Homeopathics

How does it work? Homeopathy was founded in the late eighteenth century by the celebrated German physician Samual Hahnemann, known for his work in pharmacology, hygiene, public health, industrial toxocology, and psychiatry. Reacting to the barbarous practices of his day, such as bloodletting (the use of leeches), and toxic mercury-based laxatives, Dr. Hahnemann set out to find a more rational and humane approach to medicine.

His breakthrough came during an experiment in which he twice daily ingested cinchona, a Peruvian bark well known as a cure for malaria. As soon as he stopped taking the cinchona, his symptoms disappeared. Dr. Hahnemann theorized that, if taking a large dose of cinchona created symptoms of malaria in a healthy person, this same substance, taken in a smaller dose by a person suffering from malaria, might stimulate the body to fight the disease. His theory was born out by years of experiments with hundreds of substances that produced similar results.  Based on his work, Dr. Hahnemann formulated the principles of homeopathy:

• Like cures like (Law of Similars)
• The more a remedy is diluted, the greater its potency (Law of the Infinitesimal Dose)
• An illness is specific to the individual (a holistic medical model)

Homeopathy is a complete system of natural medicine that can have a therapeutic effect on almost any disease or health condition.

"Homeopathy has been a tremendous value in reversing diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, skin erruptions, allergic conditions, mental or emotional disorders, especially if applied at the onset of the disease", states George Vithoulkas, Director of the Athenian School of Homeopathic Medicine in Athens, Greece. "The long-term benefit of homeopathy to the patient is that it not only alleviates the presenting symptoms but it reestablishes internal order at the deepest levels and thereby provides a lasting cure."

Our office uses a variety of essential oils to assist in the health of the body. Essential oils have been used for centuries to aid in restoring and maintaining health. 

In the history of mankind the Egyptians were the first to use to extensively make use of aromatherapy and aromatic herbs for embalming, in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes 

The medicinal wisdom of the Egyptians were taken over and absorbed by the ancient Greeks - and the most well-known physician of that time - Hippocrates (c.460 - 377 BC) was also a firm believer of treating the patient holistically and included aromatherapy massage as a treatment.

The Romans took over the wisdom from the greeks and placed great stock in the use of aromatherapy.

It is the Persian physician Avicenna (980 - 1,037 AD) that is being credited with perfecting the distillation process of essential oils, in the Arabian Empire.

Essential oils are the regenerating and oxygenating properties of the plant kingdom. They are subtle, volatile liquids that are steam distilled under low pressure and low temperature. To produce pure essential oils hundreds or thousands of pounds of plants are required to extract one pound of oil. Lavender requires 175-250 pounds to produce one pound of oil. Rose oil requires 5,000 pounds of petals for one pound of oil. Melissa requires three tons of plants to produce one pound of oil.

The medicinal qualities of plant and flowers are irrefutable and have been proven over centuries.

"Health depends on being in harmony with our souls"    

– Dr Edward Bach

Dr Edward Bach was a consulting physician and trained as a pathologist and bacteriologist but became disenchanted by orthodox medicine and developed his system of treating disorders - where the disease is not as such looked at, but the personality suffering the problem.

There is a complete system of 38 flower essences, each prepared from the flowers of wild plants, trees or bushes. They work by treating the individual and their emotional states. The purpose of flower remedies is to support the fight against illness by addressing the depression, anxiety, trauma and other emotional factors that are thought to impede physical healing. They can also be used preventatively during times of anxiety and stress, and are particularly helpful for those who feel generally tired and unwell without specific medial diagnosis.

These flower essences can be taken on their own or in conjunction with medical and other treatments; they will not conflict with medications, including homeopathic remedies. They are completely safe, non-addictive and have no side effects. They are gentle in action and can safely be taken by people of all ages from new borns babies to the elderly. They are also beneficial for animals and plants.

It is important to note that none of the natural remedies are intended as a substitute for medical treatment; should symptoms persist, you are advised to consult your medical practitioner.

In addition to always trying to make the best / healthiest food choices, the following are the five nutritional supplements that we all should consider utilizing:

Why Supplement the Diet?

“Good nutrition is the bedrock on which your health is built... evidence no longer supports diet alone for keeping us healthy. There is compelling evidence that virtually everyone would be healthier if they supplemented their diet with additional, concentrated nutrients.”
– Tom Ballard, RN, ND.

Americans are deficient in essential vitamins and minerals due to food choices...

“...The percentage of the population with total intakes >tolerable upper intake level (UL) was very low for most nutrients...Without enrichment and/or fortification and supplementation, many Americans did not achieve the recommended micronutrient intake levels set forward in the Dietary Reference Intake (RDI).”  
– J Fulgoni V et al. J. Nutr, August 26 2011

“The reason one needs to supplement the diet is because even if one were to eat the best possible food, i.e., organic, you cannot replenish deficiencies through diet alone.”
– Robert Rakowski, DC, PA

“Suboptimal intake of some vitamins... is a risk factor for chronic diseases and common in general population, especially the elderly. Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.”
– JAMA. 2002; 287:3127?3129.

What are the appropriate, scientifically documented supplements to include in your daily regimen?

Multivitamin / mineral

“Good nutrition is the bedrock on which your health is built... evidence no longer supports diet alone for keeping us healthy. There is compelling evidence that virtually everyone would be healthier if they supplemented their diet with additional, concentrated nutrients.” 

“Suboptimal intake of some vitamins... is a risk factor for chronic diseases and common in general population, especially the elderly. Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.”

Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EPA-DHA fish oils)

The Health Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids are Extensive;

• Improved Body composition
• Healthy inflammatory response
• Cardiovascular health and healthy blood pressure
• Healthy blood sugar levels
• Supports brain development and function
• Healthy / positive mood
• Healthy hormone balance
• Support breast health
• Supports healthy bones, joints, and skin
• Supports healthy prostate function    

“Fruits & Greens” / Phytonutrient Complex

Throughout history in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and other cultures, botanicals have been used to improve health or treat illnesses. Today, consumption of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices is associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommend increased consumption of a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red, and orange vegetables, as well as beans and peas. We now have learned that these living plants produce a wide variety of phyto-chemicals—commonly referred to as phytonutrients—that play very important roles in human health.

• Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases, but fewer than 10% of U.S. adults meet recommendations.
• Living plants produce numerous types of phytonutrients that exhibit important health benefits for humans via the concept of xenohormesis. The Mediterranean food plan has shown impressive health benefits due to its richness in plant foods and diverse phytonutrient content.
• Phytonutrients confer beneficial health effects through numerous mechanisms, including modulation of signal transduction pathways, antioxidant properties, and hormonal effects.  

Vitamin D

There is a vast body of science showing the many health benefits of vitamin D3. You may be surprised to learn the important role that vitamin D3 plays in your health.

1. Maintains Your Calcium Balance
   Vitamin D supports growth, and maintenance of bone density. Vitamin D3 is essential for the efficient utilization of calcium by the body.
2. Aids Your Cell Differentiation
   While cellular proliferation is essential for growth and wound healing, uncontrolled proliferation of cells with certain mutations may lead to diseases like cancer. The active form of vitamin D3, inhibits proliferation and stimulates the differentiation of cells. Cancer prevention.
3. Boosts Your Immunity
   Vitamin D is a potent immune system modulator. There is plenty of scientific evidence that vitamin D3 may enhance your immunity and inhibit the development of autoimmunity.
4. Has a Role in Insulin Secretion
   Vitamin D plays a role in insulin secretion. Data in humans suggests that insufficient D3 levels may have an adverse effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes.
5. Blood Pressure Regulation
   Vitamin D levels may be important for decreasing the risk of high blood pressure.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D may play a role in the following diseases: Osteoporosis, Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 
 

Probiotic Support

Probiotics are live microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) that are the same as or similar to the microorganisms found naturally in the human body and are beneficial for us to maintain health.

From the very first breath we take, we are exposed to probiotics.
On the way through the birth canal during a normal delivery, a newborn gets dosed with bacteria from their mother. This event starts colonization in the infant's gastrointestinal (GI) tract of "good" bacteria.

(Compelling new research now shows many caesareanJsection infants have lessJthanJoptimal health after birth. This is most likely because they are not exposed to the mother's healthy bacteria in the birth canal which would then serve to populate its own GI tract.)

As we mature, we are faced with many threats to the beneficial bacteria in our gut... from chlorinated drinking water... to overlyJprocessed foods... to prescription antibiotic medications... to the antibiotic carryJover from the animals we consume as food.

The "good" bacteria in our gastrointestinal system can only provide us with optimum health if the proper balance of different types of bacteria is maintained in our gut. Probiotics can have a profound effect... not just on our GI health, but on our overall health as well.

The major benefits of a high-quality probiotic are: 

• Supports healthy immune function (Keep in mind, 80% of our immune system actually lives in our gut.) 
• Aid us in digesting food, particularly hard-to-digest foods and foods to which some individuals are more sensitive, enhance the synthesis of B vitamins, and improve calcium absorption
• (In women) Promote vaginal / urogenital health
• Support a healthy inflammatory response / dampening inflammatory responses