As discussed in the May 1998 issue ...

As discussed in the May 1998 issue of Better Nutrition, homeopathy has proven to be an effective treatment for allergies of the like kind as hayfever and allergy-related conditions like asthma. This means of healing, based on the principle of "like restoratives like," can also be an effective first aid treatment for allergic reactions. In an April 5 1998 interview, Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND co-author with Robert Ullman, ND of Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick & Easy Guide for the Whole Family, gave an overview of several allergic reactions and the best homeopathic remedies, or medicines, to treat them.

belonging to all allergic reactions and some homeopathic treatment choices

Hives. "The first restoration to think of for hives," states Reichenberg-Ullman, "is Apis, which is honeybee. The main symptoms of Apis are swelling that can be anywhere throughout the body and pains that are generally stinging or burning."

Apis hives have feeling better upon cold applications, while our nearest remedy, Rhus toxicodendron (Poison ivy) is for hives that be moved better for hot applications. "The main symptom that is notable for Rhus tox is last itching," explains Reichenberg-Ullman. "People may also notice joint stiffness."

The third in the greatest degree common remedy for hives is Urtica uren (Stinging nettle) An itching, burning rash is also present; this is a advantageous choice if the other sum of two units remedies are not clearly indicated.

It is important to note that chronic, or recurring, hives are best treated constitutionally by the agency of a qualified homeopathic health professional.

Insect bites and bee stings. "For bee stings," says Reichenberg-Ullman, "again the redress is Apis and, again, the main symptom would be swelling. The area is r and of high temperature has burning, stinging pain, and be stirreds better for cold applications." This counteraction can also be used for other bites that fit the symptom picture.

"For your classic insect bite, where there may be itching, yet there's not particularly swelling, the restorative is Ledum (Marsh tea)." With Ledum bites, the affected area may be stirred cold to the touch, is worse for heat, and better for gelid or bathing.

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Allergic reactions from these emblems of exposures tend to cause an acute contact dermatitis with an itchy, blistering rash that can take a week or more to clear. The volume states that poison ivy and sumac are mostly common in the eastern U while poison oak can be set up in the west. The main counteractive for these exposures, according to Reichenberg-Ullman, is "Rhus tox, which is actually poison ivy. The main symptom is itching. Another symptom is quite a bit of restlessness; they be excited like they have to scratch incessantly, especially at night. The impressed sign of eruption is generally water-filled blisters and, in my experience, joint stiffness goe along with the itching."

An Anacardium (Marking nut) position with blistering especially on the face, hands, and fingers, is characterized by way of "a yellow discharge from the eruptions which crust over" And the last reparation that we'll cover in this category, Croton tiglium (Croton oil), occasions a rash that is primarily located in succession the face and genitals. "[The rash] is excessively itchy and the person may have quite austere diarrhea along with the eruptions. single in kind of the things that [indicate] a Croton tiglium-type of poison ivy, or oak, is that the skin be wrought ups like it is pulled really tight."

Cautions and contraindications

Homeopathy can be an worthy of great praise method of combating the unexpected onset of allergic reactions on lessening their severity and shortening their duration. However, if a unrelenting reaction -- involving respiratory distress (an anaphylactic reaction) -- come to passs immediate medical attention is necessary, since the condition may be life threatening. Also, Reichenberg-Ullman points not at home certain things should be avoided when using homeopathy, as they diminish the medicine's efficacy. Included in this list are menthol camphor, eucalyptus, milk, and coffee

Conclusions

"Most of the time, for these conditions that we've mentioned," Reichenberg-Ullman reports us, "homeopathy is extremely effective. put to proof the best indicated homeopathic remedy-and, if you don't notice a difference or improvement within an hour, then it's probably not the right [one] If you've given brace or at most three, remedies a test and you're not improving, then you should make experiment of a different approach. If there are not clear indications for a particular homeopathic aid don't give it just because you have a list and you have remedies."

REFERENCES

Ullman, Robert, ND and Reichenberg-Ullman, Judyth ND Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick & Easy Guide for the Whole Family. Rocklin, Calif.: Prima Publishing, 1997

COPYRIGHT 1998 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights Reserved

COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group