Homeopaths are Here to Help (From The Argus)

Homeopaths are Here to Help

5:57am Tuesday 25th November 2008

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By Sarah Whittaker - homeopath »

Dear oh dear, oh dear. There’s a chap who writes a column in the Guardian who really seems to dislike homeopaths. That’s fine – he’s entitled to his opinion, of course (though I do wonder at a national newspaper condoning his repeated little digs). This week, he writes about having a cold, and says “I have a cold...throughout the nation, homeopaths and self-declared nutritional therapists are celebrating”, presumably thinking that, just because he repeatedly mocks homeopathy and nutritional therapy, therapists like me will be happy he’s suffering.

It must be tricky to write a column with a head all full of cold, so let’s forgive him for having rather an inflated view of his own importance. But what on earth makes him think that therapists (people who spend their days trying to helping others, after all) would be likely to celebrate his, or anyone else’s, misery and suffering? Someone seems to, ahem, have rather lost their sense of perspective.

A former sceptic of homeopathy, I was forced to eat humble pie when I discovered at first-hand the dramatic effects of homeopathy, during my recovery from near-complete paralysis. Stunned by just how much better the homeopathy made me feel, I quit a successful career in law and law lecturing, and spent over four years training as a homeopath myself.

My motivation? Wanting to help other people discover how great it is to feel back in balance, without toxic drugs – so, wanting to help others.

In my experience, this is a common scenario – homeopaths tend to be ordinary people, leading ordinary lives, who stumble upon homeopathy when they themselves or a family member, become unhappy or unwell. Once you’ve had your Arnica moment – the moment when you simply can’t deny to yourself that your remedy has really hit the spot – it’s very hard to turn your back on this gentle, elegant and natural method of medicine.

Given that homeopaths tend to be incredibly kindly and caring folk, I suspect it’s far more likely that, like me, homeopaths reading the Guardian column felt rather sorry for Mr Goldacre – not just because he’s got a bit of a cold, but because it can’t be pleasant to have a mindset where you assume that other people will celebrate your sufferings.

Naturally, it’s possible that this particular chap wouldn’t appreciate my advice, but for what it’s worth, I very rarely prescribe a homeopathic remedy for a common cold (unless it lingers, leaves the patient feeling weakened, or the patient is a child or elderly and is suffering unduly), taking the view that a one-off cold is usually a sign that it’s time to have a day or two snuggled under the duvet with a good book, while your body does it’s job and fights the virus. As long as you keep your fluids up, eat light but nutritious food, keep warm and rest, a few days later, the discharges of sweat, snot and phlegm should leave your system feeling spring-cleaned, invigorated and renewed.

I do hope Mr Goldacre finds that this is the case, and that he’s soon feeling better than ever. If not, he’ll find his local homeopath listed in the Yellow Pages.

For more information about how a professional homeopath may be able to help your immune system, visit www.phoenixhomeopathy.com

Disclaimer: Any views or advice in this weblog should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, especially if you know you have a specific health complaint. Prescribed medication should not be stopped or varied without conventional medical advice. Please remember that homeopathic remedies and other health measures should be individually-selected to match the whole person, not just the unwelcome symptom. Seek professional advice rather than self-prescribing if your complaint is chronic, severe or long-standing, or if you are pregnant, elderly or on orthodox medications.