Homoeopathy for children

From teething difficulties to allergic rhinitis, car sickness to neurodermatitis, many parents swear by homoeopathy for the treatment of their children in the course of self-medication. For children in particular, homoeopathy is an alternative to academic medicine and a gentle way to alleviate complaints. Homoeopathy supports our innate defences and is free of side effects.

What is homoeopathy?

Homoeopathy fundamentals

This is the definition of the ÖGHM (Austrian Society for Homoeopathic Medicine):

The homoeopathy doctrine was established by the German doctor Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). The term is derived from the Greek words homoios (similar) and pathos (suffering). Homoeopathy takes an integrated view of healing the individual rather than merely treating the symptoms of illness.

The medicine tailored specifically to the patient stimulates the organism’s inherent healing powers, which leads to curing or alleviating the complaints.

Hahnemann’s crucial insight, “Similia similibus curentur” (like is cured by like) forms the foundation of homoeopathy.

What is known as the law of similars is based on the following approach: Every medicinal substance can cause symptoms (of illness) in healthy individuals. Such or similar symptoms in people who are ill can then be cured with this medicine.

Accordingly, a homoeopathic remedy must be chosen so that the ingredients of the basic substance can cause similar symptoms in healthy people as those exhibited by the patient.

Here the disposition and special characteristics of the person concerned also have to be taken into account. “All changes in the condition of the body and the soul...or all deviations from the healthy state” (S. Hahnemann) are assigned to a hierarchy in order to find the right single remedies.

In classic homoeopathy, the therapist thoroughly investigates the patient’s case history and selects the appropriate homoeopathic remedy based on that. A selection is made from more than 2000 animal, plant and mineral substances.

Normally the patient only receives a single remedy in this case. Choosing the right remedy takes up a lot of time and requires extensive experience in homoeopathy.

A comprehensive case history is therefore the basis for successful homoeopathic treatment.

Hahnemann and his successors have prepared extensive repertoires for this purpose. The homoeopath can match the patient and their symptoms to a remedy with their help.

Hahnemann describes the “pathologically tempered life force, the Vis Vitalis” that simulates the innate healing powers in humans through subtle stimuli by means of the homoeopathic remedies.

The basic substances are diluted step by step to produce the homoeopathic remedies. That means they are shaken with water and the addition of alcohol or rubbed with lactose. Hahnemann recommended “high potencies” in a late phase.

The field of application is determined by testing remedies on healthy individuals and based on experience gained from practical application. Low potencies D4/D6 to very high potencies such as D1000 are commonly used.

Homoeopathic remedies are available as a dilution, in tablet form, a trituration (rubbing or powder) and globuli. The rules for their production are described in the homoeopathic pharmacopoeia.

Dilutions are made with water and alcohol as the means of delivery. Powders and tablets are produced with the help of lactose. Homoeopathic globuli are very popular, especially in the treatment of children, but usually made of sucrose. Preparation with xylitol globuli is also possible to protect children’s teeth.

The benefits of complex remedy homoeopathy for children

  • Homoeopathics contained in a complex remedy have a similar direction of action or apply to complaints that frequently occur together. For example, teething pain occurs in combination with fever and sleep disturbances.
  • Homoeopathic complex remedies for children are administered according to the indications or also specifically for certain constitutions. One benefit is that the blended substances incorporate practical experience, which simplifies the selection of the remedy.
  • Since choosing the right homoeopathic complex remedy requires less specialist knowledge, complex remedy homoeopathy is well suited for self-medication in case of straightforward complaints. In particular, no side effects are expected thanks to homoeopathic preparation (low potencies). This means that parents can use the remedies approved for the indication, such as globuli in case of neurodermatitis, without concern.
  • As in classic homoeopathy, complex remedy homoeopathy aims to stimulate the child’s innate healing powers. The medicines exert weak stimuli on the body, inducing self-regulation.
  • In principle, homoeopathic complex remedies can be used for the treatment of acute as well as chronic complaints. This is based on the assumption that each single remedy not only acts on its own. Instead the individual substances can mutually reinforce their effects.

According to the insight that “the whole is more than the sum of its parts”, carefully compounded homoeopathic complex remedies create synergy effects.

Professor Bürgi, Bern, has the following to say in this regard: “Two or more medicines with the same functional change but different points of attack mutually intensify their effect.”

Especially in case of acute and severe complaints or when the condition is very complex and protracted, an experienced doctor or healer should be consulted. Homoeopathic complex remedies have a broad range of applications.

Administer xylitol globuli for children. Unlike sucrose, xylitol does not attack children’s teeth.

Homoeopathy for children

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