All About Homeopathy

Homeopathy is an exceptionally safe form of medicine which treats the whole individual. It is a natural form of complementary and alternative medicine that falls outside the mainstream of Western conventional medicine. This complex medical system is derived from both natural medicine and orthodox science bringing in together the best of both worlds.

Over two hundred years ago, Homeopathy was introduced by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It is made from 2 Greek words, homoios: meaning "similar" and pathos: meaning "suffering". Today, homeopathy is growing rapidly in popularity. Homeopathy is now the second most common choice of alternative medicine in the world according to WHO survey report.

Homeopathy has been widely used in India, England, and other European countries. Homeopathy has been practiced in India for more than a century and a half. The Indian government recognises homeopathy as one of its National Systems of Medicine. It plays an important role in providing health care to a large number of people.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Symptoms of illness are viewed as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health.

How does it work?

Homeopathy works on the principle 'like cure like' i.e a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person is used to cure those same symptoms in illness. What makes homeopathy unique is that it takes into account a person's body, mind and spirit (both physical and psychological state) when dealing with the cause and cure of a health condition. This means that two people with the same symptoms, or even the same illness would not necessarily need the same remedy. Each person needs a different remedy perfectly chosen for the condition.

In producing remedies for diseases, homeopaths use a process called "potentisation" whereby a substance (the active ingredient, usually a plant or mineral) is diluted with alcohol or distilled water and then vigorously shaken by forceful striking in a process called "succussion". Dilution often continues until none of the original substance remains.

Is Homeopathy safe?

Homeopathic remedies are a unique, potentised energy medicine, drawn from the plant, mineral and animal worlds. Homeopathic medicines do not have any chemical action, so they do not have the potential to cause any sustained damage. Homeopathic medicines are safe for all ages.

What can homeopathy help with?

Homeopathy can address a wide range of complaints from the minor to the serious. Illnesses commonly seen include recurrent infections (such as colds, tonsillitis, cystitis); migraine, allergies, skin conditions, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual and menopausal problems, and stress related symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. Homeopathy is not often used in the treatments of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, emergencies, and major infections.

What is the response time?

Homeopathy is not a system for those in search of instant, easy answers, although it can act very swiftly in acute conditions. Some aspects of chronic condition may be helped quickly, but the overall resolution may take weeks or months.

Is Homeopathy effective?

The effectiveness of homeopathy has been in dispute since its inception. Some critics of homeopathy believe that due to the extreme dilutions used in homeopathic preparations, there is usually none of the original substance in the final product that may benefit the patient. Any benefits from treatment are likely not because of the substance but because of the patient thinking that it is effective (placebo effect).

Modern homeopaths have proposed that water has a memory that allows homeopathic preparations to work without any of the original substance; however, there are no verified observations nor scientifically plausible physical mechanisms for such a phenomenon. Some studies have tried to determine whether effects from homeopathic treatments are placebo or whether some other action occurs. There was evidence that homeopathic dilutions differ from placebos, however, the evidence is not convincing because of methodological shortcomings and inconsistencies.

An inquiry into the evidence base for homeopathy conducted by the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee in 2009-2010 concluded that homeopathy does not work better than placebo. They consider it "a placebo treatment", and state that it is "bad medicine" to prescribe pure placebos.

Healing is at the heart of all the benefits of homeopathy. But remember that not all conditions will respond to homeopathy: some may be simply beyond the body's ability to heal.