What Are Homeopathic Flower Treatments?

I’ve all the time been fascinated by what it means to heal. In one other life, my plan was to turn into a physician. I studied microbiology, zoology, and molecular genetics in school. I did cardiovascular analysis for 4 years post-grad, and in the end was accepted to medical college earlier than deciding on a unique path. But, a pursuit that’s by no means stopped intriguing me from the classroom to the lab to past was, what does it imply to be in good well being? Whereas a seemingly easy query, I’ve realized the reply is way extra advanced.

Somebody could also be in good bodily form, but expertise deep emotional turmoil. Conversely, there are people who find themselves within the midst of nice bodily ache, but have an enviable lightness of spirit and presence. Is well being greatest described in such a binary, dualistic method? Or is there a extra holistic modality to undertake—one thing that sees past our composite physicality to the unseen components animating a way of self?

It was by way of questions like these that I ultimately discovered homeopathy.

Characteristic picture by Michelle Nash.

Understanding Homeopathy and Energetic Medication

Developed over 200 years in the past by Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor who abhorred the cruel medical practices of his day, homeopathy makes use of nano-doses of pure substances to deal with the bodily, psychological, and emotional layers of an individual. After his personal experimentation, Hahnemann found that sure substances that would trigger a set of signs in a wholesome particular person may additionally remedy that very same set of signs when administered to an unwell particular person. By stimulating the physique’s important pressure—its personal quest for homeostasis—homeopathic treatments purpose to reestablish stability and resolve signs inflicting somebody dis-ease within the first place. It’s a means of “like curing like,” an lively lock-and-key situation. Homeopathy believes within the physique’s personal intelligence and seeks to assist, fairly than suppress, that every time doable.

In a variety of methods, the apply of homeopathy is each old style and extremely innovative. Whereas the precise mechanics of therapeutic nonetheless elude fashionable understanding (although rising analysis in quantum physics and water reminiscence may maintain beneficial clues), many people come to it after affected by continual, unexplained diseases. After feeling pissed off with a healthcare system that wishes to systematize and generalize their signs, a homeopathic strategy to wellness could be refreshing, valuing how each side of a affected person’s distinctive life expertise components into their state of well being.

Practising Homeopathy At this time

Which suggests, expert homeopaths are half detectives simply as a lot as full-time healers. There’s an artwork and a knowledge to how they strategy therapeutic, and to grasp the apply extra, I chatted with classical homeopath and flower treatment practitioner Alexis Good. Under, Alexis shares what precisely homeopathy and flower treatments are, how they differ from different types of pure therapeutic, and why this modality could be a highly effective reminder of what we’re actually on earth to witness.

P.S. Alexis has an excellent information on her web site that goes much more in-depth into how a lay-person can apply homeopathy. Well worth the learn if you happen to’re simply as fascinated as I’m!

Alexis Good

Founding father of Alexis Good Flower Treatments, a practitioner of Bach flower treatments for over 20 years, and likewise a classical homeopath, Alexis blends custom with instinct to assist holistic therapeutic. Skilled by mentors within the direct lineage of Dr. Edward Bach, in addition to world-renowned homeopath George Vithoulkas, she helps purchasers restore stability on each the bodily and energetic ranges—providing a delicate path to deep, lasting wellness.

What’s a useful framework for understanding homeopathy—what’s it and what’s it not?

Alexis: Most of us have been raised with allopathy. On this system, signs are seen as unhealthy and remedy is concentrated on the removing of signs by suppression, both with medication or surgical procedure. Homeopathy is the other in that it views signs as optimistic and sees them as an expression of an imbalance and the physique’s try and right that imbalance. 

Homeopathy views the suppression of signs as a harmful apply, as it could possibly push the illness deeper into the physique to lead to a extra severe sickness later. Allopathy means utilizing medication to trigger the other impact of the symptom, like utilizing an antacid for acid reflux disorder. Homeopathy makes use of the other precept of “like cures like,” which suggests you give a small quantity of a substance that, in a bigger quantity, would trigger the identical signs somebody is affected by. This stimulates the important pressure, which is sort of just like the immune system, simply sufficient to beat the illness.

For instance, say you might have allergy symptoms. In allopathy, they might provide you with an antihistamine to cease the signs. In homeopathy, they might provide the treatment Allium Cepa, which is produced from onion. Everyone knows the streaming, burning eyes we get after we chop onions. So, giving a small quantity of this treatment to somebody with burning, watery eyes really stops the signs. (It’s the identical concept as vaccines, however with homeopathy they’re secure, tailor-made particularly to a affected person’s particular person signs, and shouldn’t be given preventatively.) 

What’s the distinction between homeopathy and naturopathy? Are these usually confused?

Alexis: Sure, usually after I inform somebody I’m a homeopath, they are saying “Oh, my cousin does that. They’re a naturopath.” However they’re very totally different. Naturopathy, I’ve discovered currently as I’ve consulted with plenty of them, nonetheless operates on the identical ideas as allopathy, which suggests they see the physique as separate elements and organs—after they see lab outcomes which can be off, they search to right these lab outcomes with dietary supplements to deal with every system of the physique. Naturopaths use pure treatments, however they’ll nonetheless view an individual as separate elements. In homeopathy, we don’t usually use lab outcomes. As an alternative, we see the individual as an entire expression of the important pressure, with out separating physique, thoughts, and spirit. 

Homeopaths are most involved with how a affected person feels and the precise means they expertise their sickness. As an alternative of many dietary supplements and coverings that will take months, we give just one treatment and sometimes the outcomes are felt instantly. (If a homeopath provides you a couple of treatment, they don’t seem to be practising true classical Hahnemann homeopathy.) 

One other distinction with homeopathy is that the affected person’s feelings are a very powerful side we take into account when selecting a treatment; it’s the factor we ask about in follow-ups to verify we’re heading in the right direction. An enchancment within the temper is what we need to see first, as within the route of remedy. The physique’s therapeutic all the time follows an enchancment within the temper. With the naturopaths I’ve seen, they’ve been involved with common stress and cortisol ranges, however probably not with how I’m doing emotionally in my life. 

How do you dialog with somebody who thinks homeopathy is pseudoscience or only a placebo impact?

Alexis: I’m studying increasingly more that individuals imagine what they are going to and it’s exhausting to alter anybody’s thoughts—however probably the most enjoyable issues is that if a skeptic will get sick and agrees to strive a treatment. To observe them expertise the miracle of being relieved of their struggling rapidly is like nothing else. They are going to be a lifelong devotee. For many who ask about placebo impact, I remind them that treatments work on infants and animals who haven’t any perception within the drugs. They don’t even know they’re taking it. 

The place do flower essences match within the realm of homeopathy? How are they created, and does that make them a gentler entry into the apply? 

Alexis: Flower essences have connections to homeopathy as a result of the person who found flower treatments, Dr. Edward Bach, was a homeopath. His understanding of the homeopathic precept of minute (very small) doses influenced his preparation strategies of flower treatments. Each are extraordinarily dilute however they’re made very otherwise. 

• Homeopathics are made by grinding up a substance, including liquid, then diluting and succussing—a means of banging the treatment in opposition to a tough floor a number of occasions to extend its efficiency.
• Flower treatments are made by floating blossoms in a crystal bowl of spring water for just a few hours after which straining off the water. That water now has the therapeutic imprint of that flower. 

Homeopathy makes use of each sort of substance, even poison like arsenic or snake venom (although diluted to untraceable quantities), whereas flower treatments are solely produced from blossoms. Homeopathy makes use of the precept of “like cures like,” however flower treatments work by giving solely benevolent therapeutic vitality. Taking the fallacious homeopathic could cause signs in a delicate individual, however taking the fallacious flower treatment merely has no impact. Flower treatments are a lot gentler and simpler to self-administer. Homeopathy is difficult to self-treat, apart from acutes like a flu or meals poisoning. 

In a world of quick-fixes and immediate gratification, what position may homeopathic treatments and flower essences play? Are you able to clarify why it’s actually an artwork?

Alexis: We should protect these therapeutic modalities as a result of they’re drugs for the soul. People are struggling on a soul degree, now greater than ever. The farther we get from nature and connection to 1 one other, the extra misplaced we’re and the extra disconnected we will really feel. These treatments actually maintain us linked to our true selves and to our non secular and emotional natures. To be with out a non secular connection could be a darkish place. Since 2020, I’ve been listening to from so many individuals who describe a disconnection and melancholy I’ve by no means seen to this diploma in all my years working with folks. I actually imagine flower treatments are the antidote to the present struggling of humanity. 

Within the Nineteen Thirties, Dr. Bach mentioned, “There isn’t any true therapeutic except there’s a change in outlook, peace of thoughts, and internal happiness.” That could be a common fact then and now. 

Working with these treatments is an artwork. It’s very a lot “the singer, not the tune.” The treatments I might select for somebody would seemingly be totally different from treatments chosen by one other practitioner. It is dependent upon how I hear, and the way I understand the affected person—what I see as their core wound. That is revealed within the affected person’s phrase alternative and of their story. Another person would hear a unique story, maybe. 

How have you learnt which layer (psychological, emotional, bodily) must be handled in an individual first?

Alexis: In homeopathy and much more so with flower treatments, the bodily signs are the least necessary. So I all the time use the emotional layer because the information to my treatment choice. That is among the lovely issues to study—to appreciate the physique is simply the pack mule for the spirit. To study that the physique heals itself as soon as the individual is restored to happiness is a really empowering course of. 

What are three homeopathic treatments you’d advise everybody to have of their drugs cupboard?

Alexis: I might advocate you might have my equipment for accidents and emergencies, as they’re all in there, however if you need three treatments: 

• ARNICA 200C: for automobile accidents, falls, blunt trauma, even useful when having a stroke! Take one dose 200C.
• ACONITE 200C: for excessive shock with concern and panic, after an in depth name/terror. Good for concern of flying. Additionally good for colds/flu that come on instantly or after publicity to chilly, dry wind. One dose 200C.
• IGNATIA 200C: for emotional shock, grief, breakups, dying and excessive emotional stress and unhappiness, stunning disappointment. One dose 200C. Finest not taken at evening. 

Alexis’ Suggestions for Additional Studying:

Disclaimer: This text is meant for informational and academic functions solely and isn’t an alternative to skilled medical recommendation, prognosis, or remedy. At all times seek the advice of together with your doctor or certified healthcare supplier earlier than starting any new wellness apply or treatment.