Participatory Medicine
review by Irene Alleger
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine
by Robert Ullman, ND & Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND, MSW
Picnic Point Press, 131 Third Ave., N, Suite B, Edmonds, Washington 98020 USA
1995, softcover, $10.95 U.S/$14.95 Canada, 111 pp.
Many Americans are still unaware that there is a time-tested, curative and nontoxic medical system available to them in this country: homeopathy. Although it is the second most widely used medicine in the world (after Chinese medicine), and was the only effective medicine used against the great influenza epidemic in the early part of this century, it remains relatively unknown in the U.S. The only reason for this is the pharmaceutical bias of the established medical monopoly, and that is changing.
One difference between homeopathic remedies and pharmaceutical drugs is that the latter often suppress symptoms, instead of curing them. This may generate symptoms at a deeper and more serious level. Also, homeopathy is completely safe, even if ingested in large quantities, and is therefore eminently suited to self-care. The use of homeopathy for self-limiting and non-life- threatening illness is the least expensive, safest, and most effective medicine for lasting health.
Another important difference between homeopathy and allopathy is the patient's participation in their own healing. Because this form of natural medicine finds the underlying cause of illness often stems from emotional trauma, a careful and lengthy case- history is essential, and the patient's overall state is studied. The homeopath needs the patient's participation in discovering which remedy fits the patient's symptoms best (regardless of any diagnosis). In The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, the authors provide a practical and concise guide to treatment for patients, which means they will more likely be able to follow through and better understand their practitioner's instructions. They will also pay closer attention to their symptoms and be able to communicate them more clearly, as well as understand better how not to interfere with the remedy.
Although remedies may be given for a specific illness such as the flu, or allergies, the classical homeopath tries to find the constitutional remedy, the key to the lock, so to speak, called a simillimum. If the simillimum is found, cure results even if the symptoms have persisted for years, and can produce dynamic changes on the mental and emotional levels. For both acute and chronic illness, homeopathy has been clinically proven to be beneficial in respiratory infections, influenza, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and psychological problems (British Medical Journal, 1991). There is renewed interest in homeopathy now in the West and more clinical studies are being done.
Homeopathic medicine can be very successful in treating many modern disorders such as anxiety, depression, phobias, attention deficit disorder in children, and other related behavioral disorders that are conventionally treated with drugs that have serious and dangerous side-effects. Many mini-case histories are given throughout the book, showing the uniqueness of each patient, even with the same symptoms, and how a remedy is arrived at.
A common complaint among patients of conventional doctors is that they do not listen to them. The homeopathic practitioner is just the opposite: he or she wants to know the most important things about you - how you feel about yourself and life, what has happened in your life that you feel was important, what you feel is lacking in your life. This information gives the practitioner a more complete picture of who you are - not a diagnosis, but an understanding of what makes you unique.
The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine explains the philosophy and science of homeopathy, how it works, giving many case histories to illustrate the wide range of application, as well as what to avoid so as not to antidote the remedy. Apparently, aromatic and essential oils, including coffee, electromagnetic interference such as electric blankets, and some prescription drugs can interfere with the radiating field of the homeopathic remedy. This is an important part of the treatment for patients to understand. Patience is needed, as well, for homeopathic remedies continue to work through many levels and a patient needs the guidance of an experienced homeopath to evaluate how the remedy is working.
The patient herself has a vital role to play in the process of healing: this is important in empowering the patient and involving the inner healer. The homeopathic patient must learn to observe herself and her symptoms, and in the process, will learn what she needs. Whether homeopathy is an entirely new philosophy of medicine for you, or you're already a patient, there is much to learn. The Patient's Guide to Homeopathy, written by two very experienced homeopaths, will answer all your questions about this unique system of medicine.
Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, telephone (360) 385-6021
August/September 1995