Katy group advances homeopathy

For 20 years, Sylvia Valdez of Katy has been sharing information about homeopathic medicine through a group she formed.

Homeopathic medicine is defined by the National Center of Homeopathy as "a system of medical therapy that uses very small doses of medicines, or remedies. These remedies are prepared from substances found in nature."

But it cautions that it is should not be confused with herbal medicine. Homeopathy means "to treat with a remedy that produces an effect similar to the disease or suffering."

Her now-grown children were treated with homeopathic medicine starting when she brought her oldest son home from the hospital.

"I brought home my two-day old son from the hospital and he had a little congestion," she said. "The doctor wanted me to give him an antibiotic, but I knew I didn't want to put chemicals in him."

She checked out a book from the local library, Homeopathic Medicine at Home, which was written by Maesimund B. Panos and Jane Heimlich, wife of Henry Heimlich of the Heimlich maneuver. Valdez read the book and wanted to learn more.

"I started the Homeopathy for Health ASG (Affiliated Study Group) in 1990 because I wanted to learn more and I wanted others to learn about homeopathy," she said.

The group is affiliated with the National Center of Homeopathy and the Texas Society of Homepathy.

The Katy group meets bimonthly. Valdez is the group's study leader, but members often take turns sharing the results of their research. They also have guest speakers from the homeopathic medical community. The group has eight members, but has had up to 20 active members.

Members dismiss the idea that one must choose between homeopathy and mainstream medicine.

"Modern medicine does some wonderful things," said Dwayne Ortman of Sugar Land, who has been in the group for about a year.