In part 1 of our series, we found that when looking at the best trials, Homeopathy performed better than a placebo on a 2 to 1 scale. However, all these trials were before 1991. We are now going to look at more modern trials.

The most recent homeopathic trials include a trial done by A Swiss-UK review of 110 trials found no convincing evidence the treatment worked any better than a placebo.
However, there seems to be many problems with this type of trial.

We are going to examine the better done trials since 1991. We will not examine all of them but look at a fair amount of promising and not so promising evidence of properly conducted homeopathic trials.

Homeopathy Trials and Information Below:

Trials when comparing Homeopathy to A Placebo

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 242 participants aged 18 to 55 years. Trial compared an oral homeopathic treatment to placebo in asthmatic people allergic to house dust. Authors found the homeopathic treatment "no better than placebo." They noted "some differences between the homeopathic immunotherapy and placebo for which we have no explanation." This was actually an attempt to replicate a successful homeopathic trial with allergies and asthma. No one could explain why the replication was not successful. This trial was much larger than the intial trial that proved successful.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 126 children; 116 completed the study. Individualized homeopathic treatments improved digestive problems in children with acute childhood diarrhea. Results are consistent with findings of a previous study.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 519 people; 400 completed the study. Homeopathic remedies, including arnica, are not effective for muscle soreness following long-distance running.

Meta-analysis of six controlled clinical trials. Controlled clinical trials indicate that homeopathic remedies appear to work better than a placebo in studies of rheumatic syndromes, but there are too few studies to draw definitive conclusions, and efficacy results are mixed.

The most promising remedy for Homeopathy according to our research is Oscillococcinum. There were several large trials showing positive results for Oscillococcinum in shortening the duration of the flu. Oscillococcinum shows that is has no effect on prevent the flu.

Other successful trials on a smaller scale include perennial allergic rhinitis. The trials showed increased nasal flow as compared to the placebo. This was the fourth replication of this trial. It is noted the trial size was quite small.

In conclusion, more research needs to be done but some Homeopathic remedies are showing promising results in large double blinded placebo studies. Larger studies after 1991 showed approximately a 1 to 1 ratio of successful and unsucessful homeopathic trials. Better quality studies before 1991 showed approximately a 2 to 1 ratio. A couple of the trials have been reproduced in several studies. Oscillococcinum was the only study that we found was reproduced several times by different researches.

References

Vickers and Smith, 2002 Review of Oscillococcinum on flu symptoms

Lewith et al., 2002 Asthmatic People Allergic To House Dust

Jacobs et al., 2000 Acute Childhood Diarrhea

Vickers et al., 1998 Muscle Soreness

Jonas et al., 2000 Studies Of Rheumatic Syndromes

Papp et al, 1998 Oscillococcinum Onset of Flu Like Symtoms

Taylor et al., 2000 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Poison Ivy is a seasonal type rash. Most people contract poison ivy by touching the poison ivy, poison sumac or other similar plant species.

Poison Ivy is found in every state in the US except Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Oregon, Washington, North Dakota, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Neveda and Wyoming.

Posion Oak is found only in the following states which are California, Neveda, Oregon and Washington.

Poison Sumac also has a wide distribution. It is found in Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and the rest of the eastern US states.

The best way to identify Poison Ivy is to look for the maple leaf. The best way to identify Poison Oak is look for shiny red or green leafs. The plant looks pretty similar to Poison Ivy. Poison Sumac are the easiest plants to identify because they have reddish or grayish tip consisting of 7 to 13 stems.

Poison Ivy is not contagious. The way to get Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, or Poison Sumac is to touch the plants. Some people are immune to Poison Ivy but many people are not. Also, people that are immune to Poison Ivy may not be immune a year from now.

If you accidently touched a poison ivy plant, wash your hands with soap and water immediately. If a rash starts to develop, use Poison Ivy Lotion on the rash. The lotion will help stop the itch and prevent infection. Poison Ivy Pills should also be taken at a general interval to get rid of the rash. Pills should be taken every hour or two during the initial start of the rash. As the rash subsides decrease the usage to every 3 or 4 hours. As the rash starts to go away you can decrease the dosage even more.

Poison Ivy pills can also be taken before you get poison ivy. The pills help to give you a little more immunity if you do touch poison ivy. The rash may be milder if these pills are taken.

1) Use Sun block with a SPF of 30 or higher. SPF 30 provides protection for most of the day. For example if you get sun burn in 10 minutes, SPF 30 will protect you for 300 minutes. If you use SP 15, you will be protected from the sun for 150 minutes.

2) Make sure to use a broad spectrum sunblock. Broad spectrum sun blocks protect both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are present even when there is no sun and can lead to skin cancers. UVB rays are present when there is sun light out. People tan with UVB and UVB causes sun burn and also cancer if the skin in not protected.

3) Be sure to reapply sun block early and often. Water breaks down sun block even if the product is water proof. The sun will also break down your sun block over time. Reapply sun block at least once every hour if you are out in a pool. Be sure to use your sun screen daily.

4) Be sure to apply sun block even if you are just resting in the shade away from sun light. This is because UVA rays are present even when there is no direct sun light.

5) Be sure to avoid sun block that contain oxybenzone, a toxic sunscreen that soaks into the skin which might be a contributing factor to skin cancer. Instead look for sunscreen that contains Zinc Oxide or Titanium oxide.

6) Buy new sun screen every year. Most sun screen do not protect as well after 12 months because the ingredients start to lose the amount of sun protection that they can give.

7) Take a break at Midday. Midday or peak sun is also a good time to get out of the sun and take a break indoors. The sun is strongest at this point. The sun is strongest between 12:00PM and 3:00PM.

8) Wear UV sunglasses to protect your eyes, hat to protect your scalp and tight shirt to protect your body from the sun.

9) Take special care when going to the beach. Sun block may need to be reapplied more frequently since the sand and the water reflect the sun creating a stronger UVB ray. Higher altitudes also gives the sun more intensity.

10) Be sure to drink plenty of water. This keeps your skin hydrated and improves the protection of your sun block.

To view a list of the top 10 sunblocks click this link.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Nutritionists at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have found some remarkable results with Homeopathy. Eating the top of homeopathic doughnut sprinkles may help you lose weight. This effect is similar to like equals like. The sprinkles are diluted to create a potent sprinkle. People that need to lose more weight would need a more diluted sprinkle. Apparently, eating only a few sprinkles from the top of a doughnut triggers a natural reaction in the body that leads to 'ketosis' (or the same effect that can be seen in low-carbohydrate diets).

"This is a very exciting breakthrough!" exclaimed Lead Nutritionist Augustus Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann-Gloop.

Krispy Kreme representatives never realized the true power of Homeopathy. Wall Street was excited by the news. Krispy Kreme saw a big rise in their stock price for the first time in many months. The company also began an advertising campaign marketing its new concept with t-shirts that read: "Similia Similibus Curentur" in some foreign language means "Likes Are Cured By Likes".

Meanwhile, dozens of gastric bypass specialists are outraged and have threatened to sue Krispy Kreme.

The story above is a satire or parody. It is entirely fictitious.

Reference from http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i19997

The word homeopathy is derived from the Greek words for like (homoios) and suffering (pathos). With the law of similars, Hahnemann theorized that if a large amount of a substance causes certain symptoms in a healthy person, smaller amounts of the same substance can treat those symptoms in someone who is ill. The basis of his theory took shape after a strong dose of the malaria treatment quinine caused his healthy body to develop symptoms similar to ones caused by the disease. He continued to test his theory on himself as well as family and friends with different herbs, minerals and other substances. He called these experiments "provings."

But, as might be expected, the intensity of the symptoms caused by the original proving was harrowing. So Hahnemann began decreasing the doses to see how little of a substance could still produce signs of healing.

With the minimum dose, or law of infinitesimals, Hahnemann believed that a substance's strength and effectiveness increased the more it was diluted. Minuscule doses were prepared by repeatedly diluting the active ingredient by factors of 10. A "6X" preparation (the X is the Roman numeral for 10) is a 1-to-10 dilution repeated six times, leaving the active ingredient as one part per million. Essential to the process of increasing potency while decreasing the actual amount of the active ingredient is vigorous shaking after each dilution.

Some homeopathic remedies are so dilute, no molecules of the healing substance remain. Even with sophisticated technology now available, analytical chemists may find it difficult or impossible to identify any active ingredient. But the homeopathic belief is that the substance has left its imprint or a spirit-like essence that stimulates the body to heal itself.

Critics of homeopathy point out that no way such a dilute medicine could work. People are feeling better because of the placebo effect. Critics also say the research in homeopathy is very unimpressive. Proponents of homeopathy point out to numerous trials that have been successful.

Recent homeopathic trials include a trial done by A Swiss-UK review of 110 trials found no convincing evidence the treatment worked any better than a placebo.
However, there seems to be many problems with this type of trial.

The University of Limberg investigators, who are all epidemiologists, conducted an exhaustive search of the published medical literature to find evidence of homeopathy's efficacy regardless of implausibility. They found an astonishing 107 controlled studies. Many of them compared a homeopathic remedy with a placebo. While some studies were well designed, the investigators found that the methods used in the majority left much to be desired. But their findings were favorable enough toward homeopathy to suggest further evaluation: "Of the better studies, 15 trials showed positive results whereas in seven trials no positive effect could be detected (in one trial only homeopathic treatments were compared with each other)."

They used strict criteria for the selection of the best trials. Highest marks went to the studies with these characteristics: a large number of participants, double blinding (neither physicians nor participants know who is receiving the homeopathic remedy), a placebo that was described as indistinguished from the homeopathic remedy, and random assignment of participants to a treatment group.

All in all, the University of Limberg investigators found that number of published studies to be impressive. "The amount of positive evidence even among the best studies came as a surprise to us." But they acknowledged that many questions remain. Chief among them is a plausible explanation for how homeopathic remedies work.

The article that quoted the homeopathic studies is a 1991 article. All homeopathic trials examined were before 1991. In part 2 of Homepathy: Proven Medicine or A Placebo we will look at more recent trials and guage those results.

References

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0815/is_n143_v16/ai_10684564/pg_1

Here at Hmedicine.com, we get this question quite a bit. We are going to answer this question in detail now.

Homeopathic single remedies are generally prescribed by homeopathic doctors or physicians. Homeopathic single remedies look to treat the whole person and not just the symptoms. The single remedies are prescribed for chronic conditions but maybe used for any other health conditions. People may also self prescribe homeopathic medicines for non serious conditions such as pain, cramps and other conditions. However, this does take some time and research to figure out what homeopathic single remedy do I need. Also, what potency should be required. You may need a homeopath doctor help to figure all of this out.

This is where homeopathic combination remedies come into play. Homeopathic combination remedies such as Hylands Calms Forte put typical homeopathic single remedies and lower potencies into the homeopathic medicine. Calms Forte contains several homeopathic single remedies that are used for sleeping disorders. The homeopathic combination remedies also has a low potency dosage ranging from 3X-30C. The homeopathic combination remedies take the guess work out for the homeopathic customer. The main problem with homeopathic combination remedies is that they are not individualized like single remedies. A person with a sleeping disorder may need a homeopathic medicine that Calms Forte does not contatin. They may also need a higher or lower potency than what Calms Forte has.

Most people in the homeopathy field agree that homeopathic single remedies work better than homeopathic combination remedies. However, combination remedies make a good choice for a novice user in homeopathy that has a mild condition and has no time to figure out what single homeopathic remedies that they need.

I don't understand potency with regard to 6x, 12x, C, M, etc. is what David asked us in our Hmedicine.com forums. We referred him to our single remedies guide but we are going to attempt to answer this question in a little more detail.

The more dilute a homeopathy remedy is, the stronger it is and the higher the number or potency. A less dilute remedy is not as strong and has a lower number or potency.

To answer David's question, a list is below from the least strong homeopathic remedy to the most strong homeoapthic remedy.

Remedies from least strong to most potent

1X would be the least strong remedy.

3X

3C

6X

6C

12X

12C

30X Middle Strength

30C

200C

1M

LM

CM+ Strongest remedy

X verus C - This question often confuses the novice to homeopathy. An "X" potency is a remedy diluted 1 to 9. 1 part remedy to 9 parts alcohol. The "C" potency is 1 go 99, 1 part remedy to 99 parts alcohol. X and C are fairly interchangeable since both have been potenized the same number of times. If you can not find a 6X of a homeopathic remedy, the 6C would be an okay substitute.

Low potency homeopathic remedies(1X-30C) are generally used to treat acute illness, whereas higher potencies homeopathic medicines(200C-CM+) are used to treat chronic complaints.

Most people treating acute illness should generally start with a 6X potency. If they feel that potency is not strong enough, they may move up to a 12X or 12C. They may also decide to move up to a 30X or 30C for even more strength.

Most chronic complaints should be treated with a licensed homeopathic physician. 200C remedies and upwards should generally not be self prescribed. Homeopathic physicians for chronic compliants may not necessarily prescribe a 200C or higher remedy. Starting with a high potency may overshoot the problem. The homeopath may start the patient on a 6X. The homeopath may move up to the 200C or higher potency if they feel more strength is necessary in treating the chronic condition. 200C, 1M and higher are rarely taken as often as low strength homeopathic remedies.

References

A Guide For Taking Homeopathic Remedies Washington Homeopathic Products.

Complete Guide to Homeopathy. Dr. Andrew Lockie and Dr. Nicola Geedes.

Here are some interesting links that I have found through out the week.

Brand New Homeopathic Remedy Finder

The homeopathic remedy software seems much more advanced than other homeopathic remedy software that I have seen. Keep in mind this software is not a replacement for a doctor. It just helps people get a general idea of where to start when they have a symptom and are looking for homeopathic solution.

News articles in the news on homeopathy

Consumer Reports

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2008/03/homeopathic-rem.html

The article pretty much just states that the remedy Zicam is not really labeled homeopathic. It is pretty much put besides other hay fever relef medicine. The homeopathic label is on the medicine. Interesting that consumer report shows only one large unsuccessful homeopathic trial with in this article that was fundamentally flawed to begin with as you can read below.

www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/154/1/Homeopathy-Proven-Successful-for-ADHD -

This article states that homeopathy was successful in treating kids wth ADHD. Critics point to the fact that the size of these trials are too small to state the homeopathy is effective in treating kids with ADHD. A larger study needs to be completed.

Seasonal Articles

Allergies

This article is how to deal with allergies as they come on.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880509003

The homeopathic treatments are toward the bottom of the article. No specific homeopathic allergy remedies are listed due to the fact homeopathic remedies can vary depending on the region you live in

Poison Ivy

This article tells people how to deal with Poison Ivy. Best suggestion is do not get it in the first place.

The article states the best homeopathic poison ivy remedy is Rhus toxicodendron 12C or 30C. Dosage is three pellets dissolved under the tongue every 30 minutes until the symptoms subside, and then every two to four hours until symptoms are gone.

Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend.

Motion sickness often needs immediate attention, both to relieve the person’s misery and to prevent disruption of a trip. Sometimes, as in the case of sea or air sickness, it is impossible to leave the vehicle—so bringing along a kit of remedies can be a good idea. (If vomiting is extreme or a person shows signs of dehydration, a physician should be consulted.)

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance.”

Argentum nitricum: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include dizziness, faintness, nausea, retching, and possibly balance or perception problems. The person may feel claustrophobic or be extremely anxious and excitable. Eating too much sweet or salty food may have contributed to the problem.

Arsenicum album: A person who needs this homeopathic remedy is likely to be very anxious and feel both restless and exhausted. Nausea and vomiting can be accompanied by burning pain. The sight and smell of food, or odors of any kind, may make the nausea unbearable. The person may feel a burning sensation in the throat or stomach and want frequent sips of water.

Borax: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include nausea, gas, and possibly diarrhea. The person has a fear of any downward motion (as is felt on a plane or roller coaster) and can be made sick by it. The person may also be very sensitive to noise, warm temperatures, and cigarette smoke.

Bryonia: A person needing this homeopathic remedy usually wants to stay completely still and not be talked to or touched. Nausea and vomiting, with pain and pressure in the stomach, can be worse from even minor movements. The person may have a dry mouth and want cold drinks.

Cocculus: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include dizziness, palpitations, headache, numbness, and an empty or hollow feeling in various parts of the body. The person may talk nervously, yawn, or tremble, and is likely to feel extremely weak. Problems are often worse after getting cold, and from not getting enough sleep.

Kali bichromicum: This homeopathic remedy is indicated when vertigo and nausea are intense, and bright yellow fluid is vomited. The person feels worse from standing up, and can be very weak. Aching may be felt in facial bones or in small spots on the head. This remedy is often helpful during seasickness.

Petroleum: A feeling of empty nausea in the stomach, accompaned by cold sweat and excessive salivation can indicate this remedy. An ache in the back of the head and neck may be present. Food and warmth may bring some mild relief.

Sepia: This homeopathic remedy is indicated when the person (often a woman or child) feels dizzy and irritable, and the nausea is made worse by lying on one side. A headache will often accompany these problems. The sight of food can intensify the nausea, although the person may still want sour things.

Tabacum: Indications for this homeopathic remedy include violent nausea and vomiting with a terrible sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach, pale face, cold sweat, and icy feet and hands. Some relief may come from breathing cold, fresh air.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions

Select the homeopathic remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that homeopathic remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

Using Homeopathy with Professional Guidance

Homeopathic remedies can also be helpful in complex or even serious conditions—although self-prescribing is not appropriate in such cases. To correctly select the homeopathic remedy and monitor the healing process, an experienced physician who is trained in homeopathy should be involved, for the following reasons:

• Medical knowledge is needed to assess complex or serious conditions. Professional diagnostic tests may be necessary, as well.
• Using a homeopathic remedy that covers isolated symptoms superficially, but does not fit the person on deeper levels, may change or suppress the symptoms, yet not be deeply curative.
• Even with a correctly-chosen remedy, a temporary aggravation of symptoms may occur as part of the healing process. Training and experience are required to distinguish a helpful aggravation from an intensification of symptoms that occurs because a remedy has not acted and the illness is progressing.
• An inexperienced or impatient person might be tempted to repeat theh homeopathic remedy unnecessarily, or change to other remedies at times when waiting is appropriate.

If an illness or condition is chronic or deep-seated, it is best to consult an experienced homeopathic practitioner, for a “constitutional” remedy that fits the characteristic symptoms of the case and considers the person’s physical condition and individual nature in a more comprehensive way. A typical first visit, a homeopath interviews a patient for at least an hour—to take a careful history and elicit information about many aspects of the person’s state of health—before choosing a remedy.

Michael T. Smith, ND
Naturopathic Physician
Carolinas Natural Health Center
1212 Mann Dr., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
Ph: 704-708-4404
Fax: 704-708-4417
www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com

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.

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