Ledum Palustre commonly known as Marsh Labrador tea, northern Labrador tea or wild rosemary, is a native of northern Europe. It is also found in British America along the Canadian lakes. Ledum has been used in northern Europe as a popular remedy against whooping cough, bilious attacks, and skin disease like leprosy and pemphigus. The whole plant is used in medicine.

In homeopathic medicine it is used for back problems, bruises, injury and trauma, joint, muscle and nerve problems. Ledum helps heal  insect bites and rodent bites, black eyes, punctured wounds such as those caused by nails, hemorrhages into the anterior chamber of eyes after surgery, contusions of eyes and lids and bruising pain.

Ledum is a homeopathic remedy for both acute and chronic gout and rheumatism. Rheumatism and gout causes throbbing pain in various joints like wrists, fingers and toes. In acute condition the joints are swollen and hot. Inflamed parts are red or pale and worse at night. In chronic condition, the joints are swollen and very painful. These painful hard nodules first occur in joints of feet (toes and ankle) and then in arm (elbow and hand joints). Rheumatism and gout begin in lower limbs and ascend.

Ledum Palustre homeopathic action also helps in skin symptoms due to injury or loss of vital heat. It also helps in acne on forehead, facial eczema, itching on feet and ankles. It is helpful in resolving intense itching of feet and ankles that gets worse from scratching and warmth of bed. Ledum Palustre also helps in long remaining discoloration after an injury.

Cinchona officinalis, or Quinine Bark, is one of the rainforest's most famous plants and most important discoveries in Amazon Rainforest. This plant is used for the production of quinine, which is an anti-fever agent. Since mid-1600s Quinine bark was used as anti-malarial drug. It was also used for fever, indigestion, diarrhea, flu, mouth and throat diseases, and hangover. There are a number of various other products which are made from this tree, and they include cinchonine, cinchonidine and quinidine.

Scientists have studied the effects of quinine and cinchonine on cardiac patients for several hundred years. They have found that these chemicals regulate heart palpitations and normalize heart functions. The compound quinitidine is a prescription medication still used by cardiologists. Legend has it that the name Cinchona came from the countess of Chinchon, the wife of a Peruvian viceroy, who was cured of a malarial type of fever by using the bark of the cinchona tree in 1638. Scientists later isolated the quinine and cinchonine, and then began producing a powdered bark remedy.

Typically, the cinchona officinalis can be harvested without destroying the tree, and once the bark is removed, it will regenerate after a few years. Scientists have not found a way to synthesize the quinitidine compound, so the natural ingredient in cinchona officinalis remains essential to homeopathic and herbal healing.

Cinchona officinalis is an effective homeopathic remedy used as a tonic for nervous exhaustion,digestive aid to stimulate digestion and appetite, for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, headaches, leg cramps, colds, flu, and indigestion, and for its astringent, bactericidal, and anesthetic actions in various other conditions to heal liver, spleen, and gallbladder problems. In addition to being a great homeopathic remedy to fight malaria, they also used it for toothpaste, mouth and throat diseases, and to fight cancer.

Less parents are getting their children vaccinated.  Some children are allergic to vaccines. Vaccinations have shown to have bad side effects for kids, cause allergies and some studies have shown a link between autism and vaccinations.    However, there is no proof that vaccinations cause autism. 

Homeopathic vaccinations should never be a substitute for regular vaccinations.  Homeopathic vaccinations have very little proof of preventing many child hood diseases such as whooping cough, small pox and others.  Initial survey with homeopathic vaccines do seem to suggest that they do offer some protection to children.

A survey was done with English homeopath Issac Golden.  Children from infancy were take medicines in a kit that contained the nosodes for whooping cough, diphtheria, measles, mumps and Haemophilus, tetanus toxin and Lathyrus sativa (for polio).  The parents were to give a dosage schedule and gave the nosodes in the potencies of 200C, 1M and 10M.  Surveys were sent to all parents of these children to see the results.  879 surveys were sent out.  2% of these children contacted the disease.  188 children were exposed to diseases.  This makes the homeopathic vaccination failure rate at about 11%.  The disease was mild in all cases and the children fought off the disease.  No adverse side effects were reported by the homeopathic vaccines.  

It appears the homeopathic vaccination offers some protection but more studies need to be done.   Medical vaccinations offer better protection.  If your child is allergic to vaccinations or has really bad side effects, homeopathic vaccinations may offer an alternative to medical vaccinations. 

Lycopodium clavatum, also known as Stag’s Horn or Wolf Paw Clubmoss is widespread in northern temperate, sub arctic and alpine environments. Lycopodium clavatum is an ancient species resembling some of the earliest plants to live on land. A powder is prepared from the spores of the Lycopodium pollen, which has many commercial uses including as an explosive for special effects in the film industry.

Lycopodium acts through the nerves of sympathetic nervous system and on the mucous membranes, liver, blood vessels to producing excessive lassitude and decrease the tone, debility to solve abdominal and urinary disturbances. This is suitable to persons with extremes of age, children and old people.

It is used in homeopathic medicine today to treat minor skin wounds or with complexion pale, old looking, thickened, wrinkled skin, acne, freckles, and brown spots. It is also used as a topical application for wounds to stop bleeding. The spores are still medicinally employed by herbalists, both internally and externally, as a dusting powder for various skin diseases such as eczema and dental caries or to prevent chafing in infants.

Lycopodium is said to be useful for all complaints of the urinary problems, dyspepsia, constipation with ineffective urging, excessive flatulency, protrusion of rectum during stool, hemorrhoids, and in reproductive organs for inflammations and hardening of the testes. It could be used to reduce kidneys stones with straining to pass water and kidney infections. It is also been used in throat affections, some cases of right-sided lung infections where resolution is delayed, rattling of mucus, and hollow cough with extreme exhaustion.

Bryonia is also known as white bryony. They are native to western Eurasia and adjacent regions, such as North Africa, the Canary Islands and South Asia. Bryonia alba, sometimes referred to generically as white bryony, is a flowered, vine-like plant that originates in England. White bryony grows throughout England and in the United States, where it was taken and cultivated as a homeopathic herb.

In the early 1900s, Bryonia alba root was prescribed in tinctures for respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and pneumonia as well as to induce vomiting, but this usage is no longer recommended. Modern homeopaths also use highly diluted and specially prepared formulations of the original herb or substance. Herbal remedies use diluted tinctures or teas from the original herb therefore Bryonia alba, are safe to use in homeopathic applications.

As a remedy in homeopathic medicine, Bryonia alba root is used as an anti-inflammatory. It is commonly used in homeopathy to treat back pain, sciatica, neck pain and other general aches and pains. In some cases, it appears to be at least as effective as, if not more effective than, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in treating inflammation and pain.

Bryonia is helpful for aches and pains, abdominal pain, acute back spasms, sciatica, colic, coughs, fevers with chills, gas, heartburn, indigestion, headaches, flu with aches and pains. sprains, and pulled ligaments. Bryonia alba is used in homeopathic remedies to treat pain that is relieved by resting or lying down, irritability, dry cough, overall weakness and certain types of headaches. pains associated with coughs and sore throat with dry hard spasmodic coughs.  Bryonia is an anti pain medication in homeopathy that can be used for a wide variety of ailments.

Thuja occidentalis also known as Eastern Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar is an evergreen tree. The endemic occurrence of this species has a north-eastern distribution in North America. It is thought to be the first tree of that region to be cultivated in the area in and around Europe.

Several reviews describe the botany, constituents and some pharmacological properties, and the use of this herbal substance in the treatment of the common cold. Thuja is rich in vitamin C, therefore Native Americans and early European explorers used it to treat scurvy, hence the name Arborvitae, "Tree of Life". The name arborvitae or "tree of life" dates from the 16th century when the French explorer Jacques Cartier learned from the Indians how to use the tree's foliage to treat scurvy.

Thuja occidentalis is widely used as an ornamental tree a.k.a. 'Emerald Green. Thuja is one of the primordial trees is also used in craft, construction as well as medicine. The leaf oil is distilled from boughs and used for perfume and medicines. The essential oil within the plant has been used for cleansers, disinfectants, hair preparations, insecticides, liniment, room sprays, and soft soaps. There are some reports that it could made a soup from the inner bark of the soft twigs. Others have used the twigs to make teas to relieve constipation and headache.

In homeopathic medicine, Thuja has been used to treat bronchial catarrh, urinary problems, bladder infection, skin problems like psoriasis, uterine cancers, menstrual period irregularities and arthritis.  Other conditions treated are skin complaints such as oily skin and weak nails, urethral and vaginal infections, headaches from stress or excitement, warts, excess sweating, tooth decay, and swollen gums.   Today, it is mainly used in homeopathy as mother tincture, ointment or dilution.  In modern medicine, thuja is used with other immune system modulating plants as evidence-based therapy for acute and chronic infections of the upper lungs and as an adjuvant to antibiotics in severe bacterial infections such as middle ear infection, sinus infections, and chest pain.

Homeopathy is a controversial system of medicine where many medicines use highly diluted substances to treat patients.  Some homeopathic dilutions and medicines are so dilute that they exceed Avagardo's number. 

Avagardo's number is a constant which says substances still have molecules to a certain point.  Any substance diluted past avagardo's number is said to contain nothing other than water.  Homeopaths believe water has a memory so medicines past Avagardo's number still retain the substance in the water. 

Many homeopathic potencies go above Avagardo's number.  Homeopathy believes that more dilute a substance, the more powerful it is.  This is counter intuitive to modern medicine. Homeopathic medicines that go above Avagardo's number are 24X or 12C.  Common remedies used by homeopaths that are below Avagardo's number is 1X,3X,6X, 6C and 12X.  These remedies are generally used when someone initially start a homeopathic treatment.  Another common homeopathic remedy for homeopathy is 30C.  This is well above Avagardo's number. 

Homeopathy was invented before Avagardo's number.  Samuel Hannahman did not really know that this number existed.  Theories existed about this number.  1926 was when the exact number was pretty much found.  If Hannahman knew about this number, would his theories have changed?

Does the lower potencies produce better results in trials?  I found no evidence of this.  I did see a lack of research on whether using lower potencies give patients a better result than higher potencies.

Homeopathy lower potencies seem scientifically possible while other higher potencies exceed Avagardo's number.  However, higher potencies seem to show as good as a result as lower potencies.  More research is needed on this topic.

Homeopaths Without Borders went on some initial missions to Haiti when the first earth quake struck.  The homeopaths were meet with open arms.  The patients were treated with homeopathy for minor ailments such as burns, cuts, bruises, allergies and other things where surgery was not required.  Many patients were treated and help with homeopathic treatment. Medical doctors in Haiti was pleased to have the homeopaths treat the less critical patients.  Medical doctors had the opportunity to help treat the critically ill.  

The situation in Haiti has improved.  Hopital Francais, a private hospital in Haiti, said they no longer need homeopaths to treat thousands of patients as they did last time. Haiti still has hundred of thousands of people living in tents so medical care for people is still necessary.  Haiti is completely dependent on foreign donations for survival.  A new team of homeopaths went to Haiti in July.  This team went to help patients with medical care needs at St. Vincent's hospital for handicapped children.  Currently children and adults are housed here. 

Homeopaths without borders is looking to train Haitians to treat themselves with homeopathy.  There is a plan to establish a homeopathic clinic in Haiti.  Homeopathy training would be available to Haiti nurses to treat conditions that homeopathy can treat. 

This mission was less critical than the previous one but just as important.  Homeopathy can help Haiti become self sustainable in health care.  There will be continued care at Saint Vincents hospital on a rotating basis as well.  Continued education on homeopathy will be happening as well at medical institutions in Haiti.

Hyperacidity is a common stomach ailment.  This is commonly confused with a belly ache.  However, they are totally different. Hyperacidity is the body putting too much stomach acid to digest food.  This excessive acid causes stomach discomfort.

There are many causes of hyperacidity including stomach ulcers, ibuprophen or other medications that affect the stomach, stomach cancer, acid reflux disease, eating too much fatty food and drinking alcohol.

Pepcid Ac is the common over the counter drug to fight hyperacidity.  Pepcid Ac stops the stomach from pumping stomach acid.  This does provide some relief.  However, it does not fix why the stomach is shooting too much acid into the stomach to begin with.

One homeopathic remedy to fight hyperacidity is Natrum Phos.  Natrum phos is commonly know as sodium phosphate.  This remedy helps with acid neutralization.  The remedy helps the stomach realize that their is too much acid.  The stomach naturally learns to stop producing the excessive acid.  This is used for upset stomach.

Carbo Veg is another remedy that is used for hyperacidity.  The remedy is commonly used for burning hyperacidity.  The stomach will feel really sensitive.  Loss clothing around the abdomen will make the person feel better.  

Nux vomica is the final remedy that we will list.  This remedy is for people that do not exercise and eat unhealthy.  Much of the hyperacidity is cased by over eating.

Try to match your symptoms to these remedies.  Take the remedy in a 6X potency.  Take 3 times a day with a dosage of 3 to 4 tablets.  

Lifestyle changes can help with hyperacidity.  Exercising regularly and eating 3 healthy meals per day really help keep hyperacidity under control.  Drinking at least 8 tall glasses of water per day also improves digestion.  Limiting alcohol and fatty foods will help.

If there are some other remedies to recommend for hyperacidity, please list them in the comments section. 

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Ruta Graveolens is also known as Common Rue and Herb-of-grace is a species of herb. Rue is a symbol of regret, sorrow and repentance.  Catholics used sprigs of it to sprinkle holy water on worshippers. Rue is an attractive bluish green shrub, and a standout in the herb garden. An attractive plant, rue is often grown in a pot on the patio. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and also as a medicinal herb.

Common Rue is native to southern Europe and northern Africa. It is apparently no longer found in the wild, but occasionally escapes from gardens and naturalizes along roadsides and waste areas in North America and Europe, especially in the Balkans.  Rue does have a culinary use, although they are bitter in large quantities. Small amounts of Rue leaves added to cream cheese, salads and egg dishes impart a pleasant musky flavor.  Rue leaves and berries are an important part of the cuisine of Ethiopia and is also used as a traditional flavoring in Greece and Mediterranean countries. The plant produces seeds that can be used for porridge. The bitter leaf can be added to eggs, cheese, fish, or mixed with damson plums and wine to produce a meat sauce.

Rue has been used as a medicinal and "antimagic" herb for centuries. It was considered a reliable defense against witches. Dogs and cats hate the smell of Rue. The dried and crushed leaves can be an effective insect repellent. The Rue leaf was the model for the suit of clubs in playing cards.

Homeopathy has been in the news lately in the UK.  Most of stories have been on the negative side.  There has been a push in the UK by certain organizations to get homeopathy removed from the national health care system.  The media has covered these stories.  These stories usually have a negative story to tell about homeopathy.

Most media outlets such as Fox News, BBC News and others post negative stories about homeopathy about 70% of the time.  15% of the stories are neutral.  15% of them are positive.   This is the generally rule.  However, not all media outlets are like this.  The Huffington post has about 70% of their articles positive for homeopathy. 15% neutral and 15% negative. 

Some of these organizations even perform their own homeopathic experiments in the case of 20/20 or partner with other organizations such as BBC who partnered with horizon to perform an experiment.

20/20 was trying an experiment in homeopathy in 2004. This was to tell if scientists could decipher the difference between water and a highly diluted homeopathic histamine.  They were trying to reproduce a successful experiment with dilute histamine that shows a reduction of basophils, a type of white blood cell that increases in numbers during allergy symptoms.  Dana Ulman was helping to supervise this experiment. UK homeopaths were helping to supervise this project.  Things for experiment were looking fine but all of sudden the homeopaths did not want the experiment to continue.  The experiment used Ammonium chloride which killed the basophils.  Producers on 20/20 knew major changes were made from the experiment that they were trying to replicate.  However, they still reported the experiment failed and homeopathy is nothing but mere water.

  BBC reported an experiment run by Horizon.  They were reproducing the same experiment as 20/20.  They asked scientists to make a comparison to see which item was homeopathic histamine and which one is just mere water.  They tested these against white blood cells.  James Randi was also involved in this experiment.  His one million dollar challenge was on the line.  Scientists could not tell which one was homeopathic and which one was just water.  This experiment was conducted correctly following proper protocol.

Why are most news in homeopathy negative?  Is the media bias?  Has there been any more reproductions of the histamine dilution experiments? 

Homeopathy has quite a bit of information that one needs to study to self treat.  Potencies, abbreviations and how homeopathy works can be confusing.  Homeopathy has been unchanged for the last 200 years.  Homeopathy has made a come back.  More people are using homeopathy than ever before.  Many people who want to try homeopathy are not sure how to get started.  We are recommended two books to help.   

Boericke Homeopathy Material Medica by William Boericke

This book gives information on most homeopathic remedies.  This gives relationships between remedies.  Does not really give too much information on prescribing but this is a great book to start with.

Complete Guide To Homeopathy by Dr. Andrew Lockie and Dr. Nicola Geddes

Very visual book with many pictures.  Describes dosages for certain type of conditions.  This book does describe potencies and how much dosage of medicine should be used.  Homeopathy constitutional types are discussed in detail.  Talks about 80 common homeopathic remedies plus this describes 112 lesser know remedies.  It also describes nutrition, supplements, special diets and herbal remedies.  It also has a great guide on consulting a homeopath. 

These books are available online at most book stores such as amazon, barnes and nobles and others.

Are there any other books that should be recommended?

3 more news articles have been added to the homeopathy links blog.

BBC: Homeopathic Vaccines Are Not to Be Trusted.

Treating like with like: Lawrence community increasingly turns to homeopathy / LJWorld.com.

Homeopathy: A Healthier Way to Treat Depression

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