Author: Shelley Keneipp
Published by: North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2015
Softcover, 391 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58394-905-4
$24.95
Reviewed by: Laura Sholtz, PhD, RSHom(NA), CCH, FBIH
This is a handy reference book for any parent, grandparent, or caregiver. Starting with a short introduction to homeopathy in general, THE PARENT’S GUIDE TO HOMEOPATHY covers almost everything any caregiver might encounter over the course of a child’s growing up. Focusing on acute and First Aid conditions, Shelley Keneipp also includes every day occurrences such as how to observe a newborn, what can be done if lice appear, how to deal with the flu, allergic reactions, emotional traumas and fears, alcohol poisoning, jaundice, as well as frostbite and athlete’s foot among other common but disturbing conditions. Almost anything a parent fears could happen to his/her beloved child(ren) is handled here in a clear, concise, helpful and calming way. It is a homeopathic cookbook: look up the ailment and find out what to do about it, in a healthy and homeopathic way.
THE PARENT’S GUIDE TO HOMEOPATHY is similarly set up to Panos and Heimlich’s HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE AT HOME, one of the very useful texts I required for my homeopathic classes at the University of Maine. THE PARENT’S GUIDE goes even further and is much more extensive in its scope. Like HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE AT HOME, this book also covers what to look for, supportive measures for the ailment, comparative remedy graphs from which to choose suggested remedies, and when to call your healthcare practitioner. But, in addition to many other ailments, it also includes sections on how to handle cellphones, drugs and glue-sniffing, surgery, altitude sickness, jellyfish stings, plus information on x-rays, scans, and ultrasounds; modern ailments that can frequently accompany growing up.
With THE PARENT’S GUIDE in hand, any caregiver can feel s/he has a choice in how to handle many of life’s little — or not so little — traumas. Caregivers can be empowered with a bit of knowledge and will be able to choose between rushing off to the doctor’s office or emergency care unit or offering a well-chosen remedy from the lists in this book, perhaps even while rushing off to the doctor’s office! Having this book on hand can give peace of mind to any parent or caregiver, plus adults also might learn to think of homeopathy for any of their own acute ailments.
If you share your life with a child or children, buy this book. As is stated in “A Note about Homeopathy in the United States”: “Homeopathy was very helpful and an invaluable modality for the pioneers who settled the western part of the United States. It has been used for generations to treat families in an effective and safe way, with no toxic or harmful side effects.” (xvii) What more could any parent want? This is a thorough and excellent book; a wonderful homeopathic guide for anyone, with or without children.
