatment, so patients who apparently suffer from the same ill ness may be given advice for different medicines.

Homeopathy is a well established form of healing. Today many of the leading pharmaceutical companies are researching and mass-producing homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathic medicines look very much like conventional medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work is entirely different.

The medicines are not synthetic and are derived from natural sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared from vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from naturally occurring mineral substances, including metals, non-metallic substances, and mineral salts. Animal sources of homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the ink or juice provides sepia) and Honeybee.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by obtaining the remedy in its most concentrated form, and then, through a long process of dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the dilution of the remedy and is denoted by the number which follows the name of the medicine itself. The higher the number, the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy to one trillion parts dilutant).

Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred to as remedies, may come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some common remedies include: arnica montana, from the Leopard's bane plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant; calcarea, calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish ink; and the element, sulphur.

Homeopathic remedies today are produced using the same dilution principles as in Hahnemann's day. In a common dilution of 1:100, one drop of the homeopathic substance is added to 99 drops of water and/or alcohol. The mixture is then potentized by a process called "succussion" - repeated tapping on a hard surface for a specific length of time. Remedies may be diluted up to 1000 times, leaving only an infinitesimal trace of the substance. Remedies are typically diluted 10, 100, or 1,000 times, which translate into potencies that are marked with the Roman numerals X, C, and M. Homeopathic remedies range from 6X as the lowest potency to 1M or more as the highest potency.

Remedies can be taken orally in pill, powder, or drop form, rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side effects from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can experience what is called a "healing aggravation," a temporary accentuation of symptoms. This is seen as a positive sign that the remedy is working. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces the opposite effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another homeopathic remedy, or a strong substance, such as perfume, camphor, or coffee, which are known to block the effects of a remedy.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938, working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to produce and update their reference book of homeopathic medicines. Over the years, the FDA has classified homeopathic medicines as either prescription or more commonly as non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their strength. In the United Kingdom, homeopathic medicine has been part of the National Health Service (NHS) since it began in 1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS. Homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter or by prescription.

Safety of Homeopathic Medicines

Because of the very, very small doses used in homeopathic treatment, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive and have no unwanted side effects. The curative properties of the remedies are released even in extremely high dilution?and render the medicine completely safe for the treatment of both children and babies.

Always consult a practitioner before buying homeopathic remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of the reach of all children.

Where dosing instructions have been followed, no case of toxic action has ever been reported in association with homeopathic medicines.

Receiving Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathic treatment is practiced by fully qualified Health Practitioners who understand the philosophy of homeopathic medicine's well as patients' emotional and daily situations.

While some homeopathic medicines are readily available in both regular pharmacies and health stores, you MUST consult your homeopathic practitioner before attempting treatment for any serious ailment or illness.

If you are currently on medication for a serious medical or psychological condition, you should NOT stop taking your medication in order to start homeopathic treatment. Your practitioner will advise you on the best course of treatment, often working with your internist or therapist.
Rene Graeber graduated from the University of Munic in Educational and Sports Science and from the Paracelsus School of Medicine in Hamburg from Naturopathic Medicine and Homoeopathie.

Arnica Gel is homeopathic anti-inflammatory relieve irritations from trauma, arthritis

Arnica Gel New research into the efficacy of Arnica Gel for osteoarthritis of the fingers has demonstrated excellent results and has been submitted for publication. Arthritis affects over 8 million people with the fingers being the third most common area affected, after knee and hip.

This is the first study of multiple osteosrthritis of the fingers to be performed according to the latest international guidelines. It compared the effectiveness of Boiron Arnica Gel with one of the leading synthetics, ibuprofen gel. A number of secondary targets were set and again, Arnica Gel achieved the same value as ibuprofen gel. The number of painful joints decreased equally in both groups, mornign joint stiffness diminished equally in both groups, and the duration of morning joint stiffness decreased from about 10 minutes to 5 minutes in both groups.

Arnica Gel has also been clinically proven to relieve the symptoms of ostearthritis of the knee, with 76 per cent of patients willing to use the treatment again. The mulitcentre trial was published in Advances in Therapy.

Boiron Arnica Gel is made from freshly harvested, organically cultivated Arnica flower tincture. Arnica is known for its homeopatheic use for bumps and bruises but its herbal use as an anti-inflammatory was nto widely known. Now research is proving that arnica is a very effective anti-infalmmaroty when applied topically. It helps with painful inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, stiff or sore joints. For More Info

Lose Weight Fast with a Homeopathic Patch

Homeopathy, frequently confused with naturopathy, is a 200-year old system of medicine that is widely accepted and practiced in Europe (even by mainstream doctors). In North America, it is poorly understood, however, and is still on the fringe of what is deemed acceptable by mainstream medicine. The public is becoming more and more interested in Homeopathy, however, and as a result it's becoming increasingly available.

Homeopathy works on the principle of 'like cures like'. In other words, proponents of homeopathy believe that, if a substance would produce certain symptoms in a healthy person, a very small amount of that same substance can cure those symptoms in someone who is already experiencing them. For example, the poison arsenic, when taken in significant doses, can produce symptoms that include stomach cramps and vomiting. But if you already have stomach cramps and vomiting (from a virus or food poisoning, or another cause) and your symptoms are similar to those that a larger dose of arsenic would produce, then arsenicum, a homeopathic remedy made from very, very tiny doses of arsenic, will cure your symptoms.

To the uninitiated - those who aren't familiar with homeopathy - this can sound alarming. Are homeopaths really suggesting that you take arsenic as a remedy? Yes ... and no. The homeopathic doses of these remedies are so extremely tiny that, most of the time, there is no measurable amount of the physical substance left. For example, a homeopathic remedy might be made by adding a tiny part of the substance to a gallon of water, than diluting the water even more. In purely physical terms, nothing is left but water. But the substance leaves its vibrational energy behind, and that's what effects the homeopathic healing. It's virtually impossible to 'overdose' on homeopathy, therefore; these remedies are very, very safe.

The other thing that you should know about homeopathy is that the cause of the symptoms is not important. The remedy is based on the symptoms themselves. To use our previous example, it makes no difference whether stomach cramps and vomiting are caused by a virus or by food poisoning. The symptoms themselves, however, are very important indeed. A homeopath will ask you for a very detailed account of your precise symptoms. It is possible, with homeopathy, for two different people with the 'same' virus to require quite different remedies.

And homeopathy can help you lose weight. A homeopathic remedy, fucus vesiculosus, controls the appetite and allows weight loss to occur. A new form of the remedy is available as transdermal patch - that is, a patch that is applied to the skin. Like other homeopathic remedies, the dosage of this remedy is very low, but the patch allows it to enter your body on a continuous basis. Thus, your appetite is curbed and you end up losing weight, over time.

This remedy is effective whether or not you have psychological reasons behind your weight gain - except, of course, if these are so compelling that you are subconsciously determined to shortcut any weight loss effort, as some of us are. Barring that, however, all the evidence suggests that this weight loss remedy works. As with other homeopathic remedies, the reasons behind the weight gain are not important at all. The important thing is your symptoms, and if they are appropriate, this system can 'cure' them. You can, therefore, lose weight without necessarily delving into the reasons why you gained it in the first place.

Homeopathy is too controversial, as yet, to have universal acceptance in North America. In fact, it seems to defy science, as the remedies used are like 'magic', in a way - too small to have a measurable physical effect. To make matters worse, in a way, the smaller the dose, the 'stronger' it is according to the principles of homeopathy! There are thousands of people, however, who swear by this method of dealing with various symptoms - in the end, it works for the, and that's enough. Hundreds - even thousands - of people have found this to be true, and if they end up being cured, isn't that proof enough? To be sure, it may not be - scientists talk about the 'placebo effect' and such. However, you can't argue with results, and homeopathy offers them. Look for fucus vesiculosus at health food stores or natural pharmacies.Michael Bens. For more great information on weight loss, diets, nutrition, and living a great healthy life style visit Gabae Weight Loss

Oscillococcinum Homeopathic remedy for flu and Cold

Oscillococcinum Homeopathic remedy for flu and Cold

Oscillococcinum (o-sill-o-cox-see-num), Oscillo is safe, natural and easy to take. Oscillococcinum was discovered by a French physician named Joseph Roy (1891-1978). It is for temporary relief of symptoms of flu such as fever, chills, body aches and pains. The flu (influenza) is a highly infectious viral disease. Homoeopathic preparations, such as oscillococcinum or similar products, are often prescribed by homoeopaths for the prevention and treatment of the fluOscillo is used by millions of people and recommended by doctors around the world. It can be used by the whole family to help relieve the worst symptoms of the winter season.

How does Oscillococcinum work?

Oscillococcinum is thought to stimulate your body's own defenses. It works best at the onset of symptoms, when your body has more resources to react. In recent medical studies, 63% of patients treated with Oscillococcinum showed clear improvement in 48 hours. Oscillo works best when it is taken at the first sign of flu. So make sure you have some on hand to fend off your flu symptoms at their onset.

What is special about Oscillococcinum?

Oscillococcinum (Oscillo) is free from side effects and drug interactions. As a pharmaceutical company, Boiron complies with FDA regulations and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements for the manufacturing of homeopathic medicines. All products marketed in the U.S. are made according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States. Oscillococcinum (oh-sill-oh-coke-see-num) a homeopathic remedy that is a mouth full to say, but must be taken as soon as you feel the flu symptom if it is going to be effective, just one dose should do the trick.

Advantages of Oscillococcinum (Oscillo)

Oscillococcinum will not mask symptoms of an underlying serious condition. Oscillococcinum is NOT contraindicated if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, thyroid disease, kidney disorders or asthma and cannot use antihistamine or decongestant medications. Because of its safety, Oscillo is an excellent choice for children. Under the supervision of a physician, pregnant women and infants can also use Oscillo. Oscillococcinum is the #1 over the counter (OTC) flu medicine in France. Oscillococcinum is the #1 homeopathic flu medicine in the U.S.

Oscillococcinum Cautions

Do not use if the tray seal is broken. Consult your doctor before use in children under 2 years of age.

Stop use and ask a doctor if symptoms persist for more than 3 days or worsen.

Consult your doctor before using this product, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Written by Chris Oscillococcinum Homeopathic remedy for flu and Cold

For more details or any query go to: http://www.herbsmd.com/sp/xq/asp/store.OSC/qx/default.htm

Homeopathy Courses - Enlightening Natural Health Education

Find Homeopathy Courses in the United States and Canada. Homeopathy courses are excellent for students who desire to gain an education in natural and alternative medicines. Once you've chosen to pursue this academic path, you can anticipate an enlightening and revealing education in how homeopathy works and its long-standing history.

Depending in which one of several homeopathy courses students opt to enroll, one can safely assume that s/he will acquire a great deal of training in repertory, homeopathic terminology, case analyses, therapeutics, material medica, philosophy, and much more. While a number of homeopathy courses are designed for basic instruction in homeotherapeutics, other homeopathy courses are more comprehensive and will lead to certification in classical homeopathy.

Students enrolled in homeopathy courses will learn about the Laws of Similars, and how to use a patient?s own natural healing response with homeopathic remedies derived from animals, plants, chemicals and minerals. More serious candidates may elect to participate in advanced, in-depth homeopathy courses that provide both clinical experience and hands-on training. For the most part, students must have already attained a minimal of 500 classroom hours to advance to more comprehensive homeopathy courses. In advanced homeopathy courses, students will acquire additional instruction about various pathologies and homeopathic treatments thereof; they will also learn about case analyses, homeopathy remedy, dosage and potency.

In some cases, certified homeopathic practitioners may wish to take supplementary homeopathy courses as part of their continuing education to stay abreast of innovative skills and techniques that can help maintain a professional practice.

Overall, homeopathy courses teach individuals how to use common remedies to help the body heal itself. Through careful analyses, adequate prescription and dosage, future practitioners can become an essential part of the growing, alternative medicine community.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding homeopathy courses, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Homeopathy Courses, Homeopathy Education, and other Healing Arts Schools.

Homeopathy Diploma Programs available Today

Find Homeopathy Diploma Programs in the United States and Canada. Aspiring students who would like to pursue an education in homeopathy can earn a homeopathy diploma through one of several healing arts and natural health schools.

A homeopathy diploma can be earned over a course of time usually involving anywhere from two to four year programs; encompassing the philosophy and principles of homeopathy, anatomy and physiology, material medica (animal, plant, chemical and mineral substances), homeopathic repertory (symptom index), case analyses and management, homeotherapeutics, clinical pathology, nutrition and many other related subjects of study.

Students wanting to achieve a homeopathy diploma must also realize that before they can successfully attain one, that they must dedicate a reasonable amount of studies both in the classroom setting and at home. Yes, earning a homeopathy diploma means that individuals will have a fair share of homework studies to complete to fully comprehend this holistic health modality. In most cases, earning a homeopathy diploma requires a minimum of 500 classroom hours, in addition to clinical training. Depending on the state or country in which you reside, a homeopathy diploma course may parallel a homeopathy degree program.

Students who have earned their homeopathy diploma can go onto becoming homeopathic practitioners, or may desire to further education and earn a homeopathy degree or naturopathic degree to further complement skills and knowledge in this natural healing system. A fine example of how a homeopathy diploma can benefit one?s profession is clearly demonstrated in the fact that there are homeopathic courses available to professional medical providers, such as Veterinarians, MDs and nurses, who wish to integrate homeopathy as a complementary health care tool.

As with any alternative medicine school, it is always a good idea to carefully evaluate the homeopathy diploma program to determine if it?s been accredited, curriculum content, tuition costs, prerequisites, and other associated conditions prior to enrollment.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding homeopathy diploma programs, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Homeopathy Diploma(s), Homeopathy Education, and other Healing Arts Schools.

Homeopathy College- Studies in America

Find Homeopathy College programs in the United States and Canada. If you're interested in alternative medicine and would like to pursue a natural healthcare education, then enrolling in a homeopathy college might be a good choice for you.

At a homeopathy college, students will learn a broad spectrum of natural healing modalities including comprehensive coursework in the history and philosophy of homeopathy. Classes will often encompass studies in the origins of homeopathy, Law of Similars, remedies (including material medica: plant, mineral and animal substances), case receiving and analysis, pharmacy, potency and dosage guidelines, and practice management. In addition, students at a homeopathy college will engage in clinical training where they will gain a better understanding in how to effectively analyze and apply homeopathic remedies in a practical setting.

Other subject matter provided through a homeopathy college will commonly include studies in biotherapies, human anatomy and physiology, and natural health. Students who successfully graduate from a homeopathy college can work toward attaining certification and/or licensure. To become certified, graduates will have to take a certification exam that contains theoretical, practical, case submission and oral interview parts.* (According to the Council for Homeopathic Certification) Furthermore, certification exam candidates must have acquired at least 500 hours of formal training through a homeopathy college or school, in addition to being current in CPR certification, as well as college level education in anatomy and physiology. While licensure is not always necessary, some states do require practicing homeopaths to be licensed by a state board.

Professional physicians, such as MDs, Dos, and other primary health care providers may opt to enroll in a homeopathy college where they can take a homeopathy course designed for the professional practitioner in mind. These courses are generally geared toward homeopathic remedies that lessen the need for doctors to use traditional medicines and antibiotics.

Doctors of Homeopathy and homeopathic practitioners who have completed all required coursework and practical training through a homeopathy college will have gained the ability to use non-toxic, natural medicines to help support and enhance natural healing processes. Common conditions that can be helped with homeopathy include acute and chronic health problems such as eczema, digestive disorders, insomnia, allergies and many other health issues.

With the growing demand for natural health alternatives, students who opt to enroll in a homeopathy college can gain the skills and education necessary to become part of an ever-expanding field of the medical industry.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding a homeopathy college, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! ">Explore career school programs near you.

CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Homeopathy College(s), Homeopathy Education, and other Healing Arts Schools.

Homeopathy Degree- Is it Possible to Earn One?

Find Homeopathy Degree Programs in the United States and Canada. Individuals who would like to pursue a homeopathy degree can now earn a Doctor of Homeopathy (D.Hom.) and Master of Science in Natural Health (MS) in Homeopathy through select natural health colleges and universities.

The Doctor of Homeopathy degree program is course intensive and encompasses advanced-level academics and training in anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, homeopathic philosophy, varying degrees of homeopathy, homeopathic animal remedies, complementary and alternative medicine, dietary/nutrition remedies, homeopathic treatments for various health conditions, drug/herb/vitamin interactions, ethics and legal aspects.

A Master of Science in natural health, homeopathy degree program encompasses coursework in biology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, clinical ecology, iridology, varying levels of homeopathy, naturopathy, and related subject matter.

While not all alternative medicine colleges promote homeopathy degree programs, the ones that do, offer comprehensive training and education in this ancient healing art. In addition to abovementioned homeopathy degree programs, students can opt to pursue a Ph.D. homeopathy degree. In this program, serious students will learn about homeopathy, bio-energetic medicine and biophysics, Western nutrition principles, personality theories, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, homeopathic first aid and prescriptions, material medica (mineral, chemical, plant and animal derivations), homeotherapeutics, case analyses and management, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical diagnosis - among other related topics of study.

Students interested in attaining a homeopathy degree must understand that most homeopathic schools and natural health colleges often require prerequisite education, including but not limited to bachelor degrees or bachelor degree-level education from an accredited university or school. It is always wise to carefully review homeopathy degree program curriculums and course requirements prior to applying to any alternative medicine college or school. Overall, it is very possible to earn your homeopathy degree; but you must be dedicated to your professional pursuit.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding homeopathy degree programs, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction, in association with CollegeSurfing - Educational Resources for Homeopathy Degree(s), Homeopathy Education, and other Healing Arts Schools.

Blood Pressure: Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy and Acupuncture

The temptation with herbal medicines is to think that because they are natural substances they must therefore be safe. It is easy to forget that plants can do harm. Some herbal remedies may raise blood pressure or may interfere with the effect of conventional drugs. Liquorice and other herbal remedies used as diuretics promote sodium and water retention and thus raise blood pressure. Lily of the valley resembles digitalis - too high a dose can cause heart failure. Horse chestnut taken together with anticoagulant drugs may cause bleeding. As well as often unidentifiable plant alkaloids, traditional oriental herbal remedies often contain heavy metal salts, which may be very dangerous when taken over long periods.

Obviously, no reputable herbalist is going to offer you treatments which they know will do you harm, but the risks can be considerable if you consult someone who is inadequately trained or if you try to treat yourself after gleaning some basic information from a book. You should remember that the drug industry is extremely efficient at exploiting any active substances found inn plants and in synthesizing and testing them for use as drugs. As with other alternative therapies, there is little published scientific evidence proving that herbal treatments are effective. If you have borderline high blood pressure, where the need for active medication is arguable either way, some of the simpler herbal infusions (drinks made in a similar way to ordinary tea, but probably not tasting as pleasant) suggested by herbalists will probably not do you any harm (although if your doctor has prescribed blood pressure lowering agents for you, you should continue to take them). Herbs which can be used in this way include hawthorn, guilder rose, linden and yarrow.

Two other famous aspect of alternative medicine are homeopathy and acupuncture, which are both reputed to help in high blood pressure.

Homeopathy is completely safe, because the remedies are so dilute. It is based on the principle that 'like can be cured by like'. The word homeopathy comes from two Greek words that mean 'similar' and 'suffering'. The remedies contain very dilute amounts of a substance, which in larger quantities would produce similar symptoms of the illness being treated. The problem here is that no scientific explanation for what is going on. There is no specific homeopathic remedies recommended for high blood pressure - the treatments a practitioner would suggest would simply be those thought to have general strengthening effect on your constitution. Homeopathic doctors are all trained in orthodox medicine and so usually reserve their alternative treatments for minor, self-limiting, or emotional illnesses.

Acupuncture, which involves inserting needles into the skin at particular sites on the body, has been a standard form of medical treatment in China for 5000 years. In the past 20 years it has become more widely used in the United States, usually for conditions such as a painful back where orthodox medicine often fails to help. We should know fairly soon whether or not it is effective as a treatment for high blood pressure, as a properly controlled trial is currently being carried out and the results are due to be published anytime soon. In the meantime, a course of acupuncture treatments will certainly do you no harm and you may find it helpful to aid relaxation.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Blood Pressure

Homeopathy-What If The Remedy Isn't Actually The Remedy?

No area of natural medicine is more controversial than homeopathy. From it's reliance on an unseen "life force" to the extreme dilutions used in homeopathic remedies, homeopathy offers a lot of fodder for critics. Now, a study from the U.K. adds more fuel to the fire by asking one simple question. "What are the active ingredients?"

Normally, homeopathic research has focused primarily on comparing homeopathic remedies to placebos, often with impressive results. But researchers Trevor Thompson and Marjorie Weiss theorize that the very act of receiving homeopathic treatments is far more effective than the actual remedy itself. How can that be?

When you go to a mainstream physician for the first time, you're given a multi-page form to fill out. You typically sit alone in the waiting room and try to condense your entire medical history into two or three pages. When you finally get in to see the doctor, you typically spend only a few minutes face-to-face with the person who will ultimately become your primary healthcare provider.

By contrast, when you see a homeopathic doctor, you may spend more than an hour in a verbal exchange being asked questions focusing on every aspect of your life. Typically, you don't even fill out the form yourself; the homeopath takes notes throughout your discussion while you relax and just talk. Anyone who has ever "talked out" a problem understands the therapeutic value of talking about your problems. Perhaps it's the supportive environment that makes homeopathy so effective--not the strange-sounding remedy you'll be given at the end of the interview.

Does this mean that homeopathy doesn't work? Researchers aren't saying that. But they are suggesting that the "non-specific" aspects of homeopathy and the complex intervention that it offers be studied more thoroughly.

REFERENCE:

Thompson, T., Weiss, M. (2006) Homeopathy ? what are the active ingredients? An exploratory study using the UK Medical Research Council's framework for the evaluation of complex interventions Retrieved February 13, 2007 from http://http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/6/37 .

Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in "Empowerment through Education" or to take a free online natural health class see her website, http://www.LisaBarger.com