How Homeopathy Works

In homeopathy, practitioners administer minuscule doses of certain natural substances in an attempt to trigger, on a smaller scale, the symptoms of the very diseases they are trying to treat. For example, a homeopathic physician would treat a cough by administering a natural substance to induce coughing. Adherents to the theory of homeopathy believe that provoking the symptoms of an illness will summon the body’s defenses to fight those symptoms off, thereby eliciting an immune response against the particular illness in question.

The greatly diluted natural ingredients used in homeopathic medicine normally derive from plants, animals or minerals. The dilution of ingredients plays to the belief that the lowest doses of any substance will always result in the greatest degree of effectiveness. After diluting the ingredients, producers of homeopathic medicines will normally shake them to help transfer the energy of the original element to the final dilution. This step, known as potentization, is vital. If not performed, the homeopathic medicine will lack the energy required to stimulate the natural healing powers of the body.

Many mesothelioma patients are encouraged by the thought that the addition of homeopathic medications to a regular treatment plan may be of some benefit in alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Homeopathy and the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Strict adherents to the practice of homeopathy avoid, as far as they can, the ingestion of such traditional treatments as antibiotics, prescription drugs and medicines sold over the counter. Many patients who choose to undergo life-saving radiation and chemotherapy in an attempt to cure their mesothelioma select homeopathic medications over other options to counteract the common side effects of those traditional treatments. In this way, they hope to alleviate in a natural way the loss of hair, depression, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and weight loss that frequently accompany traditional cancer treatment.

Some mesothelioma patients have found certain homeopathic remedies of particular benefit in treating specific side effects of cancer treatment. Cadmium sulphuricum, an extremely versatile homeopathic treatment, is often successful in alleviating such symptoms as exhaustion, hair loss, feelings of coldness, loss of weight, nausea and vomiting.

In addition to Cadmium sulphuricum, other popular remedies for nausea and vomiting include Arsenicum album, Ipecacuanha, Nux vomica, Phosphorus and Tabacum.

Treating Side Effects

To treat the skin irritation that frequently results from radiation, many sufferers obtain relief with the use of such substances as Apis mellifica, Belladonna, Causticum, Fluoricum acidum, Gamma-ray, Ignatia, Kali bichromicum, Psorinum and Rhus toxicodendron. Useful homeopathic creams and rubs for irritated skin include Arnica and Calendula.

Although most practitioners believe that homeopathic remedies pose no particular danger, any mesothelioma patient who would like to use them in treating the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy should not try to go it alone. Consultation with a qualified homeopath will ensure that the remedies are appropriate and the dosing regimen correct for that patient’s precise requirements.