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Randall Neustaedter OMD

History: the short version

            During my college days at UC Berkeley I discovered Chinese medicine and homeopathy. An old Swiss homeopath cured me of a lifelong digestive problem and suggested I study at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. Upon graduation I obtained a foundation grant, boarded a plane for England and began a lifelong journey into natural healing.

            Upon my return to Berkeley I located other homeopathic students, including Bill Gray , Dana Ullman, and Corey Weinstein, and we started a study group. We then opened a homeopathic clinic, the first of its kind since 1949. I began treating children with homeopathy, and we enlisted the help of the homeopathic old guard to teach us the finer points of prescribing. I edited a homeopathic journal published through the clinic, and filled it with articles about homeopathic study. We formed a training program, and I then began teaching homeopathy at a naturopathic medical school in Marin County.

            My interest returned to Chinese medicine and acupuncture and I wanted to add those to my practice. I attended the San Francisco College of Acupuncture, passed the board exam, and in 1983 opened a private practice in Palo Alto. Since then I have I have developed a medical practice that integrates the two healing systems of classical homeopathy and traditional oriental medicine. I have always had a focus on pediatrics, and now I teach holistic pediatrics at seminars and conferences. Over the course of my practice I have also written many articles and four books about pediatric practice.

What I have learned

            Classical homeopathy produces miraculous cures. Prescribe a single dose of a constitutional homeopathic remedy and a lifetime of symptoms can instantly disappear. The system is founded in simple, coherent principles that form a complete philosophy of medicine , a welcome alternative to the secularism of clinical science and surgery. Homeopathy cures such a wide range of problems that converts and devotees abound in the alternative health world. The National Center for Homeopathy has 6,500 dues-paying members.

Classical homeopathy is a powerful and complete therapeutic medical system, except when it doesn't work. I sought the reasons for homeopathy's limitations, and after 10 years in practice I discovered their cause. When a patient's symptoms are due to depletion of energy, using herbs to strengthen the system provides a solid base for homeopathic medicines to work more effectively. This is because homeopathy stimulates a powerful healing reaction, but it relies on the energy inherent within the body's energetic systems. If the energy is depleted, then the homeopathic remedy will have a more difficult time stimulating a healing reaction, and a curative response will be limited. I have observed a similar situation in some acute infections. For example, when treating sinus infections with homeopathy alone I used to tell patients that remedies worked only 50 percent of the time. With the addition of Chinese herbs, the cure rate is up to 95 percent. In my practice over the past ten years, homeopathic monotheism has been supplanted by a more integrative flexibility.

            Chinese herbs can also often replace prescription drugs and their unwanted side effects, allowing the homeopathic medicine to solve the underlying problem unimpeded by the suppressive effects of drugs. Chinese herbal formulas can relieve localized symptoms such as pain, respiratory congestion, or inflammations. For example, for a patient with asthma I will often prescribe a constitutional homeopathic medicine to boost the immune system and use herbs to increase respiratory function and decrease cough and wheezing. This allows reduction, and often total elimination, of prescription bronchodilators and steroids.

Both homeopathy and Chinese herbs work amazingly well with children, who are very responsive to treatment. My experience with children who have recurrent infections, weakened immune systems, allergies, eczema, and asthma is excellent. And it is always gratifying to see children attain a much higher level of health.

 What works best?

            Acupuncture for sports injuries, back pain, allergies, tiredness, headaches, digestive disturbance, and problems of pregnancy.

             Homeopathy for immune system weakness, autoimmune disorders, acute illnesses (such as flu, ear infections, and bronchitis), children's behavior and attention problems, and most forms of systemic, chronic illness.

             Chinese herbs for depletion of energy after illness or pregnancy, depression and reactions to emotional stress, high blood pressure, allergies, viral illness, yeast infections, headaches, and hormonal problems of menstruation and menopause.