CAN HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE OR ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS TREAT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy was developed in Germany in the late 1700s by a man named Samual Hahnemann. It is a practice of healing techniques based on the theory that the body is naturally equipped to relieve itself of unwanted symptoms—it just needs assistance from the right sources.

Homeopaths administer naturally occurring substances to patients, which they believe facilitates the body’s natural processes to counteract specific ailments. At a broad level, homeopathy practitioners try to treat symptoms by understanding how the body functions as a whole.

What is homeopathic medicine?

Homeopathic medicine involves directly administering natural substances in medicinal form. Substances are diluted with alcohol or distilled water, a process homeopaths call “dynamization” or “potentisation” and then shaken thoroughly, called “succession”. Substances that do not dissolve on their own, such as stones, are crushed, and ground with lactose.

Hahnemann believed that the process of making homeopathic remedies activated the “vital energy” of the diluted substance, and successive dilutions would make them more powerful. Scientists are skeptical of this because, at commonly used dilutions, it is unlikely that any molecules of the original substance will remain.

It is important that you consult your physician before taking these medicines because certain dosages of natural substances can be harmful or even fatal. The FDA regulates homeopathic medicines for this reason.

Are there reasons to try homeopathic remedies to resolve ASD?

Homeopathic medicine, when approved by a doctor and used in conjunction with a research-based treatment, should not hurt your child with ASD.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that these treatments are effective, but if it your pediatrician confirms it is safe, it should not hurt to try.

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