What is Homoeopathy?
Similia Similibus Curentur. "In order to cure gently, quickly and lastingly, choose in every case of illness a remedy which can itself arouse a similar malady to that which it is to cure" – Samuel Hahnemann – founder of homoeopathy
There are two principals that separate homoeopathy from any other form of medicine. One is the law of "like cures like". Similia Similibus Curantur. This shows that what can cause sickness in the healthy can also cure similar symptoms suffered by the sick. A simple example to demonstrate this is; where one is affected by drinking coffee, and symptoms arise such as nervous agreeable excitement, insomnia, lack of appetite, palpitation etc, it follows that if someone is suffering symptoms similar to those caused by coffee – for example you have won the lottery and loose the ability to sleep because of symptoms described above, then a homoeopathic preparation of coffee will be curative
The second principal is the way homoeopathic medicines are prepared. This is an extract from Hahnemann's Organon. Aphorisms 269–270 (published 1833) The homoeopathic system of medicine develops for its special use the spirit-like medicinal powers of crude substances by means of a process peculiar to it where they become penetratingly efficacious and remedial, even those substances that in the crude state give no evidence of the slightest medicinal power on the human body. This remarkable change due to this process develops the latent, hidden, dynamic powers, which influence the life principle, change the well-being of animal life. This is effected by mechanical action upon their smallest particles by means of rubbing and shaking and through the addition of an indifferent substance, are separated from each other. This process is called dynamizing, or potentizing (development of medicinal power) and the products are dynamizations or potencies in different degrees. Accordingly, two drops of the fresh (in this case) vegetable juice mingled with equal parts of alcohol are diluted with 98 drops of alcohol and potentized by means of two successions, whereby the first development of power is formed and this process is repeated through 29 more phials, each or which is filled 3/4 full with 99 drops of alcohol, and each succeeding phial (which has already been shaken twice) and is in its turn twice shaken, and in the same manner at last the thirtieth development of power (potentized decillionth dilution X) which is one often used.
By means of this manipulation of crude drugs are produced preparations, which only in this way reach the full capacity to influence the suffering parts of the sick organism. In this way, by means of similar artificial morbid affection, the influence of the natural disease on the life principle present within is neutralized.
How does homoeopathy work?
When a homoeopathically prescribed medicine is administered the body's response is just enough to restore to normal conditions over time. This happens when the medicine is capable of producing similar symptoms in a healthy body. This is the body's natural response to this stimulus.
Where did homoeopathy come from?
Dr Sammuel Hahnemann was the first to discover a system of healing based on the law of similiars in 1792 Germany.
Who is homoeopathy good for?
You may wonder why you have certain health problems when you have a healthy lifestyle, eat well, exercise, and do the best you can. Unfortunately health problems can still arise despite our best efforts.
Many people today have chronic illnesses that will just not go a way. The only relief is at best temporary, and when the medication is withdrawn the complaints usually return. This is because the disease is still there having been merely suppressed by the pharmaceutical drugs. These drugs then cause their own health problems. If this experience sounds familiar to you maybe homoeopathy is for you. If you or your children are on the merry-go-round of, pregnizone, steroids, anti inflammatory drugs, inhalers, cortisone creams, pain killers or puffers and are getting nowhere, try a real health solution.
What kind of illness is homoeopathy good for?
Homoeopathy is helpful in treating both acute and chronic disease. Just some examples are: Women and men's health, Hormonal problems such as PMS Painful or irregular periods, Endometriosis, Infertility, Menopausal disorders, Post natal depression.
Men – Prostate gland issues, Bladder and urination problems, Impotency concerns.
Children – Ear infections, Tonsillitis, Recurring chest infections, Asthma, Eczema, Teething pain, Colic, Behaviour problems, Fears, Digestive and appetite issues.
Mental health – Anxiety, Behavioral disorders, Depression, Fears, Panic attacks.
Skin diseases – Eczema, Warts, Impetigo, Herpes.
When conventional medicine no longer helps and we need new solutions, homoeopathic medicine is there for those willing to look at a new way to heal disease. See the difference between the familiar effects of allopathic medicine with its rapid drug effects and that of the true healing of homoeopathy.
Can I take homoeopathic medicine if I'm already on regular (allopathic) medicine?
Yes, because homoeopathic medicines act on a dynamic principle, and have no drug effect, they cannot interfere with allopathic medications. However tell your homoeopath what you are taking, because some substances can antidote homoeopathic medicines
What is the difference between regular allopathic medicine and homoeopathic medicine?
Allopathic medications have a drug effect and secondary side effects because they are large, crude doses. Over time the patient needs higher and higher doses that are often toxic, debilitating, and addictive. They are particularly problematical in treating chronic disease because the general health of the patient suffers. For chronic diseases allopathic medicines are at best palliative.
Allopathic medicines are tested on sick people and animals.
Homoeopathic medicines are only tested on healthy men and women.
When a homoeopathically prescribed medicine is administered the body's response is just enough to restore to normal conditions over time. This happens when the medicine is capable of producing similar symptoms in a healthy body. This is the body's natural response to this stimulus.
How are homoeopathic medicines made?
See "What is homoeopathy" above. There are three essential processes involved in the preparation of remedies: a) serial dilution, b) succussion, and c) trituration. Dilution is the means by which we reduce the toxicity of the original crude drug. Serial dilution means that each dilution is prepared from the dilution that immediately preceded it. Succussion (for soluble substances) and trituration (for insoluble substances) are the methods by which mechanical energy is delivered to our preparations in order to imprint the pharmacological message of the original drug upon the molecules of the diluent.
There are many homoeopathic pharmacies all over the world supplying high quality homoeopathic medicines to homoeopaths.
Homoeopathic medicines are prepared from many different substances. Many of which are considered inert like gold or common salt, but when potentised become very effective medicines. Some medicines are prepared from dangerous substances such as mercury, arsenic, acids and other poisonous substances which when potentised become powerful but harmless medicines
How are homoeopathic medicines tested?
Homoeopathic medicines are tested on healthy human beings. These tests are called "provings", and are done under strict protocol. No animals or sick people are used for tests except where accidental poisonings have occurred and been recorded
What is the difference between homoeopathy and naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a philosophy of living naturally within nature's laws, concentrating on diet and lifestyle. Homoeopathy is a complete system of natural medicine, based on scientific natural laws. Many people find that even when they do their best to maintain a healthy diet, lifestyle, and exercise regime that they still get sick from time to time or have a particular chronic disease that will not go away. Homoeopathic treatment can be helpful in these cases
Will my doctor or specialist know about homoeopathy?
No allopathic doctor or specialist is taught homoeopathic medicine any more as part of their medical training. So unless they have done extra curricular courses in homoeopathy, or have read up on it, sadly it is unlikely that they will know much about it at all.
Why see a homoeopath when my GP, chiropractor, osteopath, or naturopath, also prescribe homoeopathic medicines?
Depending on their training there is no problem, as long as the health practitioners concerned are preferably members of AROH (The Australian Register Of Homoeopaths). Often practitioners with little training in homoeopathy will prescribe "complexes" which are bottles containing sometimes up to 30 medicines or more. Sometimes these complexes may help for a while for mild complaints. These are often prescribed because the practitioner doesn't have the time or skill to make an accurate homoeopathic diagnosis, hence the 30 medicines in one bottle. I call it the blunderbuss technique where you spray enough bullets hoping something will "hit the mark". The trouble is which medicine hit the mark? And why did it? Because these questions cannot be answered there can be no understanding of the case.
Strictly by definition, a homoeopathic medicine is not simply a medicine that has been prepared according to homoeopathic methods. The medicine is truly homoeopathic only when it is correctly prescribed. This is one of the problems with using complexes or combination homoeopathic remedies repetitively for serious conditions, as homoeopathic principles are not applied and results are usually poor.
Is homoeopathy safe?
Yes. Sometimes a temporary increase in symptoms may occur for a short period. This may be taken as a sign that the healing process has begun
Can pregnant women take homoeopathic medicines?
Yes. Homoeopathic medicines may be taken throughout pregnancy for many ailments that can occur during all stages including labor.
Can children be given homoeopathic medicines?
Because homoeopathic medicines are non-toxic and safe, they are ideal for children and newborn babies. Also they are pleasant tasting. A few examples of health problems that can be addressed are: ear infections, tonsillitis, recurring chest infections, asthma, eczema, teething pain, colic, behaviour problems, fears, digestive and appetite issues.
What do homoeopathic medicines look and taste like?
Homoeopathic medicines come in powders, drops, or tiny sugar pillules. The drops taste of water with 10% alcohol as a preservative.
How do you take homoeopathic medicines?
Place the drops or pillules under the tongue. Take medicines away from food.
Can I claim for consultations from my health fund?
All health funds give a rebate on homoeopathy consultations if you have the required cover. Medibank Private is the only health fund that does not cover homoeopathy. If you are a member of Medibank Private and would like to have homoeopathic treatment please complain to Medibank Private.
Is homoeopathy scientific?
Please read George Dimitriadis' essay titled The Scientificity of Homoeopathy. You can see it on his website www.hahnemann-institute.com From the conclusion of that essay is the following extract.
We do not know WHY a substance capable of producing certain symptoms will also remove a similar set of symptoms (Similia), just as we don't know why two bodies will exert a force of attraction towards each other in proportion to their mass (Gravity). Nevertheless, just as we use the Law of Gravitational attraction to predict the trajectory of a projectile, so can we use the Law of Similars to predict the action of a therapeutic agent on a sick individual. It is important to remember that we must not dismiss something as impossible simply because we do not understand WHY it works.
What happens in a homoeopathic consultation?
The homoeopathic consultation is quite different from visiting your GP. Homoeopaths see chronic disease as being a sum of your condition not as a string of different named problems developed one after another. For this reason I need to take a full case history from when you first fell ill.
For a symptom to be useful for diagnosis as your homoeopath I will need to know the nature of the symptom ie, what are the distinguishing characteristics of your complaint? Names of diseases are helpful to a homoeopath but these names are too generalised on their own. A homoeopath needs to know what kind of named disease it is you are suffering. What is it about your complaint that is different to the general type? It is this information that helps your homoeopath make an accurate homoeopathic diagnosis, and find the correct medicine that matches your symptoms
Can animals be treated with homoeopathic medicine?
Yes. Animals respond as well as humans to homoeopathic treatment.
Are there any risks in being a homoeopathic patient?
The practice of homoeopathy is a difficult art and science. So much depends on your homoeopath's powers of observation and investigation. Where homoeopathic diagnosis is incomplete due to inexperience or lack of knowledge, sometimes an incorrect medicine is prescribed. When this happens there is no harmful effects but the disease will continue until the correct diagnosis is made. If this happens it is not a failing of homoeopathy, just a bad prescription!
Can homoeopathic help where other medicines can't?
There are many conditions that respond to homoeopathic treatment much more readily than the allopathic model. Talk to your homoeopath about your complaint. There are many conditions that respond well to homoeopathic treatment after being treated unsuccessfully with other forms of treatment. And remember with homoeopathic treatment there are no side effects, no drug effects, is non-addictive, will not undermine your health, is safe for young children, and pregnant women.