Homeopathy is a pseudoscience that claims to be able to cure illnesses. I don’t want to give it any undue credibility by calling it a form of medicine, because this often implies that it is backed by science, studies, peer review and FDA-proven efficacy.

Homeopathic remedies have been shown time and time again in double-blind scientific studies to be no more effective than the placebo effect. That is essentially what they are: placebos. These pills are then sold to the uninformed as real, effective medicine at exorbitant prices.

The University of Minnesota supports homeopathy in that it will refer students to its Center for Spirituality and Healing, which then in turn suggest homeopathic remedies to students, which while not directly harmful do not do what they claim.

Any positive effect is only because of the mental state of the individual taking the remedy, not a direct effect of the actual substance. Besides wasting their money, students who take homeopathic remedies may not seek out conventional medicine that they actually need.

Tomorrow, the Campus Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists at the University and other campuses around the country will be participating in a protest of homeopathy. The protest at the University will focus on the University’s support of homeopathy and will take place at noon on Northrop Mall.

Read the rest of this entry »

Australian midwives are latching on to the ancient Chinese technique of acupressure to assist women through pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Sydney’s Red Tent Health Centre this year launched Acubirth midwifery courses, accredited by the Australian College of Midwives, in the acupressure technique. Centre co-director and acupuncturist Rebecca Mar Young said about 150 midwives participated in the courses this year.

Ms Mar Young said acupressure was a safe, natural and effective technique that required no other tools than the midwives’ hands. “It puts the power back to the woman and the midwives love this,” she said.

“It's something they can do for their women so easily and when they can't do it, they can teach the husbands, doulas, mothers or friends what to do. “It makes everyone feel more supported and connected.”

The natural technique is designed to help women cope with fear and anxiety in the lead up to labour, manage pain naturally regardless of the birth process and encourage a posterior baby move into the ultimate birth position.

Ms Mar Young, who has a Bachelor of Health Science in traditional Chinese medicine and has completed post graduate study in obstetric, paediatric and Japanese acupuncture, said acupressure was a pressured touch to help relieve pain.

“There is a point on the bladder meridian (energy channel) that's called BL-32,” she said. “It falls over the second sacral foramen and when you press it during a contraction, it greatly helps to relieve the pain a woman feels. “It helps to block the pain pathways going back to the brain and makes it all a whole lot more bearable.

“Another example is on the spleen meridian, SP-6; pressing this point will help improve the regularity of contractions and their strength, which is very helpful when labour slows down on the way to the hospital, for example.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Michelle Rodriguez opened Inside Out Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine this week in Marion, bringing with her a strong knowledge of alternative medicine and its potential in the community.

“When most people think of acupuncture, they think it’s for dealing with chronic pain," Rodriguez said. "But most of them are not aware of its many other uses. It can be used for treating asthma, skin disorders and addiction."Rodriguez, a licensed acupuncturist from Middleboro, received her Master’s in acupuncture and Oriental medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture in Newton.

"Most people who try acupuncture do so out of curiosity or because nothing else has worked for them,” she said. “They try acupuncture and it works. It’s very unusual for acupuncture to resolve everyone’s ailments in one treatment but it makes you feel better. And with additional treatments it can help you.”

In regards to the pain factor of the treatments, Rodriguez said the needle feels like a mosquito bite, if you feel the needle at all. That feeling, she said, goes away very quickly, leaving the patient feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. She added that this is the patient’s body responding to the treatments by releasing pain-relieving chemicals throughout the body. This allows the body to help in healing itself.

The benefits of acupuncture are something worth exploring she said, adding that the U.S. Department of Defense recently gave the New England School of Acupuncture a $1 million grant for funding research into treating post traumatic stress disorder.

“There’s still that mystery because it’s not mainstream,” she said.  “But when you have government agencies giving you contracts then you know it’s working.”Rodriguez said that she hopes for the approval of the still-pending Massachusetts Acupuncture Insurance Coverage legislation, which would allow her to accept all forms of state insurance in exchange for treatment.

Her clinic currently shares it’s building with a new Remax franchise office operated by Wayne Bellamare.  On Nov. 10, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., the two will be hosting an open house to familiarize themselves with the community.

Rodriguez also holds diploma status in Oriental medicine from the National Certification for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Before pursuing her career as an acupuncturist, Rodriguez and her husband Hector opened several businesses as entrepreneurs over a near 25-year span. One such business, Inside Out Mobile Washing, opened in Middleboro 24 years ago and is still going strong.

The success of their business led Rodriguez to keep the name, Inside Out, for her latest venture after hearing a Chinese superstition to stay with a name you have success with. Rodriguez said she hopes to open an herbal medicine pharmacy inside her office at 140 Wareham St. next month.

"There of hundreds of herbs that work differently for different people," she said. Based on someone’s ailment, she would be able to diagnose the patient and create a specific formula that might help them and ease their pain.

Read the rest of this entry »

Homeopathy is a kind of medical therapy that gives you relief in order to improve your health. It is especially popular in India, and is considered an effective, and cheaper, alternative to mainstream treatment by many. Some also believe that it is less toxic, making it a preferred choice for pregnant ladies and kids. While we can't comment on the authenticity of homeopathy's benefits over that of allopathy, we can endeavour to understand the concept, origin and effectiveness of homeopathy. To help us do that, today we have Dr Nidhi Digwa who nails all these questions for us.

What is homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a system of medical treatment, promulgated by Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician in 1796. He had spared a long and useful life of 88 years, during which he benefitted the suffering humanity immensely by introducing this new system of medicine.

The word homoeopathy is a greek derivation where 'homoeos' means similar and 'pathos' means suffering. So homoeopathy may be defined as the therapeutic method of symptom similarity.

What is the theory behind homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is based upon the principle of "similia similibus curantur", which means like cures like. According to this system, the medicine administered is capable of producing symptoms similar to that of the disease, when administered in a healthy individual.

We, in homoeopathy, believe in curing the patient as a whole and not just the disease. We don't believe in giving temporary relief to the symptoms, but providing a permanent cure to the patient in the easiest and shortest way possible.

Do homoeopathic medicines have any side-effects?
In homoeopathy, the medicines are administered in minimum possible dose. We believe in giving a single simple remedy, so that the patient does not have to suffer from any side effects. It's a big notion among many people that homoeopathy has side effects. Homoeopathic medicines produce the action just necessary to work upon the vital force of the patient, in order to cure the patient.

Are there guidelines to follow for homoeopathic remedies to effective?
Like any other system of medicine, homoeopathic medicines also have certain guidelines for the patients to follow. The guidelines are to be followed as directed by the physician.

Does a homoeopathic medicine require any balanced diet and regular exercise?
Not only homoeopathy, every system of medicine will advice the patients to have a balanced diet and regular exercise as this helps the patient to have a healthy lifestyle. Proper meals and fitness regime helps in curing the patient faster than its usual time. Having healthy food helps in building up the immunity of the patient which is the motive of every physician.

Does homoeopathic medicine take longer to cure someone, than conventional medicine?
There is no such competition, as in the end the main aim is to provide a cure to the patient. But since homoeopathic medicine provides a permanent cure to the patient and not just palliates the symptoms, it takes the time required for the same. Also, homoeopathic medicines are capable of providing relief to the patients in conditions that need immediate relief, with limitations in certain cases like sudden accidents.

In cases like providing nutritional supplements to the patients homoeopathy can work wonders without taking longer time than convention medicine. The time taken simply depends upon the duration of the patient's suffering.

Can homoeopathic medicine and conventional medicine work together?
In certain necessary cases, yes it can. But it is preferable to follow only one system of medicine, as it will be more beneficial for the patient and helpful for the doctor to know about the improvement of the patient.

Read the rest of this entry »

A class in the use of homeopathic remedies for first aid will be offered this coming Friday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at Dancing Cranes Healing Arts in Garberville. This is a beginning level course for people interested in using homeopathic remedies.

First aid is the easiest part of homeopathy to use in the home. It’s also very rewarding, because the results are quick to show: less pain, faster healing. Like all homeopathic remedies, first aid remedies are non-toxic, and rely on their power to stimulate the full healing resources of the human body.

First aid remedies work well with people of all ages, including infants and children. They work equally well with our animal friends, and are easy to administer.

Instructor Gail Eastwood has been practicing homeopathy at Dancing Cranes since 2004, and has a special interest in teaching people about the homeopathic method and its many safe and effective uses in home treatment of simple problems.

Dancing Cranes is located at 754 Locust #4, facing the town square opposite Chautauqua. Call 923-9109 to pre-register or for more information; drop-in attendance will be accepted as space permits. A fee of $10 (or sliding scale) for the class includes handy reference handout.

Read the rest of this entry »

Federal Government Says for the Nation's Bio-business would only thrive, through proper identification of her Medicinal, Aromatic and Pesticidal Plants (MAPPs), animals/animal parts and other raw materials used for herbal medicine, cosmetics and others.

Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Okon Bassey Ewa who stated this at the opening ceremony of HerbFEST 2011, stressed that the highlighted products should be made readily available and backed with scientific evidence based information and technological infrastructure to ensure their cultivation and conservation In his presentation entitled ; Investment Opportunities for Herbal Food and Natural Products, Ewa said the call had become pertinent as it has been shown that the stock of medicinal plants in the country are depleting at an alarming rate due to environmental degradation, inappropriate harvesting methods, bio-piracy and illegal commercialisation. "This growing demand and activities threaten the sustainability of the country's vast biodiversity," he lamented.

Recognising the effective documentation, conservation and promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity is an important step to exploit the huge potentials in global bio-business, the Minister said his ministry through the NNMDA, the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and other stakeholders are working at developing a comprehensive inventory of the nation's Bio-resources, bio-diversity and enormous traditional (indigenous) medicinal knowledge and published research findings in traditional medicine and MAPPs of Nigeria.

"This exercise will assist the development of appropriate species and cultivars for herbal therapy development for Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) and entrepreneurs interested in developing farms of MAPPs.

Furthermore, the minister noted that other Agencies such as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) are also working with NNMDA to assist the development of low cost equipment and spares for herbal products development and commercialisation.

Speaking, Director General, NNMDA, Dr. Tamuno Okujagu said the global huge economic potential in natural medicine product is estimated at $100 billion U.S dollars and if well developed and managed in Nigeria could pave the way for huge source of job and wealth creation.

He noted that world wide, herbal medicine is gaining prominence, especially in view of: new or resistant and challenging ailments, which orthodox medicine has not been able to address, the total care approach of traditional medicine, easy, ready accessibility and cost effectiveness of natural health products, its more personal and holistic approach and the lack of/or minimal side effects.

This enabled determination of the most appropriate strategies for tackling hunger and pinpoint the areas that will need the most attention - now and in the future.

Read the rest of this entry »

DOES IT WORK? BACKGROUND For the past three and a half years, the evidence for different herbs and supplements has been examined here. This will be the last of this series, although a book of the columns will be published mid-2012 by Glasnevin Publishing. In this final column, I’d like to leave you with some general guidance about herbal remedies.

People have been using herbal remedies for thousands of years, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are all useful. Some are effective for specific conditions, others are poisonous, and still others will do little more than waste your money. For example, St John’s wort has good evidence to support its effectiveness for mild depression, while Aristolochia species have caused the deaths of hundreds of people. Meanwhile, new herbs appear on the market all the time with little or no evidence to guide people.

The complexity here is reflected in the number of products available. One report in the US a few years ago found that 1,400 different species of herbs were available in more than 30,000 different products.

Many products contain several herbs. A market analysis published earlier in 2011 found that multi-herb products dominate this market and are predicted to “race ahead” of single-herb remedies. This makes it even more difficult to determine if a product works or is good value for money. Products may contain several herbs with similar

reputations, but it becomes difficult to know if enough of any of them is present in these mixtures to have an effect. The potential for interactions, both good and bad, also arises.

For this reason, products with a single herb offer the best chance of getting a clearer understanding of their evidence. Uncovering that evidence can then be a challenge. As with many topics, the internet provides much information – some of it good, and some of it bad.

Discernment is vital when searching the internet, especially for health information. Be critical. If a website recommends a herb and is also selling it (as three-quarters of the sites are), be wary. If a website claims a herbal remedy will cure everything, surf away. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

To help when searching the web for health information, various accreditations are available. Websites agree to abide by a code of conduct and in return can display a certification logo. One is the Health On the Net (HON) Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Switzerland. In general, websites with such logos should be trustworthy (but check out what the logo really means).

The best type of evidence for the effectiveness and safety of herbs, supplements or medicines are controlled clinical trials. These are increasingly available for herbal remedies and published in peer-reviewed journals. However, these are not written for popular consumption, and often provide so much detail that even busy professionals don’t have time to examine them. For this reason, systematic reviews are conducted to summarise the available research. These are designed to remove as much bias as possible from the conclusions.

One of the best sources of systematic reviews is the Cochrane Library, available at TheCochrane Library.com. This is produced by independent professionals and available both in great detail and in plain language summaries. Reviews of several dozen herbs are available, and more are added each month.

PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS

The impression is often given that natural is safe. Hemlock, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), should be enough to remind us that nature can be dangerous. Consuming enough capsaicin from chilli peppers will kill you. Many herbs have adverse effects, and unfortunately some herbal remedies (especially those bought over the internet) can be impure. Batches of “herbal viagra” in particular have been found to be contaminated with pharmaceuticals.

Herbal remedies can be a way to avoid expensive medicines. For short-term conditions, these may be an option. But for serious conditions, or if symptoms persist, it is important not to avoid medical attention. Self-diagnosis has its limitations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Although thousands of herbs are used, only a few dozen have received extensive research. Many have not been studied in controlled trials and trying them is, at best, guesswork. For others, a few studies may be available.

Be wary of general claims about products being “scientifically proven” unless specific references are given to that evidence. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist about herbs or supplements you are using or considering. They should have access to the growing number of professional databases addressing herbal remedies (such as NaturalDatabase.com). It is also important that they know about all the herbs, supplements and medicines you are taking as some of them can interact with one another.

If a herb works, it does so because it contains chemicals that affect our bodies. In that way, they are naturally occurring drugs that should be taken with due caution.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kelly Callahan, a practicing Classical Homeopath from Appleton, is hosting an introductory and Q&A session on homeopathy on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Maternal Wellness Center located at 111 High Street in Belfast.

The morning will be focused on outlining the principles of homeopathy and basic guidelines for using remedies for acute and first aid in the home. Ample time will be given to answer questions from those who have some experience and knowledge of the modality but would like to deepen their understanding. The event is free and open to the public.

Homeopathy is a true holistic treatment, developed by Samuel Hahnemann over 200 years ago. Established on the natural law that “like cures like,” homeopathic remedies stimulate the individual vital force to heal itself. Homeopathy is safe for everyone, from babies to grandparents. Those who use homeopathy regularly experience relief from acute and chronic suffering, as well as a greater sense of well-being and increased energy.

Kelly Callahan, a mother of two, discovered homeopathy after her first daughter was born. Before committing to homeopathy, Kelly spent over 10 years in education, working with children and adults. A graduate of Baylight Homeopathy Courses in Portland, under the direction of Nancy Frederick, CCH, Callahan is now in private practice from her home in Appleton.

Read the rest of this entry »

With 10:23 -- the anti-homeopathy campaign -- just around the corner, I shall now teach you how to make homeopathic medicine.

1. Get more of what ails you. If you're suffering from a cold, gather up all the snot you can drain out of your nose. Feeling squeamish? Substitute an onion instead, since its odour gives you the same symptoms. Have a swollen mouth and can't stand up? Grab some Cyanide of Mercury instead. Having difficulty peeing? Track down a little uranium.

2. Dump all of it into a flask or beaker, then add 100 ml of water. "Sucuss" the flask, or swirl the contents around while whacking it against something 10 times. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, preferred a leather-bound Bible.

3. Using an eye-dropper, pull out a 1 ml drop of the resulting solution. Place that drop in a new flask with 100 ml of fresh water.

4. Repeat step three. The amount of repetitions depends on the potency desired; the more you dilute it, the stronger it gets. The weakest commercially available dose requires two more dilutions, but strong ones need 200 or more. When in doubt, Hahnemann recommended 30 total dilutions. At that level, you have a greater chance of winning the lottery than ingesting a single molecule of puss or uranium. But don't fret -- homeopaths assure us that the Vital Force of the original substance remains.

5. Drink up! If the water seems a little bland, dribble some of it on sugar pills, or substitute alcohol for the final dilution.

Why am I sharing this recipe with you?

Well, first, homeopathy is big business. In a pond somewhere in France, fifty million dollars is happily sunning itself. A single duck, slaughtered for its heart and liver, will result in millions of medicinal doses. Worldwide, homeopathy is a billion-dollar industry. Pharmaceutical companies have been tripping over themselves to set up arms-length homeopathy wings, and for good reason. Researching new cures involves giving healthy volunteers a proposed homeopathic medicine for one month, during which they are banned from coffee, wine and chess. Volunteers keep a detailed journal of their feelings and dreams, which is then analyzed for interesting symptoms. Compare this to the expensive, decades-long trials that other medicines endure.

Second, most countries assume homeopathy is safe at any dose and put few regulations on it. This has opened up the door for what I call "non-homeopathic homeopathy," or cures that violate the basic tenants of homeopathy but use the label. Zicam, for example, has zinc as its active ingredient, which by the laws of homeopathy should be diluted down to nothing. Instead, that popular cold remedy only dilutes it once! Zinc has been shown to reduce the symptoms of a cold, not increase them as homeopathy demands. And yet Zicam is free to call itself homeopathic, even as the manufacturer is being sued by customers who lost their sense of smell due to high concentrations of zinc.

These fakes are diluting the good name of homeopathy! Don't fall for them. Ensure that any homeopathic remedies you take are pure, by making them yourself.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) is warning the general public about the circulation of some counterfeit anti-malarial medicines in the Ashanti Region. According to a statement issued by the FDB's Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen K. Opuni, the counterfeit anti-malarial medicines, when used could lead to further complications of the disease condition and possible death. These counterfeit anti-malarial medicines were sampled through the FDB/USP-PQM Post-Market Surveillance activities, the statement said.

Below are the names of the counterfeit anti-malarial medicines with their respective batch numbers, the Pharmacies and Chemical Shops where the counterfeit anti-malarial medicines were stocked.

Additionally, it noted that the Akoma Pharmaceutical Limited, the manufacturer of the Quinine Syrup is not registered by the Food and Drugs Board to manufacture and distribute pharmaceutical products.

“The general public is therefore being warned to be careful when purchasing medicines from the above-mentioned facilities.”Meanwhile, the FDB said it is taking the necessary regulatory actions against the unlicensed manufacturer, importers, distributors and retailers of these medicines.

The statement also advised any wholesaler, pharmacy or licensed chemical shop that has in stock these counterfeit anti-malarial medicines (with the specified batch numbers) should immediately return them to the nearest Food and Drugs Board.

Read the rest of this entry »