1. Homeopathy
Introduction to Homeopathy and its use in Breast and Menopausal Symptoms

2. Principles
A system of medicine based on the principle of “like cures like” -similia similibus curentur
Uses the smallest dose possible to produce a response

3. Examples of the similia principle
Peeling an onion leads to sore, runny eyes, itchy nose and sneezing - Allium cepa used to treat hayfever and colds
nettle stings produce a burning, itchy wheal on the skin - Urtica urens is a good remedy for similar skin lesions
arsenic poisoning causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea with burning pains and chilliness - Arsenicum alb. V. effective in gastroenteritis and food poisoning

4. Examples of the similia principle in medicine
Radiotherapy which is used to treat cancer also causes it
Amphetamines which produce hyperactivity, are used to treat hyperactive children
Immunisation
treatment of erythromelalgia with Praxilene?

5. Basis of Treatment
Homeopathy works with the body’s response to illness and remedies are prescibed according to the symptoms
one remedy can be used to treat several ailments
one ailment may need to be treated with different remedies in different patients

6. Selecting the remedy Detailed Homeopathic history Repertorization
Materia medica

7. Homeopathic history
Details of presenting complaint - aetiology, aggravations, ameliorations, modalities
Aetiology : trauma, bereavement, never well since -pregnancy, menopause, glandular fever

8. Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside
Homeopathic history
General symptoms - patients’ reaction to their environment, heat, cold, weather
Food likes or dislikes, e.g. crave pickles,like fat
periodicity - frequency of symptoms - monthly, weekly, yearly
Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside

9. Mind or Mental symptoms – features of their personality
Anxious on anticipation
Depressed
Weepy
Consolation
Easily bored
Jealous
Tidy
Fears
Company
Shy
Routine
Resentments

10. General appearance Vivacious red-head Nervous
Laid-back absent minded professor
Prim and proper
Scruffy
Extremely neat and colour co-ordinated
Weepy blonde
Lacks energy
Flabby handshake
Closed
Shy, hides behind mother
Anxious to please, maintain eye contact

11. The relevant kingdom Animal, Mineral or Vegetable (Plant)
Animal – hunter/ hunted, victim, prey, pursued, escaping, nurturing, flying, pouncing, caged, free
Mineral – structural terms, cracking, crumbling, stable/ unstable, falling apart
Plant – sensitive to surroundings e.g light, warmth, smells, cold, damp,

12. Remedies These are prepared from :- minerals, plants, fish, insects,
snakes and disease products

13. Instructions for taking remedies
Homeopathic remedies are very delicate and should not be handled.
They are absorbed from the mouth and so are sucked not swallowed.
Should not be taken near food or drink as these may interfere with the absorption.
Store away from strong smells.

14. The clinical place for homeopathy
Where there is no effective allopathic alternative
Where conventional medication is unsafe
Where allopathy has unacceptable side-effects
To minimise the use of allopathy

15. Homeopathic Treatment of Breast Disease
In cancer, it can be useful alongside conventional therapies
Improves well being and gives symptomatic relief
Can relieve hot flushes even if due to Tamoxifen
Can relieve breast pain associated with menstruation

16. Asterias – red starfish
Breasts swollen and painful
< lt side, feels as if pulled inwards
Pain extends from breast down to fingers
Breast cancer, enlarged axillary glands,
V. irritable, cannot bear contradiction
Symptoms disappear with menstruation
Heat in head as if surrounded by hot air

17. Belladonna- deadly nightshade
Mastitis – throbbing, redness, streaks radiate from nipple
Breasts feel heavy , hard and red
Acute conditions, sudden onset, Red, hot, dry,
Intense throbbing, burning pains. Jerks, spasms.
Night terrors, hallucinations, delirium
< draught, light, noise, touch, jar.
Desires lemons

18. Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside
Carcinosin
Breast cancer especially with FH
Indications – family history, perfectionist, fear of cancer, glandular fever, chronic mastitis
Anxiety on anticipation
Swelling and tenderness in breasts premens
Retraction of nipples, bloody discharge
Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside

19. Conium – poison hemlock
Breasts feel hard, tense, < touch
Enlarged axillary glands with numb feeling down arm
Nodules in breast, cancer
Enlarged and painful breasts before and during menses < every step
< lying down, turning over in bed

20. Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside
Phytolacca
Pain from front to back
Breasts hard, painful and bluish tinge
Mastitis, hard and very sensitive
Pain from nipple radiates all over body
Shooting pains like electric shocks
< exposure to damp, motion, night
Used for mastitis in cows
Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside

21. Outcome of Menopausal Symptoms
20% no change
10% improvement in wellbeing
30% some improvement
34% asymptomatic - on remedies
6% asymptomatic - no remedies

22. Remedies for menopausal symptoms

23. Amyl nitrosum
Sensation of blood surging to face and head followed by sweating. Sensation as if blood would burst through skin with heat and redness. Throbbing in head and throughout body.
Feeling of anxiety. Palpitations.
Feel cold and clammy after flushing has died down.

24. Argentum nit Flushes occurring with the following personality:
Very anxious particularly on anticipation. Impulsive, hurried, time goes too slowly.
Desires sweet and fat foods. Abdominal pain and flatulence.
Chilly when uncovered but too hot if wrapped up.

25. Lachesis
Good remedy for the menopause in general or premenstrual symptoms
Very talkative, suspicious and jealous. Sad in the morning, does not want to go to work or mix with people.
Flushes, palpitations, headaches, feel faint.
Worse for sleep, ailments come on during sleep.

26. Pilocarpus
Intense sweating, hot flushes, sometimes accompanied by nausea and excess saliva.
Excessive perspiration from all parts of the body followed by chilliness.
Sweating of face, ears and neck.

27. Sepia Classic premenstrual and menopausal remedy
Frequent flushes and then shivery
Irritable, indifferent, depressed, weepy
Wants affection but rejects it, poor libido
Nausea a.m, loves pickles, vinegar, acids
All symptoms relieved by dancing or fast movement

28. Typical prescription for Mneopausal symptoms
Lachesis 1M Sig 1 Tab t.d.s. on 1 day each month
Amyl nitrosum 6C - Sig 1 tab t.d.s.
Pilocarpus 6C – Sig 1 tab t.d.s.

29. Outcome of Homeopathic treatment of Menopausal Symptoms
20% no change
10% improvement in well being
30% some improvement
34% asymptomatic - on remedies
6% asymptomatic - no remedies

30. Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside
Useful Addresses
British Homeopathic Association,
Hahnemann House, 29 Park Street,
Luton, LU1 3BE.
Academic Department,
Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital,
1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0XQ
Dr Christine Underwood, Homoeopathy Clinic, NHS Tayside