Homeopathy Explained
Homeopathy is a science founded by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). Born in Dresden, Germany, Hahnemann studied chemistry and medicine. He qualified as a doctor in 1779 and set up in practice. In his writings, Hahnemann protested against the crude medical practices of the time, especially bloodletting and the terrible side effects of medications. He claimed that the traditional medical doctors of his time (he coined the term “allopath”) practiced a "non-healing art which shortened the lives of ten times as many human beings as the most destructive wars and rendered many millions of patients more diseased and wretched than they were originally." He was also an advocate of improved hygiene, exercise, sensible eating and fresh air. Hahnemann became increasingly disillusioned with conventional medical practice, and eventually became a translator.
While translating a famous narrative, he came across a writing on Peruvian bark(Cinchona) from which quinine is derived for the treatment of malaria. The author of the narrative stated that quinine is useful as a treatment for malaria due to its astringent qualities. This made no sense to Hahnemann, who was aware of many stronger astringents with no effect on malaria whatsoever. He decided to experiment with quinine, and dosed himself with it for several days. To his amazement, he developed the same symptoms that malaria patients exhibit. Was this why malaria was also cured by quinine? He repeated the experiments (he called them “provings”) on other people he knew, with the same results.
And so homoeopathy was born.
It is a healing art based on the principle of “like cures like”. This principle implies that a substance in crude form, which causes a set of symptoms in a healthy person, will cure those same symptoms in a sick person when it is administered in homoeopathic form. Homoeopathic medicines are prepared by a series of dilutions and succussions. There are thousands of remedies available. A homoeopathic remedy will only be effective if it matches the symptom picture of a patient, which is why it is crucial for a patient to visit a qualified homoeopath trained in ways to establish the correct remedy.
Homoeopathy is a gentle and safe method of healing, and offers a viable alternative to traditional medicines with many side effects.
A Homeopath sees symptoms as the body’s attempts to heal itself and so the aim is to find a remedy which most closely fits a persons symptoms. A remedy prescribed in this way will stimulate the body’s own powers of healing and restore health. Homeopathy is very safe. It can be prescribed for babies and pregnant women without any danger of side-effects. The remedies are prepared so that only tiny doses are used. This means that any toxic effects are lost but curative properties are kept. All remedies are tested on healthy, human volunteers so that all curative properties can be documented and in this way we know what symptoms they can cure. Only one remedy is given at any one time as we treat the whole person.
Homeopathy is geared towards restoring and maintaining health rather than fighting against disease. The aim is to strengthen the body so that it can resist harmful organisms You need not wait until you are ill to see a Homeopath. Instead remedies can be used to maintain health and enhance general well-being.
The homeopath needs to find out as much about you and have a thorough understanding of who you are. As well as finding out about your symptoms, information is required about all aspects of your life from work, personality, relationships, medical history and any other stresses and how they affect you. The information is evaluated and a remedy is prescribed based on your symptoms i.e. it is individually chosen to fit your requirements.
A Homeopath sees symptoms as the body's attempts to heal itself and so the aim is to find a remedy which most closely fits a person's symptoms. A remedy prescribed in this way, will stimulate the body's own powers of healing and restore health.
