Homeopathy
is the application of the law of Similars
(aka ‘like cures like’).
The law of similars is the principle
that underpins homeopathy, (not
dilution) .
Curing with similars
This
is a similar idea to that of vaccinations; by providing
the body with a ‘taster’ of the disease, it
prompts the body to create resistance but unlike vaccinations,
homeopathy is given not just as a preventative, but most
often as a remedy to an existing condition.
When
taking homeopathic medicine, you are effectively kick-starting
your body into fighting the problem itself by giving your
immune system the necessary information to do so. This
gentle approach has many obvious advantages and is able
to offer a response tailored to your specific symptoms.
What does
curing with 'similars' mean?
..
it
means using a substance that could cause a
similar problem to cure the problem, e.g. in
a condition where the skin had symptoms that looked
and felt like a nettle sting even though it wasn't (e.g.
urticaria), Nettle might be used homeopathically because
the effects of nettle are 'similar'.
Why would
this actually cure the 'similar' problem?
The genius of Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy,
was to discover that when made susceptible by illness
our bodies do indeed react to the homeopathic remedy
as if it were actually causing a similar problem.
Thus our system safely cures itself by this reaction,
because the remedy it has been given is similar to the
disease.
What does
the medicine contain ?
Although there are
thousands of different remedies, the carrier for them
is usually the same, homeopathic medicines are usually
in the form of small sugar pills. These sugar bases carry
the individual prescribed remedy. This is created by potentising
it; i.e. repeatedly diluting it down so that less than
trace elements of the substance, which can be anything
from an everyday plant to a rare mineral, remain. Fortunately,
the body is naturally so sensitive when ill that it is
able to respond to these otherwise undetectable amounts.
Is it safe
?
Although homeopathic
medicines should be kept away from children and not taken
unprescribed, it is impossible to suffer a toxic overdose.
Homeopathy is equally safe for children, the elderly,
seriously ill, even newly born babies, for this reason
it is also particularly suitable for people who are in
a very fragile state.
Giving
a dose of the wrong remedy (i.e. an unhomeopathic remedy)
does nothing because it is so dilute and unless it is
similar (homeopathic) to the disease the body has no susceptability
to it and therefore no reaction.
Homeopaths
use specially prepared highly dilute
(and therefore safe) substances called 'potentised' remedies.
It is safe because the remedy is so dilute that there
is no possibility of a toxic reaction.
What ailments
can it be used for ?
Homeopathy is a holistic
system which can be extremely beneficial to a vast range
of physical and emotional problems.
Examples include;
ASTHMA, ECZEMA, SPORTS INJURIES, ARTHRITIS,
PERIOD PAINS, PMS (PMT), M.E. OR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME,
GASTRIC PROBLEMS, ALLERGIES, FEARS, PHOBIAS & ANXIETY,
EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, CHILDRENS BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS, STRESS.
In
theory there is no limit to what conditions homeopathy
could treat; in practice it depends on the experience
of the practitioner and also the laws in different countries
limiting what can be treated.
While treatment for
some problems is complex and requires detailed diagnosis
and prescription by a qualified homeopath, there are many
complaints for which homeopathic medicine can be simply,
safely and effectively self-prescribed.. E.g remedies
like Arnica (for bruises) are especially useful for a
first aid box and can be purchased in most chemists.
What does
treatment involve ?
Treatment should always be with
a homeopath who is Registered with a member of
CORH and
who holds a recognised qualification.(depends on country).
This ensures that he or she will have completed a 3
or 4 year professional course and be fully qualified
and accredited to practice.
At your first appointment your
homeopath will want to know about your past illnesses,
even seemingly unrelated emotional or physical difficulties
you have been experiencing, in addition to the details
of the problem which has caused you to seek advice.
From this, your homeopath will be able to build a detailed
and personal picture of the possible causes, course
and personality of your ailment and will subsequently
prescribe your medicine.
It is usual that after taking
the remedy for a specified amount of time, you report
back to your homeopath who will then advise you on what
next to take. Appointments are usually person to person
but can be over the telephone (often useful for emergencies),
sometimes even in your home should you be too ill to
leave the house.
Does
Homeopathy work?
If you know nothing
about homeopathy it may a strange idea when first encountered
- but it really does work
Homeopathy will
work only if applied according to homeopathic principles,
this is why it is so important to understand the basics
of homeopathy and its difference to other forms of medicine
before trying to use it.
What is
'allopathy'?
Homeopathy is much
more akin in its philosophy to that of Eastern medicine
than it is to that of Western medicine, but in lieu of
acupuncture, shiatzu, moxibustion etc , homeopathy uses
its potentised remedies to stimulate the system to heal
itself..
The principle of 'similars'
contrasts with the principle of 'opposites' (allopathy)
used by conventional Western medicine:
e.g. Western medicine
uses something to prevent a skin condition by suppressing
it with an agent (coal tar poroducts, steroids based creams
etc) that is an opposite to the problem, thus preventing
the body's reaction, whereas homeopathy uses something
that could cause a similar condition, to get the body
to react curatively itself, i.e. non-suppressive
