Either Too Thin or Too Fat and Homeopathy for Those In Between

In this fast pacing modern world where you are compelled to follow every trend, it is alarming to see a lot of individuals, women especially, who are either too thin or overweight. People are either too obsessed to looking great or too carefree to eat anything. When diet has been introduced, some took it more seriously than others. Many of us, on the other hand, have depended entirely on junk foods and commercialized sustenance which led to many health complications. Immobility resulted from sitting for at least 8 hours in the office and total dependency to technology in doing simple tasks have added to the unhealthy and almost stagnant lifestyle of today’s citizens.

According to reviews, at least 20 million of the total population in the world is suffering from eating disorders. It is also clinically proven that those in their mid-20s to early 30s are mostly the victims of these disorders. Anorexia and Bulimia are two of the cases which are prevalent especially in leading countries. Many of the patients of either of the disorders ineffectively managed with the conventional therapies are often suffering a lifetime disability. The mortality rate is for anorexia is even higher than other psychological disorders and is the leading cause of death to young women.

According to the Peterson Group, one of the leading sources of information and reliable research regarding alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, homeopathic treatments

has proven the most effective cure for eating disorders.

Homeopathy treats the whole person, including, but not limited to, the symptoms of the eating disorder. Therefore, the remedy works to get to the core of why the compulsion is there in the first place. Whether the issue stems from an emotional, genetic or physiological trauma or imbalance, the homeopathic remedy can have a dramatically positive effect on the patient.

Some of the treatments are:

• Carcinosin

Also used as treatment for patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and is used to lessen the fear of being fat resulting to insomnia and rejection of any food intake. Carcinosin stabilizes the heart rate and eases anxiety.

• Sepia

Used for people who has complaints on the food’s visuals and are sensitive to smell and has hormonal imbalance. As hormones may cause the lack of appetite, sepia helps regain the food cravings.

• Pulsatilla

Also used to cure depression. Some people would turn to food as comfort whenever they are under stress. Pulsatilla eases the cravings and helps maintain proper dietary food. This can be found in the rural areas of Jakarta, Indonesia and Brunei.

Homeopathic Treatment a Boon for Children

Homeopathy has been proven to cure almost anything there is. Such methods of treatment have been recognized by even by the most renowned persona. Starting from the German nation to the introduction and support by the British Empire, homeopathy has been used for generations and has spread to millions of people around the world. Experts in this field are claiming that homeopathy is the kind of treatment that can cure diseases and ailments that can’t be reached by medicine.

Homeopathic treatment is used to treat any individual, regardless of the gender, race or age. Many claim that it is most effective and safest for children since it is mostly made from natural treatment and has lesser risk of having fraudulent ingredients.

The Peterson Group, one of the most trusted sources of information on alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, states that there are more than thousands of homeopathic treatment for various ailments and diseases in children. The most common pediatric issues which can turn into something serious are coughs, recurrent infections, dentition problems, behavioral disorders, parasites, etcetera. Homeopathy is best for children since it can treat these normal diseases without the fear of complications.

Nevertheless, complaints have been pouring in on the effectiveness of the treatment. Among them are issues pertaining to the overall performance of homeopathy. Children are said to be mostly affected:

1. Homeopathy is slow to act
In acute ailments like fever, diarrhea, or other acute infections, the treatment acts as fast as scientific-based medicines, sometimes even faster since the treatment is specifically targeting a certain ailment. It may take time for chronic ones to be healed like psoriasis, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease since it eradicates all related issues and prevents reoccurrence whereas for conventional medicines which relieves pain immediately but leave a lot of debris behind.

2. Homeopathy is Healthy
Since it uses only natural substances to treat, homeopathy is known to be safe and healthy, fit for both children and adult. It also helps people become aware of their dietary consumption. Most treatment uses herbs which cannot only heal the disease but help in the basic nutrition as well.

3. Homeopathy is always available
There may be some cases in which the ingredient for a specific disease can only be procured from certain countries or cities. However, there will always be an alternative treatment. People living in Jakarta, Indonesia, for instance, has been using chamomile which is abundant in neighboring islands than Jasmine which only grows in limited number of places to cure vertigo, dysmenorrhea and behavioral problems among children.

The Peterson Group Review: Homeopathy and Ethnicity

Homeopathy has been famous since the British royal family has openly supported it. This branch of complementary, integrative and alternative medicine has already proven helpful in treating a lot of diseases and ailments and is already being integrated to mainstream health medication.

When it was once totally banned in medical schools and practices, the last few decades show how the medical world is already assimilating fundamentals of CAM in their curriculum. Some of the treatments are already being viewed as another set of options for the patient to take in dealing with their health problems, acknowledged by doctors and health practitioners.

Although CAM is already recognized to be practiced all over the world, reviews show a greater acceptance and usage in North America, Western Europe and Asia Pacific especially in Australia and Indonesia. The increasing number of businesses offering CAM services and therapies in Jakarta is enough to prove the enthusiasm for its use in these regions.

As per the reviews, the use of CAM has substantially increased even more in the present times with millions of people using it before going to the doctor or after mainstream medication has failed. Among the most important findings were: use of at least one alternative therapy increased from 34 to 42%; the number of office visits increased from 427 million to 629 million (a 47% increase); and total out-of-pocket expenditures in 2002 were estimated at $21.2 billion, comparable to the projected out-of-pocket expenditures for the same year on all US physician services.

Further studies show, however, that the acceptance of homeopathy and other conventional medicines is not generalized. Based on the ethnicity survey conducted by The Peterson Group to Indonesian citizens, there are more middle class citizens who choose to take CAM treatments other than proceeding to the doctor. The cost of the items for treatment and the availability of ingredients also affect the number of people patronizing the medication.

It is a different case in more developed countries. Those in the higher class and belonging to the higher status in society are more likely to use homeopathy and CAM treatments.

In a study by Chin, et al 2000, “while African Americans report less use than whites, Asian and Hispanics have been found to be less than or as equally likely as whites to use CAM therapies depending on the study considered. One limitation of existing studies that report racial/ethnic differences is that they focus on prevalence rather than on factors that might explain these differences or are limited in the correlates considered.”

The Role of Science in CAM

Science is defined as the study of knowledge. For as long as there is something new to learn, science would intervene for the unquenchable search for new information and understanding. Same happens for the study of alternative medicines.

As a non-profit organization advocating on alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, The Peterson Group is often faced with numerous complaints regarding the lack of evidences on conventional medicines and questions on issues which we, admittedly, have not yet known ourselves. We call for more research and pragmatic trials which are rarely seen from treatments claiming benefits from mere touch. In gathering evidences from some of the most notorious places to use alternative medicines, we have learned how culture has been one of the biggest factors in it adaptation and success. Science is a mere coincidence as the treatment in acupuncture in China, herbs in South Korea, smoke treatments in Bangkok, Thailand and homeopathy in Jakarta, Indonesia continue to stay mainstream despite of its conventionalism.

Science is meant to be unbiased and risk culture and tradition in order to prove a treatment’s effectivity. Yet, in order for the components of an outcome to be fully measured, specific effects of the intervention and non-specific effects such as true placebo effects, cognitive measurement biases and other effects should be included.

Negative true placebo effects (‘frustrebo effects’) in the comparison group and cognitive measurement biases in the comparison group and the experimental group make the non-specific effect look like a benefit for the intervention group. However, the clinical importance of these effects is often dismissed or ignored without justification. The bottom line is that, for results from open pragmatic trials to be trusted, research is required to measure the clinical importance of true placebo effects, cognitive bias effects, and specific effects of treatments.

Science has greatly stated that just because alternative method is known to extract placebo effect which can treat a certain disease or ailment, it would immediately justify its processes. It does not even assure that all medicines claiming to be alternative are not fraudulent. Therapy should be measured on the treatment’s capability to alter physiological condition and not base on the less predictable placebo effect. Science has the critical role to make sure that all evidence is prevalent and not just a hinting thought.

Medical facts are determined through a process in which hundreds of medical practitioners and scientists are gathered for observation, deliberation and review. It is not, as they emphasize something which can be decided with a single cure of luck.

Asthmatic Remedies in Homoeopathy

Asthma is already a recurring ailment which has been considered as one of the most common especially to young kids. Since they are normally curable, they are oftentimes disregarded with fever or flu. But like flu and fevers which, if not cured immediately, can be acute. Asthma can also be chronic depending on the history of the patient as it can also be genetic.

In Asthma, the bronchial tubes narrow which makes it harder to breathe. Patients may have complaints of short of breathe and may also experience tightening of the chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Running, biking and any tedious activity can cause asthma attack. Dust and other small particles can also cause asthma reactions. Asthma is also often associated with allergies and other same diseases. 

Homeopathy has also proved to cure asthma or prevent it from happening. The kind of treatment depends on the status of the asthma patient. According to experts, the kind of treatment should be appropriate to on the individual’s personality. 

The Peterson Group, provider of free, unbiased health information on integrative, complementary and alternative medicines, has listed some of the most common types of homeopathic treatment for asthmatic patients.

• Aconitum

This remedy is useful at the beginning stages of onset of asthmatic breathing. Noticeably present is anxiety, fear, and restlessness with the asthma

• Arsenicum

Restlessness and anxiety are prominent with asthmatic children who need this remedy. As the asthma continues, they get more and more frightened and agitated. Their symptoms are worse from midnight to 2 a.m., and they will toss and turn in bed, unable to find a comfortablable position. Their breathing is best when sitting erect. Despite their restlessness, they are tired and weak. They are very chilly and better by warmth. They are noticeably thirsty but for only sips of water at a time.

• Chamomilla

Chamomilla is one of the most famous homeopathic treatments used to calm the nerves down, enabling the breathing to be stabilized. This medicine is mostly famous in Jakarta, Indonesia which is also used for Spa purposes as well as in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Lobelia

This remedy is known for curing asthmatic breathing concurrent with nausea and vomiting. These children usually have prickling sensations, even on the fingers and toes that precedes the asthma. The asthma is aggravated by exposure to cold. The child may feel weakness in the pit of the stomach and a sensation of a lump above the sternum (the chest bone).

The herbs used in these treatments are crushed and concocted with other natural healing medicines. Critics are also questioning the validity of these ingredients as a lot of fraudulent medicines are already circulating across the globe.

Health Professionals warns on the use of Supplements as Food Replacement

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged the importance of dietary supplements in helping people nowadays on balancing their diet. A well-planned nutrition and hydration plan positively influences healthy living. With physical training, conditioning, mental preparation and regular sleeping habits, individuals can achieve proper wellness and a fit body each one of us look after.

For some health practitioners however, dietary supplements should be dismissed from the market. However, little of them would dare cry out their concern against the dependence of many individuals, in most times athletes, to dietary supplements which leads to the abnormal process of body system. A health practitioner can lose his credibility if he starts talking against the use of dietary supplements as these drugs, medications or herbs are already a trend in society.

Advocates of the real effects of alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, The Peterson Group, has interviewed few of health professionals and had asked their opinions on health supplements’ negative effects to athletes and individuals. Most of them stated that discussing and educating the coaches and athletic trainers can be tough. Many of them do not understand that they can obtain the performance enhancement that they need from choosing the right food and nutrients.

Review shows 41% of athletes take supplements in order to gain the nutrients that they have missed out from the food that they intake. In the same review, 3% of these athletes take merely supplements and do not eat at all to gain the physique and weight they desire. This, in every sense may be very dangerous in one person’s health.

In a study conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia where most athletes and many individuals take health supplements, most of the intake medicines and herbs in whatever form have been found to contain some dangerous chemicals as well. This phenomenon occurred after a complaint was filed to an alternative product which allegedly bears some side effects.

In this ever-changing world of functional/fortified foods and nutraceuticals, differentiation of products by reliance on the label heading of either “Nutrition Facts” or “Supplement Facts” does not always assure that a product does or does not contain a dietary supplement ingredient. However, products with a “Supplement Facts” label must also include a disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.”

Despite its support to alternative and supplementary medicines, FDA still spreads warning that many of those medicines which circulates may not have passed certain tests and may cause a different or adverse effect.

Homeopathic Treatment for Genital Herpes

Having any kind of reproductive disease can be embarrassing to anyone. Without any help, it can be dangerous and risky and most of the times, infectious.

Society of today is aware of emerging genital viruses and its classifications. Symptoms are easily known and recognized thanks to former reviews on past experiences.

There is the existence of Chlamydia which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease; Gonorrhea, which causes painful liquid discharge; HIV/AIDS which is by far the most popular among the list; Syphilis which is sexually transmitted disease often happening to people with chancres or sores and many others.

One infection which has claimed its fame among these diseases is Genital Herpes. Individuals suffering this disease are experiencing eruptions of itching, burning sensation and pain in the genital area. Fortunately, like many other diseases in these present times, many resources claim treatments for this specific reproductive infection.

According to The Peterson Group, one of the leading sources for trustworthy facts and timely health news and information regarding alternative, integrative and complementary medicines, Genital Herpes has found its cure with homeopathy, a treatment which is not based in any scientific methods. Instead, this treatment is known to believe that a certain illness, disease or infection can heal on its own with little help from natural and/or experimented formula.

The following are some of these formula needed to combat genital herpes:

1. Aconitum
- This is mostly indicated in the early stages of herpes and is applied when the patient is experiencing a fever or a burning sensation in the affected area.

2. Lachesis
- Prescribed for patients with herpes to be indicated before a menstrual period.

3. Sulphur
- The nature of natural sulphur can cure recurring herpes. Many doctors advise taking three doses of Sulphur 200. While taking this medication, it is greatly suggested to keep away from coffee, raw garlic or onion or strong perfumes. Physicians are also giving out warnings to refrain from using sulphur without the advice of a medical practitioner.

4. Apis
- A temporary treatment for scrotal edema, a sensation of burning pain that is ameliorated with cold applications. This medication can also cure the tingling sensation on an individual’s genital area.

5. Sepia
- Sepia treats genital herpes in women. Symptoms include pain, and itching of the vulva, a corrosive yellowish discharge. A good cuttlefish ink which sepia is made from can be bought in large quantities in the markets of Jakarta, Indonesia. Sepia is mostly taken for 6-12 weeks depending on the gravity of the situation.