This Saturday I took part in Vancouver’s 10:23 Challenge (“Homeopathy – There’s Nothing In It”) A bunch of CFI people on the steps of the Art Gallery, doing a homeopathy demonstration (complete with whacking the magic elixir against a leather-bound Bible, which is what Hahnemann apparently preferred), and some of us overdosing on homeopathic medicine. Or I should say, “medicine,” with sarcastic quote marks.
Arnica Montana (30C dilution)
I was told this was a muscle relaxant, but according to homeopathic web sites I consulted later (emphasis theirs):
Produces conditions upon the system quite similar to those resulting from injuries, falls, blows, contusions. Tinnitus aurium. Putrid phenomena. Septic conditions; prophylactic of pus infection. Apoplexy, red, full face.
It is especially suited to cases when any injury, however remote, seems to have caused the present trouble. After traumatic injuries, overuse of any organ, strains. Arnica Montana is disposed to cerebral congestion. Acts best in plethoric, feebly in debilitated with impoverished blood, cardiac dropsy with dyspnoea. A muscular tonic. Traumatism of grief, remorse or sudden realization of financial loss.(source)
Apparently Hahnemann “found it helped heal everything from baldness and impotence to incontinence, cramps, bruises, general soreness, forgetfulness, travel sickness, sleeping problems, gout, rheumatism and emotional problems”(source)
The directions on the bottle were “5 pellets, 3 times per day or as directed by your health care practicioner.” I took around 80 in one shot, and sadly didn’t develop a Wolverine-like healing factor.
Silicea (200C dilution)
Imperfect assimilation and consequent defective nutrition. It goes further and produces neurasthenic states in consequence, and increased susceptibility to nervous stimuli and exaggerated reflexes. Diseases of bones, caries and necrosis. Silicea can stimulate the organism to re-absorb fibrotic conditions and scar-tissue.
[…]
Ill effects of vaccination. suppurative processes. It is related to all pustulous burrowings. Ripens abscesses since it promotes suppuration. Silica patient is cold, chilly, hugs the fire, wants plenty warm clothing, hates drafts, hands and feet cold, worse in winter. Lack of vital heat. Prostration of mind and body. Great sensitiveness to taking cold. Intolerance of alcoholic stimulants. Ailments attended with Pus formation. Epilepsy. Want of grit, moral or physical.(source)
An abundant mineral in the earth’s crust, silicia has a profound cleansing effect on the body. Long neglected and persistent ailments respond well to silicea therapy.
Silicea, derived from quartz or flint and an essential structural component of cartilage and bone, is used to treat chronic conditions that progress slowly over time. It is also very effective against seasonal ailments, such as colds. Like other homeopathic remedies, silicea is typically prescribed to relieve symptoms associated with particular personality types. Those most likely to benefit from silicea show such character traits as lack of direction, pliability, weakness, confusion, fear of failure and the kind of mental burnout seen in those who overwork to the point of exhaustion. Silicea is said to impart qualities that reflect its rock hard origins, structure in one’s life, clarity, steadfastness and reliability. Also referred to as silica, silicea has a powerful restorative and stabilizing effect on the human body.(source)
The directions on the bottle were also “5 pellets, 3 times per day or as directed by the physician.” Again, I scarfed down 80 of the little buggers, and didn’t start looking like The Thing. Just as well, old Ben Grimm acts like he’s Blessed with Suck most of the time.
So that was kind of fun. What really struck me looking up these medicines is how vague their effects are supposed to be. Seriously, sudden realization of financial loss? baldness? forgetfulness? Want of grit, moral or physical? Still, that’s par for the course for faith healing.
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