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Carol Russell – Homeopath and Natural Health Practitioner

Carol Russell – An Interview with a Homeopath and Natural Health Practitioner (part 1)

Who is Carol Russell?

Carol Russell is a homeopath and natural health practitioner living and working in Hedge End near Southampton. I asked Carol some questions to find out more about her and her work.

What is homeopathy? 

Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine that was invented more than 200 years ago by a German doctor called Samuel Hahnemann. Well over 200 million people use Homeopathy world wide. It has a holistic approach, meaning that instead of focusing on one part of the person, the Homeopath views the person as a whole (working with a profile of specific symptoms and overall health).
Homeopaths understand the importance of considering what has been happening in patients’ lives. Physical, mental and emotional health have equal importance when prescribing the Homeopathic remedies.
 
These remedies or medicines are most often made from minute amounts of plant, chemical or mineral sources. They are then crushed, diluted in high strength alcohol and water and vigorously shaken. This process is repeated a specific number of times to release the healing energy. The number of times this process is repeated determines the strength or potency of the remedy. The remedies are made in licensed Homeopathic Pharmacies.

"Treat the person with a health condition, rather than just the health condition."

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How does it differ from other complimentary therapies and conventional medicine?

Like traditional medicine it is mainly taken in tablet form (usually very small pillules or sometimes drops). That’s where the similarity ends. The consultation  process for Homeopathy can be up to an hour and a half. This includes present health challenges, past health issues, family health history. Emotional well-being including significant life events.  Sleep patterns. Eating preferences and dislikes. Personality type and  a full body analysis from top to toe including childhood health. This level of information allows the Homeopath to find Homeopathic remedies that match the individual with their particular set of symptoms. There is no one size fits all approach. I am  looking to treat the person with a health condition, rather than just the health condition.
 
Homeopathy can be used safely in pregnancy, on babies and children as well the elderly.  The amounts you take and how often you may need to take them are also very different to conventional medicine as well.
 
This is not a hands on therapy such as reflexology or massage. It’s a talking and listening therapy with remedies prescribed to help with any issues that need addressing.
 

Can you tell us the story behind what made you become a homeopath?

I first found out about Homeopathy when I was first pregnant back in 1987. I had terrible hay fever and wasn’t allowed to take medication. The pharmacist out of desperation offered me a bottle of these “little white pills” that were for hay fever. I took them as I felt so unwell not really expecting any change. They really helped my symptoms so I then took more of an interest. I bought a Homeopathy book for home prescribing and got a little kit of remedies over the years. I was then able to help myself and my children with minor health issues such as colds, upset stomachs and sore throats. More books were bought and my knowledge increased so I was able to help the kids with other issues such as sinusitis, migraines and exam nerves!.
 
Eventually I chose to see a professional Homeopath to help with my health issues that medication wasn’t solving. IBS and anxiety were the main concerns for me. The visit was a revelation! Here was somebody who had the time to listen to me, in fact they were actively encouraging me to talk about myself! I saw them regularly and it made a huge difference to my physical health and my mental well-being. I was already a natural health practioner and I wanted to add this amazing therapy to my repertoire as I felt it fitted in so well with the rest of the therapies I was already practicing.

What did you do to become qualified?

I chose to train at Chichester University with South Downs School of Homeopathy part time over 4 years. This was a really challenging course of degree standard and required some very hard work.
 
This level of training gave me a very thorough grounding in the philosophy of Homeopathy as well as knowledge of Homeopathic remedies. You have training in how to deal with acute illnesses as well as chronic health conditions. Case studies were a big part of the training as well.
 

How long have you been practicing homeopathy, have things within homeopathic practice changed in that time?

 
I have been fully qualified since 2019 but had been seeing patients since 2017 under supervision by a qualified Homeopath.
 
Homeopathy has had to adapt to the restrictions of the pandemic so mostly it was conducted online instead of face to face. Luckily it is a therapy that was able to adapt well to the very difficult situations of restriction that were in place. It allowed people to still get support when they needed it the most. Some patients of mine have chosen to remain online with their consultations as they find it so convenient. It also meant I was able to offer new patients a service as well.

Part 2 of the interview will be coming soon.

To book an online or in person appointment with Carol click here.

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