Homeopathy for kids

This post first appears on mycity4kids

Homeopathy is an alternative branch of medical science that works on the basic principle of "similia similibus curenter" means like cures like. And as a certified Homeopathic physician, I always love to share the goodness of Homeopathy with others.

I want to share a memorable incidence that happened just a few months ago. It was 1 A.M. and suddenly a call arrived with an annoying consistency, a shrill ring in the middle of the night woke me up from the blissful slumber. It was one of mine close friend. Her voice was husky. "My 6-month baby is crying continuously since 4 hours because of infantile colic." She has said in a low voice.

 They had tried all well-known home remedies, but nothing is working. She needs my help and I was there within few minutes. I had observed that baby was screaming with extreme irritability and anger and on the basis of his individual symptoms, I had given him few tiny globules (small pills) of Chamomilla 30 and within few minutes, the baby has stopped crying and fell into the sleep peacefully. As a first time parent, they were amazed at such a great result within the shortest span of time and with tiny globules. They asked me, how you have done this miracle? And I had answered them, it is not mine, it is a homoeopathic miracle. It always happened when a properly selected individualised medicine is prescribed on the basis of symptom similarity.

My friends were little confused with my homoeopathic language. But they want to know more about the goodness of homoeopathy. How is it work? Why is it a preferable treatment option for kids? I think, as a parent we all are always concerned about our child's complete health (physical, mental, social and emotional). We want to keep them away from unnecessary medications.

By the way, back to the story, I had tried to explain all queries of my dear friends. Their first question was,

How does Homeopathy work?

Homeopathy works on the principle of symptom similarity. It means when a person suffering from a certain disease, a qualified homoeopathic physician collect his all symptoms in detail. Then he matches the narrated symptoms with a medicine with the help of Materia Medica (homoeopathic therapeutic book) and then best selected remedy (the medicine that matches with disease person's symptom) is prescribed. When the properly selected remedy is prescribed in perfect dose and potency an Ideal cure happened.

My friends find it interesting and asked me a common question that most people asked. Why homoeopathic cases taking take so much time (up to 1 hour) and why homoeopaths collect all other symptoms (apart from disease) in detail?

Basic Homeopathic case-taking and theory of individualization

Yes! It is true that homoeopathic case taking is a time-consuming process. And it requires a proper time and patience. Because homoeopathy works on the principle of "Individualization", in simple words each individual is a unique person and so their disease too. When a person suffers from a disease it is compulsory to collect his all symptoms. It includes his physical general (thirst, appetite, sleep, dream) mental general (anger, sadness) and after a proper collection and evaluation, an individual remedy is prescribed.

Oh! That was the reason behind that detailed case-taking. They exclaimed. But now we want to know why it is a preferable and best treatment option for kids.

Although there are several good reasons that why homoeopathy is the best treatment option for kids. But I am explaining top 7 reasons why it is best?

Here is why homoeopathy is the best treatment option for kids?

Homeopathic medicines are safe, gentle, and non-toxic and had no adverse side effects

The first and most important reason is that Homeopathy is the safest mode of treatment and kids deserve safe medicines. Even these medicines are safe to use in very young (new-born and infant) babies. When we used conventional medicines they cause unwanted side effects. For example, diarrhoea is a common side effect of antibiotics and over the counter cough and cold medicines causes' drowsiness. Nowadays we parents are concerned about the side effects of conventional drugs. In this scenario, homoeopathy is a wonderful treatment option. These medicines cure diseases in most gentle and safe manner, without any harmful side effects.

"Homeopathy cures a greater percentage of cases than any other method of treatment. Homeopathy is the latest and refined method of treating patients economically & non-violently"- Mahatma Gandhi.

Cures a disease from the root and gives long lasting to permanent cure

 The second reason is when we choose the conventional mode of treatment; these medicines kill the causative organism of diseases (bacteria, fungus etc.).For example, antibiotics used in bacterial infections and antifungal are useful for fungal infections. And by this method, they try to make our body disease free.  In other words, there is suppression of symptoms occur, but according to homoeopathic principle individual remedy is selected according to individual symptoms of the sick person. For example, if a person is suffering from cold and flu, in the conventional method, treatment option is same for all diseased people, but in homoeopathy, a qualified homoeopath will record all detail individual symptoms of the disease. For example character of nasal discharge, aggravating and ameliorating factors, other concomitant symptoms, mental and physical general symptoms and after collecting these symptoms an individual similimum (most similar) remedy is prescribed. And this indicated remedy acts on individual symptoms and cures a disease from the root. This is the ideal method of curing a disease and best suitable for kids.

Easily acceptable and tolerable treatment option especially for kids

 We all know that children often resist taking conventional drugs. They show tantrums and get irritated by conventional medicines, but homoeopathic medicines are administered in the form of the tiny sweet globule. Kids accept it very well, even they loved it.

It Increases immunity and resistance power of body naturally

 The prominent reason, it increases immunity and resistance power. According to homoeopathic principle, when a person suffers from any disease his vital force (resistance power) get deranged. When an indicated homoeopathic medicine is administered it acts on the vital force of the body and make it stronger. Then this stronger vital force eliminates the disease force. Thus, our inner resistance power is increased. Kids have the delicate immune system so for them; it is an excellent method of curing a disease.

It does not interfere with other medications and can be easily used with other therapies

 It is a common question that does homoeopathic remedies can be used with other medication. It is true that Homeopathic medicines are believed to be safe when used with other medicines. Although homoeopathic remedies should not replace conventional treatment for serious health concerns, but they can be used as an alternative option. For example, in the case of asthma in kids, it is necessary to use conventional inhalers and other indicated medicines. But we can add indicated homoeopathic medicine along with them. When indicated medicine will start work on individual symptoms (it may take a time and patience is required) then the dose of conventional medicines can be tapered gradually. After a period of time patient can control his disease with homoeopathic remedy only.

A good option for at-home treatment

 Because it is a gentle, safe and permanent mode of treatment and its method of dispensing medicine is also very simple. So after learning some basic principle every mom can use it at home for treatment of common childhood problems. But for serious health concern, medical supervision is compulsory.

It can be used for acute and chronic conditions

Childhood is the most sensitive and fundamental phase of life.  Millions of children in the world have some form of chronic diseases. In this case, homoeopathy works like a miracle in both acute and chronic diseases. In acute disorders(like common cough-cold and fever) acute remedies work rapidly with good success and in the case of chronic diseases (where symptoms are less severe than acute disease, but they can affect seriously affect the quality of life and may worse over the time) well selected constitutional remedies may provide significant relief.

Last but not the least homoeopathic remedies are typically inexpensive and radially available. Therefore, they provide an affordable approach to healing. So these are some wonderful reasons why Homeopathy is the best treatment option for kids. It was the 6 A.M. and we had enjoyed our homoeopathic discussion. My friends were satisfied and so that I too.

There are various great books are available to know the basics of homoeopathy. One is Homoeopathic medicine for children and infants is a great book written by Dana Ullman. In this book, he explains what is homoeopathy? How does it work? How it can be used correctly to treat common childhood aliments. He included a complete guide to the use of homoeopathy and valuable information on the important remedies that all parents have in their home medicine kit. (1)

 Homeopathy also has a great role in various mental and psychological issues apart from the routine treatment. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), learning and behavioural problems and other psychological issues can be successfully treated with homoeopathy. Ritalin free kids is a great book written by Judith Reich Enberg-Ullman and Robert Ullman. This book explains the role of safe and effective homoeopathic medicine for ADHD, behavioural and learning problems. It offers a natural alternative to Ritalin and other harmful drugs. The authors describe their experience with more than 400 ADD patients whom they have treated. We will learn who lives have been dramatically changed and improved through the use of homoeopathy (2)

 Nowadays, homoeopathy is so well trusted. More than 300 million patients in over 80 nations are using it. As a parent and as a physician I had always observed the miraculous result of homoeopathy. Do you have an experience with the homoeopathic treatment? Do not forget to share with us, in the comment box. Until then eat healthy and live well.