A Career as a Professional Homeopath Is a Fulfilling Choice

Homeopaths help patients in a deep and long lasting way. It is a very fulfilling career. Here, Sarah Hemsley, a homeopath for over 25 years describes her training and career choice.

UK Society of Homeopaths Unveils New Web Site

The United Kingdom’s Society of Homeopaths has unveiled a new web site- http://www.homeopathy-soh.org  It is chock full of information on homeopathy and about this organization representing professional homeopaths in the UK.

“The Society of Homeopaths is a professional body whose members are trained to high standards and agree to practise according to a strict code of ethics and practice.”

New Scientific Model For Homeopathic Remedy Effects

Iris Bell, a holistic medical doctor, researcher and professor of medicine at University of Arizona, and Mary Koithan have proposed a new and intriguing method for how homeopathic remedies work. “This paper proposes a novel model for homeopathic remedy action on living systems. Research indicates that homeopathic remedies (a) contain measurable source and silica nanoparticles heterogeneously dispersed in colloidal solution; (b) act by modulating biological function of the allostatic stress response network (c) evoke biphasic actions on living systems via organism-dependent adaptive and endogenously amplified effects; (d) improve systemic resilience.”

Dana Ullman who has a Masters of Public Health and is a teacher of homeopathy comments: “This article is quite brilliant and very futuristic in verifying that homeopathy is a “nano-pharmacology.” When you consider that many hormones circulating in our body are in similar extremely small doses, homeopathy makes more and more sense…and heck, its results are amazing. There are good reasons that more educated people use homeopathics than those who don’t.”

Summary

Homeopathic remedies are proposed as source nanoparticles that mobilize hormesis and time-dependent sensitization via non-pharmacological effects on specific biological adaptive and amplification mechanisms. The nanoparticle nature of remedies would distinguish them from conventional bulk drugs in structure, morphology, and functional properties. Outcomes would depend upon the ability of the organism to respond to the remedy as a novel stressor or heterotypic biological threat, initiating reversals of cumulative, cross-adapted biological maladaptations underlying disease in the allostatic stress response network. Systemic resilience would improve. This model provides a foundation for theory-driven research on the role of nanomaterials in living systems, mechanisms of homeopathic remedy actions and translational uses in nanomedicine.

A model for homeopathic remedy effects: low dose nanoparticles, allostatic cross-adaptation, and time-dependent sensitization in a complex adaptive system Iris R Bell and Mary Koithan- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012, 12:191 doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-191-Published: 22 October 2012

Scientist Says That Anti-Homeopathy Skeptics Purposely Promulgate Unsubstantiated Opinions

In an excellent article, Lionel Milgrom PhD discusses the new development of a narrow minded “scientism” movement that is opposing homeopathy. He distinguishes real science from scientism  as he says scientism  is a narrow minded belief system and unscientific.

The article is extremely well written in both an accessible and academic style. It provides an insight into a “draconian approach” to medicine and homeopathy. It also points out that some of the main opponents of homeopathy, (who have financially benefited from their opposition) are also academically bereft. The article is an important read as to what is happening in the UK and around the world.

Lionel Milgrom comes with a strong expert background in science but at the same time has fully embraced homeopathy. He has been in practice as a professional homeopath (LCH, MARH, RHom) for over a decade. He has also had a parallel career as a research scientist for well over 30 years, with over 70 academic papers published in leading chemistry journals (BSc, MSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC). Lionel also writes and comments about science and been a sometime broadcaster on the subject.”

He goes onto say that scientism is

Best described by British geneticist Professor Steve Jones as part of a, “….broad church full of narrow minds trained to know even more about even less.”,

Milgrom describes how two individuals have purposely promulgated unsubstantiated opinions about homeopathy as fact:

Nevertheless, Baum and Ernst continuously assert the results of homeopathic prescribing lack efficacy beyond a placebo response. [8] Closer examination of this claim reveals that it is based on just two systematic reviews, both by Ernst: [25, 26] as if his are the only … studies, and that those of others [21, 22, 24, 27-29] should be discounted. But vaunting hubris aside, Baum and Ernst are just plain wrong: by end of 2009, 142 RCTs of homeopathy had been published in peer-reviewed journals. In terms of statistically significant results, 74 of these trials were able to draw firm conclusions; 63 were positive (patients given a homeopathic medicine improved significantly more than the comparison group given either an inactive placebo or established conventional treatment), and 11 were negative (no significant difference was seen between the action of the homeopathic medicine and the comparison group). [30]

Fortunately, their scientific ‘fundamentalism’ is not shared by all in medicine. Thus, top UK cancer clinician Karol Sikora (around 60% of whose patients use some form of CAM as adjuvant therapies) roundly excoriated attempts by what he calls ‘inexperienced’, ‘armchair physicians’, to tell him how to do his job, while at the same time excoriating their attempts to rid the NHS of its CAM services as ‘Stalinist’. [34]

Read more of the article here.

Homeopathy Is The #1 Alternative For Doctors in Europe

Dana Ullman who has a Masters of Public Health and is a leading proponent of homeopathy has written another well-researched article on homeopathy and it’s popularity in European nations. It is another article in a series presented by Dana Ullman on homeopathy posted on the Huffington Post. In this article and others he provides compelling and well-researched information on advanced medical research into homeopathy proving homeopathy’s effectiveness as well as information on its popularity.

The new article discusses homeopathy’s popularity in Europe and how it has become the number one choice amongst medical doctors who are seeking alternatives for their patients.  Dana Ullman bases his information on various studies and reports. For more read the full post on Huffington Post.

Here are some very brief excerpts from Dana Ullman’s article:

United Kingdom

…According to a House of Lords report (2000), 17 percent of the British population use homeopathic medicines (11). The respect accorded homeopathy and homeopathic practice by British physicians is evidenced by a 1986 survey in the British Medical Journal that showed that 42 percent of physicians referred patients to homeopathic doctors…

Ireland

A survey in Ireland was conducted at 13 pediatric settings over a 4-month period (19). They found that 57 percent of parents reported using CAM for their child. Use was significantly higher in the two to four years age group. The most common medicinal CAMs used were vitamins (88 percent), fish oils (27 percent) and Echinacea (26 percent). The most common non-medicinal CAMs used were homeopathy (16 percent) and craniosacral therapy (14 percent). Only 13 percent of parents had informed their pediatrician of their child’s CAM use…

Germany

The German people are so supportive of natural medicine that the German government mandated that all medical school curricula include information about natural medicines. Approximately 10 percent of German doctors specialize in homeopathy, with approximately 10 percent more prescribing homeopathic remedies on occasion. In 1993, there were 1,993 medical doctors who had formally qualified in homeopathy, while in 2006, this number jumped over 100 percent to 6,073 (20). In Germany there are 9,000 natural health practitioners called heilpraktikers in 1993 and over 20,000 in 2007. Approximately 20-30 of heilpraktikers specialize in homeopathy….

…Sales of homeopathic medicines in Germany were approximately $428 million in 1991, growing at a rate of about 10 percent per year. Evidence of the significant support from the German medical community is the fact that 85 percent of these sales are prescriptions from physicians. Surveys indicate that 98 percent of pharmacies sell homeopathic medicines.

Switzerland

A government-sponsored survey was conducted in Switzerland that evaluated patient satisfaction and side effects in primary care and that compared homeopathic treatment and conventional medical treatment (29). A total of 3,126 adult patients responded to a questionnaire, 1,363 of whom received conventional medical treatment and 1,702 who received homeopathic treatment. This survey found that a higher percentage of homeopathic patients had chronic and severe conditions than the conventional medical patients, that homeopathic patients were more often “completely satisfied” with their treatment (53 percent vs. 43 percent), that homeopathic patients experienced significantly fewer side effects (7.3 percent vs. 16.1 percent), that the proportion of patients reporting complete resolution of symptoms was non-significantly higher in the conventional medical patients (28 percent vs. 21 percent). What is particularly important about this survey is the observation that homeopathic patients had a higher percentage of seriously ill patients but they expressed a much higher amount of satisfaction with their treatment than the patients who received conventional medical treatment. This survey also confirmed a common observation about people who seek homeopathic treatment and that is they were much more educated than those who didn’t (32.4 percent vs. 24.7 percent received “higher education”).

Italy

In 2004 a total of 7.5 million Italians use homeopathic medicines, 2.5 million more than a survey showed in 2000 (33). Approximately 14 percent of Italian women and 10 percent of men prefer homeopathic medicine to conventional medicine. A total of 9.6 percent of children between three and five years of age are treated with homeopathic medicines. Almost 90 percent of Italians who have used such medicines say these treatments helped by them, with 30 percent saying that they used homeopathic medicines for pain syndromes and 24 percent for severe or chronic diseases.

Spain

In Spain, homeopathy has gotten so popular that INE, the country’s statistic institute, added expenditures on homeopathic medicines to their calculations for monthly inflation rates (41). Sales of homeopathic medicines in Spain are growing at 10-15 percent annually, with approximately 15 percent of the population saying that they have used a homeopathic medicine and 25 percent said that they would be happy to try one (42).

Eastern Europe

A survey of Russian physicians in three academic hospitals in St. Petersburg was published in 2008 (44). This survey found that 100 percent of the respondents had practice CAM and/or referred patients to at least two CAM therapies. On average, each physician had practiced or referred patients to 12.7 different CAM treatments. Homeopathic medicine was the 8th most popular, with 58 percent using or referring for homeopathic treatment, 31 percent using on themselves, 29 percent using it on their own patients, and 38 percent referring for homeopathic care…

…In Hungary, homeopathic literature was banned for 40 years until 1990. (Some of the current and most vociferous leaders of the anti-homeopathy movement in England are communists- ed) Homeopathy has now been accepted and integrated into regular medical education and is taught in two medical schools. The Hungarian Homeopathic Medical Association started with 11 members in 1990, grew to 75 after 18 months, and grew further to 302 members in 1994…

Public Health Expert Praises Homeopathy

Dana Ullman, who has a Masters of Public Health is positively behind homeopathic medicine and gives both scientific evidence and philosophical reasons for the public to support and choose homeopathy.

After examining current clinical research of homeopathy, Dana Ullman has referenced over 200 successful controlled clinical trials of homeopathy in an e-book he has published.

As a supporter of homeopathy, he has brought it into the 21st century. He has also written a book called the “The Homeopathic Revolution” describing how famous people have chosen homeopathy and also many articles and books about the scientific underpinnings of homeopathy. On the web site, Homeopathic Educational Services or Homeopathic.com you can get many articles including introductory ones on homeopathy.

In one chapter of the Homeopathic Revolution,  Dana Ullman describes how Charles Darwin survived a serious illness with homeopathy but also talks about many famous individuals, including medical doctors, who have used homeopathy.

One of the most amazing stories came from the life of Charles Darwin. Because so many of Darwin’s personal letters have been maintained and are now available online, there is a veritable treasure-trove of information about his life, illnesses, and his medical treatment. What will be described here is a part of his story, with much greater detail provided in The Homeopathic Revolution .

Darwin’s story is but one story in the chapter on “Physicians and Scientists: Coming out of the Medicine Closet.” Some of the others included in this chapter are: Sir William Osler (the “father of modern medicine”), Emil Adolf von Behring (the “father of immunology”), Sidney Ringer, Charles Frederick Menninger (founder of the Menninger Clinic), August Bier (the “father of spinal anesthesia”), Royal S. Copeland (homeopathic physician and New York Senator), William J. Mayo and Charles H. Mayo (founders of the Mayo Clinic), C. Everett Koop (former Surgeon General, U.S.), and Brian Josephson (modern-day Nobel laureate and Cambridge professor).

During Darwin’s trip to South America in the mid-1830s, he became very ill. Although different historians and physicians have hypothesized on what ailment he had, there is no consensus, except to say that he was seriously ill. Ever since 1837, he suffered from persistent nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, widespread boils, and trembling, and since 1847, he had fainting spells and spots before his eyes…and his symptoms were getting increasingly worse.

Although Charles Darwin was only 39 years old in November, 1848, he was so ill that he couldn’t attend his own father’s funeral. In March, 1849, Darwin himself acknowledged that he was unable to work one day in every three, and further, he felt that he was dying. He said this specifically,

“I was not able to do anything one day out of three, & was altogether too dispirited to write to you or to do anything but what I was compelled.­ I thought I was rapidly going the way of all flesh.”

When you consider that Charles Darwin was this sick in 1849 and that he published his seminal book, The Origin of Species, 10 years later in 1859, one cannot help but wonder if he would have even survived that long or if he would have been as productive as a scientist or as an author if he didn’t see Dr. James Manby Gully in March, 1849.

On the advice from one of his cousins as well as from a fellow shipmate from the Beagle, Charles Darwin brought himself and his family to the clinic and “water-cure” spa of Dr. James Manby Gully, a well-known and respected homeopathic physician and advocate of hydrotherapy (“water-cure”).  For more details about this story, click HERE.

Extensive Study Concludes Homeopathic Remedies and Treatment Are Safe

A study entitled: “The Safety of Homeopathy”  published January 2009 by the European Council for Classical Homeopathy has concluded that homeopathic remedies are safe.

The report was based on the results of the following approaches:  

• a description of regulation and production methods for HMPs; 

• a literature review considering current research evidence for the safety of HMPs; 

• a survey on the safety of treatment provided by practitioners; 

• an overview of regulation of the practice of homeopathy; and 

• an overview of international measures taken by the profession to self-regulate. 

The report also looked at over 20 observational studies with a total of 7,275 patients. 

Some of the conclusions were:

“There is overall agreement between practitioners, national Governments and the European Union institutions that the safety of patients is of paramount importance. There is also a widespread and longstanding belief that CAM therapies such as homeopathy have a high safety profile when correctly administered. Some authors have however pointed out the need for such claims to be researched. 

Current evidence seems to support the claim that ADRs rarely arise in connection with HMPs [homeopathic remedies] and where they do they are only mild or moderate, and transient. We have been unable to find any evidence to support a claim that HMPs may cause serious AE or ADR. The results we have seen are in line with claims such as those put forward by Reilly (2005) who states that homeopathy lacks the potential for life-threatening side effects and it may be used in pregnancy and the treatment of infants and children without risk of harm. ”

For more information check out the web site of the ECCH: http://www.homeopathy-ecch.eu

Finding a Good Homeopath

It is always good to get an alternative opinion and mode of treatment. Homeopaths and alternative practitioners can help balance your treatment modalities. But it can also be difficult to find the right person for your journey into alternative health.

Many of the best homeopaths, are not necessarily medical doctors, although being a medical doctor does not exclude being a good homeopath. 

Most likely you have been referred by a friend who has had great results. Homeopathy, because of the overwhelming nature of Drug Company sponsored medicine is more  grass roots at the moment. Homeopathy has a wonderful track record of results and safety with over 200 years of results.

So what should you look for in a good homeopath?

Well, first you should ask some questions when you make your appointment. It is even better if the homeopath has a web site that you can look at to see where he has trained. Many homeopaths have trained at colleges and some are self trained with the addition of many courses and studying with teachers. Medical Doctor homeopaths are frequently self trained or have taken additional courses in homeopathy.

In India, and a few other countries training is different. In India, there are over 200,000 homeopaths, most have been trained in special homeopathic medical schools. In the west, this is not the case, as above.

Its important to see that individuals who are practicing are increasing their knowledge base. Both methodologies, and the number of, as well as information on homeopathic remedies is increasing dramatically. The homeopathic profession is currently rapidly evolving and changing for the better.

Some of the new training may include studying with teachers such as Rajan Sankaran, Jan Scholten, Masimo Mangliavori, Louis Klein, Will Taylor, Jeremy Sherr and teachers who are students of these teachers. Ask to see if they have recently been involved in any continuing education.

Make sure the homeopath will accept your Medical Doctor’s advice. It is important to keep your relationship with your medical doctor and to stop medications only with the advice of a medical doctor and monitoring by him/her.

Give homeopathy 2-3 visits and by the 3rd visit you should know if you have a good rapport with the homeopath and if she/he can help you and be a good resource as well as a healing modality for you.

Famous People Love Homeopathy

Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy By Dana Ullman, MPH Foreword by Dr. Peter Fisher (Physician to Her Majesty the Queen)

There is a good reason that 11 American presidents, 7 popes, Charles Darwin, J.D. Rockefeller, David Beckham, Tina Turner, and Mother Teresa have used and advocated for homeopathic treatment: homeopathy works!

The majority of people in Western society seek out conventional medical treatment, but an amazing and impressive number of cultural heroes and celebrities of the past 200 years have been treated with and raved about homeopathic medicine. Through a cutting-edge explanation of homeopathy as “nanopharmacology,” Dana Ullman’s Homeopathic Revolution: Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy presents a strong case for this internationally respected, but often misunderstood, medical practice.

Homeopathic medicine is presently the leading alternative medicine in Europe, and Ullman is one of the foremost experts in the field. With endorsements from Larry Dossey, MD (The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things), John Robbins (Diet for a New America), C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD (founding president of the American Holistic Medical Association), and professors at Harvard, Georgetown, and Stanford Schools of Medicine, it’s clear that Ullman is highly respected by health professionals.

The Homeopathic Revolution uncovers a veritable treasure-trove of stories from cultural heroes of the past 200 years. Of special interest are the riveting anecdotes of literary greats, sports superstars, physicians, scientists, celebrities, musicians, artists, fashionistas, corporate leaders, philanthropists, clergy, spiritual leaders, and monarchs.

Dana Ullman, America’s leading spokesperson for homeopathy, has authored 10 books on the subject, and has taught or served on advisory boards of alternative medicine institutes at Harvard, Columbia, University of Arizona, and University of Alaska. He lives in Berkeley, CA.

Modern-day cultural heroes and their homeopathic treatment:
• Tina Turner-tuberculosis (Chapter 7: Musicians, Pages 162-163)
• Cher-recurrent pneumonia and chronic fatigue (Chapter 7: Musicians, Pages 165-166)
• David Beckham-a broken foot just prior to the 2002 World Cup (Chapter 4: Sports Superstars, Pages 89-90)
• Pete Townshend-hearing difficulties (Chapter 7: Musicians, Pages 164-165)
• Nancy Davis-(philanthropist), multiple sclerosis (Chapter 11: Corporate Leaders and Philanthropists, Pages 266-267)
• Nelly Furtado-jet lag (Chapter 7: Musicians, Page 168)
• Bill Clinton-recurrent laryngitis (Chapter 9: Politicians and Peacemakers, Page 208)
• Robin McGraw-(wife of “Dr. Phil” McGraw), hot flashes of menopause (Chapter 6: Stage, Film and Television Celebrities, Page 145)

• Jade Jagger-chronic eczema (Chapter 8: Artists and Fashionistas, Page 179)
• Catherine Zeta-Jones-sprains and strains from overexertion during the filming of Chicago (Chapter 6: Stage, Film and Television Celebrities, Pages 139-140)
• Jose Maria Olazabal-(pro golfer), rheumatoid polyarthritis (arthritis in multiple joints) (Chapter 4: Sports Superstars, Page 91)
• Pamela Anderson-hepatitis C (Chapter 6: Stage, Film and Television Celebrities, Pages 141-142)
• Norman Cousins-(author, editor), heart attack recovery (Chapter 3: Literary Greats, Pages 82-84)

Stories from the past:
• Ludwig van Beethoven-spitting blood and colitis (Chapter 7: Musicians, Pages 154-156)
• Charles Darwin-chronic and persistent nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, fainting spells, and spots before his eyes (Chapter 5: Physicians and Scientists, Pages 104-114)
• Alfred Tennyson-(poet), petit mal seizures and a nervous breakdown (Chapter 3: Literary Greats, Page 80)
• George Bernard Shaw-(playwright), hydrocele (Chapter 3: Literary Greats, Pages 77-78)
• Washington Irving-(author), asthma, recurrent dizziness, and chronic headaches (Chapter 3: Literary Greats, Pages 70-71)
• Richard Wagner-(composer and conductor), typhoid (saved his life) (Chapter 7: Musicians, Pages 159-160)
• General George B. McClellan-(head of the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War), typhoid (Chapter 9: Politicians and Peacemakers, Pages 184-185)
• Benjamin Disraeli-(British Prime Minister), asthma and gout (Chapter 9: Politicians and Peacemakers, Pages 199-200)
• Harold Griffith, MD-(one of the fathers of modern anesthesia), diphtheria (Chapter 5: Physicians and Scientists, Pages 122-124)

 

-From http://www.healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=9474

What is Homeopathy?

We’ll be exploring various methods of explaining homeopathy- here is one from the Society of Homeopaths:

Homeopathy: a little goes a long way…

Over thirty million people in Europe already benefit from homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy could help you too.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.

• Homeopathic treatment works with your body’s own healing powers to bring health and well being.
• Patients are treated as individuals, not as a collection of disease labels.
• Homeopathy treats all your symptoms – mental, emotional and physical.
• Homeopathic remedies are gentle, subtle and powerful.

In future entries we will profile some of the courageous teachers of homeopathy such as Rajan Sankaran, Jan Scholten, Louis Klein, Massimo Mangliavori, Jeremy Sherr, George Vithoulkas and many more.

We welcome positive comments on homeopathy and your experience with this healing modality.