Naturopathic Treatment of Hepatitis C

Part Three: Homeopathic Medicines

Until the discovery of antibodies and society's fascination with powerful drugs, homeopathic medicine was the dominant medicine practiced around the world. Even today, society's rich and famous (including Britain's Royal Family) employ physician's trained in the use of Homeopathic Medicine. Homeopathy has withstood the scrutiny of modern scientific "blind" studies and today you would be hard pressed to find a drugstore that doesn't stock homeopathic medicines.

The term "homeopathy" is derived from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos meaning suffering. The medicines used in this field are chosen according to the Law of Similars ( the concept of like curing like ), a fundamental homeopathic principle based upon the observed relationship between a medicine's ability to produce a specific constellation of signs and symptoms in a healthy individual and the same medicine's ability to cure a sick patient with similar signs and symptoms. This principle was first recognized by Hippocrates, who noticed that herbs given in low doses tended to cure the same symptoms they produced when given in toxic doses.

Today, homeopathic medicines are derived from plants, minerals, and organic and inorganic chemicals. They are prepared according to strict standards of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia and the FDA.

In diseases like Hepatitis C, homeopathic medicines stimulate the body's defense and healing mechanisms. One of the problems with the Hepatitis C virus is that the body's immune system has difficulty recognizing it and mounting an effective attack (acute reaction). The body then mounts a chronic and inconclusive attack against the virus which only serves to cause chronic liver inflammation. Homeopathic medicines stimulate the body to recognize and more effectively deal with infections like Hepatitis C Virus.

Homeopathic Phosphorus used in very low potencies is always the remedy of choice for acute hepatitis of any sort. Phosphorus in its elemental form irritates, inflames and degenerates every tissue and organ of the body. It produces a picture of jaundice and destructive metabolism of the liver. Phosphorus as a homeopathic medicine (think of it as being in a vaccine form or a recording of elemental phosphorus) stimulates the body to undo these very same symptoms. Sub-acute Hepatitis C is associated with a constellation of symptoms that are treated with homeopathic "drainage" remedies appropriate for each type of symptom. Diarrhea associated with prostration, anxiety and enlarged painful liver is treated with homeopathic Arsenicum Album 6c. Where as constipation with large stools and painful liver that feels better with pressure ( holding your right side ) is treated with Bryonia 6c. Similarly, homeopathic China and Lycopodium treat headaches and exhaustion and Chionanthus 6c treats itchy skin.

Chronic Hepatitis C can be treated using homeopathic Gallbladder, Hepatine, Nephrine and Pancreine.

These are just a few of the homeopathic medicines that are typically used in hepatitis. There are many that may be appropriate and are prescribed to treat the unique symptomatology of each patient. A concept used by physicians using these medicines is that of "pathological layers." The outer layer ( think of an onion ) is the acute pathology and must be treated first. The next layer or sub-acute layer corresponds to poor hepatic circulation or sluggish liver syndrome and is usually treated with homeopathic drainage medicines. The deeper layers deal with patient's blocks to their own healing. This may be caused by toxins or heavy metals and appropriate medicines are then prescribed to stimulate the constitution to remove these blocks.

Finally, the deepest layers are stimulated which deal with the patient's constitution. Accordingly these are called constitutional remedies. We inherit our constitutions and each constitutional type tends to complain in a way that is unique to that constitution.

A complete homeopathic treatment course might look like this:

Acute Hepatitis

Phosphorus 12 c once a day

drainage: Carducis Marianus 6c or

Chelidonium 6c or

Podophyllum 6c or

Sepia 6c

diarrhea: Arsenicum Album 6c

constipation: Bryonia 6c

Magnesia Muratica 6c

headaches: China 6c

Lycopodium 6c

exhausting Mercurius Solubilis 6c

night sweats

itching: Chionanthus 6c

Chronic Hepatitis first month: Gallbladder 6c

Hepatine 6c

Nephrine 6c

Pancreine 6c

second month: China

Chionanthus

Hydrastis

Iris Versicolor

Podohyllum

Most of these medicines are chosen to match the symptoms produced by each individual. No two people produce exactly the same symptoms of hepatitis so it makes sense that the medicines are chosen to stimulate the patient to deal with their own unique set of symptoms.

The advantage of Homeopathic Medicines over other therapies is their highly individualized and specific function and their low cost and safety. It is rare that a homeopathic medicine costs more that $20 for a 1-2 month supply.

There are many highly skilled physicians, both N.D.'s and M.D.'s who are trained in this field of medicine. You need only ask your pharmacist or the B.C.N.A. office (604-736-6646) for a referral.

©1997 Dr. David Bayley for HepC BC.

All Rights Reserved.

Correspondence can be directed to Dr. David Bayley.

Dr. Bayley can be reached at the Delbrook Naturopathic Clinic (604)986-9191

HepC BC