By Belinda Simonsen

Homeopathy is a form of natural medicine that was developed by Dr Samuel Hahnemann in the early 19th century. It is very popular in Europe, the United States and Asia. Homeopathy uses natural elements (from plants, minerals and animals) in an immensely diluted form to treat a wide range of symptoms. The process of dilution and succession (shaking hard) results in the remedy containing the essence or energy of the original product, but in a more potent form. Remedies come in different potencies, depending on how much it has been diluted. The more it is diluted, the stronger it is, eg 30C is stronger than 6X.

Homeopathy works on the proviso that like cures like, for example the remedy, Allium Cepa is made from onions and is used to treat cold symptoms of watery eyes, streaming nose, cough and eye inflammation. These symptoms are very similar to the effects you will get chopping onions. Homeopathic remedies are commonly produced as either a liquid (usually in a base of alcohol) or small white tablets (in a lactase or sugar base) and some remedies are available as a cream for external use.

Homeopathy is suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women (with the exceptions of a few which are used to induce labour…only use if this is the desired effect) and small children (remedies can be administered directly or in a small amount of water). The action of homeopathic remedies can be affected by strong smells and tastes, so it is best when you take remedies to not eat or brush your teeth for 15 minutes before and after. A range of homeopathic remedies made by Owen Homeopathics, who also produce a guidebook and free brochure. Owen Homeopathics are contactable at www.h-e-c.com.au or jan@h-e-c.com.au .

I have personally used homeopathic medicines for over eight years, and while I am still a bit skeptical of the reasoning behind homeopathy, I have had a number of incredible results from using the remedies. The key is to get the right remedy for your symptoms. Often this involves looking more deeply at the problem. Rather than saying, “I have a cold”, you need to look at the colour of your discharges, the intensity of your fever, your mood, any aversions to food, light or weather and more. The specific descriptions of each remedy are available in a number of books and on the internet.

I used homeopathic remedies when I was a support person for my sister’s labour and niece’s birth, and for my own two labours, as well as regularly for treating my children and my self. I had great success with Arnica. I took this all through my second labour and felt great the next day. The sorest bits of my anatomy were my throat (from yelling too much) and my forehead (from pushing against the pool). I tried Caulophyllum to bring labour on a week before I was due (we had visitors to perform for)…I obviously wasn’t ready. I have read that if you take this one too soon it can actually have the opposite effect and delay labour ( My baby was born a week late ). In my first labour I used Kali Phos and it was fantastic. I had a reasonably long labour and was exhausted by the end. I remember passing out between contractions. My sister would slip me a Kali Phos and I could feel a wave on energy come over me and I had the strength to go on. It needed to be re-administered quite regularly, but it was good stuff.

I have used Chamomilla, Pulsatilla, Arnica, Aconite and other remedies for a plethora of illnesses in myself and my children. Bryonia worked fantastically for recurrent mastitis with my first child, but I could not find a suitable remedy for the same problem (but with different symptoms) with my second child. Sometimes a remedy will not immediately cure the problem, but it may lessen the severity and duration of the symptoms. Also, sometimes the remedy may change the symptoms, but not totally clear them up and you may need another remedy based on your new symptoms. The Remedies I usually use remedies in the potencies of 6C (as in the Owen Homeopathics range) or 30C (from a Homeopath).

^Aconite (Common Aconite-plant) -Labour is fast and violent, with great fear/anxiety of death. * Also good for shock and the early stages of illness (eg when you feel a cold coming on).

^Arnica (Leopard’s Bane-plant) – take frequently throughout labour to prevent bruising, every four hours or more frequently if there is relief from pain * Also good for any kind of bruising and bumps. Also available in a topical cream. Do not use on broken skin.

Caulophyllum (Blue Cohosh-plant-) – Induction is threatened because you are late for dates: take one every four hours for up to two days – if it doesn’t work, either your baby isn’t ready to be born or you aren’t ready for the birth. Also if labour is slow, contractions are ineffective or stop, but before they become very painful: with exhaustion and shaking, neuralgic (twinging) pains.

^Arsenicum (Arsenic-mineral) – Vomitting in labour, with typical anxiety and fussiness. * Also useful for a variety of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps and chilly colds, all with a restless anxiety.

^Chamomilla (Chamomile-plant) – Labour exceedingly painful: backache labour: generally obnoxious, angry, impossible to please, asks for things that aren’t then wanted. * Also great for teething and/or colicky babies. Also used for fever, common cold and earache. Look for crankiness and restlessness. Sometimes presents with one red cheek.

Coffea(Coffee-plant) – Contractions are ineffective or stop and/or are extremely painful: fear alternating with excitement, restless, makes jokes, laughs, is generally talkative and hilarious, sensitive to noise. *Also useful for headache, insomnia and toothache. Look for overexcitement and oversensitivity.

^Gelesenium (Yellow jasmine-plant) – Backache labour; lethargy, lifeless, dazed, thirstless. * Also good for flu and fever with aches and pains. Also used for fear and anxiety such as pre-exam nerves or stage fright.

Kali Carbonicum (Potassium carbonate - mineral) – Backache labour, irritable and anxious and bossy. Does not want to be left alone. * Also used for after pains, backache in pregnancy, constipation, coughs, fever, headache, indigestion and insomnia.

^Kali Phosphoricum (Potassium phosphate – mineral) – 6X is the best potency recommended for this remedy, as you need to take it a lot (available as a biochemical cell salt from the health food shops and some chemists). Simple tiredness in labour with no other symptoms. *Also great for recovering from an illness, headache from mental strain, overwork or studying, insomnia and indigestion. It gives you a boost of energy when you need it.

^Pulsatilla (Meadow Anenome-plant) – Gives up during labour, weepy, clingy, pathetic, loses courage, thirstless, hot and craves fresh air or is better for it. *This is a great remedy for people with small children. It can be used for fever, colds and flu, styes and conjunctivitis, stomach aches and diarrhea, PMS, chicken pox and measles. Look for clinginess, weeping, moodiness and yellow or green discharges (including diarrhea and pus). Symptoms often improve with fresh air.

^Sepia (Cuttlefish ink-animal) – gives up in labour; very exhausted- sags on every level. * Also used for a variety of problems including menstrual symptoms, backache, itchy cracked nipples with breastfeeding, fevers, coughs and colds, insomnia, and nausea and vomiting. Often worn down emotionally, depressed, irritable and indifferent. Wants to be left alone. Better for exercise.

^ denotes remedies available from Owen Homeopathics. Other remedies can be sourced from a homeopath. This article is for information only. It is not meant as medical advice. I strongly recommend further investigation of the subject and/or the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Sources Castro, Miranda (1992) Miranda Castro’s Homeopathic Guides, Mother and Baby, Pan Macmillan, London. Homeopathy for the Home Prescriber, Owen Homeopathics.

Belinda Simonsen