What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy, also spelled homoeopathy or homoeopathy, is an alternative medicine founded on the 'Law of Similars', first expressed by the German physician, Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, in his exhortation similia similibus curentur or 'let likes cure likes'.

The 'law of similar' is an ancient medical principle that recognises the body's ability to heal itself. Ever heard of the saying 'the hair of the dog that bit you?' That, in layman's terms, is Homeopathy. Following the 'law of similar' substances that create disease in a healthy person will in minute amounts heal disease in an ill person. For example, a homeopath would use minute amounts of poison ivy, Rhus tox, to help cure poison ivy's effects. The challenge of the homeopath is also to prevent disease in the first place, within the first sign of the symptoms. A homeopath looks at people as people, rather than diseases, and uses remedies that reinforce the whole person as opposed to just treating the symptoms. Hence, to determine the correct remedy your homeopath will ask very specific questions about all aspects of your life, as well as the illness patterns of your parents and grandparents. For instance, if you have the flu your homeopath will want to know the time of day you feel better or worse, your appetite or thirst, your general mood, and how you are sleeping. This is because unlike most orthodox medicines, in homeopathy there are 30 to 40 remedies one may think of when you say 'I have the flu.' In other words, you are treated as a person first, and your particular illness, second. The key to correct homeopathic treatment is your practitioner's knowledge of the various remedies, and your ability to relate the specifics of your disease.

While any substance may be used homeopathically, remedies for the most part are derived from natural substances, broken down into minute quantities to stimulate the natural defences of the body. They do not cover up or stifle a symptom. While chronic disease may take time to correct, generally patients feel better soon after initial treatment has begun. Once the patients own defences are properly stimulated, health will begin to return. Unlike allopathic drugs, administered with the intent to destroy a specific disease organism, and which may also destroy beneficial bacteria and create harmful side effects, homeopathic remedies neither cover up nor destroy disease by themselves. They simply stimulate the bodies reaction to throw off the offender.

Homeopathic treatment is for people of all ages. Since it is a system which strengthens your natural immune system, it is useful for those healthy or ill, for both prevention and cure. Homeopathic remedies heal quickly, safely and without troublesome and dangerous side effects and can actually taste good! For this reason they are of inestimable value when treating children, who are often frightened by medicine.

There are estimated to be more than 100,000 physicians practicing homeopathy worldwide, with an estimated 500 million people receiving treatment. More than 12,000 medical doctors and licensed health care practitioners administer homeopathic treatment in the UK, France and Germany and 16% of the UK population use homeopathy for their health needs. In France there are five homeopathic physicians for each allopathic (regular) physician, and homeopathy is beyond a doubt the system of choice for the majority of the nation. Similarly, in the UK, the Royal Family has personally used and endorsed homeopathy for many generations. Queen Elizabeth is said to never travel without her personal homeopathic first-aid kit by her side.

If you would like to find a homeopath in your area, contact the Society of Homeopaths www.homeopathy-soh.org. If you are interested in training to become a homeopath, contact the College of Naturopathic Medicine, www.naturopathy-uk.com for a prospectus.