What is Homeopathy?

Homoeopathy was developed in the early 1800’s by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, who had found the medicinal practices of his day both cruel and ineffective.  Through careful experimentation and analysis, Hahnemann worked out a new system that was kinder and more effective .

Hahnemann’s called this system homoeopathy from the Greek words ‘homoi’’ meaning similar and ‘pathos’  meaning suffering. It works with the human body as a whole rather than looking at parts that need fixing.  The basic principle of the system is ‘similis similibus curentur’ which means ‘let conditions be treated by things which are similar.’

Hahnemann believed that the human body produces symptoms  in an effort to heal itself. He discovered that it was more effective to work with the body’s natural resources than to fight disease head on.  He also discovered the same substances that will cause illness in a healthy person will cure it in a sick person.  Thus ’like cures like.’

The Law of Similars

The principle of like curing like dates back to the Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5th century BC.  Orthodox medical practice uses drugs and surgery to remove symptoms often  without treating the underlying cause of ill health.  This can suppress the bodies’ natural reaction to stress which may lead to more chronic illness.  Homoeopaths do not suppress symptoms with tablets or creams, they use them as a guide when choosing a remedy to help the body recover health.

Remedies are made from tiny, highly diluted amounts of material which could be from a plant, animal or mineral.  Remedies are individually chosen to most closely match the symptoms seen as a result of ill health These remedies will stimulate the  bodies self healing power and start the process of cure.  Homoeopathy speeds this process up as opposed to suppressing the natural response.

The Minimum Dose

Homeopathy uses the smallest amount of remedy possible to affect a cure.   As it is the energy of the individual that is influenced rather than the chemical balance, there are no side effects  experienced from homoeopathic  remedies and they are not addictive.   Remedies can be taken by both old and young alike.  They can be taken alone or alongside medication prescribed by a GP.

The Homeopathic Consultation

A striking feature of homoeopathic treatment is the length of time taken for each consultation, particularly the first.  Hahnemann discovered that no two cases were identical and it was important to gain a broad holistic picture of the patient rather than put a label on his or her condition.  The patient may also suffer from more than one thing at a time, but whereas conventional doctors will give pills for each illness, a homoeopath will give a single remedy to cover everything.

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