Erste
Mitteln
Prescribing on the basis of Potency, Repetition and Placebo
1. In case of drugs soluble in
alcohol: One drop of mother tincture was diluted with 99 drops of alcohol to
prepare 1st centesimal potency which is expressed as 1C. In case of drugs
insoluble in alcohol: one grain of the drug is triturated with 99 grains of
sugar o milk in morter with pestle.
2. 10 to 50 successions were
advised for potentization in drugs dissolved in alcohol. In case of drugs
triturated with sugar of milk, 10 to 20 minutes were taken to rub the drug each
way to pulverize it till the powder becomes uniform. This method of
pulverization is used in producing each higher potency from 1st centesimal
potency.
3. For next higher potency 1
part of the drug is taken and is mixed with 99 parts of water or alcohol and
successed 10 – 50x to raise to the next centesimal potency.
In case of trituration of the drug for the next higher potency one part
of the drug is rubbed with 99 parts of sugar of milk, for 10 to 20 minutes so
that it may become uniform and the next potency
is stored separately with the label of next higher potency.
After 3rd centesimal potency all kinds of drugs can be raised
to next higher potency in alcohol or water in the above mentioned manner as the
non soluble drug also become soluble in water or alcohol.
Preparation of 50 millesimal scale of potencies
Around 1840 the preparation of potencies were modified again and the 50
millesimal scale of preparing the potencies was evolved about 3 to 4 yrs before
the death of Dr. Hahnemann. The advantages of this new scale was provided by
Hahnemann in his 6th edition of Organon are:
1. Less liable to produce
aggravations (highly sensitive patients).
2. Can be repeated everyday in acute
as well as chronic diseases raising the potency gradually according to the
response of the medicine on the patient.
3. A milder, quicker and more
permanent action than the centesimal scale of potencies.
For preparing the 50 millesimal scale of potencies C 3 of the centesimal
scale is taken as the mother tincture of the next higher potency. In one drop
of this mother tincture add 500 drops of dilutent containing alcohol and water
in the proportion of 1:4.
The 6th edition of Organon was published by William Boericke
in December 192, 80 yrs after the discovery of 50 millesimal scale of
potencies. During this period homoeopaths were using centesimal scale of
potencies which included all big names in homoeopathy like Herring and Kent who
achieved marvellous results. Even now the majority of homoeopaths throughout
the world are using centesimal scale of potency.
Dr. Pierre Schmidt of Geneva, Dr. Kunzli, Charles Phaud of Lusanne and
Dr. Raman Lal Patel from India were among the pioneers of homoeopathy who used
50 millesimal scale of potencies and published their results.
Selection & Repetition of Potencies
Different authors provide different details regarding selection and
repetition of potencies. This is a debatable issue. I will try to put down the
rule and the exception about the potencies of remedies from the literature. 3
factors help in determination of potencies. Ultimately it is one's own
experience which enables one to select potency, its repetition and use of
placebo.
I. According to homoeopathy there are three kinds of diseases.
1. Acute Curable Diseases
a) mild needs low and medium
potencies in single or repeated doses according to short acting or long acting
property of the remedy.
b) Severe form of sickness needs
high potency single or plus doses. In acute cases when the condition is changed
and the new situation arises once should consider the change of remedy
as well as change of remedy, whether
to resolve to low or high potency. In cases where tissue pathology exsists low
potencies are indicated; mental and functional symptoms high potency
alone.
2. Chronic Curable Diseases
[Dr. Peterson]
a) Acute phase: medium or high
potency according to mildness or severity of the disease as in acute cases.
b) In chronic cases where
pathological changes have taken place establishing eruptions, discharges and
indurations without generals or the individualizing symptoms (pointers) need
low
potency in frequent doses. But if
the individualizing symptoms are present we must begin with 30 potency and
follow the octave system of Dr. Kent.
3. Incurable or Fatal Diseases
In these cases potency problem does not arise. Exact Simillimum is
forbidden. palliative or biochemic remedies in low potencies are regarded to
safe guard against severe aggravations and death.
II. The second most important factor in the potency problem is generally
susceptibility or response of the sick person. 3 kinds of susceptibilities are
found in sick persons.
1. Hyper susceptible (Allergic)
people need high and highest potencies. Those who take homoeopathic remedies
are found to acquire this state.
2. Hypo susceptible persons need low
potencies in frequent doses. Persons who are in the habit of taking crude
drugs, stimulants and narcotics require low potencies.
3. Peculiarly susceptible sick
people are rare. They respond to a certain potency alone.
III. Nature of selected remedy. Some remedies act best when given in
high potencies (Polycrests/nosodes). Most of the homoeopathic remedies act in
medium and low potencies. Many remedies act best in mother tincture in drop
doses. Some medicines act best in triturations (Ars./Iod./Thyrodinum/Uran-n.).
It is also found in literature that action of the same remedy may vary
in different potency. (higher potencies of Hepar may abort suppuration/lower potencies
promote it)
IV. Three planes:
1)
Organopathic:
symptoms and signs of diseased organs predominate which corresponds to the
remedies. Drug acts best in Ø in drop doses (Orni. Ø in duodenal ulcer/Cean. in
Ø enlargement of
Spleen)
2) Biochemic: symptoms and signs of the tissue organs and blood predominate. The symptoms belonging to the lesion of the disease are considered for finding out the Simillimum. When the
biochemic symptoms guide us to
select a remedy we can use both low medium or high potency according to the
acuteness of disease.
3) Dynamic: symptoms and signs of the sick person predominate. These symptoms belong to the Generals (Kent) or to Totality of Symptoms (Boenninghausen). Now we can go for high and highest
potencies. In such cases the homoeopathicity
of the remedy is greatest and hence it is ideal condition for a high potency in
a single dose.
V. Repetition & Placebo
The cardinal principles of homoeopathy as laid down by Dr. Hahnemann
are:
1. Prescribe only the proved
remedies
2. Prescribe the Simillimum
3. Prescribe the single dose so
long as its beneficial effects continue
4. Prescribe the remedy more
frequently and rapidly advancing acute disease and less frequently in slowly
advancing acute diseases.
5. In chronic diseases give
repeated doses of Q or LM potencies every day for a week and then change to the
next higher potency for another week and so on till the complete recovery takes
place or homoeopathy aggravation occurs,
Stop repeating the Q or LM potency once the aggravation occurs but
placebo may be given (Note: you can use the same method with centesimal scale
potencies too - Dr. Sahni BS).
6. Dr. Kent advices to repeat C
potencies in chronic cases on the basis of octave series of potencies consisting
of 30,200,1M, 50M, CM, DM & MM. And to repeat each of these potencies only
2x before the next high potency is given. This method was called by Dr. Kent as
"Series & Degrees" potencies which enable the vital dynamis full
power to eradicate the sickness of the individual.
7. Dr. Burnett and other
pioneers of homoeopathy find the similar remedy to the illness of the sick
individual; highest the potency may be prescribed without repetition and will
take its own time to cure the patient if there are no complications or
obstruction to cure.
8. Dr. Tyler is of the opinion
that single dose may be only one dose or two doses repeated at short interval
or even three doses repeated at short interval coz our aim of single dose to
stimulate the vital dynamis to produce antibodies for complete immunization as
the homoeopathic remedy acts like and antigen or allergen.
Carc nach Raju Subramanian
[Philip Incao, M.D.]
Home Remedy Kit Directions
We have found in our years of experience since 1973 that most, but not
all, common, acute inflammatory or infectious diseases will respond well to the
cleansing, diet and remedies recommended in these directions. Please
familiarize yourself thoroughly with these directions before you begin treating
yourself or your family.
It is important to always begin your treatment with the cleansing unless
diarrhea is already present. In adults and older children this is a Dulcolax
suppository and Milk of Magnesia.
Be sure to keep warmly covered (trunk and legs) during every fever,
inflammation or infection. Most treatment failures are due to lack of attention
to bowel cleansing and to keeping the body warm. These are essential to support
the action of the remedies for a good outcome.
Please, remember that this kit is not meant to treat all illnesses and
cannot substitute for the individual diagnosis and recommendations of a
physician. If you have any questions, are not sure what to do, or if an illness
is not obviously improving, please call the office or your own physician.
Give liquid remedies in about ½ teaspoon of water, preferably on an
empty stomach. It is best to take each remedy separately, but there is no need
to wait between the separate doses. Pellets can go from hand to mouth.
Use: 1 drop or pellet for infants under 6 months old.
Use: 2 drops or pellets from 6 months to 2 years.
Use: above two years old, use as many drops or pellets as the child’s
age in years (4 yr. old-4 drops, etc.) up to the limit of 5 drops or pellets,
which is the dose for anyone over 5 years old.
The dose for the powders is the same for all ages: a little heap of
powder the size of a small pea on a dull knife-tip. The dose for tablets is
also the same for all ages. For infants, crush tablets or pellets into powder
and moisten with a few drops of water, juice or breast milk, in a spoon.
As soon as the bottles are 2/3 empty, please call Weleda or Uriel
directly and request a refill. Be sure you always have on hand the remedies you
need for your family’s common ailments. Our office keeps a few remedies in
stock, which are for urgent needs.
The FDA does not require expiration dates on homeopathic remedies. In
general, though, powders, tablets, pellets, liquids (drops) and ampules are
potent for decades if properly shielded from extreme temperatures, light and
moisture. Suppositories, ointments and oils are more subject to deterioration
and should be stored properly. Suppositories should be refrigerated while
ointments and oils must be kept in a dark place away from extreme temperatures.
These more perishable remedies should be judged on their odor and appearance.
Remedy List
Weleda Arnica Essence liquid $29 (OTC) (or Uriel Arnica Essence $24.20):
Dilute 1 teaspoon in ½ cup warm water as a solution to cleanse wounds, or
sprinkle about 20 drops on a damp cold gauze pad or washcloth (or make a 1:10
solution with water) to make a compress for sprained ankles, bumps on the head
or any injury. Keep out of children’s reach and store away from oral
medications.
Weleda Argentum/Carbo betula/Silicea drops $34 (or Uriel
Silicea/Belladonna pellets 19.25): For high fevers, pain or toxic conditions Use
1 drop or pellet for infants under 6 months old. You may give dose from every
hour up to every 15 minutes when symptoms are severe, along with Erysidoron 1.
Weleda Archangelica Eucalyptus Ointment $18: Rub on chest and back for coughs and chest
colds. Rub on throat for sore throat or croup. Rub on glands for swollen
glands. Cover warmly with cotton or wool.
Weleda Burn Care gel $15 (OTC): (Combudoron Gel) Keep refrigerated.
Apply liberally to burns and insect stings bandage loosely. Reapply twice daily
or more often to keep burn moist until it is healed. It may sting for 30 – 60
sec. when first applied to burns, but it works great to heal with little or no
scarring.
Weleda Carbo Betula Comp capsules $27: Swallow 1-2 capsules every 1-2
hours for diarrhea or stomach-intestinal cramps. Under 1 years of age: one
opened capsule mixed with food or drink. Over 12 years of age and adults: 3-4
capsules.
Weleda Capsicum/Cepa/Levisticum drops $34: For earaches give dose every
30-60 minutes or place dose directly into ear canal for more rapid relief.
Weleda Cinnabar Comp powder $26 (OTC) (or Uriel Cinnabar Comp pellets
$19.25): For head colds and sore throats and sinus infections: 1 pea-sized
portion or 1 to 5 pellets 4 times daily).
STOP IT IF THE COLD DEEPENS into CHEST AND LUNGS AND SWITCH TO Ferrum
Phos plus Infludo or Pneumodorons 1 & 2.
Weleda Echinacea Comp drops $34 (or Uriel Echinacea/Thuja pellets
$19.25): Give dose every hour for any
infection, inflammation or fever.
Eucalyptus Oil: Add to medicine reservoir on top of steam vaporizer for
coughs and colds especially at night. Eucalyptus oil is a poison and must be
kept out of children’s reach and apart from oral medicines. If swallowed,
please call a poison control center. Not included in kit, please buy at a
health food store.
Weleda Erysidoron I drops $29 (or Uriel Apis/Belladonna/Mercurius
pellets $19.25): For fever or pain of any kind, give dose every 1-2 hours. Use
1 drop or pellet for infants under 6 months old. Use 2 drops or pellets from 6
months to 2 years. Above 2 years old use as many drops or pellets as the
child’s age in years (4 yr. old – 4 drops, etc.) up to the limit of 5 drops or
pellets, which is the dose for anyone over 5 years old. For high fever over
103F, may repeat dose every 15 to 30 minutes if needed for restlessness or
discomfort from fever, along with Weleda Argent/Carb/Silicea drops or Uriel
Silicea/Belladonna pellets.
Weleda Ferrum Phos. 6X tablets $29 (OTC) (or Uriel Ferrum Phos. 6x
powder $24.20): For colds (whether in head or chest), coughs and flu: 1 tablet
or 1 pea-sized portion of powder every 1-2 hours. For prolonged convalescence
from any illness, give 4 times daily until completely recovered, usually 1-3
weeks after acute symptoms have disappeared.
Weleda Infludo drops $29, (or Uriel Sabadilla Eucalyptus drops $24.20):
For flu, coughs and chest colds 5 to 7
drops every 1-2 hours for adults. For chest colds in children, use the same
dose as other drops, depending on the child’s age.
Fever Suppositories (Uriel Echinaces/Apis $19.25 and Aconitum/Bryonia
$19.25 – 1 box of each) (Not carried by Weleda): Keep refrigerated: For high
fevers or toxic conditions. Insert in rectum every 4-6 hours and before
bedtime. NOTE: these suppositories are not laxatives; they are meant to stay in
and be absorbed to treat high fevers. If a laxative is needed, use a glycerin
suppository first (or Dulcolax suppository for kids over 1 year), then after it
works, use one of these fever suppositories.
Weleda Prunus Spinosa drops $27 (OTC) (or Uriel Prunus Essence drops):
Use in the same dose as other drops to strengthen resistance and life forces
during any illness, stress or convalescence. Continue 3 – 4x daily after the
illness until the patient is 100% back to normal.
•Note: OTC = Over the Counter. Remedies marked (OTC) are available from
Weleda without a prescription. All Uriel remedies above are OTC and can be
ordered directly from Uriel. All other remedies on this list may be refilled
from Weleda up to 3 years after you first receive the kit. After 3 years call
Dr. Incao for a new 3 year prescription.
•Some of these remedies have increased much in cost since Dr. Incao
first designed this kit in the 1970’s. As of 2013, you can save approximately
$50 by ordering the Uriel alternatives where mentioned above.
How to Treat Inflammatory Illnesses
All of the common illnesses of childhood are inflammations. “Infection”
is the wrong word for them because it suggests that we get sick because germs
invade us. This is misleading. We are always exposed to and often harbor germs
and yet we only occasionally get sick. Why do we get sick when we do?
In order to be healthy we must keep an inner balance in body and soul
while all the time growing and changing from birth to death. Childhood is the
time of most rapid growth and dramatic change, and a child will remodel and
renew his body many times as he grows. Every remodeling job requires some
demolition, a breaking down of part of the inherited bodily structure in order
to rebuild it better. This breaking down of old cells and tissues results in
debris, which must be cleaned up before the body rebuilds itself. It is the
immune system which does the breaking down by causing cell death, and when
necessary, fever and inflammation to destroy and digest foreign or outworn
bodily material. And it is the immune system which cleans up the digested
material and debris by pushing it out of the body. That is why children so
often will have skin rashes and discharges of mucus or pus, because their immune
systems are actively working. Debris that remains in the body may act like a
poison, or may cause allergies or repeated inflammations later on. Germs do not
“attack” us, but they often multiply wherever the body’s living substance is
dying, breaking down, and being discharged. Germs don’t cause illnesses: they
feed on them.
Every childhood inflammation, every cold, sore throat, earache, fever
and rash is a healing crisis and a cleansing process, a strong effort by the
human spirit working through the immune system to remodel the body so it can be
a more suitable dwelling. Anthroposophic and homeopathic remedies help and
promote this cleansing process and help the illness to work its way out of the
body in order for healing to occur. Antibiotics, aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen
and other anti-inflammatory drugs cool down and suppress the “fire” of the
immune system so that the symptoms subside before the illness has fully worked
its way out of the body. When an inflammation is suppressed in this way, and prevented
from fully discharging its toxins, then either the inflammation will come back,
or else the tendency to allergies and asthma will be increased. Recent research
has confirmed that antibiotics and vaccinations are a cause of increased
allergies and asthma.
It rarely happens in healthy people that the inflammatory response of
the immune system may get out of control. In such cases an antibiotic may be
needed. Although an antibiotic may be life-saving, it never heals an
inflammation; it only suppresses it. The causes of the inflammation must still
be healed after the antibiotic treatment; otherwise the immune system may
remain weakened. If you do take an antibiotic, please continue these remedies 3
to 4 times daily during, and for 2 – 3 weeks after, the antibiotic treatment.
In addition to any remedies you may use, THE FIRST AND BEST THING YOU
SHOULD ALWAYS DO AT the onset of any inflammation, fever, cold or “infection”
is to cleanse the body as follows (the infant or CHILD IS MODERATELY ILL AND
HAS NOT HAD A BOWEL MOVEMENT IN THE PAST 8 HOURS)
1) Give infants a glycerin rectal suppository. For adults and children
over one year of age, give a Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) suppository. If you prefer,
an enema may be used instead of a suppository.
(do not use any of these if diarrhea is present). After the initial
suppository or enema, it is important to keep the cleansing going until the
illness is all better by giving a dose of Milk of Magnesia once daily for 3-5
days:
Infants under one year: Fennel tea and diluted juices from stewed
organic apricots and prunes will help to loosen the stools.
Children, 1-5 years of age: 1-2 tablespoons or 2-4 tablets of Milk of
Magnesia
Children, 5-12 years of age: 2-3
tablespoons or 4-6 tablets.
Over 12 and adults:4 tablespoons or 6-8 tablets.
(After the first 3-5 days and until fever and pain are all gone, warm
prune juice or stewed prunes will help to keep bowels loose.)
2) Drink lots of warm herb teas, especially horsetail (equisetum) which
cleanses the kidneys, and is included in this kit.
3) STRICTLY AVOID ALL PROTEIN! See under “Diet” on page 11 for further
details.
Section 4: Treatment of Common Illnesses
Colds & Sinus Infections:
Cinnabar Comp.; Echinacea Comp.: Ferrum Phos. 6x. Steam Vaporizer with
Eucalyptus Oil.
Colds with Fever: Same as
“Colds” plus: Erysidoron 1; Argentum/Carbo Betula Silicea
Sore Throat: Same as
“Colds” plus: Erysidoron 1; Archangelica/Eucalyptus ointment on neck, cover
with bandana or scarf. Rub (rub on throat, cover with scarf); or poultice with
raw onion in slices and applied to throat.
Flu (fever, muscle-aches, headaches, dry cough):Same as “Colds with
Fever” + Infludo.
Deep Chest Cold and Cough: Echinacea Comp, Ferrum Phos. 6x.
You will also need:
•(*) Pneumodoron 1 and 2: Start with Pneumodoron 2 for first dose in the
morning. Every hour, in alternation (when not available, use Infludo every 2
hours) i.e. 1st hour Pneumodoron 2. 2nd hour Pneumodoron 1, and so on.
• Archangelica/Eucalyptus Ointment: rub on chest and back.
• Steam vaporizer with Eucalyptus oil.
• Mustard plaster in stubborn cases is very effective, but only when the
fever is low and cough is tight and unproductive. Call office or pager for
instructions.
•(*) Anise/Pyrite D3: 1 tablet every 1-2 hours. Or (*) Ferrum Sidereum D6: 1 pea-sized
portion every 1-2 hours.
Croup (very tight, barking cough): Same as “Sore Throat” except replace
Ferrum Phos 6x with (*) Anise/Pyrite D3, plus give:
Spongia/Bryonia every hour, up to
every 15 minutes when acute.
•Steam vaporizer with Eucalyptus oil is the most important remedy in
croup.
•Onion poultice or mustard plaster also helps to loosen the tight cough,
sometimes dramatically.
Laryngitis: Same as “Sore Throat” plus: (*) Anise/Pyrite: 1 tablet every
1-2 hours
Cough: Same as “Colds” plus give:
•(*) Sytra Tea
•Horsetail (equisetum tea) tea.
•Archangelica/Eucalyptus Ointment on throat and chest.
Vomiting or Diarrhea: See also page 11.
•1st day: (*OTC) Chamomile tea, or unflavored Pedialyte, only
1 teaspoon for a small child every 20 minutes. (See “additional instructions”,
pages 11 & 12, for infants.)
•2nd ay: Add cream of rice, clear vegetable broth, and grated
peeled apple, nothing else.
•3rd day: Gradually increase above. No dairy, nuts, beans,
eggs, meat, or fish until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or
diarrhea.
Swollen Glands: Archangelica/Eucalyptus Ointment on glands. Cover
warmly.
High Fever with Restlessness or Irritability:
•Keep patient warm and quiet in darkened room. No baths!
•No Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, aspirin, etc. These only prolong the
illness. They do NOT prevent convulsions.
•Argentum/Carbo Bet/Silicea and Erysidoron 1: every 15-30 minutes.
•Lemon calf compresses. (Feet must be warm to do this. If they are cool,
rub them first or use covered hot water bottle to warm them.) Cut ½ lemon in
bowl of lukewarm water, scoring the skin to release etheric oils into the water
and squeezing out the juice. Soak 2 washcloths in the lemon water, wring them
out well and then wrap one around each calf. Cover with wool muffler or other
wool, and then put pajama bottoms on over that. Cover patient warmly. May
repeat every 4 hours if fever and irritability persist. This treatment does not
cause a large drop in temperature, but rather pulls the inflammation down away
from the head, and makes the patient more comfortable.
•(*) Fever Suppositories (rectal) every 4 to 6 hours and before bedtime.
See page 3! NOTE: these suppositories are not laxatives; they are meant to stay
in and be absorbed to treat high fevers. If a laxative is needed use a glycerin
suppository first, then after it works use one of these suppositories.
•It is very important to follow instructions on page 5 regarding bowel cleansing.
(Adults with high fevers benefit from (*) Cardiodoron, 5 drops every 1-2
hours.)
•(See also Body Warmth and Fever, page 9.)
Bladder Spasms or frequent, painful urination (usually in girls): (Call
the office immediately for associated low back or kidney pain.) Rub
archangelica/eucalyptus ointment over bladder, cover warmly.
•WARMTH! Warm clothing (belly, legs and feet). Hot water bottle over
bladder.
•Lots of horsetail tea +/o. cranberry juice or extract.
•(*) Thuja Comp.: 1 pea-sized portion 4 times daily, for at least 5
days, up to 10 days, then stop.
•D-Mannose is a very effective natural remedy. Call office.
Pink Eye (conjunctivitis with yellow eye discharge): Same as “Colds with
Fever”
•Warm eye compresses and cleansing of eye discharge with horsetail
(equisetum) tea, included in kit.
Earache: Same as “Colds with Fever” plus Capsicum/Cepa/Levisticum, which
may also be given in the ear for more rapid pain relief.
•Chamomile steam inhalation (close supervision with younger children) to
open Eustachian tubes. Bring large pot of water to boil, turn off heat,
sprinkle loose dried chamomile flowers in the pot, then breathe the steam with
a towel loosely over the head to make a tent.
•Put some cotton in the ear which you have moistened with the fresh
juice of a raw strong yellow onion.
•Onion Compress: Wrap a ¼ inch slice of raw onion (preferably a strong
yellow onion) in one layer of gauze; apply it to ear, holding it in place with
Kling gauze wrapped around head. Keep on ear for about 4 hours or at least
until pain is gone. Repeat as often as needed. This is very effective in
loosening the painful congestion in the ear (just as an onion draws tears from
the eye.) For earache,
it is important to keep the ear and the entire head warm. Keep a wool
stocking cap always pulled over the ears (either alone or over the onion
compress). The onion compress is also effective in promoting drainage of fluid
remaining behind the eardrum after the earache, or caused by allergies. If you
have no onions (or no time), put 1-3 drops of Capsicum/Cepa/Levisticum in the
painful ear as often as needed, up to every 15 minutes.
If the ear drains, continue all of the above except do not put any drops
in the ear.
It is important to continue treatments for earache at least 10 days,
although remedies are reduced in frequency after symptoms improve.
For adults and children over 12 years of age: when you know you’re
starting to come down with something and want to “nip it in the bud”:
•Stop eating altogether and start drinking hot herb teas and hot citrus
punch with ginger and carrot/onion/garlic broth as much as tolerated.
•Empty your bowels! (unless you already have diarrhea) An enema or a
Dulcolax suppository works fast. Laxatives are slower and less predictable, but
take Milk of Magnesia anyway, because it is an excellent detox remedy for liver
and intestines. Take 8 tablets or 4tbsp. all at once, once daily for 1-5 days
in a row.
•Ferrum Phos. 6X and Echinacea Comp. or Uriel equivalents (pages 2-3)
every hour; Infludo every 2 hours.
•Take a very hot bath for 20-30 minutes, go to bed, and sweat under lots
of blankets, then sleep for as long as possible. In the morning you should feel
better. If not, repeat the bath every evening until you are better. If
you have a fever of 101° F or higher, then do not take a bath, just go to bed.
•Rest or nap as much as you can.
•Keep warm. Dress warmly. Use hot water bottle on feet if they are cool
to touch.
Additional Instruction for Illness in Children and Adults
Remedies:
Never wake up the ill person to give a remedy or change a lemon calf
compress. Sleep is the best healer. These remedies must be given regularly and
consistently if they are to work. As the illness is improving, the frequency of
the dose can be decreased from every 1-2 hours to 3-4 times daily; but do not
stop the remedies until 2 or 3 days after the fever and other symptoms are
completely resolved. The Ferrum Phos. 6X tablets can be given for one or more
weeks after this point as a strengthening tonic after a severe illness. Prunus Spinosa (OTC) from Weleda is also a
good strengthening tonic, and is included in this kit.
Body Warmth and Fever
Children should always be warmly dressed for the weather. This will
increase their body’s ability to handle inflammations. The normal body
temperature in a healthy child or adult should be 98.6 or slightly higher,
but preferably not lower. A sub-normal temperature indicates that not
enough warmth is being produced by the body. Viruses and bacteria in us grow
faster and toxins accumulate when the body temperature is lower and they are
all cleared faster from the body by the immune system when the body temperature
is higher. Weather permitting, young children should be dressed in natural
fibers with 3 layers on top and 2 on the bottom. Wool socks are very helpful to
support a healthy body temperature. Children under 3 years especially should
wear caps or hats to protect the body from warmth loss and the intensity of the
sun.
Fever should not be regarded as a dangerous or unhealthy process in the
body. It is actually the body’s messenger and a healthy response to the
presence of something foreign or toxic that the body needs to rid of.
If we feel very uncomfortable, achy or even delirious with a fever,
these are symptoms caused by the toxicity, the poisons, in our system. The
fever isn’t the problem; it is part of the solution! Giving Tylenol or Advil
for a fever is like killing the messenger.
Many parents have a dread of fevers because they expect them to lead to
convulsions or brain damage. This is simply not true! The great majority of
fevers are perfectly benign, and the great majority of children are not
susceptible to fever convulsions and don’t get them even with very high fevers.
Fever convulsions happen only in a small minority of children who are so
constituted as to have a low threshold for convulsions. Even in these
susceptible children fever convulsions are rare events, usually happening only
once or twice between 6 months and 6 years of age.
• Fever convulsions do not
cause any permanent damage to the brain or nervous system.
• Lowering a fever with
Tylenol, baths or anything else will not prevent convulsions.
• The minority of children
who are susceptible to fever convulsions will outgrow their susceptibility
after age 7.
• A fever convulsion is
much less likely to occur if the recommendations in these pages for bowel
cleansing, diet, quiet and warmth are promptly followed at the first sign of
illness in
children, as well as giving the
remedies.
It is the toxicity from certain diseases and certain immunizations which
may rarely cause brain damage in children or adults, regardless of whether the
fever is high or low. But fever itself, even
when 105° F or over, will not cause brain damage. In the very rare case
when a fever goes over 106 degrees, you should call your doctor.
Therefore, when a child has a fever, dress him even more warmly than
usual with layers of cotton or wool. Keep the patient warm enough that the
cheeks are red and the hands and feet are warm.
The body in its wisdom wants and needs to be hot in order to burn out
the illness. When the fever is rising, we feel chilled and want to get warm
under blankets. When the fever breaks and then
starts to come down, only then do we feel hot and sweat and throw off
the blankets. This is the natural way the immune system burns out the illness
and discharges its toxins.
It is best not to give aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen or baths for a fever.
There is no evidence whatsoever that these prevent fever convulsions. In fact,
recent research suggests that fever-lowering drugs may actually be harmful by
suppressing the immune system and increasing the body’s retention of toxicity,
thus making complications and prolongation of the illness more likely.
Don’t forget, fever drives the toxins out of the body. Tylenol and other
fever-lowering drugs can therefore make us more toxic! This explains why, in
some viral inflammations of children, aspirin increases the risk of Reye’s
Syndrome, and ibuprofen seems to increase the risk of serious bacterial
complications. Tylenol is likely to do the same, as well as having a well-known
toxic effect on the liver, which can be very dangerous at higher doses. Tylenol
use may also increase the tendency to develop asthma. This is probably one of
the reasons why asthma is increasing so much in children today.
Healing occurs when our toxins have been fully digested and discharged
from the body. Traditional medical wisdom has always recognized that the
discharge of pus, mucus or rash is a healing response to the underlying
illness.
If a child or adult with a high fever is very uncomfortable and
restless, this is a sign of toxicity and the previously mentioned cleansing
measures are needed. You may also rub the arms and legs and head with a washcloth
moistened with tepid water and Arnica tincture or lemon juice. (From the neck to the knees the child should
not be undressed.) Rub vigorously to make the skin red and this will help to
dissipate excess body heat through the skin. This restlessness and irritability
during a fever are caused by circulating toxins in the body and can often be
prevented by following the directions under “Cleansing and Detox”.
Diet
When someone has, or is coming down with any type of inflammation, cold
or fever, the diet should be restricted. When your body is trying to “digest”
and eliminate toxic substances it will help if you don’t have to digest much
food at the same time. Therefore, the general rule is to AVOID PROTEIN FOODS
during the acute illness. These are: meat, eggs, dairy, nuts, fish and legumes
(beans, peas, lentils, soy, etc.).
The sick person should have a mainly liquid diet of vegetable broth,
herb teas and fruit juices, but no juices colder than room temperature. Fruit,
cooked vegetables, grains, and light crackers are also suitable.
Another general rule is that when sick, eating less is better than
eating more. If the patient is not hungry then she is better off not eating. On
the other hand, when your patient in the middle of her illness is suddenly
hungry, then let her eat light, non-protein food and she will be quickly
satisfied. Add protein only when you are
sure the illness is really over.
The return of appetite is a sign of getting over the illness, but those
first meals after the fever is gone should be light ones. Don’t be too eager to
have your child regain the lost weight; this will happen soon enough quite
naturally as your child’s appetite and strength return. After the illness,
reintroduce the restricted foods gradually and carefully.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Important ways that the body detoxifies itself. For vomiting or retching
alone without diarrhea, the best remedy is a Dulcolax suppository or, in
INFANTS under 1 year old, a glycerin suppository. These will relieve the nausea
and vomiting by helping the bowels to move, thus venting the body’s toxins away
from the stomach and out of the body. This helps even when the patient has not
been eating and has very little stool to eliminate. The colon eliminates not
only food waste, but also cellular wastes and toxins carried by the lymphatic
fluid of the body.
For either vomiting or diarrhea, the most important remedies are proper
fasting and sleep. In such conditions, the stomach and intestines are inflamed
and they will be irritated by any food which enters them, thus resulting in
more vomiting, diarrhea and cramps. However, you must give fluid in small doses
to prevent dehydration (INFANTS). It is best to stop breastfeeding during acute
vomiting or diarrhea, and to give only clear fluids. Dry lips, dry mouth,
depressed fontanel in infants, and sunken eyes indicate dehydration; call the
office or your own doctor if these are present. Always call the office or your
own doctor for severe or prolonged vomiting or diarrhea (uder the age of two)
The older the child, the less the danger of dehydration.
Cook a handful of rice in 11/2 of water. Let simmer till the starch of
the rice is dissolved, feed with a little salt.
Start with only 1 teaspoon of chamomile tea, unflavored Pedialyte or
carrot/onion broth, repeated every 20 minutes. If symptoms persist, then give
nothing for a few hours, try to let the patient sleep, and try again.
(Chamomile tea can be made with as few as 2-3 flowers to 1 cup boiling water.
Place the chamomile flowers in a tea strainer and pour the simmering hot water
over the flowers, steep no longer than one minute. Allow to cool enough to be
just warm when giving to young children.)
You can make your own homemade and more wholesome version of Pedialyte
by simmering only chopped carrots and onions (organic if possible) with nothing
else added for about an hour with lots of water, then draining off the water to
use in alternation with chamomile tea or fennel tea for fluid replacement, 1
teaspoon every 20 minutes. It should have a mildly sweet taste. You may dilute
to taste with pure water if it tastes too strong.
The general rule is this: the inflamed bowels will heal as long as they
can have a rest from having to cope with food or even too much drink. If the
vomiting +/o. diarrhea are not improving, then you must give the patient less
to eat, less frequently, and call the office or your own doctor.
If steady pain, stiffness and tenderness to touch of the belly are the
main symptoms, sometimes with vomiting or diarrhea, then you should always
consult a physician as this may be appendicitis. This does not apply for
intermittent cramps, in which the belly is soft and non-tender between cramps.
If in doubt, please call your doctor.
As the vomiting +/o. diarrhea are improving, then the dose of unflavored
Pedialyte, chamomile tea or carrot/onion broth may be carefully increased. On
the 2nd or 3rd
day, cream of rice and oat broth (with a little salt) may be added. Oat broth
is made by simmering organic oat flakes with lots of water until creamy, then
putting it through a strainer. Give the part that passes through the strainer.
One may also eat an apple which has been peeled and grated on a fine grater.
Later saltine crackers, rice and millet and soft-cooked yellow vegetables like
squash, carrots, or yams may be added. Do not give meat, fish, eggs, dairy
products or any protein until you are sure recovery is complete. If at any time
the vomiting and diarrhea worsen, then go back to the beginning and start
again, with 1 teaspoon chamomile tea, unflavored Pedialyte or carrot/onion
broth every 20 minutes.
Quiet
Most adults have experienced how, during a fever or any inflammatory
illness, we crave peace and quiet and are disturbed by noises and sounds which
usually don’t bother us when we are well. Children have this same need for
peace and quiet during their illnesses, though they will rarely express it.
Instead, out of “boredom” they will ask to listen to the radio, tapes or watch
T.V. These kinds of stimulation are best avoided, especially for younger
children, and should be replaced by just “being there” for your child during
his or her illness in a peaceful, unhurried and reassuring way. Keep them
quietly under covers in bed or on a couch away from the hustle and bustle of
household activity. The more one can sleep during an illness, the better.
Illness is a time to remove oneself from the usual pressures and
routines of life and to “veg out” totally and to allow ones body to repair and
renew itself in the context of a peaceful and supportive environment.
Very often illness can provide a wonderful opportunity for renewed
communication and bonding between parent and child.
[r. Merryman]
Mastering Fear
The cleansing and detox and other recommendations in these pages have
proven themselves to work extremely well in over 90 years of experience with
Anthroposophic medicine in many countries
of the world.
They have worked extremely well for my patients, including my own three
children, since I began practicing medicine in 1972.
There have been articles in pediatric medical journals about “fever
phobia”, the unreasoning and unwarranted fear of fever that many parents have.
Fear is a natural response to the experience of powerful forces which we do not
understand. Acute inflammation and fever are certainly poorly-understood,
powerful forces, nevertheless they are healing forces!
When fear gains the upper hand, clear vision and judgment go out the
window. If we can master our fear and sit calmly and reassuringly with our
children when they are ill, observing them carefully, there is much we can
learn. We may find that our fear gives way to a healthy respect and a glimmer
of understanding for the change emerging in our child through the ebb and flow
of the fever.
In every fever and inflammation, forces of body, soul and spirit are
working to bring to birth a new order and a new balance. Many mothers have told
me of their child’s developmental leap in emotional and neurological maturity
after working through a feverish illness. That’s because every fever or inflammation
is like a labor pain in childbirth. They’re not pleasant, but just as labor
pains help the child’s body to come out into the world, so do fevers and
inflammations help the child’s spirit and soul to come into its body and from
there radiate out into the world. This “coming in and radiating out” of the
child’s spirit and soul is a stepwise process which enables the child to master
and control its own body and to relate to its environment - the very same
miraculous process which is responsible for the healthy growth and development
of the child. This process is what feverish illnesses support and enhance in
children, provided that these illnesses are able to run their course in a
healthy way, and to accomplish their important work of remodeling and renewing
the human body.
Every mother knows how helpful it is during labor and childbirth to be
surrounded by loving people who create a warm, supportive and positive
atmosphere. A child laboring through his or her feverish illness needs just
this kind of loving, positive support from the adults who are the midwives in
this birth process of the child’s spirit and soul.
If we could learn to greet fever in ourselves or our children as the
special event which it indeed is, and as a sign that the new balance and the
fresh start we needed is now coming about, imagine the difference such an
attitude could make! Instead of regarding a cold, flu or fever as an unwelcome
interruption in our life, and feeling worried, anxious or annoyed, we might
realize with awe and respect that the deeper wisdom we needed is now actively
working through us or our children. Such a positive attitude helps greatly to
bring about a healthy outcome.
Of course, as with any birth process, we need to be observant and
discerning to make sure the inflammation unfolds in a healthy way and to know
when to call for expert help. This knowledge and discernment can be learned
through experience, so that with each illness of our children we become more
familiar with the inflammatory process and more sure of our ability to judge
its healthy limits.
Often children themselves have an intuitive understanding of what they
are experiencing as they work through a feverish inflammatory illness, and
occasionally they express it. One five-year old patient of mine said to his
concerned mother at the peak of his illness, “Don’t worry Mom, I’m just
growing!” All growing requires that the ground first be broken and made
fertile. That is what feverish inflammatory illnesses do for us and our
children.
NOTE
Kling gauze, Milk of Magnesia tablets or liquid, glycerin suppositories,
Dulcolax suppositories, and Pedialyte (the unflavored is best) are all
available without a prescription at any pharmacy.
We recommend having them on hand before you need them urgently for an
acute illness. Have loose, organic chamomile tea, fennel tea and equisetum
(horsetail) tea on hand; in bulk is better than
teabags. All teas listed are
available from Weleda. Equisetum tea is also available from Uriel.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum