In late April 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a two-day public hearing to gather information about the consumer use of homeopathic products.
I already know what you're thinking …
“Uh-oh. What does this mean for us?”
But before you let worry set in, let me tell you that I see this as an opportunity to provide the FDA with our own feedback based on our personal successes with homeopathy.
The best way to bring someone around to a new way of thinking is through respect and rationality.
The hearing in April focused solely on FDA regulations and labeling requirements for over-the-counter homeopathic medicines.
It did NOT, however, include any discussion regarding the efficacy of homeopathy, the ability of individuals to practice homeopathy, or the removal of homeopathic remedies from the retail market.
What the FDA DID want to learn was:
- What are CONSUMER ATTITUDES about homeopathy?
- Do consumers have ENOUGH INFORMATION to make informed decisions about purchasing homeopathic products over-the-counter?
- Is there CONFUSION between homeopathic medicines and non-homeopathic medicines on store shelves?
How YOU Can Help (Even if you don’t live in the U.S.)
Since the next phase of the hearing is a period of public comment (which is open until JUNE 22, 2015), we all have an opportunity to make our opinions heard.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2015-N-0540-0001.
Use your voice to let the FDA know how you feel. Now is the time to speak loud, proud and be heard.
For your convenience, I have crafted a form letter that you are welcome to use as a guide for your own comments.
You may copy and paste it and fill in the necessary information in the spaces provided; particularly in regards to the remedies' manufacturers providing enough information, as well as clear, concise and easy-to-understand labeling related to use and dosage.
Remember, ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE BY JUNE 22, 2015 HERE:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2015-N-0540-0001.
*Two small details*
When submitting your comments to the above link:
- Be sure to UNCHECK that you are submitting commentary on behalf of a third party. We want the FDA to know that they are receiving personal accounts of success with homeopathy straight from the consumer
- Select “individual consumer” from the category drop-down menu
THANK YOU!
By the way, all of this attention from the FDA means that homeopathy is beginning to have a greater impact on the health care market. This is a GOOD thing!
Please join my staff, family and me and help advocate for the homeopathic pharmacies that manufacture these medicines so that we can raise our families free of questionable wares from the pharmaceutical industry.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM LETTER
Dear Sir or Madam:
In light of the current public comment period regarding the sale of homeopathic medicines in stores, I’m writing to share my positive experiences as a consumer of these products.
Having access to these products over the counter is invaluable to my family and me. Being able to procure natural, safe medicines locally and without the need of a prescription not only empowers consumers like me, but also takes the burden off of an already over-worked health care system.
[INSERT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES HERE. Example: Two weeks ago, my daughter came home from school with a headache and nasal congestion. Knowing immediately that she was suffering from a cold, I went to my local Whole Foods store to select a homeopathic medicine to hasten her recovery. On the shelf, I found two products that contained combinations of homeopathic remedies for common colds. I reviewed the detailed labels on each box, found that one addressed the specific sinus pressure my daughter had complained about, and selected that one to purchase. After following the dosage directions on the package, my daughter was doing much better a day-and-a-half later.]
My purchasing experiences have been simple and straightforward. I read the labels, compare the ingredients and the symptoms the bottle covers, and determine which product best suits my needs. The labels are easy to read and clear in meaning. There has never been any confusion, and I find that doing this works for me every time.
I appreciate your taking the time to read my experiences with homeopathy. I strongly believe that the availability of homeopathic products in stores greatly benefits consumers seeking natural remedies for common ailments.
Respectfully,
[INSERT NAME]
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Speaking of Stepping on Toes. (I feel compelled to give you a tip to tuck into your toolbox for you and your family, so here’s an important one.)
When toes literally DO get stepped on, crushed, or when toes and fingers are injured:
Think of this remedy first: Hypericum perforatum
The more severe the injury and pain, the higher the potency that ought to be used, and the greater the frequency of dosage.
For example, if a house collapses on your bare toes, you may use Hypericum perforatum 1M every few minutes.
If it’s not nearly as severe (which very hopefully it won't be), Hypericum perforatum 200C works quite well.
What will this wonder medicine do, you ask?
Impressively, it will help ease the pain, reduce shock to the system (meaning any panic you feel will lessen immensely), and keep infection at bay with a gentle, easy nudge.
The same holds true for crushed fingers and extremely painful dental extractions. In fact, it holds true for any nerve-dense area anywhere in the body, including injuries to the tailbone (such as those that occur post-birth.
I could not imagine how I would have endured the after-effects of the birth of my first son had I not had access to this remedy.)
Additionally, if there’s any numbness or tingling even after the injury has healed, Hypericum perforatum 200C or 1M will continue to be effective.
Trust me; you don't want to give the government the power to keep you from having this precious medicine at your disposal.
Again, I implore you to please take the time to write a quick note to the FDA.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2015-N-0540-0001
Thanks for the heads up and the form letter and the homeopathic tip. I have been able to use this remedy lately for my sciatic when I did too much gardening. It felt more like a nerve issue than bruising or strain.
My daughter is due within the next couple weeks with her third baby and I have this remedy tucked away in her kit. Thanks for empowering us mothers and grandmothers.
The perfect anecdote to share with the FDA!
Dear Sir or Madam:
In light of the current public comment period regarding the sale of homeopathic medicines in stores, I’m writing to share my positive experiences as a consumer of these products.
Having access to these products over-the-counter is invaluable to my family and me. Being able to procure natural, safe medicines locally and without the need of a prescription not only empowers consumers like me, but also takes the burden off of an already over-worked health care system.
[INSERT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES HERE. Example: Two weeks ago, my daughter came home from school with a headache and nasal congestion. Knowing immediately that she was suffering from a cold, I went to my local Whole Foods store to select a homeopathic medicine to hasten her recovery. On the shelf, I found two products that contained combinations of homeopathic remedies for common colds. I reviewed the detailed labels on each box, found that one addressed the specific sinus pressure my daughter had complained about, and selected that one to purchase. After following the dosage directions on the package, my daughter was doing much better a day-and-a-half later.]
My purchasing experiences have been simple and straightforward. I read the labels, compare the ingredients and the symptoms the bottle covers, and determine which product best suits my needs. The labels are easy to read and clear in meaning. There has never been any confusion, and I find that doing this works for me every time.
I appreciate your taking the time to read my experiences with homeopathy. I strongly believe that the availability of homeopathic products in stores greatly benefits consumers seeking natural remedies for common ailments.
Respectfully,
Marie Bjornson
Thank you so much! I started filling out the form to leave a comment a few days ago. I was uncertain about what I should write and ended up not finishing it. Your form letter made it so easy for me to determine what to say and how to say it. I just submitted my comment.
Thanks for taking the time to make this important contribution.
Namaste, Joette ji!
‘CM’ thanks for your keen & alert guidance!
If it starts in US, it will surely come to India very soon. In this context, I would like to communicate the following with you-
We are a large group of Homeopathy Lovers, and our Love for Homeopathy is the outcome of a wonderful relief from different chronic / acute ailments by virtue of the blessed Homeopathic remedies.
For example, my 6 years’ chronic migraine was magically cured by Stannum Metalicum 200: only 6 doses [=daily one dose of 4 tiny globules]: within 6 days! ..Now I can’t even remember: how my head was aching and on which side.
I will certainly circulate your letter in our group and mail our experiences with Homeopathy to FDA.
Regards,
Chandrakant Kulkarni.
Many thanks for your support on the other side of the world. Your story which I’m sure is only one of many, is perfect for the FDA to hear about. By the way, I love India and hope to get there again soon.
All done!
Thanks for providing the letter and links.
Thanks so much for putting this information out there for all of us. There is no way we could have known about this. It helped so much to have the form letter and everything set up so that even someone who is computer challenged can figure out how to do it. There is always such useful information on these blogs, so I look forward to receiving them.
Done! Thanks for the form letter and the link, Joette.
Thank you so much for this, Joette! I found your site through the Essential Oils Revolution summit, and I have been scrolling through and learning as much as I can since listening to you speak. I uploaded a comment to the docket on your recommendation. A single dose of homeopathy has helped my recovery from childbirth, my daughter’s hay fever/allergy symptoms, and my children’s teething pains, in addition to recovering from colds and other illnesses. I love how you emphasize the need to feel empowered with your healthcare decisions, whether that would be a homeopathic remedy or a conventional medicine from the pharmacy. I will, however, submit that it is much easier to get my children to take homeopathic tablets than a gross liquid from the doctor’s office!
I just submitted my own letter – it was so much easier to know how to word things and what to say after reading your form letter. Thank you!
I truly hope that we will always be able to buy remedies ourselves over the counter!
Thank you for all the work that you and your staff are doing to help people to treat their families themselves. I’ve been learning so much from you and I hope to continue learning, and consequently hope that one day my family and I will experience vibrant health!
God Bless you!
Hi Joette
Thanks for the form letter, I will be sure to submit mine right away! And wanted to share with you my experience with hypericum, last summer while on vacation I went for a run along a steep road in the Adirondacks, I lost my footing and ended up falling and getting quite a bit of “road rash” on my knee. Not only was it quite ugly, but it was a deep wound, and I felt quite a bit of nerve pain too. I remembered your story of how you had used the sewing machine and punctured your finger with a needle and how you used hypericum, so I had a 200c strength and used that (I never leave home without my red remedy kit, thank you very much). Within 5 mins the pain had faded to almost nothing! Thanks for the tip and the story to help me remember!
Thanks so much for the direct link to the comments page. We can’t let them restrict access to homeopathic remedies. Without access to them without having to go through a homeopath, I would be bedridden much of the time with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. With study and readily available remedies, I have been able to reclaim a degree of energy so that I can have a life.
The more support from the FDA the better! It helps all the “non-believers.”
I went to a doctor appt for my daughter who had been coughing up blood. We didn’t know if it was from her stomach aches or from bloody noses. I tried some basic homeopathy but I felt that I was in over my head. So I took her to the doctor in hopes of a diagnose, but of course they didn’t have a clue.
I told the doctor about some of the homeopathy remedies that I used that had been helping, nux vomica and arsenic album, etc. Anyway the doctor FLIPPED out on me telling me how I was poisoning my daughter etc, etc.
I was SO angry, but didn’t know what to say. Finally I remembered, and told the doctor that the FDA has approved the remedies as safe. Once the FDA was mentioned the doctor knew I was right and she couldn’t argue with me anymore.
I left feeling so disappointed that our doctors are so ignorant and know nothing about healing. What a shame!
I’m sorry to hear of your experience, but its after we’ve racked up a number of these kinds of experiences that it becomes clear who we need to choose to be our experts. Instead, as always, it clarifies that we must learn how to do this ourselves and become our own experts. Knowing how to read symptoms and what to do with them is a crucial part of learning homeopathy.
Accordng to their website, FDA will accept public commentary until August 21, 2015. Still time to send in your letter in support of homeopathy! Thank you, Joette for the form letter. Helps jump start the process!
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/ucm430539.htm
This will take you directly to the link to submit your comments, through 8/21/2015.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FDA-2015-N-0540
Joette, I am 3 weeks in on a bad sciatica attack.. the severe burning lightning pains down my left side has calmed down but i still have cramping in low pelvic area? and still some numbness down the back side of the left leg all the way into my foot, with electric zapping feeling once in a while in my foot.. would hypericum 200 be a good choice and how long will it take to go away completely.. ( I am doing rhus tox, symphtum and arnica also) I just want to make sure I am taking all I need to take to heal completely.. thanks, I am desperate and still have discomfrt, and afraid of the bad pain coming back.
If you’re telling me that the pain you had has receded after having taken the medicines, then you’ve chosen well. It often takes weeks for completion. Additionally, Hypericum is also a good choice and I favor it with Symphytum and RT.