Homeopathy, deriving from the greek homoeo (meaning similar) and pathos (meaning suffering) is a system of medicine based on treating like with like.
The same principal is widespread in mainstream medicine, the most notable examples being antidotes and vaccines.
However, Homeopathy takes this premise a step further: if a patient’s symptom produces an effect similar to a tarantulas bite, then tarantula venom would be the patient’s homeopathic treatment, even though they’ve not actually been bitten by a tarantula.
The theory that like can be treated with like can be traced back as far as Hypocrites (468 -377 BC), but it wasn’t until the work of Samuel Hahnemann (1755- 1843) that the theory developed into a usable practice. Hahnemanns provings consisted in giving doses of various substances to both himself and his healthy volunteers, and noting the effects in detail.
For safety reasons, the substances taken were very dilute, and it is here that Hahnemann chanced upon one of the more puzzling aspects of Homeopathy.
The more dilute a homeopathic medicine is, the more effective it is in treating illness. Hahnemanns work was continued by James Tyler Kent in 1877-78. Kent’s interest in Homeopathic medicine was prompted by his wife’s serious illness, which failed to respond to any other form of medicine available at the time. Kent’s position as Professor of Anatomy (at the American Medical College, St Louis) placed him perfectly to observe the effects of substances in precise detail. Kent’s research into Homeopathy became his life’s work, and he conducted provings on some 650 materials, observing over 64,000 symptoms. Even today Kent’s is still the most widely used repertory in Homeopathy.

Classical Homeopathy is a holistic medicine, in other words it aims to treat the whole person. It may seem unusual to conventional medicine, where one medicine is taken for a skin complaint, another for a headache, and yet another for sleeplessness etc.

If you chose to look further into Homeopathy, you may find that one particular remedy comes up time and time again for your particular complaints – however diverse they appear to be.
For example you may have symptoms over a course of time such as insomnia, headaches, stomach complaints etc for which Phosphor is frequently suggested as the remedy, this suggests that there is something within you particular nature, underneath any passing symptoms, that is akin to Phosphor.
A common cold, for example, is one virus which produces a myriad of effects, subtly different in different people. Different people with a cold caused by the same virus may exhibit different symptoms, it is for this reason that each case should be assessed by close and careful analysis of all the relevant symptoms.

Using Homeopathic Medicine

The first concern of anyone using any new medicine is ‘’is it safe?’’. The short answer is yes, Homeopathic medicine is completely safe. However, you should not stop taking any existing medication without first consulting your doctor.

Homeopathic medicine should be taken on a clean pallet. Whilst on a course of homeopathic treatment, you should avoid strong flavours such as mint (including toothpaste) or coffee etc. Homeopathic medicines are normally taken as pills which are placed under the tongue. Take two tablets every two hours for the first six doses, and then four times daily for up to five days. For some complaints remedies are taken as an ointment, for example, arnica cream applied directly to bruising. If you are taking the remedy in pill form, you should avoid contact with the skin (including fingers). Just drop a few pills into the lid and pour them directly into the mouth. Once relief from the symptoms is felt, stop taking the Homeopathic medicine. Only take it again if exactly the same symptoms come back.

Homeopathy at Home

Homeopathy is safe for home use as there are no dangerous side effects. This, to many, is the principal that gets them interested in Homeopathy in the first place. There is also a popular misconception that other forms of alternative medicine, such as herbal, nutritional supplements, or Chinese herbal are also completely safe to self prescribe, because they are natural. This is not the case; Homeopathy is safe because everything is very, very dilute; many herbal remedies and supplements can cause lasting damage if not taken carefully.

When people use Homeopathy

Most people come into contact with Homeopathy when they feel they’ve been failed by conventional medicine. It may be for a long- held, chronic condition, or a short lived acute ailment.
It may be that conventional medicine has been unable to help at all, or that the side effects are simply not worth the risk. Long term (chronic) illnesses are deeper rooted than short term (acute) illnesses, and are consequently more difficult to treat successfully at home – normally guidance from a Professional Homeopath should be sought.
Short term illnesses can be treated much more successfully at home. And finally, as you become more confident at treating conditions at home, don’t get over confident.
Stopping prescribed medication without first consulting a physician can endanger your health. If symptoms persist, always seek professional medical attention.
Bear in mind that even minor symptoms can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

Paul Mcdonald