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Why
should I have a broad selection of remedies at home?
Injuries and acute illnesses, by their very nature, happen
at unpredictable times when it may be difficult or impossible
to obtain what you need. It is therefore a very good idea
to have a complete range of medicines on standby. The more
remedies you have available, the easier it will be to make
the best match between the symptoms and the remedy that can
cure them. If you are going away from home remember to pack
them.
When
should I consult a qualified homoeopath?
If you have a serious or recurring condition or you have had
a number of acute illnesses recently, it is always best to
see a qualified homoeopath. Remember homoeopathy can be used
to treat anything, even problems that have no clear diagnosis,
because it treats the individual rather than the disease.
For a description of how homeopaths work, see below.
Before
you begin to prescribe:
There are two important laws that you need to follow to use
Homoeopathic medicines successfully:
THE LAW OF SIMILARS means matching the symptom
picture of an illness or injury to the symptom picture of
the medicine.
To help you do just that, this guide has two distinct sections.
Complaints you can treat are described first, followed by
a Mini Materia Medica. This describes, briefly, the symptom
picture of 36 frequently-needed remedies. Begin by looking
up the complaint you want to treat and noting which remedies
may help. Next, before prescribing, turn to the Mini Materia
Medica and see which description most closely fits the person
you are treating.
If you have given two or three doses of a particular remedy
without any reaction, it was probably the wrong choice. It
won't have done any harm, but you should try to find a remedy
that matches the over-all picture better.
THE LAW OF THE MINIMUM DOSE means using as
little of a medicine as possible to stimulate the body's own
healing mechanism.
Give one dose (in this case one small pill) and wait to see
what relief it brings. If you have a reaction to the remedy
(either an improvement or an aggravation of symptoms) do not
take any more medicine. Only repeat the dose if the symptoms
stop improving before a full recovery is reached or if the
same symptoms return (i.e. the case relapses). If the symptoms
change significantly select a new remedy to fit the new picture.
If in any doubt, wait. Giving the body more medicine than
it needs will not improve or speed up the action of the medicine,
if anything it may stop the medicine from being effective.
By using these two laws homoeopathy provides a completely
individual prescription and dosage that treats each person's
"dis-ease" as unique to them.
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
ANTIDOTING
Certain substances are known to antidote certain homoeopathic
medicines in some people. It is therefore advisable to avoid
these substances if possible: Coffee (including decaffeinated),
mint (notably in toothpaste), camphor, menthol, eucalyptus
(often found in vapour rubs and cold remedies). Keep remedies
in a cool dark place away from strong smells (and small children).
TAKING
THE MEDICINES
Homoeopathic medicines are delicate and need careful handling.Touch
them as little as possible. Shake one pill into the lid of
the bottle and put it onto the palm of the person taking the
medicine.
They should put it straight into their mouth allowing it to
dissolve under the tongue. If possible the dose should be
taken fifteen minutes before or after having anything to eat
or drink, cleaning your teeth or smoking. Obviously this does
not apply in an emergency where it should be taken as soon
as possible. You can crush and dissolve remedies in water
and sip them, but do not swallow the pill down with water,
tea or coffee. Before repeating the dose, please consider
the Law of the Minimum Dose carefully.
If symptoms show no improvement or return persistently always
consult a qualified homoeopath. Homoeopaths have more than
1,000 remedies at their disposal and can treat the underlying
weakness in the individual's constitution.
If you already see a homoeopath regularly, please discuss
self-prescribing with them.
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