SNEEZING…IT COULD BE ALLERGY – HOMEOPATHY

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 100 Comments

Its spring time and the weather is great outside, but for many it is not a very pleasant time of the year. It’s time for their allergies to come up. Nasal and respiratory allergies are very intense in this weather (from March to early May). Sneezing, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes and even breathing problems can be a part of this allergic reaction.

Wheat harvesting in April becomes a major source for triggering this kind of allergy. Wheat harvest allergy not only affects those who stay in villages and near farms but also those who stay in cities, as wheat thrashing dust is carried by wind to nearby cities and towns too. Homeopathy has a wonderful treatment for spring allergy. Not only does it treat the current symptoms but also gradually eradicates the tendency to have such recurrent attacks every year.

Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, as it is called, is most commonly caused by tree and grass pollens and also wheat thrashing dust. It is characterised by symptoms of sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose and a burning or itchy sensation in the throat or palate. Coughing and sore throat may also be present in some individuals. Some patients develop asthmatic symptoms like breathing difficulties along with other symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Homeopathy aims at treating the patient by optimising the overactive immune system. It works by giving a similar stimulus to the body like that of the allergen (pollen dust, etc) in very minute but activated form. This process gradually desensitises the overactive immune system against the allergens.

Quite a few of the homeopathic medicines used in treating allergies are made from plants whose pollens are known to cause symptoms of allergy. The most common example is the ragweed, which is also used as an important homeopathic medicine in treating allergy.

The most common homeopathic medicines used in treating hay fever are Sabadilla, Allium Cepa, Natrum Mur, Ambrosia and Arsenic Album. Allium Cepa requires a special mention in treating spring allergic rhinitis. Histaminum, Luffa Operculata and Galphimia Glauca are a few of the medicines that have been lately introduced in homeopathy and have shown very promising results in treating allergy.

Cold sensitivity & Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 39 Comments

Cold Weather Sensitivity and Homeopathy

With the advent of winters, most of us are happy to ‘see off’ those sweltering hot days of summer. But for some, cold weather brings in, its own set of woes and miseries. People who are sensitive to cold temperature are majorly affected by this season. Recurrent Cough, colds and sinusitis are the most common ailments for those who are sensitive. For some the sensitivity to cold weather is so high that even a whiff of cold air is enough to trigger an attack, which could last for weeks or months. If you are one of those who suffer from months of miseries with cough cold, and sinusitis every winter, Then Homeopathy offers a great hope for you. Homeopathy understands and cures this idiosyncratic combination of your cold sensitivity and body’s propensity to develop such stuffy colds.

This cold sensitivity can affect one in many ways. It can range from simply feeling colder than others to respiratory issues like stuffy colds, sinusitis, chronic cough, bronchitis and asthma. Just a mild exposure to cold can trigger a complete sequence of events. There are patients that even at the least exposure to cold air e.g. moving the hand out of the quilt at night or sleeping without a warm head cap at night can lead to weeks of incapacitation. Well, the extent to which one is affected varies a lot. It depends on their level of intolerance and other factors such as genetic tendencies, age, nature of jobs, etc.

Homeopathy has a great armory to deal with cold weather sensitivity. To start off ,Aconitum Napelus commonly known as Aconite is great homeopathic medicine to treat all affections that start with after an exposure to cold air .My advice for all those who suffer from this cold weather sensitivity would be to carry this medicine in your pocket. It is very useful in the first few hours of the exposure when the symptoms have just started e.g. runny nose, headaches shivering etc. Few doses of aconite would be sufficient enough to completely abort the attack of cold. Chronic stuffy colds and sinusitis are also very effectively treated with homeopathy. Silicea kali Bichrome and Pulsatilla are few of the medicines that are very useful in treating these forms. Barking type of cough that starts in kids suddenly after an exposure in kids is best treated with Hepar Sulp and Spongia. People who have their feet sensitive to cold and can never seem to get them warm , homeopathic medicines Calcarea Carb and Silicea can do wonders for them.

The best part of homeopathy is that it can cure ones constitutionally sensitivity to cold weather. In this form of treatment (which is often called as constitutional treatment ) prescription is based on the study of ones complete constitution which includes the physical and the mental makeup .This usually is a prolonged treatment and would require a season or two before any sustainable results are achieved. The most important homeopathic medicines that are used in this form of constitutional treatment are Tuberculinum, Silicea, Calcarea Carb and Psorinum. As Constitutional treatment requires a detailed study of the various aspects of the constitution and uses deep acting medicines it is advisable to take the help of a professional homeopath.

Cold sensitivity & Homeopathy

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 2 Comments

Cold Weather Sensitivity and Homeopathy

Natural Homeopathic Medicines for Anxiety and Stress Treatment

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 9 Comments

Homeopathic Medicines for Stress and anxiety Treatment

Sanjay (not his real name), aged 44, knew that something was wrong when he started having attacks of breathlessness and pain in the chest. He was diagnosed with a coronary artery problem (heart disease). He immediately had to undergo heart bypass surgery. His career as a senior executive was also at stake. This shocking development made him convert to a new way of thinking about illness and health. Soon after recovery, he took to the job of analysing his lifestyle. His concerns for a healthy living made him realise that he exactly matched the category of people whom the cardiologists call a “type A personality”, suffering from “hurry sickness”. This typeof people with high levels of anxiety most prone to heart attacks. He found himself coming and going in the descriptions of a heart attack-prone persons. Hurried, aggressive, controlling, impatient and easily angered. He learnt that this illness was a direct result of the stress created by an overactive lifestyle that he had adopted for the last two decades.

Stress and anxiety affects us in more ways than one. Until recently psychological damage was the only outcome that was thought to be, but now most researchers believe that constant stress does affect the physical side of the body as well, and this can be grave at times. Heart disease and sexual dysfunction are a few of the illnesses that are caused or worsen with stress. It is a known fact that Type A constitutions are highly prone to heart attacks. If one has had a heart attack, his risk of dying from a cardiovascular disease is four to six times greater if he suffers from depression. Thus an unhealthy mind can lead to an unhealthy body

After all, the brain is just another organ operating on the same biochemical principles as the thyroid or liver. What we experience as feelings, good or bad, are at the cellular level and no more than a complex interaction of chemicals and electrical activity.

Homeopaths for the last two centuries have been constantly pushing this theory of mind and physical body being deeply interconnected and about fixing the problem at a mental level that can often help the other. In homeopathy, mental symptoms of the patient are given the utmost importance. Constitutional treatment in homeopathy combines the understanding of both the psycho and the physiological profile of the patient, with the psychological profile being given more importance. A number of natural homoeopathic medicines are effective in treating disorders where one who has learnt the wrong way of handling or responding to stress. Homeopathic Medicines for stress and anxiety such as Argentum Nitricum and Tarentula are very effective in controlling the accelerated behaviour of Type A people.

Natural homeopathic medicines Nux Vomica and Staphysgaria are meant for the easily angered and impatient ones and Ignatia and Natrum Mur where long-standing grief is a reason for stress response. Kali phos is for a good individual who overstretches himself physically and mentally. Reducing stress through stress management techniques and a thorough constitutional analysis by a professional homoeopath, are a must for treating disorders of this kind.

Pulsatilla for Women

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 430 Comments

Pulsatilla is a delicate, perennial plant that has been used since the 18th century for ulcers, cataracts, and depression. In homeopathic use, it is an important plant remedy used to treat a wide variety of conditions. More commonly used as a female remedy, it suits people with an adaptable, indecisive, peaceful temperament.

It is commonly known by the name windflower, pasque flower, and anemone pratensis. It belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It commonly grows in Central and Northern Europe and some parts of South of England. Use of pasque flower has been made since ages mainly for eye complaints. In ancient times, ‘Dioscorides’ remarked it as a remedy for a headache and ophthalmia (eye inflammation). After its proving by Dr. Hahnemann in the year 1805, it has been employed to treat many ailments in homeopathy. It is a polychrest medicine, and in homeopathy, it is primarily used for treating diseases related to female organs, eyes, nose, ears, GIT, and sleep issues.

Preparation

Homeopathic medicine is prepared from the fresh windflower plant when in flower. This plant is collected and made it into a pulp which is then soaked in alcohol. It is then strained and diluted. Following this, it undergoes the process of succussion for making potencies for homeopathic use.

The ‘Pulsatilla’ Constitution

It is suited to women of a kind, affectionate, imaginative, extremely excitable, gentle, bashful personality with a yielding disposition. Sadness and weeping spells frequently appear among them. They are indecisive, slow, plethoric, nervous, have a changeable disposition. They are easily led and easily persuaded, easily moved to laughter or tears.

Scope as a Homeopathic Medicine

1. For Female Disorders

This remedy has a marked action on the ovaries and uterus and effectively helps treat many female disorders.

It is a top grade remedy for menstrual irregularities and is indicated in cases where the periods do not arrive in a proper cycle. They may appear late or early with no fixed pattern, and there may be inter-menstrual bleeding. As a remedy, it helps regulate menses and is considered to be a prime remedy for treating menstrual irregularities in girls during puberty. It also helps women who are anemic and suffering from menstrual problems.

In cases of amenorrhea, where the menses are late or suppressed, it helps establish the menstrual flow. The key indication to use this medicine here is a feeling that the menses would appear, but they fail to do so. Along with suppressed periods, pain in the uterus, nausea, and vomiting may be present. Difficult or painful urination and periods that are short and where the flow is scanty (oligomenorrhea) are other indications.

2. Natural PCOS Treatment

In cases of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, it works to moderate the hormonal levels and help the body dissolve the cysts to correct menstrual irregularities.

3. Leucorrhoea (Vaginal Discharges)

Leucorrhoea or abnormal vaginal discharge is also treated well with this remedy. Its use is best indicated in cases where the vaginal discharge is creamy, thin, thick mucus or milky colored. The discharge may be acrid and cause itching and burning in the vagina. There may be associated back pain, weakness, and exhaustion.

4. PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

It is frequently used in cases of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) TO manage symptoms like irritability, sadness, low mood, weeping spells, and mood swings.

5. Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhoea)

This remedy is used to treat the pain associated with periods in women. Symptoms like cramping, cutting, or spasms in the uterus, nausea, and vomiting can be treated with this medicine. The menstrual flow in such cases is usually black and coagulated. The woman may experience excessive restlessness, toss around in bed and have a pale face. Chilliness along with uterine colic, a sense of heaviness in the abdomen, thigh pain, and backache are other indicative symptoms. Some women may also have diarrhea and strain while passing stools.

6. Ailments During Pregnancy

It is indicated for ailments like morning sickness and varicose veins that some women experience during pregnancy. It may also be used in cases of abortion from fright, puerperal mania (a rare mood disorder), and uterine infection causing fever post childbirth.

7. Mental Complaints

It has proved to be an effective remedy for treating complaints related to the mind. It is frequently used to treat cases of depression in people who are very sensitive and emotional. A person in need of this remedy would typically be sad, have frequent spells of crying, be excessively irritable, and need constant consolation. When prescribed correctly it can also help a person overcome long-standing or silent grief. It is also a remedy used to treat mood swings where a person switches their mood from sadness to happiness and from laughter to weeping at the blink of an eye. It is also prominently indicated for claustrophobia (fear of closed, small, narrow spaces) and fright.

8. Gastrointestinal Problems

It is a well-indicated for treating many gastrointestinal ailments like indigestion caused by consumption of fatty, greasy food, milk, and cream. The main indication for using this remedy for digestive ailments is gas in the abdomen, pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. It is also used to treat milk allergies and lactose intolerance.

9. Complaints of the Eye

It is highly effective for treating a number of eye complaints. It works well in cases of conjunctivitis where there is thick, yellow, profuse discharge from the eyes. Itching and burning in the eyes and sticking together of eyelids while sleeping are some associated symptoms. It also works well to treat styes on the upper eyelid, and keratoconus.

10. Complaints of the Ear

It is considered to be an excellent remedy for ear infections, and conditions like otitis externa, and otitis media. It is indicated in cases where there is a discharge of thick, yellow, yellowish – green, bland pus from the ears (which may be blood-stained in some cases). A deep itching in the ears, a sensation of the ears being locked and pain in the ears are other symptoms. It helps manage the different types of earaches, ranging from shooting, stitching, tearing or pulsating type. It is also an excellent remedy for tinnitus (noises in the ear) and associated noises like tinkling, ringing, roaring, sounds of wind, rushing water or humming nature.

11. Nasal Complaints

It has a marked action on the mucous membranes of the nose. It is well suited to treat cold, nasal catarrh, coryza. Thick yellow or yellowish greenish nasal discharge, nasal obstruction especially in the evening, sneezing and itching/tickling and soreness in the nostrils are some other symptoms that indicate the need for this remedy in cases of sinusitis. Its use is considered in treating frontal and maxillary sinusitis with symptoms like a thick discharge from the nose and a headache. It is also a well-indicated for loss of smell (anosmia).

12. Sleep Issues

Various sleep issues can be taken care of with this medicine. It offers help in cases of sleeplessness where a person has trouble falling asleep. The person may have many ideas and thoughts going through the head at bedtime that prevent sleep. It helps calm the mind and promotes sleep. It can also help with daytime drowsiness as a result of restless sleep.

13. Cough

It is majorly used in cases where a cough is loose with yellow or yellowish green expectoration. It also indicated in cases of short, dry, hacking cough with scraping, itching, scratching in the throat.

14. Urinary Complaints

It is used extensively to treat urinary incontinence that occurs while coughing, laughing, and sneezing, and for conditions like cystitis and urethral stricture.

15. Varicose Veins

It is widely used for the treatment of varicose veins where the veins appear bluish and are painful. The person needing this remedy may experience heaviness, cramping, and a tensed, drawing sensation in the legs.

16. For Males

In males, it is indicated for the treatment of orchitis, varicocele, hydrocele, and prostatitis. It helps to reduce symptoms like pain, soreness, swelling, and burning sensation in the testicles. It helps treat orchitis that follows a mumps infection. It also helps treat gonorrhea where there may be a thick, yellow or yellowish – green discharge from the urethra. In cases of prostatitis, it helps to treat the frequent, ineffectual urging to urinate, pain in bladder and pressure in the perineum.

Dosage

Use of this medicine is recommended in potencies varying from 30 C to 1M depending upon the case. Low potencies can be repeated frequently while in case of high potencies frequent repetition is avoided.

Relationship with Other Remedies

The complementary medicines are Silicea, Lycopodium and Kali Sulph.
Asafoetida, Chamomilla, Ignatia and Nux Vomica are antidotes.

An Account of the Remedy in Its Own Words

Homeopathy acknowledges certain groupings of body-mind symptom patterns that a person has and which correspond with the sensitivity of a particular medicine. It takes into account information about the person’s body type, temperament, disposition, and behavioral tendencies to determine the appropriate medicine. Remedies, as homeopaths realize, step forth as personalities. These become creatures of temperaments, have likes and dislikes, cravings and aversions and sensitiveness to human interaction. The medicines speak out their terror, real or imaginary – their strange obsessions, etc. Here is an account of the medicine (an important homeopathic medicine) describing its medicinal virtues and the characteristics of the patient. Of course, the words are of this writer.

Commonly called the windflower, I was ignored for millions of years in the pastures of Europe before my master Samuel Hahnemann brought out the best in me. I call him my master because it was only he who first realized my immense medicinal power.

If ever there was a medicine that would cater to the most sensitive lady around, I would be the one. I am most often a remedy for women who are submissive and clinging in nature and also whom their surroundings and people they happen to be with at that time very easily influence. There is nothing positive or assertive about her, and the last person who sees, or advises her, is the one whose opinion she accepts. Her moods are a big problem for her. She can be on the verge of ecstatic frenzy one moment and well in the doldrums the second moment. With lots of decision-making problems, she lives up to my plant name windflower, as it is changeable like the wind.

She can weep very easily. Laughter and tears are both very near the surface with my patient and are apt to succeed each other. She is very tenderhearted, and her feelings are very easily hurt, she is inclined to be fretful and too full of care. If she has no trouble of her own, she is ready to condole and weep with any of her friends who may be afflicted. But she craves and needs sympathy in her troubles from someone, even when she knows that the recital of her real or fancied wrongs and the receipt of the sympathy that she longs for, will make her cry. When she is blue, she will tell you that she feels as if a good cry would make her feel better. It will. She longs for fresh air. Closed and tight places suffocate her.

I am best suited for her gynecological disorders. She is very irritable and days and weeks before and after her periods arrive, at times there are hardly any days in a month when she is back to her normal self. And those acne, headaches and agonizing pains in her abdomen, legs and back during her period days are more than she can tolerate, like in PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

Key Indications

Amenorrhea, leucorrhoea, menses irregularities, ovarian inflammation, ovarian cyst, PCOS, Acne, catarrh, colds, conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhoea, painful periods, earache, otitis media, ear disorders, eye disorders, fears, feet painful, heel pain, freckles, heartburn, hydrocele, moles, mumps, pregnancy complaints, prostatitis, sinusitis, smell loss, styes, urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse, vaginitis, varicose veins.

Homeopathic Remedies for ADHD

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 31 Comments

Homeopathic Remedies for ADHD

Prescribing of Homeopathic Remedies for adhd is generally based on idiosyncratic characteristics of an individual but if one is to be favoured for treating a large number of ADHD(attention deficit hyperactive disorder) cases, Tarentula Hispana should be that one.

Hyperactive kids requiring homeopathic remedy Tarentula often have extreme restlessness and compulsion to hurry. Their legs are in motion, and they have a lot of trouble sitting still. The desire to run about, the urge to dance and to jump up and down are usual for them. Great, fantastic dancing! Loss of all sense of shame. Sudden and violent, or sly and destructive movements – well, these are clear features of this medicine. One particular symptom that distinguishes Tarentula is its strange relation to music. Violence is a strong feature of the remedy – violence with anger! His clothing strikes him. He strikes his attendants and best friends!

One more symptom that distinguishes homeopathic remedy Tarentula is its strange relationship to music. Sometimes music ameliorates all the symptoms and at other times it aggravates them. The child becomes violently excited after listening to music.

Can all hyperactive children be lumped together under one diagnostic category? Can a child, who lashes out in a violent manner at his family members and peers, fit into the same diagnostic group as a sweet gregarious one who simply cannot pay attention to the work in the class? A homeopath would say that both temperaments are as different as day and night and would prescribe very different medicines. Individualization stands as a key point in homeopathic treatment.

RA : RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : TREATMENT WITH HOMEOPATHY

By Dr. Vikas Sharma MD 78 Comments

Homeopathy has been found to be very effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis mainly because it is an autoimmnue disorder – which basically means that the body’s own defences start eating up the joint tissue.

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