Re[2]: Hahnemannian homeopathy VS. combos
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:03 am
Hi all,
Have not followed all of this thread on combos but just a few
observations I have made over the years.
We cannot compare the current situation what was going on in
Hahnemann's lifetime. Homeopathy was in its infancy then and mainly
prescribed by physicians who were trying to work out and teach each
other homeopathic principles and philosophy as they went. The populace
did not have access to either remedies or information by which to
self-prescribe.
We now live in a very different situation. Most remedies are
self-prescribed by individuals with no formal training using OTC
remedies or home use kits purchased over the internet. The reality is
that prescriptions of single remedies by trained profesionals make up
the minority of prescriptions in this day and age. The prescription of
combo remedies by practitioners well and truly make up the minority of
combo sales in this day and age. The horse has bolted and we are
arguing about how to shut the gate when it has already gone. It is too
late!
If Hahnemann were alive today with the situation as we have it, I
think he would provide public education about how homeopathy works so
that people can make informed decisions about whether or not they want
to use them. I do not think he would be spending his time castigating
the masses for buying easily obtainable combos when they know no
better.
I do not see combos as a big issue if the public is well informed
about their limitations and what they are capable of. The public needs
to know that aggravations happen; that too many remedies taken in a
short space of time can screw up the symptom picture; that combo
prescribing following an appointment with a "practitioner" indicates
that that practitioner knows little more than they do; that a combo
remedy will not act with the depth or clarity necessary for curative
treatment of chronic disease; that combos usually only palliate or at
worst, suppress; that combos only work if the remedy you need is in
the combination.
If the public is taught these facts they will regulate their own use
of combos - we will not have to worry about it. They will also know if
they are receiving good treatment from the practitioner they choose to
see and will vote with their feet - again we will not have to worry
about it.
For the record, this is exactly what I do in the workshops I run. I
teach about the good practice of homeopathy but also about the
existence of combos - no use ignoring them and after years of
observation I have come to the conclusion that their dangers are
overstated. Attendees are educated about the above points regarding
combos and why the single remedy is preferable. I provide a "take
home" combo remedy at each workshop for attendees to try should the
need arises - it is the best way for me to get some form of
"homeopathy" into their hands so that they can try and see.
Interestingly, many report good "got me out of trouble" results.
The majority of these attendees progress to having "proper"
homeopathic treatment with me. They are all well-informed about what
is good homeopathy and make healthcare decisions about OTC combos
accordingly. Again, for the record, I never prescribe combos - why
would I want to? Also, the people who come to see me would be
horrified if I did - they are possibly better informed about the role
of combos than many practitioners.
I am going back into my hole now - will not ague extensively about
this as it is too time consuming.
--
Best regards,
Fran mailto:FranSheffield@homeopathyplus.com.au
Have not followed all of this thread on combos but just a few
observations I have made over the years.
We cannot compare the current situation what was going on in
Hahnemann's lifetime. Homeopathy was in its infancy then and mainly
prescribed by physicians who were trying to work out and teach each
other homeopathic principles and philosophy as they went. The populace
did not have access to either remedies or information by which to
self-prescribe.
We now live in a very different situation. Most remedies are
self-prescribed by individuals with no formal training using OTC
remedies or home use kits purchased over the internet. The reality is
that prescriptions of single remedies by trained profesionals make up
the minority of prescriptions in this day and age. The prescription of
combo remedies by practitioners well and truly make up the minority of
combo sales in this day and age. The horse has bolted and we are
arguing about how to shut the gate when it has already gone. It is too
late!
If Hahnemann were alive today with the situation as we have it, I
think he would provide public education about how homeopathy works so
that people can make informed decisions about whether or not they want
to use them. I do not think he would be spending his time castigating
the masses for buying easily obtainable combos when they know no
better.
I do not see combos as a big issue if the public is well informed
about their limitations and what they are capable of. The public needs
to know that aggravations happen; that too many remedies taken in a
short space of time can screw up the symptom picture; that combo
prescribing following an appointment with a "practitioner" indicates
that that practitioner knows little more than they do; that a combo
remedy will not act with the depth or clarity necessary for curative
treatment of chronic disease; that combos usually only palliate or at
worst, suppress; that combos only work if the remedy you need is in
the combination.
If the public is taught these facts they will regulate their own use
of combos - we will not have to worry about it. They will also know if
they are receiving good treatment from the practitioner they choose to
see and will vote with their feet - again we will not have to worry
about it.
For the record, this is exactly what I do in the workshops I run. I
teach about the good practice of homeopathy but also about the
existence of combos - no use ignoring them and after years of
observation I have come to the conclusion that their dangers are
overstated. Attendees are educated about the above points regarding
combos and why the single remedy is preferable. I provide a "take
home" combo remedy at each workshop for attendees to try should the
need arises - it is the best way for me to get some form of
"homeopathy" into their hands so that they can try and see.
Interestingly, many report good "got me out of trouble" results.
The majority of these attendees progress to having "proper"
homeopathic treatment with me. They are all well-informed about what
is good homeopathy and make healthcare decisions about OTC combos
accordingly. Again, for the record, I never prescribe combos - why
would I want to? Also, the people who come to see me would be
horrified if I did - they are possibly better informed about the role
of combos than many practitioners.
I am going back into my hole now - will not ague extensively about
this as it is too time consuming.
--
Best regards,
Fran mailto:FranSheffield@homeopathyplus.com.au
