About Homeopathy
Homeopathy is one of the two most
widely used forms of medicine in the world today,
because people are
discovering the benefits of a system of medicine that is
safe, effective and treats them as unique individuals.
Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine used for mental,
emotional and physical illness.
Homeopathic remedies are chosen for the whole person, because
homeopaths know the mind and body operate as one, and you
cannot treat one part of the body without affecting the
whole. Remedies are chosen to fit all the characteristics of
the patient, so physical disorders are considered in relation
to the individual’s mental and emotional state. It is
important to understand that homeopathy treats people,
not diseases.
How homeopathy works
Homeopathy works on the ancient universal principle known as
‘the law of similars’ or ‘like cures like’. This law states
that a substance that can cause a disease can also relieve
it. For example, coffee - or Coffea
as it is known in
Latin - is a stimulant that can cause temporary
insomnia. Coffea
may be used in minute
potentised (i.e. homeopathic) doses to relieve that insomnia.
Another example is that chopping onions can cause your nose
and eyes to run with copious amounts of water. The onion
- Allium
cepa -
can be used homeopathically to treat colds and hayfever where
the main symptoms include runny eyes and nose.
The founding father of homeopathy
Over 200 years ago, the German doctor and chemist Samuel
Hahnemann developed the system of medicine we now call
homeopathy. He had a very clear and humane approach to the
practice of medicine:
"The
highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent
restoration of health, or removal and annihilation of the
disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable
and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible
principles."
Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine
How homeopathic medicines are made
To maximise the healing potential of the medicines he used,
Hahnemann 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 Hahnemann 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.
Homeopathy for all
Homeopathy can be used effectively by everyone, from babies
and children to adults, including women during pregnancy.
Homeopathic medicines promote the body’s natural ability to
heal.
