.....when I walk into a Swiss pharmacy and try to get actual MEDICINE to help my son's teething? Why....in the global capital of pharmaceutical development.....do they try to sell me stuff made from freakin' herbs? Why - when I ask for something that was developed by a scientist rather than a botanist - do i get looked at as if I were about to sell him into slavery?

At three am, when my little boy is unhappy and wants to sleep, I want something that has been PROVEN to work. In the words of the great Tim Minchin - "You know what they call alternative medicine that has been proven to work. Medicine."

Anyway.....live and let live. If homeopathy and herbal treatments work for you, I'm very happy. But please - let me make the choice for science without being castigated for it.

Thanks for listening

I believe there are lots of threads about homeopathy etc, just to let you know what you're in for...

But I whole-heartedly agree.

NB and OT: My ex-colleague is Tim Minchin's cousin by marriage. Oh yeah, how exciting.

Because most of the stronger medicines need a prescription (for good reasons- are most 'real' drugs can have side effects, etc.) BTW herbal remedies are not the same as homeopathy.

I know and feel your pain now can I interest you in some healing quartz crystals?

Herbals are not all 'useless' - clove oil is a fantastic local anaesthetic - just tastes shocking. And probably more toxic than paracetamol in small doses.... My parents use the phrase 'kill or cure'...as in, either it will cure you of whatever, or you die trying it....

I know - that's why I split them

I know, and I don't want it to be an "attacking homeopathy" thread. I don't believe it, but I don't mind if you want to spend money on it - that's fine. Vive la difference.

But I don't want to be looked at oddly in a PHARMACY for buying PHARMACEUTICALS

I have to import our teething medicine from Canada. The stuff they give in Switzerland is a real joke. I feel for you as my son is teething but at least I can do something about it.

Except painkillers like Dafalgan or Mefenacid, I don't think there's any medicine for a teething baby. And they're not suitable to use for many weeks, as teething can take a long time.

It's so frustrating to see a child suffer while you can't really do anything to help him that I think that's why so many parents try homeopathic stuff. Even if it doesn't do anything, at least you feel like you're doing something.

Products do exist, it is the availability here that is the problem

Bonjela is avaliable in french pharmacies, so it might be in Switzerland too? Must admit I buy mine in Boots!
Or you could ask for Panasoral or Dolodent....

Wouldn't suggest clove oil for a baby (certainly not full strength) as it can discolour the teeth if over-used. Fine for an adult with tooth-ache though.

Hope you manage to find a sympathetic pharmacist, I know that 'What, are you mad' look myself.

We have all the Osanit stuff. One is herbal, and the other with a bit of lidocaine. But it's not very efficient, as babies swallow the gel very quickly, and that's it. They do like the taste, it's quite sweet, so they usually stop crying while they suck it, but it lasts only for a few minutes.

Sure, i got something! But only after getting the same kind of looks from staff and customers as i would have got if i'd walked in and popped my tackle on the counter as payment

Tim Minchin rocks....

As a kid I preferred my mom's home remedies. For example when I had a cold she'd make me up a Hot Tottie (hot water, lemon juice, honey and bourbon) before heading me off to bed. Nowadays I don't bother with the ingredients which have no medicinal value.

i am totally annoyed with the pharmacies in this country

if they dont sell you a simple fever syrop for children,in case of emergency, why they need to sell drugs anyway??

if i need to go to the doctor to write me the medication and he sells it also, why should i take the paper and go to the pharmacy?

About the herbal remedies: in the country of the major pharmaceutical companies, people in general are "against" medication....
they use onions for coughing & vinegar socks for cold...
a and necklaces for teeth pain!

They do, in fact they sell codeine syrop with no prescription (try getting that in the US!).

Doctors don't sell anything, if they do they are criminals! (but, they CAN give you a free sample, labeled as such).

Tom

You know why, dont you? Money! The margins are with all likelyhood higher on these products.

Best thing is a Landjaeger Available also in Canada

they absolutely sell the medications you need