Do homeopathic remedies protect against X-rays, CT scans and other radiological procedures?
In Brief: X-rays, fluoroscopy and CT scans provide early detection of serious problems, inform treatment, and save lives. Unfortunately, they also damage genetic material and cause cancer. Research indicates Homeopathy may be a useful way to minimise the harmful effects of radiation exposure from x-rays, CT scans, and other procedures. 
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A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine drew the medical establishment’s attention once again to the harmful effects of diagnostic radiation – particularly of CT (computed tomography) scans.
This latest study was nothing new but media outlets ran with the story, alarming the public about the increased risk of developing cancer from these scans.1
Medical imaging does carry risks but protective steps can be taken.2 This article explores those risks and how homeopathy (and certain foods) can minimise the impact of those risks.
Which Medical Tests Use Radiation?The five main procedures that use radiation are: x-rays, CT scans (computed tomography), mammograms, nuclear medicine and fluoroscopy.

• X-rays produce two-dimensional images of hard substances in the body such as bones and teeth. They were first discovered in the late 1800s but when many early investigators started to have their arms amputated because of tumours, or died from cancer, it was quickly realised that x-rays were dangerous. Today, the traditional x-ray has relatively low levels of radiation compared to other radiological tests.
• CT scans generate three-dimensional images of both hard and soft body tissues. Significantly more radiation than the traditional x-ray is required. For example, a CT scan of the abdomen will expose its owner to 50 times more radiation than an x-ray of the abdomen.
• Mammograms examine breast tissue, looking for cancer. The dose involved with the usual four films of each breast results in significantly more radiation than would happen with a chest x-ray. The low energy used in mammograms is more harmful than the higher energy of x-rays.
• Nuclear Medicine uses radioactive substances to diagnose or treat disease. Dyes with a short radioactive half life are injected or swallowed to outline organs while radioactive substances that release a slow continuous dose may be implanted into tumours to destroy cancer cells.
• Fluoroscopy produces video x-rays showing the movement of the area being examined. While operators try to use low levels of radiation during this procedure, the length of time the fluoroscope is switched on determines how much radiation the patient receives. This may lead to high levels of exposure

MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasounds also ‘look’ into the body but don’t use radiation.
Background RadiationSurprisingly, medical imaging accounts for only 18 percent of our radiation exposure. The remaining 82 percent comes from background radiation.
The ground we walk on, the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink all emits natural radiation.
Like medical radiation, background radiation makes cumulative changes to chromosomes in our cells, potentially leading to cancer as we age.
What’s the Risk?The chance of developing cancer from just one x-ray or CT scan is relatively small but cellular damage that doesn’t go away does occur. Over time, this damage is increased by other medical exposures that may take place. The damaging effect of background radiation also accumulates. Progressive exposure from both sources increases the risk of cancer developing.
Other Adverse EffectsX-rays and other forms of radiation cause birth defects in the foetus during the early stages of pregnancy, and high-dose or prolonged exposure may result in erythema (skin reddening), tissue damage, hair loss, and cataracts.
These last conditions can be prevented and treated by homeopathy – something that will be discussed in our next article.
Children are VulnerableChildren are more sensitive to radiation than adults plus have a longer life expectancy in which cancers may develop. Early or repeated exposure during childhood increases this risk so radiological investigations should be avoided as much as possible.
Homeopathic Prevention and Treatment of Radiation DamageHomeopathically prepared remedies minimised the effects of radiation on animals in the following two studies:
Study 1: German researchers exposed albino mice to sub-lethal doses of x-ray. Potentised Ginseng and Ruta graveolens were given to the mice before and after exposure. Their condition was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 hours. When compared with mice given a placebo, the homeopathic mice had significantly less chromosomal and cellular damage.3
Study 2: Again, German researchers exposed albino guinea pigs to X-rays until their skin reddened.  Studies showed that homeopathic Apis mellifica not only had a protective effect for the guinea pigs but also a curative effect of about 50 percent on the X-ray reddened skin (Bildet, Guyot, Bonini, et al., 1990).4
Comment: We do not condone or support the use of injurious animal studies and there has never been a need for them within homeopathy. The two above studies have been presented for the information they contain but similar observations could have been made with cell or plant models.
Two Important Remedies for Radiation ProtectionIn the above studies, researchers found that consistent with homeopathic philosophy, ‘similars’ both treated and prevented radiation injury.
Treatment will be discussed more fully in our next article but for preventive use before and after radiological procedures, the main remedies traditionally used by homeopaths are: Cadmium sulphuricum (Cadm-s) or homeopathic X-ray.
Both are free of toxic side-effects and useful additions for home use kits.
Homeopathic X-ray was made by exposing a vial containing alcohol to X-rays. The alcohol was then potentised and since then has been used for radiation injuries.
Cadmium sulphuricum produced symptoms very similar to radiation sickness during accidental poisonings and its homeopathic proving. For this reason it is often used by homeopaths as a preventative at times of radiation exposure.
Dosage Instructions: Use either Cadmium sulphuricum 30C or homeopathic X-ray 30C, not both. Place 5 drops (or dissolve one pill) of the remedy in mouth 1- 3 hours prior to an x-ray, CT scan, or other radiological examination. Take another dose as soon as possible following the exposure. Take 3 doses, approximately 8 hours apart on the day following the exposure. Pills work well but for several reasons discussed in Instructions for Turning Pilules into Liquid Remedies, liquid doses are preferred. Just shake the bottle well before each dose.
Can the food we eat help?Logic would suggest that we’ve been on this earth long enough to have adapted to its ever-present background radiation. Studies seem to confirm this but only when we eat the natural food that has sustained us since the beginning of time. For example:
Carotenoids (found in dark green, red, orange food, and yellow fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, apricots, tomatoes, beets, carrots, kale, collards, chard, and spinach) significantly reduce chromosomal damage in humans exposed to radiation.5
Seaweed has been shown to neutralize radioactive isotopes in the human body. The algin in brown seaweeds, for instance, binds to radioactive strontium to create a harmless and easily excreted compound.6
Black and green tea, reishii (a mushroom), beans, lentils, and garlic have also credited by numerous studies with reducing the harmful effects of radiation.
Once again, the message is clear – eat your fruit and veg!
What’s Next?Radiation is used not just for diagnostic purposes but, along with chemotherapy, to treat cancer also. Our next article will look at how homeopathy offsets the side-effects from both of these treatment options so that discomfort and injury is minimised.
References1. Computed Tomography — An Increasing Source of Radiation Exposure
2. Radiation Risks and Pediatric Computed Tomography (CT): A Guide for Health Care Providers
3  Khuda-Bukhsh, A.R., Banik, S. (1991a) “Assessment of Cytogenetic Damage in X-irradiated Mice and its Alteration by Oral Adminis¬tration of Potentized Homeopathic Drug, Ginseng D200,” Berlin Journal of Research in Homeopathy, 1,4/5:254.
4  Bildet, J.,Guyot, M., Bonini, F., et al. (1990) “Demonstrating the Effects of Apis mellifica and Apium virus Dilutions on Eryth¬ema Induced by U.V. Radiation on Guinea Pigs,” Berlin Journal of Research in Homeopathy, 1:28.
5  Pharmacol Ther. 1988;39(1-3):357-65. Role of vitamin A and beta carotene in radiation protection: relation to antioxidant properties. Seifter E, Mendecki J, Holtzman S, Kanofsky JD, Friedenthal E, Davis L, Weinzweig J.
6  S.C. Skoryna et al, “Intestinal Absorption of Radioactive Strontium,” Canadian Medical Association Journal 191, 1964)

Recent research shows that Arnica 30C repairs genetic damage from ultra-violet radiation (a part of sunlight) … in bacteria!
Keep in mind this study was done on microbes rather than people. More importantly, it failed to take homeopathic principles into account in which we know overdosing with homeopathy produces the very symptoms it treats.
Fortunately, this effect stops as soon as the remedy is stopped but, in the meantime we don’t think any of us would want to be unravelling our DNA.
And, while it’s is nice to see science demonstrating the effects of potentised remedies in petri dishes , it’s even better seeing their beneficial effects in real people.
More Information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22409925

Many years ago my holistic physician gave me a homeopathic blend called Happy Puppy or Happy Dog. It was supposed to help my dogs accept the new dog and for the new dog to adapt to my home. I work in animal rescue now and would live to know that this was so that I can help our foster dogs adapt during transitions. Any help is greatly appreciated.
~ Kara

Dear Kara,
Rescue work is an excellent situation in which to use homeopathic remedies, as homeopathy can address the emotional upset caused by abandonment or rehoming. There are many combination products using homeopathic remedies; there are also combinations of Bach essences which can be useful. In my practice, I have found that homeopathic remedies and Bach essences are compatible, as long as they are given in separate doses. I do not generally use combination homeopathic remedies, as I find that superior results are obtained by using one remedy at a time. I provide rescue groups with a list of single remedies, and indications for their use, and a similar list of Bach essences. In contrast to homeopathic remedies, Bach essences do work well even when up to five essences are combined.
Let’s discuss the use of homeopathic remedies first.

1. Find out as much as you can about every animal, because that will help you choose remedies better. For instance, a pet could come to rescue because their elderly owner died, or they could be a breeder rescued from a puppy mill, or they could have been a dog neglected in a back yard.
2. Next, observe how the dog acts on its own, and how it acts when other dogs and people are around. Is it social, or excited, or fearful, or defensive? Does it bark, or whine, or hide?
3. What are this individual’s physical problems? Can it see and move normally? Is it able to eat without pain? Does it have chronic metabolic disease? Serious physical problems will create adjustment problems, so these physical issues must be addressed.
4. Choose a remedy from those listed below, based on how closely it fits the signs of the individual. There are many other possible remedies, but these are useful in many animals.

Guidelines for treating patients with homeopathic remedies:

• Remember to handle remedies properly: Do not touch them with your hands, and keep them dark, clean, and away from sources of radiation such as mobile phones and computers.
• Give granular remedies directly in the cheek pouch. If an animal is difficult to handle, dilute the remedy in distilled water, and put it in the mouth or drip it on the animal’s body. We have treated feral cats by dripping remedies on to them through the cage bars.
• When using remedies for rescue situations like this, I would suggest medium potencies like 30 C, or low potencies like 6 C or 12 X. You will get a broader effect with lower potencies, which can be helpful when you do not know the animal well. With a low potency, you can repeat the dose every 4 to 12 hours, for up to five doses; with medium potency you can repeat every 12 to 24 hours for up to five doses.
• Before repeating a dose, re-evaluate the case. If the problem is gone, do not repeat the remedy until signs of the problem start to return. Keep notes of what you see, so that you know which remedy helped, and how it helped.
• If you give five doses, with no improvement, the remedy is almost undoubtedly not suited to this animal, so re-evaluate and choose another remedy.
• If the animal is improved after five doses, great. You can continue the remedy, but no remedy should be given regularly on a set schedule. It is very important to constantly re-evaluate, and give the minimum dose needed for the individual to continue to improve.
• Of course, if you can work with a veterinary homeopath, that is even better!

Possible homeopathic remedies to assist with adjustment:
Aconite – often a history of a sudden shock or fearful event, restless, fearful of being touched, cringe away from people
Belladonna – sudden onset of violent fright and possible aggression, dilated pupils
Argentum nitricum – anxiety with trembling, anxiety from anticipation, may have concurrent diarrhea; generally friendly, fears may seem irrational, may be destructive when alone
Ignatia – often a history of fear or grief in recent past, depressed or hysterical behaviour in sensitive animal, may alternate moods, hypersensitive to pain
Nat-mur – often a history of grief or rejection in more distant past, depression in depressed, withdrawn animal, usually well-behaved, may have aggressive outbursts
Phos-ac – grief in a mild tempered animal, leading to weakness and depression
Staphysagria – sensitive, gentle animal, may have history of abuse, can have rare violent outburst; also useful for animals who are depressed and healing slowly after surgery
Flower essences can be very useful in helping animals and people to deal with emotional or psychological upsets. They are believed to work by rebalancing the energy of the body, similar to homeopathy. They are compatible with homeopathic remedies (as long as they are not administered at the same time) and will not interfere with the action of any other medicines. They are very safe and can be given to any age animal. There are many, many flower essences. I list the 39 Bach essences easily available.
Guidelines for treating patients with Bach essences:

• Choose up to five suitable essences from the list below, then administer them either in the drinking water or dierctly to the animal.
• Put two or three drops of a suitable essence (or essences) in a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bowl of drinking water, and use this as the animal’s only source of drinking water. Rinse the bowl daily and make up fresh solution.
• Combine up to five essences in a dropper bottle, and give a few drops of the combination, directly in the mouth or dripped on to the body, two or three times daily,

The Bach essences, and their use in rescue situations:
Aspen – nervous animals, nervous spraying, nervous hiders, after accidents/fright
Cherry Plum – ferals, uncontrollable behaviour, compulsive grooming
Mimulus – timid, shy, specific fears, rehoming, fearful spraying
Red chestnut – grief for loss of or separation from companions
Rock rose – fear following accident, sudden illness, other frightening situations
White Chestnut -preoccupied, worries over companion loss, over-grooming
Water Violet – quiet, reserved, independent, aloof, capable, shy
Rock Water – suppressed emotions causing over grooming

In 2003, I received phone call from a man whose name I immediately recognized, although I had not been in contact with him for several years. Carl was in his early forties and had at one time attended The Homeopathic College (the homeopathic training program I run).
Now, Carl sounded confused, disoriented, worried, and he was babbling, something about that he had to get back to his job. It took some active listening on my part to learn that he was calling from Duke Medical Center (Durham, NC, USA), where he had been hospitalized with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF for short).

Petechia rash of Rocky Mountain Spotted FeverRMSF is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii spread by bites from the American Dog Tick. Initial signs and symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain, vomiting, headache, lack of appetite, followed by development of petechia-like (pinpoint) rash and abdominal and/or joint pain. It is a serious condition that has been known to be fatal in some cases.
Conventional medicine usually treats RMSF with Doxycycline therapy to kill the bacteria. Doxycycline is in the tetracycline group of antibiotics and considered a broad spectrum antibiotic. It is interesting to note that Doxycycline can have symptoms such as urine retention, jaundice and yellowing of the skin, fever, chills and joint pains, confusion, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate and so many more. Most people don’t suffer from all of these side effects, but you can see how for some people, the cure can be just as bad as the disease itself.
Back to the story: Carl muttered, “I’ve got to get out of here, they are killing me here, I gotta get out o’ here,” then handed the phone to his girlfriend who explained he had been delirious at times, while on antibiotics, Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) and a sedative. He had a terrible headache, and he was aching so badly all over his body that he could hardly move.
She picked up the remedy Bryonia alba 30C, Acetaminophenum 30C and Doxacyclinum 30C from my office. The next day, Carl and his girlfriend dropped by to express their gratitude for his miraculous cure. His fever had come down after one dose, and by the next day he was able to check himself out of the hospital.
Homeopathic medicine was able to provide a quick, effective and completely safe treatment to resolve this potentially life-threatening condition. I read in the paper a few days later that eleven people had succumbed to this disease so far that year in North Carolina while under the best of medical care!

Manfred MuellerManfred Mueller, MA, DHM, RSHom(NA), CCH has been a homeopath in private practice since 1986. He has developed a comprehensive approach to homeopathic treatment for the adverse effects of past infections, vaccinations, drugs, toxins, occupational exposures and environmental disorders. Mueller has published numerous articles in homeopathic journals and has written many that you will find by clicking above on "Blog" then clicking on the category "Mr. Mueller's Articles". Mr. Mueller is also the author of a new homeopathic materia medica entitled: "Homeopathic Cancer Drugs: Oncology Materia Medica", available by September 2017. Pre-order a copy at www.shop.TheOtherMedicine.org".