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alternative medicines

Natural/alternative medicines

AT the last count there were over 135 complementary and alternative therapies in use worldwide. The best known in the UK are homeopathy, herbalism, acupuncture, aromatherapy, remedial massage and reflexology.

A recent telephone survey revealed that in any one year, around 20% of the population tries out an alternative cure - low compared to 65% of Germans and 50% of the French. Despite this scepticism the UK now has 40,000 CAM Practitioners!

Why alternative?

Most people turn to a Complementary and Alternative Therapist (CAM) because they do not like the high-tech, medical approach or, if that approach has not worked for them.

CAM adopts a more holistic basis, involving the patient in the treatment and spending a long-time establishing a relationship of trust and faith.

Many converts enjoy the therapeutic, low-tech/high touch approach and practitioners say it is both effective and safe.

Homeopaths believe that ''like cures like''.

Dr Andrew Demetriou, Specialist Homeopathic Physician at Highfield Hospital, Rochdale, said: ''Homeopathy is a system of medicine which aims to help the body heal itself.

A very simple example of this is illustrated by coryza - the common cold. Usually, there is an acute onset of symptoms with streaming eyes, nose, headache, fever and sore throat.

''If you are peeling an onion what are the predominant acute onset symptoms? Streaming eyes and nose mostly. Homeopaths treat a person with the common cold with Allium cepa and symptoms usually disappear very quickly.

Allium cepa happens to be a very dilute homeopathic preparation of the red skinned onion!

Hippocrates first developed the idea of treating diseases with the principle of like with like over 2000 yeas ago in Greece.

''So, from the presenting symptoms a homeopath will match the remedy closest to that individual's illness. This is why doctors are so fussy about fine detail in a homeopathic history in order to build up an acurate picture.

Most medical conditions, acute and chronic, can be treated by homeopathy and it is suitable for all age groups even in pregnancy.'' To alleviate pain and reduce bruising homeopaths recommend 30c of arnica and 30c of hypericum.

They say it should be taken whether you are facing minor dental work, major surgery like a hysterectomy or hernia repair or if you are expecting a baby.

For major operations you will still need conventional pain killers but you may need less of them and your recovery will be enhanced.

Finding a homeopath

The House of Lords recently examined the whole area of alternative medicines and is looking at ways of protecting the public from non-qualified practitioners.

Homeopathic doctors have been trained not only as doctors but also as specialists in CAM. To find one you can trust ask about:

Qualifications Which Professional Organisation they belong to
If they have Indemnity Insurance if treatment goes wrong
Is there a leaflet or a website to examine
What the total cost is likely to be.

Links
British Homeopathic Association

Contact numbers
British Homeopathic Association on 0207 566 7800