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What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a natural and safe alternative to conventional medicine which is suitable for adults and young children to use. Discovered in the eighteenth century, modern homeopathy has been successfully used by millions of people throughout the world.

Homeopathy works by treating the whole person rather than the symptoms of the illness, so it fits in well with today's 'healthy' lifestyles. It can be used to aid most minor ailments and conditions such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and it can be used by adults and children of all ages.

Homeopathic medicine was first described by Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755 - 1843). Hahnemann was a German physician who was dissatisfied with the medical therapies and theories of his day. As he was translating a book by the Scot, Cullen, on medicines and their uses, Hahnemann challenged the ideas about how such medicines might work. This led him to take the substance himself so he could experience and describe its effects on a healthy human being. Repeating this type of experiment with other healthy volunteers (these experiments were called "provings") led him to observe and describe the basic principles of homeopathic medicine.

"Like cures like"

The first observation was that the symptoms of an illness were identical to the symptoms experienced by a healthy individual who had been given a drug which could treat that illness.

Although this is quite the opposite of the way conventional doctors use drugs, there are some modern drugs which work on exactly this principle. Digoxin, for example, can both cause and cure heart irregularities.

The minimum effective dose

His second observation arose from his desire to minimise the harmful effects of the drugs which doctors were using. He did this by repeatedly diluting and succussing (shaking) each medicine to reduce its potential to poison and cause harm. What surprised him in his use of these preparations was that the more stages of dilution and succussion the drug had gone through, the greater its potential to cure quickly and harmlessly.

This latter observation is still the most controversial one. How can a medicine be more effective in a greater dilution? Indeed, many homeopathic preparations have been subjected to so many stages of this process that it is highly unlikely that any single molecules of the original substance remain.

Current research is focusing on the ability of water to retain an imprint of substances which have been dissolved in it. Whatever the mechanism, there is a substantial growing body of evidence that homeopathy works, is safe, effective and cost-effective.

The place of homeopathy in clinical care

Homeopathy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. It can help to repair any damage which the body has the potential to repair, and help restore the balances and mechanisms involved in recovery and health. It is widely used, for example, in conditions such as asthma, eczema and premenstrual syndrome. Despite the differences in approach, homeopathic and conventional treatments can work very well alongside each other. Consulting a homeopathically-trained conventional doctor allows the individual patient to receive the best of both worlds, with the most effective treatments being tailored just for them.

Selecting Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are available in many different potencies of which 6c and 30c are the most common. Use the following as a guide in helping you select the correct remedy:

6c potency for most common or long standing ailments
30c potency for emergencies and chronic symptoms

Storing Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies are extremely delicate and should be protected from environmental influences such as chemicals and light. they are best stored in their original containers in a dry cupboard, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.

Taking Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies should always be taken on a clean palate, at least one hour after eating or drinking.
Never handle homeopathic remedies directly, as this may reduce their effectiveness.
Ensure that your mouth is free from strongly flavoured substances such as coffee, tobacco and mint.

Dosage of Homeopathic Remedies

Typically, 2 pillules every 2 hours for the first six doses.
Thereafter, 2 pillules 4 times daily for up to five days or until the symptoms improve, or as directed by your doctor of homeopath.

If symptoms worsen, consult a doctor or homeopathic practitioner. Pregnant women should consult a doctor or practitioner before using homeopathic remedies.

 

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