More Resource Websites

Homeopathy, Supplements and Special Diets

by Tim Shannon, ND
May 2006
Reprinted by permission.

This is a complicated question because of the strong feelings people have about the issue. In addition, it can be difficult to know in each individual case what diet can or cannot do. I can only speak from my own experience - not from theory or strongly held beliefs.

Keep in mind that I live in Portland Oregon, and when it comes to diets, most of my clients are quite progressive. In addition, many of my autistic spectrum patients are coming already on all kinds of supplements, food elimination diets (GFCF, etc.). In my practice, I pay little attention to the diet. This may sound radical to some, in fact I'm sure it will. But I can only tell you what has been true in my practice for years now.

Can poor diet impair health? There is no question that it can in my mind. Does improving ones diet help many people, again, not doubt. However, does having an optimum diet equate to deep and lasting improvements in health? .... Well, sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. I'm referred a large contingent of patients who have the most pristine diets ever, yet they are clearly still deeply ill. Again, that may just be due to the fact that I get referred many "impossible" patients. So maybe that fact skews a lot of my experience.
 

In my experience with homeopathy, the Rx will work irregardless - I've seen this over and over. But homeopathy is not magic. So theoretically, if a patient is living exclusively on Hershey's kisses, they will probably get limited benefits from homeopathy or any treatment for that matter. I've just never seen any patients living off of Hershey's kisses, or other diets that deficient. But I've yet to see a case where a patient NEEDED to change their diet for homeopathy to work - not once.

On the other hand, I see a fair amount of patients with colitis and IBS. They often have VIOLENT reactions to certain foods. I ALWAYS tell them to maintain their food restrictions until after we have had several months of clear improvements on all symptoms. Then they can gradually introduce back the wheat, or dairy, etc without much problem.

I've now seen several patients who were even diagnosed lactose intolerant be able to drink milk with no symptoms. I've seen people who had severe reactions to all kinds of foods be able to overcome the intolerance or problems with homeopathy. In those cases, diet restrictions helped those patients to avoid symptoms - but not overcome the sensitivity. Homeopathy gradually helped tune down the patients over reactivity to those foods, and eventually even eat them when they wanted, with little or no consequences.

In addition, I've seen and tracked many patients who've had strong cravings for "evil" foods such as: chocolate, chips, ice cream, sweets, etc. During the homeopathic process, those cravings have greatly reduced and in come cases completely gone away.

So to summarize, my answer is no, homeopathy does not require dietary changes, or supplements to work. Would it probably work better if the diet was optimum, I'm sure it would. But that is not always an option. So I just treat the patients with homeopathy, and things simply tend to work themselves out naturally.

This is a very controversial topic, given that people have strong feelings about diet. But often there are many unexamined beliefs and assumptions about diet that don't hold up in reality. I've seen patient after patient who were guilt tripped by family, doctors, etc about their diet. I didn't even bring up the subject, started treatment and their health issues resolved. Personally, I think the best option is to have a great diet (fresh organic local produce, organic grains, pure water, etc.), wonderful supportive families, lots of fresh air and exercise, reduced TV and Nintendo, etc. But often that is simply not going to happen, so I take patient where they are. When the Rx is accurate, they get better.

back to top

HSNC does NOT provide any form of treatments. HSNC offers educational information and resources to parents on classical homeopathy.
Read Disclaimer. Copyright 2005-2008 by Homeopathy for Special Needs Children (HSNC), Kari J. Kindem, Director.
All rights reserved.  Web development by Creative Group Design.