Impossible Cure Newsletter -- May 2010

Dedicated in memory of Jeanette Lansky

May 24, 1915 -- March 23, 2010

5th Annual Joint American Homeopathy Conference -- A Big Success!

Many people from the homeopathic community -- practitioners, vendors, and consumers -- converged on Washington, D.C. in the height of this year's Cherry Blossom season to celebrate homeopathy.

This year's annual conference, entitled Effective Homeopathy: Mastering Skills & Strategies, began on Friday, April 9, with a workshop taught by master homeopath Paul Herscu on his technique of analyzing cases called "Cycles and Segments". The essence of the method is to partition the symptoms of a case into related segments of information, and then to organize the natural progression of these segments into a cycle. The cycle of segments for a particular patient is then matched to that of a remedy.

Friday evening then began the conference proper, which was kicked off with a buffet dinner, the opening of the exhibits, a rousing speech by NCH president Nancy Gahles about ongoing efforts to get homeopathy a place at the national health-care table -- efforts that are paying off!, and the annual poster session (organized by yours truly).

The conference lectures were held on Saturday April 10 and 11, featuring two parallel tracks. The introductory track included well-known homeopathic teacher Karen Allen on Saturday (speaking about Homeopathy 101: From 'What is it?' to 'I can do that!' in 10 Easy Steps) and homeopathic author Miranda Castro on Sunday (speaking about the system of 12 cell salt remedies). In the advanced track, four half day sessions were held, featuring David Kent Warkentin, Ken Silvestri, Kim Elia, and Amy Rothenberg. In addition, on April 9 and 10, nurse midwife M.J. Hanafin offered a two day midwifery seminar focused on the use of homeopathy for pregnancy and childbirth.

One of the highlights of the weekend took place the evening of Saturday, April 10 (Hahnemann's 255th birthday!) -- a bus trip into the heart of Washington, D.C. to see the beautiful Hahnemann Monument at 16th Street and Massachusetts Avenue (Scott Circle). The history of the monument was ably described by homeopath Sandra Chase (see photo), who also was responsible for the renovation and re-dedication of the monument in 2000. Originally dedicated in 1900 with President McKinley in attendance, the monument was designed by one of the capital's leading architects and sculptors and won a national award that year as the most outstanding new monument. To see it in its renovated glory, with its beautiful mosaic, portrayal of Hahnemann's life, and rendering of Hahnemann himself, was a marvelous experience for all who were there. Coupled with an important theme of the weekend -- the emergence of homeopathy onto the national scene -- the trip to the monument was truly inspirational.

20 Remedies That Every Home Should Have Handy

The following remedies would be an excellent start to any home remedy kit. The 30c potency is the probably the best all-purpose potency to choose. You can find these remedies in any health food store, and many homeopathic pharmacies offer cost-effective starter kits too (visit www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org for a list of pharmacies and other homeopathic resources).

First Aid

Arnica. Number one remedy for accidents, shock, injuries, bruising. Patient has a fear of being touched and may say they are all right when they clearly are not. Other applications include pain after dental work and jet lag.

Calendula. Number one remedy for healing wounds. Useful as a topical cream in low potency.

Hypericum. Number one remedy for injuries to nerves. Pains are sharp and shooting. Useful for pain after a dental injection.

Apis. Number one remedy for bites and stings. Helps with redness and swelling. Also useful for allergic reactions.

Ledum. Number one remedy for puncture wounds. Also useful for animal and insect bites. Along with Hypericum, a useful remedy for tetanus. An important remedy for Lyme disease. Pain is better from cold application, worse from heat.

Specifics and Acutes

Kali-bichromicum. Number one remedy for sinus infections.

Chamomilla. Number one remedy for teething.

Ignatia. Number one remedy for acute grief or emotional shock.

Belladonna. Number one remedy for high fever.

Aconite. Number one remedy for nipping a cold in the bud, especially if onset was precipitated by cold, dry wind, or a fright or shock. Useful when illness comes on very suddenly.

Gelsemium. Number one remedy for the flu. Extreme prostration and weakness, shivering up and down the spine, trembling, aching muscles, heaviness of head and eyes.

Eupatorium. Another important flu remedy, especially if characterized by extreme aching in the bones, as if they were broken.

Arsenicum Album. Number one remedy for food poisoning. Also useful for the flu. Patient is anxious and restless and does not want to be left alone. Fear of death. Worse between midnight and 3am. Thirsty for frequent sips of water.

General Use

In addition to the above remedies, the following commonly used remedies have frequent application to many illnesses and chronic conditions.

Pulsatilla. Number one remedy for childhood ear infections. Patients are clingy and tearful, thirstless, feel better when outside, and tend to have thick yellow-green discharges.

Nux-Vomica. Number one remedy for hangovers and overindulgence in food. Also important flu remedy. Patients tend to be ambitious, angry, tense, and irritable. Sensitive to light and noise. Like to be warm in bed.

Natrum-Muriaticum. Number one remedy for cold sores. Patients tend to be closed and sensitive. Silent grief. Craves salt.

Sulphur. An important remedy for itchy skin problems that are worse from warmth. Patients tend to be warm-blooded, and like to kick the covers off in bed. Hungry at 11am. Loves sweet and spicy. Intellectual or philosophically-minded individuals.

Lycopodium. The insecure bully. Anxious and lacking in self-confidence, but can be aggressive toward others. Fearful when trying to do something new. Complaints tend to be right-sided. Flatulence and bloating. Worse from 4-8pm.

Lachesis. An important remedy for left-sided tonsillitis. Patients are talkative and amusing, but also suspicious and jealous. An important woman’s remedy, especially around menopause. Left-sided complaints. Craving for alcohol.

Phosphorus. An important remedy for tickling coughs, worse from laughing and speaking. Patients are bubbly and outgoing, but with poor boundaries. Fearful and anxious. Fear of thunderstorms. Thirsty.