Homeopathic Medicine Essay, Research Paper

Holistic Body Healing Through Homeopathy

Eeeww… you just threw up on me! my friend yelled, as my vomit

splattered to the ground. Gross, look at that! Ha, ha, ha! yelled a boy, as the

whole school looked at me and laughed. It was my first day of intermediate school

and I had a cold the night before. That morning before school started, I took some

antibiotics so I would fell better and have a fun day at school. To my surprise, the

medicine did not make me feel better. In fact, it made me feel even worse. Out of

shame from throwing up in front of the whole school, I told my friend sorry for

getting vomit on her and I ran to the health room to call my dad to pick me up.

When my dad came to pick me up, I asked him, Why did the medicine make me

throw up? I thought it was supposed to make me better.

These medications will most of the time make you better, but most of them

have many side effects too.

Like what kinds of side effects?

Well… the one you just took is said to have side effects like nausea,

vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. Some other medications have even more

serious side effects though.

So why do we have to take them?

It is actually better not to take too much of these kinds of medications.

Vitamins and natural medications are better.

What kinds of natural medicines?

Homeopathy is a good alternative medicine.

What s homeopathy?

We can read about it later.

After being in such shame at school, I never wanted something like that to

happen again. I was scared to take a lot of medications after this experience. I still

wanted to know what homeopathy was though. Since I was too busy with school

and swimming, I didn t have time to do any research on homeopathy. After that

year, homeopathy kind of slipped my mind, and I forgot about reading about it.

About seven years later, I had another similar experience with another

medicine that I took as a pain killer. The only difference with this experience was

that I was at home when I threw up. I still did not like the feeling, so I decided to

go to the library an borrow some books on homeopathy. I have had a great love for

medicines that heal my woes, and I learned that many other people feel the same.

There is a great romance occurring across the United States. It is not the

typical kind of love story one would expect; rather, it is one that most of us have

with our physicians and medicine in general. America, by in large, holds the

distinction of having the best medical practitioners who offer premier medical health

services, also known as allopathy, to their patients. Allopathy is a type of traditional

form of medicine. Although opinions about this varies from individual to individual,

and the quality of care also fluctuates from excellent to poor, medical treatment in

the United States, on the whole, is looked up to by the rest of the worlds as the best

in the world. This is reinforced by the variety of specialized health services

available as well as the rising costs of health care. Where does this romanticism

stem from? Robin Cook M.D., in his book The Year of the Intern, states that the

American public s adoration of the medical world lies deep within their psyche

(Cook 1). Furthermore, we demonstrate this notion by the hours people spend in

front of the television watching the diagnostic and therapeutic triumphs of

physicians (Cook 1). We have non-fictional programs such as Life in the ER, as

well as fictional programs such as Chicago Hope.

In either category, physicians are portrayed as omnipotent, knowledge-filled,

dedicated individuals; thus, reinforcing the God-like status the public has elevated

doctors to. Also, we live in a fast paced world and people seem to not have time to

be sick. We look for immediate and lifetime fixes to our ailments and woes,

anything that will provide instant relief. Thus, today s society is one that is very

dependent on the use of drugs and medicine.

Homeopathy is an alternative, natural form of medicine that could be taking

the place of allopathy. This natural form of medicine individualizes medicines

according to the totality of the person s symptoms thus, allowing whole body

healing. Although homeopathy is widely recognized to be safe (Ullman 3),

limitations and risks must be known for it to remain a safe medicine.

In Cummings and Ullman s book, Everybody s Guide to Homeopathic

Medicine, the noted that in the late 1700s, German physician, Samuel Hahnemann,

developed homeopathy – meaning similar suffering. While translating work by

William Cullen, a leading physiologist, Hahnemann was in shock that the author

claimed that Peruvian bark was dangerous. Because it contains quinine, which was

effective on malaria, Hahnemann could not believe that it was true. He then decided

to test the physiological effects of Peruvian bark by taking small doses himself. His

body eventually reacted to the drug, and he began to develop symptoms very similar

to those of malaria (8-10). As noted in Dana Ullman s book, Discovering

Homeopathy, Hahnemann concluded that the reason that the herb was beneficial

was because it caused symptoms similar to those of the disease it was treating.

After this conclusion, Hahnemann experiments on himself, his family, and small

group of followers (34).

The law of similars, also known as like cures like (Castro 4), is the basic

principle used throughout the world by people in and out of health care. This law

states that the agents causing symptoms in a healthy person may also cure the cause

of those symptoms in an unhealthy person (Cummings 8). Some of the concepts of

like cures like is used in allopathic medicine too. Radiation for example, is a

cancer treatment, but it can also cause cancer (Cummings 9). Also, immunizations

are based on the principles of similars. The law of similars is also a basic principle

of physics (Ullman 7). The fact that opposite poles attract, and similar pole repel

for magnets, is an example if how physics uses the law of similars. Another

example is when a magnet is weakened. You can recharge it by placing similar

poles next to each other and eventually, the magnet will recharge and will again

repel itself from the other. As in homeopathy, like recharges/regenerates/heals

like (Ullman 7). In the 4th century B.C., Hippocrates were known to have said:

Through the like, disease is produced, and through the application of the like it is

cured (Ullman 7).

Homeopathy is a natural form of medication made from a plant s roots, stems,

leaves, and seeds, as well as from minerals and some animal products (Stehlin 22).

In Dana Ullman s book, Discovering Homeopathy, he states that homeopaths

believe less is more, so minimal dosage is very important. The plant products are

crushed and mashed, and the juices are filtered and preserved in alcohol. This

mixture is potenized until it is one hundredth the strength of original plant juices.

The mixture is then potenized again, but with only one part of this, and 99 parts of

water or ethyl alcohol. The most common strengths of homeopathy are 3, 6, 9, 12,

30, 200, 1,000, 10,000, 50,000 or 100,000. The homeopathics are labeled to the

amount of strength they have. When it is labeled c, it is meant that the medicine

was diluted 1:99. When a medicine has the label x or D, it was diluted only 1:9.

When labeled LM, the medicine has been diluted 1:50,000 (11-13)

Homeopaths have observed that the more the medicine has been diluted, the

longer it acts, the deeper it heals, and fewer doses are actually needed (Ullman 12).

Unlike allopathic medicines, homeopathy is very safe because of the small doses

and the fact that there are no side effects (Ullman 3). The natural ingredients are

also a major factor in the safety of these medications. Because these substances are

diluted so much, all of the side effects have disappeared (Facklam 53).

Homeopathy allows whole body healing by working with, instead of against

the body s healing process. As stated online, Dana Ullman notes that these

homeopathic medications activate a sick person s natural defenses to heal itself.

They act as catalysts to the person s defenses to speed up the healing process.

Homeopaths believe that symptoms are signs of the body s defenses trying to get rid

of the disease. These doctors treat the person as a whole, instead of just the

symptoms by strengthening the body s own power to heal.

When homeopaths see symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or coughing, they

observe that these symptoms are just responses signaling that something else is

wrong and needs to be taken care of (Ullman4). In Stephen Cummings and Dana

Ullman s book, Everybody s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines, they state that

Hahnemann strongly criticized allopathic medical treatments to only suppress

symptoms, thus only temporary and often times, even harmful because the

symptoms reoccurred, or sometimes, more threatening symptoms occurred (10).

Matthew Kluger and a team at the University of Michigan Medical School,

for example, showed that the body fights infections by creating a fever. The fever

helps to increase the activity of the white blood cells to fight against the disease. It

also initiates the production of an interferon, an antiviral substance, that is produces

by the body to also fight against the viruses. Another example of how the body

responds is having diarrhea and coughing. Diarrhea allows the dumping of

pathogens from the colon, and coughing clears the breathing passages (Ullman 5).

Homeopathic medicine also strengthens the person s overall immune system.

It improves health by stimulating the body s immune system to treat ill people, and

also calms others if it is necessary for this to be achieved. When a person s whole

immune system is strengthened, the less the chance of reoccurrence (Ullman online).

Online, Homeopathic Educational Services , Dana Ullman states

homeopathy tends to have long term benefits on people. Allopathic medical

treatments today tends to focus mainly on the former goal of treating symptoms,

while homeopaths primarily focus to help the ladder part of a person s own inherent

defense mechanisms. Although the allopathic form of direct treatment of symptoms

has immediate effects, its benefits are short term, and its side effects become long

term. Because allopathic types of treatment don t usually strengthen a persons own

defenses, a recurrence of health problems may occur. In contrast, homeopathy

strengthens a person s immune and defense system and this leads to long term

benefits, with even a prevention of recurrence.

Homeopathic medicine also helps internal healing as a whole. The entire

system works toward healing. These homeopathic medications help to repair organs

by stimulation of them and supporting systems. As a person is cured, symptoms

move from the innermost organs of the body to the outermost ones. When the

homeopathic medications are taken, the person is healed internally, as well as

externally. Each system uses the homeopathic medication to help repair themselves

at a quicker pace (Ullman 16-17).

In Dana Ullman s book, Discovering Homeopathy, he explains that the

healing progresses in different ways. He also states that Constantine Hering, M.D.

(1800-1880) was one of the first observers who noted different ways in which

healing progresses. He observed that the human body tries to externalize the

disease from serious, internal levels, to more superficial, external levels. An

example of this is when a rash occurs on a person with asthma as part of the

curative process , the process in which the body tries to externalize the disease

(17). Also, someone with a headache might have a day or two of fever and

sweating which should cure him/her. Allopathic doctors treat symptoms instead of

the true illness as homeopathic doctors do. For example, an allopathic doctor would

treat a person s skin rash with cortisone, but could possibly be reactivating the

person s asthma. Hering s second observation was that healing progresses from the

top of the body to the bottom (17). His third observation was that healing proceeds

in reverse order of appearance of the symptoms (17). The most recent symptoms

would be the first to be healed, but yet, could reoccur for a short period of time.

As stated in the book Discovering Homeopathy, Dana Ullman states that

homeopathic medicine is individualized according to the totality of a person s

symptoms. Human beings are assumed to live on three levels of experience. These

three levels are physical, emotional, and mental. Certain symptoms in each category

represent more serious stresses to a person s defense system. The mental category

is regarded as the deepest core of the health of a person. An example of a

symptom in the mental category is that a slightly poor memory could be the

symptoms of a state of mental confusion, or even a schizophrenic state (Ullman 16).

The emotional category is of secondary importance. An example of symptoms from

this category could be that a fear of death could actually mean that the person has a

more serious condition (Ullman 16). Lastly, there is the physical category. A

person with skin rash as their symptom could mean that he or she may have a heart

disease rather than hepatitis (Ullman 16).

When homeopaths give medicine to a person, it is individualized specifically

for them. Many people think that every person who has a headache, for example,

will need to take the same medications. But homeopaths believe that every person

has a different type of headache and needs an individualized medicine to heal it.

This way of thinking is what makes homeopathic medicine work so well. If a

person had a one-sided headache for example, he or she would take argentum

nitricum, a type of homeopathic medicine that should cure the person. If another

person had an occipital headache, a headache behind the head, he or she would take

gelsemium. Gelsemium is also a homeopathic medication, but it is individualized

specifically for an occipital headache. These are just examples of how each

medication is individualized for certain symptoms (Cummings 153).

Dana Ullman states that homeopathy is appropriate for almost everyone, but

knowing the limitations and risks is necessary. This form of medicine is good for

most reversible illnesses that are either chronic or acute, but not so good for

emergencies requiring modern technical medicine (25). Homeopathy does not set

bones, repair hernias, or remove burst appendixes, but it is a good complementary

treatment for these ailments (25).

The most dangerous of homeopathic medicine is that it could delay the use of

other potentially effective medical treatments. But since most homeopaths are

medical doctors or medical professionals, they normally know when allopathic

medical care is needed, or when referral to a specialist should be given.

Homeopaths are not against surgery, and in fact, are for it if the person is really in

need of it. Homeopathy is not effective for all diseased states such as when surgery

is required, immediate relief is needed, simple nutritional or life style changes are

required, and those who just don t improve when taking homeopathic medicine for

unknown reasons. Some symptoms are life-threatening, and call for immediate

treatments. Certain cases like meningitis requires immediate antibiotic treatment to

avoid possible brain damage or even death (Ullman 25).

Homeopathic medicine does not work as quickly as allopathic medicine

because of many factors. The dosages are so small that it will take a while for the

medicine to react correctly. Also, because this type of medicine causes long term,

not short term effects, the body takes a while to heal. Because these medicines help

with the healing of the whole body, and not just parts, the response period may be a

little delayed compared to allopathic medicine.

People require strict individualization which can be hard to find, but this will

allow the person to obtain the best results. The right medicine may sometimes take

a while to find. Because of this strict individualization of medication, homeopathic

medicines cannot always be counted on to do the job.

Another potential danger of homeopathic medicines occurs with excess

dosage. This process where symptoms could reoccur is called a proving (Ullman

27-28). It is not a major danger, but just a caution because it will end shortly after

the person stops taking the medicine. Sometimes, this proving is ended by taking

the same medicine in a more diluted form and some provings are stopped by taking

the antidote to the symptom of the medicine being proven.

Allopathy is the traditional form of medicine that has its advantages. This

type of allopathic treatment is appropriate for many life-threatening symptoms. For

acute and chronic problems, such as, an infection or broken bones, allopathic

treatments are of much value. Allopathic medications kill bacteria rapidly (Berkow

1831-1844).

There are many people who question the value of homeopathic medicine.

Dr.Guy Sugino is a family practitioner and does not believe that homeopathic

medicine works. Sugino states why he believes allopathy is better than

homeopathy:

The homeopathic medicines are diluted so much that it is just like you

are taking only water. It doesn t work. Allopathic medicine gives

rapid relief and the symptoms seem to deviate quickly. It also kills the

bacteria right then and there.

Despite some doctors criticism about homeopathy, Dr. Alan Hartwell

indicates that homeopathy is a alternative medical approach that will lead a person

to obtain excellent results if using the right remedy, also known as medication:

Homeopathic medicine is good if you use the right remedy. It is not

too easy to find it though. It is really safe. Both allopathic and

homeopathic medicines are needed at different times. I feel that

homeopathic medicine should be used first, and if it doesn t work, then

allopathic medicine should be used. But allopathic medication should

not be used if it is not needed.

He also described a few examples of patients he has treated and results that

indicates homeopathy really works. According to Hartwell, a little six-year-old girl

experienced hives all over her body. Her parents took her to an allopathic doctor

and the doctor gave her medication for allergies. The medication did not work, so

her parents took her to Hartwell. The doctor found out that she had an emotional

problem so he gave her some homeopathic medication to cure her. Within one hour,

all of her hives had disappeared.

In another example, Hartwell reported a patient who was treated for a

parasite in his body:

A man had an itch from a parasite for three years. He went to an

allopathic doctor and was given some medication. The medication

didn t work, and he came to me for help. I gave him a homeopathic

remedy called sulfur, and it all went away within a day. It never came

back ever since.

There is a place for both allopathy and homeopathy in the world. Both of

these forms of medicines are of use at different times. Appropriate choices must be

made when choosing which treatments are best for each person. Each individual

has different lifestyles and beliefs. Some people believe that allopathic medication

is the only source of relief, while others believe that homeopathy is the only type of

treatment to be used.

Medicine is used very often and is very expensive. Allopathic medical

treatments are covered by insurance companies, but homeopathic treatments are not.

Thus, many people may feel that the cost of homeopathy is too expensive. Another

reason that homeopathy is so expensive is because the right remedy is needed for

positive results to occur. Because it is not certain that the right medicine will be the

first one you buy, many could be used before finding the right one. Even though

allopathic medicine is also expensive, insurance pays for most of the costs.

Methods used by allopathic doctors should sometimes be avoided, especially

when they deal with suppressing, controlling, or managing symptoms because these

therapies do not allow the body to defend and heal itself. These types of treatments

also have many side effects that are often worse than the problem itself.

Homeopathic medicines, on the other hand, are prescribed to help the body s

immune and defense systems heal themselves. This form of healing respects the

body s wisdom to heal itself. These medicines are not antibacterial or antiviral, but

strengthen the person s immune system for these types of infections (Ullman

Online). Homeopathic medicines strengthen the individual so that he or she is more

capable of defending his or herself, without producing the side effects commonly

experienced when taking antibiotics. This form of alternative medicine helps a

person return to homeostasis when it is needed.

Because many allopathic doctors induce diseases from the medicines they

use, homeopathy seems to be the best alternative form of medicine. Although

homeopathy has no side effects and usually has many effective results, there are

certain precautions that must be taken. If patients lack a thorough understanding of

homeopathy, they will be taking many risks and death could occur. This would be

something that could occur when the person does not know when other potentially

effective medical treatment is needed. Homeopathy may help, but under certain

conditions, allopathic treatment may be needed. Thus, it is important to know that

allopathic treatment may be needed when emergencies are involved. Homeopathy

could sometimes be the difference between whether or not a person will live or die.

It could also prevent people from dying from some doctor-induced disease, where

a person could contract a more serious illness than the original one.

Though my childhood experience was a very embarrasing moment for me, I

also profited from it. If I never experienced the side effects of an allopathic

medication, I probably would not have had the pleasure of learning about

homeopathy. I also might have contracted an even more serious side effect later in

my life if I didn t learn about allopathic medicines. I have learned that there is a

place for both allopathic and homeopathic medicines in a person s life. Both of

these types of medications do not cure all, so people just need to now which type of

medicine is needed at each specific time.

Works Cited

Berkow, Robert, M.D. The Mercks Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Rahway,

N.J.: Merck & Co., Inc., 1977.

Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook: a guide to everyday health

care. New York: St. Martin s Press, 1990.

Cook, Robin, M.D. The Year of the Intern. New York: Penguin Books Ltd., 1972.

Cummings, Stephen and Ullman, Dana. Everybody s Guide to Homeopathic

Medicine. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., 1984.

Facklam, Howard. Alternative Medicine: cures or myths?. New York:

Twenty-First Century Books, 1996.

Gibson, D.M. First Aid Homeopathy: in accidents and ailments. New York: The

British Homeopathic Association – Tenth Edition, 1983.

Hartwell, Alan Dr. Personal interview. 14 May 1999.

Olsen, Kristin Gottschalk The Encyclopedia of Alternative Health Care. New

York: Pocket Books 1989.

Stehlin, Isadora. What s Behind Homeopathic Care? . Consumers Research.

Jan. 1997: 22-24.

Sugino, Guy Dr. Personal interview. 6 May 1999.

Ullman, Dana. Discovering Homeopathy: medicine for the 21st century. New

York: North Atlantic Books 1991.

—. Homeopathic Educational Services

Online. Internet.12 May 1999.

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