What is Homeopathy

 

 

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which aims to restore health by harnessing the body’s own natural tendency to heal. It uses naturally occurring substances in remedy format to stimulate the body’s innate ability to overcome illness.

 

Between 1/4 and 1/5 of all EU citizens use homeopathic medicines (EU Commission statement. Resolution on the Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Directives 92/73/EEC and 92/74/EEC on homeopathic medicinal products (COM(97)0362 - C4-0484/97)
The word homeopathy (strictly speaking it is spelt homoeopathy) comes from two Greek words. ‘Homios’ meaning of the same kind (similar or like) and ‘pathos’ meaning suffering.

 

In the 5th Century BC Hippocrates, a prominent Greek physician, developed the theory, practice and study of medicine into an art and a science. Hippocrates recognised that there were two main ways of treating disease and wrote that healing could be accomplished by;
  1. the use of contraries, or
  2. the use of similars (homeopathy)

The first of these – using contraries (opposites) or conventional medicine uses a medicament to oppose or counteract the symptoms of disease, for example, a laxative to ease constipation.
The second – treating ‘like with like’ (or similars) – stimulates the natural healing force in the body by administering a substance, or remedy, which mimics the signs and symptoms of the illness. An example of which is: chopping onions can cause your nose and eyes to run with copious amounts of water. The onion – Allium cepa – can be used homeopathically to treat colds and hayfever where the main symptoms include runny eyes and nose. This use of ‘similars’ is the basis of homeopathy.

 

Homeopathy as we know it today was first formulated over 200 years ago by a German doctor and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) and it has evolved to become one of the most popular forms of complementary medicines in the world today.

 

Hahnemann used the smallest possible amount of a substance to trigger a healing effect. This was to minimise side effects. He realised that the more the substance was diluted - the better the results, provided it was also vigorously shaken in a process known as sucussion at each stage of the dilution.
 


What Can Homeopathy Treat?

Homeopathy can be used in the treatment of a range of health problems ranging from acute to long term illnesses. It can also treat conditions that do not necessarily fall into a particular ‘disease category’, such as chronic fatigue, or simply feeling unwell with no known cause.

 

Some examples of conditions treated by homeopathy include (but are not limited to):
Respiratory problems, migraines, digestive complaints, menstrual imbalance, recurrent infections, arthritis, insomnia, anxiety, behavioral problems, grief, shock, stress, joint and muscle problems, eating disorders, colic, teething, delayed development, ENT problems, acne, cystitis, infertility, prostate disorders, circulatory conditions.

 

Homeopathy has a particular view of health and disease, it treats the cause - not just the symptoms - and it works on the principle of “like treats like”.


Who Can Benefit From Homeopathy?

It can be used effectively by everyone, from babies and children to adults, including women during pregnancy. When prescribed appropriately, homeopathic medicines are safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. They can be taken alongside drugs prescribed by your doctor and will not interfere with their beneficial action.