According to an interview on the Today Show with Dr. Art Ulene, over 60% of the world's population is turning toward alternative medicine. Why? Is there anything wrong with allopathic medicine? Can there be a bridge between these medicines?

The highest ideal of social service is healing the ailments of suffering humanity through education, action and choices, according to Dr. S. Mehta, who had a dream of educating modern medical graduates in the science of homeopathic medicine. Homeopathy is a natural, gentle medicine that treats "like with like" and has no side effects. The purpose of homeopathy is to support the body's innate ability to come to homeostatic balance.

There are many nasty side effects to allopathic medicine because of suppressed symptoms, and there are many people who want something cleaner and kinder. Homeopathy would be a good choice for gentle treatment. It requires patience with the healing process but, as with all medicines, knowledge is important to make the right choices for the symptoms present. Homeopathic medicine may not be for everyone.

The goal of all medical practice is to use its particular science to help the patient get better. But just how much longer can we afford to suppress symptoms without paying a big price? Perhaps paying the piper is happening now. With books such as "A New Model for Health and Disease" by George Vithoulkas and "Vaccination Social Violence and Criminality: The Medical Assault on the American Brain" by Harris L. Coulter, this question is already being addressed by leading homeopathic researchers. The findings are alarming.

Perhaps it is time to look at another way to approach healing based on natural laws. Homeopathic medicine helps support, strengthen, restore and boost the natural processes of the body, with the end result of homeostatic balance. The nature of allopathic medicine, however, is suppression of symptoms. If the body's natural way of healing is broken, there is a price to pay and it doesn't matter how much research has gone into medicines that give an "instant fix" on the problem. There is no shotgun, quick fix remedy to healing. It is never going to be any different. The way the body heals is the way the body heals -- if given the chance to do so.

What is troublesome is the great ongoing split in method or ways of helping people. There are so many healers at odds with each other, confused and in conflict. "My medicine is better than yours!" is not a good approach to hold while people suffer from serious illnesses, lack of choice and knowledge. There is a place for all forms of healing. There is no place for fighting.

While some bridge building is going on, a new model based on the law of healing should be considered if there is to be a healing at all. Choice regarding the particular mode of healing is in the hands of the person seeking to be healed. Because there is more and more stress, disease and complexity in the world, there is more immune system breakdown. If the choice is to shortcut to an instant fix then there will be partial relief. Choice through knowledge is crucial. This breakdown is what motivates me to educate, for from education there can be practical solutions, true healing and real unity of all medicine.

Grace Eagle Reed has been a homeopathic practitioner for over 25 years. She teaches Homeopathic First Aid classes in Fairbanks, and is available for consultation or seminars in your area. Call (907) 456-5344 or e-mail grace-eagle@gci.net