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Homeopathy
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing
Homeopathy is focused on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.
It is based on the theory of treating “like with like”.
Homeopathy has been widely used throughout the world for more than 200 years.
Homeopathy can generally be safely used alongside most conventional medicines.
Homeopathy is a complementary therapy
Homeopathy is a recognised system of health in many countries, including the UK, India & Germany.
Homeopathic remedies are diluted natural substances that if given to a healthy person, would produce the symptoms the medicine is prescribed for.
How long has Homeopathy been used?
The true origins of Homeopathy date back to ancient Greece (some dispute this & suggest that it dates even further to ancient India & Ayurvedic medicine).
In 1796, Samuel Hahnemann, developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of what is now known as Homeopathy & coined the new term. These scientific principles form the basis of successful homeopathic practice today.
Are homeopathic remedies safe?
Homeopathic remedies are a unique, potentised energy medicine, drawn from the plant, mineral and animal worlds. They are diluted to such a degree that not one molecule of the original substance can be detected (after the 12c potency).
They work by gently boosting the natural energy of the body, and are very safe, even for pregnant and sensitive patients. There is no danger of addiction or toxicity.
How are the remedies discovered?
The clinical indications of Homeopathic medicines are discovered in three ways:
• The toxicity symptoms (or poisoning picture, Example: Vomiting and diarrhoea caused by some remedies
• The ‘signature’ of the medicine, an ancient medical idea based on the ‘affinities’ of certain substances (eg. Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna has large shiny black berries that resemble the dilated pupils of the eyes in high fever)
• The ‘proving’, in which the highly diluted substances are tested blind on a group of healthy volunteers who then record the symptoms they experience. Where there is agreement amongst provers, the symptoms are documented in a Repertory.
All this information is used to match the remedies with your symptoms.
How are the remedies made?
The raw extracts (from plants or animals) or triturations (from minerals and salts) are made into a ‘tincture’ with alcohol which forms the basis of the dilution procedure. Dilutions are made up to either 1 part tincture to 10 parts water (1x) or 1 part tincture to 100 parts water (1c). Repeated dilution results in the familiar 6x, 6c or 30c potencies that can be bought over the counter: the 30c represents an infinitessimal part of the original substance.
If they are so dilute, how can they work?
After each dilution the mixture is vigorously agitated in a machine that delivers a calibrated amount of shaking. This is called succussion. It is thought that this process imprints the healing energy of the medicinal substance throughout the body of water (the diluent) as if a message is passed on. The message contains the healing energy. Even in ultra-molecular dilutions, information specific to the original dissolved substance remains and can be detected.
What can homeopathy treat?
Homeopathy has a wide application, from acute fevers, sore throats and toothache, to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, eczema, asthma, anxiety, mild depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. There has been some very good research evidence to support this (see Research section).
What happens when you see a homeopath?
Your homeopath understands that establishing good health involves treating both mind and body, so time is taken to listen to your emotional and physical symptoms.
To stimulate your body’s own healing process, a remedy closest to your individual symptom picture is prescribed.
Healing begins from within your body, strengthening your health and immune system, without any danger of damaging side effects.