Homeopathy?
I was wondering if anyone can point me to good info about homeopathy? Does it work? Is it safe? (The FDA recently said not to give cold meds to children under 6 years old, so I’m trying to find something to relieve symptoms.) I don’t have much experience with this, but we are trying Hyland’s ear ache and cold tablets for children. I see homeopathy kits on the internet, but have some skepticism and sticker shock at their prices.
April 1, 2008 at 11:39 pm
True homepathy? I vote garbage.
That said, there are some things out there under the label of “homeopathic” that aren’t really homepathic but simply collections of herbal products that have potent constituents, at doses just low enough the FDA doesn’t shut them down.
Sadly, I would suggest if you are looking for something effective find another route….:(
April 2, 2008 at 11:23 am
I’ve had very good luck using homeopathic remedies for allergies and menstrual cramps. It’s a little high maintenance at first as you take these tiny little pills every two hours, but I’ve found them quite effective, and so, worth the cost. I also really like using homeopathic calendula cream for scrapes and bumps. Also a big fan of Bach’s Rescue Remedy, which is another line of thought about flower essences and how they affect you.
April 2, 2008 at 11:28 am
I agree with Tox’s statement about mislabeling. Your mileage may vary. Be careful to buy well-known producers of homeopathic remedies like Boiron, etc. The full line can be found at Whole Foods and SNFC. I know there has been a lot of flak about Zicam lately…
April 2, 2008 at 12:58 pm
If you’re looking for a “homeopathic” remedy for Asher, however, you’re still looking for medication.
Using ephedra in tea (when you could) would clear up the sinus symptoms of your cold and was herbal (and often called homeopathic) — but it’s not much different than a big dose of Sudafed.
Whether it’s a low dose of an herbal remedy or a low dose of a “chemical” remedy you’re still introducing changes to his tiny little system.
April 2, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Yeah, that’s what my skeptical mind says, too. My hopeful, desperate, magical-thinking self says try anything. Thanks for sharing your experience.
April 2, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for sharing your experience. A lot of moms I know use the Hyland’s tablets for everything from colds and earaches to teething. I actually have some Rescue Remedy in the cupboard. Maybe I’ll take another look at that.
April 2, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Yes, I’m well acquainted with some of the herbal remedy effects, such as ephedra. I saw a Chinese herbalist for a while in the 90s, who treated my asthma with ma huang. I quit because it left me feeling just as jacked-up as my allopathic drugs did.
No, I’m not looking for anything so potent for him!
April 2, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Cold medicine never really seems to do much for me in general so I always go back to what my mom did with us which was to breath steam. She’d put a pan of hot water on the table and have us lean over it with a towel over our heads. Or we’d all sit in the bathroom with hot water trickling in the tub to make it a steam room. And lot’s of Vick’s Vapor Rub or tissues soaked with Olga oil for us to huff. Now that I’m an adult I put drops of peppermint oil in the steam pan because I know to keep my eyes closed.
Homeopathic meds are mostly bullshit in my humble opinion – our neighbor was a homeopathic nurse and gave stuff to my mom when I was sick and feverish as a teenager and there was never any noticeable difference in recovery times.