Homeopathy And Weight Loss

Overweight and obesity are among the most common health problems in the United States. Approximately 300,000 Americans die each year because of weight-related problems and unhealthy eating habits. The numbers of Americans who are suffering from obesity are increasing. The problem is getting serious. How do Americans respond? American would spend $33 million every year on weight loss products and services. However, alternative medicine, particularly homeopathy, is offering methods on how to lose those pounds in a healthy and natural way.

Homeopathic remedies that would aid a person in shedding weight are not overnight remedies and magic pills. These remedies will help a person lose weight by improving a person’s digestion, metabolism and waste elimination. Here are some substances that could be taken to start your way to weight loss.

• Antimonium crudum. This could help you when you are always irritated because you cannot overeat. You could take about 7c every morning and afternoon for five days.

• Argentum nitricum would eliminate your craving for sweets. You could take about 9c twice a day for about a week.

• Calcarea carbonica would also help you control your appetite. You could take 6c amount, three times a day for about a week.

• Graphites would work pre-menopausal women who are having difficulties fighting off the excess bulge. Take about 9c once in the morning and in the afternoon for five days.

• Ignatia is medication you should take if you feel like eating whenever you are tensed or nervous. About 9c in the morning and afternoon, again for five days.

Homeopaths would often say that weight loss using these substances is quite effective. In fact, some would say that the results would show after 2 months of the consumption of the substances. But again, lifestyle and diet plan would still matter whatever weight loss program a person is taking.

Homeopaths work closely with nutritionists, there are times when homeopathic practitioners re already nutritionists. This would help patients a lot since homeopaths would be able to help in creating simple diet plans. If your doctor recommended a diet plan for you, FOLLOW it. If they would be recommending a exercise program, DO it. Most people would start exercising but still fails to lose weight. Because diet is not controlled. It could also be the other way around. In the end, diet and exercise go hand in hand to get better results.

Homeopathic practitioners would recommend weight loss patients to make changes in their lifestyles, like eating in a smaller place, turning off the television when eating, drinking lots of water to cleanse the body, eating green and leafy vegetables and fruits to increase fibres absorbed by the body.

There are about 189 medications for overweight and obesity problems. There are international studies showing that homeopathic treatments are very effective if weight reduction. The type of remedy that the patient would use would depend on the history and result of the evaluation of the patient. As a motivation, it is important to visualize that weight loss is not only about looking good and wearing clothes you cannot wear before, but it is also about keeping yourself healthy.

What are the Risks of Homeopathy?

Is homeopathy safe? Yes, it is safe for everyone, including high-risk groups such as babies, children, pregnant, and nursing women. Because this 200-year old medical system employs natural processes to create remedies for different types of diseases, its treatments are completely safe and do not have side effects. Aside from being natural, homeopathic treatments are prepared in high dilutions (which means very low doses of a substance is diluted in water or alcohol) and are taken with the guidance of well-trained specialists. Homeopathic medications do not interfere with traditional medicines, so a patient does not need to worry about having adverse reactions to his medications.

However, just because homeopathic medicine is safe, doesn’t mean it can never be risky. Using homeopathic medications raises safety concerns because of several factors. The following are the risks associated with homeopathic treatments:

• Some patients temporarily feel worse after starting their homeopathic treatment. This happens because the body stimulates the symptoms for a brief time and attempts to restore health at the same time.

• Homeopathic treatments may worsen a pre-existing condition. This is not a cause for alarm, though. This just indicates that the right remedy has been used. Also, the aggravations rarely occur. Typically gentle and brief, the homeopathic aggravations can be serious for people with life-threatening diseases.

• Severe aggravations can happen. Also called a healing crisis, these aggravations are a sign that the proper remedy has been used. However, there might be something wrong with the frequency or dosage of the medication, which have resulted in the worsening of the conditions.

• Taking multiple remedies or the wrong ones can cause unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, it is advised that you don’t take homeopathic medicines other than what you are currently taking. Multiple or combination medications may cause confusion to your treatment, which may hamper your healing process. In addition, make sure that the homeopath gives you the right diagnosis and that the medication prescribed to you is the correct one for your specific condition. If you have doubts, consult your current physician.

• The homeopathic treatment may cause the symptoms to relapse. To keep this from happening, the patient must stop taking the remedy when the symptoms disappear or when the patient has felt some relief.

• Some homeopathic products have problems with packaging and labeling. For example, a number of products have vague or confusing labeling such as “treats gastrointestinal disorders,” which is too broad as it refers to a wide range of conditions. Other products have been reported to have incorrect labels and lack tamper-resistant packaging.

• There are medicines that have plants or vitamins that are not included in homeopathic references but are sold as homeopathic products.

• There is no law yet requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct testing and reviewing of homeopathic remedies.

If you are concerned about the safety of the homeopathic remedy you are going to use, make sure that you consult first your doctor or healthcare provider. Homeopathy is a safe treatment method, so long as it is done under the supervision of a trained and experienced homeopathic practitioner.

Homeopathy Remedies For Headaches

Homeopathy has been known as a less invasive form of alternative medicine. And as such, many people have started to take advantage of this fact when trying to treat a variety of conditions. Looking for a more humane and more natural form of treatment, homeopathy quite fits into this standard that most people tend to look for when it comes to seeking alternative treatments.

Homeopathic remedies for headaches have become quite popular as a form of alternative treatment. Many people suffer from different kinds of headaches. Some have grown tired of trying out treatments offered by conventional medicine that seem to become less effective over time. With their headaches getting worse and worse, some people have resorted to using alternative methods for which homeopathic remedies ca become very ideal.

There have been a number of homeopathic remedies developed for treating various kinds of headaches. These remedies may be effective depending on the type of headaches it is being used and what symptoms the sufferer may display. Here are some of the homeopathic treatments available and the general types of headaches that they may help treat.

Belladonna is an ingredient used for homeopathic remedies to treat headaches that are characterized by violent and throbbing pains. These headaches are usually those that can easily be aggravated by certain environmental factors such as light, noise, touch, strong smells and sudden movements. The pain that such headaches cause may pass along just as fast as they come. Such headaches are those that are primarily felt in the forehead that may extend all the way to the back of the head. The headache pain can be temporarily relieved by putting firm pressure on the head or by sitting down.

Bryonia is an ingredient used for homeopathic treatments for headaches characterized by steady aching with a sense of heaviness but with less throbbing. This type of headache is usually worsened by motion or the head and eyes, even the slightest one. The pain of the headache is usually worse during morning time usually when waking up and just after getting out of bed. The pain of such headaches usually originates from the area over the left eye. These headaches are also usually accompanied by nausea, constipation and vomiting. A person who may have this type of headache usually becomes irritable and may prefer to be left alone.

Iris is another ingredient used for preparing homeopathic remedies for headaches that are characterized by pain in one side of the forehead, usually on the right. This is usually the reedy used for the treatment of migraines that come at regular intervals. The headache is usually accompanied by dimness in vision and other visual problems. It may also sometimes be accompanied by nausea, with the headache usually becoming worse after vomiting. Pain brought by such headaches can sometimes be lessened by walking outside in the open air.

Certain headaches can be treated using these homeopathy remedies effectively only if they are used correctly. That is why knowing the symptoms first may help in trying to determine the right homeopathic treatment for a certain type of headache.

What You Should Know Before Using Homeopathic Remedies

Considering homeopathy as your treatment method? There are several things you have to keep in mind before you entrust your health to a homeopathic specialist. This is not to say that homeopathic medicine is something that might threaten the life and limb. It is a very safe way to treat certain illnesses, but to be able to get the most effective results, you have to take some precautions.

Dos and Don’ts of Using Homeopathic Remedies

• Read several published studies or researches on homeopathic treatment that matches your medical condition.

• Look for a certified homeopath with formal training on homeopathic medicine.

• Consult your current doctor or your local healthcare provider if you plan to use homeopathic remedies for your child or if you are pregnant or nursing.

• Do not stop taking your current medicines without asking your current doctor, even if the homeopath tells you so.

• Do not make homeopathic medicine a substitute for proven traditional healthcare. Also, avoid postponing your consult an MD doctor about your medical condition.

• Learn about the proper dose and potency of the homeopathic medicine you will be taking. Homeopathic doctors do not always agree on dose and potency of medicines. Also, these two factors depend on the remedy to be taken and the sensitivity of the patient toward the remedy. However, as a rule of thumb, diseases that you have been suffering for a long time must be cured with high numbers (e.g. 30C to 200C), and acute diseases or those that are quite new must be treated with low numbers such as 6C.

• Take homeopathic medicines on an empty stomach or at least 15 minutes before meals.

• When taking homeopathic remedies, start off with a low potency and then gradually increase the potency once you notice some improvements on your condition. Taking high-potency homeopathic medications is not recommended, unless you are sure that it is the proper treatment for your condition.

• Most homeopathic medications come in the form of pills and are placed under the tongue. For the first six dosages, take two pills every two hours. Then take the pills four times a day for five days. Avoid touching the pills; instead, you can drop some pills on the lid of the container and put them directly to your mouth.

• Some homeopathic medicines come in ointments, and they can be applied directly on the affected area.

• Stop taking the medications once you have felt relief. However, take them again if the symptoms relapse.

• Do not take or use substances or products that may interfere with or block the effects of your homeopathic treatment. Examples are caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soda; prescription drugs such as anti-fungal medications, cortisone, and antibiotics; substances with strong flavors or aroma such as mint, camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus; recreational drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, pain medications, and barbiturates; Chinese herbs; aromatherapy products such as lavender oil, tea tree oil, and peppermint oil; and immunizations.

It is also advised that you refrain from taking other homeopathic medicines since they may cancel the effects of your remedy using homeopathy.

Homeopathy Remedies For Sinusitis

Sinusitis is another common condition that homeopathy may have an alternative remedy for. Homeopathy remedies for sinusitis vary since there can also be different types of sinusitis. There are eight sinuses in the skull. The condition may affect any part of them which may also present different symptoms. In homeopathic practice, the type of symptoms displayed plays a big role in determining the type of homeopathic remedy used.

Sinusitis is usually the result of a lingering cold or allergy. This can block the proper nasal drainage that may bring about a variety of symptoms such as inflammation and swelling in the sinuses. The blockages may also lead to developing a breeding ground where infection may arise. Complications may also arise if the sinusitis is left untreated for a long time. In homeopathy, there are certain cases where self-treatment may be allowed, even for the different cases of sinusitis. Here are some of the homeopathic remedies provided for treating sinusitis. But bear in mind that the use of the following substances are prepared as extreme dilutions so as not to contain the usual harmful effects that some of these substances may be known to have.

Arsenic. Known as a poison in normal doses, homeopathic remedies use arsenic in extreme dilutions in order to treat sinusitis. It is used for sinusitis that is characterized by throbbing and burning pains. The pain felt can usually be aggravated by light, noise and movement. The pain may also be triggered by exertion and anxiety. The sinusitis can also be followed by nausea and vomiting.

Potassium Bichromate. This substance is used for sinusitis that is accompanied by a thick and stringy nasal discharge. The condition may be characterized by extreme pain at the root of the nose that can be relieved by putting some pressure on the area of the pain. This may be followed by pain felt that extend to soreness in the bones as well as the scalp. Dizziness and nausea may also be associated with this type of sinusitis when rising up from the sitting position. The pain felt may also lead to dimness in vision. Those experiencing this type of sinusitis usually prefer to stay lying down in a dark room and may feel better with warmth drinking warm drinks or with overeating.

Windflower. This homeopathic remedy may be used by those with sinusitis characterized by head pain that may be worsened lying down or by a warm room. Relief may be felt with staying in cool air. The sinusitis may be triggered by warm temperatures and may worsen when stooping down, sitting, rising up from bed or eating. Most of the pain seem to originate from the front area of the head and may be accompanied by stomach problems. Some people with this type of sinusitis may get relief either by walking slowly in cool open air or by wrapping their head tightly by a towel or bandage.

The nasal discharge that accompanies this type of sinusitis is often thick and may be colored yellow or green.

Overview of Homeopathy as an Alternative Medicine

Homeopathic medicine is an alternative medical system that aims to promote the body’s ability of self-healing. It stimulates the body to heal itself through very low dosages of highly diluted natural substances. More commonly known as homeopathy, the term comes from the Greek words homeo and pathos, which means similar and disease, respectively. This method was developed about three centuries ago by Samuel Christian Hahnemann, a German doctor.

Homeopathic medicine works under two principles: like cures like (the principle of similars) and law of minimum dose (principle of dilutions). According to the first principle, an ailment can be treated by a substance that causes the same symptoms in healthy people. For example, if the symptoms of cold are the same with poisoning due to mercury, then mercury will be used to cure the cold. The second principle states that the smaller dosages of a substance are, the more effective they are in treating diseases.

Homeopathic remedies involve a process called potentization in which substances are diluted one by one and shaken very well in between the dilutions. This process transfer some energy or essence from the original substance to the dilution, thus stimulating the body’s ability to heal on its own. Homeopathic remedies use substances in highly diluted forms. Usually, these are made up of one part of the substance to about 1,000,000,000,000 parts of water.

Today, homeopathic medicine continues to be used for preventing and curing a wide range of acute and chronic diseases such as headaches, fever, colds, asthma, allergies, depression, skin rashes, digestive problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, and ear infections. Even serious medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer can be treated with homeopathic remedies, though these illnesses need longer treatment time. Despite its being an alternative medical treatment, homeopathic medicine has been widely practiced. In the United States, homeopathic medicine was used by about 900,000 children and 3.9 million adults in 2006 alone.

Unlike traditional medicine, homeopathic treatments are tailored for different individuals, even those with the same condition. Simply put, homeopathic medicine treats the person, not the disease—so one medication may not treat two persons with the same disease. Using this therapeutic method, homeopathic doctors treat people based on their body type, health and genetic history, and current emotional, physical, and mental conditions. Patients who undergo homeopathic treatment are required to follow a strict diet and avoid stimulants such as strong tea, coffee, alcohol, and nicotine that affect the potency of the medication. Also, the medicines should be taken before meals. The healing process is delayed if the patient fails to follow the diet and restrictions involved in the homeopathic treatment.

Homeopathic treatment uses various medicines derived from animals, plants, minerals, and other substances. Some of the common sources of homeopathic medicines include the following:

1. Plants - onion, cactus, belladonna, capsicum, etc.

2. Minerals - arsenious acid, nitric acid, iron phosphorous

3. Animals - snake poisons

4. Substances - milk, sand, etc.

Some people may have doubts about homeopathy. But there’s no basis to such doubts because homeopathic medicines are harmless and have no side effects.

Advantages Of Homeopathy

The reason why homeopathy has gathered quite a lot of adherents to its way of treating ailments may stem from the fact that it operates quite opposite principles of what conventional medicines follow. Many people seem to notice that certain alternative remedies such as what homeopathy offers may provide a necessary alternative especially when conventional treatments may not be able to provide an effective cure for certain diseases. Here are the other advantages that the practice of homeopathy may offer.

It is considered safe.

Homeopathy is considered as a safe alternative form of treating diseases and other ailments. The main purpose of homeopathic remedies is to aid the body and the life force from fighting disease by improving its own capacity to heal. The remedies in no way work against the natural healing processes of the body. That is why most consider it as a relatively safe form of alternative treatment.

Homeopathic remedies are based on natural ingredients.

Synthetic and man-made substances are considered as obstacles in the practice of homeopathy that may impede the body's own natural healing powers. That is why homeopathic remedies are only made from ingredients that are naturally found in the environment. Homeopathic medicines are basically made out of natural ingredients.

Homeopathic medicines are easy to use.

Most remedies developed through homeopathy come in the form of small sugar pills. They are usually convenient to carry and easy to take. Homeopathic medicines are also recognized and regulated by the FDA. There are also over the counter versions that can be conveniently obtained fro stores.

Homeopathic medicines are quite affordable.

People may consider using homeopathic medicines simple because they are quite inexpensive. People may be able to undergo homeopathic treatment for ailments and diseases for fairly less as compared to costly conventional medical treatments.

Remedies can be used safely with other forms of treatment.

Since it is considered relatively safe, homeopathic remedies may also be used along with other forms of therapy and medication. One way of using homeopathic remedies is by using the along with other supplements and herbs. These remedies won't affect even if people may be taking other forms of medication to treat their condition.

Homeopathy in non-invasive.

One good thing about the practice of homeopathy is that it is a non-invasive form of treatment. It does not in any way disturb the natural processes of the body because it may disturb the natural balance of vital forces that homeopathy aims to uphold. The practice also does not try to suppress the body's natural ability to heal.

The advantages offered by homeopathy makes it quite popular among those who wish to find a good alternative to conventional medicine. For the advantages that it offers, homeopathy makes a good supplemental treatment that may help improve wellness.