Homeopathy An introduction to application in pediatrics

Transcription

1 Homeopathy An introduction to application in pediatrics By Denisa Hrncirik-Maruyama, ND and Paul Theriault, ND The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in pediatric primary care is common, with homeopathy being one of the most widely used CAM modalities in the world. In a recent survey done in the UK, the rate of homeopathic use in children amongst GPs is 22%, with most prescribing taking place for infants less than one year old with minor self-limiting conditions at a relatively low rate of approximately one per month. A smaller number of GPs report prescribing much more frequently (Ekins-Daukes 2005). In Germany, homeopathy is the most frequently used CAM treatment for childhood ailments, where nearly 50% of the homeopathic medicines are prescribed by medical doctors and Heilpraktiker, and used to treat a wide range of conditions with a greater rate of use for self limiting conditions (Du 2009). The publications on the use of CAM in pediatric primary care and oncology indicate that homeopathy plays a complimentary but largely unofficial role in pediatric oncology in Israel (Ben Arush 2006), Canada (Fernandez 1998), Italy (Steinsbekk 2006), and Netherlands (Grootenhuis 1998). In the US, it is estimated that over children are administered homeopathic medicines on a yearly basis (Barnes 2008). In India, homeopathy is widely used in pediatric care, as it is incorporated as a system of primary care within the established medical system (Ghosh 2010). Homeopathic remedies are potentized substances at a dilution level often greatly surpassing the Avogadro number. This naturaly gives rise to questions about the mechanism of action of homeopathic remedies. Despite much experimentation, the exact mechanism through which homeopathic remedies effect change remains elusive. Recent work has focused on the memory of water hypothesis in which properties of water are held to be influenced by the history of substances water has been in contact with (Chaplin 2007). Other work on the subject has focused on quantum interactions and entanglement of the remedies with the substances from which they are made, as well as quantum entanglement between the patient and practitioner (Molski 2010, Neuhouser 2001). Although no firm consensus has yet emerged, research into the question is gaining solid ground (Enserink 2010). Most homeopathic remedies are made from natural ingredients (plants, minerals, or animals), yet numerous recent remedies have been created from a wider range of substances, such as colored light (Griffith 2008) and physiological tissues from the birth process (Assilem 2009). In addition, more recent work by Jan Scholten and the members of the Mumbai school in India have introduced classification of remedies into thematically oriented groups, and have offered deeper exploration into the unconscious levels of remedy pictures (Sankaran 2008). Their work has re-energized the field of homeopathy, widening the number of remedies that can be matched to childhood ailments. Homeopathic remedies are symptom specific. Prescribing in pediatric patients requires keen observational skills as well as a strong knowledge of materia medica. The choice of remedy must take into consideration general temperament of the child, the emotional responses to challenges that they are facing, as well as the unique details of the physical symptoms they are exhibiting or experiencing. This requires careful observation on the part of the parent and the physician since children are often unable to report the subtleties of their symptoms. In addition, observation of the parents and the social environment of the child may offer great clues to remedy selection (Master 2006). Paul Anderson Theriault, ND Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 8860 Macleod Trail SE Calgary, AB, Canada T2H 0M4 drpaultheriault.nd@gmail.com ihpmagazine.com { June/July 2011 IHP IHP_Feature1.indd 67 6/8/11 10:00:40 AM

2 Homeopathic remedies can be prescribed to children on an acute or constitutional basis. Constitutional prescribing is mostly indicated in chronic or recurrent conditions and is based on the child s overall physical, emotional, and mental symptom picture. A constitutional remedy strengthens and stimulates the child s vitality, improves physical and mental development and helps maintain their overall health over time. For acute presentations, symptom-specific prescribing based on the totality of the presentation at the time of intake is most commonly employed. A matching acute remedy will promptly releave the child s symptoms and significantly increase rate of recovery. Dosing strategies in children are similar to adult protocols. Although most books on pediatric dosing recommend low dose prescribing, for healthy children with strong vitality, dosing higher potencies of 200c, 1M, and 10M often show great results, as long as the remedy is a close similimum. It is generally prudent, however, to begin with lower potencies (such as 6c, 30c) and gradually move up to 200c, 1M and 10M if vitality of the child is vague, or if the remedy match is not entirely revealed. For children with chronic illneses and disabilities, higher potency remedies may provoke aggravations or worsening of the presenting symptoms. In such sensitive cases, liquid dosing and LM dosing are recommended. The following protocol is designed to minimize aggravations in sensitive children, yet speed up progress of their condition considerably: Begin with 6c potency of the selected remedy diluted and succussed in alcohol and water. Administer 1-10 drops to the child and observe for a week. If no response, redose. If positive response results, redose only when you see child ceasing to improve. If progress comes to a plateau, dose more often until daily dosing. The typical progression of potencies in this protocol is 6c, 30c, LM-1, LM-2, and upwards (De Schepper 2004). Most Commonly Prescribed Pediatric Homepathic Remedies: (Master 2006, Vermuelen 2000, Zand 2003) Remedy Name Common Use Physical Mental Generalities Aconite First line remedy in acute condition, shock/fright Dryness, redness, heat, rapid pulse Shock/fright, extreme anxiety, panic, restlessness, fear of death Thirstless, or intense desire for cold drinks Allium Cepa Common cold Profuse clear discharge from eyes and nose, frequent sneezing, dry red raw throat in laryngitis Pain intolerance Strong hunger and thirst. Worse in warm room Antimonium tartaricum URTI, asthma, pneumonia Rattling cough with little expectoration, shortness of breath, white coated tongue Aversion to being touched, or clinging tight, irritable Thirstless, weakness, inclined to keep eyes closed or sleep Apis mellifica Insect bites, Allergic reactions Heat, redness, swelling, stinging Active, protective, jealous, desire to be in control and dictate to others Thirstless, better with cold applications Arnica Trauma, bruises, strains, sprains Trauma, bruising, soreness, black eyes Desires to be left alone, assures others that nothing is wrong, any intrusion is a violation of their boundaries Aversion to lying on hard surfaces, worse with touch Arsenicum album First line remedy in food poisoning, diarrhea, vomiting Burning pains, thin clear discharges, heartburn, diarrhea Restlessness, anxiety, Hypochondria, Insomnia, perfectionistic Thirst for frequent sips of cold water, Chilly Baryta Carbonicum Delayed development, attention deficit, learning disorders Looks prematurely old, delayed reflexes and motor skills, recurrent tonsillitis Shy, hiding, anxious, fearful of anything new, fear of losing loved ones Chilly, lack of vital heat, worse from cold in any form Belladonna Sudden onset high fever, redness, dilated pupils, headache Dilated pupils, eyes appear glassy, red, hot, dry skin Often behaves as if healthy, intense emotions, Intense thirst or absence of thirst entirely, right sided 68 IHP June/July 2011 } ihpmagazine.com IHP_Feature1.indd 68 6/8/11 10:00:49 AM

3 Continued from page 68. Bryonia alba Constipation, dry cough, pneumonia, any symptoms worse from motion Dryness, bursting, splitting, exploding pain worse with motion, stiffness of neck, large hard stools Irritable, homesick, humiliated, hates to be disturbed, difficulty sharing Extreme thirst for cold drinks, sensitive to weather changes, damp, wind Calcarea carbonica Digestive issues, teething, developmental tardiness, sweat Sour taste, cramping, perspiration, hypothyroid Independent, overwhelmed, anxious about health, many fears, need to be supported by family Worse with exertion and cold damp conditions, desire for eggs Cantharis Burns, scalds, urinary tract infection with burning sensation Burning pains, infections of the urethra and bladder Excessive energy, restlessness Better with cold application Chamomilla First line remedy for difficult teething Teething, ear infections, colic, green diarrhea (like chopped eggs or spinach), red cheeks (often unilateral) Irritable, frustrated, inconsolable, hypersensitive to pain, wants to be carried, very bratty Chilly, desire motion, arch back while crying Colocynthis Colic, diarrhea cramps Abdominal pain, violent cramping Offended, Humiliated, Annoyed Bending over double in pain Drosera Dry spasmodic cough, whooping cough, croup Dry incessant cough, hoarsness Angry, feels persecuted, slightly manipulative, deceptive Worse at night, worse lying down Ferrum Phosphoricum first line remedy in common cold and mild fever, nosebleeds Feeling of cold or fever coming on with few definite symptoms, flushed face or pale Talkative, irritable, not in body, never commited to coming into thier lives Great thirst, general weakness, sensitivity to pain Gelsemium Influenza, weakness, aches, chills, heavy/droopy eyes, performance anxiety 4 Ds: dizzy, drowsy, droopy, dull, headaches across forehead and back of head Dullness of mind, performance anxiety Thirstless, better bending forward, overall weakness Hep Sulphuris Infections with yellow pussy discharge Splinter-like pains, abscesses, pus Oversensitive, annoyed, complaining Extreme chilliness, hypersensitive to pain Hypericum nerve pain, trauma to nerve endings Numbness, tingling, radiating nerve pain, upwards shooting pain from injured areas Confused, dull, forgetful, Worse in cold, damp, closed room Kali Bichromicum Thick ropy mucous discharges, colds that lead to sinusitis Stringy yellow-green nasal discharge, pressure at the root of the nose in sinusitis Detailed, Introverted Moving pains, worse with cold, worse after eating, worse after waking Kali Muriaticum tonsillitis, sinusitis, yellow mucus Congestion with colds, paranasal sinusitis, chronic sore throat, loss of appetite, bulimia Easily excited, easily discouraged, homesick Worse in open air or drafts Ledum mosquito bites, puncture wounds, bruising, growing pains in ankles Injured area feels cold, pain in the ankles, sore heels, sore feet Moody, dissatisfied, anxious, prefer to be left alone Better with cold application, worse with movement ihpmagazine.com { June/July 2011 IHP IHP_Feature1.indd 69 6/8/11 10:00:58 AM

4 Continued from page 69. Lycopodium Digestive issues, right sided Gas, bloating, constipation where first part of stool is hard followed by soft Insecure, fearful inside, covers up insecurity and appears bossy Right sided symptoms, desire for warm drinks and sweets Magnesium Phosphoricum Cramping, right sided, colic, diarrhea Gas, colic, relieved by bending over, drawing the legs up, pressure Complaining, difficulty concentrating, insomnia Better with warm applications and pressure Mercurius Ear infections, drawn out colds and flus, halitosis Foul smelling discharges, greenyellow, toxic feeling Restlessness, suspicious, aggressive, oppositional Sensitive to extreme temperatures Nux Vomica Digestive issues, headache, irritable, hypersensitive, craves rich foods Cramping, spasms, headaches, digestive concerns, constipation Highly irritable, impatient, frustrated, competitive, sensitive Chilly, worse with change of weather, dry/cold weather Phosphorus URTI that has tendency to descend into lungs, vomiting, bleeds Bright red bleeding, cough dry at first, then loose, stomach flu, vomiting Desires company, outgoing, Craves cold drinks (yet may vomit these once they warm in stomach) Pulsatilla Ear aches, nasal congestion, yellow discharges, sensitive child Yellow-green discharges, changeable physical symptoms, moving pains Sensitive, changeable emotions, indecisive Better in open air, thirstless, desires rich foods Rhus toxicodendron Poison ivy, chicken pox Intense itching, stiffness Restless, busy, active, feels constrained by any boundary Better with warmth, desire for cold milk Ruta graveolens sprains of wrists and ankles, tendonitis Injuries to the tendons, cartilage, periosteum, Easily fatigued, dissatisfied, frustrated Better with warmth, desire for cold milk Spongia Barking, hacking cough, laryngitis Dry, croupy, barking, hacking cough, hoarsness, constanct clearing of throat Anxiety, fear of suffocation, weeping, easily startled Better with warm, worse in hot room and cold air Sulphur Skin infections, eczema, head lice, pinworms Red, burning, itching, smelly discharges, gas, bowel movements, diarrhea Opinionated, critical, messy, lazy, thier opinion is better than everyone elses Better in cool air, worse with heat, aversion to bathing Thuja Vaccination support, warts, fungal infections Inflammation due to bacterial or viral infections, vaccination or auto-immunity Self-depreciation, Forsaken Chilly, craves open air, allergic constitution Urtica Urens Burns, scalds allergic reactions Stinging pains, intense burning and itching, hives Restless, Nervous Worse in cool environment 70 IHP June/July 2011 } ihpmagazine.com IHP_Feature1.indd 70 6/8/11 10:01:03 AM

5 More recent pediatric homeopathic remedies: (Assilem 2009, Griffith 2008, Le Roux 2009, Scholten 1996) Remedy Name Physical Mental Generalities Notes Thymus gland Brain damage, by birth or injury. Poor immunity, allergies or chronic infections Cut off from parents, ancestors- very useful for adoptees. Deep trauma, difficult to access consciously Frequent belladonna/ tuberculinum type fevers. Constant chest colds/ atopy Start low, best use is liquid dosing of low potencies, LMs particularly applicable Hydrogen Failure to thrive, diarrhea, aptheae, congenital defects Spacey, feeling of being small, invisible. May actually state that they don t exist Craves Pineapple, Autism, failure to thrive, worse 9pm Has a tendency to induce pregnancy when given to sexually active women. Use with caution Limentis-b Eczema, Psoriasis. Frequent UTIs, developemental delay Feels unprotected, vulnerable, premature sexual development, preoccupation with home environment Nose obstructed, desires physical exertion, Capricious desires Vernix Caseosa Eczema, psoriasis, chronic fatigue Unprotected assaulted, dependant on mother for protection, fearful Allergies or environmental illness Excellent starting remedy. References: Assilem, M. Matridonal Remedies of The Human Family: Gifts of the Mother Idolatry. ink. USA. Pp Barnes P, Bloom B. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Chilren: United States National Health Statistics Reports. Number 12. Dec Ben Arush MW, Geva H, Ofir R, Mashiach T, Uziel R, Dashkovsky Z. Prevalence and characteristics of complementary medicine used by pediatric cancer patients in a mixed western and middle-eastern population. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 2006;28(3): Boon, HS et al. Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States. javascript:al_get(this,%20 jour,%20 BMC%20 Complement%20Altern%20Med. ); BMC Complement Altern Med Oct 20; 4:14. Fernandez CV, Stutzer CA, MacWilliam L, Fryer C. Alternative and complementary therapy use in pediatric oncology patients in British Columbia: prevalence and reasons for use and nonuse. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 1998;16(4): MF%22%5BAuthor%5D Chaplin MF. The Memory of Water: an overview. javascript:al_ get(this,%20 jour,%20 Homeopathy. ); Homeopathy Jul;96(3): De Schepper, L. Achieving and maintaining the simillimum : strategic case management for successful homeopathic prescribing Full of Life Publishing. Santa Fe, NM. Du Y, Knopf H. Paediatric homoeopathy in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2009 May;18(5):370-9 Ekins-Daukes S, Helms PJ, Taylor MW, Simpson CR, McLay JS. Paediatric homoeopathy in general practice: where, when and why? British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2005;59(6): Enserink M, Newsmaker Interview: Luc Montagnier, French Nobelist Escapes Intellectual Terror to Pursue Radical Ideas in China. Science 24 December 2010: Vol. 330 no p Fernandez CV, Stutzer CA, MacWilliam L, Fryer C. Alternative and complementary therapy use in pediatric oncology patients in British Columbia: prevalence and reasons for use and nonuse. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 1998;16(4): nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22ghosh%20ak%22%5bauthor%5d Ghosh AK. A short history of the development of homeopathy in India. javascript:al_get(this,%20 jour,%20 Homeopathy. ); Homeopathy Apr;99(2): Griffith, C. The New Materia Medica: Key Remedies for the Future of Homeopathy Sterling. New York. Grootenhuis MA, Last BF, de Graaf-Nijkerk JH, van der Wel M. Use of alternative treatment in pediatric oncology. Cancer Nursing. 1998;21(4): Le Roux, P. Butterflies Narayana. Kandern, Germany. Pp , Master F. Clinical Observations of Children s Remedies rd edition. Lutra Services BV. Eidhoven, Netherlands Milgrom, L.R. Patient-practitioner-remedy (PPR) entanglement. Part 5. Can homeopathic remedy reactions be outcomes of PPR entanglement? Homeopathy 93, (2004). Molski M. Quasi-quantum phenomena: the key to understanding homeopathy. javascript:al_ get(this,%20 jour,%20 Homeopathy. ); Homeopathy Apr;99(2): Neuhouser ML, Patterson RE, Schwartz SM, Hedderson MM, Bowen DJ, Standish LJ. Use of alternative medicine by children with cancer in Washington State. Preventive Medicine. 2001;33(5): Sankaran, R. Structure, Experiences with the Mineral Kingdom: Vol Mumbai, India : Homeopathic Medical Publishers. Scholten, J. Homeopathy and the Elements Stichting Alonnissos. Utrecht, Netherlands. Simpson N, Roman K. Complementary medicine use in children: extent and reasons. A population-based study. Br J Gen Pract. 2001;51(472): Steinsbekk A, Bentzen N, Brien S. Why do parents take their children to homeopaths? An exploratory qualitative study. Forschende Komplementärmedizin. 2006;13(2): Vermuelen F. Concordant Materia Medica rd Edition. Emryss bv Publishers. Haarlem, Netherlands Zand J, Rountree R, Walton R. Smart Medicine for Healthier Child nd Edition. Penguin Group. NY. ihpmagazine.com { June/July 2011 IHP IHP_Feature1.indd 71 6/8/11 10:01:09 AM