Many people are finding the in-depth consultations and minimalist medicines of homeopathy an effective alternative to conventional medicine, writes Anne Dempsey
Ten years ago, Suzi Duff was a clothing buyer flying regularly to Europe, America and the Far East to source fashions and fabrics. She loved her job, the only problem was that the air travel was making her ill.
"No sooner would I be back than I would begin coughing and spluttering. When I came down with a really bad dose of bronchitis, I took antibiotics believing they would work because I used them so rarely. But the symptoms returned. It was suggested I get my tonsils out, and recovering from that, I began to research the area of homeopathy and herbal medicine."
So the next time she felt unwell after a trip, she chose a homeopath, received a 90-minute consultation about her job, life and health, culminating in a a homeopathic remedy. "Within a week I began to improve, and within 10 days I was really well. But the most amazing part was that the symptoms did not return."
Fast forward a decade and Duff is now a qualified homeopath, a member of the Society of Homeopaths in Ireland and PRO for National Homeopathy Awareness Week which began yesterday and runs till Sunday next.
"The aim is to let people know we're out there, answer questions and explain what we do. At this time of year we see a lot of patients with lung and respiratory problems. Ireland has a very damp climate, we still live with a history of TB, and some people have a susceptibility to lung problems. What I now have learnt is that the presenting symptoms can be the body's way to show that the system is out of kilter."
Anne's respiratory problems were a particular occupational hazard because the 28 year old is an airline pilot whose tendency to sore throats was exacerbated by her working life above the clouds. "Flying, being up for hours affected my speech, I could become hoarse and lose my voice, difficult if you had to make announcements. Also I suffered pains in my ears at landing and take off. Any time I was tired or run down, I got a sore throat, and more frequent chest colds than the norm.
"I soldiered on for four years. Then I developed a recurrent cyst which was resistant to antibiotics and went to a homeopath. Through the detailed history I realised I was run down, stressed, I had trained hard to qualify for my profession, I was a high achiever, and the pressure had crept up on me. I was treated successfully for the cyst with a remedy to rid the body of impurities but then I found my respiratory problems improved as well. Today I haven't had a cough, cold or sore throat for over two years.
"More recently I developed stress-related skin problems that wouldn't clear and were very sore and uncomfortable. Again I went to homeopathy and again it was successful, though this time it took longer. Now homeopathy would be my first choice, I like it that minimum dosages are used, I've never experienced any side effects, and always leave feeling better after a consultation."
In 1996, at the age of 48, Leslie Butler went back to college to study for a management degree. "I felt I needed help with concentration and study so I went to a homeopath, was advised to go off coffee and prescribed a remedy which gave me a total detox. I found I'd more energy, much more concentration and thanks to myself and homeopathy I got an Honours degree!"
Now employed as a business analyst working in computer systems Leslie can spend months at a time working around Europe. "I catch the 6.30 a.m. flight from Dublin returning on Friday afternoon and after a while at this I felt that while I was doing well, I could perform better.
"I went back to homeopathy and realised that being away from home, living in hotel rooms can be stressful in spite of the good team around me. I was prescribed three small remedies the size of a pinhead and again felt so much better.
"Now I use homeopathy every four months for regular maintenance to boost my immune system, and the best way I can describe the effects are like a weekend away. You feel better, brighter, sharper, much more energised. I'm now 56, I don't look it, my friends might say I don't act it and I certainly don't feel it!"