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What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a therapeutic method using natural substances derived
from botanical, animal or mineral sources in micro doses to
stimulate the body's natural mechanisms to protect and heal itself.
Since homeopathy contends
that our natural defenses are capable of overcoming most diseases,
homeopathic medicines are mainly used to re-establish this
exceptional potential present in each one of us. Homeopathic
medicine can be effective in treating many acute and chronic health
conditions such as allergies, coughs, flu, stress, arthritis, trauma
and teething.
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See the processes used
in the preparation
of homeopathic medicine.
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Is Homeopathy Safe?
Because the medically active
substances in homeopathic medicines occur in minute amounts,
homeopathic medicines are considered non-toxic with no known
side-effects making them extremely safe for adults and children.
there are no known drug interaction risks between homeopathic
medicines and conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Thus an
individual who is taking for example a conventional prescription
blood pressure medication, could also take a homeopathic remedy for
the common cold without fear of the two medications having a
negative side effect.
Is Homeopathy Official
in the U.S.?
Unlike herbal and nutritional supplements, the manufacture and sale
of homeopathic medicine is regulated by the United States Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) and has been recognized since 1938 in the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of that year. Unlike
herbals or dietary supplements, Homeopathic remedies are classified
as drugs in the United States.
The number of people using
homeopathy and homeopathic medicine in the United States has
increased dramatically over the past twenty years. Although
homeopathy is constantly evolving through technological innovation,
the principals behind homeopathy have remained largely unchanged
since their introduction some 200 years ago.
Are
Homeopathic Medicines Tested by the FDA?
Homeopathic Medicines are generally regarded as safe by the FDA due
to their extreme dilution. The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention
of the United States is responsible for establishing good
manufacturing procedures and standards for the industry in
collaboration with the FDA, as well as overseeing the U.S.
Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. The FDA does not use the same
standards for approval of homeopathic medicines as it does for over
chemical drugs due to the overwhelming safety record of the
homeopathic approach. The FDA's main concerns with homeopathy
are health calims.
Does Homeopathy Really Work?
In clinical studies, Homeopathy has shown to have a therapeutic
effect on many diseases and conditions. It also has tremendous value
in reversing the flu, minor bumps and bruises, bronchial asthma,
skin eruptions, allergic conditions, PMS as well as numerous mental
and emotional upsets. The effectiveness of homeopathic medicine has
been demonstrated by over 200 years of successful use by physicians
world-wide. Aside from clinical evidence, there are numerous
research studies published in prominent medical journals. There are
also over a 100 double-blind clinical studies that document the
effectiveness of homeopathic medicines. Increasingly, with the
help of thousands of physicians, scientists and university scholars
world-wide, studies are supporting the effectiveness of homeopathic
remedies.
How are Homeopathic
Medicines Taken?
Homeopathic medicines come in various forms and potencies.
They are generally available as: pellets, tablets, liquid, ointment
and suppositories, with the most popular form being the pellet.
The pellet is bead-like and has been used for over 200 years as the
most reliable administration for homeopathic medicine. Most
homeopathic medicine is taken sublingually, under the tongue, and
allowed to dissolve. They are taken sublingually because of
the large number of capillaries present in the mouth allow for fast
diffusion and absorption into the blood stream.
How are Homeopathic
Medicines Prepared?
Today's homeopathic medicines are prepared using the highest quality
natural raw material, according to strict U.S. and European
pharmaceutical standards and regulations. Most reputable
manufacturers of homeopathic medicine employ a multidisciplinary
team of pharmacists, chemists, and botanists to ensure consistent
quality control of all the phases in the manufacturing process.
The
Pharmaceutical manufacture of most homeopathic medicines begin by
creating the "Mother Tincture" from the natural base substance. The
Mother Tincture is then diluted according to the decimal (X) or the
centesimal (C) scale. Between each dilution level it goes
through Potentization.
In
Homeopathy, the higher the dilution level, the more deeply the
remedy acts. For this reason the higher potencies (the more diluted
medicines) are generally dispensed by pharmacies or licensed health
care professionals. The lower potencies 6X, 12X, 6C, 12C and
30C are the potencies most commonly found in retail and health food
stores.
What are the Benefits of Homeopathic vs. Herbal and Nutritional
Products?
Herbs, vitamins, minerals and food need to be broken
down and so require tremendous energy for their conversion to
micro-nutrients or into a form which can be used by the body.
For many who are ill or are nutritionally depleted, this expenditure
of energy on the cellular level is either not possible or partially
possible. To apply highly concentrated nutritional supplements
or herbs under such circumstances, may create even more
complications such as toxicity or hypersensitivity associated with
over-burdening of already stressed organs.
Homeopathy avoids all
such possible complications, since homeopathic medicines provide
their effect through highly diluted micro constituents and pure
energy.
What is the Difference between Classical and Complex Homeopathy?
Each single homeopathic remedy (classical) from a
single natural source such as Arnica Montana, the Mountain Daisy,
has several constituent ingredients. In fact there is no
difference between single and complex homeopathy, since both carry
numerous constituent ingredients. The difference is in the
proving. Single homeopathic remedies have an establish symptom
profile in most cases. In complex homeopathy, the
determination of its action is made by evaluation of the symptom
profile of each os it's ingredients. The action of complex
homeopathic formulas, such as the Apex Energetics line of products,
is determined by utilizing bioenergetic evaluation techniques.
This allows information to be obtained on the causal level as well
as the physical symptom profile. The synergistic effect of
complex homeopathic remedies is obtained by correlating and
balancing the established symptom picture of each ingredient for
optimal effect. One of the advantages of Complex Homeopathy is
that a particular symptom can be targeted using numerous
ingredients known to address the symptom producing a wider spectrum,
or amplified action.
Why do Liquid Homeopathic Remedies have an Alcohol Base?
The alcohol base in homeopathic remedies is required
by the FDA as a preservative in liquid formulas; however, if you are
sensitive to alcohol or just don't like the taste, you can pour a
day's dosage into a glass of warm water and just let it sit. Most of
the alcohol will evaporate over a period of 3 to 4 hours at which
time you may sip the remedy throughout the day as directed.
Additional Information on Homeopathic
Medicine:
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