Nosodes have been used in homeopathic medicine since the mid 1800s. Nosodes are relatively unknown in veterinary practice and very controversial in holistic veterinary practice. Many benefits have been noted, including a decrease in the severity and frequency of disease. Although nosodes are still controversial as a replacement for traditional vaccinations, evidence of their safety and efficacy is growing.
What are Nosodes?
Nosodes are specialized homeopathic remedies that are prepared by taking actual diseased matter from a sick animal such as diseased tissue or nasal discharge. The preparation of a nosode involves a lengthy process of succussion and dilution of the original material using traditional homeopathic protocols until virtually no molecules of the crude substance remain, rendering the nosode safe for use. This process, called potentization, inactivates the original disease substance and converts the material into a bioenergetic remedy which interacts with the body’s energy field. The final product is a potent remedy that is an energetic blueprint of the actual disease.
Nosodes are completely safe, easy to administer, and can be given to puppies much earlier than vaccines. Pregnant females can be treated with nosodes prior to giving birth, providing immunity to their litters before they are born.
The difference between a nosode and a conventional vaccine is that there are no dangerous chemicals and additives in the homeopathic remedy. Nosodes are also given orally whereas core vaccines are injected. Nosodes can be used in two ways: to protect against disease (called homeoprophylaxis), or as a remedy should the animal become ill. Nosodes restore health through vibrational energy. They interact with the body’s energy reserves, recalibrating positive and negative forces within the energy field and stimulating the body to heal and protect itself.
When a nosode is given, the body recognizes the cellular structure and disease imprint, producing an immune response similar to actual exposure to the disease itself. Although this is difficult to prove scientifically, there are numerous examples of how nosodes have been used in homeoprophylaxis and to treat the onset of disease.
Human Research
Dr. Isaac Golden, an Australian homeopath, has done extensive research in the field of homeopathic childhood immunizations. Working directly with families who agreed to participate in a clinical trial of typical childhood diseases, Dr. Golden concluded that homeopathic immunizations were 90.4% effective.
From 2001 to 2004, Dr. Golden also studied vaccine safety compared to homeopathic immunizations. He found that children who received standard vaccines were 15 more times likely to get asthma, 7 times more likely to get eczema and 2 times more likely to get allergies than those who were immunized by homeopathic preparations. His work is published in his ground breaking books, ‘Vaccination and Homeoprophylaxis: A Review of Risks and Alternatives’, and ‘Homoeprophylaxis: A Ten Year Clinical Study’.
Similar studies have been conducted in Cuba and Brazil using homeopathic immunizations during disease outbreaks. In fact, homeoprophylaxis intervention was used during a large-scale Leptospirosis outbreak in Cuba in 2007. Four different strains of the virus were combined in the homeopathic preparation, which was given to over two million people in high risk areas. Resulting data showed that in the areas where homeopathic intervention was used, the incidence of Leptospirosis fell below the historic median. This result suggested that the homeoprophylaxis succeeded in reducing the disease incidence and controlling the epidemic. This was one of the first examples of using large-scale homeoprophylaxis as a method for disease control.
Brazilian statistics on the use of homeopathic immunizations were collected in the 1974 outbreak of Meningococcal disease. Out of 18,640 children who received homeopathic remedies, only 4 cases of meningococcal infection occurred, compared to 32 cases out of the 6,340 children who were not protected. This resulted in a 95% effectiveness rate for the homeopathically immunized children.
These types of studies in childhood disease provide a reference point for veterinary studies which are difficult to document and collect. Clinical trials are costly and follow-ups
may be more difficult in rural areas where nosodes are more commonly used within farming communities. Nevertheless, success stories are emerging based on empirical evidence that supports the use of nosodes as a viable alternative to vaccines in routine health care.
Homeopathic Immunization in Dogs
Dr. Christopher Day, British veterinary homeopath, has been using nosodes in his practice for 35 years. Evidence of reduced rates of distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and kennel cough has encouraged him to recommend nosodes to his clients for prevention and treatment of disease.
In 1985, Dr. Day documented the successful use of nosodes in a kennel cough outbreak. The trial was done in a day care and there were 214 dogs participating including both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs. The nosode was introduced by placing it in the dogs’ drinking water.
Remarkably, out of a total of 214 dogs that were treated with the kennel cough nosode, the incidence of actual, full-blown disease was only 1.9% out of 214 dogs, and the majority of dogs who did contract kennel cough exhibited only minor symptoms. The vaccinated dogs had a higher incidence of disease at 4.7% whereas only 0.7% of the unvaccinated dogs showed symptoms. Minor symptoms were expressed by 42.5% of the dogs, with 59.7% of vaccinated dogs showing minor symptoms, compared to 26.7% of unvaccinated dogs.
This study shows that nosodes can be effective in disease prevention, and when dogs do contract disease, the severity of symptoms can be reduced with their use.
The alarming increase in autoimmune conditions, allergies, cancer and other canine health issues due to vaccine reactions is a known fact. Pet owners are now seeking alternatives to keep their dogs healthy while preventing disease and illness. The growing interest in nosodes comes at a time when the safety and efficacy of vaccines are being questioned.
As an integral part of the homeopathic family, nosodes are dog friendly for several reasons. Because their action works across the mucous membranes of the mouth, it is not necessary to swallow the medicine. Dosing is easy since the mouth doesn’t have to be opened and the remedy can be placed on the gum or inside the lip. The single dose powder is sweet tasting.
The immune response to nosodes offers a more natural response to disease without the introduction of killed or modified viruses and harmful preservatives that can weaken the immune system. Unlike vaccines, nosodes are both safe and effective.
Can nosodes replace vaccines? What we do know is nosodes are working with a degree of efficacy to warrant further study and data collection. We know that they are a safe alternative to vaccines, and that they have been proven for homeoprophylaxis in human clinical trials. Because of their safety record, health benefits, and even the lower cost, nosodes are gaining popularity among holistic veterinarians and pet owners who are willing to give them a serious chance.
Ellen Kohn is a Reiki Master Teacher, Healing Touch for Animals® Certified Practitioner (HTACP), Certified Aromatherapist, Meridian Practitioner and Animal Communicator. She works with Alaskan single remedy and blended formulas in her energy healing work. Ellen founded The Kohn Foundation (www.thekohnfoundation.org) in The Bahamas to assist the children and animals of Grand Bahama.
Ellen lives in Colorado with her husband and seven pets. Visit her on the web at:
www.enlightenedanimals.com
Dr. Gerald Wessner graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and spent two years in the U.S. Army at Ft Leonard Wood , MO as the Assistant Post Veterinarian. After the army he worked in private practice at several race tracks in the northeast and opened a small animal practice in Pennsylvania. In the late 70’s Dr. Wessner started learning and practicing acupuncture and in the late 80’s he started an exclusive acupuncture practice. From 90-95 he was the State Veterinarian at Tampa Bay Race Track in Tampa, FL and in 1995 started an exclusive homeopathic practice. Shortly after this, he moved the practice to Summerfield, FL and continues to practice there.
The practice consists of both clinic hours and phone consultations. Dr. Wessner has been very successful treating such diseases as EPM, Herpes (infectious, auto-immune and neurological), Lymes Disease and Syndrome, Parvo, Distemper, Strangles, Potomac Horse Fever, Pigeon Fever, Heartworm Infestation, Colic, Snakebite, Vaccinosis, Pancreatitis and a host of other diseases.
DR WESSNER
A nosode is a specific remedy which is made from the disease material from animals and even humans. The material could be pus, nasal discharge, spinal fluid, diarrhea liquid, pleural and peritoneal effusions or even a parasite such as the heartworm.
Homeopathic remedies are made by serial dilution and succusion-this combined process is called potentization. In the case of a homeopathic remedy the process starts with a sample of the material. For my example, I will use Arnica to describe the process. First, a leaf of the material is soaked in alcohol-this will become the Mother Tincture (the alcohol is usually like vodka or ethyl alcohol)-the time may range from an hour to a month depending if the material is leaves or bark or roots. Then a sample of this Mother Tincture is taken and diluted 1 to 100 with a mixture of alcohol and water. The sample is now succussed; pretend the sample is in a test tube and held in one hand and struck sharply against the other hand 100 times. This is now a 1C dilution. 1 for the first dilution and C meaning 100. This process is repeated until the desired dilution is reached, be it 12, 30, 100 or 200. Now we have a remedy called Arnica 30C. This same process is used to make nosodes. Most nosodes I use are 30C in strength.
In my practice, I use nosodes both prophylactically and in the event of exposure to disease. For example, I recommend that my clients keep vaccines to a minimum or zero and use nosodes for protection. In puppies, I will administer a reduced amount of modified live combo vaccine at the first visit to help with starting the immune response and then recommend that after a few weeks to socialize the pups by allowing them to visit pet stores, dog parks or areas frequented by other dogs. My theory at this point is to rely on the replication (and elimination of the replicated virus through urine, etc.) of the MLV canine vaccines used in other dogs to help boost the antibody titers in the puppy. In the past 3-5 years, utilizing this procedure, no incidences of canine disease have been reported to me. Of course, this cannot be performed with the Rabies vaccine.
I also use the Bach Bowel Nosodes (in combination with well prescribed homeopathic remedies) in curing chronic diarrhea and digestive issues in all species of animals. In horses, a sarcoid nosode is used to get rid of a benign growth that may cause the animal to be unusable because either it rubs an associated area or equipment such as girth, saddle , harness or bridle.
Some of the most successful nosodes I have used have been made from spinal fluid, serum from infected West Nile positive horses and pus collected from horses afflicted with Pigeon Fever. In my research over the years in studying homeopathy, I have found mention of a veterinarian curing distemper dogs in the early 1940’s , a physician recommending people take the Anthrax nosode to prevent anthrax and South American countries relying on nosodes in epidemics. Nosodes are an integral part of my veterinary practice and I am fortunate to have found how to use these wonderful homeopathic remedies.
Recent evidence has come to light to show that unvaccinated dogs are now showing positive titers. For many years holistic veterinarians believed that nosodes protected through an obscure energetic process, but now more scientific evidence has come to light to show that it is possible for antibodies to be produced in the body without the antigens from the vaccine, especially when a killed vaccine like rabies is administered. Much more research is needed in this area to not only protect the animals, but also to protect the human public.
SCHEDULE FOR IMMUNIZATION WITH NOSODES
It is recommended that dog owners work closely with a homeopathic veterinarian for a nosode consultation and follow-up. The following are general guidelines for nosode usage.
Pregnant females may be given nosodes to pass immunity to the unborn puppies.
Puppies can be given homeopathic nosodes beginning at three weeks of age. The suggested dosage for dogs of all ages irrespective of previous orthodox vaccinations is the same.
One dose given daily by mouth for the first three days then…
One dose once a week for six weeks then…
One dose given once a month for one or two years.
I have had a couple of patients become lethargic after nosode administration after using for 3 to 5 years(these animals were also sensitive to vaccines), so I don’t think giving them continually monthly is necessary after the first couple of years of administration.
Presently I urge clients to protect their animals with nosodes and not vaccinate, as there can be serious issues associated with vaccines and also the often repeated vaccines. Recent information supplied by noted immunologist Dr. Ronald Schultz has shown the parvo vaccine giving positive titers for 7 years, the distemper 15, the para-influenza 9 and the rabies 7. For years, holistic veterinary practitioners have been warning that vaccines can be harmful and an article from Purdue University has shown DNA damage following vaccines and another study shows auto-immune thyroid antibodies produced after rabies vaccines. A Google search for vaccinosis, as of this writing, produced 2,480 articles: to me this shows that this is a real issue otherwise nobody would be writing about this clear and present danger.
Back to A to Z