FAQ’s
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 un-homeopathic 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 products, 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