It is the art and science of healing the sick by using substances capable of using the same symptoms. A substance may be considered a homeopathic medicine if the effects mimic the symptoms, has known homeopathic “provings” and is manufactured to the specifications of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).
The Greek words “homoios” meaning homogeneous or similar and “pathos” which means suffering define Homeopathy. It is a system for treating disease with minute doses of a drug that has been greatly diluted. To define a homeopathic drug (also known as a “remedy”), it produces symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the disease itself.
Samuel Hahnemann, developed a new way to define homeopathy with an approach to treating illness in the late 1700s. At a time when few medications were effective and some common treatments were harsh, Hahnemann created a less threatening approach to medicine.
Hahnemann, a highly respected physician and chemist, tested single, pure substances on himself and more dilute forms on healthy volunteers. Eventually he began treating the sick and later developed a homeopathic clinic practice.
Homeopathy remedies address a wide range of health concerns, from wellness and prevention to treatment of disease, injuries and conditions. Many people who seek wellness and define homeopathy suffer from a chronic medical condition.
Homeopathic remedies are selected based upon the “Law of Similars”. This means a medicine which produces a set of symptoms in a healthy person will cure the same symptoms. In most cases, a homeopath will study the patient’s entire history, not just a few of the symptoms. If the patient is complaining of a headache, they may also be depressed, have low self-esteem, fatigued and a long list of other problems. The homeopath takes each symptom into consideration as these problems stem from the same root cause. A lengthy initial appointment is conducted and the homeopath will then chose a single remedy, matching the whole picture. By dealing with the root problem, the symptoms will lessen and fade away.
Derived from minerals, plants and other natural substances, homeopathic remedies are all natural medicines. Prepared by a process of repeated dilution and shaking, the remedy increases the stimulation of the body’s own defense system and enables the effect in a much deeper way. Homeopaths interfere as little as possible, knowing there is a reason for the symptoms produced by the body. They choose one homeopathic remedy to strengthen the body and allow it to heal.
Many patients feel better and experience higher levels of happiness after receiving the correct remedy and define homeopathy as the cause. Changes in life long problems, both physical and emotional have been reported.
