Homeopathy, a popular complementary medicine, traces its roots back to ancient Greek and Roman medical traditions. However, its modern form was significantly shaped in the late 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. At the time, medical treatments were often harsh and their efficacy questionable, with many cures likely attributed to the patient’s own resilience rather than the interventions. Hahnemann grew disillusioned with these practices, advocating instead for common-sense advice like a good diet, exercise, and improved living conditions – principles still relevant today.
Hahnemann’s career shifted towards translating medical texts. His work on Cullen’s Materia Medica proved pivotal. While Cullen suggested quinine’s effectiveness against malaria was due to its astringent properties, Hahnemann, observing that other strong astringents lacked this effect, investigated further. He conducted a “proving” by repeatedly taking Cinchona bark and meticulously documented the symptoms that developed, which closely mirrored malaria. When he ceased taking the bark, the symptoms vanished. This personal experiment led him to conclude that “like cures like,” a principle later Latinized to similia similibus curentur.
Testing the Theory and the Dilution Factor
Over subsequent years, Hahnemann expanded his research, testing various substances on himself and friends, carefully recording the resulting physical and mental symptoms. These findings formed his own Materia Medica, enabling him to correlate a substance’s ability to induce symptoms with its capacity to cure them. He successfully applied these principles during a typhoid outbreak in 1812-1813.
Hahnemann recognized the toxicity of some tested remedies and sought to find the minimum effective dose. He discovered that diluting his medicines actually increased their effectiveness, a stark contrast to conventional drugs. This meant a wide array of substances, including metals, minerals, venoms, plants, and even diseased tissues, could be prepared as homeopathic medicines without the risk of side effects.
How Homeopathic Remedies Are Produced
The preparation of homeopathic remedies involves serial dilutions, with vigorous shaking, known as succussion, between each stage. This process is crucial for the remedy’s efficacy. Dilutions, or “potencies,” are commonly made in 1:10 ratios (denoted by ‘x’ for decimal dilutions) or 1:100 ratios (denoted by ‘c’ for centesimal potencies). The Denes range of homeopathic remedies, for instance, are typically at 30c potency, with the exception of Fragaria, which is at 3c potency.
Matching Symptoms and Storing Remedies
Successful homeopathic treatment relies on accurately matching the patient’s symptoms to the specific symptom picture of a remedy. The greater the match, the higher the likelihood of a positive response; an incorrect remedy will simply have no effect. Homeopathic remedies are safe for animals of all ages and can be used for various conditions without fear of harm.
As “energized” medicines, homeopathic remedies require careful handling and storage. They can be deactivated by strong odors like camphor and eucalyptus, as well as by bright light, heat, and electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices. Stored properly, especially in glass containers, they can retain their efficacy for many years. Remedies come in various forms, including liquids, tablets, granules, and powders. Liquid forms are often preferred for animals, as they can be administered directly into the mouth, onto a paw, added to food, or mixed with drinking water.
Dosing Your Pet
The Denes range of popular homeopathic remedies in liquid form can address a wide array of common pet issues. The dosage is consistent across breeds, ages, and sizes. For most remedies (excluding Fragaria), the recommended dosage is:
- Acute problems: 5 drops every 2-3 hours until symptoms resolve.
- Chronic illness: 5 drops, 2 or 3 times daily.
For Fragaria, only the chronic dose is recommended. For dosage uncertainties, direct contact with the provided helpline or email is advised.
DENES RANGE of HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES: Suggested Uses
ARNICA (LEOPARD’S BANE): Essential for injuries, Arnica helps prevent bruising, limit bleeding, promote healing, and reduce pain and shock. It’s beneficial for sprains, strains, surgical preparation, and recovery from strokes or exhaustion. Arnica is also useful for reviving newborn puppies and kittens.
ARSENICUM ALBUM (WHITE ARSENIC): Effective for gastro-enteritis, especially from spoilt food, with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and refusal of food. It addresses thirst for small amounts of water that may be vomited, and offensive diarrhea. It’s also indicated for skin issues with itching and flaking, and for anxiety or restlessness, particularly at night. Arsenicum album is a major skin remedy.
BRYONIA (WHITE BRYONY): Primarily acts on joints and the chest. Used for arthritis that improves with rest and cool weather, and for dry coughs triggered by movement. It also helps with constipation and irritability. Bryonia is indicated for joint pain.
CANTHARIS (SPANISH FLY): A key remedy for cystitis, helping with straining to urinate, frequent urination, and blood in urine. It’s also used for red, raw skin in eczema and dermatitis, and for healing scalds and burns. Cantharis aids in urinary tract issues.
EUPHRASIA (EYEBRIGHT): Primarily for eye problems, especially conjunctivitis with sticky, yellowish discharge and sore eyes. Euphrasia supports eye health.
FRAGARIA (WILD STRAWBERRY): Helps dissolve dental plaque and prevent its build-up after teeth cleaning. Fragaria aids dental hygiene.
HEPAR SULPH (CALCIUM SULPHIDE): Used for infections like painful abscesses or infected wounds with pus discharge. Also effective for skin and eye infections with a foul discharge. Areas are sensitive to touch. Hepar sulph addresses infections.
NUX VOMICA (POISON NUT): Primarily indicated for constipation where straining occurs but little is passed. It supports liver function and digestion recovery after upsets, aiding detoxification post-surgery and stimulating appetite. Useful for vomiting from overeating and colitis. Also helps weak hind legs and lower back pain. Nux vomica assists with digestive and mobility issues.
PHOSPHORUS (THE ELEMENT): Addresses vomiting with thirst for large amounts of water followed by vomiting as it warms in the stomach. It’s a liver remedy, especially for jaundice, and helps arrest bleeding from various causes. Animals responding well are often affectionate. Also useful for fear of thunder and fireworks, dry coughs, and nerve weakness in the hind legs. Phosphorus is beneficial for digestive, bleeding, and emotional issues.
PULSATILLA (WIND FLOWER): A principal remedy for false pregnancy in bitches, including nesting and milk production. Also used for catarrh, rhinitis, and sinusitis with creamy yellow discharge, and digestive upsets from rich foods. Pulsatilla helps with hormonal and respiratory conditions.
RHUS TOX (POISON IVY): Renowned for skin issues with intense itching and blistering. More commonly used for arthritis, stiff joints, back pain, and rheumatism, especially in damp, cold weather. Symptoms ease with warmth and gentle exercise. Also the main remedy for strains and sprains, particularly muscular, and allergy-related skin problems. Rhus tox is key for joint pain and skin allergies.
RUTA GRAV (RUE): Similar to Rhus tox, primarily for strains, acting on tendons and bone. Important for bone injuries, including fractures, and arthritis symptoms worse with rest and damp weather. Animals may have difficulty rising. Ruta grav aids bone and joint healing.
SILICA (FLINT): Helps expel foreign material like thorns or grass awns. Aids in resolving abscesses, healing discharging sinuses, and treating chronic catarrh and sinusitis. Slows cataract development and aids healing of eye ulcers. Silica supports wound healing and expulsion of foreign bodies.
SULPHUR (THE ELEMENT): Best known for skin problems, including mange, flea allergy dermatitis, and other allergic skin conditions. Addresses itching, scratching, dandruff, scabs, sores, and greasy, smelly skin. Sulphur is a primary remedy for various skin ailments.
SYMPHYTUM (COMFREY): Known as ‘Knitbone,’ useful for speeding up fracture healing and addressing general injuries to joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Also beneficial for eye injuries and ulcers. Symphytum promotes bone and tissue repair.
