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Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted substances which have the ability to stimulate the body's own healing powers into action. Not just suitable for acute conditions, the right prescription can be very effective for chronic illness. A single dose can go on working for weeks, months, or even years as the patient takes over his own healing process. If an inapproriate remedy is given there will probably be no harm done, but the classical homeopath will always be aiming to find one remedy which best addresses all of the aspects of the case - mental, emotional and physical. There are more than two thousand homeopathic remedies. A good homeopath needs an excellent knowledge of materia medica. The traditional process of making homeopathic remedies is essential to their effectiveness. The methods have not altered significantly for more than 200 years. Many homeopathic and orthodox medicines were originally obtained from the same natural sources, but the pharmaceutical industry has systematically extracted the 'active ingredient', and come up with a convenient synthetic version which can be exploited commercially. Homeopaths believe that the action of a synthetically-produced drug is far removed from the healing energy of the original plant source. This page presents a snapshot comparison of some common drugs and remedies. Colchicum and Colchicine Homeopathic remedy: Colchicum (Meadow Saffron) The tincture is made from the bulb dug in spring. This remedy can be used to treat gout, but it has further reaching applications. Colchicum may suit people who are oversensitive in many ways, (e.g. to the rudeness of others), especially if they have obvious liver problems accompanied by gout, or by rheumatic symptoms in the joints. A patient needing Colchicum is likely to be much worse in cold, damp weather, and worse for moving or being touched. A tendency to forgetfulness also goes with the symptom picture. Orthodox medicine:Colchicine This prescription-only drug comes from the meadow saffron flower (Colchicum autumnale). It is given by mouth to reduce pain and inflammation in cases of gout, most effective when taken at the first signs of an acute attack. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The BMA overdose danger rating is high, dependency rating low. Colchicine may interact with the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin, to cause kidney damage. China and Quinine Homeopathic medicine: China (Cinchona officinalis, Peruvian Bark) The first homeopathic remedy to be recorded after it was discovered that a dose of the powdered bark produced symptoms of malaria in a healthy individual. China (Quinine) is used homeopathically to treat such symptoms when they occur following loss of bodily fluids. Also used for excessive abdominal bloating when eructations do not ameliorate. The China patient is likely to have a bright mind, with many ideas and plans especially at night. Physical symptoms are often worse for slight touch, yet better for hard pressure. Orthodox medicine: Quinine This earliest known antimalaral drug is still in frequent use. It comes from the bark of the cinchona tree. Given by mouth or injection, high doses can produce cinchonism - i.e. headache, nausea, ringing in the ears, deafness and blurred vision. In small doses quinine has been used as a muscle relaxant to prevent night cramps in the legs. BMA overdose danger rating is high, dependence rating is low. Quinine may interact with antihistamines to affect the heart, with cimetidine which raises blood quinine levels, and it can increase blood levels of the drug digoxin. Digitalis and Digoxin Homeopathic medicine: Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove) A frequently used remedy, with strong affinities to the heart and circulation. It can treat emotional heart disorders such as palpitations caused by grief, or a fear that the heart is going to stop, as well as heart, liver and stomach disorders due to high living. Indications for this remedy include a slow pulse and signs of cyanosis. Orthodox medicine: Digoxin The most common form of the digitalis drugs. It increases heart muscle contraction and is used to slow down the heart rate and to control breathlessness and fluid retention in congestive heart failure. Because high doses are necessary to be effective, treatment with Digoxin must be carefully monitored. Common side effects include tiredness, nausea with loss of appetite, confusion, visual disturbances and palpitations. BMA overdose danger rating is high, dependence rating low. Digoxin is known to interact adversely with many other drugs.
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