Effectiveness of herbal remedies vs. homeopathy vs. cell salts.

[DevaMajka]

Do either work for you? I'm thinking specifically in terms of colds and minor illnesses, but please post about any situation where one did/did not work for you.

Are you a believer or non-believer in any of them?

I'm skeptical of homeopathy, but I've been using coryzalia (homeopathic) during his current cold, and he hasn't had any breathing difficulties yet (his last 3 colds landed him in the ER with breathing difficulties). So...I'm now more intrigued than ever before. When I bought it, it was because it's safe, it might help, and the only thing I had to lose was money, so why not try it?

I'm a little less skeptical of herbal remedies. Seems reasonable to think herbs could help. We have Deep Immune for kids, which I gave to ds1 during this cold. The last time I gave it to ds2, he got a rash, so I was unsure about giving it to him this time. I may test it when he's well.

I'm not sure, but I imagine they have the potential to be less safe than homeopathic stuff.

Cell salts- what can I say. I'm really intrigued by cell salts. I have a bunch of them for various issues. I haven't noticed any improvement yet, but my main reason is ds1's teeth, so improvement will take a while.

[crunchy_mommy]

I've always been skeptical of homeopathics but they seem to work for me!

DS has a minor injury that would. not. stop. bleeding. for well over a month straight. (It wasn't bleeding 24/7!! It just bled a little bit almost every day.) Finally I took him to our doctor (who is also a homeopath) and he gave us 2 homeopathic remedies and within a few days it was completely healed & never bled again.

A couple weeks ago I hurt my neck/shoulder somehow, and was in HORRIBLE pain, couldn't move or function... DH drove me to the natural store and ran in for some arnica, he ended up getting a blend since that was all they had (arnica, ledum, belladonna, I don't remember what else??) I took it and within seconds it took the 'edge' off the pain & I was able to focus on work etc. by the time I got home. The pain was still there but wayyyyyy less, and continued to improve as I took the blend again the next day etc.

I've used other homeopathics with less noticeable/dramatic effects... in those instances I can't say for sure whether the improvement was truly related to the remedy or just coincidence. But the two times above kind of made me believe in them, though I don't think they are a cure-all and not everyone reacts the same way to them... and I had an 'adverse reaction' to one once that I swear made me feel worse even though I thought that wasn't possible...

I have never tried cell salts, know nothing about them. I worry about the safety of many herbal remedies so I haven't tried them extensively.

[Koalamom]

I love 'em all!! And I use them at different times.

Cold herbs:
Like it I feel a cold coming on, I take a bunch of vit D3. Then if my dd says she has a cough, I make her a personal blend of herbal tea, and she seems fine afterward. I never use the same exact thing twice, but as a general what I have on hand that seems to work for us. I dont wait until things are bad.
Recently gave dh chamomille tea for a cough and she said she was cold. This is relaxing and drying somewhat.
Or a blend of pine needles and rose hipps. Perhaps I may throw in some ginger. Or some lemon. These add a kick and you may need something "kicked" out of your system.

Or fennugreek and perhaps a little catnip if the kids are mucusy and sick.
Other cold stuff I would have around is fennel and lemon balm.
All these plants I would never be without on hand in the house and feel completely safe with. I sometimes have them out and let the kids pick what they are drawn to. I don't steep too long.

Healing really sometimes comes down to the act of love when making a tea and the nourishment that gives.

Homeopathy has worked wonders too for us. I use it less for sickness as we just arent "flu" sick anymore, and I think it is our diet and especially vit D, I love that stuff and never knew how we got along without it.
Belledonna has pulled my kid out of a 104 fever. Chamomilla has been the best remedy to have on hand for my colicy kids. Arnica is another one I would never be without. I keep it in my purse for emergencies. Like if I am freaking out adrenalin wise that I almost hit a deer, I stop and take a dose and I feel immediatly calmed. Or I feel the same way when I go to the dentist.

I don't know as much about cell salts except my dd had cavities and the salts healed them and sealed them over. The dentist confirmed it. And after a long time of not giving it to her, she is taking it again for what looks like another cavity and in no time at all, it looks almost gone. I don't respond as fast. I need to learn more about the salts other properties but keep putting it of as a mama borrowed my guide and wont give it back. I guess I will just have to buy a new one.... No more excuses bluebird!