Resolving Childhood Problems Using Homeopathy

A New Approach to Resolving Childhood Problems

by Melissa Burch, CCH, RsHom(NA)

Does your child suffer from coughs, ear infections, sore throat, bed wetting, or digestive problems? What about emotional issues like sibling rivalry, anger, or obstinacy? Or mental difficulties like inability to concentrate, memory problems, or a learning disability? These symptoms (and others) indicate a deeper state of imbalance. But symptoms are only the tip of the iceberg; they need to be understood fully to recognize what lies underneath. It does not matter if the situation is an acute problem or more chronic. Homeopathy is ideal for the care of children because it safe, gentle, and addresses the whole child – not just his or her symptoms. With homeopathic treatment, the child experiences gentle, dynamic growth. The homeopath can restore harmony for the child and his/her family.

The IH Approach Consultation

During an IH Approach consultation, the homeopath may ask about the mother’s pregnancy, the child’s birth, the child’s dreams if she/he is old enough to remember and speak about them, and the child’s interests. The consultation also includes observations of the child. The homeopath will ask about the characteristics of the child’s symptoms. For example: the sore throat has a burning pain that moves from right to left. Sometimes the homeopath will recognize the connection between the problem and the emotions. For example: bed wetting began after the child was humiliated. An even deeper observation would look at the child’s fantasy life or delusions. For example: the child feels surrounded by enemies. The next level of understanding is at the level of sensation. What does this child feel at the connection of mind and body? For example: they feel shattered when they fail their exam and their migraine feels like shattered glass behind their eyes. Understanding these sensations often has a profound healing impact on the child – it can resolve the chief complaint and open new avenues of awareness. At this point, the child may be able to identify a substance which could help them. For example: a child feels like they are constantly moving like a spider, and they are able to explore the qualities of the spider that they need in an energetic form or homeopathic remedy.

The Healing Process

The homeopath gives a remedy based on a deep understanding of the child’s (and sometimes his/her parents’) state. The homeopathic remedy creates a healing from within that produces harmony and well being on all levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The chief complaint will reduce, and in most cases, go away. Leaps of consciousness and awareness are more pronounced, and opportunities for growth present themselves in the child’s life. The healing process is usually a challenge, but the child has the inner resources to do his/her best.

About Homeopathy

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that originated with Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in Germany (1755- 1843). The American Institute of Homeopathy, founded in 1844, was the first national medical society in the U.S. Hahnemann named this form of medicine “homeopathy” because “homoios” in Greek means similar, and “pathos” means suffering. These terms refer to the “the law of similars.” This law, originally described by ancient Greeks, says that “like cures like” – or that a substance that produces a reaction in a healthy person will resolve those symptoms in a sick person. Hahnemann systematized the law of similars into a medical science. He also discovered the law of the “minimum dose,” which is diluting a remedy to increase its potency. Remedies are made from plants, minerals and animal substances. Homeopathy is energy medicine, like Reiki or acupuncture. Homeopathy is unique because it addresses both the mind and the body – in addition to supporting the evolutionary process of the person. The homeopathic treatment begins with reducing suffering so that the person can become aware of choices and live their life more fully. In this way, the person experiences an opening of awareness and deep spiritual growth.

About the IH Approach

Melissa Burch has adapted traditional and modern homeopathic methods to create the IH Approach. The IH Approach is a proven homeopathic method for resolving symptoms and opening up possibilities in one’s life. During an IH Approach consultation, the homeopath seeks to understand what is unique in the child by talking with the child (if the child is old enough) or with his/her parents. When the homeopath has enough information about the child’s situation, a remedy is given. Homeopathic remedies are gentle and noninvasive, and are specifically tailored for each child in order to produce deep healing.

Case Study: Creating a Positive Sense of Self for a Young Girl

A ten year old girl suddenly started doing poorly in school. The youngest of four children, she was almost put up for adoption by her parents when she was born. Until this year, her mother said she was a good student, did her homework well, and had friends in school. Recently however, she had started failing her classes and crying after school. She was easily upset by anything her siblings did or said to her. Her parents were supportive. They had meetings with the teacher and principal. They discussed moving her to anther class, but decided it would be too disruptive so close to the end of the school year. While the homeopath talked with her, the child described her teacher as scary and bad, and said that he screamed at her. She said she was afraid the teacher would hit her and break her bones. She also felt her friends hated her. She described a dream in which she was in the kitchen, and the teacher came to her house and told her parents something so terrible about her that they left with the teacher. She was left all alone.

The Treatment

This case represents a situation where a child has to face a difficult situation in life, which triggers a deep fear of abandonment by her parents. (This situation almost happened in real life when she was almost put up for adoption.) She has supportive parents, but still she is unable to cope with the teacher. She received one dose of Magnesium Carbonicum, a mineral remedy, which has a characteristic emotional symptom of feeling like an orphan or abandoned child.

Results

A week after taking the remedy, she was no longer coming home from school crying, could focus on her homework, and had found the courage to answer questions in the classroom. She was laughing more. She was not so easily disturbed by her siblings. She said to her parents that she wondered how the other children were handling

the teacher, because he was so rude to them. A month after taking the remedy, she said she was fine with the teacher. Her grades improved significantly. Her parents said she was much more affectionate and open with them and with her friends.

Why Homeopathy Worked

What happened? It is possible that the child became more aware of her situation and realized that it was not her, but the teacher, that was the problem. However, if we think about our own lives or the lives of friends, we understand that awareness of a situation doesn’t always lead to its resolution. We continue recreating similar situations at work or with relationships – which means that we are the problem, not the other person or situation. The homeopathic remedy, in a gentle and deep way, created the clarity this child needed to see that the teacher was harsh to others in the class as well. This realization, which came from the homeopathic treatment, transformed the situation so that she could again feel good about herself, succeed in her studies, and enjoy her friends and family. She no longer believes she is a bad person who will be left by her parents. Her reality changed so that she is now able to cope with the teacher, and to recognize that the other children are also suffering because of this teacher.