What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a natural therapeutic method offering a global and personalized approach to each individual. Homeopathy recognizes the patient as a whole and considers both the individual’s physical and psychological components. Homeopathy is a based on the principle that a disease with a given set of symptoms can be cured by a medicine (remedy) which is known to produce a similar set of symptoms. This principle where “like cures like” is called “The Law of Similars” and is the foundation of Homeopathic Medicine.
According to the Greek Etymology, the term “Homeopathy” means:
- HOMEO – Alike or similar.
- PATHOS -Suffering or disease. Which signifies “like cures like”.
When a disease or condition creates symptoms, homeopathy acknowledges them as the body’s attempt to be rid of the infection or imbalance. People react differently to the same illness, homeopathy chooses a remedy that will match the unique way that a person responds to an illness, i.e. the symptoms that he/she puts out. So that any number of people suffering from same disease, could each get a different remedy based on their unique experience of this disease. Each individual develops “his own” flu, “his own” sore throat, “his own” eczema, that is, he will develop symptoms and modalities that are personal and that the doctor has to take into account in order to be able to choose a specific homeopathic remedy.
The use of minute amounts of natural substances which mimic the body’s symptoms stimulate its attempt to regain homeostasis, or balance. Where allopathic medicine merely suppresses symptoms, homeopathic medicines excite the patient’s immune system and support the natural healing process.
A process called potentization, whereby the original substance undergoes a series of dilutions and succession, scientifically prepares these remedies. Remedies are given in infinitesimally small doses. The ability of the remedy to stimulate the body s own healing mechanisms into action towards cur is greatly enhance in these smaller doses. A homeopathic remedy, when prescribed and taken appropriately, has power to gently restore health and vitality on all levels of body and mind.
Homeopathy is based on three principles:
- Like cures like. For example, if the symptoms of your cold are similar to poisoning by mercury, then mercury would be your homeopathic remedy.
- Minimal Dose. The remedy is taken in an extremely dilute form; normally one part of the remedy to around 1,000,000,000,000 parts of water.
- The Single Remedy. No matter how many symptoms are experienced, only one remedy is taken, and that remedy will be aimed at all those symptoms.
A simple example of this principle can be seen with the common onion. Slicing an onion can cause symptoms of burning and watery eyes, as well as sneezing and a runny nose. Many hay fever sufferers have found dramatic relief from their burning, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose after taking the homeopathic remedy Allium cepa (the remedy made from red onion). Thus the substance that can cause symptoms can, as a remedy, also cure them.Who uses Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is suitable for everyone, and has found wide support in all walks of life, all around the globe:
“..[Homeopathy] cures a larger percentage of cases than any other method of treatment and is beyond all doubt safer, more economical, and the most complete medical science. ” Mahatma Gandhi – Homeopathy is now the most popular form of medicine in India.
“…[Homeopathy is a].. progressive and aggressive step in medicine.” John D Rockefeller
“….You may honestly feel grateful that homeopathy survived the attempts of the [orthodox physicians] to destroy it.” Mark Twain (author) Harper’s Magazine. February 1890.
More recently, the following have also endorsed Homeopathic Medicine:
Royalty
- The entire British Royal family, including:
- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
- His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales
Sports personalities
- David Beckham, English Football Superstar
- Kate Schmidt, Two Time Olympic Javelin Medallist
Musicians
- Paul McCartney
- Tina Turner
- Yehudi Menuhin, Violinist
“Homeopathy is a highly developed health practice that uses a systematic approach to the totality of a person’s health. Anyone seeking a fuller understanding of health and healing will find Homeopathy extremely important and applicable.” Gay Gaer Luce. Ph.D. , (science writer – twice winner of the national science writer’s award
Advantages of Homeopathy
- Homeopathy is extremely effective. When the correct remedy is taken, results can be rapid, complete and permanent.
- Homeopathy is completely safe. Even babies and pregnant women can use Homeopathy without the danger of side effects. Homeopathic remedies can also be taken alongside other medication without producing unwanted side effects.
- Homeopathy is natural. Homeopathic remedies are normally based on natural ingredients.
- Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, unlike some conventional medicines which suppress the immune system. (For example, cough medicines suppress the cough reflex, which is your body’s attempt to clear the lungs)
- Homeopathic remedies are not addictive – once relief is felt, you should stop taking them. If no relief is felt, you are probably taking the wrong homeopathic remedy.
- Homeopathy is holistic. It treats all the symptoms as one, which in practical terms means that it addresses the cause, not the symptoms. This often means that symptoms tackled with Homeopathy do not recur.
