What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine, based on an understanding of the interconnection between mind and body. By taking a full case history, homeopathy may support the individual’s overall health. Homeopathy uses natural medicine which may stimulate and strengthen the immune system, thereby helping the body’s natural tendency to heal itself. Homeopathic medicine is prescribed in very low dilution after a special matching process, which takes into account individual symptoms and characteristics.
How Does It Work?
Homeopathy is based on the idea that what can cause can also cure. A dose of a substance causes certain symptoms when given to a healthy person. When the same substance, prepared in a minute dose, is given to someone suffering similar symptoms it becomes curative. Samuel Hahnemann founded Homeopathic medicine in Germany at the end of the 18th century & based his medical practice on these two key principles :
- “Like cures like”—the notion that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people; and
- “Law of minimum dose”—the notion that the lower the dose of the medication, the greater its effectiveness.
For example:
- We all know cutting raw onions can make our eyes water.
When prepared as a Homeopathic remedy it can be used to treat hayfever. - Too much coffee has been the cause of many sleepless nights.
In minute doses it can treat insomnia. - Eating the herb Arnica Montana can cause internal bleeding.
In minute doses it is used to treat bruises and the effects of injuries. - Cantharis, the Spanish fly, if used as an aphrodisiac has unpleasant side effects.
Infinitesimal doses can treat many urogenital problems.
The Consultation
In Homeopathy we may consider the patient’s emotional, mental & physicall symptoms to identify a homeopathic remedy or remedies to support the individual’s healing process back to wellness & wholeness.
The initial consultation may take up to an hour & a half, to explore both the health history, current symptoms & overall temperament of the patient. As well as the precise details of the presenting symptom/s together with the family history, reactions to food, weather and temperature, and the individual’s emotional and mental state. Follow up consultations are generally between 30 -40 mins.
Homeopathic remedies are made from minerals, salts, plants and some animal products. Each one has a known pattern of action. The homoeopath seeks a similarity between the pattern of a medicine and your individual picture to select your remedy. Remedies are taken as simple globules which are placed under the tongue until they have dissolved, or as liquid drops.
Unlike many conventional medicines, homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and not addictive. Homeopathy can be safely used alongside other forms of support