Dear Folks:
    This is in response to Paula's questions about arnica. Arnica Montana is a
flower, and the remedy made from it is used for recovery from trauma: bumps,
bruises, childbirth, etc. etc. There are very, very rarely any  side effects
with homeopathic remedies (which is something one can not say about allopathic
medicines) ; if the remedy isn't the right one for that person, it doesn't
work.The disclaimer is put on every bottle because that's how the legal system
works in the USA.
    Homeopathic remedies are in the realm of energetic medicine; if someone
analysed chemically the contents of a pellet or tablet, they probably wouldn't
find even one molecule of the substance. But the energy and healing properties
of that substance are present.
     There are a number of great basic texts on homeopathy, Ullman and Panos
are two authors that have written clear, easy to read and use texts. A key
concept about homeopathy is that there are no recipes: the same condition in
two different people may require two different remedies. Except for arnica,
which is a universal wonderful remedy for trauma of all sorts.
        I love homeopathy and it can work miracles for babies: the right remedy, and
the baby (I used a remedy for teething) is relieved in less than a minute in
front of your eyes!
        In Pediatrics, Vol 93, #5, May 1994, there is an article "Treatment of
Acute Childhood Diarrhea with Homoepathic Medicine: A Randomized Clinical
Trial in Nicaragua" that showed a statistically significant decrease in the
duration of diarrhea in the treatment group. Just one of many articles that
are out there supporting this gentle, wonderful modality.
        However, as with herbs, homeopathy is not to be used casually. One needs to
know what one is doing, and take it as seriously as any other treatment.
        Warmly, Nikki Lee
        (from sunny and beautiful fall in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA, on the
northeast coast of the USA)