What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is the complete system of medicine that treats physical, emotional and mental illness. Homeopathy does not treat physical emotional and mental symptoms separately because Homeopaths believe that the mind and body operate as one. You cannot treat one part of the body without affecting the whole.

Since medicine began it has been recognised that there is capacity in the body for self-healing. In acute illnesses (for example; colds stomach upsets etc.) the body naturally resists infection and in time gets better through mobilising its own built-in defences. There are, of course, many situations where this does not happen, where the body's vitality is not sufficient to manage this alone. Homeopathic remedies can assist in this process by stimulating the body's defences to begin the process of cure.

Over many years this self-healing power has been given different manes, "prana" in India, "chi" in China and in modern medical terminology, the immune system. The homeopath's task is to discover and, if possible, remove the cause of the trouble and to stimulate the body's natural healing power.

The principles which underpin homeopath are :

- each and everyone of us is entirely unique,
- a medicine which is large doses produces the symptoms of a disease will in small doses cure that disease,
- by extreme dilution, the medicine's curative properties are enhanced, and all the poisonous or undesirable side effects are lost,
- homeopathic medicines are prescribed individually by the study of the whole person, according to basic temperament and responses.

How does Homeopathy work ?

Homeopathy works on the principle of the "Law of Similars". This principle has been part of medical practice since the time of the Greeks but homeopathy as we know it today was first formulated by the Samuel Hahneman, a German physician in the eighteenth century. The law states "that which makes sick shall heal". In other words; a substance which causes particular symptoms in a healthy person will cure those same symptoms in an ill person.

An example of this can be illustrated by the physical symptoms caused by peeling an onion. The symptoms include an acrid runny nose stinging streaming eyes and a particular soreness in the throat. "Allium cepa", the name of the homeopathic remedy that is made from onion, is one of the remedies used for the treatment of hay fever when these are the presenting symptoms.

How homeopathic medicines are made

To maximise the healing potential of the medicines he used, Hahneman prepared them in a very specific manner. This involved diluting the substance concerned, then shaking it vigorously with impact. This sequence of actions is known as succussion. A substance can be diluted and succussed many times, and Hahneman termed this process potentisation. Hahnemann observed that potentisation made the medicines more effective and reduced the likelihood of unwanted effects.

Each new homeopathic medicine undergoes a particular process called a ‘proving’. Volunteers or ‘provers’ take the new substance until they experience symptoms. All symptoms that result from taking the substance are recorded in detail. In this way a huge variety of natural substances are tested for their healing and curative properties and can be added to the homeopathic pharmacy. Unlike orthodox drugs, homeopathic medicines are not tested on animals.

Homeopathic treatment

Your first consultation may take between 1 and 3 hours, with follow-up consultations lasting between 20 and 45 minutes. Your practitioner will need to build up a complete picture of your condition, including your past medical history. Prescriptions for acute illnesses, such as fever, vomiting or flu, are usually assessed much more quickly.

You will be asked detailed questions about yourself. To be sure to prescribe the best medicine for your particular problem, your homeopath needs to understand your individual needs. You will be asked about many aspects of your life, such as your emotional state, your sleep patterns and how you cope with stress. Your homeopath will choose a medicine for you that most closely matches your unique pattern of symptoms.

Homeopathic medicines are usually supplied in tablet, powder or liquid form. As with all medicines, they need to be stored safely and appropriately.

Patients often feel a sense of wellbeing, optimism and relaxation after taking their homeopathic medicine. The speed with which you feel relief will depend on the condition being treated. In acute ailments, this can be very fast indeed. In more chronic conditions, your recovery rate will depend on the nature and duration of the illness and on your individual vitality.

Who can use homeopathy ?

Anyone. Both children and adults suffering from all kinds of illnesses can be helped by homeopathy to regain their health. Stress and the many ways in which it presents headaches, menstrual and menopausal problems, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety attacks, phobias , chronic sore throats and colds, asthma and eczema, bed wetting and behavioural problems glue ear, are all good examples of illnesses that homeopathy can treat. It is both beneficial and attractive because the remedies cannot cause side effects and you cannot become addicted to them. Homeopathy also has the ability to treat everyone as an individual and thus offers a viable, and safe alternative for all adults and children.