Homeopathy in the field

On the day Dr. Lauri Grossman graduated from the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy, Nancy Herrick remarked, “You have the greatest spirit and the most admirable enthusiasm for homeopathy”.  And with that spirit Dr Grossman has worked tirelessly to bring the benefits of homeopathy to the global community. After opening the doors to her practice in Manhattan, she started teaching classes in homeopathy to the doctors and nurses at hospitals throughout the New York City.  She followed that by becoming the Chair of the Department of Humanism at the American Medical College of Homeopathy in Phoenix.  Then, after working with psychologists and psychiatrists to help the grieving families of those who lost loved ones in 911, her passion to provide homeopathic treatments for the relief of complaints that follow traumatic events around the globe was born.

She began to travel to some of the most out of the way places and to work with some of the most overlooked peoples. In the last year alone, she visited clinics in Kenya and Tanzania, helped to create a program for orphans and widows in the Congo, taught health professionals in Trinidad, and participated in relief work in Haiti.  Today she is here with us to discuss her work with Homeopaths Without Borders in Haiti and Trinidad and to highlight the challenges and joys of working abroad and the ways that others can most effectively share their enthusiasm for homeopathy with those who need it most.

Lauri Grossman: Hello everyone. It is a pleasure and an honor to have this time with you. My experiences abroad, especially those with Homeopaths Without Borders, were satisfying on a great many levels and I am happy to have the opportunity to share some of them with you.  So, ask your questions and I will do my best to answer them so that you get a feel for the reward of practicing homeopathy on foreign soil.

Moderator: Dr. Grossman would be delighted to answer your questions on these topics:

• cultural differences and their impact on homeopathic prescribing
• the effect of language barriers on case taking
• the importance of long term care in distant communities
• maximizing efforts to reach into a community in the most cost effective way
• disaster relief and homeopathy
• the challenge of being a volunteer in another country

Kristy: Is it possible to practice 'good' homeopathy if you have to rely on interpreters to speak with your patients?  By extension, have you seen 'body language' be fairly universal?

Lauri Grossman: When we were working in Haiti, it became increasingly frustrating for me to rely on interpreters. They were slowing things down and we had hundreds of people in line waiting for urgent care, so I found myself becoming increasingly observant. I started to pick up on the smallest details and littlest gestures. Treating adults became more like treating infants who cannot talk.

Kristy: Do you feel that all that has made you a better homeopath?

Lauri Grossman: It reminded me to use the finer skills I had learned while training to become a homeopath. I was fortunate to have studied at New England School of Homeopathy where Paul Herscu encouraged us to treat pets. This provided us with an excellent way to hone our observation skills. A good homeopathic education is essential if you want to practice abroad, especially if you do not have a mastery of the language.

Regina: Is there any particular type of case where the greatest success could be expected using Homeopathy?

Lauri Grossman: We noted success with an infinite number of ailments. We saw very rapid healing of wounds and speedy reduction of pain
 
Regina: What are the most important questions to elicit pertinent information?

Lauri Grossman: It is important to start with very general open-ended questions:  How can I help you?  Tell me what’s going on?
 
Regina: Do you have any liaison with Doctors without Borders?

Lauri Grossman: Homeopaths Without Borders is not affiliated with Doctors Without Borders.

Regina: Do you leave a stock of remedies with a makeshift clinic, and train assistants in their use?

Lauri Grossman: Once healthcare workers have been trained, we leave remedies behind.  That was the case in Trinidad though not yet in Haiti.

cheryleey: Do you find big obstacles to cure, like with nutrition?  I know many babies in Haiti die because the parents don't realize the older child won't share with the younger ones.

Lauri Grossman: The lack of good nutrition was evident especially with infants and the elderly. It never struck us as an obstacle to cure. Instead we responded by calling out, "This baby needs some water."  "This woman needs some food.”

Cheryleey: Did you find that when treating hundreds of patients a particular group or genius of remedies came through?

Lauri Grossman: Yes, some remedies came up repeatedly. At times, they related to the Haitian culture. In New York City, after the trade towers fell, we used an inordinate amount of Ignatia and Aconite. In Haiti, these remedies were used a good deal, but there were many others that we used as well, like Arnica, Hypericum, Belladonna, Sulphur, Calcarea carbonica.

cheryleey: Sure that makes sense - shock is still shock; in any culture- in an interview on NPR, I thought I heard a woman needing Ignatia.  I'm thankful you guys went there to help!

lflecknewman: What ailments did you treat?

Lauri Grossman: When HWB-NA first got to Haiti on February 3rd, we treated a great number of bruises, lacerations, and phantom limb pain. Several weeks later, on the second mission, there were numerous people with headaches, vertigo, skin problems, digestive troubles and more vaginal infections than anyone would ever dream.

We were fortunate.  We were a diverse group with a lot of years of practice amongst us. Helen was an emergency room nurse and her skill with bandaging was a Godsend. Sushila Lalsingh also had years of experience. There were others who were naturopaths, I had chiropractic experience and we had nurses with varied specialties.

Kristy: How do you finance the trips to Haiti? Have there been a lot of donations from the North American homeopathic community? Does HWB-NA need more?

Lauri Grossman: HWB-NA is able to offer relief aid AND to educate doctors and nurses and allied health professionals because of the generosity of people who donate. Although we slept on cement floors the first trip and traveled from the Dominican Republic to Haiti in a van whose doors popped open on every bump, it still takes money to provide help. All HWB-NA volunteers pay their own way, especially on the first trip. We also pay for our expenses. This way donated monies go where they need to go.

For more information about HWB-NA and for info on how to donate, sign onto the HWB-NA website: www.homeopathswithoutborders-na.org, or send a check to: Homeopaths Without Borders-NA, P.O. Box 5301, Titusville, Florida 32783.

cheryleey: Does HWB-NA mostly go to areas of first aid, or are there clinics that are visited periodically?

Lauri Grossman: As in Haiti, HWB-NA offers relief work in areas where there has been a disaster

In Trinidad, there was no disaster, but HWB-NA went there to train nurses and docs and, boy, were they attentive!! Even the dean of the medical school was interested.  Discussions were held about teaching there.

38931: Has all this attention on Haiti taken away from HWB-NA's other projects in Trinidad and Costa Rica, etc.?

Lauri Grossman: Oh no, with adequate funding, HWB-NA plans to keep up its work in Trinidad.  Because of their interest, I don’t think they'd let us get away! The docs and nurses in Trinidad attended our classes and were determined to integrate homeopathy into their practices. So leaving kits and repertories, etc. is essential.

Sushila and Robin Murphy had a lengthy discussion with doctors in Haiti.

cheryleey: Are you able to leave a kit of homeopathic remedies and a materia medica with the nurses and doctors of other countries?

Lauri Grossman: In Trinidad, we left many, many materia medicae and repertories. We also left a good number of kits.

cheryleey: Cool, that way they can start using them right away.

Lauri Grossman: Yes, and they do. I received many emails confirming that.

LM: Are there other homeopathic groups, say from Europe, also working in Haiti or is HWB-NA the only one?

Lauri Grossman: Many people from homeopathic organizations in other countries contacted us in Haiti. HWB has a good strong reputation and others wanted to link with us. That was not always possible because HWB has pretty high standards when it comes to working under the HWB banner. Needless to say, that helps HWB as the docs and nurses see the quality of care and they want to learn more.

Nicole: Are you prescribing acutely, constitutionally, or both?

Lauri Grossman: Most of the care is acute at this point.

Nicole: What are the outcomes for these patients and is there measurable improvement for them?

Lauri Grossman: We don’t have a system in place yet for tracking patients. The situation in Port-au-Prince made that impossible.  However, we will begin following up as conditions improve. 

Nicole: What do they think of homeopathy, and have they ever heard of it before? 

Lauri Grossman: We are not discussing homeopathy with the people we see. There is simply not enough time and more to the point, the people just want help. They really don’t care what form of medicine one uses. The doctors and nurses are the ones who ask questions and we hope to be training them in the near future.

RP4110: At this point, have most of the critical emergency needs been met and is the major need for follow-ups and for case management, or are some disease states now emerging?

Lauri Grossman: With inadequate housing, water, food, and sanitation, there will always be a need for critical care. Of course, there are more chronic complaints now, a lot of skin troubles, GI complaints, headaches, urogenital issues…

cheryleey: Are most homeopathic volunteers also trained in the conventional medical field?

Lauri Grossman: Most have some additional training; it can be chiropractic, nursing, medicine, naturopathy, osteopathy, EMT, etc. As you see, it’s quite diverse.

M1: You have worked in Trinidad and other Central American countries: do you find the folks have an easier time of understanding the concepts of homeopathic treatment, or is homeopathy radically 'different' to them, as it is here? How do you explain homeopathy to them?

Lauri Grossman: In disaster work, we don’t do much explaining. We didn’t do that on 9-11 or in Port au Prince. If you just saw 5 members of your families die because the house fell on them they could care less about the philosophy behind your medicine.  They just want help.

M1: How about with your work in non-disaster areas, such as Trinidad?

Lauri Grossman: In Trinidad as in any country where I have taught that is outside the US, there is a great acceptance of homeopathy and its principles. I have always thought that if you explain the science behind homeopathy clearly, then most people are interested. It gets back to one’s education. If you take good classes and go to a good homeopathic training program, you become a better practitioner and a better spokesperson for the profession.

jchoagland: Do you expect to see malaria on your next trip?  The rainy season comes at this time, doesn't it?  How should new volunteers prepare themselves before going?

Lauri Grossman: Yes, there is malaria.  We follow reports from the CDC and are aware that the rainy season is bringing greater numbers of people with the disease. Best thing a volunteer can do is to be in good health.  No… great health!!!

Be sure to do all the things we usually tell our patients: eat well, exercise, get sleep and fresh air.

You want to be strong in the hot sun and able to bear the stresses of challenging sleeping conditions or minimal food supplies if those things present themselves.

A positive demeanor and a flexible personality go a long way too.

There’s nothing like the strength of a team made  up of vibrant members who look out for each other and are happy to help when help is needed.

M1: When you teach in Trinidad, do you also explain how to MAKE remedies? Are there existing homeopathic pharmacies, or is HWB helping them get established? I know there are a lot of pharmacies in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina...

Lauri Grossman: Yes, making remedies is part of the HWB curriculum. As anyone who has made a remedy can tell you, one learns a great deal from the experience and garners a great respect for the effort of quality homeopathic laboratories.

M1: You bet!!!!

Lauri Grossman: In most of the countries where I worked, there was no lab. So this is of utmost importance and HWB "students" abroad are ever so grateful for this lesson.

M1: At the Joint Conference in April, Sushila mentioned that she never felt in any danger while you were in Haiti. Are there any special considerations when volunteers travel?

Lauri Grossman: Oh yes! The Executive Board of HWB holds itself to very high standards when it comes to making arrangements. That’s why no one felt in danger-cause all the i's were dotted and all the t's crossed. It could very well have been a disaster for us if the right connections weren’t made and the right plans not put into place. You can’t just fly into Port-au-Prince and say, "Hi, everyone. I’m here to help!"

HWB makes sure the plane reservations are made properly, that there is a place to stay and that there is safe transportation, etc. On top of all that, we did have a security guard with us on the grounds of the French Hospital.

Lewis: Do you feel that HWB is gaining 'street credibility' with all this work that the next time there is a disaster on American soil, such as Hurricanes Katrina or Ike, HWB will be allowed to help our fellow Americans?

Lauri Grossman: HWB has done a superlative job in Haiti and many people have taken note.

There are political barriers at times. Sometimes aid organizations must be registered NGO's (Non-Governmental Organizations). Still, HWB is certainly gaining respect and with that, the ability to move into new territory.

lflecknewman: How many practitioners are participating in HWB?

jchoagland: We have about 40 practitioners who have volunteered to date.

Lauri Grossman: Thanks, Jean. Before I go, I want to thank everyone for his or her time and attention. I’m happy to answer more questions that anyone wishes to send my way and I will be in touch after our next mission to Haiti in July.

cheryleey: Thank you for your time and all the great work HWB is doing!

Lauri Grossman: My pleasure!

Moderator: Thank you, Dr. Grossman, for telling us about homeopathy in the field.  For information on volunteering, please go to: www.homeopathswithoutborders-na.org, Donations can be made online or send a check to: Homeopaths Without Borders-NA, P.O. Box 5301, Titusville, Florida 32783.