By Deborah Landowne, CCH, RSHom(NA), C.HP. HP Supervisor in California.
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann pioneered the use of homeoprophylaxis with Scarlet Fever in 1799.
As parents, we all want what is best for our children. Some of us choose not to vaccinate, knowing that a nutrient-dense diet and natural medicines go a long way toward good health and strong constitutions. After careful study, some parents may decide to give a few selected shots or a slower, more individualized protocol of vaccination. Or, maybe you’ve felt pressured to vaccinate by family members, school personnel, or a physician. And perhaps, in spite of your gut feelings you gave in to the pressure because you wanted to protect your child. In addition, whatever the scenario, many of us also use homeopathy when our families get sick, either with home prescribing or under the guidance of a professional homeopath.
So, if you have done your research and decided not to vaccinate, what are your options regarding childhood illness and other diseases? In my practice as a Classical Homeopath, I support parents in taking whatever avenue they choose. If not vaccinating, there are several options: Constitutional homeopathic remedies to strengthen the overall “vital force” of the individual to help with inherited, chronic and acute conditions; Specific acute remedies in the event that the individual becomes ill; and of course, a nutrient-dense diet, herbs, home remedies and appropriate supplements to support this process, as well as conventional medicine should the need arise.
But, what about prevention? Besides doing our best to raise healthy and strong kids, we know that most likely they will become acutely ill at different times in their development. All parents know about vaccination and will make their own decisions regarding whether or not to choose this route for prevention and if so, perhaps deciding to alter the recommended schedule. What if there was another way, with similar effectiveness to vaccination, without the risk, and even the possibility of strengthening our kids’ overall health? Wouldn’t that be a nice choice to have? I am happy to say – yes, there is another choice for parents: Homeoprophylaxis.
What is Homeoprophylaxis?
Homeoprophylaxis (hoe-me-oh-pro-fill-axis) and vaccination have the same goal: the prevention of infectious contagious disease. Homeoprophylaxis, or “HP,” uses homeopathically attenuated, ultra-dilute disease material made into remedies called nosodes. Nosodes contain only original disease material, usually delivered on lactose pellets, and nothing else. Vaccines, however, contain the original disease material, attenuated and cultured on a variety of mediums, plus adjuvants, including aluminum compounds. These vaccine adjuvants are added in order to stimulate a significant response from the immune system, because the disease material in the vaccines has been weakened. However, the adjuvants can also be responsible for toxicity and side effects. The homeopathic nosode, however, gives the body what can be called an energetic message: an ultra-dilute, nano-dose that provides the body with information to educate the immune system, teaching it how to deal with the disease in an effective way, safely eliminating it from the body when encountered in nature. (To learn more about how homeopathic remedies are prepared, I recommend this book: Homeopathy, Beyond Flat Earth Medicine by Dr. Timothy Dooley, ND.)
Homeopathy and Epidemics:
Homeopathy has a long history of efficacy in both the treatment and prevention of infectious contagious disease. For example, during the 1918 Spanish Influenza epidemic, homeopaths in Philadelphia had less than a 1% mortality rate among their patients, versus allopathic doctors who lost 30% of their patients to the epidemic.[1] There are many more reports of the success of homeopathic treatment during that outbreak listed in Sandra Perko’s book: The Homeopathic Treatment of Influenza.[2] The use of homeopathic remedies for prevention has existed for over 200 years, since the early days of homeopathy. The founder of homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, and his contemporaries first used HP with the remedy Belladonna during an epidemic of Scarlet Fever in 1798.[3] Homeopaths also utilized HP during other earlier epidemics of cholera, diphtheria, polio and smallpox.[4], [5]
Several large public health trials have been carried out in more recent times, using HP for Meningitis (Brazil), Japanese Encephalitis (India) and Leptospirosis (Cuba).[6] HP has been adopted into public health systems in these countries with much success. For example, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health incorporated homeopathy into its medical system because of the success experienced using homeopathic remedies in a 1992 epidemic of post-chicken pox viral neuralgia.[7] HP was also used to successfully prevent various diseases, including TB, Hepatitis A and the H1N1 flu.[8] In 2007 and 2008, the Finlay Institute in Havana, a center for vaccine research and production, conducted 2 large and very successful trials of HP against leptospirosis.[9] Over 2 million people were treated. In the areas where the homeopathic nosodes were given a “significant decrease”[10] in cases was reported, whereas the untreated areas showed a “significant increase” in cases of the disease.[11] To view a comprehensive list of the use of HP please visit this page at the National Center for Homeopathy website: “Homeoprophylaxis: Human Records, Studies and Trials.”[12]
In Australia, Dr. Isaac Golden conducted a 15-year study and developed a program of HP for childhood diseases. As part of this research he compared the health of children on the HP program to those who had received some vaccines and those who received constitutional homeopathic remedies. The results of this study are published in his 2004 book: Homeoprophylaxis – A Fifteen Year Clinical Study. In short, he looked at 5 markers of health: asthma, allergies, hearing problems/ear infections, behavioral issues, and eczema. The group with the lowest incidence of each of these diseases was the children in the HP program. This was surprising to Golden; as a homeopath one would expect that constitutional remedies, which serve to strengthen the individual’s overall health, would provide the best outcomes. Of course, there may be other variables in play, but the evidence clearly shows that there are benefits to long-term health from using HP and nosodes.[13] In fact, other research has shown similar results when comparing vaccinated versus unvaccinated children, as regards to the whooping cough vaccine, allergies and asthma.[14]
The Role of Childhood Disease:
Acute disease is known to have a benefit in the development of a strong immune system and overall long-term health. Homeopathy, Chinese medicine and Anthroposophical medicine all speak to this. In homeopathy we say that acute disease is a “vent” for chronic disease and inherited family tendencies, discharges such as sweat and mucous help to liberate the body from long-term illness.[15] So, there is a purpose to getting sick! In addition, many recent research studies have shown this to be the case. Here are some examples:
- Contracting mumps in childhood is linked to reduced incidence of ovarian cancer[16]
- Contracting certain infections reduces the incidence of childhood leukemia[17]
- Measles protects against lymphoma and other cancers[18]
- Contracting measles or chicken pox helps reduce the occurrence of food allergies[19]
- Adult exposure to children with chickenpox protects from shingles[20]
- Chickenpox, measles and mumps protect against heart disease[21]
There are benefits to fevers as well, even after vaccination. Suppressing a post-vaccination fever with Tylenol has been shown to increase the incidence of autism.[22] Also, the complete cycle of disease is necessary to impart immunity, not simply antibody production. As shown on page 18 of The Solution, the body must go all the way through the cycle from exposure to the disease, to fever and discharges, to a sweat, and finally resolution of the fever to produce immunity. While antibodies are produced about midway through the cycle, immunity does not come until the end, as the fever breaks and goes away. (show graphic from book).
In fact, babies under one year of age cannot make antibodies, therefore we look to the function of the General Immune System: mounting fevers, sweat, eruptions or discharges – such as mucous, diarrhea or pus, and the complete resolution and elimination of the disease products to serve this purpose. Shouldn’t our goal be long-term health and vitality, not simply avoidance of acute disease?
What we know is that with the increase in the number of vaccines we are seeing more and more chronic illness and in younger populations. In addition to having a 90% effective rate and the reduction of chronic conditions, Dr. Golden’s study showed an absence of adverse effects from HP. In North America, Free and Healthy Children International has over 600 children enrolled in a similar study since 2011, plus over 400 more enrolled in a general program, and to date there have been no adverse events reported.
Taking Action:
So, how can you obtain HP for your family? Free and Healthy Children International trains homeopaths in North American and worldwide in the administration of HP, based on the methods developed by Dr. Golden in Australia. The program is self-administered by parents under the guidance and supervision of a professional homeopath. Practitioners who are certified by FHCi hold the C.HP credential. The standard protocol for children takes 44 months and includes 8 diseases: Whooping Cough, Pneumonia, Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB), Meningitis, Tetanus, Mumps, and Measles. Parents can amend this to suit their needs, including foreign travel. Visit www.freeandhealthychildren.org for more information and to locate a supervisor in your area. (If no one is listed in your area, many homeopaths offer distance consults, via phone or online video chat.)
In Conclusion:
Choosing Homeoprophylaxis helps to contribute to the reduction of infectious contagious disease.[23] HP can even be used to help prevent diseases for which there are no vaccines, as there are nosodes for virtually every disease. This method needs to become a part of the public healthcare system in this country, just as it is in India and Cuba. If HP is available to parents as an option it will not only reduce the incidence of these acute diseases, but also contribute to the reduction in long-term, chronic disease, which would be a great benefit for our society. It will take word of mouth among small, but ever-growing groups of parents to get this going. Ask your physician if they have heard of HP. Show them the research and historical data. Tell your friends and family members. And, if you support this work, please make a tax-deductible donation to FHCi, to support research, legal defense and access to HP.
Help us spread the word about choice and health freedom.
About the Author: Deborah Landowne, CCH, RSHom(NA), C.HP, is a Board Certified Classical Homeopath with a Family Practice in Northern California. She works with all ages and phases of life, specializing in: Pre-conception preparation through pregnancy and birth, pediatrics, Homeoprophylaxis for Childhood Diseases and Travel, and is a Certified CEASE Therapist. In addition, Deborah enjoys working with animals and athletes. Deborah sees clients in her office in San Rafael, just north of San Francisco, and also long-distance, by phone and Skype. She can be reached via her website: http://www.marinhomeopathy.com
Recommended Books:
The Solution: Homeoprophylaxis, The Vaccine Alternative. By Kate Birch and Cilla Whatcott
Vaccine Free: Prevention of Infectious Contagious Disease, by Kate Birch
There is a Choice: Homeoprophylaxis, An Appeal to Mothers. By Cilla Whatcott
Vaccination & Homeoeprophylaxis? A Review of Risks ad Alternatives. By Dr. Isaac Golden
Vaccine Damaged Children. By Dr. Isaac Golden
Miller’s Review of Critical Vaccine Studies. By Neil Z. Miller
Vaccines, Are They Really Safe and Effective? By Neil Z. Miller
Vaccine Safety Manual, By Neil Z. Miller and Russell Blaylock
How To Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor, By Dr. Robert Mendelsohn
Homeopathy in Epidemic Diseases by Dr. Dorothy Shephard
Homeopathy, Beyond Flat Earth Medicine, by Timothy Dooley, ND
Dissolving Illusions, By Dr. Suzanne Humphries
Vaccine Illusion, by Dr. Tetyana Obukhanych
Autism, Beyond Despair: Homeopathy Has the Answers, by Tinus Smits, MD
The Homeopathic Treatment of Influenza, By Sandra Perko
Online resources:
Everyday HP blog, http://www.everydayhp.com/
National Center for Homeopathy Website, http://www.homeopathycenter.org/
Free and Healthy Children International:
– Website: https://freeandhealthychildren.org/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vaccine-Free-367619623317028/?ref=py_c
-Parents’ lecture on HP: https://freeandhealthychildren.org/store/homeoprophylaxis-education/
WAPF website vaccine pages: http://www.westonaprice.org/vaccinations/
NVIC: http://www.nvic.org/
The Greater Good Movie: http://www.greatergoodmovie.org/
A NOTE ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
The purpose of this article is to provide information. It is not intended to recommend or discourage vaccinations. Vaccinations are an individual decision and require thoughtful consideration. This article is not intended to replace the services of a medical doctor. Neither the author nor the publisher can assume any responsibility for the use of any information contained herein.
Disclaimer
The State of California does not offer licenses in homeopathic medicine, and Deborah Landowne is not a physician. Homeopathy is alternative and complementary to healing arts that are licensed by the State of California. Under Sections 2053.5 and 2053.6 of California’s Business and Professions Code (commonly known as the Medical Practice Act), Deborah may offer services in homeopathy as long as she meets certain requirements and restrictions, which are described here.
[1] Cilla Whatcott , HD, RHom, CCH, There Is A Choice: Homeoprophylaxis, An Appeal To Mothers. (2014.), 68.
[2] Sandra J. Perko, Ph.D., C.C.N., The Homeopathic Treatment of Influenza, Surviving Influenza Epidemics and Pandemics, Past, Present and Future With Homeopathy, Special Bird Flu Edition, (San Antonio: Benchmark Homeopathic Publications, 2005), pages 103-111.
[3] R.E. Dudgeon, “Cure and Prevention of Scarlet-Fever,” The Lesser Writings of Samuel Hahnemann, (New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 2001), 369-385.
[4] Fran Sheffield, “Homeoprophylaxis: Human Records, Studies and Trials,” October 27, 2014, http://www.homeopathycenter.org/homeoprophylaxis-human-records-studies-and-trials
[5] National Center for Homeopathy, “Treatment of Epidemics With Homeopathy-A History” http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/treatment-epidemics-homeopathy-history
[6] Sheffield, Op Cit.
[7] Kate Birch, RSHom(NA), CCH, ”Homeoprophylaxis for Infectious, Contagious Disease,” The American Homeopath, North American Society of Homeopaths, Vol. 15, (2009), 69-75.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Gustavo Bracho, E. Varela, R. Fernandez, et al., “Large-scale application of highly-diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epidemic control.” Homeopathy, (2010); 99: 156-166.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Isaac Golden, Gustavo Bracho, “The Adaptability of Homeoprophylaxis in Endemic, Epidemic and Stable Background Conditions,” Homeopathic LINKS, Issue 04, (NOIDA, India Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd, 2009).
[12] Sheffield, Op Cit.
[13] Golden and Bracho, Op Cit, Pages 1-2.
[14] Neil Z. Miller, Miller’s Review of Critical Vaccine Studies: 400 Important Scientific Papers Summarized for Parents and Researchers, (Santa Fe, New Mexico: New Atlantean Press, 2016), 180-81.
[15]Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, Chronic Diseases, Export Edition, (New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P.) Ltd., 2001).
[16] Miller, Op Cit, 229-237.
[17] Ibid, 243.
[18]Ibid, 238, 247.
[19] Ibid, 173-175, 177.
[20] Ibid, 186.
[21] Ibid, 140.
[22] Peter Good, “Did Acetaminophen Provoke the Autism Epidemic?” Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 14, Number 4, (Thorne Research, 2009), 364-372.
[23] Kate Birch and Cilla Whatcott, The Solution, Homeoprophylaxis: The Vaccine Alternative, A Parent’s Guide to Educating Your Child’s Immune System, (United States of America: Kate Birch, RSHom(NA), CCH, CMT, and Cilla Whatcott, HD (RHom), CCH, 2012, rev. date 1/15/14), 72.
This article was published in part here: https://nourishingourchildren.org/2016/05/19/homeoprophylaxis/
Free and Healthy Children International 