I think that many of us are looking at ways we can be more responsible for our own and our family’s healthcare. Although modern medicine has much to offer, there are many times that it is too much, or too harsh, and a gentler, better solution can be found. I was introduced to homeopathy 21years ago in 1986. I fell in love with it after reading a book by a Greek homeopath, George Vithoulkas, entitled ‘The Science of Homeopathy’. The book was a fascinating read and I felt immediately drawn to the idea of healing physical complaints with an approach that included selecting the medicine based on the person’s emotional state as well as physical condition. I’ve used it with my children, my family, friends, and pets for 20 years now, and have practiced it as a licensed medical provider for 8 years. Other forms of medical care are useful, necessary, and lifesaving at times, but with homeopathy I was able to raise my children, (now adults or close to it), without resorting to antibiotics. Homeopathy works beautifully, much of the time, in helping one overcome many kinds of illnesses, including but not limited to: bouts of ear infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, childhood illnesses, and influenzas without having to resort to antibiotics, antivirals or other medications. I can’t imagine not having this wonderful, subtle, elegant and effective tool at my fingertips.
As a practitioner I find that homeopathy at a minimum helps strengthen the immune system helping, for instance, children who have multiple bouts of infections, decrease the severity and frequency of these infections. In one patient, a newborn child with a genetic disorder increasing the likelihood of respiratory illness, the homeopathic medicines helped her overcome an episode of RSV; ongoing homeopathic care has assisted her in remaining healthy and able to deal with normal childhood illnesses. Not a result that was predictable given her genetics.
Homeopathy has been extremely effective in the weekly care I provide for homeless women in a day-shelter. Women are helped through episodes of abscesses, trauma, respiratory infections, grief, digestive complaints, and other infectious processes, as well as anxiety and depression. The love and caring atmosphere are important, but the homeopathic medicines are crucial to our success.
So far I have over twenty years of personal experience of this modality’s effectiveness. I know that as a profession we are diligent about our ongoing training, and our rigorous standards for helping people. I do not take that responsibility lightly. I know there is much discussion lately about the scientific basis of homeopathy. Some feel without that basis firmly nailed down, it is necessarily ineffective or worse. We have to remember that many of the well accepted treatments of today do not have a precise explanation as to why they work and some that have an explanation and therefore should work do not. Sometimes becoming healthier can be achieved with simple lifestyle changes, but other times health benefits can be quite elusive and difficult to achieve. We can all be grateful that so many homeopathic practitioners continue to offer this modality where it is wanted and needed.
