Boiron homeopathic medicines can be purchased in pharmacies and health food stores. Some retailers also sell our homeopathic medicines online. For more information, please visit: boiron. Boiron oral medicines should be dissolved in the mouth as they will be absorbed through the mucous membrane on the inside of the mouth. The mucous membrane is thinnest under the tongue, so absorption will be quickest when dissolved under the tongue.
When chewed or swallowed, the pellets pass through the digestive system and thus take longer to act. Most chronic conditions can be relieved with homeopathic medicines. Furthermore, every homeopathic treatment is specific to the individual, so there is no generic protocol for these conditions. Most of the time, homeopathic medicines are unlikely to interact with so-called conventional medications.
They are usually devoid of side effects. If in doubt, seek advice from your healthcare practitioner or pharmacist. As with any medicine, pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a health care practitioner before use, including Boiron homeopathic medicines. Always read and follow the label. Homeopathic medicines have been used to treat animals for more than years in France.
Pellets or globules can be dissolved in a small amount of water and administered via a bottle or a glass. Remember to empty and refill daily. Boiron homeopathic medicines are prepared in accordance with our traditional values, as well as our commitment to technological innovation. We also take great care to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices GMPs to ensure the quality and reliability of our products.
Generic filters Hidden label. Hidden label. Baby Ailments. Eye irritations. First Aid. Flu Symptoms. Hot Flashes. Home Education Discover Homeopathy. Discover Homeopathy Do you have questions about homeopathy? We have answers! Discover Homeopathy What is a homeopathic medicine? The general rule of thumb, according to highly trained homeopathic practitioners, is that the single most indicated remedy will offer the fastest, greatest, and most lasting therapeutic benefit.
But again, this is difficult to determine without having advanced experience and knowledge and spending the necessary time with the patient. In addition to the 3 homeopathic principles already described, the treatment context is an essential component of homeopathy. A caring practitioner is key to this context. Pharmacy practice is about more than dispensing medicines—it is also about the manner with which medicines are dispensed. When pharmacists show kindness and interest in patients, patients typically feel better and more relaxed, which makes it easier to discuss their symptoms and all available treatment alternatives.
This, in turn, builds trust. In general, the more pharmacists know about different therapies, the more patients will tell them and the better able pharmacists are to do the job of caring for patients. This communication focus was the emphasis of the NIH's Time to Talk program—a campaign focused on creating more dialogue about CAM among patients and their health care providers to facilitate better health management and decision-making across all therapeutic options 39 Though the program ended in and was not replaced, it does not mean that practitioners' needs to communicate with patients has ended.
Securing research funding and conducting research are challenging for every medical discipline today, but the nature and underlying philosophies of homeopathy offer particular obstacles to research. There are, however, numerous studies that are noteworthy demonstrations of the efficacy and safety of homeopathy. A brief review of this literature and research of plausible homeopathic mechanisms of action are presented below.
Basic scientific research in homeopathy focuses on biological and physical evaluations of dilutions, including their actions and their potential mechanisms of action. Not surprisingly, scientific skepticism about homeopathy focuses on its use of these very high dilutions, including ultra-molecular dilutions, in which there are no longer molecules of the starting substance present.
Several emerging areas of research are investigating possible mechanisms of action of homeopathic dilutions. The Homeopathic Basic Research Experiments database HomBRex contains information about basic research experiments on homeopathy, including the effects of homeopathic preparations in bioassays and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as the physico-chemical effects of the preparation process.
A key challenge in clinical research in homeopathy is that homeopathic medicines are designed for individual expressions of a disease, rather than a disease or single symptom, which increases the complexity of randomized controlled trials RCTs.
Nonetheless, several clinical and epidemiological studies have been conducted that yielded substantial positive results. For example, a study tested the efficacy of a homeopathic syrup for treating cough arising from upper respiratory tract infection with a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Increasingly, researchers are designing studies that respect homeopathic principles of individualized treatment. A study on fibromyalgia, for example, demonstrated that individualized homeopathy is substantially better than placebo for lessening tender point pain and improving quality of life and global health.
To understand homeopathic research and its critics, it is necessary to appreciate the assumptions of the homeopathic model. To this end, some researchers are developing validity models for RCTs that aim to identify relevant judgmental domains to use in assessing the validity of the homeopathic treatment model. A significant barrier to homeopathic use by the public, health care practitioners, and scientists, alike, is the seemingly paradoxical concept that ultra-small doses are capable of producing clinical effects.
This is an area of important, but still nascent, emerging research. For this reason, most pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as well as most medical professionals understand little to nothing about the principles or practice of homeopathic medicine and do not, therefore, recommend its use.
Many other barriers to use stem from misconceptions and misunderstandings about homeopathy. Several misconceptions about homeopathy prevent its widespread use and acceptance. Below, common myths about homeopathy and homeopathic practice are explained: Another common barrier to homeopathy use among pharmacists and patients is primarily related to a limited education and knowledge-base about homeopathy.
Many patients assume, for example, that homeopathic medicines are not subject to government regulation, while, in fact, they are regulated by the U. Terminology and general principles of administration offer other issues and barriers. For example, patients may not understand what sublingual means i.
They may also be concerned that a homeopathic medicine might have interactions with other prescriptions or natural products they are taking. Further, patients may assume that because they did not achieve any benefits from a previous trial of a homeopathic medicine that the system as a whole will not work.
Finally, many patients assume that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have little to no knowledge of homeopathy. This underscores the importance of the need for all health care professionals to learn about all systems and methods of care in order to initiate and participate in discussions with patients and serve as reliable, reputable sources of information.
In the U. Many pharmacy professionals know very little about homeopathy, and this module may be the most comprehensive source of information on the subject that many have studied. Likewise, few physicians and pharmacists realize that homeopathic medicines are OTC products that are FDA regulated and manufactured under strict pharmaceutical guidelines. The concept of homeopathic dilution is counterintuitive.
Typically, conventional medicines are made stronger by adding more ingredients, but, in homeopathy, a higher potency is often, although not exclusively, one that is more diluted and succussed. Similarly, the concept of the "strength" of a homeopathic medicine is counterintuitive: sometimes less is more. Efficacy is facilitated by the appropriateness of the dilution to the patient's symptoms, not the amount of active ingredient in a formulation.
The purpose of a homeopathic medicine is to encourage the body's inherent defenses to correct imbalances. Sometimes that reminder is solely on a molecular not a material level. Understandably, this concept i. The process of coming to understand a nonmaterial effect is something that may only occur through engagement with and experience in the art and practice of homeopathy.
The science of homeopathy is complicated and it is still emerging. As explained, clinical studies have shown mixed results, particularly when therapeutic approaches are not individualized. However, when studies account for the full context of treatment—that is, the medicines, the discussions about symptoms and modalities, and the caring provider—they show positive effects of homeopathic medicines that surpass those of placebo alone and offer no serious adverse or toxic effects.
No form of medicine is completely safe for all patients all the time, but homeopathy can be much safer than many conventional and herbal medicines—a fact that seems foreign to many health care professionals.
Because homeopathic medicines are administered in the smallest possible microdoses, there is almost no chance that they will exert any pharmacokinetic effect in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.
So, while an allopathic drug might interfere with a person's ability to respond to a homeopathic medicine, a homeopathic medicine will likely not interfere with an allopathic drug's effect. This is may not always be true of conventional treatments. A key benefit of homeopathic medicines is that they can alleviate symptoms without masking conditions.
If, for example, a person was having severe abdominal pain, homeopathy would not be indicated. However, even if that patient took a homeopathic formula for the pain, it would not mask the underlying disease process or any diagnostic symptoms in a true medical situation.
In contrast, taking a pharmaceutical pain medication might reduce the pain and, thereby, delay a medical response. Similarly, steroids are administered to reduce inflammation, yet they allow the inflammatory disease processes to continue.
Homeopathic medicines can treat symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, without masking critical symptoms or interfering with a diagnosis. This is an invaluable piece of information to consider. Chemical sensitivities are a consideration for all products in the pharmacy. Patients are sometimes confused about additional ingredients added to homeopathic preparations, such as alcohol, lactose, and sucrose.
For example, a patient with lactose intolerance may wish to avoid a product that uses lactose as an additive. However, the amount of lactose in homeopathic pellets and tablets is usually far below the threshold of discomfort; research suggests that adults and adolescents with lactose malabsorption can eat or drink at least 12 grams of lactose in one sitting with only minor, if any, symptoms.
Still, in rare cases of complete abstinence or true allergy, such bases and additives must be avoided. Further, pharmacists must be respectful of patients' needs, preferences, and practitioner instructions and direct patients to the appropriate products in the case of ingredient sensitivity. He states that he will be having minor outpatient surgery next week and he enquires about pain relief.
He typically uses Arnica gel for joint pain after he exercises and he wonders if he can use it after the surgery. Overall, he is in good health, and his only current medications are atorvastatin 20 mg daily, a daily multivitamin, and a daily antioxidant supplement that he purchases elsewhere. The pharmacist tells him that homeopathic dilutions of Arnica montana mountain daisy can be taken sublingually to reduce pain, swelling, and the discoloration of bruising.
He should allow the pellets to dissolve slowly in his mouth or under his tongue. The medication should be taken on an empty stomach and without strong flavors e. Arnica gel should NOT be applied to an open wound. Although Arnica preparations can be taken safely with his medications, he should tell his doctors about all the supplements he takes because they may need to be discontinued before surgery.
The homeopathic medication should be stopped completely when he is recovered. It is paramount that pharmacists and technicians understand the regulation of homeopathic medications. Not only is this area of confusion leading to widespread misinformation, it is an area of rapid change. Pharmacists are dedicated to providing accurate drug-related information and, in this capacity, should combat the misconception among the public and other health care professionals that homeopathic medicines are not regulated.
The most current FDA distinctions regarding how products—including homeopathic medicines—are regulated, approved, and advertised for conditions and indications are described below. Pharmaceutical and homeopathic medicines, both prescription and OTC products, are regulated differently than dietary supplements Table 2. Conventional prescription drugs are FDA approvedfor a specific condition and must obtain pre-market approval; they are also subject to post-market surveillance.
Dietary supplements are under the jurisdiction of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of DSHEA , which does not categorize them as drugs, and, therefore, requires no pre-market approval. As a result, manufacturers are prohibited from making disease claims on the labeling for dietary supplements.
In April , the FDA held a 2-day public hearing focused on its regulation of and labeling requirements for OTC homeopathic products. The hearings featured representatives from the public, professors, lawyers, and regulators, as well as the manufacturers of homeopathic products, pharmacists, educators, public policy officials, medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, and other practitioners.
Supporters disclosed that homeopathic remedies offer benefits of decreased cost and increased safety, but critics spoke against homeopathy, citing concerns such as its use preventing patients from seeking medical care.
However, the general consensus among advocates and skeptics, alike, is that homeopathic medicines are fundamentally safe. The intent of these testimonies was to help improve consumer protections through review of Good Manufacturing Practices while aiming to maintain an optimal amount of freedom for the individual to access safe medicines. It is vital that pharmacists and technicians understand how to interpret safety and dangers of all medications, including homeopathic medications.
Although homeopathic medicines have an outstanding safety profile, absolute safety is not guaranteed. The homeopathic pharmaceutical industry adheres to rigorous standards and monitors the occurrence of adverse events, just like the traditional pharmaceutical industry.
Industry data indicate that, while rates are extremely low, there are rare incidences of adverseevents and serious adverse eventsassociated with the use of homeopathic medicines. In March , the FDA issued an official warning to consumers not to rely on homeopathic asthma products—particularly for relief of acute asthma symptoms. This reinforces the concept that OTC homeopathic medicines should only be used for self-limiting conditions, not for urgent medical situations such as an asthma attack.
In September of , the FDA issued a press release warning consumers that "homeopathic teething tablets and gels may pose a risk to infants and children. An investigation for mislabeling found that the products contained "inconsistent amounts of belladonna alkaloids that may differ from the calculated amount on the products' labels.
Homeopathic drug labels are considered a form of advertisement and, as such, the FTC has jurisdiction over their content. The FTC recently determined that efficacy statements for homeopathic products may be misleading. In November , the FTC took action to clarify the level of scientific proof of marketing claims on labels. The FTC stated that a product's claim can no longer be " To be non-misleading, the product and the claims must also comply with the requirements for homeopathic products and traditional homeopathic principles.
For most OTC homeopathic drugs, the policy statement notes, "the case for efficacy is based solely on traditional homeopathic theories and there are not valid studies using current scientific methods showing the product's efficacy. For the sake of all patients' health, it is imperative that pharmacy professionals stay accurately informed of the recent increase in FDA and FTC review and scrutiny of homeopathic medicines.
Researchers are seeking funding and are planning to conduct effective RCTs that respect the homeopathic treatment context. At the same time, the public is wary of the damage being done to people, the environment, and human integrity by science and medicine.
Still, patients enter pharmacies every day to seek care. These patients have varying attitudes, hopes, and fears about health care and how best to support and repair their own well-being. Pharmacists have the opportunity to engage patients in conversations about a range of treatment options.
The more therapies with which pharmacists are familiar, the more patients can be engaged and helped. Pharmacists would be wise to continually learn about new treatment options, discuss issues with colleagues, and be open to conventional, contemporary, and long-standing discoveries that help the whole patient with optimal and safe medication use.
Introduction to Homeopathic Medicine for the Pharmacy Professional.
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