Can homeopathy help with weight loss?
At the risk of sounding too gimmicky, the short answer is a resounding, "Yes!" How we get there, though, is different than what we're used to in conventional medicine. Instead of targeting a specific neuro-pathway or biochemical reaction to suppress appetite, homeopathy works to cultivate better general health. From that improved place of wellness and vitality, we feel more empowered to make healthier choices - the ones we know we should be doing, but just aren't doing it yet. Homeopathy can help create the shifts in one's life, and we can subsequently end up craving foods differently, or actually having the energy to go out and exercise - something we know we've wanted to do, but just haven't felt well enough to do prior to homeopathic treatment. In this video I highlight a case from my own practice. He was a mid-40's male, who had begun resigning himself to feeling that being "fat and overweight" (his words) was just his lot in life. After some prodding by his wife, who had received a lot of benefit in my practice, he reluctantly decided to "give it a try." To his surprise, his life dramatically changed for the better, and with fairly rapid results. It's a great testimonial illustrating how homeopathy helps with weight loss, but not in the conventional medicine way. Take a listen and let me know if you're ready to experience the life-changing results homeopathy can provide for weight loss! Sincerely, Noel
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What’s in a homeopathic remedy?
I hear this question very often. Being unlike anything else on the market, there is mystery or uncertainty with what homeopathy is and how it works. As such, I wanted to take a few moments to address this common, yet fundamental question. First, to start with understanding what’s in a homeopathic remedy, we need to have an understanding of what a homeopathic remedy aims to do. Like all truly natural therapies, homeopathic treatment seeks to stimulate the innate healing intelligence of an individual’s body so that all physiological systems function at their best. As a person moves toward his or her optimal level of general health, they feel better. Subsequently, specific symptoms improve as the strengthened body defenses become active. But, the homeopathic remedy in itself does not directly treat a symptom or condition. Instead, it simply helps to initiate the process by which the person heals himself or herself. A homeopath views a person’s health as a condition of the entire individual rather than in terms of isolated symptoms from specific parts of the body. Homeopaths do not diagnose or treat disease. Instead, homeopathic remedies are selected that best correspond to the person’s total state of illness. Evaluation of the individual’s level of health and choice of the correct remedy depends in large part on a thorough understanding of all symptoms: mentally, emotionally, and physically. In addition, other important indicators of general health; such as the level of vitality the person experiences or their emotional well-being, demand close attention. Now that there’s groundwork laid for what a homeopathic remedy aims to do and how, let’s get back to the original question I so often hear: “What’s in a homeopathic remedy?” Homeopathic remedies are usually made from plants and simple minerals. Examples of plants could be an aloe plant, or a marigold flower. Examples of simple minerals are the compounds calcium carbonate, or sodium chloride. At present we have over 5000 documented homeopathic remedies derived from something found in nature. These source substances are prepared by a process of repeated dilution and shaking which makes them capable of stimulating the healing process, whereby the whole body heals itself. This differs from herbs or regular drugs and medicines which are given to take away specific symptoms generally from isolated parts of the body. Homeopathic remedies are made at special FDA-regulated and approved homeopathic pharmacies according to very high standards of purity. To summarize, what’s in a homeopathic remedy? Based on your homeopath’s complete understanding of the totality of symptoms, they will carefully select a homeopathic remedy that is focused on helping the body heal itself. The remedy is derived from a source substance found in nature, generally from a plant or simple mineral. It then undergoes a serial dilution and shaking process. Because of this special preparation process there is no toxicity, no side effects, and they are non-habit forming, and are therefore safe for all ages. And because homeopathy is focused on helping the individual heal themselves, and not focused on treating a specific disease or condition, anyone - regardless of diagnosis, can benefit from homeopathy! I hope this sheds some light of what’s in a homeopathic remedy. As I mentioned at the start, homeopathy is truly unlike anything else in the world. The scope of homeopathy is so broad and deep, and the healing effects so lasting, it’s a wonder why more people don’t know about or use homeopathy for themselves or their families! Sincerely, Noel On Friday, September 7 I hosted a free webinar titled "What is Homeopathy? - An Introduction to the Basics." Here is the recording of that live presentation.
I was especially fond of the testimonials offered near the end of the presentation. When I promoted this event, I was surprised to see a lot of my current clients registering. It was edifying to see that, even with all the benefits they've received from homeopathy out of my practice, they were still looking for more understanding. I loved that! It's that kind of hunger and longing for more that will help homeopathy shift the tides in what we consider healthcare. That part starts at 34:00 into the presentation. Please check it out in its entirety, as well! Sincerely, Noel Hello!
I am hosting a free webinar on Friday, September 7 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. It's a lunch-and-learn of sorts, so bring your bring your bag lunch and tune in from the comfort of your home or workstation. The intended audience is for those new to homeopathy who are inquiring whether or not it is right for them. This webinar may also be useful for current or previous clients who have questions about homeopathic treatment. When: Sep 7, 2018 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/cf3506ba5c91fd7e8c34be5db4a05ad8 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Hope to see you online then! Sincerely, Noel We need your help preserving access to safe homeopathy!I’ve been working closely with Paola Brown, President of Americans for Homeopathy Choice (AHC), over the last several months. Her organization is a consumer advocacy group leading the charge in working with FDA to ensure there remains abundant access to safe and risk-free homeopathic medicines. AHC is a grass-roots movement of mothers and other consumers who want to safeguard their freedom to use homeopathy.
There has been a lot of work completed lately, and the main point of emphasis on this e-newsletter is that we need your help to petition members of Congress and the FDA. The following are the latest updates and the steps to we’re asking you to take:
Sincerely, Noel It’s truly a remarkable time. We know so much, yet so very little about the mystery of bringing forth new life. It’s as if the shroud of mystery is intentional, because it is so eternal. The start to life is as unknown as the end of it. What a treasure all this is! As of writing, our third son’s pregnancy is past 41 weeks and my wife and I await his arrival any day now. It’s a time of hopeful anticipation, worry, and uncertainty. It’s also a time of revelry. Who is he? What will he look like? How is he doing in there?! Is there anything else we can do to coax him out?! (Believe me, we’ve tried all the tricks out there) We wait. Or, is he waiting? Artificial constraints get placed on when this is supposed to happen: due dates, timelines, etc. Expectations form, and if nature doesn’t move according to established medical algorithms, then something is wrong, isn’t it? Or, perhaps not? Our first son was born in the hospital. Being new parents, we didn’t know what to expect, and became aligned with an OB/GYN that shared our values. As such, we went along with the process of going the route of a hospital birth. Even as it happened, though, we became acutely aware of how much we didn’t want that. In hindsight, it was a stark example of the exquisite conflict between vitalism and reductionism. Vitalism, which fundamentally informs how we view health and disease in homeopathy, honors the individual nature of each person. We don’t all measure up the same way. Even with the best laid evidence, there are always outliers. And what are we supposed to do with those? Vitalism honors the body’s wisdom that it knows what to do, if given the best chance to do it. In childbirth, this can’t be any more important. In the hospital, my wife was forced to be induced because she carried him to 42 weeks. We were told there’s medical liability for keeping the pregnancy from moving forward past then. Yet, our son had enough fluid. My wife was healthy. All his vital signs were impeccable, same with hers. All was well. Yet, we had to remove him from the most mysterious and pleasant place he could have been. To me, it was a matter of managing risk more than it was honoring the mysterious process of childbirth. Risk management vs. wisdom-honoring. Vitalism vs. Reductionism. And here we are again, faced with the same circumstance. Our second son was born in the comfort of our home with trusted midwives. It was entirely what we wanted. The midwife model upheld the modus operandi of how we wanted to bring forth new life into this world. It was beautiful, and seamless. Fast forward to present day: just yesterday, my wife had an appointment, and arrangements were made that if our third son goes to 42 weeks, she would have to be transferred from the care she’s receiving with midwives to a hospital. It’s not what we want. Consequently, this artificial number has placed undue pressure on my wife, making her feel something is wrong; whether with her own body, or with him, stalling progress even further. To me, it’s all so unnecessary, and it’s about managing risk vs. honoring a process we don’t know enough about. We were told the risk of still-birth suddenly increases past that magical date. But, don’t invasive procedures of induction also carry their own risk? We know a lot thanks to modern medical science, but still so very little about this mystery of childbirth. We named our soon-to-be born son Lucas, which means light-bearer, or bringer of light. Perhaps when he’s ready he can help shed more light on this subject for us all. :) #RealTalk -Noel Not that long ago, I wrote a blog on this topic entitled, “FDA Regulation of Homeopathy - What's Smoke? What's Fire? and How to Put it Out.” As a follow-up to that article, I wanted to provide you an update. FDA has extended their deadline for the public to submit comments and write letters to Members of Congress for an additional 60 days.
What does this mean? In an effort to restore key language back into the draft guidance FDA uses to regulate homeopathic medicines, we are asking you to write a letter to your respective U.S. Members of Congress asking them to co-sign letters already written by Senator Orrin Hatch and Representative Ryan Costello. Sen. Hatch and Rep. Costello’s letters ask FDA to merge existing CPG (Compliance Policy Guide) 400.400 for the manufacturing of homeopathic medicines, which has been in place for over 30 years, with the new proposed FDA draft guidance proposed in December 2017. Key language in CPG 400.400 can’t be understated. It incorporates solutions that provide uniformity in enforcement and clarity in regulation of homeopathic medicines, which is left out of the current state of draft guidance FDA is proposing. This will help ensure Americans have the safest and highest quality products for the personal health care choice that they want and deserve. The reason the letters from Senator Hatch and Representative Costello are so important is that they sit on committees that oversee FDA. As such, their sponsorship of these letters is paramount to influencing FDA. And YOU can influence your legislator’s to co-sign these letters! From the National Center for Homeopathy:
How to Contact your Legislators The American Academy of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP) recommends the following:
Whether you’re a consumer, supporter, or practitioner of homeopathy, thank you for your continued advocacy! It’s via the grassroots efforts from the likes of you that homeopathy will remain accessible and viable for all! Thank you for reading. Sincerely, Noel I wrote a February. 14, 2018 blog on this topic entitled "A Call to Action - Forging a New Path for Homeopathy." In short, Congress held a bi-partisan Caucus on the topic of including integrative therapies (including homeopathy) more to help solve some of the healthcare problems America faces today. The Integrative Health Policy Consortium (IHPC) has been instrumental in getting this Congressional Caucus to happen. For some backstory on the Caucus, its formation, and its focus, I recommend reading John Weeks' interview of IHPC President, Len Wisneski, MD here. In summary, though, Dr. Wisneski mentioned:
John Weeks also wrote a helpful summary of the event, and a few of those points are noted here:
IHPC submitted an immediate press release about the Caucus, as well. You can read that update here at the very bottom of the web page. I hope you find this update useful on the happenings of integrative health in Washington D.C. in recent weeks. It is part and parcel to increasing access to care for homeopathy, as well. Thanks for reading! Sincerely, Noel Perhaps you’ve heard in the media lately about the Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation over homeopathic medicines. There has been a lot of attention paid to this topic in recent months. A good portion of that attention has maintained an alarmist tone. I wanted to follow-up on that topic and try to help make clear what’s smoke, what’s fire, and what the general public and supporters of the use of homeopathic remedies can do about it.
First, if you’re not aware of any of this, perhaps that’s just the best place you could be. Just keep seeking natural health for you and your family via homeopathy! However, if you are aware, I’ll try to give some background in the most concise and least-verbose way I can. To begin, we must go to the source. In 1938 Congress passed the United States Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FD&C), which established the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Among other responsibilities, FDA is and always has been responsible for the manufacturing and labeling of drug products, including homeopathic medicine. The FD&C was led by U.S. Senator Royal Copeland, MD, who was also an ardent supporter and practitioner of homeopathy. This Act of Congress effectively made homeopathic medicines legal drugs. Homeopathy was widely used in the marketplace prior to 1938, but were officially defined as legal. The FD&C also required any new drugs to have an approved application before marketing. This law has remained relatively unchanged since 1938. What has been added over time is information used to demonstrate safety and efficacy of any drug products, homeopathic or otherwise. Part of the uproar over recent media coverage on this topic pertained to the recent FDA assertion that all homeopathic drugs are unapproved new drugs. This is not new information. They have always been unapproved new drugs as outlined by FD&C since 1938. Instead, and on three separate occasions in the past 40 years, FDA has stated that the best way to regulate homeopathic products is through enforcement discretion and regulatory guidance due in part to the knowledge that homeopathic products are safe. Effectively, no other FDA regulation is necessary. In 1988, FDA adopted Compliance Policy Guidance (CPG) 400.400 (Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May Be Marketed). CPG 400.400 established clear standards for the manufacturing and sale of homeopathic drugs, and helps facilitate access to only safe homeopathic medicines to consumers. This is good for everyone – consumers (foremost), as well as manufacturers, and practitioners of homeopathy. Beginning in 2015, FDA began public hearings on the regulatory framework for homeopathic medicines given that the current guidance (CPG 400.400) had been in place for over 25 years. Over 9000 comments were submitted. The vast majority (approx. 78%) were positive and in favor of homeopathy. The vast minority were not in favor of homeopathy. FDA published their draft guidance on December 18, 2017. FDA guidance is nothing more than opinion. It is meant to inform FDA staff and the industry about what their priorities are. FDA guidance does not have the force of law, and cannot change the legal status of products. As such, homeopathic remedies have not been banned or are now suddenly unapproved for use, as some media sources and/or reports may state or imply. However, even though the opinion of an FDA guidance document is informal, it is still used to regulate homeopathic products. Thus, the FDA guidance published in December 2017 highlighted six areas of priority, all of which primarily revolve around safety. Despite the legal status of homeopathic products remaining unchanged since 1938, there are several concerns about the FDA draft guidance, since it excluded important details and left too much room for ambiguous interpretation.
The American Academy of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP) has been actively involved in this entire process. AAHP is asking for help in drafting comments to FDA to convince them to reinstate critical specific language into the draft guidance so that dangerous products can’t enter into the market, and only safe homeopathic products can. Having the public add draft comments will help amplify the industry message to FDA that this is an important issue for public health and to help facilitate continued access to homeopathic medicines. You can add your draft comments here. From that linked page, you’ll need to click the blue-colored button “Comment Now.” Please keep your comments congenial, thoughtful, and respectful. The comment period will close on March 18, 2018. As part of the strategy to respond to the FDA draft guidance, a letter writing campaign has begun. This was a targeted approach and involved making contact with U.S. Members of Congress who are on committees which have jurisdiction over FDA. Constituents in those districts were asked to contact their Representatives and ask them to co-sign letters being sent to FDA. This amounted to people from six states including Tennessee, Washington State, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. As of writing, there has been an overwhelming response. If you are reading this and live in one of those six states, click here to find out how to take action. The next phase of the strategic response is more of a grassroots effort. The letter writing campaign is set to go nationwide, beyond just those six states. Stay tuned for more details on how to take action on that approach. Finally, Mark Land, President of AAHP has been instrumental in leading this effort to update the homeopathic community on the regulatory environment for homeopathic drug products. He presented a comprehensive free webinar on this topic, and you can review the recording of it here. This was a lofty and information-intensive blog. Nevertheless, it contained critical paths for what is happening in homeopathy, and what we can do about it. My hope is that this cleared some of the smoke on the topic of FDA-regulation of homeopathy, helped you see where the fire is, and how we can all help to put that fire out. Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for reading, and for your support of homeopathy! Sincerely, Noel One of my main goals as a homeopath is to see classical homeopathy obtain a proverbial “seat at the table” when it comes to viable options within the American healthcare system. I would like homeopathy to be truly respected by all segments and levels of our society and be known and perceived as the effective, scientifically proven modality that it is. There are many ways this can be accomplished, but one way in which I have personally been involved is by serving on the Board of Directors as Vice President on the Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC).
The mission of the CHC is “To advance the homeopathic profession by certifying individuals who meet and maintain a recognized standard of professional and ethical competence in classical homeopathy and to assist the general public in choosing appropriately qualified homeopaths.” Furthermore, the CHC envisions a healthcare system that encompasses certified classical homeopathic practitioners to be accessible to all. One of the projects we’re working on at the CHC is lobbying members of Congress to attend a new bi-partisan Congressional effort (Caucus) led by Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado and Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colorado. This Congressional Caucus will provide legislators and other policy and regulatory officials opportunities to understand how shifting focus in healthcare to prevention, health creation, and health promotion can create cost savings while improving health outcomes for Americans. We want homeopathy to be a more pronounced part of that conversation! To aid in that effort, I am asking for your help. This call to action is about ensuring the elected members of Congress who represent you attend this important Congressional Caucus. Please visit the Integrative Health Policy Consortium (IHPC) website and find the contact information for your elected Representative. Call them and request they, or a staffer acting on their behalf, will attend. The Caucus is on March 15, 2018 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. (EST) in Washington D.C. For more information about how the CHC is working to forge a path for homeopathy in Integrative Healthcare Reform, read the latest CHC Communique here. Thank you for reading and for your support of homeopathy! Sincerely, Noel |
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