If your child is one of those who get sick often of those who relapse with the same thing several times a year, you may have considered treating him with an alternative therapy to conventional medicine. One of the best known is homeopathy, which has more and more followers; The latest data estimate that more than 1,500 pediatricians use it in Spain in their consultations on a regular basis and it may be the ideal alternative for your little one.
What does it consist of?
Homeopathy considers that the human organism has an important capacity for self-healing. When a disease appears and homeopathic remedies are administered, they activate the metabolic response and the defenses go to work by themselves to eliminate the symptoms and the cause of the disease.
Where do homeopathic medicines come from?
They can be of vegetable, animal or mineral origin. Once selected, the substances are macerated in a mixture of distilled water and alcohol, to obtain the mother tincture, from which the remedies are formed with their dilutions.
How do they work?
Basically, following the law of similarity: a homeopathic remedy has to produce in the healthy person the same effects that causes the disease it is supposed to treat. For example, arabic coffee is used to combat nervousness and insomnia. And onion, to relieve colds in the upper respiratory tract.
What types of remedies are there?
There are more than 3,000 remedies. The most common presentation are granules, small pills or drops, but you can also find creams, gels, suppositories, powders. All of them with homeopathic properties.
What is the most suitable presentation for children?
For children under two years, the best are the granules that can suck like candy or can be dissolved in water, milk or juice. To use homeopathic drops it is better to wait until three years, since they have an alcoholic content for their conservation.
Homeopaths are doctors?
Although in some countries homeopathy is not integrated into their public health system, as is the case in France or Belgium, no person other than a doctor is authorized to prescribe medicines, even homeopathic ones. One recommendation is that you consult with recognized doctors so that they inform you about all the collegiate who have homeopathic consultation in the city.
Are there different homeopaths?
Yes, there are basically three streams:
Unicist: This type of homeopath takes into account the personality of the patient and through several interviews, tries to find a single personalized remedy that can be used to treat any disease that the patient contracts, from a toothache to the flu. This system is often used more in chronic conditions and can be difficult to implement with children, since when they are young they do not yet know how to express their emotions and symptoms.
Pluralist: This homeopath uses several remedies to treat a disease and considers that these active principles are the ideal ones to treat the patient, because a unicist remedy would not cover all the symptoms suffered by the patient.
Complex: Mix homeopathic remedies in low dilutions (DH) with other alternative therapies and even traditional medicine if necessary.
Are Homeopathic Remedies Safe In Children?
The specialists clarify that they are totally safe in infants, young children and even pregnant women. The reason is that the remedy offered to a child has been diluted many times to achieve minimal concentrations of the active principle, but very effective.
The normal thing is that the dilutions are centesimal, CH or c (1/100), or decimals, DH or d (1/10) Interestingly, the more diluted the remedy is, the more effective it is.
By boosting the functioning of the immune system, allergic children experience an improvement in symptoms shortly after starting treatment.
Does it take longer to take effect than traditional medicine?
"The vital tone of a child is higher than that of an adult, so when you take homeopathy, the effects are noticed very quickly," explains a doctor from the Naturopathic Medicine Commission of the Tustre College of Physicians of Madrid. "And this is something very important for parents, since they want to see their child healed quickly," adds the specialist.
Does it serve to cure everything?
According to experts in homeopathy, it cannot cure all diseases, but it can cure most of the benign processes of childhood: viral or bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and digestive system, skin problems such as diaper rash. It also works if the little one's mouth hurts when the teeth come out, or the belly hurts when they suffer from colic, or if the chicken pox pimples itch. But homeopathic treatments are not supplements and do not help in vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
Homeopathy cannot cure all illnesses, but it can cure most of the benign processes of childhood viral or bacterial infections of the respiratory tract
Is it suitable for allergy sufferers?
By boosting the functioning of the immune system, allergic children experience an improvement in symptoms shortly after starting treatment.
Does it take longer to take effect than traditional medicine?
"The vital tone of a child is higher than that of an adult, so when you take homeopathy, the effects are noticed very quickly," explains a doctor from the Naturopathic Medicine Commission of the Tustre College of Physicians of Madrid. "And this is something very important for parents, since they want to see their child healed quickly," adds the specialist.
How many doses do I need to give my child?
Always follow the guideline indicated by the homeopath. If it is a process that has become chronic or that is recurrent, it can vary from a few days to months. If, on the contrary, it is a shock treatment (lower fever, relieve a bump, stop vomiting), a few doses spaced within a few hours may be sufficient. What happens is that once the child receives the first dose, his body acts like a kind of dynamo that recharges itself as it struggles. Thus, as soon as you notice that the symptoms begin to improve, you can stop giving the granules.
Is it compatible with allopathic medicine?
That you choose to give your child homeopathic remedies does not mean that you should not also treat him with traditional medicines if he needs them. If a homeopathic treatment is started with the child and it does not get well, it is necessary to go to the pediatrician to assess his evolution and, if necessary, to initiate an adequate treatment that can be with allopathy (antibiotic) and homeopathy for the other symptoms.
Is it incompatible with something?
Some strong essences, such as peppermint used in toothpastes, can affect the effectiveness of homeopathy, making it difficult to absorb the principle. While your child is in treatment, buy homeopathic or non-menthol-flavored toothpaste.
Where can I buy homeopathic medicines?
More and more pharmacies offer generic homeopathic products, but for some remedies, and depending on the type of homeopathy chosen, you may need a pharmacy in 1a to prepare the specific remedy that the specialist has prescribed for your child.
The homeopathic boat
Many, many common disorders respond well to homeopathy. Of course, remember that, as in everything related to children's health, before giving any remedy to your child you should consult a specialist.
Teething: Chamomilla is used and if there is edema with pain, Arnica is used.
Blows: Arnica is very effective to relieve them.
Infant colic: The most used remedies are Lycopodium and Colocynthis.
Infant diarrhea: This problem is treated with China Rubra, Magnes1a Carbonica or Chamomilla, if it is for the teeth.
Diaper rash: Calendula ointment is used, in addition to Medorrhinum, Belladonna and Croton Tiglium.
Constipation: Nux Vomica is used to combat it.
Fever without sweat: Homeopaths advise Aconite and Belladonna. If the child does not improve, the doctor must be notified.
High fever: Belladonna is used to reduce it.
Otitis: Oscillococcinum, Belladonna, Capsicum Annuum and Ferrum Phosphoricum are used.
Catarrh: Oscillococcinum is used.
Anginas: Angin-Heel cps (complexist), is a very effective homeopathic mixture for these cases.
Laryngitis and pharyngitis: Both are combated by alternating Spongia Tosta and Sambucus Nigra.
Chickenpox: Rhus Toxicodendromy Croton Tiglium. Mezererumy Antimonium Tartricum is effective for scabs.
Asthma: Poumon Histamine, Ipeca, Blatta Orientalis, Cuprum Metalicum, Droserae Ipeca are used.
How will I administer these remedies to your child
In order for the dose to be as effective as possible, the following must be taken into account:
You should fasting 10 minutes after taking it and wait at least two hours after eating food for a new intake.
Ideally, you should suck on the granules so that they dissolve little by little in your mouth and if possible under your tongue. If he is too young to do this, you can dissolve them in his bottle or in water or juice.
Do not touch the granules or globules with your fingers, they should pass directly from the tube into the child's mouth. If you touch them, you can remove some of the impregnation and therefore reduce its effects.
If you give homeopathic drops or powders, you can also dissolve them in a little liquid, but when you give them the ideal is to keep it in your mouth for at least 20 seconds before swallowing it.
To preserve the effectiveness of the principles, store the remedies in a cool place, free from humidity and without exposing them to light or electromagnetic fields.
For the doses to be effective, you should not eat for 10 minutes after taking it.
