4. Make sure the mouth is free of toothpaste, caffeine, camphor, or other strong-smelling substances.
5. Do not store near strong-smelling substances such as eucalyptus, camphor, mint, or menthol.
6. Avoid high temperature (over 100 degrees F) and direct sunlight.
Aside from all these “don’ts,” homeopathics are easy to use and completely safe.
DOSAGE
As mentioned earlier, the Law of Similars is crucial to homeopathy. Homeopath Carol Boyce points out that the Law of the Minimum Dose is equally important. This law states, “We must always use as little of the medicine as possible to stimulate the body’s healing mechanism. We need to use the lowest potency that is appropriate to the situation and as few doses of it as we can. Ideally, when we do give a medicine, we should give ONE DOSE and wait to see what help it gives. When things begin to improve we should LEAVE THE CASE ALONE.” Only give another dose if there is no improvement, if conditions worsen, or if once relieved, they come back. Less is more in this situation. Repeating too often may prevent the medicine from working properly. Carol Boyce states that one tablet is sufficient for one dose of the homeopathic remedy for both adult and child. Instructions on the bottle may advise two tablets for children and four tablets for adults, but this is not necessary.
Dosages for homeopathic tinctures are 1-2 drops under the tongue if used neat, and 10-15 drops in an half inch of water in a cup if used diluted. Drink or use topically as often as required. One teaspoonful taken orally equals one dose.
POTENCY
Homeopathics, in tablet form, come in strengths of 6x, 12x, 30x, 30c, and so on. As a general rule, the stronger the symptoms, the higher the potency. For example, if I had a slight headache, I would first try a few doses of 6x potency. If I felt no results and was confident about the remedy choice, I would try one dose of 12x, and so on.
FREQUENCY
For acute illness, repeat every 2 to 4 hours depending on the severity of the symptoms. The more severe the symptoms, the more frequent the repetition. Repeat up to 4 to 5 doses. If there isn’t marked improvement after 3 doses, you need to take a fresh look at the case and go back and look at the Remedy Cards.For accident and injury, give the remedy immediately. If there is a lot of pain, repeat frequently. When the pain returns, give another dose. In an emergency, that might be every few minutes. In less severe cases, every hour or three times a day may be more appropriate.
CHINESE HERBAL
The Chinese herbal dosages are indicated on the packaging. Dosage differs for children. Follow the directions on the bottle or package. If you are unsure, consult an herbal practitioner.
Most herbal remedies work best on an empty stomach. If stomach discomfort arises, take with food. I like to put the liquid remedies in hot water to bum the alcohol off. My children will usually take the herbs if I make them into a tea with honey. Remember, DO NOT give honey to a child under one year of age because there are spores and bacteria within honey that an infant’s immune system cannot process, resulting in illness.
When illness subsides, discontinue the herbal remedy and let your body restore itself to its naturally healthy state. Our bodies know how to correct themselves if we give them the right tools.
CUSTOMIZING YOUR REMEDY BOX
Additional blank cards have been included in the Remedy Box so that when a new remedy is prescribed by your health practitioner, it can be added. Also, if you discover a remedy on your own, you can easily combine it with the Remedy Cards. Highlight those remedies that work best for you. If a particular remedy worked well for one member of your family, indicate that on the NOTES section of the Remedy Cards. Remember, the Remedy Box is your home health tool.
• CHAPTER FOUR •
Remedy Tips
I have reserved this chapter to discuss the tips I’ve learned about various illnesses. Topics are discussed by category.
COUGHS AND COLDS
Colds, coughs, and sore throats are the most common complaint in my household. Respiratory pathogens multiply rapidly because thousands of germs are released into the air with just one sneeze. The sneezer blows his or her nose, then may pick up a pencil, which will be picked up by someone else, and the virus is transmitted. That is why it is better for everyone if an ill person stays home and keeps his or her germs contained. Obviously, this does not always happen. People have to work or go to school, or simply refuse to let a “little cold” slow them down. If you do find yourself in the pathway of virulent germs, there are preventives that can ward off the illness.
I increase my vitamin C intake by 1,000 to 2,000 mg and take garlic tablets. I also take vitamin A. Ask your health practitioner for dosage. As soon as I feel a slight tickle in my throat, I gargle with warm water, salt, and echinacea root tincture. Many over-the-counter preparations stymie the body’s natural way of eliminating toxins. Maesimund Panos, M.D., co-author of Homeopathic Medicine at Home, explains that “nose drops dry up nasal secretions—Nature’s way of excreting germ-laden mucus. Cough syrups suppress the cough—another physiological way of eliminating poisons and clearing air passages.”
Certain foods stimulate mucus production and should be avoided. Julian Scott, in her book, Natural Medicine for Children, advises avoiding “cow’s milk, cream, butter, cheese, roasted peanuts, too many oranges (more than one a week for children or equivalent juice), bananas, excessive sugar, rich foods, and fatty foods. Foods that tend to reduce mucus greatly are garlic, onions, watercress, horseradish, mustard, and Japanese umeboshi, salt-pickled plums.”
SLEEPING PROBLEMS
In Chinese medicine, insomnia is often considered to be the result of an imbalance of yin and yang, and the doctor prescribes formulas that balance this. Acupuncture treatments and meditation can also help insomnia.
Also, try to finish dinner two to three hours before bedtime. Our bodies need time to digest, and if we eat a meal rich in protein right before we go to bed, our bodies stay up late while our minds are exhausted and want sleep. Although some people swear by the folk remedy of milk and cookies before bed to prevent insomnia, we have a rule in our house that the kitchen closes at eight o’clock, an hour before lights out.
STOMACH DISORDERS
The main point to remember with stomach disorders is to eat and chew food slowly and thoroughly. Sara Charno, acupuncturist, explains that “the role of the mouth and stomach is to make what we eat into 98.6 degree soup so that the small intestine can absorb the nutrients in our food.”
In Homeopathic Medicine at Home, co-author Jane Heimlich explains, “If we don’t chew our food thoroughly, the stomach having no teeth cannot break the food into small enough pieces. Some of this undigested food will ferment causing unpleasant-smelling intestinal gas and discomfort.”
In our family we really have to think about this as we are so used to racing through a meal. I’ve noticed a big improvement when I take time to chew my food. I actually feel its texture and notice its taste. The first time I did this, I was amazed. Carrots tasted extremely sweet, and I felt their rough, crunchy texture. Try to eat without reading the paper or watching television. What you read and hear affects your digestion. If the problem exists in spite of consciously chewing slowly, digestive supplements are available.
Food allergies, Candida albicans, and/or parasites cause stomach as well as other problems and are discussed in chapter six.
RASHES