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Homeopathy is a holistic system of healing which uses medicines
made from natural sources, mostly plants, minerals and metals
which undergo a process of potentisation. This creates tiny
doses which have a vital therapeutic action, stimulating the
body’s own defense mechanism so that the body can heal
itself. Homeopathy is a medicine which can be given alongside
conventional medicine and counselling, gently assisting the
body to restore balance.
Over the last 200 years, homeopathy has established itself
throughout the world, especially in the UK, South Africa,
India, South America, Germany and other European countries.
It is a effective and safe form of care in acute and chronic
problems, both physical and mental, and is suitable for everyone
- children, adults, pregnant women and elderly people.
The homeopathic clinical method involves a whole person
history: the homeopath listens to the patient’s story
and description of symptoms. Treatment consists of prescribing
a course of homeopathic medicines known as remedies which
are small medicated sugar pills.
Visit the Society of Homeopaths Website for more information about Homeopathy
HOMEOPATHY IS NOT A CURE FOR HIV:
it can resolve conditions which are intrinsically reversible
but not conditions which are beyond the healing potential
of the body. So, in conditions such as cancer and AIDS it
will help quality of life and symptom control, acting palliatively.
Patients with HIV often seek homeopathic treatment for a variety
of HIV-related symptoms including night sweats, fatigue, nausea
and weight-loss.
A randomised controlled trial has shown that individualised
homeopathic remedies had positive effects on the immune
system (Ref: Rastogi, Singh et al. Homeopathy in HIV
infection: a trial report of double-blind placebo controlled
study. British Homeopathy Journal 1999;88:49-57).
An analysis of other trials into the effectiveness of homeopathy
showed that clinical improvement was almost two and a half
times more likely in those receiving homeopathic treatment
than in those receiving a placebo (Ref: Linde, Clausius et
al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects?
Lancet 1997; 350: 834-43.)
For those people who are HIV+ but who are not taking anti-retroviral
drugs, homeopathy can treat many opportunistic infections
and HIV related complaints such as herpes, diarrhoea, coughs,
pains and skin eruptions. Homeopathy boosts the immune system
so that people with HIV infection who have regular homeopathic
treatment stay well longer.
For those people who are taking anti-retroviral drugs homeopathy
can help in two ways. Firstly it can alleviate symptoms not
controlled by the ARV’s. Secondly it can reduce distressing
side-effects so that the ARV’s can be better tolerated
by the individual.
For those people who have been traumatised by rape or sexual
assault, homeopathy can help to heal the immediate physical
injury, shock, fear and distress. It will also boost the immune
system to help strengthen the individual’s response
to any HIV infection contracted by the individual.
For those people affected directly by HIV homeopathy can help
heal grief and despair, and support individuals overburdened
with the care of others
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