Define Homeopathy

While many people today consult physicians when they become ill or develop medical problems, some choose to find alternatives to a medical community that advocates the use of pharmaceutical drugs and surgical procedures to cure a patient’s ills. One such alternative treatment is homeopathy.

Define Homeopathy

Homeopathy is the practice of using natural substances to reinforce the human body’s natural healing ability. Given the correct environmental factors such as nutrition, herbs and supplements, our bodies are designed to heal themselves when ailments or diseases occur. Homeopathy utilizes natural substances in minute quantities to stimulate the body’s immune system to cure problems or ills. The chosen substances used in homeopathy are substances that, when given to a healthy person in larger quantities, will cause symptoms similar to those experienced by the patient.

The Beginnings

The genesis of homeopathy occurred in 1790 when a physician by the name of Samuel Hahnemann discovered the "Law of Similarities". His belief was ‘like cures like’. Using minute amounts of substances that cause symptoms similar to illnesses the body’s immune system can be stimulated to cure the illness naturally. The substances used in homeopathy are from plants, animals and/or mineral sources. This alternative method of treatment concentrates not only on the physical symptoms of a patient but also on the other important aspects of the healing process. Homeopaths deal with the whole person when determining a course of treatment. Information regarding a patient's genetic links and family histories are obtained, as well as current physical, mental and emotional symptoms. In this way, homeopathic medicine takes a more personal approach to treatment than traditional medical practices.

Homeopathic Remedies

The minute doses of substances used to treat various conditions in homeopathic remedies are obtained by a method called “potentizing”. This method involves the serial dilution of a more concentrated solution of the substance. In most remedies, the dilutions produce a solution that no longer contains any of the original substance.

Homeopaths believe in the “memory of water,” which means that the essence of the original substance is carried through the dilution process and is the property that promotes the healing process. Red onion, mountain herb and stinging nettle are just a few examples of the substances used in some homeopathic remedies.

Benefits of Homeopathy

While there are both proponents and opponents to the field of homeopathy, many factors make its use more appealing to some than traditional medicine. Homeopathy relies heavily on natural substances to accomplish the healing process. The use of these substances and the minute amounts administered seldom yield side effects of the treatment. In comparison, modern pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of illness and disease carry with them many potential side effects, some of which can even be life threatening. While some of the pharmaceutical drugs used in standard Western medicine may have come from natural sources in the beginning, they have been isolated and mixed with other components so they may no longer provide a safe and trouble-free product. The personalized approach of homeopathy provides a holistic approach to illness that may offer better results in the overall treatment and response of the patient. By treating the whole of a patient- their mind, body and spirit- every part of the patient can be used to battle the illness or disease. Even many traditional physicians admit that the mindset and emotions of a patient play an important role in the healing process.

Opposition Still Exists

Many physicians and scientists still oppose the use of homeopathy on the grounds that current scientific understanding indicates that there is no such principle as the ‘memory of water’. Water has been well studied and based on the principles of physics and chemistry, most scientists currently believed water does not have the capacity to remember the essence of the healing substance used in homeopathy. While many refer to any success of homeopathic remedies as a placebo effect and others refer to the treatments as quackery, there are still documented cases of large-scale success dating back as far as 1813. The decision of health care and treatment is ultimately up to the individual. Be aware of the options available to you and the validity of its effectiveness and then choose what seems best to you.