Introduction
Homeopathy is a safe, natural form of
medicine, based on the practice of treating like with like. Homeopathy is
derived from the Greek words homios, meaning like or similar, and italios,
meaning suffering.
Homeopathy is concerned with treating the
whole person rather than the illness alone. The homeopath will consider the
patient as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into account
the patient's physical appearance, their likes, dislikes and their temperament.
It is there fore a highly personalized form of treatment, so patients who
apparently suffer from the same ill ness may be given advice for different
medicines.
Homeopathy is a well established form of
healing. Today many of the leading pharmaceutical companies are researching and
mass-producing homeopathic medicines.
Homeopathic
Medicines
Homeopathic medicines look very much like
conventional medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work is
entirely different.
The medicines are not synthetic and are
derived from natural sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared
from vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from naturally
occurring mineral substances, including metals, non-metallic substances, and
mineral salts. Animal sources of homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the
ink or juice provides sepia) and Honeybee.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared by
obtaining the remedy in its most concentrated form, and then, through a long
process of dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to
effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the dilution of the
remedy and is denoted by the number which follows the name of the medicine
itself. The higher the number, the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy
to one trillion parts dilutant).
Homeopathic
Medicines
Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred to
as remedies, may come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some common
remedies include: arnica montana,
from the Leopard's bane plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant;
calcarea, calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish ink; and
the element, sulphur.
Homeopathic remedies today are produced using
the same dilution principles as in Hahnemann's day. In a common dilution of
1:100, one drop of the homeopathic substance is added to 99 drops of water
and/or alcohol. The mixture is then potentized by a process called
"succussion" - repeated tapping on a hard surface for a specific
length of time. Remedies may be diluted up to 1000 times, leaving only an
infinitesimal trace of the substance. Remedies are typically diluted 10, 100,
or 1,000 times, which translate into potencies that are marked with the Roman
numerals X, C, and M. Homeopathic remedies range from 6X as the lowest potency
to 1M or more as the highest potency.
Remedies can be taken orally in pill, powder,
or drop form, rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side effects
from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can experience what is called a "healing
aggravation," a temporary accentuation of symptoms. This is seen as a
positive sign that the remedy is working. Depending on the severity of the
symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces the opposite
effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another homeopathic remedy, or a
strong substance, such as perfume, camphor, or coffee, which are known to block
the effects of a remedy.
In the United States, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938,
working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to produce and update
their reference book of homeopathic medicines. Over the years, the FDA has
classified homeopathic medicines as either prescription or more commonly as
non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their strength. In the United Kingdom,
homeopathic medicine has been part of the National Health Service (NHS) since
it began in 1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS.
Homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter or by prescription.
Safety
of Homeopathic Medicines
Because of the very, very small doses used in
homeopathic treatment, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive and
have no unwanted side effects. The curative properties of the remedies are
released even in extremely high dilution‹and render the medicine completely
safe for the treatment of both children and babies.
Always consult a practitioner before buying
homeopathic remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of the
reach of all children.
Where dosing instructions have been followed,
no case of toxic action has ever been reported in association with homeopathic
medicines.
Receiving
Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathic treatment is practiced by fully
qualified Health Practitioners who understand the philosophy of homeopathic
medicine's well as patients' emotional and daily situations.
While some homeopathic medicines are readily
available in both regular pharmacies and health stores, you MUST consult your
homeopathic practitioner before attempting treatment for any serious ailment or
illness.
If you are currently on medication for a
serious medical or psychological condition, you should NOT stop taking your
medication in order to start homeopathic treatment. Your practitioner will
advise you on the best course of treatment, often working with your internist
or therapist.
