Homeopathy is commonly used to treat a variety of physical and emotional conditions in adults. But, as CAROLINE IMPEY discovered, babies and children can also make ideal patients

It's a hard life being a child. If you're not snuffling in the grip of a cold you've got an infection in your ear or verrucas on your feet.

While conventional medicine will clear up most of these childhood ailments, many parents are turning to homeopathic remedies to help keep their little ones well.

According to homeopath Rhona Myers, everything from colic in newborns to anxiety in teenagers can be cured with this complementary therapy.

'Children are wonderful to treat because they are growing and their bodies are building up their immunity,' said Rhona, who runs the Homeopathic Health Centre in Daws Lane, Mill Hill. And even babies' problems such as sleeplessness, anxiety and colic can all benefit from it because it is so gentle.'

Homeopathy seeks to treat patients by administering minute doses of medicines that given to a healthy person would actually bring on symptoms similar to those the medicine is prescribed to treat. For example, the homeopathic treatment for a bout of diarrhoea would be a very diluted laxative preparation.

It is often used alongside conventional medicine but bathroom cabinets are increasingly becoming filled with homeopathic remedies more than anything else.

Mother-of-one Barbara Hotz, 30, discovered homeopathy was the only thing that helped her daughter Maxine, now four months old, following a traumatic birth.

She said: 'I had an emergency Caesarean section which left Maxine quite anxious and clingy. She wasn't sleeping well and would wake up every hour or two during the night.

'I had been having homeopathy throughout my pregnancy so I brought her along when she was just a few weeks old and she is fine now. She's really settled and happy.'

As with many complementary therapies, there is little scientific evidence to demonstrate how successful homeopathy is. And where children's health is concerned, this may not be much of an endorsement.

Barnet Health Authority's consultant in public health medicine Dr Joe Kearney said: 'Homeopathy is important to some parents in the care of minor illnesses. However, the evidence for its effectiveness is slim and should not take the place of medical advice from the child's GP.'

But when it comes to anecdotal evidence, there is plenty.

'I have seen homeopathy cure glandular fever before and make chicken pox better in just 24 hours,' said Rhona. 'Homeopathy treats the cause, not just the symptom, and that is the only way to true good health.'

The Homeopathic Health Centre can be contacted on 020 8906 3929.