What is Homeopathy

Homeopathy uses plants, mineral and animal substances made into solutions and then diluted (and succussed or vigorously shaken) to a point where no molecules of the substance remain. These remedies act by stimulating the defence mechanism of the patient to correct itself, much like a tiny catalyst will allow a chemical reaction to continue to completion. The symptoms of the patient are considered to be an ineffectual attempt by the body to heal itself. Whereas conventional medicine tries to suppress these unwanted symptoms, homeopathy interprets them as a cry for help. Once the language is understood, a boost in the right direction can cure. Sometimes the effect of one dose of this submolecular medicine can act for three years or longer without being repeated.

Like Cures Like

Homeopathy is a good example of the way in which energy medicine individualizes the treatment. The patient's signs, symptoms, appearance, medical history and personality are all taken into account before prescribing. The diagnostic label, for example "rheumatoid arthritis" or "asthma," does not dictate the medicine used. There may be 50 or more possible remedies for one disease entity. Rather, it's the way in which the patient expresses the disease that tells the prescriber what to do. This is very different from orthodox medicine where everyone with the same diagnosis tends to get the same medicine.

In homeopathy, if a wasp sting causes redness, swelling and a stinging/burning sensation, the patient might be prescribed the remedy Apis mellifica (made from whole honey bee). If the wasp sting is pale, with minimal swelling, the practitioner would probably prescribe Ledum palustre. Homeopaths have a saying for this individualized choice of medicine: "Treat the patient, not the disease."

Ledum Palustre and Apis Mellifica

From his experiments, Hahnemann deducted that, "what can cause symptoms of a disease in a healthy person can cure that same disease in a sick person." In other words, like cures like (Law of Similars). This principal has been confirmed by clinical experience over the last 200 years and is the basis of homeopathic practice. Homeopathy has accumulated more than 3,500 medicines in its pharmacopedia; compare that this to the limited scope of the 50 or so conventional drugs in common use.

Today, homeopathy is the most widely used form of alternative medicine in the world, according to the World Health Association. Approximately 500 million people worldwide receive homeopathic treatment. It's the most popular post-graduate medical course in the United Kingdom and it's most common in India where there are an estimated 200,000 homeopaths. Between 30 and 40 percent of French doctors and 20 percent of German doctors prescribe homeopathic medicines; 45 percent of Dutch physicians consider these natural medicines to be effective and 90 percent of the Dutch population favours homeopathy.

Cuba uses homeopathy as a vaccine for 2.5 million people.

Health Conditions Homeopaths Treat

Most diseases, both acute and chronic, are treatable with homeopathy. Homeopathy is a comprehensive system of medicine and treats disorders affecting every system and organ of the body.

Homeopathy is a safe and effective form of medical treatment. If used properly, it can be used to treat infants, children, and adults. It is safe for women to use during pregnancy.

The following list represents only some of the most common illnesses homeopaths treat:

• Effects of injuries - including sprains, broken bones, back injuries, head injuries, sports injuries

• Auto-Immune Disorders - including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Lupus, Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, fibromyalgia

• Women's health - including menstrual disorders (prolonged or absent menstruation), menstrual cramping, PMS, infertility, menopausal symptoms, breast/ovarian/uterine tumours, fibroids and cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, prolapse, vaginitis, bladder infections, cervical dysplasia (abnormal PAP tests), postpartum depression, breast infections during breast-feeding, sexually transmitted diseases

• Men's health - including prostatitis, prostate enlargement, bladder infections, impotence, sexually transmitted diseases

• Children's health - including teething, ear infections, frequent colds, asthma, tonsillitis, childhood infectious diseases such as measles and chickenpox, attention deficit and hyperactivity, developmental or learning disorders, behaviour disorders

• Emotional disorders - including depression, anxiety, phobias, grief, post-traumatic/abuse disorder

• Musculoskeletal - including arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, tennis elbow, repetitive strain injury, fibromyalgia

• Back and neck conditions - including lower back pain, back injuries, sciatica, cervical pain and stiffness, whiplash

• Gastrointestinal - including irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn's, hemorrhoids, gastritis, peptic ulcers, gall bladder stones and inflammations, chronic constipation or diarrhoea, chronic heartburn, reflux oesophagus, parasites, hepatitis, jaundice

• Respiratory - including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic coughs

• Nervous system - including shingles, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, neuropathy, neuralgia, paralysis, restless legs syndrome, tics and twitches, Tourette's, Bell's palsy

• Cardiovascular - including angina pectoris, Raynaud's, ischaemia, heart conditions

• Colds, influenza, coughs, tonsillitis, sore throats, strep throat

• Sinusitis and rhinitis

• Headaches, migraines and neuralgias

• Allergies - including hay fever, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, multiple sensitivities

• Infections - including ear infections, bladder infections, vaginitis, prostatitis, and other types of infections

• Urinary - including bladder infections, kidney infections, kidney stones, incontinence

• Skin conditions - including eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, fungal infections, boils, abscesses, growths, acne, impetigo, herpes

• Balance and dizziness disorders - including Meniere's and other diseases of the inner ear, as well as non-specific vertigo

• Symptoms of pregnancy - nausea of pregnancy, hemorrhoids

• Mononucleosis

• Chronic fatigue

• Fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic pain

• Environmental illness

• Attention deficit and hyperactivity

• Poor concentration, forgetfulness

• Obsessive-compulsive disorders

**Co-operation and open dialogue between your homeopath and your medical doctor will ensure that you are receiving the best medical care possible.**