Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

216 •HOMEOPATHIC SELF-HELPCHOOSING A REMEDYHomeopathic remedies can be used effectively and safely bylaypeople to treat many minor ailments and injuries. Carefulobservation enables a person to select a remedy to match theirsymptoms. While not necessarily providing an instant cure,a homeopathic remedy is believed to encourage the body’sConducting self-prescriptionA person must first decide whether or notit is safe to self-prescribe. Some symptoms(see Red-light symptoms, page 9) may beindicative of a serious ailment and require theimmediate attention of a conventional doctor.If pharmaceutical drugs are already being taken,it may be necessary to consult a doctor beforeconsidering additional medication. Babies andsmall children, pregnant women, the elderly,and those with chronic medical conditions needcareful consideration in terms of self-helptreatment (see Safety issues, page 9).Identifying symptomsA diagnostic picture needs to be compiled inorder to self-prescribe. A person must describethe characteristics of his or her symptoms ( seeright) or, if prescribing for someone else, make anote of what can be seen or heard, and what isreported by the patient. Some symptoms mayDIAGNOSTIC CHECKLISTWhat are your most obviousphysical symptoms?Are main symptomsaccompanied by lessacute symptoms?What are the characteristicsof your symptoms?Do you have anypsychological symptoms?Are you aware of any obviouscause of the symptoms?Do your symptoms getbetter or worse undercertain conditions?be associated with other manifestations of anailment, or with a particular state of mind. Afever may develop after a person becomes wetand chilled, for example; a headache may followa head injury; or diarrhea may be linkedwith anxiety.Building symptom picturesArmed with a “symptom picture,” a person canproceed to the homeopathic directory (see pages218–69) in which symptom descriptions canbe compared and suitable remedies identified.Some symptoms are common to severalailments. A sore throat may be indicative ofa cold, influenza, or laryngitis. It may benecessary, therefore, to study the symptompictures of several ailments, comparing theaccompanying physical symptoms andpsychological symptoms listed. The remedy listsin the self-help section that follows are notEXAMPLES: pain, soreness, inflammation, skin eruption,itching, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat,cough, fever, fainting, dizziness, headache.EXAMPLES: perspiration, chilliness, great thirst, desire for oraversion to certain foods, loss of appetite, sensitivity totouch, weak limbs, coated tongue, swollen glands.EXAMPLES: location in the body, sudden or gradual onset,constant or intermittent occurrence, frequency of recurrence.EXAMPLES: restlessness, irritability, anger, anxiety,tearfulness, self-pity, emotional oversensitivity, indifference,desire to be alone, irrational fears, desire for sympathy.EXAMPLES: injury, viral infection, bacterial infection, exposureto extremes of temperature or strong wind, stress, anxiety,grief, overwork.EXAMPLES: warmth or cold, fresh air, application of hot or coldcompresses, sitting or standing, lying in a particular way,physical or mental exertion, emotional stress.self-healing mechanisms and nurture a sense of well-being,good energy levels, and a resistance to ill health. A remedycan be helped to work by adopting a lifestyle that willpromote good health and a positive outlook.FORMS OF HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY Homeopathicremedies are available in different potencies (seepage 28) and a variety of forms; from left to right,tablets, pilules, granules, and powder.exhaustive, but are common examples ofhomeopathic treatment for minor ailments. It isnot necessary to exhibit all the symptoms listed,nor to match all the better or worse factors, fora remedy to be suitable. One can be chosen onthe basis of the main symptoms, the likelycause, and onset characteristics.Types of remedyLactose tablets are the most common formof homeopathic remedy, although sucrosetablets are available for those who arelactose-intolerant. Dissolved under the tongue,a remedy enters the bloodstream directly.Remedies come in different forms (see below,left), and choice depends upon personalpreference or aptitude for taking medication(see Administering remedies, page 271).Homeopathic mother tinctures can be dilutedto make soothing solutions (see page 271), andointments and creams can be applied directly.Biochemic tissue salts are minerals that aretaken singly or in combination to treat commonailments. They can be used on their own orwith other homeopathic remedies.Promoting recoveryIt is best to take only one homeopathic remedyat a time. Repeating the dosage relies on beingable to assess whether or not a remedy hasworked and symptoms have improved. It is alsoadvisable to follow certain guidelines (see page176). All remedies are best combined with goodnutrition, a low-stress environment, exercise,and emotional and intellectual states thatpromote balanced body systems.