PLACEBO EFFECTS, SIDE EFFECTS & CONTRAINDICATIONS OF HOMŒOPATHY?
"Are there side effects of homœopathics?"
"Do the remedies clash with other medications?"
"But isn't it just placebo effect after all?"
Three of the most common questions that newcomers to homœopathy ask. While the official answer to each is NO, there are complexities in answering this so simply.
Side effects as we know them are physical, emotional & psychological responses to traumas or assaults upon the body - namely chemical. They are not actually 'side' effects but in fact are direct effects or responses. One only needs to peruse a MIMS annual to see the possibilities.
In homœopathy, we have a healing crisis (also known as a primary reaction) which presents itself as a temporary aggravation of symptoms. When I first took a remedy for hay fever, for which no other treatment was alleviating, it became so extreme after one dose, I thought I would go mad and of course I was really angry, thinking this stuff was b-a-d. I had been forewarned of this phenomenon, so I took a break of one dose then repeated the remedy and bam! the symptoms were gone like magic.
This paradox simply means your body has begun responding way too fast and it is in fact, a good sign; it means the remedy choice was 100% right.
As for 'clashing' with other medications, again, when we talk about this in the pharmaceutical realm (or even contraindications) where certain organ or system function can be under threat, even catastrophic threat, when the wrong medicine is given - this is not the same as the few homœopathic laws below, that dictate remedy choice - it's never a case of endangering life itself:
Using camphorated oils after or during homœopathic dosing can neutralise their actions, rendering them ineffective
Storing or using remedies next to essential oils can taint them, removing their effects altogether
Eating or drinking anything but water close to administration can weaken their efficacy
Brushing your teeth too close to administration can stop any beneficial action
Drinking coffee, tea or alcohol too close to administration can stop any beneficial action
The harsh effects of some medications slow the healing mechanism of homœopathic remedies so that while you appear to be healing, the introduction of a strong medication (chemo, etc) can slow down or even negate any benefits.
So, while there are technically no side effects or possible clashing with other medications, their efficacy can certainly be changed. These changes alter ONLY the remedy’s energy-force; unlike other forms of medication, these changes do not result in harm.
This is the reason we find ourselves in the Catch-22 of ‘It can’t be a real medicine because it is not registered like other drugs’ - those responsible for this claim overlook the fact that in order to be registered (or scheduled) the medicine must be able to invoke harm. It is impossible for them to realise (or they do not care) that inability to harm does not equate to inability to heal.
Having said this, being who I am, means I challenge everything. Coming from a nursing background, I particularly felt I needed to put everything to the test, or at least stretch abilities as much as possible.
One interesting case that flouted the homœopathic law, involved an alcoholic patient. He could not bear the thought of getting up in the morning and facing the day without a drink. He had been recently bereaved and was close to suicidal, having given up all hope of a future.
He wanted to give up smoking and drinking but his addiction was such that he simply lacked the willpower to change. At the time, I thought this would be a great opportunity to challenge the possibility that the remedy might still work even if administered in such circumstances.
I gave him his remedy along with instructions to not take it at least 15 hours before or after drinking (or smoking), knowing he would not take the full advice. One case where I did not have much hope.
I saw him two days later; he decided he would put the remedy in his beer and if it worked, it worked. If not, he had tried. Under no circumstances would I ever suggest this as while it is not dangerous, it is simply just a waste.
Anyway, he was happy to say, he had not had another drink of beer or another cigarette since that first day. This was only 2 days in, but the story took place over 30 years ago. As far as I know, he never touched either again.
We could easily say this is placebo - most would. That's okay; I left my ego at the door when I swapped from orthodox to 'alternative' medicine.
While ANYTHING can have a placebo effect, a homœopath is reminded that over the course of our careers, many of us have successfully treated babies in utero, newborn babies with life threatening disorders (one case, with holes in the heart, another with intussusception, yet another, a 3rd baby with rhesus factor). I have also treated comatose patients and I have treated injured animals, poisoned animals and unconscious animals. A number of my patients did not know they were receiving any treatment at all (including parents administering remedies to their children, or spouses administering remedies to their partners). None of these patients could possibly know they were receiving medications, let alone use their thought processes to encourage healing.
I believe 'placebo' dismissal can well and truly be put to rest.
