Saturday, July 11, 2009

Homeopathic Medicine May Work For Your Pet

Homeopathy has started to become a very popular method for treatment of animals. Many critics say this form of alternative medicine does not work. The results homeopathy gives are due to the fact that people think they have taken something that will help them get better. This phenomenon is called the placebo effect. However, pets getting better after taking this type of medicine seems to contradict the placebo effect.Throughout Europe and Asia many veterinarians practice treating animals ranging from cat, dogs,horses and other animals with homeopathic pet medicines. The practice is less common in the U.S but more vets having been trying this form of alternative medicine. Homeopathic vets usually prescribe single remedies to help with a pet's medical condition. This is called classical homeopathy. Pets that have chronic conditions may have to switch remedies to correct their ailments. A trained vet in classical homeopathy will prescribe different medicines for different animals. They will examine the pet's behavior and prescribe a remedy based on their behavior. The remedies have need to be changed after the pet's condition changes. Chronic pete illness may require several homeopathic remedies before the illness subsides.People that care for their pets and do not have access to a homeopathic pet doctor having been trying combination pet remedies. Homeopathy pet medicine combinations have become popular in the U.S. Combination medicines usually contain several homeopathic remedies in one pill. Many natural stores and large retail pet stores such as Petsmart are carrying homeopathic combination remedies such as Homeopet and Equiopathics.These combination remedies treat a wide range of acute conditions such as anxiety, cough, travel anxiety and skin and itch relief for pets. Many of these combination medicines are easy to use. People may simple put the remedy in their pets water bowl or food tray. Some trials with homeopathy pet meds have been done. A pilot study was done with 767 individual pets consisting of 547 dogs, 155 cats, 50 horses, 5 rabbits, 4 guinea-pigs, 2 birds, 2 goats, 1 cow, and 1 tortoise.The study found that dogs responding well to homeopathy for arthritis pain and epilepsy. Cats responding not as well to atopic dermatitis, gingivitis and hyperthyroidism Most people do not even know they are buying homeopathic remedies for their pets with these combination medicines. They are simply looking for away to cure acute conditions without having to make an expensive trip to the vet's office. Sales of homeopathic combination remedies for pets have been strong. Many people feel their pets have become better by taking these types of medications.

What Is Homeopathic Medicine?

Homeopathy is a safe, natural form of medicine, based on the practice of treating like with like. Homeopathy is derived from the Greek words homios, meaning like or similar, and italios, meaning suffering. Homeopathy is concerned with treating the whole person rather than the illness alone. The homeopath will consider the patient as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into account the patient's physical appearance, their likes, dislikes and their temperament. It is there fore a highly personalized form of treatment, so patients who apparently suffer from the same ill ness may be given advice for different medicines. Homeopathy is a well established form of healing. Today many of the leading pharmaceutical companies are researching and mass-producing homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic Medicines Homeopathic medicines look very much like conventional medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work is entirely different. The medicines are not synthetic and are derived from natural sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared from vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from naturally occurring mineral substances, including metals, non-metallic substances, and mineral salts. Animal sources of homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the ink or juice provides sepia) and Honeybee. Homeopathic medicines are prepared by obtaining the remedy in its most concentrated form, and then, through a long process of dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the dilution of the remedy and is denoted by the number which follows the name of the medicine itself. The higher the number, the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy to one trillion parts dilutant). Homeopathic Medicines Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred to as remedies, may come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some common remedies include: arnica montana, from the Leopard's bane plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant; calcarea, calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish ink; and the element, sulphur. Homeopathic remedies today are produced using the same dilution principles as in Hahnemann's day. In a common dilution of 1:100, one drop of the homeopathic substance is added to 99 drops of water and/or alcohol. The mixture is then potentized by a process called "succussion" - repeated tapping on a hard surface for a specific length of time. Remedies may be diluted up to 1000 times, leaving only an infinitesimal trace of the substance. Remedies are typically diluted 10, 100, or 1,000 times, which translate into potencies that are marked with the Roman numerals X, C, and M. Homeopathic remedies range from 6X as the lowest potency to 1M or more as the highest potency. Remedies can be taken orally in pill, powder, or drop form, rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side effects from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can experience what is called a "healing aggravation," a temporary accentuation of symptoms. This is seen as a positive sign that the remedy is working. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces the opposite effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another homeopathic remedy, or a strong substance, such as perfume, camphor, or coffee, which are known to block the effects of a remedy. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938, working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to produce and update their reference book of homeopathic medicines. Over the years, the FDA has classified homeopathic medicines as either prescription or more commonly as non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their strength. In the United Kingdom, homeopathic medicine has been part of the National Health Service (NHS) since it began in 1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS. Homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Safety of Homeopathic Medicines Because of the very, very small doses used in homeopathic treatment, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive and have no unwanted side effects. The curative properties of the remedies are released even in extremely high dilution‹and render the medicine completely safe for the treatment of both children and babies. Always consult a practitioner before buying homeopathic remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of the reach of all children. Where dosing instructions have been followed, no case of toxic action has ever been reported in association with homeopathic medicines. Receiving Homeopathic Treatment Homeopathic treatment is practiced by fully qualified Health Practitioners who understand the philosophy of homeopathic medicine's well as patients' emotional and daily situations. While some homeopathic medicines are readily available in both regular pharmacies and health stores, you MUST consult your homeopathic practitioner before attempting treatment for any serious ailment or illness. If you are currently on medication for a serious medical or psychological condition, you should NOT stop taking your medication in order to start homeopathic treatment. Your practitioner will advise you on the best course of treatment, often working with your internist or therapist.

Does Homeopathic Medicine Work?

Have you ever heard of homeopathy? You probably have, but have no idea what it really is. Homeopathy is a system of medicine that treats an illness or condition with highly diluted concentrations of natural ingredients that mimic the symptoms of the condition being treated. It seems like an odd premise, but in spite of the unusual mechanism behind it, it is a very effective method for treating disease.How do you cure someone of an illness by giving that person a tiny concentration of something that actually causes the illness? According to proponents of the science, homeopathy not only works, but works better than conventional medicine. They say that somewhere along the line the pharmaceutical industry got involved in medicine, at which point natural remedies were abandoned in favor of chemical formulations.If you browse through your local pharmacy, you will notice that there are actually quite a few products in the Cold & Flu aisle that are homeopathic. The easiest way to to find out if a product you are interested in is homeopathic is to read the label on the back and take a look at the ingredients. In homeopathy, all of the ingredients are diluted, so each ingredient in a homeopathic product has the letter X or C after it. So, if one of the ingredients is Zinc 20X, that means the product contains Zinc that has been diluted 20 times. One of the most popular cold medicines on the market, Zicam, is actually a homeopathic remedy that consists of nothing more than homeopathic zinc in a nasal gel. Most people that use Zicam do not even realize that it is a homeopathic product.There are homeopathic remedies available for almost any condition you can think of. Cold, flu, allergy, even bedwetting; there is a homeopathic remedy available for almost every condition. Homeopathy is universally recognized as being safe because the ingredients are always natural substances diluted many times over. The big drug companies claim that any relief felt from the application of a homeopathic medicine can be attributed to the placebo effect. And, because the FDA does not require homeopathic products to undergo a clinical trial before being sold to the public, the detractors feel that homeopathy is junk science. So, is homeopathy a bunch of hodgepodge, or does it really work?In my opinion, it works. There have been several clinical trials done over the years to test the efficacy of homeopathic products. Liddell Laboratories makes a product called Vital HGH which contains homeopathic HGH. Vital HGH is designed to treat the symptoms of aging and/or a rundown condition. In a small clinical trial performed years ago, a group of test subjects who were deficient in human growth hormone, ranging in age from 45 years and up, were given the Vital HGH formulation. The results speak for themselves. During the five month clinical trial, the levels of HGH in the blood increased in every test subject, and more than doubled the average level of HGH. I personally have used homeopathic remedies to treat my allergies, and not only do they work, but they seem to prevent the symptoms from returning for an extended period of time.The main reason why big drug manufacturers try to downplay the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines is so they will not have to make them. Most homeopathic products are incredibly cheap to manufacture and the profit margins are extremely small. A prescribed conventional medicine costs a lot more. If the public began demanding natural, homeopathic remedies for their ailments, drug companies would have to make these kinds of products to stay in business, and then their revenues would tumble and their profits would shrink. Imagine if Pfizer had to stop manufacturing Viagra, which they sell at $20-$30 per pill, and instead make a homeopathic product that would retail for only $20 for a one month supply. That is why drug companies often spend significant money to debunk claims that homeopathy works, using misinformation tactics to instill a belief in the public that homeopathy is a sham. This simply is not true. Homeopathy works, and is much more affordable.Conventional medicines are still necessary because sometimes homeopathy does not work for each and every individual. But, next time you go to the pharmacy, take a look at some of the homeopathic brands on the shelf and give them a whirl. For common ailments that are not life threatening, homeopathy is probably a cheaper and more effective alternative.

Homeopathic Medicine Programs - Healing Education

Now is the time to join the new generation of whole body healing by enrolling in one of a number of homeopathic medicine programs available to you today. If you're like one of the many medical practitioners seeking new and innovative ways of providing holistic healthcare to patients, you will be pleasantly surprised at homeopathy's unique healing system. A Whole Healing EducationHomeopathic medicine programs invite students to gain an in-depth understanding of the human anatomy and physiology. Treating each individual as a "whole person" and not just the symptoms, homeopathy educates future practitioners in distinguishing underlying roots of diseases and disorders; and how to effectively customize treatments or treatment regimens for patients.As most students discover, homeopathic medicine programs enrich knowledge and skills through deep history and philosophies of homeopathy. One of the fundamental laws of healing that candidates learn is the "Law of Similars," or "like cures like." Interestingly enough, this particular foundation of healing has been around for over 2,000 years; yet homeopathic medicine programs add more dimension and depth to its purposeful meaning. More specifically, the translation of the Law of Similars generally means that if one item can produce symptoms in a healthy individual, then that same item may be able to cure a sick individual who may be experiencing similar symptoms. Promoting an entire wellness system to prevent disease and other health conditions, homeopathic medicine programs present a healing education unlike conventional medicine. Working in unison with the body, promoting self-healing mechanisms, homeopathy exists to boost immune systems, and to maintain overall wellbeing.Outline of Common Homeopathic Medicine ProgramsTypical coursework involved in homeopathic medicine programs is quite rigorous. In most cases, individuals can expect to dedicate a minimum of three years to in-depth studies. In addition to learning about the principles and philosophies of homeopathy, homeopathic medicine programs introduce students to "The Organon of the Medical Art," which was written by the founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann. Other comprehensive homeopathic education entails anatomy, pathology, physiology, acute therapeutics (homeopathic remedies for acute conditions), therapeutics, clinical studies, Materia Medica (homeopathic substances), Repertory, practice management, case management, and other associated coursework.Are You Prepared for Entry into Homeopathic Medicine Programs? Prior to applying, it is always a wise decision to review the selected homeopathic school or college for any prerequisites. Typically, common prerequisites like a high school diploma and other formal education are necessary for entry into homeopathic medicine programs. Other factors to take into consideration are tuition costs, length of program and independent State educational requirements.If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding homeopathy programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore homeopathic medicine programs near you.Homeopathic Medicine Programs - Healing Education© Copyright 2007The CollegeBound NetworkAll Rights ReservedNOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Homeopathy Medicine

Homeopathy medicine has been around for many years. Homeopathy, next to conventional medical treatment, is the most widely used form of treatment. It’s both safe and effective.
Even though homeopathy is natural and safe, you must always consult with your doctor or professional health care specialist. This is just as a precaution and general common sense.
Dosage & Strength
In general, the longer you’ve had a medical issue, the higher the strength of the dosage. So, if something is troubling you for a short time, then you start off with a lower dose.
However, nothing is written in stone. Each homeopath is different and may have his or her own style, method or philosophy. Generally speaking, lower doses and potency are the norm.
Adjusting To Homeopathic Medicine
When taking homeopathy medicine, one may need to make changes and even sacrifices. After all, if you want to get well, you need to stay focused and determined. Sometimes, everyday things can make the medicine lose its potency.
For example, you may want to give up or reduce coffee. You might have to reduce mint flavors and therefore, give up on chewing gum (if you have bad breath, not to worry. Homeopathy can take care of that too!)
The reason for these sacrifices is because you may need to take homeopathy medicine by placing it under your tongue (or sublingually). Not all homeopathic treatments are like this though. There may be ointments or creams involved in your treatment.
Homeopathy For Children & Infants
Many children and even infants are treated with homeopathy, so it’s quite safe and widely practiced. It’s natural medicine that uses mineral, plant and animal products in small doses.
Your homeopath will ask a series of questions before embarking on the right treatment. Basically, homeopathy helps the body to stimulate its natural ability to heal.
Homeopathy medicine has been used successfully in not only treating children and infants but also pregnant women as well. In fact, it can even be used on our beloved pets.
Homeopathic medicine will very likely grow in popularity as we head into the future. It’s safe and effective and it’s probably the best way to deal with our ailments.