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Introduction

Life pattern, health and immunity of childhood phase and the milestones are the basement of healthy later life. Child with strong immunity would usually remain free from frequent childhood diseases. It helps to have sound later life. Since homeopathy is known to act by enhancing immunity, treating a child homeopathically would also improve the immunity of the child.

Even before the field of bacteriology originated, Dr. Hahnemann practiced ‘gestational immunization’. In the footnote 164 for aphorism 284 of Organon of Medicine (6^th edition) he directs to administer Sulphur in LM potency during first pregnancy in order to protect the fetus from psora. He also states such mothers have given birth to children usually more healthy and stronger¹. He effectively prevented and treated scarlet fever and other epidemics in the late 1790s³. Villages treated with his prophylactics entirely escaped dreaded epidemics. Homeopathy serves in both prevention and treating diseases since its discovery by Dr. Hahnemann. Higher stress on therapeutics has pushed preventive aspect of homeopathy backwards.

It is known fact that antibiotics develop resistance in microorganisms and diminishes immunity. For example the earliest antibiotic Penicillin destroys bacteria by entering the bacterium and binding to proteins on the bacterial cell wall. Resistance develops when the bacteria modifies the proteins in its cell wall so that penicillin can no longer bind effectively to the bacteria cell wall². But homeopathy employs by producing similar artificial disease, which extinguishes the natural disease and ultimately improves the immunity¹.

Few years back Government of Andra Pradesh (India) has successfully controlled and prevented Japanese Encephalitis by use of homeopathic medicines. The project was named as B.C.T. (Belladonna, Calcarea carbonica and Tuberculinum). As prophylactic drugs, Belladonna 200 on 1,2,3 days one dose each, Calcarea carbonica 200 on 10^th day and Tuberculinum 10M on 25^th day were administered in a phased manner to all children in the age group of 0-15 years in the month of August every year for three consecutive years. 343 cases were reported in the year 2000 with 72 deaths, in 2001 only 30 cases with 4 deaths in 2002 only 18 cases but no deaths, in 2003 and 2003 no cases were recorded. The Government had officially published the statistics and acknowledged the efficacy of homeopathy⁴.

Nosodes play important role in prophylaxis. These attenuated pathogenic products hold the information of the characteristics of respective microorganism and produces immunity against respective disease when administered. In 1932 Dr. Paul Chavaron immunized 45 cases with Diptherinum, in which Schick test was positive (it means no antibodies against diptheria). After the immunization the Schick test became negative in all 45 cases⁵.

Now the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has decided to launch a National Campaign on Homeopathy in Mother and Child Care to create greater awareness among Policy makers, Health Providers and the Common Man and create avenues for coordination on promotion of Homeopathy in Mother & Child Care⁶. Since the benefit of homeoprophylaxis is known to less number of people, this welcome move certainly would impact positively on the health of mother and children.

The present modern life of children leads in frequent seasonal problems. Cases of frequent attack of cold and fever are increasing in number and turning to homeopathy. Though there is hyperactivity in modern children, they are physically weak and lack of attention.

Remedies to activate the children’s immunity

Though homeopathic medicines in general are known immunomodulators there are specific immunostimulators which are frequently used.

Homeopaths often use Echinacea angustifolia^7,8 in mother tincture or low potency to increase resistance functions versus invasion of pathogens. It is called the blood purifier and antibacterial drug of homeoapthy with advantage of acting via increase of biological immunity.

Eleutherococcus⁹, the Siberian Ginseng, is a powerful tonic herb with an impressive range of health benefits. It is more useful for maintaining good health rather than treating ill health. Research has shown that it stimulates resistance. The key action is adaptogenic tonic stimulant, protecting the immune system.

Ginseng⁸is also an adaptonic tonic. It helps body to adapt to stress, fatigue, cold, mental or emotional problems. Recent research indicates it as immunostimulant for improving resistance to infections.

A drug prepared from resinous substance collected by bees called Propolis¹⁰, is with the old established value to improve vital functions. It has been traditionally used for various disorders. It has attracted modern medical research teams who have established that it has antibacterial properties.

Thuja occidentalis is a drug of choice where the condition is attributed to infection with discharge of pus. It has antibacterial activity and also overcomes the side effects of vaccinations.

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is a great mental tonic. It maintains the state of well being. It is highly efficacious in total or partial destruction of intellect.

Alfalfa is a well known homeopathic tonic. The mother tincture prepared from fresh plant is rich in vitamins and other nutrients. It is evidenced in toning up the appetite and digestion resulting in greatly improved mental and physical vigor, with gain in weight.

Drug and their prophylactic action⁷ which can be used for homeopathic immunization in children

Arsenicum album is used in the prophylaxis of cholera, poliomyelitis, hay fever and measles.

Apis mellifica and Diptherinum are prophylactic drugs for whooping cough.

Baryta carb (30 potency) can be given for quinsy and Belladonna is given for scarlet fever and Japanese encephalitis.

Calcarea carb also is for Japanese encephalitis.

Cuprum aceticum can be given to protect cholera.

Graphitis in 30 potency is recommended for Erysipelas.

Pertussin is a nosode prepared from Bacillus pertussis. It is used for treatment as well as prophylaxis of pertussis (whooping cough). The prescribed potency is 30.

Psorinum can be given for hay fever.

Aconite and Pulsatilla are the other medicines than Arsenicum album for measles.

Trifolium repens and parotidinum are for mumps.

Veratrum album also is used in the prophylaxis of cholera.

Some complex products available in the market with some of the drugs mentioned above. With the rational combination in material doses it can strengthen the immune system of children.

References

1. Hahnemann. S., Organon of Medicine, 6th edition, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi,1998
2. Appelbaum P.C., Antimicrobial resistance in streptococcus pneumoniae: An Overview, Clin. Infect. Dis. 1992;15:77-83
3. Hahnemann. S., The Lesser Writings of Samuel Hahnemann: Cure and prevention of scarlet fever
4. AHZ 2005; 250; DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-868696 Available online http://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/ahz/doi/10.1055/s-2005-868696
5. http://www.h-e-c.com.au/flyers/vaccination.pdf
6. http://ccrhindia.org/nationalcampaign.htm
7. Boericke. W. Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica and repertory B. Jain Publishers (Pvt) Ltd., New Delhi, 1999
8. Andrew Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, 1^st edition. 1996
9. Heinz A. Hoppe, Drogen kunde Band 1, Angiospermen, 8. Auflage, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin & New York, 1975
10. G. Borschel, Propolis als Homoopathikum, Deutsches Journal for Homoopathie, 2/91