Episode 130: Q&A About Nosodes, Maintaining Causes and Homeopathic Wins with Isobel Fothergill

What are nosodes, and what should you know before considering them? How do you know when a remedy is only helping temporarily? And can homeopathy be considered for fears such as anxiety before visiting the dentist? In this episode of the Homeopathy247 Podcast, Mary Greensmith speaks with Isobel Fothergill and works through questions from the Homeopathy247 community. When Symptoms Keep Returning The first question involves recurring fever blisters that frequently become infected. Mary and Isobel explain why they would want to know when the problem began, what the blisters look and feel like, what other symptoms appear and whether there is a wider recurring pattern. Recurring or infected cold sores may require medical assessment, particularly when symptoms are severe, spreading or affecting the eyes. When a Remedy Only Helps Temporarily Another listener says Sepia 30C seems to help, but only for a few hours. Mary and Isobel discuss several possibilities within traditional homeopathic prescribing, including whether the remedy picture is incomplete, whether another factor is maintaining the symptoms or whether the wider case needs reassessment. Temporary improvement does not prove that a remedy is treating the underlying cause. Fear of the Dentist The conversation also looks at a seven year old who is terrified of visiting the dentist. Mary and Isobel explain why homeopaths traditionally differentiate between different types of fear and anxiety rather than choosing one remedy for everyone. They discuss examples such as Gelsemium and Argentum nitricum and the different behaviour traditionally associated with each remedy picture. What Are Nosodes? The final question asks whether there is scientific evidence behind nosodes. Nosodes are homeopathic preparations traditionally made from disease related biological material and then highly diluted according to homeopathic methods. Mary and Isobel discuss their use within homeopathy and refer to a public health program in Cuba involving a homeopathic preparation during periods of increased leptospirosis risk. Historical and observational reports do not establish that nosodes reliably prevent infectious disease. Nosodes should not replace vaccination, testing or evidence based preventive and medical care. Introducing Someone to Homeopathy Mary and Isobel also discuss what to do when a family member is skeptical about homeopathy. Rather than pressuring someone to use it, they talk about learning more, asking questions and understanding the principles behind the approach. Key Takeaways Recurring symptoms may need a wider assessment. Temporary improvement is a reason to reassess rather than assume the problem is resolved. Different people may experience anxiety in very different ways. Nosodes are a distinct category of homeopathic preparations. Historical reports about nosodes are not the same as modern controlled evidence. Nosodes have not been established as reliable infection prevention. Vaccination and appropriate medical care should not be replaced by homeopathic preparations. Here are the links to the study mentioned in the podcast which demonstrate the use of homeopathy in 2007 and 2008.  A Large-scale application of highly-diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epidemic control: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20674839/ Good medicine: homeopathy: https://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e6184/rr/610750 A Reevaluation of the Effectiveness of Homoeoprophylaxis Against Leptospirosis in Cuba in 2007 and 2008: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2156587214525402#:~:text=In%202007%20and%202008%2C%20Cuban,regarding%20possible%20confounders%20were%20raised Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/