Become a Homeopath Very Intuitive Approach and Was One of the Last Homeopaths Still Reper- Torizing Using Books Instead of Software

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Your Guide to Health through Homeopathy HomeopathyTODAY ContagionContagion Season!Season! Goodbye The Flu and You: What to Do Spare Tire, Hello Good Health Cut your risk of heart disease & diabetes in 2012

Healing for the Homeless

Homeopathic Physician to the Queen A candid interview with Dr. Peter Fisher

Open the Door to Insight A gift for all seasons Raise the Bar! Plan now for next April Winter 2011 • $4.95 NATIONAL CENTER FOR HOMEOPATHY NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Display until February 29, 2012

Announcing a Great New Member Benefit Instructional Webinars Homeopathy at Home: An NCH Introductory Series Join us for a sound introduction to using homeopathy for you and your family! Each webinar is a stand-alone presentation about treating family members with a particular condition or group of conditions. Free for all members!

Tuesday, March 13 8 p.m. EST Tuesday, April 10 Tuesday, May 8 Asthma & Allergies: 8 p.m. EST 8 p.m. EST Treating the Sneak Preview of the Homeopathy and Whole Person 7th Annual Conference Bone Health Homeopathically Kim Elia Miranda Castro, Pearlyn RSHom, CCH Pearlyn RSHom, CCH Webinar archives available at Goodman-Herrick, ND,DHANP,CHC NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org

Living Healthy JoinUs! Living Green www.holisticmoms.org (877)HOL-MOMS Photo: Sumayyah Simone

Winter 2011 Volume 31, Number 4 ISSN: 0886-1676

Homeopathywww.NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Your Guide to Health through Homeopathy TODAY

Featured Articles 16

16 A Gift for All Seasons: The Homeopathic Interview Opens doors to insight & understanding—heals sciatica, itching & more by Pearlyn Goodman-Herrick, ND, DHANP 24 Safe Haven & Healing for the Homeless Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, San Francisco, CA by Renita Herrmann 32 Battle the Bulge & Get Healthy! 24 A Whole Person Approach to Metabolic Syndrome: hypertension, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, & obesity by Amy Rothenberg, ND, DHANP

8 Homeopathic Research Matters An Interview with Dr. Peter Fisher: Researcher, Editor, & Homeopathic Physician to the Queen

12 Herrick receives Honorary Doctoral Degree at American Medical College of Homeopathy 13 In Memory • Beth Rotondo • July 31, 1955–August 15, 2011 32 14 Raising the Bar • The Joint American Homeopathic Conference April 20–22, 2012 • Washington, DC area

22 Great Expectations: Can homeopathy really deliver “miracles”?

26 The Martial Artist Who Couldn’t Stop Fighting

31 Cosmetic Procedure Gone Awry

38 Contagion Season! The Flu & You

42 Book Review—Homeopathy: A Manual for Mothers

DEPARTMENTS 5 WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY? 6 FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 12 LETTERS 21 IN THE NEWS 44 CONTRIBUTIONS 46 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY Winter 2011

Join Homeopathy NCH! TODAY The National Center for Homeopathy is an open Get Exclusive Member membership organization that supports and promotes the cause of homeopathy in the United Benefits! is published quarterly by the National Center for States through: • educating about homeopathy • pub- Homeopathy, a not-for-profit membership licizing the effectiveness and therapeutic benefits of ̈ Homeopathy Today Online organization. Please direct inquiries to: homeopathy • supporting legalization of the practice National Center for Homeopathy of homeopathy and ensuring that access to homeo- & Searchable 101 South Whiting Street, Suite 315 pathic medicines is protected • serving as a unifying • Access 12 years of back issues Alexandria, VA 22304 force for all who are interested in homeopathy. • Find the exact info you need 24/7 Phone: 703-548-7790 Board of Directors Fax: 703-548-7792 • Email articles to friends, relatives Toll-free: 877-624-0613 President ̈ NCH e-Newsletter 11 a.m.–4 p.m., EST Nancy Gahles, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA) [email protected] Belle Harbor, NY Get timely updates, community news NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Vice President 12 times/year For advertising information and rates: Joseph Lillard, Jr. ̈ Cynde Singer Berkeley Springs, WV Remedy & Symptom [email protected] Secretary Database Online Editorials, articles, and letters appearing in Ann E. Jerome, PhD, CCH, RSHom(NA) Search Clarke’s, Boericke’s, Kent’s Homeopathy Today do not necessarily reflect Deland, FL Materia Medica the opinions or policies of the National Center Treasurer for Homeopathy or its Board of Directors. ̈ Monthly Chats & Webinars Inclusion of an advertisement does not consti- Jean Hoagland tute an endorsement of the advertiser, product, Mount Dora, FL Chat online with expert homeopaths, or service. Edward Conway, MBA 2nd Tuesday of month Information offered in Homeopathy Today is Delmar, NY ̈ Practitioner Directory for educational purposes and is not intended to Molly Punzo, MD replace the individualized attention of a quali- East New Market, MD & Resource Guide fied healthcare professional. Homeopathic self- Access up-to-date info online care can be appropriate for simple first-aid or Tina Quirk, RN, MS, PCH acute illness. Those with more serious or New York, NY ̈ Valuable Discounts on Products chronic illness should seek the services of a Director Emeritus competent healthcare professional. J.P. Borneman & Services We welcome articles, letters, and reviews Bryn Mawr, PA Enjoy savings on Vegetarian Times pertaining to homeopathy. We reserve the right Ex Officio magazine • Ecobags • Wholesome to edit or decline submissions. For more infor- Ed Field Harvest • Group Source Travel • mation, please see the writer’s guidelines at Monticello, NY NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org. Email sub- Organic Gift Shop • USA Florist • missions preferred, sent to: info@National - Office Staff NCH Store • many more CenterForHomeopathy.org Executive Director ̈ A Strong Voice for Increased Subscriptions: $55 per year (outside Sharon Stevenson US/Canada $75). Includes NCH membership, Access to Homeopathic online searchable access to Homeopathy Stephanie Bautista Today archives, monthly NCH e-Newsflash, Mary Cutts Health Care online Practitioner Directory & Resource Cynde Singer Support NCH’s efforts to make Guide, online searchable remedy & symptom Editorial Staff homeopathy accessible to the database, discounts, and more. Managing Editor public • train consumers & Call toll-free: 1-877-624-0613 Mitzi Lebensorger practitioners • inform legislators, Subscribe online: Editorial Associate insurers, and the media www.NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Ann E. Jerome E-mail: Editorial Assistant Act [email protected] Teresa Kramer NOW! ©2011 National Center for Homeopathy. All Production Complete the card in this magazine rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part Serelda Elliot or visit without permission is prohibited. Editorial Advisor nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org Homeopathy is a safe effective system of Miranda Castro or natural medicine used by millions of people Editor, NCH e-Newsletter Call toll-free 877-624-0613! worldwide for more than 200 years to achieve Kristy Lampe wellness. The medicines are prepared from natural sources, are nontoxic, and are recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Admin- istration. There are hundreds of peer-reviewed basic science, pre-clinical, and clinical studies supporting homeopathy. Learn more at www.NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org

4 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

Homeo-Speak acute illness: A condition that is usually brief in duration and self- limiting; that is, either the illness runs its course or the patient dies—as opposed to chronic illness that usually develops more slowly, lasts indef- initely, results in deterioration of health, and does not resolve without What is homeopathy? some sort of healing intervention. Examples: acute illness—colds, flu, ear infections; chronic illness—arthritis, hyper tension, diabetes. omeopathy is a safe, effective system of natural medicine, characteristic symptom: a symptom of an unusual nature—strange, used by millions of people worldwide for more than 200 rare, peculiar—that gives the case a pronounced individ uality (i.e., “characterizes” the case). For example, chilliness with desire for ice Hyears to achieve wellness. Homeopathic medicines are pre- cold drinks, or dizziness that is better from motion. Such a symptom pared from natural sources, are used in extremely small amounts, often points directly to the curative remedy. and are recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. chronic illness: (See acute illness.) They are non-toxic and, when properly administered, can be common symptoms: Symptoms that are commonly found in a safely used with infants, children, adults, and animals. particular disease, for example, spots in measles or swollen glands in mumps. constitutional treatment: Treating the whole person, rather than How does homeopathy differ from the symptoms alone, thereby attempting to enhance the general level conventional medicine? of health rather than just getting rid of the symptoms. Homeopathy is based on the principle that “like cures like.” That materia medica: Latin for “materials of medicine.” A reference book is, if a substance can cause symptoms of disease in a healthy listing homeopathic medicines and their therapeutic actions/indications. This information comes primarily from the provings of the med- person, then it can cure a sick person suffering from similar icines; also from clinical observation. symptoms. Suppose a person has hay fever, with watery eyes and miasm: a block to health, usually left by a disease. This can be inher- a burning nasal discharge. Instead of giving an antihistamine to ited or acquired and is an obstacle to cure. dry up the discharge, a homeopath might prescribe Allium cepa— Organon: The Organon of Medicine, by Samuel Hahnemann, a tiny dose of onion, specially prepared by a homeopathic founder of homeopathy, is the book in which he set down the fundamental principles of homeopathy. He wrote 6 editions, the last pharmacy in accordance with FDA-approved guidelines— in 1842; current homeopaths refer primarily to the 6th and sometimes because onion is known to cause watery eyes and a burning nasal the 5th editions. discharge. potency: The strength of a homeopathic remedy according to the Homeopathy regards symptoms as the body’s healthy attempt number of times, during preparation, it has been diluted and succussed (i.e., potentized). Potency is represented as a number attached to a to restore itself to balance. A homeopath will choose a remedy remedy name (e.g., Aconite 30c or Arnica 6X—the letter c or X refers that supports the symptoms—rather than opposing them or sup- to two different methods of dilution during remedy preparation). pressing them as in conventional medicine. proving: The testing of a substance, either in crude form or in potency, Homeopathy recognizes that each person manifests illness in a on healthy volunteers to discover the symptoms it is capable of pro ducing, and therefore able to cure. Participants in a proving record their symp- unique and slightly different way. That is why two people with the toms; the symptoms are collated and used as therapeutic indications same illness will not necessarily receive the same homeopathic for prescribing that substance. remedy. A cold sufferer with a stopped-up nose and dry eyes repertorize: To look up symptoms in a repertory, in order to would receive a different remedy than a cold sufferer with a runny determine which remedy or remedies is common to the presenting symptoms. nose and watering eyes. Unlike the “one size fits all” approach repertory: An index to the materia medica; an index of symptoms often used in conventional medicine, a homeopath chooses a (based on the materia medica) with a list of remedies indicated for remedy that matches a person’s unique symptom profile—includ- each symptom. ing physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. rubric: A symptom listed in a homeopathic repertory. simillimum: The “most similar” remedy corresponding to a case; the remedy that most closely matches the totality of the symptoms of the What is homeopathy’s history? patient, and therefore, is curative according to homeopathic principles. The principles of homeopathy were developed into a system of suppression: The driving inward of disease symptoms, so that a per- medicine by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann son experiences more serious symptoms than they originally had. (1755–1843). Homeopathy spread quickly throughout Europe vital force: Term used by Hahnemann to describe the energy that ani- and the rest of the world, including the U.S. The exact mechanism mates all living beings. The vital force is stimulated by the homeopathic remedy to enable the body to heal itself. by which homeopathy works is unknown, but 200 years of clinical experience along with hundreds of peer-reviewed basic science, The above definitions were largely adapted from the following excellent references: The Complete Homeopathy Handbook (its glossary), pre-clinical, and clinical studies confirm homeopathy’s by Miranda Castro, FSHom, CCH, and Yasgur’s Homeopathic Diction- effectiveness. ary and Holistic Health Reference, by Jay Yasgur, RPh, MSc.

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 5 Winter 2011

NOTES FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nancy Gahles, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA), NCH President, practices homeopathy and chiropractic in NYC and Belle Harbor, NY. She operates Health and Harmony Wellness Education, which offers consultations and symposia on Complementary and Alternative/ Integrative Medicine. She also serves as a CAM expert on the panel of Mothering magazine. She was named one of the Top Ten People of 2009 in Integrative Health Care for her efforts toward furthering integrative health care policy.

or more than 30 years, I have been carefully and understanding and experience, the most effective way in which to thoughtfully plumbing the depths of the healthcare world. As include homeopathy in the conversation was to join forces with the a student, then as a young mother, then as a mature practi- Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC)—the group rep- F tioner, I needed more answers to everyday health questions. I resenting the consensus voice of complementary and alternative needed quick solutions in acute situations when no doctor was medicine on Capitol Hill. My taking a seat on this Board put available and even more, when no conventional medical treat- homeopathy under the broader rubric of integrative healthcare ment could fit the situation. I needed choice and I needed access and empowers us going forward. You may recall that I fought hard to a practitioner of that choice. My needs and my awareness grew to ensure that nationally certified practitioners be on par with until ... I reached my tipping point. licensed practitioners in the IHPC policy definition of “integrative Malcolm Gladwell, in his book, The Tipping Point, describes it healthcare practitioners.” As IHPC guidelines will inform policy- as “that one dramatic moment when in an epidemic everything makers who implement the Affordable Care Act of 2010, this can change all at once.” Small events lead to big changes, he says, action paves the way for increased access to and legitimacy for and they happen quickly. homeopathy. We are fortunate that the American Institute of Homeopathy has recently joined IHPC as a Partner for Health as well, thus adding the important voice of licensed MDs to the con- The Tipping Point versation. Radical change, yes. It is a certainty. Connecting with key policymakers How small events lead to big changes On October 4, I had the pleasure of attending the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Samueli Institute, a non-profit research As if it were a virus, I caught the bug. For me, that meant I stud- group working to transform healthcare through scientific explo- ied homeopathy and became a Certified Classical Homeopath. As ration, with a special emphasis on integrative medicine. There, I a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner, I spoke with integrative medicine advocate Senator Tom Harkin saw the paucity of areas for inclusion, the outright exclusion, and (D-Iowa) who urged us to keep alive the “healing medicine not the reality of medical domination, pharmaceutical occupation, the killing medicine.” He also presented a Visionary Award to and restrictive insurance regulation. Inspired to take action, I ran retired Congressman Berkley Bedell (D-Iowa), his mentor in for the Board of Directors of the National Center for Homeopathy, alternative medicine. Rep. Bedell’s personal experience drove his won a seat in 2003, and was elected President in 2007. Again, I passion for alternative medicine as he was helped not once, but plumbed the depths of the integrative healthcare world, consumer twice, by therapies that had been overlooked by mainstream med- groups, policymakers and organizations, practitioner associations, icine. Small events that caused big changes—the Tipping Point. legislators and more, seeking to raise awareness of homeopathy. Rep. Bedell’s men- The tipping point is the moment of critical mass, the thresh- torship of Sen. Harkin old, the boiling point. Mr. Gladwell writes, “We are all, at heart, continues to inform gradualists, our expectations set by the steady passage of time. But healthcare policy, as the world of the Tipping Point is a place where the unexpected Sen. Harkin was instru- becomes expected, where radical change is more than possibility. mental in crafting the It is, contrary to all our expectations, a certainty.” language in the Afford- able Care Act that Collaboration is crucial describes a new As NCH President, I have meticulously aligned NCH with the best national healthcare and most effective organizations and thought leaders in order for workforce as licensed homeopathy to become firmly ensconced in the healthcare field in CAM providers and its broadest dimensions. I believe and trust that radical change is integrative healthcare a certainty. Social epidemics such as the Egyptian revolution, fash- practitioners. IHPC ion trends, and books or independent films that emerge suddenly continues its alliance to become bestsellers—all are examples of the Tipping Point— with Sen. Harkin and contagious behaviors spreading like viruses. Revolutions in his U.S. Senate Com- healthcare happen in the same way. mittee on Health, Edu- Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) Collaboration and alliances are of the utmost importance when cation, Labor and with NCH President, Dr. Nancy Gahles at you are positioning your industry/profession on the larger playing Pensions staff to edu- the Samueli Institute’s 10th Anniversary celebration in Alexandria, VA. field of integrative medicine. There is strength in unity. In my cate Congress about

6 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

this workforce and implement our practitioners into the seven Keep the flame burning places in the law where they can practice. Choice and access. The The take-away lesson, my dear members and colleagues, is this: work of the NCH through the Board of IHPC is assurance that Stay the course. Keep tending the fire. Create, maintain, and sus- homeopathy has a voice in the events leading to the Tipping Point. tain relationships that fuel the fire. Sometimes you are sparking Wayne Jonas, MD, CEO of the Samueli Institute (and featured the flame of homeopathy, calling out for recognition, raising speaker at our 2011 Joint American Homeopathic Conference), awareness. Other times you are stoking the fire, educating others was also instrumental in creating the language for the healthcare with conversations, articles, or presentations. Often you are law, with his Wellness Initiative for the Nation (WIN) developed calmly tending the fire, ever watchful. Then, suddenly the flames in alliance with IHPC. At the Samueli anniversary celebration, Dr. shoot up and burn ever so brightly! This is the Tipping Point. Jonas spoke Tipping Point language as well. He noted that it takes Succussed and potentized, social revolutions are driven by the a lot of effort from a handful of people ... and then suddenly a big efforts of a handful of exceptional people. Gladys McGary is one. leap occurs. He counseled us to be present, patiently cultivating Sen. Harkin is one. And you, you are one. You are exceptional. until change occurs—then be ready to manage what comes next. As a member of the NCH, you have the opportunity to make Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) inspired us to keep radical change a certainty. Small events lead to big changes, sud- on as well, urging us to wait and watch for the moment to strike. denly—after effort and patience. Wait and watch, and never doubt In delivering the Visionary Award to Dr. Gladys McGary, the the power of one person to make that Tipping Point happen for mother of holistic medicine, she championed women and their homeopathy and integrative healthcare. power to make change and make it stick! Dr. McGary told us that In gratitude and service, 50 years of “keeping at it” has yielded returns: holistic medicine is Nancy Gahles, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA) a household word, and now it is being incorporated into main- President, National Center for Homeopathy stream healthcare. I was inspired by her rendition of “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine,” as well as her Humpty Dumpty analogy to conventional medicine falling apart.

Give the gift of good health while helping to protect homeopathy! A subscription to Homeopathy Today, access to the valuable instructional webinar series Homeopathy at Home & all the benefits of NCH membership! New member’s discount gift price of just $49 at NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org or 1-877-624-0613 Warm wishes for a joyous holiday season and healthy new year! —The NCH Board of Directors & Staff

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 7 Winter 2011

Homeopathic An Interview with Research Dr. Peter Fisher Matters Researcher, Editor, & Homeopathic Physician

by CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, ND to the Queen

If there were such a thing as homeopathic royalty, Peter Fisher would easily fit the bill. And that’s not just because he is physician to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as well as both Clinical and Research Director of the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine—the largest public sector provider of holistic medicine in Europe (formerly called the Royal London Homœopathic Hospital). Of at least equal importance is that for How did you first become department at Bartholomew’s Hospital of the past 25 years he has served as editor- interested in homeopathy? London with an open-minded professor in-chief of the journal Homeopathy, the I went to China in 1972 in between my of rheumatology and clinical pharmacol- only MEDLINE-indexed homeopathic undergraduate and post-graduate medical ogy. And [we conducted] one of the very journal. MEDLINE is the medical research studies… I remember vividly seeing a first good quality studies of homeopathy database of the US National Library of woman lying on the operating table, entire published in a first line medical journal— Medicine at the National Institutes of abdomen open, having half her stomach published in BMJ [British Medical Jour- Health and is considered the gold stan- resected, conscious, with three needles in nal] in 1989.1 dard of published medical research. In his her left ear. And I thought, “Oh, well they role as editor of the journal and author of didn’t teach us about that in Cambridge. How did you get involved in numerous published studies, Peter brings That doesn’t happen.” But clearly research? to homeopathy what it so richly it was happening. So that’s what first got It clearly needed to be done in homeopa- deserves—serious consideration, assess- me interested in unorthodox forms of thy. I just felt there was a desperate need ment, and refinement by the most rigor- medicine. for it. So I did it. ous methods of science. So, for a while I studied Chinese. I seri- It was actually very difficult because we Trained at elite Cambridge University, ously intended to take up Traditional Chi- had a hospital and consultants but you had Peter is qualified in both homeopathy and nese Medicine, but it is a huge cultural leap. no way to train consultants—that was the rheumatology and is a Fellow of the Royal Then I became ill myself while still a problem at the time. So you could be College of Physicians. (The Royal College medical student. I went to see various disappointed a consultant if you could get is the oldest medical society in the world; tinguished physicians who made a precise trained, but you couldn’t get trained in fellowship is a select honor bestowed by diagnosis and said, “Tough, nothing can homeopathy—it was a bit of a Catch-22. Royal College peers.) He is also a Fellow of be done.” And an American friend sug- And the one way you could get around it the Faculty of Homeopathy. (The Faculty, gested homeopathy. The first thing [after was by being a research fellow, so that’s established in 1844 and incorporated by taking the remedy], I had a terrible aggra- what I did. an act of British Parliament in 1950, regu- vation. It made me realize at least it did lates the education, training, and practice something. And then it helped, and that What do you see as the role of of homeopathy by the medical profession sort of started the ball rolling. and the direction you want to in the UK.) Peter is a member of the take the journal? World Health Organization’s Expert Advi- How did you get involved in The historic piece was when we got MED- sory Panel on Traditional and Comple- rheumatology? LINE-listed, that was in 1998 I believe, mentary Medicine, and he chaired the Well, it was a bit of an accident. I found a when Wayne Jonas was the boss at the WHO’s working group on homeopathy. research opening in the rheumatology Office of Alternative Medicine [at NIH,

8 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

now called the National Center for Com- then you can make a strong argument that them properly. And we’ll be dividing them plementary and Alternative Medicine]. He randomized trials are actually an expen- into individualized (so-called “classical”) was instrumental in that. That was very sive way of answering that question and and non-individualized. And non-indi- important. So that means we were no you will do much better with a biological vidualized further subdivides into so- longer in the so-called “grey” literature. model [i.e., in vitro, cellular studies]. called “clinical” and “complex.” The “black and white” literature gets cited On the other hand if your question is We are still concentrating on the in MEDLINE. “Does homeopathy make a useful, cost- potential of homeopathy in pandemic/ Homeopathy needs a specialized jour- effective [therapy] or fill an effectiveness epidemic disease. There was a very nice nal. There are a lot of the generic comple- gap in health care?” then you need some study done by Gustavo Bracho in Cuba, mentary medicine journals…but I think kind of, not necessarily observational, but very interesting.2 I met him for the first there is a need for a dedicated [homeo- maybe cohort study. The difference being time recently—very impressive guy, very pathic] journal…. We put together some “observational” means you just watch the interesting guy. So that is one area we are coherent stuff. For instance we did a spe- patients and watch what happens—it is looking at. cial issue three or four years ago on basic completely uncontrolled. Cohort study But there is a need to repeat studies and science. And then we did one on biological means you compare it, but it is not ran- concentrate on promising areas, and not models two years ago. And that was domized. just to go off and do the first thing that important—to make it clear that there Claudia Witt in Germany has done comes into your head really is evidence. some excellent cohort studies showing What areas are promising— influ enza maybe? Peter brings to homeopathy what it so richly deserves— Yes, influenza, dengue fever. There is one [dengue fever] study done by Jennifer serious consideration, assessment, and refinement by Jacobs which is negative3, but there are many people who think it might work in dengue. And interestingly, you’ve got the most rigorous methods of science. countries as diverse as Brazil and Malaysia where you’ve got groups of homeopaths We are going to do one on clinical that patients who get homeopathy do as interested in working on dengue, so we’re research. We are planning a mega-series of well as, in many cases better than, compa- trying to put those together. systematic reviews and meta-analyses. rable [conventional medicine] cohorts. Although, of course, the cohorts are never What do you think about Lex What is your opinion on quite comparable—that’s the problem. Rutten’s work on the repertory? randomized controlled trials You can use clever statistical methods to (Lex Rutten leads a team of 10 versus more pragmatic try and make them comparable, but they Dutch homeopaths working to observational studies? At the never are. And one of the things I rather assess repertory rubrics for their Joint American Homeopathic like is that you find pretty consistently the accuracy and reliability based on Conference in Alexandria, VA, last cohort that chooses homeopathy has the statistical methodology of April, Wayne Jonas said it’s time higher levels of education. That’s got to Bayesian analysis. They published to focus on the real-world, say something. The cohort studies are their first paper, assessing outcomes-based trials as opposed pretty consistently positive. 6 rubrics, in 2009.)4 to placebo-controlled studies. It is very interesting. He is definitely right, Of course he’s been saying that for a long So, controlled trials are a pain in but the trouble is it takes a vast amount time, and I think he is right in many ways. the butt and expensive, but is it of data collection to validate the repertory. One thing to remember about research something we should be doing as It is alarming—[the repertory] just gets is it is just a method of answering ques- a community just for the sake of bigger and bigger and bigger, and less and tions. It gets fetishized—people turn it our advancement? less reliable. into an end in itself, which it shouldn’t be. Well, I suppose we should, yes. But we I always start with my students, I pick So, the question really is, “What is your need to think very carefully. I’m chair of a up a copy of Synthesis [Repertory] and I question?” If your question is, “Can home- [research] group and we actually have say, “The problem with this book is that opathic dilutions really do anything?” some money—and you need to be very half of it is wrong—the question is, then actually the randomized controlled targeted to consider, “What are you going ‘Which half?’” What I mean really is that trial is an expensive, difficult pain in the to do, and why?” 80% of it is wrong, the question is, “Which butt. I’ve done many of them, and there is We are doing this meta-analysis of 80%?”—but I don’t want to discourage an awful lot that can go wrong. If your homeopathic trials. There are, I think, 240 them too much. question is, “Is this stuff placebo or not?” of them. It is a huge undertaking to do

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 9 Winter 2011

Lex told me it would take time. George VI certainly, the one who was things they really shouldn’t say, for about 15 years working with in [the movie] The King’s Speech, and he instance, about protecting against malaria. 20 groups such as his to assess had homeopathic treatment for his stutter. the top 600 rubrics, representing Ambra grisea was the remedy they gave him. Iris Bell said she thinks the most common keynote And the Prince of Wales [Prince homeopathy will be accepted by symptoms. Charles] is into it. We don’t know about the medical community, but it Yeah, it is a vast undertaking to do it prop- Princess Kate, yet. We’ll see. may be with a different name? erly. But his methodology is very good, Yeah, well as I said, something descended and he is right. Do you think the scientific from homeopathy. Maybe the name will community will ever embrace or have to change. Homeopathy has been How did you come about being even accept homeopathy? forced into a ghetto. But one of the things physician to Her Majesty? Well, I think that is up to us. There is huge we can do something about—you can’t do By a rather opaque process. Somebody prejudice—there is prejudice and perse- a lot directly about the skeptics—is to get comes up to you and says, “If you were to cution—which actually seems to have our own house in order; not to make fool- be asked, you wouldn’t say ‘no’, would originated in the UK for various psycho- ish claims; to try to be scientific; and you?” They can’t risk you possibly saying social-geopolitical reasons. instead of larding up the repertory with “no.” So they check you out, and then you And one interpretation of the current anything you please, we need to think a lit- don’t hear a thing. Then a year later you situation is that it is the early stages of a tle bit more carefully about what we put in get a letter. So, I suppose it is a matter of scientific revolution, whereby you get a there; be a little bit more serious about it. being in the right place at the right time. reaction. Homeopathy is persecuted Because undoubtedly homeopathy because it is a new paradigm that is threat- works. It is a therapeutics that has sur- The royal family has had ening the established order… a scientific vived, that works, and that makes remark- homeopathic physicians since…? revolution in the sense of Thomas Kuhn. able claims—and we need to be sure. For a long time—since the 1840s or some- That’s one interpretation. thing like that; all the monarchs for a long On the other hand I am always a bit References cautious about that 1. Fisher, et al. Effect of homoeopathic treat- because we’ve had ment on fibrositis (primary fibromyalgia). false starts before. If BMJ Aug 5;299(6695):365–6. you read the [writings 2. Jacobs, et al. The use of homeopathic combi- of] homeopaths from nation remedy for dengue fever symptoms—A the 1890s, they talk pilot RCT in Honduras. Homeopathy. 2007 rather pityingly of Jan;96(1):22–6. “old school” medicine, and how the 3. Bracho G, et al. Large scale application of “new school” [home- highly-diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epi- opathy] is about to demic control. Homeopathy 2010 Jul;99(3): sweep through; and 156–66. never did it happen. 4. Rutten AL, Stolper CF, Lugten RF, Barthels So, yes I believe LW. Statistical analysis of six repertory rubrics that eventually some- after prospective assessment applying Bayes’ thing, maybe descended theorem. Homeopathy 2009 Jan;98(1):26–34. from homeopathy, using the key tech- ABOUT THE niques of homeopa- AUTHOR thy, will be accepted. I Christopher Johnson, ND, is have to say I think the Vice President of the Virginia homeopathic com- Association of Naturopathic Physicians and a graduate of munity is in many Southwest College of Naturo- ways its worst enemy, pathic Medicine. He practices in Alexandria, Virginia. www.thrivenaturopathic.com particularly in this or 703-836-3678 country [UK]—we have people who make silly claims, frankly, who are not qualified and say

10 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

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NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 11 Winter 2011

The times they at least in the appropriate circles? events may occur because of similarity in are a-changin’ It may be wise to remember something vibration—and homeopathy may be cura- Dear Editor, interesting about the 1800s—the time in tive for the same reason. My hope is that LETTERS I think the NCH’s cur- which homeopathy experienced its great- Active Consciousness will not only help rent focus on research est growth and acceptance. At that time, awaken people to their deeper selves, but is great. While even the best homeopathic spiritualist beliefs were very much in also to the fact that homeopathy is per- research may not convince the diehard vogue, and many homeopaths were haps the most profound form of spiritual skeptics, it may make a dent in how hon- involved in religious movements tied to medicine. Promoters of homeopathy est healthcare professionals, the media, this ethos—the Swedenborgian Church might take a similar approach when they and the public view homeopathy. being most notable (whose ideology influ- try to bring an awareness of homeopathy I’m writing, though, to point out enced the great American homeopath to their communities. another way for the homeopathic com- James Kent and through him, the practice Sincerely, munity to reach the hearts and minds of of homeopathy). Perhaps the confluence Amy L. Lansky, PhD the public. As Bob Dylan said, “The times of such beliefs and the growth of homeop- Portola Valley, CA they are a-changin.” Slowly but surely, a athy was not an accident. Many people at www.activeconsciousness.com new form of consciousness is spreading that time understood reality in a different www.impossiblecure.com across the globe. More and more people way and were thus more open to a form of are engaging in meditation and are begin- medicine that operated in a different way Kudos! ning to develop the awareness that too. The same explanation might underlie Dear Editor, humanity, nature, and the Earth itself are the immense popularity and acceptance of I am finally writing the email that I think all connected at a deep level. We may be homeopathy in India. While humanity of writing each time I receive an issue of on the cusp of a revolution in human con- may not be returning to the spiritual views Homeopathy Today. Your work and prod- sciousness. And a world populated by of the past, the science of ultradilutions uct are superb. Even as an experienced more deeply conscious humans will also and the consciousness of humanity may prescriber, I sit down and read each word. be a world in which alternative energy- finally be catching up to homeopathy. I don’t really care that much about horses based medicines—like homeopathy—will Homeopathy’s time is coming. either, but devoured the article in the become the norm. For the past seven years I have been Autumn issue (“Horse Alchemy: Miracles Rather than merely trying to convince working on a new book—Active Con- of Homeopathic Healing”) and lament the people that homeopathic treatment is as sciousness: Awakening the Power Within. It end of each issue. good as an allopathic pill, perhaps another tries to bridge the gap between phenom- The research features by Christopher new strategy would be to reach out more ena like homeopathic healing, paranormal Johnson, ND, (“Homeopathic Research effectively to the growing number of peo- phenomena like psi, and a variety of infor- Matters”) are fab! ple who are evolving and “waking up.” We mation from spiritual teachers. One My goal now is to get more of my stu- need to let them know that homeopathy is important bridge concept is synchronic- dents and patients to become members! perhaps the most complete form of spiri- ity—the co-occurrence of meaningfully Sincerely, tual energy-based medicine. Most home- related or similar things. As homeopath Gloria St. John opaths and many homeopathic patients Christopher Whitmont pointed out in his Ione, California know this to be true. Why not flaunt it— book Psyche and Substance, synchronous www.goldhillshomeopathy.com Herrick receives Honorary Doctoral Degree at American Medical College of Homeopathy by LAURI GROSSMAN, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA) lthough it has been reported that teach- the US, she helped to create the historic Bay Area Homeopathic Study ers inspire people more than any other Group. She went on to work at the Hering Family Health Clinic and profession, it is a rare occasion when stu- later the Hahnemann Medical Clinic and Hahnemann College of Home- Adents have the chance to honor a teacher opathy. Nancy conducted provings and wrote books (Sacred Plants, who has been exemplary. But that is what Human Voices and Animal Mind, Human Voices) that introduced new happened on October 15 at the American medicines to the homeopathic community so that we could be more Medical College of Homeopathy in Phoenix, AZ, when I got to stand effective in our practices. In 1993, she took a Sabbatical in India to with the school’s president, Dr. Todd Rowe, as he presented Nancy study with Rajan Sankaran and then helped to train others in the Herrick with the college’s first Honorary Doctorate in Homeopathy. Sensation Method. With her beloved husband, Dr. Roger Morrison, she Nancy was one of the outstanding teachers at the Hahnemann Col- still travels the globe, teaching students in the US, Europe, Australia, lege of Homeopathy in California when Dr. Rowe and I studied there. I New Zealand, India, and Mexico. started HCH with a passion for homeopathy, but it was teachers like Before Nancy walked up to the podium, some of the world’s most Nancy who channeled that enthusiasm into a mastery of materia respected homeopaths called in with testimonials: George Vithoulkas, medica, repertory, and homeopathic philosophy. Nancy guided us so Nandita Shah, Melissa Fairbanks, Harry van der Zee, and Frederik that we became better listeners and better prescribers. And by her Schroyens among them. When Nancy received her doctoral degree, example, we became better people. the room broke into loud applause. What a delight to see such a fine Nancy’s homeopathic journey has been marked by determination, homeopath receive this honor. Congratulations, Dr. Herrick. The entire creativity, and joy. At a time when homeopathy was barely known in homeopathic community celebrates with you.

12 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

In Memory Beth Rotondo MARIE RUXTON July 31, 1955–August 15, 2011

ith a heavy heart I report the passing of WBeth Rotondo, a fourth generation homeopath for over thirty years, wife, and mother of five. She succumbed to cancer after a hard-fought battle, having defeated it twice before. Beth spent much of her life in the Swedenborgian community First Aid Course of Bryn Athyn, PA, and had lived and worked in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She was a distant relative by marriage to homeopath Dr. want to: Harvey Farrington, MD, who was the pupil of James Tyler Kent and son ﬁnd new inspiration of homeopath E.A. Farrington. Her life was steeped in homeopathy have a career helping others from the beginning, and her parents ran one of the first homeopathic work independently, with a supportive community study groups in America. Beth traveled the world to study and learned from the best homeopaths of our generation. She developed her own become a homeopath very intuitive approach and was one of the last homeopaths still reper- torizing using books instead of software. Her empathic ability was Courses: renowned, and she could often feel the remedy that was needed in her First Aid Course & Remedy Kit - get started right away first few moments with the patient. Taster - give it a try Beth campaigned against vaccines and, with Dr. Peter Prociuk, 1 Year Foundation - learn the theory helped pioneer the use of homeopathically prepared Thimerosal in 2 Year Intro into Practice - extend into case work treating autism. With this method, she turned around some of the 3 Year Advanced Diploma - put it into practice severest cases and believed every case could be improved. 4 Year Practitioner Diploma - become a professional Beth helped start and nurture 13 or more homeopathic study groups, including the one I ran in Philadelphia. When we were just getting started, she would be the guest lecturer, always radiating optimism, openness, and joy. She was never confrontational, and she handled critics with gentle, disarming humor. She also lectured at the University of Pennsylvania and Arcadia University, giving workshops on topics like Lyme disease, ADHD, pregnancy, and birth. Beth and I had given evening lectures together at Arcadia, and the students always crowded around her to ask questions at the end. She would stay and chat for a long time, even though she had an hour-and-a-half drive back home. Beth had a passion for connecting people and helped build a huge community of healers. When I first got interested in homeopathy, and before I knew her, I called her and asked where the nearest study group was. Since it was far from my home, I jokingly said, “Maybe I’ll start one Flexibility: of my own.” An hour later a woman called and said, “Beth said you want home study - start anytime and work at your own pace Choice: option of education from beginner to practitioner level to start a study group, shall we get started?” Creativity: dynamic, innovative and world renowned curriculum Literally thousands of us here owe our lives and health, even our Support: audio CDs, web tools, regional clinical seminars, tutors careers to her. We will all strive to carry on her legacy. Accessibility: no prior training required, no exams during course You can read and listen to a marvelous interview online that Beth Quality: training meets Council for Homeopathic Cert. requirements Delivery: gave in May 2008. Go to the website, hpathy.com, and type Beth Rotondo graduates ready to start in practice (local regulations vary) in the search box. USA: 886.424.8783 · [email protected] —Alan V. Schmukler Canada: 416.315.0748 · [email protected] www.homeopathyschool.com · established 1981

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 13 Winter 2011

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS: BY PROLINESERVER Winter 2011 We’ll hearpresentationsfromotheresteemed researchersas Research Roundup E Homeopathy well, includingDr. IrisBell,whoseworkrelated to complementary andalternativemedicinespansmorethan30 years. Known bestinhomeopathiccirclesforher2007 studywitha leading expert onthestructureofwater,leading expert Professor Rustum Roy, Dr. Bellwillpresentanewparadigm forscientific The record-breaking2011 conferenceisahardacttofollow research inhomeopathy, whichwillenlightenus onthe by anystandards.That’s just effects ofhomeopathicremedies andhowtheydifferfrom that ofconventionaldrugs. ing the Bar—The Art andScienceofHomeopathicMedicine ing theBar—TheArt water. Becausehomeopathymakesuseofsimilardilutions, as thethemefornextJointAmericanHomeopathicCon- Dr. freshinsighttoourunder- Montagnier’sresearchgives ference, April20–22, 2012. standing ofhomeopathywhilesimultaneouslyheralding the and forall,thescientificvalidityofhomeopathy. AtJAHC possibility ofanewmedicalandscientificparadigm. 2012, eminentspeakersfromaroundtheworldwillpresent compelling evidencefrombothlaboratoryandclinic,that homeopathy hasfullyprovenitselfandrightfullydeservesits standing asoneoftheworld’smostwidelychosensystems of medicine. Wonderful atmosphere Awesome programming Raising theBar The challenge—andwehaveacceptedit—istoprove,once The ArtandScienceofHomeopathicMedicine nergy isbuilding!LastApril’samazingJointAmerican nergy Homeopathic Conferencesurpassedeveryone’shigh- est expectations,withhundredsofhomeopathsfrom around theglobegatheringnearWashington, DC,for our world-class TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org We areextremelyhonoredthatFrench Featured Speaker:NobelPrize virologist Dr.virologist LucMontagnier, recipient Winner, Dr. LucMontagnier of the2008 NobelPrizeinPhysiology or MedicineforhisdiscoveryofHIV (human immunodeficiencyvirus),will present live,inperson,atthisyear’s conference! Dr. Montagnierwilldis- cuss histeam’sgroundbreaking research investigatingtheproperties of DNAfrompathogenicmicroorgan- isms—in particular, theirelectromag- netic resonanceinhighdilutions rvosPg otns|Zo n|Zo u rn oe erhIse|Nx Page Next | Issue Search | Cover Front | out Zoom | in Zoom | Contents | Page Previous rvosPg otns|Zo n|Zo u rn oe erhIse|Nx Page Next | Issue Search | Cover Front | out Zoom | in Zoom | Contents | Page Previous Homeopathy MeetstheWorld ◆ one ◆ Professional environment! Highest caliber speakers!Highest caliber reason we’veselected event. Rais- Productions willpreviewher latestwork—a“game-changer” view twonewfilmprojects. Carol BoyceofSomethingtoSay Elia; RichardFischer, CCH. DDS;andJoeKellerstein, DC,ND, differencearoundtheglobe. This year, weareproudtopre- Lia Bello, RN, FNP,Lia Bello,RN, CCH; CCH; Kim Miranda Castro,FSHom, about homeopathy and support projectsthataremakinga about homeopathyandsupport aid, our expert speakersthisyearincludeKarenAllen, CCH; aid, ourexpert ranging from pregnancy and aging throughdentistry andfirst frompregnancyandaging ranging which debutedatJAHC 2011, continuestospreadtheword popular acrosstheboard,andforgoodreason.With topics new filmsabouthomeopathy. These sessions, while designed for beginners, areconsistently These sessions,whiledesignedforbeginners, becoming themostprominentforumforintroduction of bringing backsomefamiliarfacesforourintroductorytalks. bringing In keepingwiththehighstandardssetin2011, JAHC 2012 International SpeakerLineup The annualJointAmericanHomeopathic Conferenceisfast Exciting SpecialEvents In additiontoourexcitinginternationalspeakerlineup,we’re Something forEveryone ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ will featuresomeofthemostwellregardedinternational speakers intoday’shomeopathicworld.Eachwillbepre- senting videoexamples,againdemonstratingtheefficacyof homeopathy viasuccessfulclinicalcases.We arepleasedto have ontheroster: will be Dana Ullman, MPH, whosepopular will beDanaUllman,MPH, column isspreadingthewordabouthomeopathyto millions.Danaisaveritableencyclopediaofinformation on scientificstudiesprovingtheefficacyofhomeopathy; his presentationwillhighlightthebeststudiesfrompeer- reviewed journalsbyrespectedphysiciansandscientists.And Dr. Todd Rowe,PresidentoftheAmericanMedicalCollege Homeopathy, willoutlinecurrentworktocreatestandards for homeopathicprovingsbasedonguidelinesfromthe European CouncilforClassicalHomeopathy(ECCH). India’s Dr. ofthe“Sensation RajanSankaran,originator Canada’s Dr. AndréSaine,practitioner, teacher, andscholar The USA’s Dr. AmyRothenberg,author, practitioner, and Dr.The UK’s RussellMalcolm,formerDirectorofEducation Australia’s LizLalor, inhomeopathic authorandexpert India’s Dr. Tarkeshwar Jain,professoratDr. M.P.K. Method” inhomeopathicpractice. HomœopathicMedicalCollegeinJaipur. of the great homeopathicmastersofthepast. of thegreat co-director oftheNewEnglandSchoolHomeopathy. at theRoyalLondonHomœopathicHospital. treatment. psychiatryandfertility Also helpingto“raisethebar”atthisyear’sconference The JointAmerican Hmoahc Conference Homeopathic April 20-22, 2012 Washington, DCarea Homeopathy AroundtheWorld Huffington Post q q H OL’ NEWSSTAND WORLD’S THE H OL’ NEWSSTAND WORLD’S THE q q q q , M M M M M M q q Qmags Qmags q q M M M M ® ® qM qMqM Previous Page | Contents | Zoom in | Zoom out | Front Cover | Search Issue | Next Page qMqM Qmags THE WORLD’S NEWSSTAND®

for the discussions surrounding homeopathy—while Canadian homeopath Ananda More will update us on her coming film about the progress made using homeopathy in Cuba. Hundreds of homeopaths ◆ Inspiring & reinvigorating! The “Homeopathic Dialogue,” a panel discussion featuring seven prominent homeopaths from around the world, was so well received in 2011 that it will encore in 2012. Expect a lively debate! Our distinguished international speakers will again take the stage together, addressing questions on homeopathic practice, philosophy, and research, as they air their widely diverse views. This is a must-see event!

Fantastic New Venue JAHC 2011 was so successful that we outgrew our usual conference location! 2012 brings us to a fabulous gem of the DC area, the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia. Located a quick (and free) shuttle ride from Washington Dulles Interna- tional Airport, this luxurious four-diamond hotel is adjacent to restaurants, shops, and a movie complex. There’s even a Whole Foods store within easy walking distance. Special conference rates and nearby attractions make this a perfect place for the whole family. We look forward to seeing you— come and join the excitement next April 20–22!

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NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 15 Winter 2011

The Homeopathic Interview Opens doors to insight & understanding— heals sciatica, itching & more

by PEARLYN GOODMAN-HERRICK, ND, DHANP

’Tis the season of giving—the perfect time to give thanks for the gift of the homeopathic interview. When patient and practitioner participate in the classical homeopathic interview*— in which the homeopath elicits information from the patient that will aid in selecting a healing remedy—they both reap rewards.

16 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

The interview’s gift to the practitioner is around anyone!” she said. She described all the time like before.” Her menstrual the extraordinary opportunity to learn her cramps as sharp, with a feeling of full- cramps this past month were about half as about another person as a complete, unique ness and downward pressure. She also painful as usual. “I’m calmer, less irritable. human being. To be entrusted to see some- expressed dismay that her hair was “falling And my husband says I’m a lot more one else this fully is an honor. After 30-plus out in gobs” and showed me some areas on pleasant since I stopped snipping at him,” years in practice, I am ever more aware of her scalp where her dark hair was notice- she laughed. and grateful for this privilege. ably thin. As our interview continued, she Susannah was pleased with her treat- The interview’s gift to the patient goes revealed: “I’m tired all the time and just ment results, and she continued to beyond access to a homeopathic remedy don’t have the energy I need to get through improve. Within three months, her symp- and its curative powers. To be able to speak the day. I wake up tired and by late after- toms were fully resolved, and she stopped one’s pain and to be listened to by some- noon, I’m really wiped out. But somehow I taking the remedy shortly thereafter. Even one paying full attention without judg- have to keep working.” Even so, she her hair had stopped falling out exces- ment is, in itself, a rare experience. In enjoyed her evening fitness instructor sively, and she happily pointed out where addition, the search for the correct remedy training classes: “Working out always new growth was coming in on her head. may open a door for the patient to learn makes me feel better.” I started Susannah At a routine follow-up visit about six more profoundly about himself, further- on Sepia 12c, 1 tablet twice a day. months later, Susannah reported feeling ing his healing process at the deepest levels. Sepia is a commonly used remedy, most well in general. However, over the last sev- often for women, that can be especially eral weeks she had been seeing a physical Whole person healing helpful for hormonal problems. Premen- therapist because despite a good mattress, Homeopathy is a deep-acting, mind-body strually, these women may be very irritable, medicine providing the patient the oppor- particularly with their husband and chil- tunity to heal on multiple levels—physi- dren; they feel better when they’re alone. cally, emotionally, and mentally. The They tend to be chilly and worse between remedy is selected by using the most char- 3 and 5 p.m. They are often exhausted and acteristic (i.e., striking, clear, individualiz- weary. Exercise improves their outlook and ing) symptoms of the patient, whether may also improve certain physical pains mental/emotional, physical, general, or a such as menstrual cramps. combination. Sometimes the patient’s When we met again one month later, mental symptoms alone are characteristic, Susannah seemed more upbeat: “I’m not and they lead to a remedy that cures both dragging through the day and so worn out mental and physical symptoms. In other instances, the patient may have character- I suggested that perhaps istic physical symptoms without any apparent mental symptoms. These physical symptoms lead to the needed rem- she could allow herself edy—and can also provide a clue to the patient’s mental state, opening new possi- to cry, that she was using bilities for understanding and healing. Below are three examples from my prac- a lot of muscular energy tice where the physical symptoms themselves opened up new questioning, understanding, and emotional awareness holding back her grief. for both patient and doctor.

Susannah: far away from her homeland Susannah, age 34, was a bright woman who had immigrated to the U.S. 10 years before our initial interview. She worked as a companion to the elderly and was study- ing to be a physical fitness instructor. Susannah sought help for painful menstrual cramps and “PMS.” “I get so irritable before my period that I can’t stand to be

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 17 Winter 2011

she woke with stiffness in her lower back, A dream tells the story… ogist who had found nothing really, no which was better when she walked Susannah answered softly: “I’ve been infection of any kind. He had prescribed around, but worse with prolonged walk- dreaming of my family…” With the polit- cortisone cream, which Alice wished to ing. She had a similar stiffness in her right ical situation in her country of birth, it avoid. ln other ways, Alice was quite thigh, which was also better from walking would have been dangerous to return for a healthy. She reported feeling well and had but worse from prolonged walking. The visit. And her mother, sister, and brother no other symptoms. physical therapy did not seem to be help- found it impossible to get a visa to visit Since there was a paucity of informa- ing. Sepia is an important remedy for back her in the U.S. As a result, Susannah had tion to help me decide on one remedy pain that is better from walking and not seen them in five years. In telling of over another—no modalities to the itch- Susannah seemed to have no other signif- her dream, her voice started to crack, “I ing—I began to consider remedies that icant symptoms, so I prescribed Sepia 30c, guess you could call it grief.” Susannah had helped Alice overall in the past. She 1 tablet, 2 times a day, and asked her to call had learned to survive by holding in her had responded well to Lycopodium at a me in a week. feelings, “being strong.” I suggested that time when she had suffered fatigue espe- One week later, despite the higher perhaps she could allow herself to cry, that cially from 4 to 8 p.m. and had had lots of potency of Sepia and continued physical she was using a lot of muscular energy abdominal flatulence; it helped her confi- therapy, Susannah’s back symptoms holding back her grief. She agreed and dence in herself and her artwork, which remained the same; I needed to reconsider. almost immediately started to weep, “I am had dropped. On another occasion, she Of course, the remedy Rhus toxicodendron so homesick for my family, my country.” had responded very well to Calcarea car- came to mind with these modalities of As Ignatia is the foremost remedy for the bonicum when it was prescribed after a “better from initial movement, worse from ill effects of grief and is helpful for people period of overwork when Alice had continued movement.” But as always, I who suppress or hold back their grief, I pre- become very tired and unable to get her looked in my Repertory [homeopathic scribed Ignatia 30c, 3 times a day. Susan- energy back despite rest; she had been index of symptoms and corresponding nah’s back and thigh pain disappeared sweating a lot, and craving eggs and milk remedies] to confirm whether it or within a few days and did not return. The (the classic Calcarea carbonicum cravings). another remedy might be needed. Two sig- emotionally painful dreams resolved nificant rubrics were found: “Back, Stiff- shortly thereafter. In a later conversation, I would not wait ness, Morning, rising,” which listed the Susannah said, “Of course I still miss my remedies “bar-c., calc-s., Carb-v., ferr-i., family, but I can handle it now.” She also a month for an intense, ign., mag-c., phyt., staph., sul-ac.” And reported that she hadn’t realized how much “Extremities, Stiffness, thighs” which listed pain she had been carrying—a wonderful troublesome symptom “bry., CALC, carb-v., ign.” The sub-rubric metaphor for her back problems. “Extremities, Stiffness, thighs, on rising” to clear; if there was listed only “carb-v., ign.” I wondered particularly about the pos- no improvement in a sibility of Susannah needing Carbo vegetabilis or Ignatia, as these were the only few days, I would look two remedies that appeared in the two main repertory rubrics as well as the sub- for a different remedy. rubric. A woman needing Carbo vegetabilis might resemble a woman needing Unfortunately, neither Lycopodium 1M Sepia, with a similar irritability and indif- nor Calcarea carbonicum 1M given a ference. But Susannah had no other con- month apart alleviated Alice’s itching, firmatory symptoms for Carbo vegetabilis, which continued and intensified. Now, such as flatulence or air hunger, which we Alice: gifted artist with a full life after 30 years in practice, I would not wait a might expect to see. This still did not rule Alice, age 78, a very talented artist who month for an intense, troublesome symp- out Carbo vegetabilis though, as it could be had been a patient of mine for five years, tom like this to clear after giving a remedy; that the stiffness in her thigh and back came to see me complaining of intense I would expect improvement within a few were her only significant symptoms. But I itching of the vulva. There was no dis- days, and if there was none, I would look always check whether there have been any charge, just severe itching, especially on for a different remedy. However, at that stresses that relate to the onset of the the right side. I asked whether anything time, I waited a full month before trying a problem, to see if the stress itself, or the made it better or worse (such as hot or different remedy. Fortunately, Alice was a reaction to it, is a contributing factor or cold), whether it was better or worse at patient, committed person. provides clues to the remedy. “Have you any particular time of day or night or By her next visit, however, she was experienced any stress lately, anything that under any other notable circumstances. wondering aloud if she had other options. might have made you angry, fearful, or She just shook her head, “No,” to each of Wracking her brain to help me find a solu- sad?” I asked. my questions. Alice had seen her gynecol- tion, Alice said, “You know how you

18 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

always ask about food cravings? Well I by a number of younger people who seek I am impressed with the myriad of realize that for the past several weeks I’ve her wisdom. While she never had the rela- ways pain is described in the homeopathic been having an increased desire for salt. tionship she had hoped for, she is sur- Repertory. However, Joe’s response is typi- I’ve been eating chips like crazy.” People rounded by a loving family and friends of cal of many of my patients who can read- who need Lycopodium or Calcarea carbon- all ages who find her a delight and in ily describe burning pain, but have trouble icum can exhibit a desire for salt, though whom she takes great joy. describing any other type. Joe went on to usually not as strongly as their desire for report that the pain was definitely worse sweets. Many other remedies can be indi- Since sciatica symptoms from walking. Sometimes, he simply cated for someone who desires salt, such found it difficult to walk. Oftentimes the as Medorrhinum or Phosphorus—but the often occur with pain was relieved after he took a warm most common remedy for this symptom shower. However, the pain returned as is Natrum muriaticum (which itself is soon as he cooled off. homeopathically prepared, potentized either physical or The appearance of the sciatica was a sodium chloride, otherwise known as mystery to Joe. He had never had this type salt). I checked to see whether Alice had emotional stress, I asked of pain. He reported no new exercise or any other confirmatory symptoms for physical strain of any kind that might have Natrum muriaticum, such as aversion to Joe if he had either. caused this. the sun, 10 a.m. aggravation, or aversion Since sciatica symptoms often occur to consolation, but she answered no to with either physical or emotional stress, I each of my questions. When asked if she’d asked Joe if he had either. He couldn’t had any stresses lately, she shook her head think of anything that might have trig- no. “I’ve been dealing with life pretty well gered this. “Things are going really well in overall,” she said. my life!” he said. He enjoyed his work, which had recently been made easier and An a-ha moment... more profitable by the hiring of a compe- Because Natrum muriaticum is a remedy tent young worker. This allowed him to often associated with long-held grief, I take more time off to spend with his fam- wondered aloud if she’d had any recent ily. He had a 20-year-old son and a 17- grief. Alice considered this and said, year-old daughter and reported a good “Strange you’d ask that. You know I relationship with both. divorced many years ago. I dated, but I’ve Joe: mechanic gets a fix Joe appeared pleasant and seemed never had what I consider to be a really for breakdown healthy overall. The sciatica symptoms successful relationship with a man. I Joe, age 47, a car mechanic who owned his were the only symptoms he had to report, thought I was dealing with this, but I real- own garage, came to see me for help with and they were clear and easy to repertorize. ize this is more painful than I thought. It’s sciatica. (Sciatica means pain along the sci- ◆ Extremity Pain; Lower Limbs; sciatica; something I really wanted in life, and I atic nerve, the longest nerve in the body that right don’t think I’ll ever have it. Recently, it’s runs from the spine, through the hips, and ◆ Extremity Pain; Lower Limbs; sciatica; been really bothering me. I think about all the way down the back of the leg). Joe’s walking; aggravates this a lot, and when I do, I can’t stop cry- sciatic symptoms started mildly about 10 ◆ Extremity Pain; Lower Limbs; sciatica; ing.” I gave Alice one dose of Natrum days earlier with “a funny feeling running walking; difficult muriaticum 1M. Within a few days of tak- down my right leg.” Within a few days this ◆ Extremity Pain; Lower Limbs; sciatica; ing this remedy, Alice’s intense itching— feeling was no longer “funny,” but quite warmth ameliorates which she’d had for about four months painful. The pain continued straight—completely stopped. And her to increase over the week. mind state improved as well. Alice called “You know Doc, I thought it to let me know that shortly after taking the would go away. I don’t like remedy, she cried even more intensely to make a big deal over than she had before about her relationship things, but this really hurts.” sadness; but after that, she felt better and To learn more about the resolved in her situation. quality of his pain, I asked, Alice is now in her 90s and continues to “How would you describe lead an active, artistic life. These days she it?” “It hurts,” he replied. I then offered [Chart prepared with MacRepertory software.] moves more slowly, needing a cane to lean that there were many ways to describe on, but her mind is as sharp and witty as pain. “Might it be burning, sharp, shoot- The big reveal... ever. She lives a full life, continuing to ing, knifelike, anything else?” Joe laughed: Colocynthis fit his sciatica well, as shown explore and grow emotionally. She is loved “Doc, I told you it hurts.” in the accompanying chart; it was the only

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 19 Winter 2011

remedy that fit all his symptoms, and it anger, sadness, or fear. However, we also could have been prescribed without fur- have the opportunity to savor the life we ther discussion. But because of my own do have, to live it fully with joy and com- curiosity, I pursued the questioning a bit passion. Homeopathy can so beautifully further. Since Colocynthis is also a remedy support us in our journey, as it did for that may be associated with anger, I won- Susannah, Alice, and Joe; their physical dered if that was a factor relating to Joe’s symptoms opened doors to understand- sciatica and questioned him more specifi- three times a day. The sciatica was coming and healing on all levels. Both patient cally about anything he might be dealing pletely better two days later. and practitioner can be grateful for the with emotionally. “Nope, no grief; no anx- When I saw Joe for a follow-up visit gift of the homeopathic interview—which iety. Really, I’ve been fine. … Anger? … one month later, I asked if he would con- can occur in any season! Well, no … Well, actually, come to think of sider couples counseling with his wife. *The homeopathic interview is also called “case- it, I’ve been furious with my wife. She just “Heck, I can live with it, no big deal,” he taking,” “case receiving,” or “taking the case.” won’t let up on me with complaints, com- replied. Whether Joe was denying the plaints, complaints, no matter what I do. issues with his wife or was truly more ABOUT THE ‘You should have picked up this or that.’ accepting now, I can’t say. But it has been AUTHOR ‘You’re doing that all wrong.’ And on and five years since this sciatica episode, and Pearlyn Goodman-Herrick, ND, on. She just keeps at it. Nothing stops her. Joe has not had a recurrence and contin- DHANP, is a naturopathic physi- Gee, she’s infuriating. There are times I’d ues to do well. The homeopathic interview cian in practice more than 30 years. She finds classical home- like to kick her (demonstrating with his gave Joe an opportunity to see a difficulty opathy to be the single most right leg), but of course I wouldn’t.” in his life—and then it was his choice how powerful approach for most physical problems, but she Joe then started to laugh, realizing the he dealt with it. also provides nutritional counseling and mind-body correlation between what he had just said psychological work when needed or requested. She practices in Mill Valley, California, and is also and his physical symptoms: “Oh… yeah… Gifts for savoring life’s journey available for Skype and phone consults. She can I can really see I need to work this out with Our life may not turn out as we had hoped be reached at [email protected] or her.” I gave Joe Colocynthis 30c to be taken or wished for; we can remain stuck in www.homeopathyamerica.com or 415-663-9991.

THE CANADIAN ACADEMY OF HOMEOPATHY presents a POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM for health care Providers* wishing to specialize in homeopathy, with ANDRÉ SAINE, ND, F.C.A.H.

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20 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

For all your Homeopathic HOMEOPATHY IN THE NEWS

Check the NCH website at nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org Single for more detailed reports on homeopathy in the news. Click on “Media” and then “Homeopathy in the News.”

The Fashion Industry Loves Arnica When fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg was injured Remedies in a ski accident, she tweeted: “Arnica gel is the best thing you can do for bruises. … I cannot say it enough…” This is • Over 2400 different just one example cited in a recent New York Times article about how the fashion industry is embracing the use of single homeopathic remedies homeopathic Arnica, in all its forms. Linda Fargo, director of Bergdorf Goodman, says it is one of her “fashion week sur- • C, X, LM potencies vival must-haves.” Designer Phillip Lim said he tried a 3-day • Pellets & Drops regimen of Arnica when he was “feeling puffy” and thought his “skin glowed afterwards.” A cosmetics industry executive • More than 1500 different takes it instead of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Mother Tinctures Athletes and fitness professionals, including the former coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, have been • Combination remedies using it for years; orthopedic surgeons prescribe it, and it is also available readily available at drugstores. The article focuses on the toxicity of Arnica when used in its herbal form and seems to • Private labels inquiries welcomed confuse this with homeopathically prepared Arnica, which is highly diluted, non-toxic, and safe. • Cell salts —September 14, 2011, The New York Times, Skin Deep: Seeking Relief Through Arnica, by Bee-Shyuan Chang. Homeopathic ear drops effective for ear infections Researchers at the University of Washington gave homeopathic ear drops to a group of children suffering with acute middle ear infections who were also receiving conventional treatment. A separate group of children received only conventional treatment. The group receiving homeopathic ear drops reported fewer symptoms of pain and a faster rate of improvement. Researchers concluded homeopathic ear drops were moderately effective in pain control and may be most effective in the early period after a diagnosis of acute middle ear infection. —Homeopathy. 2011 Jul;100(3):109-15. Homeopathic ear drops as an adjunct to standard therapy in children with acute otitis media. Taylor JA, Jacobs J. We also offer a complete line of Homeopath claims successful Dengue fever treatment Dengue fever and other viral flu outbreaks claimed 115 Single and combination remedies. deaths in Sri Lanka this year, and conventional medicine has done little to curb it. A Sri Lanka representative of Homeopaths Without Borders, Joe de Livera, is encouraging the Sri Lankan government and the World Health Organiza- tion to turn to homeopathy, as it has been shown to be successful in Dengue as well as other epidemics. He points A member of the Homeocan group since 1987. The #1 Choice of Canadian Health Professionals. to the experience of homeopath Dr. Imthias Latif, who reports successfully treating more than a thousand patients FOR MORE INFORMATION using the remedy Eupatorium perfoliatum 200c. email: [email protected] Call Today 1-800-404-4666 or Fax 1-514-252-8919 —Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka), August 9, 2011, Visit our Website: www.homeolab.com “Consider other methods to eradicate dengue”

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 21 Winter 2011

Great Expectations Can homeopathy really deliver “miracles”?

by KRISTA HERON, ND, DHANP

Homeopathy can be burdened by magical expectations. Patients, students, and practitioners often find themselves expecting immediate miracles from the ingestion of a single dose of a remedy. Surely, they hope, this medicine transfused with the essence of a substance could heal the deepest and most troubled aspects of their souls. But what is truly possible? What can we hope for, or expect, from homeopathic medicine? Physical feats earlier. And the patient who has received exhibit some suspiciousness within their I have little doubt that in most cases of years of corticosteroids will heal less personality, but this will be tempered so it physical complaints—eczema, asthma, quickly than the one who has had none. does not interfere with a successful life. and irritable bowel, for example—home- Furthermore, the patient who is 20 will The same is true for the Belladonna patient opathy does quite well. I have seen ‘‘mira- generally heal quicker than the patient in regards to congestion, or Aurum and cles’’—in the sense that something that who is 80. Of course, there are many other their sense of omnipotence. Each of these was very troubling to a patient, often factors to be considered, but these gener- symptoms is an essential structural quality unmitigated by other treatments for years alities hold true, in my experience. that will always exist within the patient but and years, responds beautifully and effort- in a less limiting way under successful lessly to a homeopathic remedy. These are Becoming our best selves homeopathic treatment. daily occurrences in my practice. But what of the deeper, emotional symp- For a more personal example, I will More serious illness such as cancers, toms that can plague us such as depres- always be an introvert. That I can become Type 1 Diabetes, or Parkinson’s can sion, chronic bitterness and anger, a healthier, freer, and more joyful introvert respond to homeopathic medicine, too, shyness or wild impulsiveness, loneliness is a result of many things: stretching my although the treatment usually requires and feelings of isolation, or dependency comfort zones by teaching, finding a good more time, patience, and skill on the part and anxiety? These complaints are usually homeopathic prescription, and being lov- of the practitioner. The most important manifestations of character structure— ing and compassionate towards myself. contribution of any homeopathic medi- expressions of the personality, with roots Can a homeopathic remedy change an cine is to improve the quality of life. In reaching back to earliest childhood. I introvert into an extrovert? I do not think serious pathologies, this contribution may explain to my patients that there are cer- so. Instead, it may free some of the associ- or may not include “cure” in the conven- tain ‘‘symptoms’’ that homeopathy will ated impediments, opening a door to tional sense, but homeopathy may slow not change, nor should. We do not want greater comfort. But an introvert I will down the progression of the disease, or to change the essence of the inner nature always be, if it is my true nature. provide palliation, all the while allowing of the person; rather we want to help I often see patients with symptoms of for greater freedom and joy in living. them be their best selves. depression. Some depressions are a result of family environments I can easily imagine giving a patient a good remedy for eczema and where there has been serious neglect or aban- placing them on a deserted island fully expecting them to get better. donment. Others are due How quickly the body heals is often Massimo Mangialavori calls these inner to unfortunate life setbacks with work or dependent upon how long the patient has nature symptoms “fundamental themes” divorce. In my experience, patients who had the complaint, how much suppressive that express “an essential, structural com- have more circumstantial depression and therapy has been given in the past, and ponent of the remedy and its adaptive a healthy relationship with Eros do quite how strong the patient’s vital force is. Typ- strategy… persist[ing] over time.”* Within well with a homeopathic remedy, which ically, a patient with eczema of 30 years the patient, the symptoms are permanent, can lift them out of their unhappiness. will take longer to heal than the patient but they can be modified for the better. For Those who suffered early from an absence whose skin eruption began just 5 years example, the Arsenicum patient will always of love, and who feel life offers little

22 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

pleasure, will not be “lifted” per se, but world. I do not expect them to become Gentle magic expanded to embrace Eros and life. excessively cheerful or optimistic people Homeopathy is a magnificent tool for after taking a homeopathic remedy, but I healing—a gentle process that can offer The relational field do expect that as they heal, they will profound relief and create a field of sup- But to what extent does a remedy play a understand their responsibility to them- port that encircles both the patient and part in the patient’s healing—versus the selves and others to create changes in their practitioner. When this occurs we do find therapeutic relationship with the home- lives. By loving themselves and loving oth- magic: the magic of restored health. opath? I feel these emotional passages or ers, by forgiving themselves and forgiving transformations occur in relationship— others, they will begin to experience the * Mangialavori, Massimo, Praxis, A New Method of not only through the influence of a home- world as brighter and richer. This occurs Homeopathic Medicine, Volume One: Methodology opathic remedy. An eczema or asthma because of influences of both the remedy may respond quite well outside of this and our relationship. dyadic influence, but deeper, emotional I also see a rebalancing as they heal. states require more help. I can easily imag- Angry patients may become more ABOUT THE AUTHOR ine giving a patient a good remedy for depressed for a short time, as they realize eczema and placing them on a deserted the pain and suffering they have caused Krista Heron, ND, DHANP, has island fully expecting them to get better. others. Depressed patients may become studied homeopathy since 1983 with many different But I do not imagine this to be true of the angry as they shift their self-destructive practitioners including Louis patient who is suffering from depression tendencies towards assertiveness and away Klein, Jeremy Sherr, Nandita Shah, Sujit Chatterjee, Rajan or from a compulsive disorder. These from timidity, while the anxious patient Sankaran, Divya Chhabra and, patients need the relational field to heal. may find that depression lies beneath the in particular, with Massimo Mangialavori since 1996. She taught advanced homeopathy at Bastyr Let us consider another example. I have surface of their distracting worries and University in Seattle for 12 years, from 1997 treated patients whose relationship to the fears. These are all temporary swings of through 2008. She has published her work in a number of journals, both national and interna- world is one of irritation and anger—a the pendulum as the patient rebalances— tional, as well as presented at conferences and feeling that they are ill-treated by the embracing a healthier tonal quality. teaching seminars, nationally and internationally.

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 23 Winter 2011

SAFE HAVEN Mission Neighborhood &Healing Resource Center, San Francisco, CA for the Homeopaths serve people in need… reap rewards aplenty Homeless by RENITA HERRMANN Resource Center photos courtesy of Jim Spadoni/truewest media

24 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

Sometimes a coincidence really gets your attention. On a lovely day in San Francisco six years ago, I had an errand to run on the far side of town. As I walked to my car in a run-down neighborhood, I noticed a van that looked like a bread truck with people piling into it. The words on the side of the vehicle read: “Mission Neighborhood Clinic Outreach.” Striking up a conversation with the workers inside, I learned they administered basic medical attention to folks living on the street— something I’d always wanted to do. I had just finished my homeopathy care of our clients, appropriate conversa- training and this chance encounter struck tion being key. me as a sign, a coincidence that was hard to Of the many people who make the ignore. “Do you have a homeopath work- clinic a success, I must particularly thank ing with you?” I asked. “No, but homeopa- the medical director, Ricardo Alvarez, thy would be a welcome addition!” they MD, who agreed to my participation. Dr. answered. They encouraged me to apply Alvarez got to see homeopathy’s effective- and offered the clinic’s information cards. ness firsthand when he served as transla- Never one to sit still, I called the clinic tor for Maria*—a 50-year-old woman shortly afterwards and received a 10-page who came for treatment of pain in her application form. Once this was approved back. She also had gas so severe that other and I was interviewed, I had to present shelter residents complained about it, and information about homeopathic treat- as she talked, Maria wept often. After ment to the clinic’s entire staff. It was a interviewing Maria, I felt that her physical, very thorough review process, but in a few mental, and emotional symptoms clearly short months I was volunteering one fit the indications for the homeopathic afternoon a week at the Mission Neigh- remedy Phosphorus; but when I didn’t find borhood Resource Center’s clinic. I’ve this remedy listed in the repertory rubrics been there ever since, and the experience describing the exact location of her back has challenged and educated me in ways pain, I was perplexed. I needed confirma- far beyond what I could have imagined. tion that Phosphorus was an adequate When I began at the clinic, it was a match for her back pain. Through Dr. satellite of the city-run San Francisco Alvarez, I asked her when the pain Health Center, but last year it became an occurred. Maria took a deep breath and The street-level entrance independent operation. The clinic is on pointed to the painful spot on her back. the second floor of the Mission Neighbor- Of course! “Pain on deep inspiration” is hood Resource Center, which boasts an also a Phosphorus symptom, and bingo, serves as a sign-in place outdoor patio and many offices and exam this removed my doubts about which rooms. The street-level entrance serves as remedy to choose. Dr. Alvarez remarked to secure a bed at a a sign-in place to secure a bed at a shelter on how thorough we were during this for the night, take showers, wash clothes, intake, and I was glad to be able to show shelter for the night, and store belongings in lockers. A phone is him clearly how homeopathy thrives on also available for local calls. those symptoms that are unique to the individual. Maria’s back pain resolved take showers, wash A terrific team after taking Phosphorus, and she later At the clinic, we’re very lucky to have a came back to report that her gas was no clothes, and store wonderful team on whom to rely: case longer disturbing the other clients. managers, doctors, physician’s assistants, More than a year ago, Melinda McGee nurses, and staff who keep the clinic joined me as a homeopath at the clinic, belongings in lockers. rolling. We attend training sessions to and then Wanda Smith-Schick rounded broaden our knowledge of how to take out the team. Working together as home-

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 25 Winter 2011

Our clients have one thing in common: their pain does not allow them to function in the way

opaths with differing backgrounds has passes within 5 or 10 seconds. It might be just homeless people with problems stem- been invaluable. We discuss our cases and a look of fright on the face before dashing ming from abuse and/or grief early in life. philosophy, often making up for each for the bathroom, or a frantic search for a Many have been diagnosed with bipolar other’s blind spots. If we have open minds, tissue before hawking up mucus the size of disorder. Some have come from prison and we can find the best way—not just the way a tennis ball. Then you watch for the posi- are looking for a different way to live. we were taught. tive turn-around in their demeanor or Almost all have one thing in common: their their condition that shows that the remedy pain does not allow them to function in the A special population has kicked in. The client may relax, smile, way most of us take for granted. Treating people who come to the Center is and say, “Wow, I feel better! It works that tremendously rewarding. When I worked quickly?” This was how we worked during Getting creative with treatment just off the waiting area and would hear epidemics such as Swine Flu; seeing many Treating them requires us to be a bit cre- someone coughing, I’d urge them to come patients with the same ailment helped us ative as homeopaths because our training into my office where I’d treat their acute to find the genus epidemicus (the remedy did not necessarily prepare us for the spe- ailment on the spot. I learned to look for or small set of remedies that is effective cial needs of this population. We hope that signs that immediately confirmed whether and quickly alleviates suffering in the a client will come back for follow-up after I’d given a helpful homeopathic remedy. majority of cases in a particular epidemic). we treat them, but there is often an exten- When you choose the correct remedy, the Sometimes it’s just an earache, a minor uating circumstance that keeps them client can have a slight aggravation (a tem- injury, or a cough that our clients need help away: a job offer in another city, a bed for porary worsening of symptoms when a with, but many suffer with deeper issues. a week, an unexpected source of drugs, or remedy starts to work) that appears and They may be drug and alcohol addicts or something worse. We often don’t know

oe, a tall, energetic 43-year-old, came in complaining of a hand injury. About a week earlier, he’d been doing The Martial Artist martial arts and hit something (or someone—he didn’t The Martial Artist remember). Many of our clients have suffered physical injury, and we’ve learned that acute trauma remedies Jcan do them a lot of good; so we immediately gave Joe Who Couldn’t Arnica 1M while continuing to take the rest of his case. Is that the meth talking? Stop Fighting From Joe’s behavior, it seemed likely that he was on methamphetamines. He was speaking rapidly, making large gestures, and moving around the room, constantly touching From life on the edge, to progress toward peace things. Drug use is not uncommon among the clinic population. Generally, they deny drinking or taking drugs and by MELINDA McGEE we don’t press them on that. Instead, we focus on what is unique about them; not everyone on methamphetamines presents the same picture. Things like family history, how they describe themselves as a child, the big changes in their life that derailed them—these and other individual expressions help us see past the drug effects to find a helpful homeopathic remedy.

Another picture appears… Joe joked with us as we handed him the Arnica: “Is there poison in there?” Although it was December, Joe wore shorts and unselfconsciously sat with his legs splayed in front of us, two women homeopaths. He jumped from topic to topic and sprinkled his talk with profanity (I’m leaving that part out in quoting him!): “I walked away from an alcoholic mother, managed a tattoo salon, had a parrot, grew up in the Apple Valley, and have been to Europe. My father’s liver eroded from social drinking. I am proud of my Russian her- itage. My family was on a tight budget. This is my second year of living on the street. I’m a veteran and a Buddhist and I believe with every death there’s a rebirth. I feel very Japan-

26 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011 ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Melinda McGee, Clinic most of us take for granted. Director Laura Guzman, Renita Herrmann, and Wanda Smith-Schick why clients don’t return, but sometimes consult together on they come back unexpectedly many client cases. months later with a good result—or another relapse. It’s important that we not JIM MEDIA SPADONI/TRUEWEST be judgmental but rather that we support them whenever they return. The last thing we want to do is make them feel they failed us; we aren’t the important ones. Unfortunately, much information that a homeopath typically uses in selecting a remedy for a client is not available. For example, shelters often keep lights on during the night, so we can’t really tell what the client’s personal preference would be. tion because they are common to anyone ment into long-term success in a clinical Food is catch-as-catch-can, based on expe- living in this situation. Moreover, disrup- setting with a shifting population. One diency rather than on choices, and it’s hard tions in these two necessities—sleep and way we cope is to keep rigorous progress to be certain about a client’s food desires nutritious food—can be an obstacle to notes, particularly in our indication of and aversions. So, some important “gen- cure, as can all the stresses of living a life improvement. We’ve now learned to take a eral” symptoms of a person cannot be used on the edge. We do the best we can. statistical view, using a 0-10 scale on most to individualize the homeopathic prescrip- It can also be difficult to translate treat- symptoms discussed. Although we are

ese.” (He was Anglo.) “I drink only on special occasions.” He Because we never know if a homeless client will return, had serious anger management problems, was frequently we may have only one shot to treat them. Joe was physically getting in fights, and had been in prison. healthy and his symptoms were in the mental sphere, so we Joe loved music and had a dream about playing percus- gave him Hyoscyamus in a high (10M) potency. sion. He said he was “born cool” and “born with knowledge.” He loved to travel. Joe name-dropped a lot about people he A calmer, gentler Joe had met or known (although most of these assertions did Joe returned to the clinic about two months later. He was not seem credible), and described himself as more than much calmer, wore long pants, and sat more formally in the “just a martial arts practitioner,” but as a teacher of karate, chair. Joe said he had avoided getting into physical conflict judo, and jujitsu. over the past two months and was able to walk away from Minutes after taking the Arnica, he said his hand felt better, direct confrontation—something he had not been able to do which was a good sign; but we also wanted to find a more in the past. His father was terminally ill and in hospice. Joe individualized remedy to help him on a deeper level. Although talked, without hand gestures, about memories from his Joe’s agitation and loquaciousness could be attributed to the youth and about reconnecting with his father for the first methamphetamine effects, what he talked about—martial arts, time in a long time. Seeing a client reconnect with family religion, famous people he “knows”—was unique to him and members from whom they’ve been estranged is a great sign led us to the remedy Hyoscyamus. Hyoscyamus also fit his of the curative power of the homeopathic remedy. swearing, his uneasy joke about the “poison” in the remedy, Joe was much better since taking the Hyoscyamus, but he his bare splayed legs, and his fighting. still had some issues with anger and showed disconnected thoughts and feelings. He had come to ask us for another dose of the remedy. We’ve found that our clinic clients tend to need more frequent and higher doses of homeopathic remedies than the general population—perhaps from living on the street, drugs, alcohol, poor diet, and poor sleep. So we gave him a higher dose, Hyoscyamus 50M. We hope Joe is doing well and that he returns to see us.

The homeopathic materia medica describes people who ABOUT THE AUTHOR need Hyoscyamus as being agitated, talkative, and “shame- less,” with a need to curse and uncover their body. They may Melinda McGee began her study of homeopathy twenty years ago after discovering Hyland’s colic tablets for her son. be manic, impulsive, reactive, suspicious, and afraid of being Later, she entered a formal training program at the Pacific poisoned. They have little conscience, are known to fight, Academy of Homeopathy, followed by two years at the Berkeley Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to clinical have delusions of grandeur, tend to brag about imaginary studies at PAH and BIH, she traveled to India for a clinical things, make frequent hand/arm gestures, and often talk internship with Dr. Farokh Master. As a Buddhist practitioner, about religious subjects. she is committed to providing homeopathy to the homeless.

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 27 Winter 2011

Marleni Moyer, RN, greets a client at the clinic reception desk.

people with a primary disturbance this turnaround solely to the homeopathic on the mental plane need remedies treatment, I do know from his case man- in higher potencies (e.g., 1M, 10M, ager that Ben’s longstanding diarrhea has 50M), but in this case I used a lower not returned over the past five years. potency because I didn’t want to risk a lengthy aggravation of diarrhea in a We don’t always succeed person who didn’t have easy access to To be sure, we’ve had our share of disap- toilet facilities. pointments. I remember the staff bringing They may be drug and alcohol addicts or just homeless people with problems stemming from abuse and/or grief early in life.

The following week, I saw Ben in us a man with acute alcohol poisoning, his the waiting room but he avoided face bluish red, his speech difficult, his meeting my eyes. I went over and hands twitching. John cowered under his

JIM MEDIA SPADONI/TRUEWEST asked him how he was doing. “I hood and mumbled until we found a rem- there weekly, it is a very different setting don’t know what you gave me, but it didn’t edy that matched his symptoms. Almost from private practice. We find that clinic work,” he said. “I had the worst diarrhea immediately after taking the remedy, he clients zip through remedies quickly, for five days! But...[a look of surprise came sat up, pushed his hood off, and started probably because their body’s vital force across his face] it didn’t bother me. And talking. The acute danger past, he con- tends to be more disturbed than that of now the diarrhea is completely gone.” vinced me (and I’m rather hard to fool) the general population, and we must be The remedy had worked! He’d suffered that he’d be back the following week for unhesitating in our prescriptions of the a tolerable aggravation followed by continuing care for his chronic alco- next potency. improvement. This was a very good result, holism, but he didn’t show. About two but I felt a higher dose of Phosphorus for months later, I was parking my car near Ben struggles with paranoia his mental symptoms would likely be the clinic, and there on the curb sat John, & more needed in the future. I asked Ben if he three sheets to the wind, a brown-bagged Ben was one of my first clients at the clinic. remembered what I’d told him when I bottle beside him. I went over to talk to He complained of chronic diarrhea from gave him the remedy. “Yes,” he said, “you him, but there was no convincing him to which he had suffered for years. His was a told me this might happen! What was it come back to the clinic. We sometimes get story of paranoia: the government was after you gave me?” I explained that it was my only one shot, and I felt we’d failed this him and he might be arrested, poisoned, or practice not to reveal the name of the man. We had successfully treated his acute murdered at any time, so he preferred to homeopathic remedy, because it’s impor- ailment, but there was so much more we live on the street to stay anonymous and tant that clients not take repeat doses could have done for him if we’d had a keep moving. Yet if you passed him on the before it’s really time. “Well, then, I can’t chance for long-term follow-up. sidewalk, you’d see a normal, healthy, take it any more,” he said. 40-something-year-old man. As he spoke, “Eureka!” I thought. He was expressing Rampant physical & he could have been calmly discussing a a clear Phosphorus symptom in his delu- emotional trauma book review. He was neatly dressed and sion he might be poisoned. His case man- Many of our clients have a history of phys- gave no indication that anything was amiss. ager was surprised Ben had even accepted ical and/or emotional trauma, so we often ISTOCKPHOTO.COM I was particularly struck by his delusion the remedy in the first that the police were after him and the way place, saying: “You’ll he described the threat the government never get him to take posed to him. He leaned in close, confiding another remedy.” He in me that “they” followed him everywhere. was right, but Ben got His persistent fear and suspicion and his an apartment within a natural way of establishing this close con- month, his paranoia tact with me, as well as the particular having subsided enough nature of his chronic diarrhea, pointed to for him to successfully the remedy Phosphorus, and I gave him a stay off the street. While single dose of Phosphorus 200c. I whole- I do not have enough heartedly subscribe to the concept that evidence to attribute

28 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

start our treatment by giving a first-aid trauma remedy like Arnica (for injuries, shock) or Aconite (for fright or its after- effects) or Hypericum (for painful injuries to nerve-rich areas). For instance, a man came in for help with his flu symptoms, which we treated. Noticing that he had a

finger missing, I asked him about it; he HERRMANN OF RENITA COURTESY told me he was in constant pain from that injury, so I gave him a dose of Hypericum in an envelope with instructions to take it after he had fully recovered from the flu. Another man came in with a huge part of his head (cranial bones) disfigured; he had escaped from men with machetes killing people in his village. We first gave him a high potency dose of Aconite to address the immediate fear and shock from that incident, then later Natrum sul- phuricum for the head trauma. Eventually, he benefited greatly overall from Stramo- nium, a remedy indicated when someone experiences sleep problems, fear of the Homeopath volunteers: Wanda Smith-Schick, Renita Herrmann, and Melinda McGee dark, terror, rage, and various other symptoms after having witnessed or been a vic- ter she looked! Her panic attacks had dis- even in her mind. She could not even say tim of violence. appeared as well. What a fantastic result the word “anxiety” lest she bring on a One client, Rhonda, told us that for from that one dose of Arnica! I had panic attack. She had the common signs of many years her husband would appear out counted on Arnica to clear the physical panic attacks: dry mouth, sweaty palms, of the blue about once a month to beat and effects of the spousal abuse, but it was a and racing heart. Sue complained about rape her. Although she had lived in a state pleasant surprise to find that this remedy dust in the house where she lived, men- of terror during this marriage, she did not addressed her on a much deeper level as tioning that she tended to keep things. exhibit symptoms of panic until two years well. Arnica was the only remedy Rhonda (Reading between the lines, the word after she escaped him. I believe it took her needed for months to come. “hoarder” came to my mind.) Everything that went wrong in Sue’s life traced back to when she was 18 or 19. Often an extenuating circumstance keeps them away: Like many people who have suffered a trauma, she didn’t remember anything a job offer in another city, a bed for a week, an having happened then, but the trail of evidence from that time forward indicated unexpected source of drugs, or something worse. clearly that there had been a significant emotional event. Again and again at our body that long to feel safe enough to exte- After seeing how deeply Arnica, the clinic, we see the remedy Aconite help peo- riorize her fright in panic attacks. It was premier homeopathic trauma remedy, ple suffering from trauma, even when they around this time that she came to see me. had helped Rhonda, I started to pay close can’t recall the particular event. I gave Sue Wanting to help her quickly, I gave her attention to trauma remedies as I analyzed one dose of Aconite because it fit her panic Arnica 1M for her broken jaw and other each new client’s case. Last year, Sue, a 61- attacks, her mental paralysis, and her fear injuries and asked her to come back in a year-old woman who was agoraphobic of leaving the house and being in crowds; few weeks; I planned to study her case in came for treatment. Her fears kept her it also may have addressed whatever emo- order to choose another remedy that would largely housebound; she could come to tional trauma she experienced at age 18 or help her more deeply. When Rhonda the clinic only if her partner drove her and 19. At any rate, Sue’s longstanding agora- returned a month later, she revealed that sat in the car waiting. Sue could not make phobia lifted within a month, and she she’d been sleeping restfully 14 hours a day simple decisions: “Should I have eggs? began to rid herself of baggage from the for two weeks, her body apparently catch- What about the cholesterol? They’re good past. She cleared out her belongings, toss- ing up from years of being on alert. Friends for you… but if I fry them in oil, it’s not ing many boxes of old clothing and remarked that she must have had a facelift good.” It was as if she were paralyzed with mementos that were just gathering dust. or gone to a spa because of how much bet- fear, unable to make a move of any kind, She began to venture out by herself to do

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grocery shopping and other errands expect was that two weeks after the second Benchmarks of healing alone—a huge change for the better. dose, as Don was getting ready to leave my How do we know our clients have office he said softly, in wonderment, that improved? Not just by how they’re releas- Unspoken symptoms, he hadn’t been drinking for eight days, ing grief through weeping, or examining unexpected results which had never happened before. I asked their lives, or functioning more independ- Sometimes there is a surprising revelation if that was a good thing or bad, and he said ently—although these are wonderful as a client experiences homeopathic treat- he didn’t know. Wondering if the craving results in themselves. The single act that ment over time. Don shuffled in, truculent had returned, I asked him if he wanted best shows us they’re healing is that they and annoyed at having to fill out paper- another dose of Ledum now. He hesitated. contact their family—even after decades work as a new client. I asked why he’d “Can you give it to me in an envelope, so I of estrangement. This action shows that come to see me, and, bruising my ego, he can have one more night of drinking?” the client is healing on a deep level. explained that in order to see the dentist, And I did. After he left, I went to the reper- In our difficult national economic cli- he had to see two other health care tory to read the rubric “Mind, Alco- mate, homeopathy has much to offer. The providers first. He didn’t want to talk, holism”—and there it was: Ledum. It may remedies we use at the clinic come from didn’t want to reveal anything to me, and have been one of 149 remedies listed in our private supplies and cost very little in denied having an alcohol or drug prob- that book, but it was the remedy he comparison to other healthcare treatment. lem. I said, “You must have something that needed. Sadly, I did not see Don again. I Moreover, a single dose of a homeopathic is bothering you.” would have loved to find out how he fared. remedy is more convenient and effective than prescription medications that people Shelters often keep lights on during the night, living on the street might refuse or be unable to take on a regular basis. In most so we can’t really tell what the client’s personal cases, we’ve found homeopathy to be effective and successful, giving us hope for preference would be. expanding our small circle into a larger population in the city of San Francisco He showed me some skin lesions where Hunger for change and beyond. he’d been bitten two weeks earlier by what The common story we have seen in the must have been a spider while doing an clinic is the person with a particular ail- Follow your instincts to help odd job cleaning out someone’s dark, ment for which they seek help: stroke When I first saw that Mission Neighbor- damp basement. The hospital told him it recovery, high blood pressure, effects from hood Clinic Outreach van, a strong was a brown recluse spider bite (I’ve violence, ADHD, abandonment (often as instinct led me to talk with the workers. It learned that’s a common emergency room an infant), back pain, constipation, panic seemed like the perfect opportunity to diagnosis, but often untrue), and the attacks…the list is long. Many of our help people and at the same time learn antibiotics they’d given him had not clients have experienced child abuse what they could teach me. I feel grateful helped. There were lesions and swelling on and/or sexual abuse, and these aren’t hid- I’ve been put into a situation where my his legs below the knee, and a few lesions den symptoms; they’re typically revealed learning and helping others coincide, and on one of his arms. I decided to give him in the first five or ten minutes. I’ve never that Melinda and Wanda have felt that Ledum 1M based on the evidence of bites, seen this kind of openness in private prac- connection as well. We highly recommend the swelling, and the inflamed skin erup- tice. I’m not sure why this is, but it is very this work to anyone who would like to tions. A week later I noted that the symp- helpful to understanding the client. help the homeless or less fortunate. toms had improved but then stabilized The clients who are eager to change without fully resolving, so I gave Don a come back for their homeopathic appoint- *All the clients in this article bear fictitious higher dose, Ledum 10M. ments religiously. We do not discuss what names to preserve their privacy. I expected Ledum to clear the lesions they should and should not do with their and the swelling, and it did. What I didn’t lives—we are homeopaths, not counselors. ABOUT THE We give them space to learn from their AUTHOR mistakes, and we listen when they need to o learn more about the Mission Renita Herrmann finished Neighborhood Resource vent. It’s hard not to bring them clothing college as an artist, but soon or food, but we want to encourage inde- started a career as an airline Center, to volunteer your time, pilot. She received her MS in T pendence and self-reliance. With the help Natural Health where she took or to donate resources, please contact: of a healing homeopathic remedy, clients her first homeopathy course Mission Neighborhood Resource Center in the 1990s and did research 165 Capp St. develop the tools they need to begin again, for a PhD in the field of sleep. She has a private whether it’s the self-confidence to take the practice in San Francisco, and has volunteered San Francisco, CA 94110 at the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center 415-869-7977 first steps, the strength to say no to an since early 2005. She also volunteers at the addiction, or the conviction that they Committee for the Shelterless. Contact: www.mnhc.org/MNRCServices.shtml [email protected] or www.sfhomeopath.com deserve better.

30 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

by WANDA SMITH-SCHICK

ur work at the week the hurting was better for a while but then it came back and clinic is quick- the pain was everywhere… still, I think the remedy is working paced and because my hips are getting smaller and the swelling and hardness challenging. is going down. The dark spots where I got the injections are getting With just lighter.” Her pain level was quite high (8/10) and her energy was low O3 hours a week for (4/10), yet she was feeling great emotionally. “Before taking this homeopathy, this allows remedy I thought I would never find a cure. Now I see the remedy 20 to 25 minutes per is working. My pee has changed colors so I know the mineral oil is client. We try to get as leaving my body.” much information as Ledum may have been helping rid Brenda’s body of the injected we can in that short foreign substance, but it no longer seemed to be relieving her pain, so time, provide an acute I reconsidered her case. The wounds from the injections that hadn’t treatment if needed, and ever really healed, the dark (blue-black) skin discoloration at the follow up on a weekly injection sites, and the guilt and clairvoyance evident in her account ISTOCKPHOTO.COM basis. Over time, a of her brother’s death, led me to give her Lachesis 200c. client’s whole story unfolds, enabling us to treat them on deeper levels. Brenda, an attractive 30-year-old Hispanic woman, brought a Week 4 friend to translate because she was not confident in her English. Brenda came alone now and spoke more confidently: “This remedy Brenda is petite and very feminine, with long beautiful hair. At first has helped me a lot!” The pain in her hips was down to 3 out of 10, glance you would never know she was born male. She sought help for and the pain in her bottom had moved to her side, feeling more like a dark spots, pain, and swelling of her hips and buttocks. minor abrasion now. The swelling and discoloration near the injection Through her friend, Brenda told me that two years earlier she’d sites were fading. She felt great emotionally and energy-wise. “I used had mineral oil injections to make her hips and bottom rounder and to have a lot of trouble sleeping, but not anymore!” she said. Brenda more womanly. I noticed swelling and lumps in those areas, which was improving every day, so I decided to watch and wait. she described as bruised, hard, and extremely painful to sit and sleep on. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the worst, she rated her pain a 9. Weeks 5–16 I gave Brenda a dose of Ledum 1M because it can help with pain from When the improvement stopped three weeks later, I gave Lachesis puncture wounds or injections. again in a higher potency (1M). Over the next 2 to 3 months, Brenda Continuing our conversation, Brenda told me: “Three years ago my came in consistently for her appointments, and she continued to brother died in an accident. I felt really sad and guilty for not being improve overall with homeopathic treatment (at one point I began there to help him before he died. I didn’t know about his death, but I giving her Nux vomica). At the four-month point, the pain in her right had a dream that he was under the dirt, and I woke up and called my hip was completely gone, the skin color was normal, and the swelling family in Mexico. My father told me that he had died in an accident.” was minimal. On her left hip, the swelling and pain had declined con- Twenty minutes later, our appointment was over, but Brenda siderably (3/10). Her energy and emotional state were excellent (9/10). exclaimed: “Whatever you gave me is working. My hip pain is much Brenda was happy with the treatment results. She also revealed better—a 3 out of 10!” with pleasure that she had drunk no alcohol for three months—a first— and she was drinking more water. She even brought a friend to the Week 2 clinic who has the same problem of pain and hardness after mineral Through her friend, Brenda told me that for four days after she took oil injections to the hips. And now it’s Brenda who is confidently the Ledum, her hip pain was much better, her energy was high, and serving as her friend’s translator! her mood was good. Now, however, her hip pain had returned, and ABOUT THE AUTHOR her energy and mood had slumped back to where they had been Wanda Smith-Schick offers classical homeopathy to clients before (5 of 10). Clearly, the remedy had worked beautifully, but its at the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center in San effects hadn’t lasted long. So I gave her a higher dose, Ledum 10M. Francisco, as well as in her private practices in San Francisco and Palo Alto. She trained in homeopathy at the Institute of Classical Homeopathy in San Francisco. She also practices Week 3 Core Synchronism, a gentle system of energy bodywork, which she studied at the New Mexico School of Natural I noticed Brenda was speaking more for herself now, perhaps feeling Therapeutics in Albuquerque. Contact her at 650-383-7683 more confident. But this week she reported: “When I went home last or www.thoroughhealing.com

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 31 Winter 2011

A Whole Person Approach to Metabolic Syndrome: hypertension, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, & obesity

by AMY ROTHENBERG, ND, DHANP

32 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

GetGet Healthy!Healthy!

Caroline was a robust and outgoing woman in her mid-50s who had lived a life filled with family, friends, satisfying work as a teacher, and community involve- ment in her hometown. That she was overweight seemed part of her life story, though she said it hadn’t noticeably affected her health until the past few years. When she was in her 40s, her blood pressure had crept up, and her cholesterol profile had worsened. Likewise, her fasting blood sugar had climbed higher than normal, and her weight had further increased to the point that she was now 50 pounds overweight. With all these risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes layering one atop the other, her family doctor had recently diagnosed her with “metabolic syndrome.” “I’d never even heard of that until my file, and the presence of extra abdominal • Insulin resistance—when your body’s doctor wrote it down for me,” she said. fat. Any one of these would not be ideal, cells don’t respond adequately to normal After doing some reading on metabolic but when they exist together, a person is levels of insulin (the hormone that car- syndrome, Caroline was feeling over- ripe for all sorts of serious health prob- ries glucose into the body’s cells), glucose whelmed by the gravity of her health chal- lems related to blood vessels, heart disease, levels in the blood rise; and abdominal lenges and what seemed like an stroke, and type II diabetes. Some sources fat contributes to insulin resistance. unavoidable downward slide. report upwards of 25 to 30% of Ameri- Other risk factors for metabolic syn- The funny thing was, Caroline didn’t cans over age 20 have metabolic syndrome include aging, a family history of feel too bad! She expressed concern drome—an epidemic by any measure. type II diabetes, lack of exercise, and a though about taking a lot of medications, [See “Do you have metabolic syndrome?” body-mass index greater than 25. as until fairly recently, she had not taken on page 34.] any at all beyond a multivitamin and an There is hope occasional Vitamin C. “Now, it seems that The “spare tire” as culprit The good news is that lifestyle modifica- each time I go to the doctor, he gives me According to the National Library of Med- tion alongside a handful of natural medi- yet another drug to take!” she said. Caro- icine’s PubMed Health, the two most cines can mitigate the cascade of metabolic line was taking a statin drug to lower cho- important risk factors for metabolic syn- syndrome. And even if the syndrome can- lesterol, two different drugs to lower blood drome are: not be entirely reversed for every patient, pressure, and Metformin to help her • An apple-shaped vs. a pear-shaped we can often improve the risk factors for body’s insulin work more effectively, body—as your waistline grows, so do illness (e.g., lower the blood pressure, thereby lowering blood sugar. the risks for serious illnesses; extra triglycerides, blood sugar, etc.), which will abdominal weight is worse than extra allow the person to take fewer or lower A syndrome of epidemic weight distributed elsewhere or more doses of pharmaceuticals, thereby reduc- proportions evenly throughout the body. ing unwelcome drug side effects. Right on the heels of the epidemic obesity in the US, we have an epidemic of metabolic syndrome*—defined as a cluster of Right on the heels of the epidemic obesity in the US, conditions occurring together that affect metabolism, including hypertension, high we have an epidemic of metabolic syndrome. blood sugar, an unhealthy cholesterol pro-

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 33 Winter 2011

Where does homeopathy fit in? After drome. I also have found that a well-pre- since we have the triple whammy of family several decades of practice, I can say scribed constitutional remedy can give a stress, sugary and fatty foods everywhere, clearly that homeopathy, in and of itself, person the additional resolve and and travel/schedule shifts that interfere can help with blood pressure issues. But willpower needed to make the difficult with diet and exercise routines. For patients more to the point, homeopathy can help a lifestyle changes essential to improving with metabolic syndrome, I always sched- patient with the impact of stress, which metabolic syndrome. ule an appointment before the holidays, as often gets in the way of healthy food a combination homeopathic/naturopathic choices, exercise, and mindfulness prac- Goodbye visions of sugar plums... follow-up visit, alongside a strategy/cheer- tices—each an essential component of Holiday times can be the most challenging leading session. Caroline’s visit coincided treating someone with metabolic syn- for patients who struggle with these issues, with the start of this challenging season. Our first goal was to take an honest look at her diet. There is no magic formula for weight loss, and my recommendations were all things she already knew: smaller portion sizes, fewer refined foods, more fiber (through vegetables, whole grains and some fruit, especially those lower on the glycemic index**), and the addition of heart-healthy foods. On that list I always place legumes, oat bran, garlic, and onions. Over the years, I have found that helping people put foods into the diet is often just as important as getting foods out of the diet. My dietary recommendations are always individualized to the patient, much like a homeopathic remedy; they are based on the person’s current diet and their relationship to food at the time of our visit. Do you have metabolic syndrome? It’s all well and good to make sweeping he American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood recommendations according to one of the TInstitute list 5 factors that make up metabolic syndrome. The diagnosis of popular dietary approaches promoted for metabolic syndrome is made if you have at least three of these: metabolic syndrome and/or weight loss— from extremely low carb to completely Large Waist Size For men: 40 inches or larger vegan, and everything in between. But For women: 35 inches or larger since these dietary changes are going to need to be permanent, I would rather a Cholesterol: High Triglycerides Either patient make gradual and sustainable 150 mg/dL or higher changes than grandiose ones they cannot or maintain. Using a cholesterol medicine So if a person is drinking soda 3 or 4 Cholesterol: Low Either times a day, I would start with helping Good Cholesterol (HDL) For men: Less than 40 mg/dL them discontinue the soda habit. If the For women: Less than 50 mg/dL person has been vegetarian, I would or encourage them to consider adding meat Using a cholesterol medicine and fish into the diet, as adequate protein is essential to feelings of satiety and these High Blood Pressure Either are easy forms of nutrient-dense food. In Having blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg general, I encourage my patients to eat a or greater low fat, natural foods diet where carbohy- or drates are limited and complex and veg- Using a high blood pressure medicine etables are plentiful. I like to increase the Blood Sugar: High Fasting use of olive oil and decrease or eliminate Glucose Level 100 mg/dL or higher dairy foods (or at least shift to low- or no- fat dairy).

34 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

It can be enlightening to realize you have only walked 640 steps in a day nothing else! It can be menstrual cycles, with strong symptoms enlightening to realize you of PMS including irritability, feeling hot, and for some, that’s from have only walked 640 steps in excessive bleeding, and abdominal pain, a day and for some, that’s all very much relieved when the flow the bed to the desk from the bed to the desk to began. She would also get significant pre- the bathroom to the refriger- menstrual headaches. She was just about to the bathroom to ator to the couch! Adding finished with monthly cycles, though thus physical activity helps with far, menopause had not been easy for her. the refrigerator weight loss while simultane- Between mood swings and hot flashes, she to the couch! ously decreasing the risk of often felt on edge. Her family laughed diabetes and coronary heart with her about these symptoms, but she disease. At least 30 minutes of could get to feeling overwhelmed pretty moderately intense exercise a easily, and then she’d snap, especially at day is recommended. Walk- her husband. She got over it quickly, apol- ing is fine! I often encourage ogized, and they’d move on. She was look- patients to walk with a ing forward to the end of these hormonal friend; if you make a social ups and downs. date, you are more likely to Caroline also had a history of sore do it! throats; it seemed to be her weak area, and she could count on one or two bad ones a Counteracting year, which she treated at home with rest, inevitable stress gargling, and extra fluids. I also knew that in Caroline’s The only other issue Caroline had was case her blood pressure was sleep apnea, which interfered with her With Caroline, I spent time talking worse when she was stressed, and the past rest. She had difficulty with the C-PAP about healthy snacks that contain protein several years had found members of her machine she was supposed to use at night and do not include refined carbohydrates extended family in a number of crisis situ- when she slept (a ventilation device that like those in cookies, candy, and cake. ations, which weighed heavily on her blows a continuous stream of air into the Snack examples that topped my list for her heart. We talked together about what she nose to keep the airway open) and had were: low fat cheese with whole grain could do that would be stress-reducing— mostly abandoned it. I encouraged her to crackers; a small palm-sized portion of from meditation to yoga, from painting to go back to her sleep doctor and try a dif- nuts with an apple; hummus with carrots. playing the guitar. She agreed to sign up ferent machine, as a connection between Because of her high blood pressure, we for a mindfulness meditation program sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome has also spoke of the need to seriously reduce and give that a whirl. We are never too old been postulated in recent years, and salt intake, best accomplished by not eat- to try new things, and Caroline was ready improvements have been made to the C- ing prepared foods in general, reading to try something different. PAP machines as well. labels carefully, and not eating out as often as she did. The recommended amount of Whole person homeopathy Good health history, sodium for people with high blood pres- For homeopathic treatment, I needed to not-so-good genetics sure is about 1500 milligrams a day. Any find a constitutional remedy for someone Besides the birth of her two children, who reduction Caroline could make in her salt with high blood sugar and hypertension, were now grown, Caroline had never been intake might help, though not all hyper- who was also generous and outgoing. If hospitalized, and prior to ten years ago, tensive patients are impacted similarly. we look in the Synthesis Repertory, in the she had never taken medications. Her “Generalities” section, we can find the family history was notably replete with Essential exercise rubric: “Hypertension.” Also, in the diabetes, hypertension, and overweight. Though Caroline was not as sedentary as “Urine” section, we see the rubric, “Urine: Her grandparents all lived to their 70s, and many of my patients, she did not get good Sugar,” which is another way to say dia- all had passed away from things related to sustained aerobic exercise very often. She betes. Even way back when many of our these risk factors. We had an honest and did enjoy working weekly with a trainer homeopathic books and tools were writ- difficult conversation about how genetics on weightlifting and Pilates-type exercises, ten and created, we had illnesses like can be hard to beat. I saw how concerned and I encouraged her to stick with that. hypertension and diabetes. she was and how much work these Muscle burns more calories than fat, so In interviewing Caroline, I took her full changes were going to be for her—but I toning up helps. I encouraged her to get a homeopathic case and learned a few addi- also saw how very motivated she was and pedometer and aim for 10,000 to 12,000 tional things of interest to aid my remedy that she was determined to not become steps a day, as a consciousness raiser if search. She had a history of very difficult another statistic.

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That she had a supportive husband at instead, I needed to rely more on physical pressure was elevated, which pointed to home and friends who were going to help general symptoms and modalities along- Lachesis. had me optimistic about her ability to side temperament and personality to find Like many of our more emotionally change the course of her health. We brain- a remedy for Caroline. balanced patients, Caroline did not have stormed ways she could ask for support Sometimes students ask me, how can it the classic jealousy or ragefulness that we (e.g., don’t bring sweets into her home, be be that easy? I suppose it’s not that easy, sometimes see with those needing Lach- a walking buddy, take a meditation class because a certain amount of experience esis. She was certainly chatty and had a lot together). and understanding goes into arriving at to say, but she had not crossed that line of Caroline had a lot of confidence, she such small handful of remedies! Once I being unbearably loquacious (a classic spoke articulately, and directly. Her energy am at that small group of remedies, I use Lachesis symptom). She did tend to get was outward, not inward, if you will. She my understanding of differential materia snippy with family especially during the was easy to connect with. The only bodily medica—that is, comparing remedies that PMS time or more recently, related to per- symptom she felt that related to the meta- share certain aspects—to then choose the imenopause (those needing Lachesis can bolic syndrome was a sense of pulsation in remedy that best matches the patient sometimes be malicious or nasty), but I her neck and head, likely due to her high before me. did not see these as dire symptoms that blood pressure. I chose Lachesis for Caroline as she had were deeply impacting her life. Nonethe- the keynote confirmatory symptom of less, you can see shades of Lachesis in these A remedy for Caroline generally feeling better with the menstrual tendencies, and I did use that understand- In a basically healthy, warm-blooded, flow. She also had the history of sore ing of her emotionality to confirm my extroverted, confident, patient who has throats (often a weak area of the body for prescription. menstrual/menopausal symptoms along Lachesis patients) and the sleep apnea (a I recommended one dose of Lachesis with hypertension and blood sugar issues, Lachesis keynote—gasping while falling 200c. I am usually thinking about four reme- into deeper sleep, found in the repertory dies: Sulphur, Lachesis, Belladonna, and rubric “Respiration, difficult, sleep, dur- Natural medicine support Medorrhinum. People needing each of ing.”) The way Caroline described her In addition to the lifestyle counseling and these remedies tend to be extroverted, headaches, where the main thing she homeopathic prescription, I recom- upbeat, and able to easily connect with could report was that the pain was better mended some supplements for Caroline others. While there are many possible with the start of her menses, was another aimed at helping to improve her body’s remedies that might be considered for her clear Lachesis symptom (see the repertory ability to use insulin, lower total choles- chief complaints (hypertension and dia- rubric: “Head, pain, menses, before, terol, lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL betes), in reality, she had very few physical beginning of, ameliorates”). She also artic- cholesterol, and support normal blood symptoms related to her diagnoses. So ulated a feeling of fullness when her blood pressure. These prescriptions were based on Caroline, the results of her lab tests, her current weight, and other medications she Trim your tummy in 2012 was taking. Some of the things I use in such cases include Guggul commiphora to As if having excess belly fat wasn’t a than the fat that collects on the thighs, legs, lower cholesterol, fish oil to help with scourge in itself whenever we pass by a or upper arms; it has been linked to meta- hypertension and the cholesterol profile, mirror or try to zip our favorite jeans, we bolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular and the cardio-protective supplements now know that it puts us at risk for all disease, asthma, dementia, breast cancer, Co-Q10 and the amino acid L-carnitine. If kinds of serious illnesses! The culprit is not stroke, colorectal cancer, and more. you or a loved one has the same diagnosis, so much the soft fat you can pinch with Just some more great in addition to seeing a good homeopath, your fingers but the deep, hard visceral reasons to make that please refer to a well-trained naturopathic fat that collects around the abdominal New Year’s resolution to physician. (See www.naturopathic.org for organs. Those abdominal fat cells secrete exercise 30 minutes a referral listings.) hormones that have far-reaching effects, day, cut out the sugary contributing to insulin resistance and foods, and drop those Positive steps increased inflammation throughout the extra pounds! When I next saw Caroline at our one- body. Excess belly fat is much worse month follow-up visit, she was happy to report that she had lost three pounds. Her hot flashes had become less frequent and less intense, for which she was thankful. “I’m sleeping much better now, too. I don’t feel like I’m waking that often,” she said “but I made an appointment for

36 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

another sleep study for next month doing constitutional homeopathy in the anyway.” Caroline had been taking her context of a general naturopathic prac- supplements twice a day, though she tice for more than 25 years. I have a sen- often forgot her evening doses. She had sibility about what is doing what for a started in with the meditation class; she patient. When I see menopausal symp- wasn’t sure it was for her but planned toms abate and sleep apnea disappear to stick with it for a while. and headaches and sore throats cease, I Caroline had made it through the know the homeopathic remedy is hard holidays in Lachesis style, telling every- at work. Although I use whatever tools I one she ran into about her diagnosis, have to help my patients (e.g., supple- what it was, what she had to do to help ments to help lower cholesterol and herself, and getting all kinds of support lifestyle counseling to lose weight), the and encouragement from friends and homeopathic prescribing is key: it helps family. Overall, Caroline seemed to be to optimize the impact of all the other doing very well. While weight loss is things, it gives the person’s vital force a often associated with an improvement push, it gives the patients some addi- in sleep apnea, it would take a lot more tional energy and the willpower to than three pounds to make the kind of make essential changes. difference Caroline had reported. So I use a dose of a well-indicated the significant improvements in her homeopathic remedy when patients need a boost, when there are physical symptoms that just won’t budge, and Holiday times can be the most challenging … when the spirits are flagging. And I lean on my naturopathic knowledge, too! As is the triple whammy of family stress, sugary and true for all patients with metabolic syndrome, including Caroline, I love having a fatty foods everywhere, and travel/schedule shifts range of approaches to help them along their path toward better health! interfere with diet and exercise routines. Footnotes * Metabolic syndrome is also sometimes called sleep, her sleep apnea, and her hot flashes at all, which I would assume was a result of Syndrome X or Insulin Resistance Syndrome. told me that we were on the right track the weight loss—with help from the ** The glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate with the homeopathic remedy. I did not homeopathic remedy. Caroline felt more foods on how quickly they affect blood sugar repeat the remedy at that visit. in control with her eating and was faithful to her exercise program of weightlifting levels. Foods that break down quickly to release glucose into the bloodstream have a higher A year of progress and walking. Her LDL cholesterol went glycemic number than those that release glu- Caroline continued to see me periodically down and her HDL cholesterol went up. cose more slowly. For example, cherries have a over the following year and continued to She was still on Metformin and Lipitor® relatively low GI at 22, while watermelons have make progress on all fronts. She had fewer but had already discussed the possibility a high GI at 72. It is easy to find glycemic index illnesses in general, with no reported sore of lowering each with her primary care charts on the internet. throats. After years of monthly headaches doctor. Emotionally, she felt much more before her periods, she was amazed to have stable, less overwhelmed, and more calm. ABOUT THE had many months without a premenstrual AUTHOR headache, even though her menstrual peri- A key to increased resolve ods seemed to be back to regular. Although Homeopathy and natural medicine in Amy Rothenberg, ND, DHANP, is the author of The A Cappella she still had the occasional hot flash, they general, are not going to be cure-alls for Singer Who Lost Her Voice & were nothing terrible and certainly not as metabolic syndrome. Serious examination Other Stories from Natural Medicine. See www.amyrothen- severe or frequent as before. and modification of lifestyle factors will berg.com. For information At the one-year mark, Caroline was necessarily be the cornerstones of any about The New England School of Homeopathy, see www.nesh.com. thrilled to have lost 14 pounds and, work- treatment of a patient with this diagnosis, For information about Dr. Rothenberg & Herscu’s ing with her primary care doctor, to have but homeopathy should be used to help practice, Naturopathic Health Care in Enfield, CT, been able to eliminate one of her blood with stress reduction and to increase the see www.nhcmed.com pressure medications without an increase resolve patients often need to make such in blood pressure. Her sleep doctor con- health-centered changes. firmed that she no longer had sleep apnea I have had the unique perspective of

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 37 Winter 2011

by MARY ASPINWALL

Contagion, the Hollywood blockbuster, outsold all other movies in its opening weekend this Fall and continues to clean up. It put bottoms on theater seats for two reasons: the cast is A-list (Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Jude Law), and the flu is super scary. We are talking about an illness that killed people on every continent except pathic treatment was only 1.5%. To find could be our modern-day equivalent of Antarctica, with the most lives lost in Asia out more about this, I highly recommend the Black Plague. The SARS outbreak and and the highest percentage of the popula- you read The Homeopathic Treatment of the more recent Swine Flu panic gave us tion killed in India. Influenza—Surviving Influenza Epidemics just a tiny foretaste of the havoc a cleverly From August 1918, when the incidence and Pandemics Past, Present and Future adapted virus could wreak in these days of of flu began to seem abnormally high, with Homeopathy by Sandra J. Perko. It the itty-bitty, global village. Flu (and the until the following July when it returned captures the full horror of what happened panic it brings) is not to be sneezed at! to about normal, 20 million Americans at the start of the last century and has a had become sick, and more than 500,000 wonderfully thorough overview of home- Flu can kill had died. In October 1918, the flu reached opathic flu remedies. The last big epidemic called “Spanish flu” its peak, killing about 195,000 Americans. During epidemics, homeopaths can (but known in Spain as the “Naples sol- About 57,000 American soldiers died greatly help one another by sharing infor- dier”) was referenced in the movie. It killed from influenza during World War I; about mation on symptom patterns and reme- more people than all those who died in 53,500 died in battle.1 dies they have found effective in helping combat during World War I. Estimates put their clients. The homeopathic literature the worldwide death toll at 21,642,274. Homeopathy’s stellar track record of old describes this being done very effec- One billion people were affected by the Homeopathy was used very successfully tively during a major cholera epidemic disease—half the total human population. during the 1918 flu. While the death rate and a scarlet fever epidemic. The concept, It came at a time when 19 nations were at for those who sought treatment from con- known as finding the “genus epidemicus,” war. The disruption, stress, and privations ventional physicians was about 30%, the has the potential to greatly reduce suffer- of war certainly aided the flu’s spread. It death rate for those who sought homeo- ing and save lives.

38 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

The idea is to build up a symptom pic- comes on fairly suddenly, with a high fever rations in France, and estimated annual ture of an epidemic, as it is being expressed (102°F and up), severe body aches, US sales are around $20 million per year. in a large number of different cases. Once extreme tiredness, and a flushed face. Like all truly homeopathic remedies, it again, the internet could be our savior, per- Vomiting and dizziness may also be pres- has a wonderful safety record with no mitting the speedy exchange of this infor- ent. After a few days, these symptoms may drug interactions or side effects. Four clin- mation through special-interest mailing improve a bit but that’s when severe respi- ical studies, including two published in groups and message boards.2 By drawing ratory symptoms may arise, like bronchi- peer-reviewed journals, show that Oscil- all of these far flung cases together “as if tis or even pneumonia. Flu is usually over they were one person,” one (or more) within a week to ten days, but feelings of homeopathic medicine can be identified exhaustion can last for weeks or longer (i.e, the genus epidemicus). This remedy after a bad flu. Fortunately, careful use of can then be given to everyone who con- homeopathic remedies can speed up The last big epidemic called “Spanish flu” … Estimates put the worldwide death toll at 21,642,274. tracts the illness—a real time-saver in an recovery times dramatically. It is very epidemic situation. This same medicine important to avoid the use of aspirin dur- can even be prescribed to healthy people to ing flu symptoms as it can cause unwanted protect them from contracting the illness complications. at the height of an epidemic. This type of prophylactic prescribing has recently The world’s best-loved loccinum® reduces the severity and dura- been done very successfully, on a massive flu remedy tion of flu-like symptoms such as feeling scale, in Cuba to prevent an outbreak of The most well-known homeopathic rem- run down, headache, body aches, chills, leptospirosis. edy for flu is Oscillococcinum®. A Google and fever. products search shows this remedy gets When is “flu” not flu? fantastic reviews from the general public. More great flu remedies The word “flu” is becoming increasingly By far the majority of reviews are 5-star Of course, The Law of Similars remains misused. Being under the weather, sniffly, (the maximum); only 3 of 53 purchasers very important, if you want to get the very and achy does not necessarily mean you express dissatisfaction, probably because best possible results with homeopathy. have flu. It is much more likely that you the remedy was not a good enough match Always look at the totality of the person’s are a little run down and your body is giv- to their individual symptoms. Many peo- symptoms. Ask for details about where ing gentle warning signs to pay attention ple stress the need to take this remedy at pains are located and where they extend to your diet, drink more water, take gentle the very first sign of symptoms, so it is a to. Ask also if there is anything that makes exercise, and get more sleep. If you get this good one to keep on standby in your med- the sufferer feel better or worse in them- type of illness frequently, it is a sign you icine cabinet, or pack in your hand luggage selves. Get them to tell you what makes need homeopathic treatment for the when you travel. Remember, in a virulent their individual symptoms feel better or underlying weakness in your constitution. and dangerous epidemic it is best to stay worse, too. Be on the lookout for anything Flu is a powerful epidemic illness that home to minimize your risk, so having a strange, rare, or peculiar in their symp- affects large numbers of the population at good selection of remedies or a homeopa- toms and any marked changes in their around the same time and is highly conta- thy kit at home is a very good idea. usual behavior or preferences. These are gious; a common symptom pattern all great pointers to the correct remedy. emerges in most sufferers. Flu usually Oscillococcinum® Arsenicum. Flu sufferers needing this According to Boiron, one of the leading remedy are chilly, anxious, don’t want to manufacturers and distributors of the be left alone, and have a lot of burning remedy, it has been used by millions of pains. They want to sip on warm drinks, people in more than 60 countries over the and they feel worse around midnight or past 65 years. It is made from the heart 1 a.m. Arsenicum is useful in gastric flu, and liver of a Muscovy duck and follows too, as it is an excellent remedy for diar- the usual homeopathic protocols of dilu- rhea and vomiting. tion and succussion, so that the final rem- Baptisia. Sudden onset, high fever, and edy is a microdose of the original extreme prostration are indicators for this substance. Since 2000, Oscillococcinum® remedy. The person is very sick and may has been one of the top ten selling prepa- be confused, dull, or even delirious. Their

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 39 Winter 2011

muscles feel sore and bruised, their face is Eupatorium perfoliatum. This is the analogy of being in a glass coffin, as they dark red, and they may have vomiting and remedy for flu with terribly severe bone have full mental awareness, but with diarrhea. Their discharges (e.g., sweat, pain on the surface of the bone (perios- heavy, almost paralyzed limbs. Even the saliva) have an offensive odor. teum). The person is chilly, but wants cold eyelids are heavy and droopy. Headaches Bryonia. This is the remedy for flu with food and drinks. This remedy has recently are usually in the occipital area (where the a slow onset and a very achy feeling that is been used successfully to speed recovery back of the head meets the neck). One worse for even the slightest movement. from the symptoms of Dengue fever strange symptom is that urinating can People who need Bryonia stay very still, and (commonly called Bone Crusher disease) relieve symptoms. Gelsemium can also be they get cross if disturbed. Even their eye- in India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil. a good post-flu pick-me-up remedy, if you balls hurt to move. They often have a dry Gelsemium. This was the most fre- feel weak and floppy. cough and dryness of the mucous mem- quently used remedy in the 1918 flu pan- Hepar sulph. People needing this rem- branes in general. They don’t sip, they pre- demic. Symptoms come on slowly, often edy feel extremely cold all over and worse fer really long drinks of cool water, after getting wet or when the weather for the slightest uncovering. They tend to probably so they don’t have to move so changes suddenly. Those who need this be extremely irritable and are prone to much. This remedy was used often by remedy are very achy, with weak shivers very sore throats, with sharp pains that homeopaths during the 1918 flu pandemic. up and down the spine. Some use the affect the ears. Mercurius vivus. People who need this remedy sweat a lot but, unusually, the sweating does not make them feel any better. They are generally smelly all over with bad breath. Another strange symptom is The Contagion increased saliva with a constant, painful need to swallow. They may have a bad taste in their mouth. They are like human ther- mometers, hypersensitive to temperature story… changes, one moment throwing covers off and then wanting them back on again. Homeopathy namedropped in Hollywood movie Nux vomica. This is another remedy that helps with more gastric flu. People ude Law plays Alan Krumwiede, a freelance web journalist, who gets the who need it have diarrhea and vomiting jump on a big news story. He is one of the first to realize the world is and can feel quite toxic and liverish (i.e., facing a deadly, fast-spreading pandemic. Alan is highly suspicious of the bilious and irritable). A strange symptom motives of pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. When is their nose runs during the day but stops he himself falls sick, he chooses an alternative route, dosing himself with at night. They are impatient and cross (see Ja (fictitious) natural remedy called “Forsythia” on his vlog (video log). After Bryonia). They feel chilly and hate the making a rapid online recovery, he begins to attract millions of hits, as people slightest draft. desperately try to get information and protect themselves from the virus, which Rhus tox. This remedy is good for the is killing one in four people who contract it within days. type of flu that comes on in cold damp Alan claims “Forsythia” is natural and side effect-free, but he never specifi- weather. The joints are often greatly cally alludes to homeopathy. However, at one point, an exasperated official who affected, with a lot of stiffness; like a is debating with him says the government would consider using a homeopathic creaky gate, the joints may loosen up after remedy if it could be scientifically proven to work. [Comment: Certainly a moving, but get tired very easily and combination genus epidemicus homeopathic remedy could have been made stiffen up again. These flu sufferers are available much more quickly and inexpensively than the CDC took to produce often extremely restless in bed and just a vaccine, even in this movie with its typically neat Hollywood resolution!] can’t get comfortable. One strange symp- Although Alan is not presented as a particularly sympathetic character, tom is that the tip of the tongue may have profiting as he does from the surge in “Forsythia” sales (and sporting an a red triangle. additional snaggle tooth that does nothing for Jude Law’s natural good looks), he does come across as genuine in his beliefs. He takes personal risks to get Remedies in action his message out to the public and relentlessly exposes government double - In the early 1990s, there was an outbreak speak. At one dramatic high point, he even catches a high-ranking government of Influenza A in Ireland. At the time, I spokesman in an outright lie on live TV. was one of four homeopaths all working The film, like many recent documentaries, captures the Zeitgeist of growing within a few miles of one another and we public mistrust of the FDA and the CDC’s cozy relationship with the pharma - conferred to try to find the key symptoms ceutical and food producing corporations they are supposed to oversee. common to our various clients. The main one was their overwhelming chilliness.

40 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

The best protection against the flu is still a vitamin D levels. Take cod liver oil to enhance your Vitamin D levels in the win- healthy immune system. ter months. effective; they work best for those with Take a rest healthy immune systems in the first place A field that has rested gives a beautiful (for whom vaccines are not typically rec- crop. Get at least 8 hours sleep each night ommended). He also questions the and more than that if you are still tired motives behind the recent World Health on waking. Organization redefinition of the word “pandemic,” which lowers the threshold to Don’t sweat the small stuff… the point that a regular flu season could be and remember, it is all small stuff. Medi- called a pandemic. When asked how he tate, by focusing on your breath and himself prepares for flu season, Jefferson observing your thoughts without attach- said washes his hands frequently.4 ment. Ideally do this when you are doing a So, the best protection against the flu is daily chore like washing the dishes, so you still a healthy immune system. Here are get into the habit of a daily practice. some tips to get you in tip top shape for Feeling stressed about something? Visit flu season. www.thework.com and use the free resources there to work on it. They could be lying near a roaring fire You’ll run better on with layers of warm clothing and piles of high quality fuel Footnotes blankets or quilts on top of them, and yet ̈ Drink mostly water. Cut back on 1. Influenza 1918 is a PBS film. The transcript is they could not get warm. Most of these stimulants (coffee, tea), tobacco, and available online at www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/ influenza clients did very well on Hepar sulph. When alcohol. 2. If the 2011–2012 flu season is a bad one, the I eventually succumbed to the same flu, ̈ Avoid all processed foods. Reduce your NCH website will keep you posted about genus Hepar sulph helped me to recover within a intake of wheat, sugar and dairy epidemicus information just as during the couple of hours. (unless you are lucky enough to have H1N1/Swine flu season a few years back. From In older clients it is not uncommon to access to raw dairy). the home page, click on “Articles” and then ̈ “Flu” where a wealth of information about the flu see post-viral fatigue syndrome after flu, Eat lots of organic vegetables and some can be found. www.NationalCenterForHomeo- especially if they have become dehydrated fruit in as many different colors as you pathy.org through prolonged bouts of sweating, can. 3. • “Shock vaccine study reveals influenza diarrhea, or vomiting. One of my clients, ̈ Begin every day with a freshly made vaccines only prevent the flu in 1.5 out of 100 Bea, was a very active, lively woman in her juice—leafy greens with a little carrot, adults (not 60% as you’ve been told),” by Mike Adams, October 27, 2011, early 70s. She loved to dance and go out apple, and ginger root. www.naturalnews.com/033998_influenza_ socializing, but after a nasty bout of flu ̈ Eat a little organic, unsweetened fer- vaccines_effectiveness.html she could not shake off a persistent feeling mented food every day (yogurt, kefir, • “Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza of weakness. After one dose of China 30c, sauerkraut). vaccines: a systematic review and meta- she was quickly returned to her former ̈ Avoid animal products that contain analysis,” by M. Osterholm et al., The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Early Online Publication, good health. growth hormones or antibiotics; 26 October 2011 always buy organic. 4. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HdJ4n0Ewu4 or Prevention is better than cure ̈ Sprout seeds and eat the sprouts daily. search YouTube.com for “Tom Jefferson Talks Many people rely on an annual flu vaccine Sprouted broccoli is especially good About Swine Flu Vaccine.” to protect them from flu. Before getting a for you. flu shot, educate yourself on the risks and ABOUT THE benefits so you can make a properly Catch some rays AUTHOR informed choice. A recent study published Try to go out if it is sunny and expose Mary Aspinwall is an experi- in The Lancet: Infectious Diseases showed as much skin as you can to top up your enced, classical homeopath that for every 100 people who are vacci- with a busy practice in Santa Barbara, CA. She is a regular nated, only 1.5 were prevented from get- contributor to Homeopathy ting the flu.3 Today, Homeopathy Radio, and Natural News. Mary After reviewing the evidence from designed a range of homeopathy kits in the early hundreds of flu vaccine studies, epi- 90s that are international best sellers and runs an educational website for the public. Check out her demiologist Tom Jefferson of the blog for practical, topical advice, free homeopathy Cochrane Collaboration states that flu training, and free e-books. www.homeopathy- vaccines are a gamble and not very world.com/blog.

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 41 Winter 2011

BOOK REVIEW

Homeopathy: A Manual for Mothers by Janee Niebler, RN, BA, HD, DHMS Printed in Canada, 2007, 134 pages, paperback, $33.00. ISBN: 978-1-897144-95-4

Reviewed by LISA WRIGHT Homeopathy: A Manual for Mothers is targeted at moms who are fairly new to using homeopathy. I like that the author has a passion to help young families care for themselves using homeopathy, since “the cost of visiting a Homeopath is considerable.” She pays careful attention in the first 11 pages to explain homeopathy, what it is used for, and why you would want to use it along with, or without, conventional medicine. She covers dosing, potency, and how remedies should be administered. After laying some excellent ground- Janee presents the different remedies to me a while work, she divides her manual into three consider for a particular problem in a to realize this. sections: unique way. Each remedy is listed in a If a new mom were to call most health 1. Health Problems in New Mothers, boxed format, giving the remedy’s “main food stores and ask for Metallum album or which includes breast problems, breast feature,” its “personality” traits, and its Colubrina, I don’t think she would find it. milk, emotional problems, general “characteristic” symptoms. Basic informa- That being said, I really liked the way exhaustion, and healing the birth canal; tion for each remedy generally stays the Janee addressed issues of older children, 2. Common Problems in Babies, which same, regardless of the topic in which that such as warts, bedwetting, head lice, etc. covers feeding issues, crying, colds, remedy appears, but small details change. which are so often left out of homeopathic fevers, skin issues, stomach upsets, and For example, Calcarea carbonica appears manuals for new moms. That part of the vaccinations/reactions; in the sections on cracked nipples, book makes it more versatile, filling a 3. Common Problems in Children, which teething, cradle cap, and sleep problems, larger niche than your normal pregnancy includes colds, fevers, flu, vomiting, with similar information each time; how- and childbirth manual. croup, ear infections, chicken pox, ever, there are specific remedy details that I was a little disappointed in the cost of measles, bedwetting, sleep, growing change a bit, based on the problem that is the book—$33.00 on minimum.com and pains, head lice, bladder infections, being addressed. This serves to educate the $26.00 at homeopathylife.com—a little worms, and all kinds of skin problems, reader by drilling in the main indications more than I would expect to pay for a 134- such as warts, burns, abscesses, and for each remedy while also familiarizing page manual. However, the conciseness of splinters. them with little nuances based upon the the book keeps you from having to wade The author finishes the book by teach- particular issue at hand. through a lot of extraneous information. ing how to assemble your own home med- A couple of things stumped me while This book would definitely make a great icine kit, complete with oral homeopathic reading the book. One was the lack of an shower gift for the new mother-to-be! remedies, topical remedies, and cough index. Being a mom of five children and And I would highlight Arsenicum album syrup. having two grandchildren, I am always and Nux vomica every time the alternate Whereas some homeopathic manuals going to the index for a quick find. In this names Metallum album and Colubrina for new moms and babies structure their book, the Table of Contents is your only were used. I’m definitely excited to have content around remedies and what those option. However, it is broken down into this reference manual in my collection! remedies can be used for, Homeopathy: A several levels of subcategories to make ref- ABOUT THE AUTHOR Manual for Mothers organizes the infor- erencing easier. Another thing that con- mation according to ailments or prob- fused me was the use of alternate names Lisa Newell Wright is married to Tim Wright, who graciously allowed her to leave a career in lems. And, as it seems most children wait for two familiar remedies: Arsenicum Computer Technology 20 years ago to be a stay- until the middle of the night to get sick, album is referred to in the manual as at-home mom and housewife, where she home- schools their 16, 14, and 11-year-old children. moms usually know the ailment long “Metallum album,” and Nux vomica is She also provides homeopathic support to their before they can become focused enough referred to as “Colubrina.” The better- two married children and their spouses, two granddaughters, and many friends. Lisa is a long- to even think about a remedy—so this known Latin names for these two reme- time member of NCH and the Charlotte, NC, book’s format works well! dies are given in parentheses, but it took homeopathic study group.

42 Homeopathy TODAY • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org Winter 2011

.ORTH !MERICAN 5HSUHVHQWLQJWKH 3URIHVVLRQDO+RPHRSDWK .!3( WKURXJKRXW1RUWK$PHULFD 3OCIETY OF (OMEOPATHS 6LQFH

0VS3FHJTUFSFENFNCFSTNFFUIJHITUBOEBSETPGDPNQFUFODZGPSUIFQSBDUJDFPGDMBTTJDBMIPNFPQBUIZ BEIFSFUPBTUSJDUDPEFPGFUIJDTBOEDBSSZUIFJOUFSOBUJPOBMMZSFTQFDUFE34)PN /" EFTJHOBUJPO +PJOVTUPEBZ )FMQNBLF)PNFPQBUIZBOJOUFHSBMQBSUPGIFBMUIDBSFEFMJWFSZ .FNCFSTIJQJTPQFOUPQSBDUJUJPOFST TUVEFOUT TDIPPMTBOEIPNFPQBUIZTVQQPSUFST 1VCMJTIJOHǲF"NFSJDBO)PNFPQBUITJODF 5PmOEBIJHIMZRVBMJmFEIPNFPQBUI BQQMZGPSNFNCFSTIJQPSPSEFS ǲF"NFSJDBO)PNFPQBUIKPVSOBM QMFBTFWJTJUXXXIPNFPQBUIZPSHPSDBMM Massimo Mangialavori

Doctor of Homeopathy Materia Medica Webinars America needs Doctors of Homeopathy. You have been thinking about it for years. Now you can act. Essential Elements of The American Medical College of Homeopathy is the USA’s only 50 Families / Groups of Remedies full-time 4-year medical school of homeopathy. Now accepting applications for the 8th class of Practitioner students and the 2nd class of Medical Students for classes beginning February 2012. Doctors of Homeopathy may be licensed to practice as primary care doctors in Arizona. Admission Requirements Beginning January 2012 Medical Students must have a Bachelors Degree with prerequi- These webinars will be held once per month for 10 months site science classes. of the year. Each webinar, lasting 2.5 hours, will focus on the Practitioner Students must have completed a two year program precise issues of the group and significant specifics about some in a health science or an AA with Anatomy, and Physiology. of the individual remedies. 50 sessions have been planned. For more information and a complete list of material covered: Begin by calling 602-347-7950 #1. [email protected] Enroll online: www.admissions-amch.org www.mangialavori.com If uncertain about your qualifications, or prerequisites call for no-obligation Academic Advising.

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 43 Winter 2011

CONTRIBUTIONS—THANK YOU!

Anita Anderson, Hot Springs Village AR Theresa Cirnigliaro, Brooklyn NY In Honor of Linda Crowell, Farmington AR Crystal Cameron, Graford TX Dr. Stephen Albin Theresa Lui, Columbia MD Yvonne & Chas Elliott, Irving TX Julia Linfoot, San Francisco CA Joie Rowles, Glendale AZ Ann Dutton, Dallas TX Patricia Monahan, Norwalk CT Karen & Andrew Lyke, Whitehouse OH In Memory of Tammy Johnson, Woodinville WA Marcia Sutherland, Montclair NJ Frank & Geoffrey Bosworth Ed & Virginia Walter, West Grove PA Judith Booth, Charlotte NC Patricia H Shawe, Media PA Larue Shah, Hicksville NY Pat Victor, Austin TX Donald Ester Salima Ruknuddin, Chesterfield MO Mark Perry, Bloomington IN Barbara Dial Gregory V Bark, Massapequa NY Maria Moniz, Falmouth MA Patty Meyer, Hardwick VT Judith Baruzzini, Dearborn MI Sustainers: $100–$249 General Contributors Diane Magnusson, Hudson WI Charlene Werner, Austin TX Honor Someone Debra E Morgenstern, Ardsley NY Arnie Glassberg, El Granada CA Christine Bickson, Vancouver BC CANADA Lois S Dole, Bath ME Kate H Yasgur, Greenville PA James & Carol Grady, Cincinnati OH Bonney T Wikkering, Chula Vista CA Special... Virginia Cumley, Hutchinson KS Patricia Chanterelle, Yarmouth ME Dorothy A Lewis, Norwitch CT Mary Jo Aloi, Santa Cruz CA Theresa Lui, Columbia MD Janinia Danko, Bryan OH Ellen M. Peterson, Seattle WA Jose M Cubas, Key Biscayne FL Tribute Gifts are a thoughtful way to: Erin Delano, Wilmington DE Jason Saffer & Linda Katz, Hercules, CA Thomas Cusack, Monmouth Junction, NJ ◆ Christine Kovnat, Cherry Hill NJ Gregory Gilbert. Vacaville CA Dave & Robbie Geller, Hollis NH celebrate a birthday or special occasion Julie Kongs, Albuquerque NM Gloria Serfass, Midlothian VA Willard A Green, Leesburg FL ◆ say “thanks for all you do” Phyllis Framel, Freeport PA Ruth Zwirner, Antrim NH Wendy Beneke, Lafayette LA ◆ remember a departed friend or Linda Howell, Mineral Springs NC Hassan Bin Salleh, West Malaysia Joseph A McCahon, Exton PA Sally Finch, Colorado Springs CO Connie Roux, Savoy, IL Donna M Blair, Westerville OH loved one. Amy E Lockwood, Fort Collins CO Susan Rash, Rosenberg TX Katherine Waite, Placerville CA Your tax-deductible gift to the NCH will be Gigi Kast, Velarde NM Catherine Ciryak, North Royalton, OH Margaret Paris, Brighton MI John Canepari, Salt Lake City UT Meichi Chen, Sunnyvale, CA Barbara Longenecker, Annville PA acknowledged here in Homeopathy Today Claudia E Lapp, Eugene OR Gerda Griffiths, Pittsburgh, PA Richard Joachim, Roanoke VA and with a letter informing the person or Sue Stout, Grants Pass OR Martha Adams, Linthicum, MD Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts, their family that a donation has been Pamela Austrich, Bowie MD Caryl Taylor, Howe IN Princeton NJ Ivy Meyer, Bethel CT Joyce Tschetter, Sioux Falls, SD made in their honor or memory (amount Jessica Jackson, Edmonton AB CANADA Monique Arsenault, Bellingham, WA Patrons: $250–$499 not disclosed). Marcia Nunnery, Pasadena CA Margit Jacob, Napa CA Cranston Smith, Youngsville LA Kyron K Weed, Longview TX Pay tribute to someone special today! Robert Scherzinger, Long Beach CA Donors: $50–$99 Sponsors: $500–$1000 Jan K Dederick, El Cerrito CA Joe Simoes, El Cajon CA Sandra Easter, Des Moines IA National Center for Homeopathy Sharon Harris, Ringwood NJ Katherine Endres, Blandon PA Francie Nolan, Mendocino CA 101 S. Whiting St., Suite 315, Nancy J Ryan, Bethel CT Maria Schultes, Florence NJ Michele Sanz, Palisades NY Suman Kathuria, Longwood FL Patricia Chanterelle, Yarmouth ME Alexandria, VA 22304 Piers Wander, Ashland MA Jyll Johnstone, Tiburon CA Benefactors: $1000+ Toll-free 1-877-624-0613 HMV Bocock, Washington DC Barbara Tansey Bush, Charlestown MA Anonymous

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH 8–12 Los Angeles, CA • Massimo Mangialavori • Understanding the Complexities & Nature of the Noble Metals vs. the False-Self Metals • Los Angeles School of Homeopathy • [email protected] • 310-772-8237 9–11 Portland, ME • Louis Klein, FSHom, Seminar • Luminos Homeopathic Courses • 604-947-0757 • www.homeopathycourses.com 17 Harrisburg, PA • Case Conference: 147th Annual Meeting of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania in conjunc- tion with Southern Homeopathic Medical Association • 703-273-5250 • www.harmanyequine.com • drchaseonline.com/welcome/events.html 30–4/1 Toronto, ON • Dinesh Chahuan • Journey from Symptom to DECEMBER Sensation to Complete Pattern • www.canadiansensation.com 19–24 Portland, OR • Sujit Chatterjee • A Deeper Understanding of Homeopathy • 503-901-3345 • [email protected] • APRIL www.drsujitportland.com 20–22 Reston, VA • Raising the Bar: The Art & Science of Homeopathic Medicine • 7th Annual Joint American Homeopathic Conference • JANUARY Luc Montagnier, Rajan Sankaran, André Saine, Miranda Castro, 6–8 Cocoa Beach, FL • Ann Jerome, PhD, CCH • Case Study Seminar • Amy Rothenberg, Russell Malcolm, Iris Bell, Karen Allen and more • 386-736-8685 • Academy of Classical Homeopathy • NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • toll-free 877-624-0613 www.academyofclassicalhomeopathy.com MAY FEBRUARY 3–6 Hudson, NY • Dr. Shachindra Joshi & Dr. Bhawisha Joshi • 24–27 Boston, MA • Divya Chhabra • Perfecting the art of case taking: Sensation Seminar • [email protected] • unveiling the subconscious to reveal the substance • 978-635-0605 [email protected] • [email protected] 4–6 Westford, MA • Massimo Mangialavori • Homeopathic Support MARCH During Cancer Treatment • New England Homeopathic Academy • 1–4 San Francisco, CA • Sunil Anand • Pediatrics and Homeopathy • 978-635-0605 • [email protected] 408-835-7420 • [email protected] • 5–6 San Francisco, CA • Dr. Richard Hiltner • Utilizing Medical Astrol- www.pacifichomeopathy.com/seminars ogy to Discover the Homeopathic Medicine • California Homeopathic 3–4 New York, NY • Dr. Paresh Vasani • Sensation System Clinical Work- Medical Society (CHMS) Conference • [email protected] shop • New York School of Homeopathy • www.nyhomeopathy.com • [email protected] • www.HomeopathyWest.org

ANIMAL HEALTH Keep the flame of homeopathy alive for MOVING? future generations... Please send a change of address form Please consider naming to the NCH. The USPS will not forward the NCH as beneficiary of bulk mail. If you don’t tell us you’re moving, your will, trust, or IRA. you’ll miss the latest information in Thank you! For more information, contact: Homeopathy Today Sharon Stevenson, NCH Executive Director, at (703) 548-7790 or [email protected] BOOKS/PUBLICATIONS DISCOVER THE BEST-SELLING INTRO to homeopathy. Patients, students, practitioners all rave about Impossible Cure. Find out why! www.impossiblecure.com. YASGUR'S HOMEOPATHIC dictionary, 4th Edition - $23.95 + $3.00 S/H ($10. overseas)-PO Box 731, Greenville, PA 16125 USA. www.yasgur.net. EDUCATION NATUROPATHIC AND HOMEOPATHIC degrees. Top rated American College offering a unique test that accelerates one to earn a doctorate degree— UrgentUrgent CallCall forfor Nominations—CommissionersNominations—Commissioners NeededNeeded 30 programs total. Licensed professors hold The Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America doctorates. Low payments. Located in USA. (ACHENA) urgently needs to fill vacant commissioner positions with members (800) 803-2988. www.kcnh.org. who have expertise in higher education, educational management and administration, accreditation, website development & accounting. NORTHWESTERN ACADEMY OF HOMEOPATHY ACHENA accredits both educational institutions and programs offering Four-year professional program meets once per instruction in homeopathy. The Commission was formed in 1982 (as the month over a 4-day weekend. Classes held in Council on Homeopathic Education) to establish and maintain homeopathic Minnesota with live remote learning options. educational standards and is governed by elected volunteers. ACHENA is in Rigorous clinical training at on-site clinic. ACHENA the process of seeking recognition from the U.S. Department of Education as a certified. NEW! Classes starting soon in Phila- specialized accrediting agency. This recognition would be an acknowledgement delphia • www.homeovista.org • 877-946-9242• of our expertise in ensuring quality education and allow programs to access [email protected] federal student aid funds. For more information visit achena.org and click on the link for nominations or contact [email protected]. VolunteerVolunteer OpportunityOpportunity Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America ACHENA’s mission is to ensure excellence in homeopathic education. ACHENA relies on the expertise of volunteers for two critical elements in the accreditation process—the off-site peer review and the on-site visit. Peer review team members and site visitors are responsible for providing the Commission with verification of the documentation, practices and assertions of the institution or program seeking accreditation, as it relates to Accreditation Standards. If you are interested in participating please read the qualifications on our website under the tab Peer Review. Qualified applicants please submit the application form to [email protected]. For more info call 425-822-2667.

NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org • Homeopathy TODAY 47 Winter 2011