Alternative Medicine: Homeopathy and children

Does your child have allergies, eczema, ear aches, digestive issues, or problems with attention, sleep or eating? Homeopathy can be a safe and effective treatment for these conditions.

What is homeopathic medicine? It is a holistic medicine that recognizes that mental and emotional symptoms coexist with physical symptoms. It can effectively alleviate childhood anxieties, fears, tantrums, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder without side effects. Additionally, it can help children become more resistant to colds and flu.

How does it work? Homeopathy turns on the "self heal" switch. Chinese medicine calls it the "chi." Naturopathic medicine calls it the "vis." Homeopathy calls it the "vital force." They all describe the energy inhabiting the human body that when stimulated moves the human system toward greater health.

Homeopathic medicines are individually selected based on the unique symptoms and presentation of the child. They are derived from the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms and are understood in the following way: A medicine that can cause symptoms in a healthy child can eliminate similar symptoms in a sick child.

Homeopathy addresses a body's inherited weakness. For example, the triad of allergies, asthma and eczema runs in families. Strengthening children's body constitution means they will be less likely to express these familial diseases later in life.

Why consider this? Children respond remarkably well to homeopathic treatment. Contact a licensed naturopathic physician or a professional homeopath for an appointment.

-- Nancy Mercer, N.D., naturopathic physician specializing in homeopathy and an adjunct faculty member, Bastyr University

Bastyr is a non-profit, private university offering graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine. The university's Seattle teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, is the Northwest's largest natural medicine clinic. Go to bastyr.edu or bastyrcenter.org.