Dear friends,

I have been overwhelmed by your response to my articles and let us go to another homeopathic remedy that should be in our kit. Please note that this kit cannot represent or replace a doctor and these medications should be discontinued in a week if there is no relief.  This is just for medical information and this website nor I will not be responsible if you don’t get the desired relief or have some other complications. In my humble opinion all cases of piles must be referred to a surgeon and an underlying malignancy in the rectum should be ruled out first.

Happy reading!

Dr. Rajesh Vishwanathan.

AESCULUS HIPPOCRASTUM.

 

The source of this remedy is Horse chestnut from the Italian oak. 

This is one of the best remedies for lower bowels, rectum and varicose veins.

It is useful in piles where the rectum feels that IT IS FULL OF STICKS.

It is useful in itching of the anus due to thread worms.

It is useful when the mouth feels scalded with metallic taste.

It is useful in lumbo-sacral backache, which is worse stooping or walking.

It is useful when the soles feel sore and the hands and feet swell.

It is useful when all complaints are worse in the morning on walking.

 This remedy suits persons who are worse moving, walking and after stools.

 TIPS FROM THE MASTERS…

 After COLLINSONIA has improved Piles, AESCULUS often cures.

Dr. Allen, M.D.

 

AESCULUS is useful after NUX VOMICA & SULFUR have improved but failed to cure piles.

Dr. H.C. Allen, M.D.

 

 

This remedy is extremely useful in Hemorrhoids and can avert unnecessary surgery. This remedy can be used frequently in low potencies. It can be tried in the 30th potency safely.

OSTEOPOROSIS.

 

Introduction:

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that may lead to weak and fragile bones. If you have osteoporosis, you have an increased risk for fractured bones particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist.

The leading cause of osteoporosis is a lack of certain hormones, particularly estrogen in women and androgen in men. Women, especially those older than 60 years of age, are frequently diagnosed with the disease.

Early in the course of the disease, osteoporosis may cause no symptoms. Later, it may cause dull pain in the bones or muscles, particularly low back pain or generalized neck pain.   Later in the course of the disease, sharp pains may come on suddenly.  The pain may not radiate (spread to other areas); it may be made worse by activity that puts weight on the area, People with osteoporosis may be unaware of a fall and may not recall trauma. may not even recall a fall or other trauma that might cause a broken bone.   Fractures at other sites, commonly the hip, spine or bones of the wrist, usually result from a fall.

When to Seek Medical Care?

If you are past menopause and have constant pain in areas such as the neck or lower back, consult your doctor for further evaluation, which include a medical assessment and bone density screening.

Get hospitalized you feel severe pain in your muscles or bones that limits your ability to function.

Medical treatment:

Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on slowing down or stopping the mineral loss, increasing bone density, preventing bone fractures, and controlling the pain associated with the disease.

• Diet: Young adults should be encouraged to achieve normal peak bone mass by getting enough calcium (1,000 mg daily) in their diet (drinking milk or calcium-fortified orange juice and eating foods high in calcium such as salmon), performing weight-bearing exercise such as walking or aerobics (swimming is aerobic but not weight-bearing), and maintaining normal body weight.
• Physiotherapy must be instituted  to learn ways to exercise safely. For example, someone with spinal fractures would avoid touching their toes, doing sit-ups, or lifting heavy weights.
• Exercise: Lifestyle modification should also be incorporated into your treatment. Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis.

Allopathic therapy:

Medications

• Estrogen: For newly menopausal women, estrogen replacement is one way to prevent bone loss.
• SERMs:: estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as  (Evista) offer an alternative.
• Calcium: Calcium and vitamin D are needed to increase bone mass in addition to estrogen replacement therapy.

• Bisphosphonates: . These drugs slow down bone loss, and in some cases, they actually increase bone mineral density.

The take home message is:

Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later. There are four steps to prevent osteoporosis. No one step alone is enough to prevent osteoporosis.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
• Engage in weight-bearing exercise.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake.
• Take medication to improve bone density when appropriate.

 Homeopathy in Osteoporosis.

Ideally patients with osteoporosis should visit an experienced homeopath and the proper constitutional remedy should be chosen. However, I will randomly list some remedies for this crippling condition.

Calcarea carbonica: This remedy is often helpful to individuals who are easily tired by exertion and tend to feel anxious and overwhelmed from work or stress. The person may be chilly, flabby or overweight, People who need this remedy often have strong cravings for both eggs and sweets.

Calcarea phosphorica: Stiffness, soreness, and weakness of the bones and joints often are experienced by those who need this remedy. Deep tiredness frequently is felt, especially after exercise. Calcium deposits and bone-spurs may develop, even while general bone-loss is taking place, and fractures may be slow to heal.

Phosphorus: This remedy is often helpful to people who are sensitive, suggestible, imaginative, but easily tired or weakened physically. Bones may be less strong than normal, or be slow to heal after fractures. People who need this remedy are often tall and thin with an easily-flushing face. A desire for refreshing foods (especially ice cream) and strong thirst for cold or carbonated drinks are other indications for Phosphorus.

Silicea): People who need this remedy are often nervous, easily tired, very chilly, and tend to sweat at night.  They have a refined or delicate appearance, and often have weakness in the spine.

Symphytum: When osteoporosis is a problem, fractures often occur from mild trauma. This remedy can be useful for strengthening and healing bones when new fractures occur..

Ayurvedic approach for Osteoporosis:

Sirodhara (with oil) and Sirovasthi:

 This is a treatment in which a continuous stream of plain or medicated sesam oil is poured on the forehead from half an hour to one hour duration keeping the patient in lying position. Head is the centre of consciousness (Prajna) and is believed to be the root cause of all diseases .

. Sirodhara applies a gentle fall and flow of oil right there. It is calming down mind. Stress, anxiety, depression, aggression, greed, etc support the heating up side of metabolism and create space for diseases. Another kind of intense oil application on head is Sirovasthi, where warm oil is kept on head making a cap around. In a milder way, keeping oil on the apex of head dipped in cotton is also done (Pichu).

Abhyanga and Pizhichil:

Oil massage for the whole body with gentle strokes is called abhyanga.  Pizhichil is an intense kind of oil application where oil is streamed all over the body followed by very gentle massage.

Thailadhaara:

Streaming oil locally where there is pain signifying intensified Vaatha action is called Thailadhaara. Intense pain from fracture or advanced stages of osteoarthritis, especially during night and in winter is dramatically getting relieved when warm medicated oil is gently streamed.

Thailavasthi:

Enema with medicated oil is named Thailavasthi.

Conclusion:
Ayurvedic physicians also stress on a Holistic diet for the treatment of Osteoporosis. Ayurveda understands Osteoporosis in a holistic dimension and offers treatments accordingly.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine can be used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Some herbs and minerals that can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis include:

• Black Cohosh – contains plant-based estrogens and has been shown to relieve menopausal symptoms
• Red Clover – the isoflavones extracted from this herb may slow bone loss in women
• Kelp – rich in minerals so it may be a complementary treatment for osteoporosis
• Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids – increases calcium absorption in the gut, reduces the amount of calcium excreted through urine, increases calcium deposits in the bone and improves bone strength

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses special needles that are inserted into the body at specific points or meridians. The needles stimulate nerve endings and cause the brain to release endorphins, which are pain relieving substances produced by the body. Not only can acupuncture relieve pain, it can also relieve other symptoms associated with osteoporosis.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Along with acupuncture, the practitioner also uses a combination of herbs that boost estrogen levels and provide needed minerals.

Massage:

Massage therapy can be slow and gentle or deep and vigorous. It is used to relieve pain, relax stiff muscles and increase blood supply to the affected areas. Massage can be used in people with osteoporosis but this should be light.

Chiropractics and Osteopathy:

Chiropractics can be used in the treatment of osteoporosis; however, it is very important that people already suffering from the disease do not undertake any spinal manipulation due to increased fracture risk.

Conclusion:

 Osteoporosis is a crippling disease. It affects women more than men and a multidisciplinary approach is the best way to approach the problem and if therapies are instated early then the results are heartening.

 

 

 

 

Dear friends,

I have been asked by many of my patients and friends for a first aid kit. I intend to write about a series of homeopathic remedies that would be useful to keep in your home.

The objective of educating the layperson about these remedies is to cut household expenses on costly and needless medications. The homeopathic kit is all about PATIENT EMPOWERMENT OR HEALTH FACILITATION.  I must advise the reader that this kit should not replace the allopathic healthcare provider. It is something like a first aid kit for minor ailments and I would encourage patients to consult their health care physician as soon as there is no improvement of the medical condition.

 As a matter of convention, to make therapy simple, all the Homeopathic remedies selected are in the 30 C potency and the pills are of 30 size and the uniform recommendation for common ailments is 3 globules to be put under the tongue 3 to 4 times per day.

 The mother tinctures are in Q potency and they are generally for local applications unless specifically mentioned. The should be used sparingly about 10 drops diluted in half a cup of water and the therapy should be stopped if any discomfort or reaction is observed.

 Happy Reading!

 Dr. Rajesh Vishwanathan. 

Before we go into the Kit, I thought we should know a bit about the principles of Homeopathy and its founder.

ABOUT HOMEOPATHY AND ITS FOUNDER.

 

DR. SAMUEL HAHNEMANN.

 

Introduction:

 Homeopathy owes its existence to Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.  He discovered this Alternative therapy in the year 1790 A.D. and declared his discovery to the world in the year 1796 A.D, in an essay, which was published in the Hufeland’s Journal.

 Dr. Hanhemann started his career as a young German qualified Allopathic physician.  He knew several languages and could translate in seven languages and had a working knowledge of fourteen languages.

 In the year 1785 A. D, he became famous after he translated French Chemist, Deamchy’s book on Chemistry titled: THE WHOLESALE MANUFACTURE OF CHEMICALS OF THE SCIENCE OF PREPARING PRODUCTS IN FACTORIES.  He did this in two languages.

 At this time, he was deeply dissatisfied and disgusted with the then prevailing system of Medicine.  The uncertainty and the lack of any law of any healing disappointed him deeply and he actually dropped out of medical practice and started reading and translating the great works of medical literature of his time.

 Hahnemann makes a startling discovery:

 In the year 1790 A.D. he was busy translating Cullen’s Materia Medica from English to German.  It was at this time that he espied a chapter referring to the Cinchona bark, as a specific medicine for Malarial fever. Underneath the chapter on Cinchona, there was a footnote that said that Cinchona bark is capable of producing Malaria like symptoms, when healthy subjects ingest it.

He was intrigued and even indignant about this fact and he decided that he would ascertain the truth himself.  He started taking four drams of cinchona juice, for several days, twice daily. To his amazement, typical symptoms of intermittent fever appeared in his body.  The paroxysms lasted for two to three hours every time and lasted from two to three hours.  He found that when he discontinued the medicine, his health dramatically improved.   Hahnemann was struck with the idea that probably all medicines were capable of producing similar symptoms to the disease for which they were used as a specific, in healthy subjects.

 He then went into frenzy and started proving drugs one after another on himself, his disciples, his friends and his patients.  His experiments convinced him that MEDICINES CURE DISEASES BECAUSE THEY CAN PRODUCE SIMLIAR DISEASE IN HEALTHY PERSONS.  He then experimented and found that medicines in a diluted state actually cure the diseases that they produce in the healthy subjects, when given in the undiluted form.

 

In the year 1796 A.D., Dr. Hahnemann elucidated his first law; ‘SIMILIA SIMILUBUS CURENUR’, which means that “like cures like”.  The year 1796 is considered to be the birth year for Homeopathy.

 The greatest works of Dr. Hahnemann:

 From 1790 to 1805 A.D, Hahnemann’s writings and translations consisted of 5500 printed pages.  In 1805, he published a book called as “Medicine of Experience”.  In the year 1810 A.D., the bible of Homeopathy was published called as the “Organon of the Rational Art of Healing”

 The publication of the ‘Organon of Medicine’ made life difficult for Dr. Hahnemann and his disciples.  They were ostracized, condemned, persecuted and even banned from dispensing Homeopathic medicines. In between the years 1811 to 1821 A.D., eight volumes of the “Materia Medica Pura”, a record of symptoms of the medicines tested on healthy human beings was published.  After a lot of debates, Dr. Hahnemann was allowed to deliver lectures on Homeopathy in Leipzig University.

 Dr. Hahnemann faces ridicule from his allopathic colleagues:

 In the year 1821 A.D., amidst the antagonism from his allopathic colleagues, pharmacists and government officials, Hahnemann was allowed to practice Homeopathy in Koethen, by the Duke of Anhaltkoethen.  In the year 1830 A.D., Dr. Hahnemann’s wife who suffered with him for 48 years died.

In January 18^th, 1835 A.D. Dr. Hahnemann married Madame Melanie d’ Harville. He was 80 years old and she was 45 years younger to him.  They left for Paris in June 1835 A.D and finally in France, Dr. Hanhnemann got everything, name, fame, wealth, honor and much needed peace.

In the coming years, the Homeopathic philosophy spread into all parts of Europe, America and the translation of the “Organon of Medicine” took place in many languages.

 Dr. Samuel. Christian. Gottfried. Hahnemann breathed his last at 5 A.M. on 2^nd July 1843. A.D.

 Homeopathy after Dr. Hahnemann:

 In his lifetime Dr. Samuel faced a lot of hardship, but he was a relentless crusader against bloodletting, venesections, irrational poly-pharmacy and he condemned the torture of mentally ill patients.  He was also very particular in matters of Hygiene and Nutrition.  He is perhaps one of the greatest physicians that the world has ever seen and his monumental work on developing Homeopathy into one of the best Alternative therapy is mind-boggling.

 He was a scholar of scholars, a Physician who was feared and respected by his colleagues, he was the master chemist among chemists and above all a dreamer, a philosopher who dare to dream and whose dream no adversity nor honor had a power to change.

After Hahnemann’s time his students carried the torch forward and the world saw Homeopathy come of age with great physicians like Dr. Kent, Dr. Boger, Dr. Boenninghausen, Dr. Boericke, Dr. Dorothy Shepherd and scores of others to take Homeopathy to new heights.  Homeopathy lost its popularity in the U.S due to the discovery of antibiotics and great advances in Allopathic medicine.  But, in India, Homeopathy has flourished and there have been several great Homeopaths who have sacrificed their entire lives for the cause of this great art and science.  Towards the latter part of the 20^th century and in this millennium, Homeopathy has made a great comeback after the emergence of bacterial resistance, the emergence of newer viruses and many stress related disorders.  A lot of work still needs to be done so that Homeopathy may be judiciously integrated with the Orthodox medicine.  With the change in the mind set of orthodox physicians, and with the emergence of the concept of HOLISTIC MEDICINE – or mind body and soul medicine. Homeopathy has a great future, because it is Holistic in nature.

THE CONCEPT OF THE VITAL FORCE.

 

Introduction:

 It is virtually impossible for a hard-core allopathic physician to understand or accept certain Homeopathic principles. However, it is increasingly recognized that for a disease to occur in a human being, three things need happen; one the bug or agent should be strong, the next thing is that the host resistance must be overwhelmed and thirdly the environmental factors should be hostile enough to overwhelm the host. Allopathic medicine has been focusing too much on the agent. For the first time, Dr. Hahnemann talked about a concept of the ‘Vital force’, which may actually indicate the immune status of the individual. This was a path-breaking concept considering that Dr. Hahnemann postulated it as early as 1790 AD.

 What is the Vital force?

 The vital force was described by, Dr. Hahnemann as a spirit like, dynamic, automatic self powered power, which preserves the life in living beings.  It is the life principle, which is present everywhere in the body.  It exists in the living body, which is gross in structure and the Vital Force is a subtle energy, which is active.   From the perspective of the spirituality it may be interpreted as a soul force of the body.   From the perspective of Indian Spirituality, it is very similar to ‘Pranic energy’.  Dr. Hahnemann introduced the term Vital Force in the 5^th edition of the Organon in 1833. A.D. and this word was replaces with the word Life Principle in the 6^th edition of the Organon.

 When the Vital Force is in a normal state, it is orderly and the person is at ease and healthy.  When it becomes disordered or deranged, disease accrues in the body.  When the Vital force leaves the body or ceases to function, the body dies.

In this sense, the concept of the Vital force is spiritual and holistic.  The vital force is not perceptible to our senses, but it helps the gross body to perform its functions.  It is a spiritual conscious energy blessed with an intelligence to power the body and maintain both volitional and autonomic functions.

 Dr. Hahnemann called the Vital Force as autocratic, self powered, self controlling power or energy, which keeps the body intact and without which life as we know it cannot exist.  It is only when the gross or the material body becomes unfit for the Vital Force to utilize it, the Vital Force ceases to work.

 The Vital force in health:

 During the state of health, the Vital Force animates the gross or material body and keeps it in a harmonious order.  A healthy man feels no discomfort and is generally unaware of the existence of his internal organs or the functions carried by them.  He remains unconscious of his body and caries on consciously the working of the mind.  The Vital force maintains the balance between body and the mind. This fundamental principle makes Homeopathy a holistic system of medicine.  The Vital Force protects the body from hostile influences, both from the mind within – negative thinking and from the external disease producing influences; like the bacteria, viruses, atmosphere etc.  Dr. Hahnemann postulated that the Vital force is ever alert and a never resting preservative force.

The Vital Force in Disease:

 The body is endowed with the Vital Force, which is constantly fighting with inimical forces.  But, the Vital Force can be overwhelmed with a long continued exposure to disease or due to wrong living.  When the Vital Force is disturbed, the subjects senses an uneasy sensation in the body, thorough the agency of the Cerebro-spinal nerves.  In simple words, a disease or discomfort in the body is a cry of the Vital Force seeking Help for restoring its balance.  In Homeopathy, a disease by itself has no separate objective existence; there are no diseases but only diseased individuals.

The Vital Force in Cure:

 The harmonious flow of the Vital force is disturbed in a diseased state.  This can be restored with the aid of medicinal substances, which make all abnormal sensations and diseased states disappear.  The body – mind equilibrium is restored and a cure essentially signifies the removal of symptoms and not their suppression.

The Vital Force in Recovery:

 The Vital Force is a self-preservative force and protects the body from exposure to inimical forces, without external air and it is capable of maintaining the harmonious flow of it in the body and this results in good health.  Thus, recovery is just the natural process of maintaining the body-mind equilibrium and when this happens, all complaints disappear.

1) ACONITIUM NAPELLUS.

 

A REMEDY THAT IS USEFUL IN COMBATING FEARS!

Dr. Hahnemann originally proved this remedy.  Its source is a plant called as Monkshood.

It is a great remedy for persons who are afflicted by fear and anxiety.

 THE KEYNOTE SYMPTOM IS FEAR OF DEATH.

 It is a useful remedy when the subject has physical and mental restlessness.  It also suits subjects who find music unbearable.

It is useful when there is a sudden invasion of violent fever.

It suits subjects who do not want to be touched.

 It is useful when all complaints are aggravated by dry cold air.

 It is the first remedy in all-acute inflammations.

 It is useful when the head is heavy, hot and bursting and when the face is red hot and flushed.  It is a useful remedy in fever, when the skin is dry, hot and the face is red with burning thirst for large quantity of cold water.

 It is useful as an anticonvulsant remedy in teething children with high fever.

It is a useful remedy in cystitis whenever the urine is red hot and painful.

It is useful whenever there is a hoarse, dry croupy cough with labored breathing.  It is also useful in Aphonia, where there is a loss of voice.

 It is a useful remedy whenever there are palpitations with anxiety.

 This remedy suits people who are better in open air and are worse while lying down on the affected side.

  TIPS FROM THE MASTERS…

 Oh! What a comforting remedy ACONITE is for toothache.  It has been so useful in toothache that nearly every old lady nowadays knows enough to put a drop of ACONITE on a bit of cotton and put it in the old hollow tooth.  It will quite often palliate.  A dose of ACONITE will act much better.

Dr.Kent, M.D.

In acute gastritis, what ACONITE is capable of accomplishing in this affection excels all belief.

Dr. Jahr.

 

In the very beginning, ACONITE is often able to cut short dysentery, without any other remedy.

Dr. Bell.

 

 

In cystitis, ACONITE often removes the whole trouble in a very short time.

Dr. Jahr.

 

ACONITE is the principal remedy for retention of urine in the new- born; hardly any other one will be needed.

Dr. A. D. T. Pulford, M.D.

 

ACONITE cures most violent cases of Orchitis (testicular inflammation) that come on suddenly.

Dr.Kent, M.D.

 

A dose of ACONITE given to nervous soldiers who are full of fear of death or other horrors and anxieties, who are full of fear of death or other horrors and anxieties, would soon help them to face their ordeals with strength and resolution.

 

Dr. A. H. Grimmer, M.D.

 

ACONITE is good in jaundice of infants.

Dr. Wallace Mc George, M.D.

This remedy is extremely useful for combating fears.  It suits patients, who are fearful of crossing the street, and are rendered miserable with fear and think that they are sure to die of the ailment that they have.  These patients even tell you the time of death. This remedy is very useful for all sudden fevers that come with a dry cold air.  It is a short acting remedy and has to be repeated frequently.  When it is properly selected, the results are magical.  It can abort high fevers and many seemingly life threatening conditions.