Feldman Murray - Homeopathy For Children: a Parents Guide to the Treatment of Common Childhood Illnesses

How many of us have stood and watched our children suffer from repeated earaches, colds and fevers, only to see them given antibiotics over and over again and reassured that nothing is seriously wrong? Sometimes we have been told that 'nothing can be done. You just have to wait.'

This book is meant for those of you who really want to know if there is an alternative to this. An alternative that is safe, non-toxic and effective.

Homoeopathy is one of the oldest and most accepted forms of natural medicine. It was discovered almost 200 years ago, although the advent of modern drugs meant that interest in it waned considerably during the first part of this century. However, enthusiasm for homoeopathy is now undergoing a tremendous resurgence throughout the world. One of the major reasons for this is the realization that orthodox drugs are not fulfilling our original hopes. New strains of bacteria, an increase in chronic disease, and the side-effects of certain drugs have led people to turn to homoeopathy. This is not meant to belittle the advances made and help given by orthodox medicine but drugs are not always the only answer.

There are people who take pain-killers for every ache, and sleeping pills or anti-depressants at the slightest hint of tension or sleeplessness. Although these drugs definitely have short-term value, they offer only temporary and at times imperfect relief. The continual use of drugs can weaken the body's own resistance, leading to increased reliance or addiction and making a complete cure more difficult.

Homoeopathy, on the other hand, is 'holistic'. That is to say, it treats the whole person the individual who is sick rather than just his or her symptoms. For this reason there is no one medicine indicated for everyone affected by a certain illness. Although they may have exactly the same disease, different people need different remedies.

Before prescribing a remedy, a homoeopath will take into account the patient's demeanour, emotional state, and how he responds, either mentally or physically, to the stresses in his life.

In our experience as homoeopaths we have been delighted to see how quickly children respond to homoeopathic medicine. In adults the natural picture of disease is often distorted by their past history of emotional trauma or over-use of drugs. Even birth control pills can upset the hormonal cycle and alter healthy bodily functioning. Children, on the other hand, have not usually the same history of taking orthodox drugs for their symptoms, and they reveal their symptoms spontaneously just by being themselves. Their natural capacity for health, healing and happiness has not yet been reduced or distorted by over-medication or by their own feelings, beliefs and anxieties about life.

People who say that homoeopathic medicines act by suggestion need only watch how a baby responds to homoeopathy. It is wonderful to see a child saved from the need to have his tonsils removed or tubes put in his ears by the use of well-chosen remedies.

Using Homoeopathy to Treat Simple Illnesses

This book is intended primarily as a self-help guide. It is meant to support you in actively participating in your child's health during bouts of minor acute ailments such as coughs and colds, and non-life-threatening conditions that require first-aid treatment.