People with cancer often have to go through radition therapy that has extremely painful side effects.  Oral mucositis is a terrible side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer patients. The severe inflammation of the mouth can make further cancer treatments difficult. 

   Traumeel S is a combination homeopathic medicine which supposedly can reduce the severity of the inflammation of the mouth from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  Traumeel S is a liquid antiflamatory homeopathic drug that has been used in a couple homeopathic trials.

  The first trial test Traumeel S had 32 participants.  The trial compared the Traumeel S to a placebo. Patients with mucositis were given Traumeel S mouthwash and other were given a placebo mouthwash.  The patients using Traumeel S had far less inflammation and better quality of life compared to the placebo group.  Researchers concluded that Traumeel S demonstrated a superior ability to reduce side effects of mucositis compared to a placebo.  Researchers reported no side effects with these drugs.

  Due to the success of this first initial trial with Traumeel S, another larger trial was performed.  This trial include 189 participants.  All participants were children who were given radiation therapy.  The trial gave some children a placebo based mouthwash and the Traumeel S mouthwash were given to the other children after radiation therapy.  Traumeel S proved to be no better than a placebo in treating in treating mucositis. Traumeel S showed no side effects on the patients.

  Traumeel S showed some promise in reducing inflammation after radiation therapy in a small trial.  However, a larger Traumeel S trial proved to be no better than a placebo in treating inflammation. 

  More Traumeel S trials are being done so we will report those results as soon as we have them.  Trials are being done to see if homeopathy can possibly reduce some side effects of cancer. 

References

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota,. 2009 Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with 189 children.

    There is a general misconception about the H1N1 swine flu.  The misconception is that the swine flu kills people with a strong immune system.  This is totally false. People with a strong immune system are at a much lower risk than people with weak immune systems.  Homeopathic remedies help to trigger the body's own immune system to help fight of ailments such as swine flu quicker than if they had not taken anything at all. 

  Homeopathic remedies unlike allopathic medicine are individualized for most ailments.  Fortunately, colds and flus do not need to be individualized as much as compared to other illness and ailments. 

  Homeopathy was proved to be very effective in dealing with the last swine flu outbreak in 1918.  The homeopathy group had the lowest death rate during this outbreak. The following remedies were effective during the last swine flu outbreak.

  Gelsemium was the most commonly used homeopathic remedy during the last outbreak.  This remedy is to combat feeling chills from the swine flu.  The remedy also combats aches and pains associated with the swine flu.  The remedy should help the body recover quicker from the body aches and chills.  The person will feel really tired and may lay in their bed all day.  They may also experience head aches,a painful dry cough and sneezing with mucus discharge.  The person also has a lack of thirst.

  Aconite was used for milder and more acute flu symptoms.  The person may not necessarily experience the full burnt of the flu. They may experience some sneezing and a runny nose.  The flu seems to come on all of a sudden.  Children would be the best for this type of H1N1 remedy since they typically have milder symptoms of the H1N1.

  Baptisa is used when the flu is causing gastrointestinal problems.  This may be things such as diarrhoea stools and constant stomach aches.  Symptoms of the flu are still present but the gastrointestinal problems are creating the most issues.

   It is recommended to keep some Gelsemium handy during this swine flu season even if you get a vaccine.  The swine flu vaccine does not guarantee saftey.  Also, currently there is a huge shortage of swine flu vaccine so it is very unlikely that everyone will be able to obtain a swine flu vaccination.  Try the remedies to start in a 6X potency.  Take 3 to 5 pills three times a day.  You can take more medicine if you feel the flu is coming on strong.

  The US Federal Drug Administration is targeting drugs that are unproven to fight the swine flu.  The FDA has launched a campaign to target companies that claim they can treat the swine flu.  The FDA is looking for medicines that fraudulently claim that they can treat or prevent the swine flu.  Homeopathy medicines have become a target.  Critics claim that homeopathy claims to fight the swine flu are unproven. 

  Many consumers are choosing alternatives such as homeopathy instead of going to get the swine flu vaccine.  There is much debate if the swine flu vaccine is necessary or even if it works.  The public still seems not to trust the swine flu vaccine for some reason.  Dealing with the swine flu, no one really knows what medicines will work.  Standardized trials with swine flu patients has never been done.  

  Some of the public distrust comes from the 1974 vaccinations.  A few of the swine flu vaccinations lead to death.  40 million were vaccinated and 400 people had died from the vaccination.  This is an extremely small number.  However, less people died from the swine flu that year than the swine flu vaccination.  Vaccines are not really made to much differently than in the 1970s.  Vaccine companies say this only happened one year out of the last 39 years.  Medical scientists are still not sure what went wrong that year. 

  Deaths from the swine flu so far are approximately 1000+.  The common flu definitely is far larger killer than the swine flu.  The FDA also seems to think that the swine flu vaccine will be effective because medical doctors and people producing the vaccines said that it will.  No doctor can be 100% sure that the vaccine will work against the swine flu because of the virus mutations.  If the  vaccine is a close match to strain of H1N1 coming out this upcoming season, the vaccine will protect you from the strain.

  The FDA fears that homeopathy may hijack vaccination attempts by people.  The FDA has warned homeopathic manufacturers to remove any literature that shows these medicines can treat the H1N1 virus or prevent the virus.  Many homeopathic companies have changed their labeling to comply with FDA regulations. 

The government may mess up the vaccination themselves.  They are not producing nearly enough H1N1 vaccine.  They are way behind schedule on the vaccinations.  People have been waiting in long lines to get the vaccination only to find out that there is no vaccine available.  A distribution plan is being made with the states but there are currently not enough vaccines to come on to the market.

  Most people will be able to fight the H1N1 virus without any medicine at all.  H1N1 does not kill more healthy people than any other type of flu bug.  This is a misconception.  Getting the H1N1 vaccine will not harm you.  If you are a high risk category such as people with weak immune systems, getting the H1N1 vaccine is highly recommended.     

  Homeopathy may help to fight off the swine flu virus.  The medicine was successful in past outbreaks and has always been successful in fighting the seasonal flu.  However, homeopathy has never been proven to  prevent H1N1 or the season flu.  The FDA has stepped in to make sure medicines do not make any claims about preventing or treating the flu.

1)  Avoid panicing during the flu season.  Stress suppresses your ability to fight infections. You can literally worry yourself sick instead of finding a way to constructively process these very real feelings.

2)  Limit your sugar intake.  As tempting as it may be, try to avoid reaching for starchy and sugary snacks to soothe negative feelings. Studies indicate that consuming large amounts of carbohydrates and sugar can drastically lower the activity of neutrophils. Neutrophils account for about 50-70% of white blood cells and are the first responders when an infection is detected by the body. The effects of these unhealthy carbohydrates can last for over 5 hours.

3)  Get enough sleep.  When in the midst of an illness the body often demands more sleep, simply because sleep helps strengthen the body's defenses. The same is true when trying to stay well. The key is to get adequate sleep (usually between 7-9 hours) in a completely dark environment. Darkness is necessary in order for the brain to produce adequate/optimal levels of melatonin, which may be responsible for some of the immune-boosting effects of sleep.

4)  Let the Sunshine In.  There is a growing body of evidence that vitamin D is imperative for optimal immune function. You can prime your body's immune system by getting regular sun exposure. The key is to spend time in the sun during the morning and evening hours so as not to get sunburn. I recommend 15 minutes or more of "smart sun exposure" several times a week.  Consider supplementing with Vitamin D3 (Liqui-D3) so you can be assured a consistent and adequate supply of vitamin D, especially as we head into the winter months!

5)  Get powerful protection from food!  Fruits & vegetables will give you the best protection when it comes to supporting your immune health.  They are rich in anti-oxidants, bioflavonoids, and phytonutrients that will powerfully support your body's health.  

6)  Immune Protection - natural anti-viral support can be taken daily for prevention.  Super Bio-vegetarian has been the most effective product I have found.  Take 2 tablets daily, or more if exposed to others who may potentially be sick.  Eating berries such as Strawberries, Blueberries and other also offer natural anti viral support. 

7)  Probiotics are essential not only to your digestive health, but also for your immune system as most of your immune system is in your gut.  HMF Forte is recommended daily to maintain normal healthy gut flora.  If you choose not to take probiotics, plain yogurt is a great substitute.  It contains the probiotics that you need to maintain a healthy gut.

8)  Drink plenty of water.  Water helps hydrate your body and clean any impurities in your body.  This makes your body more able to fight off the flu. If you do catch the flu, intaking plenty of water will help you get better faster.  Using water filters like Brita help remove the chlorine taste from the water which makes water consumption easier.

9)  Have everyone in your house hold wash their hands with soap and water especially after they sneeze.  Washing your hands help kill germs and prevents the flu from spreading.  Alcohol based hand cleaners can also be used instead of soap and water.

10)  Avoid touching your mouth, nose or any other part of your face.  Germs really can not do any damage on your skin.  Germs spread once they are inside your body.  Germs get inside your body through your mouth typically.  

11)  Get plenty of exercise.  In the winter, our immune systems can weaken if we are less active.  Exercise outside if the weather is amicable. Go to the gym and do a moderate workout.

12)  Avoid close contact to those who are sick.  If you are the one that is sick, stay home and rest.  Most people recover from the flu without the need for any medicine at all.  Going to work or having sick co-workers come to work threaten to make the whole office sick. 

   These tips were providing by Carolinas Natural Health Center and Hmedicine.com Inc.  

  Vote for your favorite link on our homeopathy links blog.

Conventional Scientists Conclude Homeopathy Really Works to Ease Cancer Treatment Symptoms — Scientists analyze homeopathy trials on helping reduce the side effects of cancer. The scientists found evidence that many remedies do help with chemotherapy side effects.

Reliance on homeopathy poses a threat | The Australian — The article describes that over reliance on homeopathy can put children at a possible risk of death.

Homeopathy Remedies Shown to Be Effective for Moderate to Severe Depression « Official Homeopathy Resource

Studies show that homeopathy is as effective as Prozac in treating people with depression

Nobel Prize-Winning Virologist's New Research Gives Significant Support to Homeopathic Pharmacology - New research helps show how homeopathy may work.

  Homeopathy is seen by many to be very effective in fighting the colds, coughs and flu.  Homeopathy offers a wide range of remedies to help fight flu like conditions.  These remedies have no side effects and help many people get rid of flu like symptoms quicker than just normally fighting off the flu.

   The remedies used to fight the common cold include Ferrum Phos, Nux Vomica, Natrum Muriaticum and Pulsatilla.  Ferrum Phos are used to combat colds that come on slowly.  Mild fever may occur as well a sore throat.  Nux Vomica is used to fight colds that results in chills, runny nose and blocked nose.  Sneezing, watery eyes and sore throat also may occur.  Natrium Muriaticum is used to fight colds with constant sneezing and thin discharge of mucus.   Pulsatilla is used for colds that cause an headache abover the eyes.  Can not smell anything because the nose is so stuffed up.  This cold causes the person not to want to drink liquid .

  Three remedies to deal with coughs are Aconite, Bryonia and Pulsatilla.  Aconite is used to treat coughs that are dry.   These type of cough comes very quickly. This cough causes extreme thirst.  The person with this cough is usually very sensitive to smoke.  Bryonia is used to treat coughs that cause chest pain. These coughs are accompanied by headaches and fever.  The cough generally feels better by drinking something warm like hot tea.  Pulsatilla is used to treat cough that causes mucus to be coughed up.  This type of cough causes a poor appetite and lack of thirst.  Tongue may have a white coating.

  The homeopathic remedies to treat the flu are aconite, belladonna, Gelsemium and Bryonia.  Aconite is used to treat the flu that causes restlessness.  This type of flu may cause a high fever quickly and sore throat.  Fresh air usually makes the person with this type of flu feel better.  Belladonna is used to treat flu with a high fever.  The fever comes on suddenly.  Face is flushed with a sore throat.  The person may have loss of balance and possible confusion.  Gelsemium are used to treat flus that cause chills and weakness.  This flu causes chills all over the body.  Little thirst even though there is a fever.  The person will experience a splitting headache along with fatigue.  Byronia is used to treat the flu with a severe throbbing headache.  This flu causes an extremely painful headache which is worsen by coughing.  This flu causes extreme dehydration.  Sleep and rest definitely help make this type of flu better.   Another remedy to try to fight the flu is Anas Barbariae.  This remedy is for general use of the flu.  If you do not feel like symptom matching your flu, this remedy is the way to go.  This remedy is mass produced by Boiron.  Boiron calls the remedy oscillococcinum.

  You can see that there are a wide range of homeopathic remedies to fight the cold, cough and flu.  Find the remedies that match closest to the symptoms that you are experencing.  Start the remedies in a 6X dosage and drink plenty of water to help fight these ailments.

 References

Complete Guide To Homeopathy

Dr. Lockie and Dr. Geddes.

  Homeopathy is under attack once again by the Voice Of Young Science.  This is a charity group in the UK that says that homeopathy should not be used in Africa to help people with life threatening diseases in Africa.

  The group says all their data is research and trial based.  They say there are no such trials that exist that say homeopathy can treat life threatening diseases. However, recent trials suggest that homeopathy medicine was as effective as conventional medicine in treating malaria.  These trials are small and larger trials are needed.  Trials certainly seem to be on homeopathy side for malaria. 

  This group has many scientific donors as well as pharmacetical companies.   They tout evidence base medicine as the really only effective medicines for treatment.  This group does not realize that many conventional medicines on the market today would not pass placebo based testing.  

  The group issued a letter to the press media that the WTO officially condemns homeopathy and says that it has no merit in the world of medicine.  They say the WTO condemns homeopathy for treating malaria, tuberculousis, diarrhea and other diseases in developing countries in Africa.  BBC picked up this press release and send it out to the world.  WTO did not make this official announcement.  BBC did recant their press release but the information did go out to the general public.

  Millions of people die each year in Africa because they have no access to prescription drugs.  They are essientially left with no option except to die.  Homeopathy is cheap and readily avaiable.  There is no reason why homeopathy can not reach the poor people who need it.  

  Homeopathy is making a significant impact in Africa.   In Kenya, the homeopathic Abha Light Foundation operates twenty health clinics, various mobile offices and even a couple of HIV/AIDS centers.  The results of these clinics have been tremendous.  Malaria results with homeopathy have been well received by patients.  Other homeopathic clinics are working in Botswana and Tanzania to help people that do not have access to proper healthcare.

Homeopathy is having an impact in Africa.  Attacks on homeopathy are usually a positive thing.  Homeopathy is being attacked because drug companies see this type of alternative medicine as being a threat to their profits. 

Homeopathy does need significantly more research and funding.  The positive results of the African clinics suggests more research should be done.  Homeopathy can ideally work together with modern medicine to help people live a longer and better life.  

  Trials with medicines are always compared to a placebo.  Alternative medicines such as homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture and allopathic medicine are usually tested against placebos.  Placebos are simply sugar pills that contain no medicines at all.  Not all placebos are sugar pills.  An acupunture placebo may be a fake needle.  Many skeptics claim that alternative medicines make patients feel better because of the placebo effect.

  The placebo effect is a strange occurrence.  It is where a person believes a medicine will help them.  It really does not matter what is in the medicine.  The person's belief in the medicine actually heals them.  Many people belief homeopathy is a great example of the placebo effect.  Homeopathy uses extremely diluted substances that scientists claim show no substance at all.  

  Pharmaceutical companies are now thinking the placebo effect is getting stronger.  Drugs like Prozac faired no better than a placebo in recent drug trials.  The FDA only approved 19 drugs in 2007 and 24 drugs in 2008.  Most drugs are doing no better than a placebo in clinical trials.  The pharmaceutical companies are spending more money than ever on research and development.  Pharmacy companies are feeling pressure because of the apparent strength of placebos. 

  No one is quite sure why placebo strengths have increased.  Some theories suggest that people hear about miracle drugs on the television.  They are seeing all of these miracle drugs on TV, magazines and anything else they see.  People are just assuming that they are taking the next miracle drug to help them cure their ailment. Pharmacetical companies own marketing may be increasing the placebo effect.

Another theory is that the mind is weirded differently than ten years ago.  The human mind is always evolving.  This evolution of the mind may also cause this increased placebo effect.  The brain is mysterious and difficult to understand.  Depression drugs and mind type drugs seem to show the placebo effect as well.  The human mind is thinking that taking any type of medicine will alleviate their issues.  This could help explain why prozac trials failed recently although they were successful several years back. 

 Pharmacetical industry is a billion dollar business.  The stronger placebo effects could potentially threaten their revenue stream.  Drugs that are already in stores are being flooded by cheaper generic medicines.  Much of big pharmacies money comes from new drugs that will reach the market place.  These new drugs can not be flooded by generics for at least 3 years.  Big Pharmas are desperate to get new drugs to the market to continue to grow their companies.  

  The H1N1 is a mutated version of the flu virus.  It was believed to start in Mexico in a pig farm.  This is where the name the swine flu started.  H1N1 spread from Mexico and started becoming contagious.  H1N1 in a worse case scenario may spread to half the US population.  The H1N1 has killed very few people this year in the US.  Most people recovery just fine from the H1N1 virus without requiring medical attention.  The flu virus has actually killed far more than the H1N1 virus.  The flu also has a higher death percentage than H1N1. 

  Many companies are now working on the H1N1 vaccine.  They hope this vaccine will fight off the H1N1 virus.  The H1N1 vaccine is recommended by the CDC for pregnant women, care givers of babies, healthcare workers, children and young adults between 6 months and 24 years old and adults with medical conditions.  Older adults have some immunity to the H1N1 due to their immune systems have seen these strains 30 years back.

  The H1N1 vaccine has the same issues as the flu vaccine.  The flu vaccine is most effective if a close match to the current flu strain is matched.  If the match is not close, the vaccine is not very effective at all. In 2007, a close match of the flu vaccine was obtained.  The vaccine was very effective in preventing the flu.  However, the last flu season the match was not close.  The vaccine was not effective at prevention.  Some people say the vaccine may reduce the severity of the flu if the match is close but that is not proven.

  The H1N1 vaccine is basically a shot in the dark.  No one is sure whether or not this vaccine will be a close match to the strain of H1N1 that is going to happen this flu season.  This vaccine will not prevent you from catching the H1N1 vaccine unless it is a close match.  The vaccine may not necessarily lower the severity of the H1N1 either.  

  The question remains is whether you should take the H1N1 vaccine.  If you take the flu vaccine, the H1N1 vaccination probably will not hurt.  If you have a strong immune system, your body should be able to fight off the H1N1 virus.  A vaccination will not be required.  Most people in the US have already successfully fought off this virus with out any medical intervention.  The H1N1 may also not spread everywhere as some people predict.   

  Many people in the US have different type of medical accounts.  Two popular medical accounts that people with health insurance carry are FSA and HSA.  Both of these are similar but are used in a totally different way. This blog entry will concentrate more on FSA but some information about HSA will be given so people do not confuse the two of them.

   HSA stands for health savings account.  This was passed by the Bush adminstration.  It is a way to save money for unforeseen medical expenses.  Health savings account can be contributed about 3K per year by individuals and about 5K per year by families.  These expenses are pre tax.  The money can be withdrawn if a castrophic medical condition takes place.  Money carries over year after year.  The money can be used for retirment if no caustrophic medical condition occurs.  HSA is for people with a high deductible health insurance.  The idea was to reduce helath care costs with the HSA.  High deductible health insurance would be  cheaper than normal health insurance.

  FSA stands for Federal Spending Account or Flexible Spending Account.  This is a tax free way to pay for medical expenses.  FSA are used with low deductible health insurance.  Many families allocate a sum of money that they approximate that they will need for medical expenses.  Examples of medical expenses that may be deducted from the FSA are medical deductibles, doctor co-pays, dentist co-pays and miscellaneous medical costs.  The cost of these medical expenses must be approximated at the beginning of the year. It is recommended to allocate money on the high side because people want to tax deduct their medical expenses.  All of this money must be used by year end.  There is no carry over with FSA accounts.  It is a use it or loss it proposition.

  Most US citizens do not realize that left over money from there FSA accounts can be used to purchase a wide variety of products.  Homeopathy purchases are covered with FSA accounts.   These medicines include both combination homeopathic medicines and single homeopathic remedies.  A doctor note is not necessary or required.  A receipt of your purchase is required.  The receipt must be mailed into your FSA provider.  Other products that people do not know about that may be covered under your FSA are sunblock, anti-itch lotions such as poison ivy lotion and fiber supplements.  Some items not included in FSA accounts are herbal supplements and certain vitamin supplements.  Vitamin B can be used as a FSA purchase but other vitamins can not be used.  To see the full range of over the counter products covered under the FSA, go to http://www.asiflex.com/ASIOTC.pdf.

  In summary, HSA accounts are accumulated over time and never expire.  They are used to pay for major medical expenses that may occur with high deductible medical insurance.  FSA accounts are used with lower deductible medical insurances.  FSA expenditures must be allocated at the beginning of the year.  All FSA expenditures must be consumed or the money will be lost.  If all of your money allocated did not go to doctors or other medical expenses, you can use this left over money to purchase a wide range of over the counter products including homeopathy.