What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that has been around for just over 200 years, founded by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann. The overriding principle that Hanemann discovered, is that healing is a rational process, and that there are principles essential for this process.

Like cures like

The second principle of Homeopathy is that is a substance causes particular reactions in a healthy person, it can cure an unhealthy person with similar symptoms. For example, peeling onions causes itching, watery eyes and nose, so is used in treating hayfever and colds in people that produce these symptoms.

Potentization

The third principle is called potentization. This is how homeopathic remedies are made. A substance (from the vegetable, animal or mineral kingdom) is taken and ground up, and then put into water and shaken and diluted again and again many times until the desires potency is reached. In this way poisonous, harmful or inert substances can be used to treat illnesses. There is no crude substance left in the medicine, but the energy of the substance is made available. This is why Homeopathy is known as an energy medicine. This also enables the substance to have no crude and direct side effects on the body.

The Whole picture

The fourth principle is the holistic approach, so when taking a case a Homeopath is interested in all aspects of the individual. This includes emotional and physical traits, past medical history, family medical history as well as personality, hobbies and much more. All this information makes the choice of remedy possible. Homeopathy recognizes that mental, emotional and physical aspects are intimately connected and balance within and between them is vital to the wellbeing of any individual. Illness can manifest on a mental, emotional or physical level, more often it is a combination of them all.

Healing ability

All living creatures have an intelligent healing ability. This healing ability is in all of us. Just as the magnetic force between a magnet and metal can not be seen, so our energy also can not be seen; yet it is definitely there. Homeopathic remedies prescribed by a qualified practitioner, following all guiding principles, stimulate this healing ability. Homeopathy treats the person, not just the illness.

What can Homeopathy treat?

Homeopathy can be effective in any situation where the body/mind is capable of healing itself. Some examples are:

Bowel disorders, menstrual/menopausal ailments, skin ailments, headaches, chronic catarrhal problems, recurring infections.

On an emotional level - anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, anger, lack of self-confidence, sadness and depression.

Homeopathy can treat acute illnesses and problems like: fever, colds, coughs, childhood illnesses, ear infections, sore throats, tummy bugs, bites and stings.

Homeopathy can also be beneficial for those who have signs and symptoms of an illness, but nothing has been revealed during tests carried out by doctors. Homeopathy does not need a label or diagnosis in order to help. The homeopathic prescription is based on a totality of signs and symptoms presented, taking into account all information gathered in a consultation.

Some may wonder if you have to believe in Homeopathy for it to work. It makes no difference. Animals and babies have been teated with Homeopathy with great success, and they are unaware of what Homeopathy is.

Homeopathy for babies and children.

Babies and children repond well and quickly to Homeopathic treatment. Some of the more common ailments parents and carers bring their babies and children for are: recurrent infections of the ears, throat, chest; moluscum contagiosum, chronic catarrh, eczema and tummy upsets.

What can I expect during a consultation?

The first appointment lasts 1 1/2 hours. During this time you will be given the time and space to talk about what you have come for. It is then important to go over your symptoms in more detail in order to get a full and comprehensive totality of your illness. Information is also gathered on past and family medical history, lifestyle, nutrition, sleeping patterns and anything else relevant to you.

You will then either be given a remedy at the end of the consultation or you will be sent a remedy in the post. Remedies are either in chewable pill or liquid form with full instruction on how to take and store the remedy. You may be advised on herbal tinctures and/or nutritional supplements that may help you recovery process.

Follow-up consultation are 1/2 hour to 1 hour long. the responce to your remedy will be analysed in order to know whether to repeate the remedy, give it in a different potency or change the remedy. Again, you will be given plenty of time and space to discuss you illness and responce to the remedy.