What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a system of health care which concentrates on care of the whole person or animal by methods that are specific, gentle and sympathetic to the body's needs. Homeopathy is based on the utilization of specially prepared, refined dilutions of natural substances to trigger a healing response in the organism.The word "homeopathy" is derived from two Greek words: homoios (like) and pathos (suffering). Homeopathic medicine was first developed by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann and the system was advanced and practiced by many medical doctors in the United States in the last century.
Homeopathy is a unique form of medicine, and homeopathic remedies are very different from herbs, vitamins, or drugs. The basic principal of homeopathy is that "like cures like”: that a substance that causes certain symptoms when taken in large doses can resolve those symptoms when taken in minute, specially prepared forms. Because the substances used in homeopathy are extremely small, there are no side effects, adverse reactions, or contraindications. The remedies are generally considered completely safe for all species of animals. The smallest amount of medicine is used to simply "initiate" healing.
What are homeopathic remedies made from?
Remedies are very tiny doses of specially prepared substances from plants, animals, and minerals. Remedies are highly diluted and act to stimulate or enhance the horse's own natural defenses.
How can a small dosage of a substance create change or have a long lasting effect?
Homeopathic remedies can be thought to have a resonant effect on the body. Similar to the way in which a specific note, played on the violin in a specific octave, can have an effect on the molecular structure of a wine glass, the homeopathic remedy which exactly resonates with the symptom picture of an individual will have a catalytic effect, triggering a systemic response in the patient. The response is strengthening to the individual from the inside out.
The remedy stimulates a return to balance which in turn helps the individual animal resist disease and become more flexible in adapting to the environment.
There are Three Levels of Homeopathic Therapy
1) First Aid
Homeopathic remedies can be extremely effective in the treatment of common occurrences such as bumps, kicks and bruises, skin reactions such as hives or animal stings, and trauma and fright. First aid remedies, when correctly chosen, can act quickly and safely.
2) Acute Homeopathy
Homeopathy can be useful in treating acute health problems. Examples include indigestion, colds, coughs, and musculoskeletal problems such as abscesses, windpuffs, splints, joint swelling, tenderness and overuse injuries. It is important to remember that home usage of homeopathic remedies should be limited to acute conditions, such as strains, sprains, bruises, abscess, etc.
You can safely give a homeopathic remedy while waiting for your vet.
If you suspect a condition like colic, you can give a homeopathic remedy and know that it is safe and will not interfere or interact with any medicines your vet might want to use when he or she arrives.
Serious or chronic conditions require the services of your vet. In addition you might consult a professionally trained homeopath with expertise in treating horses. The HorseHomeopathy Emergency Kit can be used safely to help horses heal in many acute conditions.
3) Constitutional Homeopathy
Homeopathy is particularly effective in the treatment of long-term health problems. Many years of training in homeopathic medicine are required to develop the skills required to use homeopathic remedies in horses with more serious long-term problems. All such cases should also have a consulting veterinarian. Constitutional prescriping is outside the realm of the Emergency Kit. I will share some constitutional cases, human and animal, that are interesting on the Case History page.
Advantages of Homeopathy in First Aid
- Homeopathic treatment is completely safe and produces no side effects
- The remedy will not mask symptoms, as do analgesics like Bute
- Homeopathic remedies are very easy to give to your horse
- Homeopathy stimulates and strengthens animal's immune system
- Homeopathy is inexpensive
Disadvantages
- If the correct remedy is not given usually there is no action
- As the action of the remedies is specific you might have to try more than one before finding the correct substance that will help the horse
- Sometimes homeopathic treatment is more subtle or slower than that of conventional medicines although the response can be rapid and favorable in many conditions.
DISCLAIMER: We make no medicinal claims for any of the homeopathic remedies. The information on this site is for educational purposes and does not replace veterinary advice or treatment.
Please consult with your veterinarian when giving your horse any remedies.
Always call your veterinarian if something serious happens to your horse or if you detect that the horse is ill. The homeopathic remedies in the HorseHomeopathy Kit can be used as a first aid measure. After your veterinarian examines the horse and makes a diagnosis and suggests appropriate treatment you can discuss augmenting the treatment with homeopathic care. You might also consider consulting a trained professional homeopath.
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