I have been very busy the last few months as I am conducting research into the LM potency scale  and the solution dose as advocated by Hahnamann (creator of homeopathy) in the Sixth Edition of The Organon. The Organon was where Hahnemann wrote his instructions and philosophy of homeopahty. Below is the introduction to the research about the differences in the last three editions of The Organon.

‘We can see the evolution of Hahnemann’s ideas from 1829 to 1843 if we study the Organon’s in succussion.

In the 4^th Edition, Hahnemann recommended the dry dose with a maximum limit of 30c. He advised giving the remedy to match the characteristic symptoms but waiting and watching to see what would happen after each dose. Hahnemann strongly warned against repeating the dose until the previous one was exhausted. This is called the ‘Wait and Watch method’.

The 5^th Edition was completed in 1833 and the potency limit of 30c was removed. Hahnemann now recommends using medicine dissolved in water. In Aphorism 246 Hahnemann now recommends that in cases with only slow amelioration, the remedy can be repeated at suitable intervals to speed the cure before the amelioration comes to a complete standstill’. Repetition of the dose was allowed, even when improvement of the patient sets in as succussion ‘alters’ the dose and therefore the exact same potency is not given each time and. However the homeopath should still ‘Wait and Watch’ as otherwise they may be prone to overmedicating.

The 6^th Edition was completed in 1841. Hahnemann wrote the preface in 1842. It was here that Hahnemann introduced the LM method. In a footnote to Aphorism 270, Hahnemann describes the LM scale as being, ‘the most powerful and at the same time mildest in action i.e. as the most perfected’. Repetition of the dose was still allowed as in the 5^th Edition, even when improvement set in. An aggravation could often be expected of similar presenting symptoms at the end of treatment and showed the medicinal disease present as the human physical disease was now annihilated. 

By reading the 6^th Edition alone, it is hard to follow Hahnemann’s instructions precisely due to misunderstanding. Hahnemann only shared his advanced methods with a few such as his wife Melanie, his close lifelong friend Boenninghausen and Reverend Everest. Dr. Croserio saw Hahnemann using the LM potency but was not fully clear on its administration. The only way to understand the administration of LM potency is from careful study of the 6^th Edition and also the Paris Casebooks which are now available at the Robert Bosch Institute in Germany. Homeopaths who have studied these Casebooks in detail in their original language are Rima Handley, David Little, Luise Kunkle, Ubiratan Adler and Luc de Sheppera amongst others.

Hahnemann died in 1843 before the manuscript could be published and his wife Melanie in her lifetime did not publish the work. Boenninghausen knew of the method but Melanie swore him to secrecy. Kentian homeopathy became popular and it can be conclude that most of Kent’s teachings came from the 4^th Organon.

The 6^th Edition was finally printed in 1920 by Dr Haehl in Germany and in 1921 in English by Boericke but by then Kentian homeopathy ruled the day!’

This year, Homeopathy Awareness week came and went (Tuesday 29th of April to Tuesday 6th of May) with many activities around Australia and the World to educate the public about the use of Homeopathy. In Australia Wellbeing magazine had a high quality insert about homeopathy, which featured information about homeopathy, case studies and listings of Professional Members throughout Australia.

During Homeopathy Awareness Week, an ad promoting the use of Homeopathy played in 26 cinemas across Australia for 8 weeks collectively. That equals 1426 showings to appromimately 150,000 people.

Talks, seminars, free acute clinics and many other events occured during this week and plans are already under way for bigger and better things for 2009!

 Its coming into Cold and Flu season! I’ve been busy with phonecalls coming in as the weather changes from warm to cold. Our immune systems are always challenged at the changing of the seasons but thanks to Homeopathy we need not suffer much!

Its best to have some homeopathic medicines at home for times like this is 6c or 30c potency. When a cold is just starting think of using medicines such as Aconite, Belladonna or Ferrum Phos. ACONITE is for a sudden onset of symptoms with high fever usually coming on at night with an intensity of symptoms. The whole body is hot and the patient feels better for cold drinks of water. BELLADONNA is for symptoms which tend to come on suddenly during the day with a bright red face with a dry, explosive cough. Even though the face is red the extremities are ice cold. BELLADONNA usually will have dilated pupils at this time, while ACONITE have contracted pupils.

When a cold is more established, medicines like ALLIUM CEPA, NAT MUR, ARSENICUM might help. ALLIUM CEPA with have bland watering eyes but a burning nasal discharge which caused redness and soreness under the nostrils. The patient feels worse in a warm room and in the evening. NAT MUR is often needed for colds that start with sneezing, where the nose runs like a tap with clear liquid which later will change into a stuffed up nose. The patient wants to be left alone and is thirsty. The ARSENICUM cold begins also with a clear runny nose and fever which starts around midnight. The patient is very chilly (while NAT MUR are more warm) and anxious with desire for cold drinks. They claim their throat burns which is better for warm drinks.

When mucus is very stringy, long and yellowish green think of KALI BICH. Yellow mucus often indicates PULSATILLA and at times when sick, this patient wants company, hugs and being spoiled. They may even be weepy.

Every season a homeopath looks for the genus epidemicus of Influenza (which is the common and characteristic symptoms of the illness which is common to many). This season so far it seems to be GELSEMIUM.  The patient feels sleepy, heavy and drowsy with muscle weakness and drooping eyelids. They appear listless and have no thirst or appetitie and may complain of a headache.

There are many homeopathic medicines that can be used to help with the symptoms of colds, coughs and influenza. Its always important to match the symptoms to the right medicine. The above information clearly does not cover all types of colds and flu symptoms that exist. If you have any doubt contact your nearest homeopath for an acute consultation and medicine and shorten the time you need to suffer.

Today I came across some interesting links which may be of use to parents who have children suffering from ADHD, Autism etc.

www.adhd.com.au

www.autism.net.au

www.autism-resources.com

This year the Serpentarius Healing Centre in Blackburn North, Melbourne is running some fantastic courses in Astrology, Homeopathy in the Home, Numerology and Tarot.The Centre is run by Kerrin Cassidy and Margaret Wood who have many years experience between them in Homeopathy. Both are lecturers of Homeopathy in all varied aspects. Kerrin was my lecturer at ACNM and inspired me greatly with his philosophical teaching and discussions. Kerrin and Margaret’s practice is very busy and is now expanding to include therapists, Cathy Bullard (Homeopath) and Rowenna Halge (astrologer).

The Living Astrology introductory course begins on the 23rd of March, 2008 and is run over 8 Sundays during the year. The course enables one to incorporate the use of astrology into their daily lives.

Homeopathy in the Home is a popular course which runs every year and introduces people to the wonders and simplicity of using homeopathy at home. Along with the teachings comes a complementary course book which is used in colleges for teaching purposes and is also sold in bookstores. The course will run on Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd of March, 2008.

The Numerology and Tarot courses will run later in the year - details will be posted at a later date.

For more information about the Serpentarius Healing Centre contact Kerrin or Margaret at (03) 9899 5000.

I have been asked quite often about Homeopathic medicines for home use. Homeopathy can be used at home to great effect. Medicines can be bought from your local Homeopath or health food store in 6c or 30c potency.In order to use Homeopathy effectively you must find the appropriate medicine for the condition presenting. You should only treat non life threatening acute conditions (cold, flu, bruises, cuts, stomach cramps etc). Do not treat yourself for chronic conditions. If the acute condition is serious, you are advised to go to your doctor and refrain from self help.

Books recommended for using Homeopathy at home are ..

• Golden, Isaac (1997) Australian Homeopathic Home Prescriber - Part 1 - Treatment of Simple Everyday Conditions, 2^nd Edition, Isaac Golden Publications, VIC
• Castro, Miranda (1990) The Complete Homeopathy Handbook - A guide to everyday health care, Pan Publications, London
• Hershoff, Asa (2000) Homeopathic Remedies - A quick and easy guide to common disorders and their homeopathic treatments, Avery, New York

You can also find the suitable medicine online at http://www.abchomeopathy.com/ with an easy remedy finder program.

Remember to follow instructions carefully for acute conditions - click here to read more

A suitable First Aid kit should contain the following medicines.

• Rescue Remedy drops / spray
• Rescue Remedy cream
• Calendula cream on its own or with Hypericum (cuts and wounds)
• Arnica cream (bruises and sore muscles)
• Aloe Vera gel (sunburn and itching skin conditions)
• Ferr phos 6x Tissue salt (start of colds, fevers and sore throats)
• Kali mur 6x Tissue salt (good for ear infections and excess mucus)

Homeopathic medicines for home use are recommended in 6 or 30c potency. This list is by no means final as many more can be added, but most acute problems can be covered by the below medicines. The medicines in bold are more important to have in your kit.

• Aconite
• Ant crud
• Ant tart
• Apis
• Arg nit
• Arnica
• Arsenicum
• Belladonna
• Bellis perennis
• Bryonia
• Calc carb
• Calc sulph
• Calendula
• Cantharis
• Carbo veg
• Chamomilla
• China
• Drosera
• Eupatorium perf
• Gelsemium
• Hepar sulph
• Hypericum
• Ignatia
• Ipecac
• Kali bich
• Lachesis
• Ledum
• Lycopodium
• Mag phos
• Merc viv
• Natrum mur
• Nux vomica
• Phosphorus
• Pulsatilla
• Sepia
• Rhus tox
• Ruta
• Silica
• Staphisagria
• Sulphur
• Symphytum
• Urtica urens

On Tuesday, February 12 at 5pm Pacific time, Australian homeopath Liz Lalor will be giving a talk on her theory and methods of finding the original trauma at the core of an illness.

Liz has been a natural therapist for 27 years with a very busy practice in Melbourne. Liz has authored, A Homeopathic Guide to Partnership and Compatibility.

Liz also originated a Fertility Program, based on the ideology of Dr.Leon Vannier. She has worked with 168 different women and been successful with 144 babies born.

If you wish to hear this live broadcast, go to http://www.wholehealthnow.com/ to find out more.

At the moment, disturbing happenings are occuring in the UK.  My friend Selma (Registered Homeopath) from London sent me this email last week…..

“There is currently a very real campaign against homeopathy in the UK, particularly homeopathy on the NHS.   Many homeopathic hospitals around the country, including the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital (UCLH), are under threat of closure.  GP’s are being encouraged to stop referrals and therefore patient numbers are dropping, despite continuing demand from the public.  Soon, only those able to afford private homeopathic consultations will benefit from this safe, natural & effective 200 year old system of medicine.   We should all have the right to choose what kind of treatment we receive and the government should honour their policy of “Patient Choice” within the NHS.
 
If homeopathy has worked for you and you too feel strongly about freedom of choice in healthcare, please take a minute to sign the online declaration at  http://www.homeopathyworkedforme.org.   It will be presented to 10 Downing street in June 2008.   Please show your support, and pass on to interested friends & family.”

Please consider taking a few minutes of your time to sign the online petition IF you feel Homeopathy has ever helped you. It should be a matter of international concern - who knows what will follow if Homeopathy loses its status in the UK. This is not a time to sit back and wait and watch!

Pre menstrual tension is very common in Western women with various symptoms and causes.

Check out my new article about Pre menstrual tension, its causes and various tips on how to make each month more bearable. Homeopathy is very effective for women with hormonal issues but since it is not an acute issue, it is recommended to consult a qualified Homeopath for treatment. However Homeopathic suggestions are given in a chart at the end of the article for acute menstrual pain until a Homeopathic consultation can be arranged.

Happy New Year!

Well before I move into the Homeopathic New Year, I thought I would mention a homeopathic conference I went to last June in my home country Ireland. It was part of the “Big Walkabout” trip that my partner and I made in 2007 (which included India, Nepal, England, Scotland and Israel).

I didn’t bring a camera to the event but luckily Miranda Castro wrote about the event in her blog with some fantastic photos. Miranda also wrote a commentary on my homeland with pictures of the landscape I know so well.

The 3 day seminar was the 14^th Irish Society of Homeopath’s Conference held in the campus of the University of Galway in early June. It was originally created by Nuala Eising (who established The Burren School of Homeopathy and where I started my homeopathic training) to allow homeopaths from around the world to share information and of course to have the “craic” in the evenings. When Nuala closed her school to move on to other things, the newly established Galway School of Homeopathy kept the tradition going.

My Australian friend Therese Shannon arrived to experience the Irish homeopathic scene on a round trip which included France. If you squint very carefully at Miranda’s photos of the conference you can see two red heads in the audience - that’s us!

Speakers included Jayesh Shah with a very interesting case of Agaricus muscarius. Misha Norland talked about a new proving of the hair taken from ‘The Mother” which opens up a whole new area of possible proving’s in the future.

Angela Bracken, an Irish Drama therapist indicated how the therpay could help in homeopathic consultations with children. She had us up at one stage singing and dancing.

Dr. Brian Kaplan talked about his method in case taking including techniques from Provocative Therapy. He was hilarious and had us all bent over in laughter. His book “Homeopathic Conversation” is a must for any serious homeopath on case taking.

Dr.Jurgen Becker talked about potency and the different energies revealed by 6c, 30c, 200c etc. He used Guinness in various potencies as an example (as all Irish have an intimate knowledge of this substance).  Dr. Elizabeth Thompson looked at The Bombay method and its use in treatment of complex disease. Roger van Zandvoort talked about the Bonninghausen versus the Kentian method and their benefits and drawbacks.

Dana Ullman closed the conference by promoting his new book, “Homeopathic Revolution: Why famous People and Cultural Heros Choose Homeopathy” and explaining how Darwin, Mother Teresa and Beethoven used homeopathy as well as current people such as the British Royal Family, Tina Turner, Cher, Axl Rose, Moby and Dizzy Gillespie.

For myself, one of the highlights was Dr.Amy Rothenberg who gave us examples of case taking and successful treatment with a method developed by her husband, Dr.Paul Herscu - ‘Cycles and Segments’. She claimed that in her experience, 20 homeopathic medicines would help 85 - 90% of children. The list was…

• Baryta Carb
• Belladonna
• Bufo rana
• Calc carb
• Carcinosin
• Hyoscyamus
• Ignatia
• Lachesis
• Lycopodium
• Medorrhinum
• Mercurius
• Natrum mur
• Nux vomica
• Phosphorus
• Pulsatilla
• Silica
• Sulphur
• Thuja
• Tuberculinum
• Veratrum album

The other highlight was Miranda Castro’s talk. She talked about her last 20 years experience in her homeopathic practice. She gave humorous stories of mistakes and achievements and broke a lot of homeopathic myths such as coffee being a good antidote! She has found this is not the case and finds  the same remedy in a lower potency works best or looking at the antidotes in Boericke and trying those in material substance (only if safe of course!). The other myth is that patients have to suffer (aggravation) before getting better. This does not have to be the case if potency is carefully evaluated.

Overall I had a great time and it was so good to catch up with old friends.

The conference takes place each year in June in Galway, Ireland for those of y0u who may be interested in the future.