One of the most popular forms of alternative medicine being practiced in the U.
S.
today is Homeopathic Medicine.
The movement shuns all chemicals and searches for natural substances that can be used to treat a whole host of illnesses and disease.
The homeopath takes a holistic approach to treating patients and strives to use your immune system to make you better.
The practitioner of homeopathic medicine searches for substances that will stimulate the immune system and force your body to fight back against an invader.
The whole movement is based on what they call the "law of similars.
" A homeopath will try to find some natural substance that produces the same type of symptoms their patient is suffering and then administer it in a very low dose.
The substance is greatly diluted so that it does not pose any threat and is given to the patient to trigger the immune system into fighting the disorder on its own.
There are a number of homeopathic reference books which have been researched for years to find which substances work for different problems.
Since the homeopathic substances that are used are all diluted with water, there is no risk associated with taking them even though some can be quite dangerous.
Unlike the chemical drug treatments which are routinely used across the country, the homeopathic remedies have no dangerous side effects.
Even ingredients that could potentially be hazardous like arsenic are watered down to be perfectly safe but still effective.
Arsenicum Album is one of the most used of all of the homeopathic remedies.
It produces symptoms of exhaustion on its own and is used to treat anemia and infection.
It is also used for treatment of food poisoning, other digestive disorders and anxiety.
In children, the homeopath will use arsenic to treat fever and diarrhea.
Sulphur is another one of the most popular homeopathic remedies.
Since it produces burning and itching when exposed to the skin, using the "law of similars" homeopaths use it to treat these types of symptoms.
As is the case with all remedies, it is greatly diluted before used in a treatment.
The general rule is one part sulfur to twelve parts water.
It is used by homeopaths for cases of psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
It is used for digestive disorders and respiratory problems as well.
Phosphorous is in the top five of most used homeopathic remedies because of its ability to treat blood disorders and respiratory issues.
Phosphorous poisoning causes these types of problems so the homeopath uses it to treat similar conditions.
Sufferers of asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia have reported good results with the phosphorous treatments.
Phosphorous also helps to clot the blood and is used to treat nose bleeds and minor hemorrhages.
One of the most prescribed homeopathic remedies is one of the most common substances on earth, water.
Drinking several glasses of clean water a day can head off a number of potential health problems including heartburn.
It is especially important to drink a lot of water in the morning to avoid acid reflux.