Tips and Facts

Pneumonia, a Series of Six Indicated Medicines

2016-06-09T01:32:00.003-07:00

The pathological definition of pneumonia is the acute Inflammation of the lung parenchyma distal to the terminal bronchioles which consist of the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs and alveoli. The focus of the article is the therapeutics of pneumonia. Not all the indicated remedies are mentioned. Rather six of the most prominent remedies are presented here, as how they follow each other as the disease progress. Please be forewarned that not all the cases require all of these remedies. It could also happen that a remedy out of this series may be required. Selection of a remedy for a case should always be in the true homoeopathic way, in pneumonia or in any disease for that matter. This article also aims to understand how the remedies be correlated with the pathology of a disease condition, how they could follow each other with respect to the pathology.

I shall add a short note on the pathology of pneumonia, as is necessary for this article. Pneumonia has several classifications. The bacterial pneumonia are classified into lobar pneumonia and bronchopneumonia (lobular pneumonia). Lobar pneumonia involves a part of a lobe, the entire lobe,or even two lobes of one or both the lungs. The bronchopneumonia is the infection of the terminal bronchioles that extends into the surrounding alveoli resulting in patchy consolidation of the lung.

The pathological changes in lobar pneumonia has four stages.

Stage of Congestion: This is the early acute Inflammatory response and lasts for 1to2 days. There is dilatation and Congestion of the capillaries in the alveolar walls. Pale eosinophilic oedema fluid fill in the air spaces.
Red Hepatisation: This is the phase of early consolidation and lasts for 2to4 days. There is marked cellular exudate of red blood cells and neutrophils making the alveolar septa less prominent. The oedema fluid is replaced by fibrin. This stage is accompanied by serofibrinous pleurisy.
Grey Hepatisation: This phase of late consolidation lasts for 4to8 days. The fibrin strands are dense and more numerous. The cellular exudate is lesser and is separated from the septal walls by a thin clear space. Fibrinous pleurisy is prominent.
Resolution: This stage begins by 8th to 9th day and is completed in 1 to 3 weeks. The previously solid fibrinous constituent is liquefied by enzymatic action, eventually restoring the normal aeration in the lungs. Resolution proceeds in a progressive manner. The pleural reaction may also show resolution but may undergo organisation leading to fibrinous obliteration of pleural cavity.

The pathological changes in bronchopneumonia involves acute bronchiolitis, suppurative exudate and thickening of the alveolar septa. The less involved alveoli contain oedema fluid.

The major symptoms of pneumonia are shaking chills, fever, malaise with pleuritic chest pain, dyspnoea and cough with expectoration which may be mucoid, purulent or even bloody.

The six major remedies in pneumonia in order are Aconite, Bryonia, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Lachesis and Cannabis Indica. The homoeopathic treatment of pneumonia does not consist in giving these remedies in succession through the progress of the disease, to its termination. The prescription should be based on careful individualisation of each case, and adaptation of the remedy to its demands according to the law of similar. According to Dr. Wells“The remedy first chosen is to be continued in use so long as the case improves under its action, and no longer. So of the second, third, fourth, etc., if the case require so many. It is not often, when the process of inflammation of the lungs is once set up, that it is removed in the shortest time, with the best results, with one remedy. It is sometimes. The more common experience is, that under the action of a right remedy the case improves for a time and to a certain degree, when it ceases to progress favorably, and another remedy is required, the first not being similar to all the elements of the case.” It should be kept in mind, that the remedies indicated in the stage of Congestion will no longer be indicated when the consolidation is complete.

The remedies presented below are not complete in terms of its symptomatology. They have to be studied from the source books. Only the guidelines are given. It may be difficult to understand which stage the disease is,when the patient comes before the physician. For this purpose the history taking and examination should be thorough, as symptoms and signs are the indicators of the same.

ACONITE

The symptoms of the early stages of pneumonia correspond closely with that of Aconite. It's action is beneficial in the stage of Congestion up to a period when the deposits are just being formed. But once the Inflammatory product is deposited, this drug will no longer be of value.

The chills, fever, full hard pulse all point to Aconite. The onset of the disease is sudden and violent. The respiratory symptoms would be cough, aggravated by drinking, lying. Cough with pain in larynx, dry cough.There is shooting, tearing, burning pain in chest. The expectoration is scanty and streaked with bright red blood. There is oppression of respiration as well.

BRYONIA

Bryonia is the next remedy in the series. It is frequently required, but should be used only when it is the similimum. Bryonia becomes indicated in the stage of consolidation. It is also complicated with pleurisy. Bryonia does not help once the consolidation is complete.

The restless state of Aconite patient passes to a passive state in Bryonia. Bryonia prefers the right side.The cough becomes looser, the chest pains while coughing. There expectoration is copious mixed with blood, rusty expectoration. The patient desires perfect quiet and rest, as motion increases the troubles. The pleurisy is presented as stabbing pains in the chest, sensation of pressure in the chest, aggravated by motion and respiration too.

PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus is often blindly given in pneumonia, irrespective of the symptomatology or the depth of the case probably because it has proven to be beneficial in several cases. Phosphorus is frequently indicated in the stage when the hepatization is complete, in the later part of the deposit and earlier part of the resolution. It is also a good choice in bronchopneumonia when the symptoms correspond. When the pleural is involved, Phosphorus may not become indicated in the earlier stages but is still useful for the absorption of the Inflammatory product. But when there is bronchial involvement, Phosphorus becomes indicated at a much earlier stage. When Arsenic has been the remedy, Phosphorus follows it, in pneumonia.

The cough is painful in Phosphorus. The cough is with shooting pains to epigastrium, hypochondria or the chest itself is painful. Constriction of the chest with dry, hacking cough. The expectoration of blood or frothy mucus. Burning in the chest. Suffocation or inspiration becomes almost impossible. The patient begins to show increased weakness.

SULPHUR

Sulphur becomes indicated when the latent psora becomes active. This is shown when the patient does not show any response to the treatment and the symptoms and the disease itself continue to increase. Sulphur here is a saviour. In this case Sulphur by itself will continue to do good or in some cases another remedy may be needed to follow it. Sulphur itself need not be repeated in these cases. The golden rule of not interfering while the case is improving must be followed here. Sulphur helps in clearing up the lingering chest complaints that develop after pneumonia. These complaints could last for a considerable time and Sulphur clears it up.The other condition where Sulphur becomes imperative is in the resolution stage of pneumonia when Phosphorus has stopped working. It maybe that Sulphur becomes indicated instead of Phosphorus.Care should be taken as in any case with homoeopathy, that Sulphur be the similimum here, otherwise it will not help.

Sensation of a load in the chest. The cough has become loose with greenish expectoration, rattling in the chest, dyspnoea, heaviness in the chest are just some of the symptoms of Sulphur.

LACHESIS

Lachesis is indicated in the resolution stage of pneumonia. Another condition for the indication of Lachesis is when pneumonia occur as a complication in other diseases, eg: whooping cough. The cough comes during sleep or on waking up. There is dyspnoea, burning pain in the chest. Pressure on chest as from a weight, principally at night. Fits of Suffocation on lying down in evening or in bed at night.

CANNABIS INDICA

Cannabis Indica aids in the absorption of the cellular exudate, mainly indicated in bronchopneumonia. Some of the symptoms of Cannabis would be cough with greenish expectoration, fever with delirium, oppressed breathing. Restless sleep with delirium and loud moaning. Eructations with stitches in the left side of the chest.

Besides, the remedies listed above there are several other remedies too which may be indicated in some cases. Ant tart, Ipecac, Belladonna, Senega, Squilla are just to name a few. As with any diseases in homoeopathic practice, care should be taken to give the similimum.

Belladonna in Inflammation

2016-04-10T23:36:00.001-07:00

For most of us belladonna is synonymous with inflammation. The symptoms of belladonna correspond in similarity to a number of inflammatory states met with in under ordinary circumstances, it being a polychrest. But practising homoeopathy on pathology alone is dangerous. Any drug could be made dangerous in nature when prescribed in unsuitable cases of diseases and in large doses. Though, Hahnemann has given us precise guidelines on the manner of homoeopathic prescription, these are not followed always. We see different methods of prescribing and practising homoeopathy sectioned under new and varied principles. Some of them deviate absurdly from Hahnemann’s philosophy. It's true that progress is in requirement for medical field. But we must never forget that Hahnemann was a researcher and a keen observer who had the brilliance to propose theories ahead of the medical system of his time. His research and studies were not made on the sick alone, he made his provings on healthy men. He was also constantly improvising in his methodology. Diagnostic criteria may change with research into pathology and with latest laboratory investigations, but these provings hold true then and now. It's thus incumbent on all of us to dwelve into the source books and then come to conclusions. This blog is a humble effort on my part to forray into the books of Hahnemann and his closest and able disciples, to learn homoeopathy in the way Hahnemann proposed.

Belladonna is an extremely useful drug and it works even in the smallest doses. It has saved many a life. Hahnemann’s experience with scarlet fever where Belladonna was used as a curative and preventive remedy is a proof of it. He had a special method of preparation for its use. Belladonna has all the classical signs of inflammations like the redness, heat, swelling etc. So does other drugs, which has anti inflammatory action, with more or less of these signs and symptoms. What helps us distinguish Belladonna is its onset, the nature of its pains, the characteristic symptoms and the modalities. Belladonna has a sudden onset.
There are no premonitory symptoms. The pain and all the other complaints of Belladonna begin all of a sudden, run a regular course and subside suddenly.

Belladonna in Inflammatory fever is characterised by two states, a state of excitation and later a state of stupor. The early part of the fever is its excitation and the latter part is the time of relaxation. These two states can be understood from the symptoms. In fever the state of excitation is characterised by violent delirium, convulsions, flushed face etc. There is bodily restlessness and he changes his position in one way or the other. This is followed by an order of opposite phenomena with great stupor even going to coma, paralysis etc. Another state we find in Belladonna is that of spasms. There is a feeling of constriction of the oesophagus and the larynx. In the urinary tract, the spasm is characterised by painful retention of urine or only a very small quantity of urine is passed painfully. Later, in relaxation state, there is diuresis with other concomitant symptoms and finally involuntary discharge of urine.

The classical signs of inflammation of heat, redness, swelling, pain and loss of function are present in belladonna. The inflammations are attended with fever and the part is hot to touch. The heat is very violent. The inflamed parts that can be seen are very red. The parotid and sub maxillary glands, the throat, the mucous membranes will be red in colour. The inflamed parts usually experience a burning pain, though there are other types of pain associated with respective areas. The onset of pain is sudden and immense, remaining for a longer or shorter period of time and they subside suddenly. The modalities of pain are also important. Belladonna is very sensitive. The patient cannot tolerate any movement, not even the jar of the bed. The pains are also worse from cold. The red shining face, throbbing of carotids and the delirium are unforgettable features of a Belladonna fever, the heat is intense and violent too. With a dry mouth and dry tongue, with thirst. Belladonna is a non antipsoric. It's action do not extend into real suppurations.

Belladonna is indicated in meningitis and encephalitis. In the head symptoms we can find the two states of the drug. The first state of excitation is marked by delirium, convulsions, contracted pupils, the sensitivity to external stimuli, vertigo etc. The other state of relaxation is characterised by stupor, paralysis, dilated pupils, unconsciousness etc. There are different types of pain in head as well. The headache, vertigo and the consciousness show a difference when the deeper pathology is involved. There could be a simple headache in a Belladonna fever. In meningitis there is heaviness of head and is drawn back. Or the patient may draw the head back as it ameliorates the headache. Aggravation by bending the head forward or stooping. In Encephalitis there is deep seated pain with hammering, throbbing pain. There maybe also a sensation as if the head is enlarged, an expansive sensation. These headaches are ameliorated by sitting still or lying down and by gradually applied external pressure. Ailments come from exposure to cold air, from standing in cold air with the head uncovered. Along with the headaches, there is throbbing of carotids. But Belladonna is not indicated in cerebral abscess, as Belladonna do not go into real suppuration. Convulsions are aggravated by light, motion, draft of cold air.

Belladonna is useful in Inflammation of all the tissues of the eyes. The symptoms again vary from redness, burning pain and lachrymation in simple conjunctivitis to dimness or loss of vision, severe orbital neuralgia and protruding eyes when there is inflammation of the retina or the optic nerve. The modalities would be aggravation from motion and from light. Belladonna is useful in Inflammation of ears that do not go into suppuration.

Tonsillitis is another place where Belladonna has proven it's efficacy. With the fever and other general symptoms of tonsillitis, there is a feeling of lump in the throat. The spasms of Belladonna are exhibited in the throat and larynx. Spasmodic constriction of throat, clutching, when attempting to swallow, and swallowing of liquids is more painful. Dryness and burning pain in throat. There maybe little fine apthous patches on the reddened and swollen throat. There is the clutching again in laryngitis. There will be sudden attack of hoarseness here. Every motion or the slightest attempt to talk, the slightest effort to move the larynx or to touch it causes suffering. Belladonna is also indicated in pneumonia, where the chest is so painful especially on coughing. The cough comes at first with sensation of tickling in larynx gradually going to pleurisy with associated chest pain. Motion and pressure also aggravates the pain.

Belladonna has again inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, with oesophagitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis etc., including peritonitis. In the oesophagus, the spasms of Belladonna causes severe clutching pain making it extremely difficult to swallow. The onset, character and modalities of the pain remain same. In cystitis, Belladonna is a very useful remedy as also in the inflammatory diseases of the female genitalia. In the urinary tract, the spasm is characterised by painful retention of urine or only a very small quantity of urine is passed painfully. Later, in relaxation state, there is diuresis with other concomitant symptoms and finally involuntary discharge of urine.

Belladonna is suitable for Inflammation of the joints. The joint pains come on exposure to cold and the sensitivity of the part extends to the red, swollen and hot joints as well. Belladonna is indicated in Inflammation of glands, in erysipelas and it's utility in scarlet fever is already mentioned. The symptoms of all the organs affected are not narrated in detail. But I sure hope that I have conveyed the general idea of Belladonna in Inflammation.

How to Differentiate Rhus tox and Bryonia in Fever, Part 2

2016-03-21T04:47:00.000-07:00

There is no replacement for the disciplinary learning of medicines. But are we really in close connection with our drugs? Is it not the truth that the technology has deviated us from following the Hahnemannian methodology of prescribing? I am not against progress and development, but the system suffers from this neglect. Eventually it's the patient who becomes the scapegoat. I am on a quest to relearn the materia medica, to get to know the drugs intimately and to discern the points of similarities and differentiation between them. There are no shortcuts in learning. Dr. Hering has rightly said

“THEY WHO UNDERTAKE THE PRACTISE OF MEDICINE CHIEFLY BY THE AID OF EXTRACTS AND REPERTORIES, WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE MERE NOVICES, WILL NEVER ACCOMPLISH WHAT BELONGS TO SKILL, FOUNDED ON SCIENCE AND CARRIED OUT PRACTICALLY, WITH DILIGENCE AND CARE.”

When new into practice, it takes time to gain the trust of the people around us, to gain their confidence, to begin their history with us. I say history because, for a homoeopath, it is important to cultivate a good relation with our patients. It is a bond, that often lasts the test of time, the test of diseases, sometimes even the test of criticisms. We learn the little things and the big things about them and they understand the depth of homoeopathy and willingly give it time when needed. The treatment process have to begin somewhere. Very many patients like to make small beginnings, take baby steps, feel the waters before taking the plunge. Often, these beginnings are with a stuffy nose here, a cough there, a fast relief for a toothache or a handy remedy for a fever. The most familiar remedies are the most useful during this period. It maybe almost correct to say that the medicinal chest is surely incomplete without these two saviours, Bryonia and Rhus tox.

In a previous post on a comparison of fevers between the two drugs (read here)) , I have outlined the general similarities and differences. It doesn't give an actual picture of their indications in the specific circumstances.
In this post, I intend to give a more detailed comparison of the two drugs in several types of fever. Bryonia and Rhus tox are non anti psoric.

Though materia medica is not based on a pathological classification, comparison from a practical point of view, becomes easier when done on disease diagnosis. But it is not possible to allocate a symptom or a group of symptoms to a single diagnosis. Overlapping will occur.

INFLUENZA, BRONCHITIS, PNEUMONIA

Both bryonia and Rhus tox furnish abundance of symptoms in influenza. As well known, bryonia is slow in onset, slowly developing it's symptoms as days go by. The patient feels a little unwell, there is headache, running nose, red eyes with lachrymation. It proceeds to the throat and larynx producing hoarseness. It then settles into the chest producing bronchitis or could go on to pneumonia. The face appears puffed up. There are body pains. The cough is a dry hacking cough, with pains as if the chest would burst. In pneumonia, the right side is commonly involved. The chest pain could be due to pleuritis as well. Bryonia prefers perfect quiet and rest. Motion increase the headache, the general ache the cough and the chest pain. Warm room is intolerable but warm applications may be bearable in sinusitis. Bry wants the windows open. There is an aggravation of cough from eating,during evening and at night. The febrile state shows a 9pm aggravation, the chill or the heat, whatever the case maybe. Bryonia is indicated in damp climates. The complaints in bryonia is brought out from overheating, suppressed perspiration, taking cold etc.

The rhus tox too has its complaints from suppressed perspiration in damp climates, taking cold. The headache differs here in that the brain feels loose and the pericranium is sore to touch. In bry, it is more of a bursting or throbbing type. The headache of rhus tox is more by getting the head wet. The coryza is usually thick. Both bry and Rhus tox have epistaxis,though more marked in bry. There may be hoarseness, but it is on beginning to talk which gets better with talking. The cold proceeds to the chest producing bronchitis or pneumonia. There could be a pleuritis here as well. The cough is again dry, teasing cough aggravated at night or in the morning. The respiratory symptoms of rhus tox are not as marked as that in bryonia. The restlessness and the joint pains that accompany the fever are relieved by motion and aggravated by rest. But the continuous motion weakens the patient. While bry doesn't like warm or closed rooms, rhus tox is better in warm rooms and aggravated by cold air.

In general, both bry and Rhus tox have dry mouth with intense thirst. The thirst is for cold drinks but it brings on chills and cough in both.

TYPHOID

While talking of typhoid, there are gastro intestinal symptoms, which make these drugs indicated in other related conditions. I will be mentioning them here.

Bryonia is indicated in fevers marked by gasro intestinal localisations, in fevers marked by gastro hepatic complications. The prominent symptoms to look out for here are, the modalities. There is loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bitter eructations and bitter taste in the mouth. These complaints are aggravated after eating. The general modality of aggravation from motion applies here as well. The nauseating feeling and the vomiting comes up every time the patient moves. The abdominal pain and it's modalities are very marked in bryonia. Any movement is painful, even the movement during breathing causes such a discomfort that the patient tries to hold the breath. The bryonia patient lies perfectly quiet in bed with knees drawn up. While the general complaints of bryonia are relieved by pressure, the abdomen is sensitive to it. The pains are stitching, burning. Though the patient desires cold water, the stomach is comfortable with warm drinks. In fact, the bry comes down with a disordered stomach from becoming overheated, taking cold or drinking ice water when overheated. The patient cannot bear the heat of the room,though heat application is desired. Bryonia is indicated in acute hepatitis, especially of right lobe. The nature and modalities of pain remain the same. Bryonia is indicated for gastrititis and gastro enteritis too

Bryonia is well known for constipation. There is no urge for stool, and little hard pieces are passed after few days. Any mucous will be discharged separately. In diarrhoea, there is early morning passage with distension and colic. Any motion causes urge to stool. In fact, there may be no stools at night, if he keeps perfectly quiet in bed. Bryonia is indicated in dysentery as well.

In rhus the gastric symptoms are not so prominent as in bryonia. There is pain in the stomach and nausea after taking cold things. Rhus tox has more of fullness and heaviness with a distended abdomen. The abdominal colic has modalities similar to that of in Byronia.

The diarrhoea of rhus tox is characterised by copious, watery, bloody stools. There maybe involuntary stools at night. Rhus is indicated in inflammation of any tissues of the abdomen, peritonitis, enteritis typhillitis. Dysenteric discharge drives him out of bed at 4am.

In typhoid, the stage at which rhus tox is to be given is more advanced than bryonia. There is inflammation of glands of the abdomen. There may be haemorrhage of black blood from the bowels. But both bryonia and Rhus tox are not indicated in the severe forms of typhoid fever. Of the two, it is more often that rhus tox is indicated than bryonia.

Hahnemann’s treatment of TYPHUS using these two drugs is widely known. Some even believe that both the remedies were given together. That is not correct. The facts should be verified before coming to such conclusions. In his Lesser Writings, Hahnemann has given a detailed description on the treatment of TYPHUS. He has given the indications for bryonia, and at what stage rhus tox is to be given. Reproducing the lecture in verbatim would make this post lengthy.

Rhus tox has fever blisters, the lips are dry, parched and bleeding. The corners of the mouth ulcerate. The whole mouth is raw and bleeding including the tongue. There is a putrid and metallic taste. The tongue is thickly coated in bryonia. The skin of rhus tox is at first dry and reddened. Then measles like eruption appears on the skin.

EXANTHEMA

Rhus tox is indicated in scarlet fever. The fauces and the uvula are red and swollen with vesicles on them. Coarse eruptions. Rhus is also indicated when the rash has been suppressed with inflammation of glands and much sore throat.

Bryonia is indicated when the sensorium is involved due to suppression of eruptive fever. It does not produce a picture of real meningitis. Apart from the fever, headache, vomiting the symptom to look out for in bry is the continued lateral motion of the lower jaw.

These are some of the major indications of bryonia and rhus tox in fevers. Bryonia and rhus tox in rheumatism is accompanied by fever and swollen joints. The pains in bryonia are relieved by rest while rhus tox has pain during rest and prefers to keep it in motion. Bryonia is also indicated in postpartum breast engorgement. Rhus tox is effective in cellulitis and inflammation of glands.

No Fleeing away from Psora

2015-11-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

There is no fleeing away from psora, once infected. The great observer that Dr. Hahnemann was, would not be contended with his treatment methodology after he started observing the diseases recurring, inspite of following his principles discovered till then. It was always the complete restoration of the sick to health, his aim, as told in the Organon; he practised what he preached.Further observations and experimentations eventually lead to the discovery of miasms. It is worthwhile to remember that it was an eventful painstaking research for 12 years before he made it known to the world of this turning point in the homoeopathic treatment methodology. The reasons behind the discovery of miasms, the nature and the cure are all treated in detail in The Chronic Diseases and Organon of Medicine. Then why are miasms misinterpreted to suit the needs of some theories?

Miasms are a mighty force to reckon with. Just a reminder that, I am talking about the three chronic miasms, namely psora, sycosis and syphilis, which are the cause of all chronic diseases. In Organon of Medicine, in aphorism 5, Hahnemann says, “.....as also the significant points in the whole history of the chronic disease, to enable him to discover its fundamental cause, which is generally due to a chronic miasm......” Sycosis and syphilis are the venereal miasms. It is the psora, the non venereal miasm, the cause of “all the thousands of incredibly various (acute and) chronic (non-venereal) diseases” as said in The Chronic Diseases.

Psora eruptions are easily infected. The expressions of psora has undergone a dramatic change, from the features of leprosy in the age of Moses to the invisible itch of modern days. The itch is easily infective, the itch can be easily suppressed and the itch is often forgotten. Though the psora was dreadful during the leprosy as in the modern day of itch, but the general prevalence of the itch is a dangerous tendency. Once infected, there are first internal transformation taking place, before the skin manifestation are made visible. The reactions are something similar to eruptive fevers.

Like I said there is no fleeing away from psora. Once infected, not even the most robust constitution, not even the most balanced and a completely healthy lifestyle will protect a man from the onslaught of psora. Dr. Hahnemann stresses on this point again and again, you will never forget it, that's how important it is. A healthy mode of living may delay the progress of psora. Man is bound to make mistakes. He falters or his circumstances provide a fertile ground for the psora to take a control. It is the miasms which provides the nourishment for the parasitical existence of disease.

Let me quote from the bible of miasms, The Chronic Diseases, the words of the man behind this vision: "All chronic diseases of mankind, even those left to themselves, not aggravated by a perverted treatment, show, as said, such a constancy and perseverance, that as soon as they have developed and have not been thoroughly healed by the medical art, they evermore increase with the years, and during the whole of man’s lifetime; and they cannot be diminished by the strength belonging even to the most robust constitution. Still less can they be overcome and extinguished. Thus they never pass away of themselves, but increase and are aggravated even till death. They must therefore all have for their origin and foundation constant chronic miasms, whereby their parasitical existence in the human organism is enabled to continually rise and grow.”

If you feel that if you left a minor psoric eruption alone, there is probably no risk of its suppression or it taking a deeper route. That’s a false feeling of security; the eruption could disappear on its own. We may feel safe in the popular belief that homoeopathy has no side effects. Sadly, the miasms do not pay heed to this blunder either. Any false treatment, be it any system of medicine is a huge gamble on the life of the patient. A strong vitality may recover, but it is not in the best interests to rely heavily on the vitality alone.

The chronic diseases of psoric origin when not treated in the right way, are aggravated from year to year. They could also pass into more serious symptoms. Hahnemann gives the examples of pthisis passing into insanity, pains in the limbs to hemorrhages, affections of abdomen into pains in the joints or paralysis etc.

To those who have tried to understand the miasms , and have made an attempt to capture the essence of psora, will be intimidated by its very nature; he will be on the lookout for the safest path to the restoration of the health rapidly and gently in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way. Luckily for us Hahnemann has compiled a list of antipsorics, for the cure of psora. Do not be deceived that a single dose of a single antipsoric will restore the health in all. Homoeopathic treatment is an art in itself where sulphur, hepar sulph, nux vom, the antipsorics, the non antipsorics all plays their part as and when needed. Of course, there is no scope for multiple drugs and multiple doses in a single prescription. So let’s play safe and bring to leash this mighty giant of a psora.

Let me conclude with aphorism 78, where Hahnemann says, “The true natural chronic diseases are those that arise from a chronic miasm, which when left to themselves, and unchecked by the employment of those remedies that are specific for them, always go on increasing and growing worse, notwithstanding the best mental and corporeal regimen, and torment the patient to the end of his life with ever aggravated sufferings. These are the most numerous and greatest scourges of the human race; for the most robust Constitution, the best regulated mode of living and the most vigorous energy of the vital force are insufficient for their eradication.

HomoeoProphylaxis Part 2

2015-06-12T05:01:00.001-07:00

When the world is making great strides in promoting hygiene, Hahnemann clearly evaluated the principles of hygiene and isolation of the sick during an epidemic. The isolation of the sick from the rest of the population limits the spread of disease. Is it not amazing to note that Hahnemann has given detailed instructions on how to set up an isolation (ward) for the infected people? Sterile masks and gowns were unknown then, Hahnemann has proposed the use of an oil cloth cloak covering till foot while visiting the sick and change of the same while going out. Disinfecting, airing of the rooms, sterilizing the rooms where the sick had lived; importance of fresh air; clean and nourishing food; even the minutest detail had been thought of by the master. We have had a previous post on Homoeoprophylaxis which can be read here and a discussion on facebook which can be read here.

Continuing from the previous post on Homoeoprophylaxis, where I have described the method Hahnemann adopted in scarlet fever with the use of Belladonna as a prophylactic against scarlet fever. There is a specific way of preparing prophylactic medicines.
In preparing Belladonna as prophylactic against scarlet fever, he used fresh leaves of Bell before the flowers are bloomed. This is then bruised in a mortar and the juice is then pressed through a linen. This extract is then air dried thoroughly after which the powder is stored. The preparation of the prophylactic remedy begins from this powder. A grain of this powder is dissolved in 100 drops of distilled water by rubbing it in a small mortar. A strong solution of Bell is prepared from this solution after adding 300 drops of diluted alcohol (after rinsing the mortar with it). Shake it. Now, the diluted alcohol is composed of five parts of water to one part of spirit. After this a medium solution of Bell is prepared by taking a drop from the strong solution and mixing it with 300 drops of diluted alcohol;this is to be shaken for a minute. The next step is the preparation of a weak solution of Bell. A drop from the medium solution is taken and mixed with 200 drops of alcohol, shaken for a minute forms the prophylactic remedy.

Hahnemann has also described a specific mode of administration of this drug as a prophylactic. He has stressed on the dosage and repetition of the medicine. Two drops are given to a one year old child. A Child younger than this gets single drop. Three drops are given to a two year old child. Four drops to a three year old child. A four year old child could be given five to six drops according to his constitution. A five year old child receives six to seven drops. A six year old gets seven to eight drops ; a seven year old receives nine to ten drops; an eight year old gets eleven to thirteen drops; a nine year old from fourteen to sixteen drops; and with successive year up to the twentieth two drops more, not above forty drops. The dose must be given after stirring for a minute with any kind of drink. It is given every seventy two hours as long as the epidemic lasts and four to five weeks thereafter. If the epidemic is very violent and the children could bear it, the second dose should be taken twenty four hours after the first, the third dose thirty six hours after the second, the fourth forty eight hours after the third, and thereafter to let the subsequent dose be taken every seventy two hours until the end.

Homoeoprophylaxis is incomplete without discussion on the mode of treatment of the patient in an epidemic. There is no question of constitutional prescribing in prophylaxis. Genus epidemicus and anti psorics form the basis of treatment of epidemics. The genus epidemicus are selected from the the non anti psoric group of medicines. If the disease is not too severe, olfaction of a globule moistened with the medicine is the preferable mode of administration.

If the patient is already under the treatment for a chronic diseases, the antipsoric medicine must be stopped during an epidemic. A considerable duration of time might be lost in the treatment of a chronic disease thereby. At the end of the epidemic,to continue the treatment of chronic disease, the case should be re taken and continued. The picture of the sufferings are usually altered after recovery from an epidemic. Even the part of the body suffering could be different. The anti psoric, now homoeopathic to the case must be selected and administered.

Intermittent fevers by themselves require an elaborate discussion. In epidemic intermittent fevers, psora is always involved. If the patient is not under anti psoric treatmment before the onset of the epidemic fever, a dose of Sulphur or Hepar Sulph at the beginning of treatment helps in the recovery of the patient.. This can be given internally or through olfaction. After the improvement from this ceases in few days, then one or two doses of non anti psoric medicine selected as the genus epidemicus should be given . The medicines are to be given at the end of an attack. China should never be used in epidemic intermittent fevers as it will only suppress the type. China should be used only in endemic intermittent fever, that too only in connection with anti psoric medicines.

The intermittent fevers may appear in a changed form each year. The medicines also differ, with their changed forms. To Quote Hahnemann from Chronic Diseases where he talks about epidemic intermittent fevers and their treatment, " One year they require Arsenic, another Belladonna, another Antimonium Crudum, or Spigelia, Aconite, with Ipecac, alternating with Nux Vom, Sal Ammoniacum, Natrum Muriaticum, Opium, Cina, alone or in alternation with Capsicum, or Capsicum alone, Menyanthes Trifoliata, Calcarea Carb, Pulsatilla, one of the two Carbos, Arnica alone or in alternation with Ipecac, and with these they were cured in a few days." If anti psoric medicines are homoeopathic to the cases they too could be given.

In severe cases of fever, where there was no anti psoric treatment taking place before the epidemic, even after treatment with the genus epidemicus, there will always be left after pains or secondary diseases will be found left. Such diseases have the tendency to become chronic.This was observed in the chickungunya outbreak in Kerala in 2007 , in patients who had the severe attack of the fever were left crippled. Most of them were mismanaged with antibiotics is another story. Chickungunya, a self limiting, non fatal diseases took several lives in this outbreak. "With all patients in intermittent fever, psora is essentially involved in every epidemy", is what Hahnemann says in Chronic diseases. The patient will have to be treated with anti psorics as per the principles proposed by Hahnemann for the cure of psora.

The sequelae to diseases like measles, whooping cough etc. are again due to the explosion of psora. The sequelae can be prevented with the correct homoeopathic treatment of the epidemic disease itself. The sequelae can become chronic, if not treated properly with antipsorics. Sometimes there develops eruptions after the termination of the epidemic. This is again secondary psora and comes out due to the psora remaining behind after the repression from the skin of the original eruption. These require no treatment and terminates on its own. The epidemic fevers which do not pass into good health require a dose of Sulphur, if the patient has not used sulphur containing medicine shortly before is what Hahnemann says.

I do not claim that prophylaxis is complete with this post. Hahnemann, the great master has detailed even the finest points for the management of epidemics. I have tried to highlight a few of them. What are your experiences with prophylaxis? Do share them and let us learn from one another...

HomoeoProphylaxis

2015-04-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

Aren't we all approached by patients for prophylactic medicines against common epidemics? A prophylaxis is a treatment given or action taken to prevent diseases. While speaking of prophylaxis, it is the practice of vaccination that is immediately recalled. Prophylaxis was practiced by medical men from long time. It was after Edward Jenner started inoculation with cow pox for protection against small pox, that the procedure started being called vaccination. Edward Jenner observed this effect in nature, that a person infected with milder cowpox was afforded protection against the more virulent small pox. But then we cannot depend on nature alone for prophylaxis; for nature has its own happy go lucky operations.

The aim of prophylaxis is to offer protection against infectious diseases. Today, more and more people are turning to homoeopathy for prophylactic medications. They are disillusioned with the modern vaccination regime. Are we doing homoeoprophylaxis in the right way? Hahnemann has left no gaps in applying the principles of homoeopathy to every possible ailments of mankind. The organon of Medicine, sixth edition has given a complete set of guidelines to treating and preventing epidemic diseases. Examples of application of his methodology can be found in his Lesser Writings. In chronic diseases too, he makes a mention of how anti psoric treatment be altered when the patient is affected with epidemics. His ardent followers too made use of his wise philosophy.

EPIDEMIC DISEASES

Epidemic diseases attack several persons at the same time. They have the same cause; as such they present similar signs and symptoms. The epidemics may attack a person once in a lifetime, giving the person life long immunity against that disease. Or there are certain epidemics which recur frequently in the same manner.

CASE TAKING

In case taking of an epidemic disease, it should be kept in mind to view it as a new disease. The detailed case taking is essential for each break-out of the disease as the picture of the disease might be changed when they appear at different times. Hahnemann stresses on a detailed case taking of cases and not to be prejudiced by the symptom picture of a previous break out. The physician is to examine several cases, in people of different constitutions, so that the picture of the disease is clear and a suitable remedy be selected for it. The picture definitely gets clearer when the physician examines more cases. The remedy should be capable of repelling the infectious agent and eliminating the signs and symptoms as well. "...A remedy that is capable of quickly checking a disease at its onset, must be its preventive." When several patients are examined, the significant symptoms can be discerned. Hahnemann says in his Lesser Writings, that the prophylactic remedy was capable of removing the disease when the first signs of it appears. Moreover, it was effective in the treatment of after sufferings as well. The following are the details, Hahnemann wrote for the prevenion of scarlet fever in the "Cure and Prevention of Scarlet- fever" in 1801.

ADMINISTRATION

1. Prophylactic: In his Lesser writings, Hahnemann gives a detailed description of how he administered Belladonna during the outbreak of scarlet fever. He repeated Belladonna every seventy two hours (as the action of the drug does not last for more than 3 days) as a prophylactic. The dose is given as long as the epidemic lasts and four to five weeks thereafter. If the epidemic is violent, it would be advisable to give the second dose twenty four hours after the first, the third dose thirty six hours after the second, the fourth dose forty eight hours after the third. Thereafter, the doses may be taken every seventy two hours.

2. During the Disease : During the earlier stage of the disease, the same medicine could be given. There is usually a prodromal stage for epidemics during which the infected persons develop slight discomforts, malaise etc. Hahnemann particularly say, " I found also that the same remedy given at the period when the symptoms indicative of the invasion of the disease occurs, stifles the fever in its very birth...". The duration of the disease and the consequences could be diminished if treatment be given at this stage. But if the disease has progressed to an advanced stage the remedy will need to be altered.

3. After Sufferings : In scarlet fever, Hahnemann mentions that Belladonna was sufficient to remove the after sufferings of the disease. However, if the original disease was violent and proper treatment was not given, another remedy may be needed.

NOTES

Boenninghausen mentions in his Lesser Writings that he used Thuja in 200th potency both as curative and prophylactic for small pox with favourable results.

In "Cure and Prevention of Cholera" Hahnemann says not to use the preventive until the cholera is in the locality itself or in the neighbourhood.

The use of the prophylactic remedy does not disturb the health of children or a healthy person.

In "Chronic Diseases", Hahnemann says that where epidemic diseases arise in a chronic case undergoing antipsoric treatment, the antipsoric treatment will have to be discontinued for the time being and other remedies may be used.

Hahnemann, again in Chronic Diseases mentions that the epidemics if they do not terminate quickly and pass into good health, would require an antipsoric medicine, most likely to be sulphur if the patient has not used medicines containing sulphur just before.

GENERAL MEASURES

Those suffering from the disease should be isolated. Every possible measures should be taken to contain the germs from spreading. Hygiene should be maintained. Those not yet sick could keep to their usual food, drinks and exercise. Care must be taken to avoid excess in these. The attending physician too should be careful, lest he himself gets infected or become the source of spreading the contagion.

THE USE OF NOSODES

In Kent's Lectures, under Tuberculinum, he mentions in the introduction that it would be isopathy to use syphillinum for the cure of syphillis, medorrhinum to treat anything related to gonorrhoea. Again in the same chapter Kent mentions "If tuberculinum bovinum be given in 10M, 50M, and CM potencies, two doses of each potency at long intervals, all children and young people who have inherited tuberculosis may be immuned from their inheritance and their resiliency be restored." But do note that while speaking of tuberculinum in inheritance of pthisis, he does mention "where symptoms agree in addition to that inheritance." Hahnemann has warned in chronic diseases that the nosodes (psorin) be proved enough to recommend it as a safe homoeopathic medicine. It so happens that not all the nosodes have been proved like the other drugs.

The use of nosodes as a prophylactic is an emerging trend. The use of diphtherinum for diphtheria, pertussinum for pertussis etc. Hahnemann has clearly stated that each epidemic disease be treated as a new one and the prophylaxis should be selected accordingly. Thus how can this blanket use of a drug for a diagnosis be justified? There is even a trend of using these nosodes as a prophylactic for childhood epidemic diseases. But when Hahnemann has stated that the prophylactic drug be given when the disease is atleast in the locality or neighbourhood, how can you explain the reason behind this? If you are one to say that why my child be the first case of an epidemic disease, I am at a loss to explain. I, myself need a clarity in the matter.

The 50Millesimal Scale of Potentization as Described in Sixth Edition of Organon of Medicine

2015-04-09T11:36:00.001-07:00

This post is an attempt to give a brief introduction of 50 millesimal scale of dynamization as portrayed in the sixth edition of Organon of Medicine, written by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. This scale introduced in the sixth edition is called as the perfected method of dynamization by Hahnemann. The name 50 millesimal potencies for this latest and perfected method of potentization of Hahnemann was given by Dr.Pierre Schmidt.

The Organon of Medicine is the reference book for LM potency. Till the sixth edition, the centesimal scale was used often. There were some difficulties while using the medicines in centesimal scale. I know most of us face similar problems. What would they be? It is every sincere physician's wish to provide the gentlest and the swiftest cure to the patient.
It is not advisable to repeat a homoeopathic medicine as long as the action of the given dose lasts. Some medicines may act for several days. Our hands are tied up till we wait for the drug to exhaust its action. How often do you wish to repeat a drug just to releive the patient? This problem is solved with 50millesimal potency; we are now free to repeat the medicine hourly, daily etc. as and when the situation demands. Thus the duration of curative action of the remedy is cut short and the patient is on the path to quickest recovery provided the drug is the similimum to the case. There is a prerequisite for this repetition, "The degree of every dose deviate somewhat from the preceding and following".

How often do you repeat the medicines with this scale? In aphorism 248, Hahnemann gives clear instructions as how this is to be done. In very urgent cases, the medicines could be repeated every hour or oftener. In acute diseases it could be repeated every two to six hours. In chronic diseases a teaspoonful or several could be given daily or every second day.In the footnote to the same aphorism, Hahnemann mentions how the medicine could be administered to suit the highly sensitive patients.A solution of the medicine be made with 7 to 8 tablespoonfuls of water in a glass and stirred. A dose is to be given to the patient. A teaspoonful of this solution mixed with a second glass of water and a dose is then administered to the patient. Likewise, a third or fourth glass could be similarly prepared and used if necessary. In footnote 155 Hahnemann ,after describing the method dynamization in this scale, the practice of repetition of medicines in acute diseases is advocated. In the chronic diseases it is best to begin with the lowest potency and then advance to the higher degrees when necessary. The method of dynamization is described in aphorisms 270 and 271, along with their footnotes.

Homoeopathic aggravations according to the right protocol though a welcome sign of action of the similimum, are often feared by the physician and the patient. It is not always possible to administer the exact potency, to minimize those aggravations. A patient suffering from pain or a skin disease could find it difficult to bear. The cases of a terminally ill or fatal cases are altogether a different matter. The homoeopathic aggravation finds a relief in LM potency. Does it mean there is no aggravations when you use the LM scale?It is that the aggravations are different here. In aphorism 248, Hahnemann mentions that with daily repetition of medicines in chronic cases, there appears homoeopathic aggravation towards the end of treatment. This is the medicinal disease, similar to the original disease. The doses of the medicines are to be lowered or even stopped for several days. These symptoms would soon subside and restore health. There is now another scenario which needs to be given attention. If with continued administration of higher potencies causes an altered set of symptoms, then a similimum for the new set of symptoms should be selected and administered in increasing doses. In aphorism 249, it is stated that if the given medicine develops new set of symptoms,not contributing to the improvement of the patient, the medicine should be antidoted. Yes, antidotes are necessary when the remedy selection was wrong.

Administration of 50 millesimal potency in increasing dose is a matter of great importance. Hahnemann gives several instructions in aphorisms 245, 248 and its footnote. This was confusing to me. Even after studying the notes, I find there are shortcomings in my understanding. The 50millesimal potencies could be repeated frequently, in a manner of changing the dose each time. This is done to prevent unwanted reactions of the vital force towards unmodified and rapidly repeated doses. In footnote to aphorism 245, Hahnemann says, The similimum could be given daily and for months in a chronic disease.After the lower degree of potency has been used for one or two weeks, advance is made to the higher degrees. The aphorism248 and its footnote gives an account of administration of the remedy. In the footnote he says, The globule of the potency is crushed in sugar of milk and dissolved in water. The medicinal solution could be prepared with 40, 30, 20, 15 or 8 tablespoonful of water. The difficulty of making a large medicinal solution can be removed by making a solution in only 7 to 8 tablespoonful of water. This is then succused and from it a teaspoonful of this solution is put in a glass with 7 to 8 spoonfuls,stirred thoroughly and a teaspoon or several can be given to the patient. In the aphorism 248, he says further that in chronic cases when the solution is used up in seven to fifteen days, to the next solution several pellets of a higher potency is to be added and used. The medicinal solution to be prepared for olfaction is again mentoned in aphorism 248.

This post is yet incomplete and needs further clarifications. It shall be updated thereafter...

Nash's Trios of Flatulence: Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-03-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Books Referred : Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics, Nash
Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica, Farrington
A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Clarke
Allen's Keynotes

Nash's trios of flatulence are Carbo Veg, Lycopodium and Cinchona, well known to every student of homoeopathy. Nash is definitely a master when it comes to grouping of medicines, making our life easier. Carbo Veg has flatulence in the upper abdomen, Lycopodium in the lower abdomen and Cinchona in the entire abdomen. There is a lot more in the symptomatology of these drugs which would help us in selecting the similimum wisely.

CINCHONA

This is the drug which prompted Hahnemann to make his own study and discover the wonderful system of homoeopathy. China has dyspepsia occuring especially after loss of fluids. It is an excellent remedy in the gastric troubles of children who are continually asking for dainties but who reject substantial kinds of food, very much like the present day children. Cinchona is yet again one of the best remedies for diarrhea occuring in hot weather after eating fruits. China is also helpful in flatulence as the result of drinking tea to excess and beer.

Cinchona does have loss of appetite, but canine hunger is more marked. Dr. Guernsey expresses the flatulence of Cinchona as an uncomfortable distension of the abdomen, with a wish to belch up or a sensation as if the abdomen were packed full, not in the least relieved by erructation. The digestion is so weak that the stomach cannot tolerate any food at all. Though they feel so full and find it difficult to breathe, they still feel hungry at meal times. They have thirst for cold water, drinks little and often.

In children when Cinchona is indicated due to indigestion from over eating dainties, the child wakes up cross and irritable. They have a bad taste in the mouth.

Cinchona has a tendency to diarrhea especially after eating fruit. The stools are watery, yellow, undigested. Painless diarrhea is yet another feature of China. This type of diarrhea is also found in children.

It is very important to remember the periodicity of China. Nash says the complaints come on alternate days. Colic from gall stones is said to come at a certain hour each day. The colic is worse at night, after eating and relieved by bending double.

CARBO VEG

Carbo Veg is a drug indicated in those who have not fully recovered from the effects of some previous diseases. Carbo veg is much useful for the bad effects of excessive indulgence in liquors. Carbo Veg is unable to take in any fat food whether it be meat, gravy or fried food. Milk likewise cause great flatulence.

The pain due to flatulence is made worse on lying down. Nash says this symptom may occur in different affections ranging from a simple dyspepsia to incurable cancer of the stomach. Carbo veg is much useful in distension of abdomen in typhoid, dysentery etc. Carbo Veg is a remedy of value in hemorrhage from any broken down condition of mucous membrane. Burning pains are found in this drug. Acidity is frequent. Headache too often accompanies the gastric complaints, particularly in the morning on waking from sleep. Headache is made worse in a warm room. Vertigo too could be found along with this.

The abdomen is distended with flatus.There is colic due to accumulation of flatus in the abdomen. During pain, the patient desires to be fanned hard. The pain is more in a warm room. The belching and the flatus are offensive. The belching produces a rancid taste in the mouth. The belching relieves the complaints of Carbo Veg. Carbo Veg has cured ulcerations of the stomach.

As for the bowels, Carbo Veg suffers from constipation with haemorrhoids. The liver is involved in Carbo Veg and it gets enlarged. The portal system gets engorged, developing haemorrhoids. At other times, there is morning diarrhea with watery stool but with a great deal of straining. Carbo Veg is also indicated in dysentry with offensive stool. Burning follows the evacuation of bowels. With diarrhoea the prostration will indicate Carbo Veg. There is the typical appearance of Carbo Veg especially in children with coldness, pallor and cold sweat. Collapse with coldness is yet another indication of Carbo Veg.

LYCOPODIUM

With Lyco, the flatulent condition is very apt to occur in connection with chronic liver troubles especially in children and old people.

The canine hunger of Lyco is well known. The head aches if he does not eat. The eructations, heart burn, water brash, vomiting etc. tastes sour.

In Lyco there seems to be an almost constant fermentation of gas going on in the abdomen. It produces a loud croaking and rumbling in the abdomen. The constant flatulence produces a sense of satiety. Thus, while eating a few mouthfuls fills him up and he feels bloated.

Lyco is a right sided remedy and the pains go from right to left. The flatulence is more in the lower abdomen. The evening aggravation from 4pm to 8pm, needs a mention here. Lyco cannot tolerate pressure of clothing about the waist after a meal.

The region of the liver is very sensitive to touch. A feeling of tension in this site is usually found in Lyco in Chronic Hepatitis when abscess has formed. The diaphragm too could be involved here.

The bowels are usually constipated with ineffectual urging. This is mostly due to contracture of sphincter ani. Piles are bound to develop. However the fermentation in intestine could be followed by the discharge of flatus and even by diarrhea.

Though the three drugs have flatulence, the indications are varied. A careful study of the particulars in connection with the general study of the drug is recommended for better understanding and better prescribing. A common feature in these drugs besides the flatulence is the weakened or the run down look of the patient in one way or the other. Do not limit these drugs to simple indigestion alone. Chronic and deep seated conditions too might yield under the drugs where symptoms correspond.

Nutrition Nightmares- Part 2

2015-03-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

A child was brought into my clinic by a loving father and a doting grand father. The 2 year old kid has a cold and a cough, seasonal, I would say. The dad says the daughter has a cold and a loss of appetite. How do you prescribe for a running nose, an everyday dilemma of a homeopath. I need more details. Anything else, "No, just the cold and she is not eating anything." We have been warned by our teachers not to ask leading questions to our patients. I am at a loss. We engage in a Q&A session, still yielding only an affirmative for cough and a no for fever. The father doesn't know other details or has failed to notice the changes in her routine, that would have been really helpful to me. He is back to the loss of appetite now. Here is what I have to say. You have a cold, the body identifies that something is out of sorts with your body. Who would want to stuff on an elaborate meal? At least this little girl is active and playing about. A cranky child would be a lot in the parents hands. No matter how serious or how superfluous the disease is, there is this obsession about "Not eating anything". The body has its turn offs and its absolutely normal to not want to eat much, when you are sick. The care should be on providing the required nutrients for the body to recover in the shortest possible time, without much damage.

No, the child is not given nutritious food when sick, they are given bread, buns and biscuits to eat. It has become a kind of tradition to give these "easily digestible foods", which is what everybody thinks. It is true these are soft and easily chew-able. However, it is widely unknown what and how much "chemicals" went into those to make them palatable. Home baked foods would be an altogether different matter. A simple rice gruel is preferable than these ready made foods. A side of cooked vegetables is highly desirable. Wholesome food, not taxing the health of patient and aiding in his speedy recovery is the ideal choice. Lack of appetite, then eat smaller but frequent meals throughout the day. A sore mouth might cause further trouble, liquid foods are the safest option. Go light on the masalas, avoid frying of course.

Then there is the habit of distracting a child with a candy to soothe him when cranky. A candy becomes several in number within no time. The habit is not good for the child health wise. It is unhealthy, emotionally too. A cranky child needs your care and attention, a candy cannot replace that solid fact. In this review on RIE parenting I would like to further stress on the importance of acknowledging your child's feelings and helping them rather than distracting them.

Another scenario would look something like this, I tell the parent to limit the child's intake of chips and chocolates, the parent would repeat the same to the child. I find this exceedingly funny. Who buys the kid those chocolates and chips? Unless the kid is involved in child labour, he wouldn't have money with him. In older children there is the question of pocket money. Then is the time for the parents and me to intervene and educate the child on healthy eating. Spending wisely, is yet another topic of discussion between the child and the parent.

This would be epitome of nutrition nightmare, feeding a chubby 5 month old infant egg yolk, to fatten him up. That too, in this era where mothers are advised to exclusively breastfeed their baby till 6 months of age! The near family, neighbours and well wishers proclaim that the baby is not fat enough and the mothers resort to desperate measures to fatten up their babies. I have encountered several nutrition myths and unhealthy habits, a few of which are listed in Nutrition Nightmares.

Might it be advised, fit not fat is the secret to good health.

Image Credit:photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39096030@N00/2912194967">Colorful Confection Craters</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>

A Comprehensive Guide to Select a Remedy for Suppuration : Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-03-11T01:04:00.001-07:00

Books Referred: Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica, Farrington
Kent's Materia Medica
Nash's Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics

For any given diagnosis or for any given set of symptoms, there are several drugs in our materia medica to choose from. Suppurations are one difficult case for me to treat. A wrong move could easily spoil the case, further it could lead them to a surgeon's knife. Farrington, in his Clinical Materia Medica gives a list of drugs for inflammations that has gone into suppurations, whether the disease be a boil, a tonsillitis or any other form of inflammation. They are Belladonna, Hepar, Mercurius, Lachesis, Silicea and Sulphur.

Belladonna is at the head of the list. Belladonna is the preferred remedy in the beginning of inflammation as in tonsillitis. A point of importance in Bell is the sudden and violent onset.There is intense heat and burning in the parts involved. The person cannot tolerate any jar, he will not even let the bed to be moved. The throat is bright red and swollen, difficulty in swallowing fluids and sharp pains. The pains come suddenly, they remain longer or shorter and goes suddenly. The fever too is never continuous. There is often a thirst in Bell fever, sometimes in large quantities other times constantly to wet the dry mouth. In fever the Bell has hot head with cold extremities. We may think of Bell in an abscess, when pus develops with lightning like rapidity.

Farrington says, you should think of Hepar, when the sharp sticking pains and chills indicate the beginning of suppuration. It may prevent suppuration when given in the incipiency of the process. Hepar has great sensitiveness, in that it cannot bear any touch, not even that of cold air, on the part affected. Hepar is extremely chilly. Wants to cover himself up, likes the room very warm etc. The pains in Hepar are often described as sticking and jagging like sharp sticks. Nash says, "Hepar comes in when pus is about to form or already formed. If given very high in the first case, and not repeated too soon or often, we may prevent suppuration and check the whole inflammatory process. But if pus is already formed, it will hasten the pointing and discharge and help along the healing of the ulcer afterwards. I am not at all sure, as is generally taught that it is necessary to give it low to hasten suppuration." But Farrington advises to give Hepar in low potency to hasten suppuration where necessary.

The next remedy in this series is Mercurius. Mercurius is suited to a still more advanced state when pus has formed and you wish it evacuated. If you give it too soon you will spoil the case. Induration is a general feature running in the drug, the inflamed parts indurate. The inflamed parts form pus rapidly is a characteristic feature of Merc. The inflamed parts burn and sting. The parts are sensitive to heat and cold, they cannot especially tolerate the warmth of the bed. The discharges of pus are yellow green. The discharges are offensive. There is continuous fever, the patient is chilly and sweat a lot, the odour of which is offensive. Another feature of Merc is repeated swelling and abscess formation without any heat. The abscess has slow and prolonged pus formation, there is no irritability in the abscess and no tendency to formation of granulation tissue and keeps on discharging. Merc will favour granulation in that case.

When the pus continues to discharge and the wound refuses to heal, Silicea follows Hepar. Silicea comes in for healing after the discharge has taken place. In Silicea the complaints develop slowly. In Silicea there is tendency for the suppuration to become chronic. The Silicea person is very chilly. The constitution of Silicea needs to be kept in mind while prescribing. The Silicea patient is weakly with fine skin, pale face and lax muscles. He is faint hearted and yielding. Wherever the suppuration is, the improvement in the local affection generally follows the general constitutional treatment. Silicea has the tendency to throw out abscesses in old cicatrices. Following the treatment of abscesses or boils, if there is induration left behind, Silicea will cause to be absorbed. In some cases, the benefit of Silicea will cease. Then a dose or two of Sulphur will excite reaction and Silicea can effect a cure.

Lachesis is indicated when the pus degenerates and becomes of a dark, thin, offensive character, with the sensitiveness to touch of that drug. In the complaints of Lachesis, there is tendency for the left side to be affected first. The parts take on a purple, mottled appearance. The discharge are also dark and offensive. Aggravations come after sleep or the patient goes into aggravation during sleep. When applying warm water to places that are inflamed, his mental symptoms are aggravated. Lachesis also have oversensitiveness to touch on the affected part.

The list of remedies for inflammations and suppurations are not limited to the above. Calcarea sulph is yet another remedy very useful in suppurations. An abscess that is slow to heal with a continuous discharge of yellow pus is a strong indication of this drug. There are much more drugs in materia medica for the same and as always it is always wise to choose the similimum for the patient and not the disease. In homoeopathy, it is always the similimum, that brings about a complete cure, in a rapid, gentle manner.

How to Differentiate Rhus Tox and Bryonia in Fever : Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-03-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Books Referred: Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica, Farrington
A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Clarke
Lectures on Materia Medica, Kent
Homoeopathic Treatment of Influenzas, D. M. Borland

While still a student, any cases of fever with body pains would always bring a picture of Rhus Tox or Bryonia to my mind. It was not until later, I realized that there are much more drugs with body pains along with fever. It takes a lot of reading to retain the finer points of drug differentiation. Bryonia and Rhus Tox are complementary remedies. This week in Learn A Drug Challenge, is a humble attempt to highlight the similarities and the differences between the two in fever.

A/F
The complaints of Bryonia comes from exposure to cold air. The influenza, pneumonia, pleurisy, rheumatism etc. all could be caused after exposure to cold air. Bryonia is also indicted for complaints that come when warm weather sets in, taking cold or getting hot in summer. In Rhus Tox, it is usually the dampness that brings on the complaints. Lying on damp ground, too much summer bathing in river or lake, exposure to damp cold weather etc.

Onset
Both Bryonia and Rhus tox have a slow onset. The progression is also slow, a lingering type. The patients feels dull and heavy with a desire to lie down and the fever develops. The complaints then increase gradually. In Rhus Tox too there is a gradual onset and slowly progressing fever accompanied by very violent generalized aching.

The Comparison

Bryonia and Rhus Tox have generalized body pains. Bryonia finds that motion aggravates the pains so he likes to lie perfectly still. Rhus tox has relief from moving about. It is true that the Bryonia patient may move about while in pain, but

the motion further aggravates the pain. Bryonia has relief from pressure or lying on the painful side. Rhus Tox is restless, moving about. In Bryonia the complaints are felt more in the morning.
The Rhus Tox patient is of a mild temperament. The Bryonia patient is irritable. He does not like to be disturbed or questioned. There is a sort of capriciousness in Bry.
Rhus Tox is chilly, and very sensitive to cold air. It would start a bout of sneezing or aches and pains. Bryonia desires cold air. They feel hot and are uncomfortable in a hot and stuffy atmosphere. The stomach symptoms of Bryonia are however relieved by warm drinks.
There is dryness of mouth in Bryonia yet there may be no thirst. If there is thirst, the patient drinks large quantities but not frequently. In Rhus tox, there is violent thirst but the patient finds difficulty in swallowing. Rhus Tox has a coated tongue with red tip or a generalized red tongue.There is tendency to formation of herpetic erruption on lips. The tongue takes the imprint of teeth. Bryonia has a thickly coated white tongue which is liable to become dirty.
In Rhus Tox, the sleep is restless. He dreams of great exertion. In Bryonia the dreams are usually of business activities. The Bryonia cases have delirium and talk of going home.
Both Bryonia and Rhus Tox have headache, relieved by epistaxis. The aggravation from motion and relief by pressure in Bryonia applies to headache as well.
In Bryonia, there is dryness of the mucous membrane of the nose with sneezing. The discharge is frequently thick and yellow. Bryonia is also indicated when there is suppression of nasal discharge and the sinuses get involved. Rhus Tox has violent attacks of sneezing, with sneezing more at night.
Bryonia has dryness of throat with stitching pains. There may be little white spots on the throat. Rhus Tox has dry and burning, extremely sore throats, sensitive to swallowing.
The cough of Bryonia is dry with gagging and vomitting with stitches in sides of the chest while coughing. The head hurts while coughing. The cough is worse after a meal. There is little expectoration, if there is expectoration, it is either yellowish or streaked with blood.The cough of Rhus Tox is at first dry then becomes more frequent and loose.
Bryonia has constipation, the stools are large, hard and dry and are either brown or black in colour. Rhus Tox has diarrhea, copious, watery bloody stools. There may be involuntary stools as well.

Rhus Tox is indicated in erruptive fevers. There may be dark coloured erruption over whole body. In chicken pox, the pustules turn black from effusion of blood within. When there is diarrhea, there may be dark, bloody stools. Rhus Tox is indicated when there is suppression of erruption as well.

A Photo Diary of Bryonia: Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-02-23T21:35:00.003-08:00

Books Referred: Allen's Keynotes
A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Clarke
Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeuics , Nash

The weather is taking a turn; I wouldn't say it is for the better. In this part of the world it is always hot and hotter. The rains bring a respite in the heat,it becomes mildly pleasant when the rest of the world is hugging fire and now it’s hot again. Bryonia would soon be at your beck and call. The Allen’s Keynotes describes Bryonia for complaints: when warm weather sets in, after cold days; from cold drinks or ice in hot weather; after taking cold or getting hot in summer; from chilling when overheated.

This drug study of Bryonia for week 5 of Learn a Drug challenge is a photo diary of all the prominent symptoms of Bryonia. Bryonia is a broad spectrum drug and one that no homoeopath can live without. Hence, this week, I present some of the most prominent symptoms of Bryonia through photos/ posters whatever you would like to call it.

Bryonia patients irritable, inclined to be angry. They like to be left alone. They get angry when questioned.

These features are present in almost all the cases of bryonia. Look out for these causative factors

modalities and concomitants when you prescribe for Bryonia.

This same condition obtains in the lungs and bronchia, which causes hard, dry cough with little or no expectoration and with soreness and pain in the chest when the patient coughs.

Bryonia is very useful in pleuritis, meningitis, peritonitis, pericarditis etc. It is also useful for effusions into serous cavities. The joints tooo haave stitching paains when involved; during slightest motion. The joints are red, swollen and stiff. Talking about inflammations, Bryonia is useful in mastitis and the patient holds the breast to support it.

Bryonia has disordered stomach from overeating when the warm weather sets in. The diarrhea is worse in the morning and from overeating.

Bryonia is useful in blood spitting too.

The headache is present while stooping, ironing etc. The head hurts while coughing. The person wants to lie still.

Chelidonium, More than a Liver Remedy: Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-02-16T03:07:00.000-08:00

Books Referred: The Essence of Materia Medica, Vithoulkas

Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics, Nash

Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica, Kent

A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Clarke

The Essence of Materia Medica was a much neglected book in my library. It was out of sheer disappointment in finding a similimum to a close acquaintance whose mental generals were a common knowledge in our household that I happened to chance upon this book. The similimum was selected, prescribed and the patient was cured. Thus started my love for this book and I started reading this book religiously for a long time.

Chelidonium was a drug you prescribed in tincture form for those with liver troubles, which summed up my knowledge of Chelidonium till I read Vithoulkas’s Essence of Materia Medica. Chelidonium does have a mind of its own. “Constant pain under the lower and inner angle of right scapula”, a dark lettered symptom in Allen’s Keynotes is known to one and all, who know about Chelidonium. Nash goes on to add that “This very characteristic symptom may be found in connection with general jaundice, cough, diarrhea, pneumonia, menses, loss of milk, exhaustion etc., in fact, no matter what the name of the disease this symptom present should always bring to mind Chelidonium and close scouting will generally reveal hepatic troubles or complications as would be naturally expected with such a remedy.”

Chelidonium are forceful, dictatorial individuals. They like to force their opinions on others.

They give their advices and if those advices are not acted upon, they feel insulted. They do not hesitate to fight for their own rights or opinions. Chelidonium patients are not at all sentimental. They are realists. They can be quite domineering over a person on whom they have a strong attachment to. They have a great anxiety over the health of such persons. They have anxiety over their own health too. They will have check-up by the most qualified doctors. They want something practical to be done right away for their problems. They do not hesitate to voice their suspicions about the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment measures. This pretty much sums up the mind of a Chelidonium as described by Vithoulkas. You could read the book for a much more detailed explanation. Please remember that Chelidonium patients are slow to respond after the remedy is given. To make matters worse, these patients do not report improvement until they see “tangible, objective, incontrovertible results.”

I would say that the three important symptoms to keep in mind while reading Chelidonium are, The constant pain under the lower and inner angle of scapula, The modalities and The Right sidedness. Like how I quoted from Nash with regards to the scapular pain needs to be kept in mind while prescribing Chelidonium. In acute cases this scapular pain is necessary for prescribing Chelidonium. The Chelidonium is a right sided remedy, right eye, right shoulder, right knee, the liver, the right base of the lung in pneumonia, right foot cold as ice etc. The Chelidonium patients are aggravated by cold except the headaches, sinusitis and neuralgias. Their ailments are brought on or renewed by change of weather. They do not like to touch or move their painful parts. 4am aggravation as opposed to the 4pm aggravation of Lycopodium, is also present in Chelidonium.

Moving on to their sphere of action, I would be talking about three spheres of action, namely, the liver, the lungs and the arthritis. Please not that there are neuralgias, headaches etc. too in Chelidonium. The liver is the main seat of action of the remedy and the pain under the lower and inner angle of scapula is the most prominent feature. The look of the patient is that of jaundiced, with thickly coated yellow tongue, red margins and takes the imprint of teeth. There is a bitter taste in the mouth and loss of appetite. There is vomiting, it would also seem that the person could retain nothing but hot drinks. There is a strong desire for milk too. There is alternate constipation and diarrhea. The stools in diarrhea would be clayey. There is a constant pain in the stomach ameliorated by eating and eructation. Movement increases the pain. Gallstone colic too requires a mention as Chelidonium provides a rapid relief where indicated.

Chelidonium is indicated in right sided pneumonia or right side spreading to the left. Sharp febrile attacks with chill. The pleura are generally involved and the patient sits still, as motion aggravates the pain. There is asthma brought about by changes in weather and is aggravated at night. Chelidonium could have a chronic cough, spasmodic, dry and violent. Nash says, “Sometimes in coughs which are persistent with much pain through right side of the chest and into shoulder, Chelidonium helps us out and saves the patient from what might easily terminate in consumption”.

The arthritis too is brought on by changes in weather and the pains are aggravated by motion. The right sidedness is also a feature here. There is involvement of the right shoulder and both knees with some preference for right knee. There are neuralgias of the limbs too.

There is a close relation between Chelidonium and Lycopodium. Vithoulkas gives an account of a beautiful differentiation between the two. Nash adds, if in a chronic case, some antipsoric like Lycopodium might have to be called in, according to indications, of course, to help complete a cure, but Chelidonium would be the chief reliance.

Check list of Symptoms of Ferrum Phosphoricum in Fevers :Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-02-09T04:31:00.000-08:00

Books Referred: Lectures on Materia Medica, Dr. J. T. Kent

A Synoptic Key to Materia Medica, C. M. Boger

Homoeopathic Drug Pictures, M. L. Tyler

Ferrum Phosphoricum is widely used for the treatment of fever, to control or bring down the fever. It was widely promoted by Schussler as part of his twelve tissue remedies. His practice was to use it in the first stage of inflammatory fevers. This post is about the symptoms of Ferrum Phos in fever, but let me quote from Kent to remind you not to restrict it in fevers alone. Kent says, “While it has been used by Schuessler's followers for the first stage of inflammatory fevers, it is useful in the higher potencies in chronic diseases, and is a deep acting anti-psoric.”

Appearance: The appearance of a Ferrum Phos patient does matter in its prescription. A Ferrum Phos patient has the appearance of false plethora. They are pale and anaemic , subject to sudden and violent congestions and inflammations.

General Modalities: Kent and Boger give a detailed description of the modalities of Ferrum Phos. The time of aggravation of some complaints is in the morning, some in afternoon; others come in the evening and night, and after midnight. The patient is sensitive to the open air, and many symptoms are aggravated in open air, Says Kent. They are always taking cold. Symptoms are worse after eating and physical exertion; sprains and overlifting.

FEVER

General: It is of use in inflammatory fevers. There is high fever with dry skin. Copious night sweats with the sweat between 4 and 6 a.m. There is thirst with fever too. There is confusion of mind with great weakness. They like to be left alone.

INDICATIONS IN

ERRUPTIVE FEVERS: In inflammatory and eruptive fevers, it stands between the intensity of Aconite and Belladonna, and the dullness of Gelsemium, as is mentioned in several books. Tyler says this remedy is useful in measles with conjunctivitis and photophobia.

CEREBRAL HYPERAEMIA: Anger and Anxiety are the prominent features here. Anger produces weakness and the anxiety comes at night. The head feels hot and there are flushes of heat. Vertigo commences in the afternoon. The face becomes flushed too.

CONJUCTIVITIS: Ferrum Phos is indicated in conjunctivitis. The discharge is of mucus from the eyes. Keeping in tune with the general congestion, you would find that the blood vessels are enlarged. The eyes are red and painful.

OTITIS MEDIA: There is purulent discharge from the ear with pain and noises in the ear.In Tyler’s compilation, Ferrum Phos is described as being indicated in the first stage of otitis. Tinnitus is aggravated while lying down. Boger mentions that colds cause deafness.

TONSILLITIS: Swollen, red throat with pain while swallowing.

LARYNGITIS: There is sensation of mucus in larynx. Hoarseness during coryza and a burning pain in larynx is often present.

BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA: The cough is aggravated in the morning and evening. The other aggravating factors for cough would be cold air, eating, deep breathing and talking. The chest feels heavy on coughing. The expectoration is during daytime and the sputa is greenish, bloody or offensive.

CYSTITIS: Involuntary urination during daytime and is relieved by lying down. Ferrum Phos is a hemorrhagic remedy and there is blood in the urine, with tenesmus and urging.

ACUTE RHEUMATISM: There is swelling and heat of the joints. The extremities feel cold. The joints are attacked one joint after the other. There is profuse perspiration at night, yet the sweats do not relieve the pain.

The list doesn’t end here as Ferrum Phos would be helpful in felons, toothache, gastritis etc. The appearance and the general modalities are the guiding features in the remedy. Do read Kent’s Lectures to understand the complete picture of Ferrum Phos. There is no comparison with the master, of course.

I have NO Time to Play

2015-02-05T03:35:00.000-08:00

Once, while visiting my grandmother, she asked my little boy, “Why don’t you come here often to play?” The little one replied, “I have no time to play!” He then listed out a series of activities; he had to do in a day: waking up, getting dressed and off to school, freshening up after school, eat, study and sleep. Yes, his day is full of activities but I try to get him some quality time to play as well. Maybe this wasn’t enough.

As a parent I want to give the best care to my kids so do you. But we are stuck up in certain situations, those little parenting worries that aren’t little to us at all. Those times, when we are not sure, what impact our words or actions will have on our dear little kids.
I did my research on the internet. Much to my relief, I discovered Janet Lansbury's blog, a blog that gives much perspective on parenting troubles and their solutions.

The first post I read in her blog had my antennas beeping. I couldn't brush it off, I had to read more. She says very simple and basic things to follow respect your kids, treat them with respect; talk to them when there are “troubles” (varies with the nature of the troubles). She encourages self directed play even in new borns. You can understand them very easily, but implementing them takes time (read: lots and lots of patience). Especially, if both you and your kids are used to the warring zones more often than you desire.

She calls her philosophy RIE parenting developed by Magda Gerber. The parenting philosophy starts from the day the baby is born. She is an expert on this not me, so you can as well visit her site to know more. www.janetlansbury.com To start with the basics this is a good one She assures that this parenting philosophy will make your child more secure and confident. This is what I was looking for.

Parenting with respect also calls for acknowledging your child’s feelings. A scenario where a one-year old cries out for something would have the mom trying to calm him, soothe him or at least distract him. Janet asks not for hushing those cries, but acknowledging them. It would sound something like this “You do not want to play here, you are really having trouble…” The words could be re-phrased based on the context. This would probably sound weird. It did for me and I had trouble putting it into action. The time calls for small beginnings and when these get integrated into the routine, the results will convince you, they were worth the efforts. Definitely the relation between mom and son changed for the better.

Then again the actions and practices were not flawless. With a very angry son, you cannot really blame the mother when she slips. Yet, the blame lies on the mother's response more than the child's behaviour. Some slips were followed with not too brilliant results. I needed a kindred soul. Lucy is a child with intense emotions and her mom blogs about it here I Have a Daughter with Intense Emotions. Lucy gave me patience and hope. I am inspired. It does not have to be difficult every day. By happily putting in greater efforts the anger too is coming down by small steps and greater leaps. I don't label my son as angry, any more.

There are days when the kids worry me with little tantrums and I strictly follow RIE word by word. It takes time akin to homoeopathy but both the son and the mother are happy in the end. Then there are those times, when all I want to do is scream my lungs out and I make a whimper or a shout; this spoils the game. I remember Janet and I say sorry, it ends well after that. I have been trying to adhere to the rules. You could even say that RIE is more of a lifestyle. The changes are visible. In those days when I scream there are now days when he come and say sorry and I follow suit. It makes me feel like a wonderful mom.

The Mental Makeup of the Barytas: Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-02-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

Book Referred: Genetic Materia Medica by Dr. Prafull Vijayakar

The Essence of Materia Medica by George Vithoulkas

Do not hold a Baryta trapped into a personality born with lower than normal intelligence. A Baryta could be a person holding a high post or could be very good in studies. Their brain could work like a computer unless you feed in something off the track.

“If one understands this remedy properly, one will see that there are many more Baryta constitutions around, than the world can ever dream of. Baryta Carb could even compete with the likes of Calcarea Carb and Nux Vomica in terms of frequent encounters.” says Dr. Vijayakar.

No study of a drug can be complete without studying the drug in its entirety. Baryta carb is a drug where the mental makeup needs to be thoroughly understood before making a prescription. Barytas display a picture where the mental growth is sacrificed or it may show a sacrifice of both mental and physical growth.

An adult behaving like a kid is how the Barytas feature themselves. Shy, timid, lack of self confidence points to a Baryta. It is noteworthy to mention a Baryta may be hidden in a person holding a high post in a firm. He just lacks the skill to communicate and no self confidence too. A Baryta may be full of confidence too, displaying a careless and heedless act.

The Barytas are fond of routine. They stick on to a boring job, they stick on to their old ideologies or they may not be willing to change with the changing times. They may show a resistance in learning new gadgets. The Barytas may be unreasonably obstinate too. They will not give way in an argument.

Misplaced is yet another term to describe the Barytas. They are misplaced as regards to their priorities in religion, misplaced anxiety; they may be unable to grasp the complexity of a situation. They are confused while answering questions. You may have to re phrase your questions before they are able to answer them.

The Barytas do not learn from their mistakes. They could be cheated again and again. They do not observe carefully and do not innovate. Dr. Vithoulkas uses the Greek word “Micronous” to describe a Baryta. This means “small mind” or “simple mindedness”.

The Best Way to Learn Thuja: Learn A Drug Challenge

2015-01-25T22:55:00.001-08:00

Books Referred: Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica, Dr. J.T.Kent
Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica, E. A. Farrington
The Essence of Materia Medica, George Vithoulkas
Allen's Keynotes

I whole-heartedly agree with Dr. Vithoulkas when he says, "The symptamatology in Thuja is usually UNCLEAR. You feel there is something there which you cannot quite grasp. Consequently, it is rare that you feel fully confident of a thuja prescription. The full image is never clear because the patient never opens up enough." Modern repertorisation software makes the selection of a drug less difficult. But the knowledge of the physician is tested when he has to make the final decision, the selection of the similimum, that which alters the health of the patient and aids him in speedy recovery.

The Books

Kent is definitely the master blaster. The symptoms and the remedy relations are explained in detail. The hints and practical tips were not noticed by me in earlier readings (I am not an avid Kentian). His description will surely imprint the picture of the drug, in its entirety, in your mind. Remedy relations too are note worthy. Reading the book more than once is recommended. Not to worry, this is not a lengthy lecture, take care to read it word to word. Farrington has nothing much more to add. If you have read Kent you can as well skip this book. Farrington does give the differentiation between few drugs in a general way and between particular symptoms too. You might as well skip the introduction and jump to the comparison to add to your repertoire. Vithoulkas' Essence of Materia Medica gives an insight into the mind of the drug. The mind how it evolves is particularly interesting. The keynotes are mentioned in brief. He does state that the symptomatology in Thuja is unclear. Do include The Essence of Materia Medica in your study of Thuja. Allen's keynotes are a staple in the study of materia medica. Thus for Thuja too, the study is incomplete without including keynotes.

The symptoms

A drug review is not complete without pin pointing the symptoms of the drug. Kent portrays Thuja as a weakly, sick looking individual with a waxy appearance. Vithoulkas uses the words ugly and Deceipt in describing a Thuja patient. Reserved cautious individuals who are manipulative and discontented. You can't study Thuja without studying its warts. They are soft, burning, itching and bleeding easily. Thuja patients are prone to all kinds of tumours. It is very interesting the way Vithoulkas describes these tumours. He says Thuja are hard people. The hardness in their emotional expression manifest even on the physical level- as hard tumours. Thuja affects the glands too. Besides the uterine tumours, growth in the cervix etc. Thuja females have ovarian troubles. Kent adds where the ovaries have been affected for some time there will be mental symptoms, a most violent irritability, jealousy, quarrelsomeness, ugliness. The fixed ideas of Thuja are well known, so are the headaches, described in most of the books as a nail driven through the head. Kent while describing the fixed ideas speaks of the person saying, his legs are made of glass. Vithoulkas says, patient usually describe a sensation of fragility, as if their legs are easily breakable. We have studied Thuja to be of great use in bad effects of vaccination. However, Vithoulkas says this applies only to small pox vaccination; "A person who is susceptible to small pox vaccination, is also likely to be sensitive to Thuja." Thuja patients are full of catarrh. The study of Thuja in asthma needs consideration. In those cases where Arsenic seems indicated but doesn't cure, Thuja or Natrum Sulph will take up the work and cure. The classic bung hole diarrhea of Thuja is well known. The sweat on the uncovered parts and the honey like odour of the sweat of the genitals, likewise is what we read often. Thuja is indicated in gonorrhea and urethritis. These patients also suffer from neuralgia.

The relationship

Thuja leads all the remedies for suppressed warts. When warts have been suppressed we get symptoms of Nitric Acid, Thuja, Mercurius and Staphysagria. For herpetic erruptions everywhere, consider Thuja, Rhus Tox, Graph, Kali Hydr and Mezereum.For the famous Thuja headaches, the closely running remedies are Ignatia and Anacardium. For the ovarian pain, differentiate Thuja from Lachesis and Zinc, both of which finds releif from the flow. In Thuja it is otherwise. Differentiate between Thuja, kali Bich and Puls in ozaena. The condylomata of Thuja patients needs to be compared with Sabina, Euphrasia and Cinnabaris. Allen's keynotes mentions Med, Sab and Sil as complementary to Thuja. Farrington says, the complement of Thuja in sycotic troubles is Natrum Sulph.

The Experience

Reading, reading and reading again makes certain symptoms or words stand out amongst the others. I am humbled by my efforts to learn Thuja, there is yet so much more for me to learn. There are yet more details left out. The effort has reduced the chaos and given them an order. There are much much more for me to learn to become an expert in recogonising Thuja. Well, I must mention that the description of Thua as the dissatisfied, calculating individuals striked me as resembling the villianous characters portrayed in Television soap series.

Reading Challenge #Learn-A-Drug

2015-01-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

We all need to read, read to know, read to learn, read to update. Those in the medical profession need to read even more, for the same reasons. Plus it is mandatory to keep up with the expanding medical and professional innovations. What better way than to take up a reading challenge?

Aim

It is a common knowledge that reading the materia medica is absolutely necessary to help us become the better prescriber for the survival of the fittest.

Yet this very habit is lost somewhere in the rat race. The aim of this reading challenge is to take up reading once again, to remember what was forgotten to acknowledge what was ignored and to update what is new.

My Plan

This reading challenge spans over three months, from 19.01.2015 to 19.04.2015. The challenge is to read a drug per week, from at least three books (where available). The blog will be updated with a new post every Monday, titled “Learn-A-Drug”, as to the drug read, the books referred and the knowledge gained. The drug could be a polychrest, it could be a one you already know or it could be a rare remedy, no limits. There will be a new page too on the blog titled “Learn-A-Drug” where the date, drug, source book and the link to the post be updated on Mondays. This page can be checked in case you have missed a post.

Take Part

Would you like to join hands with me in this challenge? If so follow the plan, and share it with us in the comments section. You can comment in the blog updates (Learn a Drug) on Mondays or in my face book page www.facebook.com/tipsandfacts .

Spread the Word

Put up the link to the challenge on your face book profile, let the world know you are on a mission to grasp all that there is to know. Let’s join hands in our efforts to strive to be a better homoeopath. It is the season to march onward in our mission to cure the sick, to help the ailing humanity.

Dr. J. T. Kent's Clinical Cases: Observations

2015-01-15T10:14:00.001-08:00

Your doubts are answered. The single medicines work effectively. Higher potencies do cure acute and chronic diseases. Medicines may have to be changed when the symptoms take a turn. Medicines need no repetition until they exhaust their action. Homoeopathy revives a terminally ill case. These and much more are evident in the Clinical Cases. The Clinical cases I am referring to here are from Dr. J. T. Kent’s “New Remedies, Clinical Cases, Lesser Writings, Aphorisms and Percepts”.

Those were the days when there was no repertory software. Then again Dr. Kent is the author of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. His knowledge wouldn’t come as a surprise at all. Yet, the way he explains it, is so mesmerizing. The first case itself caught my heart.

It is a case of pain in abdomen or suspected tumor in a 40year old female. After relating the history of the patient, he is principally trying to differentiate between murex and sepia. The words of the master Dr. J. T. Kent himself: “The cutting pain in the uterus has been found under curare, murex and sepia, but Murex is the only one producing a cutting pain in the uterus going to the left mamma. The all-gone empty feeling in the stomach is characteristic of Murex, Phos. and Sepia. Throbbing in the uterus belongs only to Murex. The dragging down is common to both Murex and Sepia, but the sexual teasing only to Murex. Both have a yellowish green leucorrhea. Pain in sacrum is common to Murex, Sepia and many others. “Enlargement of bowels” is found in Allen under Murex, not mentioned in Minton’s Uterine Therapeutics. The pain in Murex goes upward and through, worse while lying down. In sepia the patient is better lying down, and the pains go around. Murex 200 one dose was given.”

Dr. Kent dwells on Tuberculinum and adenoids in detail. He states probably a hundred cases of adenoids were cured by tuberculinum. There is an interesting case of breech presentation which got corrected after a dose of pulsatilla. (The drug was given after individualization). There are no short cuts, there are no blind prescriptions, there are no set of remedies for a disease, which is what you will realize once you go through the book. The cases explained are varied, eczema, anemia, cancer, rheumatism, to name a few.

All the cases described in the book were treated with single medicine, no matter what the case, condition or the status. He has followed up with other remedies as and when the case required. There is a case of chronic arthritis in a 38 year old female, started with Sulphur, then Calcarea, Lycopodium and finally Rhus tox. The medicines were changed after they had exhausted their action, and when the symptomatology called for a change in the drug.

The potency selection deserves a mention as he himself notes in his lesser writings that the selection of potency is a matter of experience and observation and not as yet a matter of law. This statement he confirms in his clinical cases. He gives tarantula cubensis in 12x for a case of a bubo in groin; Murex 200 for a case of suspected abdominal tumour; tuberculinum in 10M and then increasing the potency subsequently for enlarged glands in the neck, so forth and so on. Alas, he makes no explanation about the choice of the potency. For us lesser mortals, standing on the threshold of homoeopathy it would have been a boon, the wish made larger on seeing the beauty of the curative process.There are yet more to observe and learn from the notes of Dr. Kent. Repeated readings and an open mind is what we need to grasp those simple words explaining a huge curative process, the success of homoeopathy.

Homoeopathic Treatment of Influenzas By D. M. Borland- A Review

2015-01-05T23:32:00.000-08:00

I am in love with this book. If you are looking for an alphabetical arrangement of drugs with their corresponding symptoms, then this book is not for you. This book is all about the practical application of material medica in the clinic. He describes not the drug, but the everyday influenza patient. He starts slowly as how the patient is before the occurrence then builds on how the disease and the patient progresses and so on.

The first remedy is gelsemium, I must type the first paragraph:

“Visualize the ordinary, typical influenza case, probably developing over six to eight hours. The patient feels a little out of sorts the day before, possibly a little headachy, a little feverish, has a little indefinite pain, is probably a little catarrhal; he goes to bed, does not sleep awfully well, and next morning feels rotten.”

This is just the beginning. A typical influenza case has fever, generalized pains, coryza and associated symptoms, sore throat etc. Homoeopathically, we look for concomitants and modalities too. In this book the common symptoms too are described. However, each symptom is different for each drug, maybe the onset, intensity or the modalities. Thus they help in individualizing each drug, or even the patient. The most important symptoms of the drug are given in the beginning; those which help you form a mental image of the patient. The mental and physical generals and even the pathological symptoms are mentioned. Differentiations between drugs are also given where necessary.

The medicines covered in this lecture are Gelsemium, Baptisia, Bryonia, Eupatorium, Rhus toxicodendron, Pyrogenium, Mercurius and Kali bichromicum, in this order. The first five drugs cover the body pain, headaches, fever, throat/ larynx involvement, coryza, cough etc. When the lecture proceeds further to the remaining three, there is the involvement of sinuses, ear complaints etc.

It would be advisable to read a drug or two each day until you cover all the drugs. Then go back and look for the finer points and features that will help in selecting the similimum on a much easier scale. It is recommended that the book or the lecture be read again and again. It also helps to compare the clinical cases, the cured cases with the lecture. Those cases that fail to yield to the best selected similimum may require much closer observation.

Disclosure: The opinion mentioned here are my own, I have not received compensation for writing the review.

A Wedding System and it's Hindrance to Homoeopathic Cures

2012-11-22T04:57:00.001-08:00

For the staunch practitioners of homoeopathy this may come as a shock to you. For the ardent followers of homoeopathy this may come as an eye opener. As for the rest this is a piece of information to be stored into your repertoire. Almost all the diseases are amenable to homoeopathic treatment, then how could a wedding system be the cause of hindering the action of potencies, of medicines?

Like elsewhere, the parents are very meticulous in the selection of a perfect partner for their daughter. You get the groom to live in your house forever. Isn't that a profitable package?
You might agree or you might not. Now, to win a husband, the bride’s family has to pass through a rigorous screening process. The guy can’t live anywhere and everywhere. So you need a house and a fully functional bedroom complete with a television set and bath attached of course. This may not seem much to some, but what if your father earned just a few thousand rupees a month? Joint family? You are off the check list. A member working abroad is a welcome addition. The trouble doesn't end with the toils and labour for the search of a “handsome husband”, this is just the beginning. So the guy stays in your house for the rest of his life, he has to be well fed – chicken and meat till he says “Okay, feed me some fish too.” This is al right if the guy pays for it; it often happens that the “allowance” doesn't cover the expensive menu. This gets even more interesting. The guy feels he needs to take a break from his work, he takes it, beware this break may extend too long. Who pays for the family now that they have kids?? No, don’t take the liberty of giving some friendly advises, he might just leave off and never be back again. He might leave otherwise too, as and when he wants. The parents who bought up their daughter are left stranded with the addition of grand kids too.

The parents, the wife and the kids if any are under constant mental stress and strain. The financial constraints, the prospect of pleasing the husband, the burden of taking care of the kids is such a huge package, no wonder they all fall sick. As is commonly known constant tensions and worries cause diseases too. So add to the above, the burden of treating the family. Hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and allergies are the trending diseases. Would the treatments afford some relief to the patients? Partially yes, but not completely. They often are not able to carry on with the treatment. Or some other problems come up which needs immediate attention. Once a drop out, always a drop out.

Homoeopathy is a system of medicine which does not treat the disease but the person as a whole. It is the only system which is able to afford relief to the mental stress without resorting to tranquillizers or other suppressants. But the maintaining cause of the disease, the cares and worries are not removed, and this acts as an obstacle to homoeopathic cure. I would like to quote from an article “The Deflected Current” by Dr. H.A. Roberts. It was Hahnemann himself who emphasized the fact that nothing was as deleterious to health as unhappy domestic conditions; that these conditions could, and often did, prove insuperable obstacles to cure. It is fortunate that the simillimum often can take the additional tension from the patient, or may lift off one series of symptoms; but so long as these strains persist under the surface, one cannot expect cure. Nevertheless, if the physician does not realize that these underlying influences exist, he may fall so far short of helping the patient that he may imperil his own belief in the homoeopathic possibilities of cure, as well as the confidence of the patient.”

Is it possible to make changes in the age old system, for the purpose of bringing a smile to hearts? Time to ponder…

Nutrition Nightmares

2012-11-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

I not-so-proudly present before you a few reports of nutrition nightmares. They suffer from various diseases, have several deficiencies, are willing to spend currencies for medicines but are stubbornly unwilling to change their nutrition pattern or cooking practices. I have tried to give them friendly advices, scary truths and deathly facts. The decision to take a turn is all theirs.

CAUTION: - Listed below are from live cases.
The facts have not been exaggerated or mishandled in any way. The list may shock you to your roots or bore you to death. The risk is all yours.

A boy of 13 years, accompanied by his mother walked in haughtily. Fearless, reckless, insolent, lazy, this was his menu during the fasting month of Ramadan: Break the fast with a glass of sweetened, cold lime juice, helps him to 2 or 3 items of fried snacks. Runs off to the next door grocer and devours the following products- few packets of fried chips, and a bottle of preserved juice. Dinner would be boiled noodles with taste maker and no veggies or meat. The food for early morning before beginning the fast would be 2 or 3 parathas, already bought the night before.

A 40 something male, all muscles (or fat) with a minor skin complaint, desires to have his blood pressure checked. 130/90 mm of Hg. Tried to give him a small talk on eating habits, exercise and blood pressure. “Oh! No! Doctor, I can’t eat vegetables.” a reply! He works in the gulf sector and lives with fellow room mates and has a common mess. “Then you are buying disease.” Says I, didn't want to give up soon. He puts forth his reasons at this stage. “We eat chicken or fish daily, I can’t cook vegetables alone or my roomies will be hurt.” “Try salads then, meanwhile you are home now why don’t you try changing your diet to more of vegetables now?” “I don’t like the taste of veggies.” was the prompt reply. How do you put sense into arrogantly ignorant people like him is my question to you all?

Rice is the staple food in South India. That being said, would you like to eat boiled rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner? I know just a family like that. The lady of the family prepares boiled rice to be consumed all the three times. I thought she must be lazy to cook dosas, idlis or snacks. No, she prepares these items for breakfast but makes sure that everyone eats some rice too. “The body gets heated up otherwise” is her reason.

Not eating enough is the usual complaints of the mother about her child. The child is 4years old and suffers from bouts of asthma. He appears pale and under nourished. “What do you feed your child?” I wanted to get an insight into their food habits. “He loves biscuits, ghee-rice, biriyani and fried fish. I try to feed him that whenever possible.” What about veggies?” (Disclaimer: - I am not a strict vegetarian, love my fishes too. But concerned about balanced meal.) “We prepare veg dishes on Fridays but he doesn’t eat them.”

Weaning is an important phase in an infant’s life. There are whole lots of healthy stuffs like boiled vegetables, fruits, cereals (made from scratch not the processed variety) etc. A mother of a 4month old infant asked me this question “When can I start giving my baby biscuits and warm water?” “Why would you want to do that and why biscuits?” “Well, all in our family starts with biscuits; they say if you don’t introduce solid foods soon, the baby will be a picky eater later.” Have you ever heard of such a thing?

There are even more scary nightmares, will follow them up in later posts. The choice to eat healthy well balanced food is ours to adopt and follow. Being healthy will keep you away from several diseases but not all. In addition your body will be in a better stage to fight infections or other ills and ailments. The prevalent lifestyle diseases are due to unhealthy eating and sedentary practices. So why don’t you eat healthily to stay healthy?

Homoeopathy and Diseases: Joint Troubles

2012-10-31T00:03:00.003-07:00

Joint troubles are extremely troublesome, pains, swellings, limited movements- all these might call for a change in lifestyle. You would have been climbing a 100 steps/day. Suddenly those pains in knee joints make it difficult for you to rise from your chair. This may not happen overnight but there is still the possibility of being crippled. Dangerous as it sounds, there are treatment options, physical therapy and most important of all preventive measures available. Yet most people begin reading about preventive measures once they start getting the troubles.

There are various types of joint troubles like inflammatory joint diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), degenerative joint diseases (e.g. osteo arthritis), crystal deposition disorders (e.g. gout), inflammations of the spine like ankylosing spondylitis, infectious arthritis, psoriatic arthritis so forth and so on. The causes, types of joint affected, the symptoms etc. vary with each type. Osteo arthritis is the most common of all joint troubles, followed by rheumatoid arthritis.

Homoeopathy has much to offer for patients suffering from joint troubles. The physician makes the diagnosis from the symptoms and signs, orders a few blood tests and x-rays wherever necessary. Yet the focal point of homoeopathic prescribing is as always the detailed case taking. There are two options, either give an acute medicine to palliate the pains or go for the remedy that matches with the patient as a whole. The latter method is most recommended and works best for the patient. Caution during repetition of constitutional medicines is exercised. Too much repetition will lead to suppressions.

The homoeopathic medicines are not pain killers, steroids or any supplements. Rather they work to bring about a complete cure in most cases, or palliate the already damaged and crippled joints. With the correct remedy in the correct dose, there is no possibility of side-effects. A slight aggravation of the symptoms may follow for a few days. It is essential to remember not to resort to pain killers or sprays during this time. Hold steady. The pains and swellings lessen and the mobility increases. The time taken for the recovery varies from individual to individual. Some factors include how recent is the onset of the disease, how much damage has already taken place, the capacity of the body to respond to the medications, continuation of stress factors, exercises etc. The greater you care for your joints and the greater you stick to a healthy regime, the greater will be the recovery.

General considerations

· Maintain the ideal body weight. Too much weight puts unwanted stress on the weight bearing joints like the hips and knees.

· A balanced and healthy diet as always is necessary. Consume foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids (fish like tuna and mackerel, soy and canola oils, walnuts etc. ), vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage, green peppers, potatoes etc. ), D ( milk, yoghurt, sunlight etc.), and E (fish, peanuts and soy bean oil etc.), calcium and phosphate (milk, nuts, garlic, seeds, greens, beans, oysters etc.).

· Avoid whole fat dairy, foods rich in trans fat and saturated fat, highly sweetened and salty food.

· Moderate exercise program with low impact aerobics, power and strength training is helpful. Exercise helps reduce stiffness, improves strength and promotes weight loss. Walking is the easiest and cheapest of all.

Homoeopathy and Diseases:Spectrum of diseases curable

2012-10-10T23:48:00.001-07:00

Homoeopathy can cure from colds and flu to cancers and killers. Homoeopathy has certain fundamental laws that stands unchanged with the mutations of viruses or development of technology. The basic and the most fundamental law, as put forward by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann is "Similia Similibus Curentur" - meaning "Like Cures Like". As I have mentioned in several other posts, it means the symptoms of the patient should match the symptoms of the remedy prescribed for that person; the most similar medicine is usually given. Now one would wonder "Where would you get the symptoms of the remedy?" The answer is, by a very meticulous and tedious process known as "Drug Proving", many stalwarts of homoeopathy have collected the symptoms and signs of each drug by proving on themselves or on trustworthy healthy provers. Thus we have a meaningful compilation of symptoms of several drugs in a book generally called "materia medica".

There are several misconceptions about homoeopathy. Some staunch homoeopathic clients themselves worry when their young ones have a fever. Well, homoeopathy works well in colds and flu. Migraines and allergies are the latest diseases affecting the most, almost on an epidemic scale, I feel. The pollution, the stress, the food habits, the pesticides, the ozone depletion etc. etc., the possible causes are numerous. These diseases respond well to homoeopathic treatments, just have the patience to let the body heal. We are not trying to put a cork or suppress your allergies which would have been a rather simple task. They would return ferociously no doubt in that. Homoeopathic medicines, in any diseases aims to stimulate the body to let it cure itself. What better way to heal? Migraines get cured wowing not to return ever! Bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis too respond well. Adenoids, tonsillitis, sinusitis, ear troubles homoeopathy works wonderfully without resorting to surgery.

The "female" being is an amazing creation, the way it responds to various stresses and strains. Homoeopathy is the right choice for them, be it menstrual irregularities, hormone troubles, fibroids, cysts or other tumours, pregnancy troubles, post birth (puerperal) problems, menopausal disturbances, infertility etc..

Skin diseases like eczemas, lichens, fungal infections, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo and what not are amenable to homoeopathic treatment. Patients are reluctant to take homoeopathy for skin diseases fearing aggravations. Aggravations do occur but they subside soon.

Acidity, ulcers, diarrhoeas and dysentery, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or simple flatulence, the digestive diseases are curable with homoeopathy. Kidney troubles, liver troubles, eye troubles etc.. are treatable with homoeopathy.

Lifestyle diseases are the "Rage" of this century. Many are on lifetime medications and suffer from their side effects too. Homoeopathy can cure hypertension, diabetes, raised cholesterol levels, obesity etc.. Be sure to adhere to strict nutrition, exercise, laboratory investigations and the treatment protocol as advised by your physician.

Joint troubles, the aches and pains and the disability ruins one's hope to go about one's daily routine 'normally'. Homoeopathy is very effective in joint troubles, muscular troubles, without resorting to pain killers. Do I have to give a list of the medical terms? Back aches, spine troubles too are curable. In degenerative joint changes, where the joint structures are deformed beyond repair, homoeopathy can give palliative relief by reducing pain, providing limited motility etc..

Several doctors have cured cancer as well, I don't have any personal experiences. It can at least give palliation to incurable cases. Pain-free life is every one's hope.

Mind is the ruling force and mental diseases are treatable too. The list provided here is not complete. These are just general guidelines to get started. Homoeopathy rocks!

Eating right, Kids and You

2012-09-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

Picky eaters, chocolate and chip eaters, does that ring a bell? Health and studies are two of the important concerns of a mother. If your child is a picky eater then there is a big reason to worry. My 8 year old is a picky eater, in the sense the quantity he consumes is less and he is very particular with regards to food choices. I have tried and tested various methods to get him to eat his veggies and fishes. He is now on the borderline mark for the appropriate weight for his age, but I am relieved that he is getting a fair amount of nutrition from what he eats. Here are some of the methods I achieved results with.

· If you want your kid to understand nutrition, a “nutrition revolution” has to be beginning, the first step being taken by you. The whole family should focus on healthy eating. You have to make choices between your taste and your health. Let go off unhealthy cooking practices, stock your pantry with pulses, whole grains and fresh food. Include fruits and vegetables in your daily menu. Talk to them about nutrition and let them understand about healthy choices.

· Carrot sticks and green leaves are good snacks. But I wouldn’t be able to get my boy eat them. What I do instead is incorporate these ingredients into his favourite dishes. Add carrots and green peas to bhajis, spinach into cutlets, grated paneer to omelets etc. Experiment as you wish, my mother adds grated carrots to dosas.

· Snack and lunch boxes are another huge success for me. I give fruits for snacks at school, cut them into pieces and place a fork. Lunches with veggies or legumes or both. You don’t have to stick to a plan like giving rice or curds etc. The focus is on nutrition and not tradition.

· Having meals at fixed time is important. Never let them miss breakfast, lunch or dinner. If they are not hungry, have them eat a little. Get the whole family to eat together whenever possible. A big no to televisions during meal times. Family time is quality time.

· Snacking is inevitable especially when they are at home. Eating meals at fixed time reduces hunger at other times and you can avoid snacking to some extent. Get healthy snacks roasted nuts, fruits or fruit juices etc. Or you can make their favourite cutlets, samosas etc, healthy versions please.

· Another way for them to have fun and food is to organize food parties. Create hype about it days ahead, it will keep them excited. I guess it’s a way of having fun time with your kids too. We had burger parties, pizza parties etc, all home cooked. Allow them to invite a friend or two. We are planning on a barbecue night this weekend.

Do let them indulge once in a while. Pastries, cookies, noodles etc. let them have fun...