
“>The ParentS’ Journal Health 健康錦囊
Homeopathy for Childhood Illnesses
The uses of homeopathy can extend past solutions for everyday complaints such as headaches and upset tummies. Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas presents an alternative approach to treating such typical childhood ailments as chronic tonsillitis and recurrent ear-and-throat infections.
Chloe woke up coughing early one morning. “Mamma, my throat hurts. It’s really hurting when I swallow!” It’s one of those days again, thought Florence. Chloe’s recurrent throat infections had them rushing to the doctor every two to three weeks. Her tonsils were infected. The antibiotics gave her some relief but her appetite went down, bringing her weight down. Her energy levels were low and by the time she was almost recovered she would have another attack. It had become a never endin cycle. Florence knew of the side effects of antibiotics and how, around the world, medical professionals were advocating decreased use of antibiotics for coughs due to cold and ear infections, but it is difficult to watch a child in pain. Their doctor, too, was losing patience and, after giving Chloe stronger and stronger antibiotics, was suggesting surgical options. Wanting a safe, non-invasive method to help her daughter,Florence did some research about tonsillitis. Realising that tonsils are the soldiers guarding the throat by providing defence against infections, and that surgery wouldn’t lower the risk or frequencyof colds, chest infections or middle-ear infections, she decided to look for healthier alternatives.
After reading about the clinically proven effectiveness of homoeopathy in tonsillitis, she started homeopathic treatment for Chloe. Six months on, Chloe has come a long way. Through the use of simple homeopathic remedies her coughs and colds have begun to ease faster and her appetite has improved. She has gained weight and her complexion is rosier. She has not complained of throat pain for the last two months. Mild colds picked up from school quickly yield to the homoeopathy, and she stays active and happy throughout treatment. Even her regular doctor is happy to see her healthier tonsils.
Tal’s situation aggravated after her family moved to Hong Kong from Singapore. Recurrent throat pain and a chronic ear infection were exacerbated by the emotional stress of the move and the pollution levels. The pain would be so intense that she would be at home from school for days at a time. Antihistamines and antibiotics could not clear up the situation completely. As Iris, Tal’s mother and a yoga teacher, had had a positive experience with homeopathy herself, she actively searched for homeopathic treatment for her daughter in Hong Kong.
Chamomilla immediately cleared up the ear pain. Other remedies were used to clear the infection and balance her immune system. In three months the chronic ear infection cleared completely. Her previously dusky red eardrums are now a healthypearly grey.
Like Chloe, Tal’s body now fights off infections quickly and efficiently, and seldom requires treatment of any kind,
even homeopathy.A natural form of medicine, homoeopathy works by treating the tonsil or ear infection directly and also strengthens the body to fight off disease. Homeopathic prescriptions are based ondiagnosis, sensations and pains that the patient feels and the observations of the homeopath. Remedies like Belladonna, Baryta Carb and Hepar Sulph help the body reduce inflammation and deal with infections of the tonsil, adenoids and middle ear. This approach not only takes care of the infection, but also equips the body to resist the next invasion. The remedies, which are derived from nature, are dispensed in diluted form or in medicated sugar pills. The sugar pills are easy for children to take. All remedies are manufactured in licensed laboratories in the US, UK, Germany and France under strict FDA guidelines.
In between acute attacks of infection, homeopaths treat the body with constitutional remedies. Constitutional remedies take into consideration a person’s body type, reactions of the body to changes in environment, hereditary tendencies and temperament to bring about holistic healing. The disharmony of the body systems that led to the illness no longer exists. Many remedies like Calc Carb, Lycopodium, Calc Phos cure tendencies for recurrent ear and throat infections. When a child is treated with the requiredremedy, of the right potency, at the correct time, a complete healing takes place.
Below are a few common remedies used to treat tonsillitis andear infections. Please note that the information given below is for informational purposes only. Please never self medicate, but instead contact a certified homeopathic practitioner.
·Belladonna is a wonderful remedy when the throat is very congested and painful, when there is redness and swelling of the tonsils, and for throbbing ear pain.
·Baryta Carbonicum has a special affinity for the tonsils and for glandular tissues in general. It reduces the size of chronically enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
·Hepar Sulph is a good remedy for acute, as well as chronic, tonsillitis if the child complains of pain in the throat as if some splinter or plug is stuck there, if there is marked difficulty in swallowing, or if pain radiates frequently to the ears, especially when swallowing.
·Phytolacca is recommended when there is a very dark, red throat and much pain with swallowing, accompanied by swollen glands and pain that radiates to the ears.
·Echinacea is a well-known antiseptic for acute infections. It can be taken internally diluted in water or as pills. If diluted in warm water, it can be used as an antiseptic gargle.
·Chamomilla is a quick-acting remedy for ear pain.
·Pulsatilla works well for coughs that worsen in the evening with ear pain and itching in the ear, and for middle ear infections aggravated by changes in the weather.■
Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas, HMD(Lon) BHMS(Mum),
has been a homeopathic practitioner for 11 years and currently
practises at IMI (Integrated Medicine Institute) in Hong Kong.
In addition to healing physical ailments, she also specialises in
treating developmental and behavioural disorders in children.
Tel: 2523 7121
大清早Chloe起床後咳嗽。「媽媽,我的咽喉很痛。吞
咽的時候痛得特別厲害啊!」Florence在想,又來
了。因為Chloe的週期性咽喉發炎,每2至3個星期他們便須
為此而求醫。她的扁桃腺受到感染,抗生素可以讓她舒緩一
下,但是她的胃口會變壞,令她的體重下降。她失去了活
力,待快要完全康復時,咽喉又再受到感染。這是個無止境
的循環。Florence知道抗生素的副作用,也知道全世界的醫
療組織都主張減少為醫治感冒和耳炎引起的咳嗽而服用抗生
素。不過,教她如何看著孩子受痛苦而什麼也不做呢?
他們的醫生也變得不耐煩了,他給Chloe的抗生素越來越
強力,最後提議進行手術。Florence希望使用安全、非入侵
性的方法幫助女兒,於是找尋關於扁桃腺炎的資料。她明白
扁桃腺是咽喉的守衛,責任是防禦感染,而手術並不能減少
患感冒、胸肺感染或中耳炎的風險或次數,所以她決定找尋
較健康的方法。
Florence看到臨床證實順勢療法對治療扁桃腺炎的效果,
便開始讓Chloe接受順勢療法的治療。經過6個月的治療,使
用簡單的順勢療法,Chloe的咳嗽和感冒開始較快復原,而她
的胃口也有了改善。她的體重增加了,臉色也比以前紅潤。
過去兩個月她都沒有咽喉痛,在學校裡感染到輕微的感冒也
很快便被順勢療法醫治好。在治療期間她保持活力和開朗。
她的家庭醫生看到她的扁桃腺無恙也替她高興。
Tal和家人由星加坡移居香港之後,她的情況便變壞。週
期性的咽喉痛和慢性耳炎因為移居的情緒壓力和空氣污染而
惡化,痛楚有時十分嚴重,使她數天都無法上學。服用抗組
織胺劑和抗生素都無法根治。Tal的母親Iris是一位瑜珈導師,
曾經嘗試順勢療法而收效,於是積極在香港為女兒找尋順勢
療法治療。
結果Tal使用洋甘菊之後,耳朵的痛楚馬上消失。其他的
方法用於消除感染,平衡免疫系統。在3個月之內慢性耳炎便
完全復原了。她的耳鼓膜本來是暗紅色,現在也變回健康的
珍珠灰色。與Chloe的情況一樣,Tal的身體現在能夠很快和
有效地擊退病毒,而且很少需要任何治療,包括順勢療法。
順勢療法是一種自然醫療,直接醫治扁桃腺或耳朵感染,
而且加強身體抵抗力,擊退病菌。順勢療法治療師根據觀
察、診斷、和病人的感覺而進行處方。使用的藥物如莨菪、
碳酸鋇和硫酸鈣能幫助身體消炎,並且對付扁桃腺、腺狀增
殖體和中耳的感染。這種方法不但醫治感染,而且令身體有
能力抵禦下一次侵襲。那些天然藥物會經過稀釋或製成糖衣
藥丸。兒童會較容易接受糖衣藥丸。所有藥物都在美國、英
國、德國和法國的註冊藥廠製造,符合美國食品和藥物管理
局的嚴格標準。
在身體沒有感染急性病毒之時,順勢療法會使用保健藥物
治療。保健藥物會根據一個人的身體類型、身體對於環境變
遷的反應、遺傳傾向和性質而進行整體療法。引致生病的身
體系統不協調不再存在。許多藥物如碳酸鈣、石松、磷酸鈣
等能醫治週期性耳喉感染。兒童若得到適當的藥物治療,只
要適時和適量,就可完全康復。
以下是一些醫治扁桃腺炎和耳朵感染的常見藥物。然而以
下資料只作參考之用,讀者不應自行處方,應請教註冊順勢
療法治療師。
·莨菪:可以治療咽喉充血疼痛、扁桃腺紅腫,以及耳朵
刺痛。
·碳酸鋇:特別適合治療扁桃腺和腺狀組織,消減慢性扁桃
腺和腺狀增殖體腫脹。
·硫酸鈣:適合治療急性和慢性扁桃腺炎,尤其是咽喉感到
刺痛、吞咽困難,或者耳朵也感到痛楚,吞咽時尤甚。
·商陸:咽喉呈深紅色、吞咽時十分疼痛,扁桃腺腫脹、耳
朵也感到痛楚,可使用此藥物。
·紫錐花:是醫治急性炎症的消毒劑,可以水稀釋或作為藥
丸服用。若以水稀釋,可用作消毒漱口劑。
·洋甘菊:治療耳痛功效迅速。
·白頭翁:可治療晚上情況較嚴重的咳嗽、耳朵疼痛及痕
癢,以及因為天氣變化而惡化的中耳炎。■
Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas, HMD(Lon)BHMS(Mum),
擔任順勢療法治療師已11年,現於香港的IMI(Integrated
Medicine Institute)工作。除了治療身體的毛病之外,她也精
於治療成長及行為偏差的兒童。
電話:2523 7121
順勢療法
我們的身體常見的毛病,例如頭痛和腹痛,都可以使用順勢療法
醫治。Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas為我們介紹醫治常見兒童身
體毛病、例如慢性扁桃腺炎和週期性耳喉感染的另類方法。
醫治兒童疾病
This article is from the May 2008 Issue of Hong kong Parent’s Journal. Many thanks to Ms Michelle Liu and Ms Emily Choi of Peegaboo Publishing