Homeopathy

Homoeopathic remedies cannot cause side effects and you cannot become addicted to them. This is because only a very minute amount of the active ingredient is used in a specially prepared form.

What is homoeopathy?

In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick, which he called homoeopathy (from the Greek word meaning “similar suffering”). Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier he realized that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similar.

Take for example, a case of insomnia. The way of opposites is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an artificial sleep. This or regular doses of drugs which frequently involves the use of large or regular doses of drugs which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction. The way of similar, the homoeopathic way, is to give the patient a minute dose of a substance, which in large doses causes sleeplessness in a healthy person. Surprisingly this will enable the patient to sleep naturally. Because of the minute dosage no side effects or addiction will result.

How does it work?

Homoeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body’s own healing power. This power is very great and many complaints heal themselves unaided, but when the healing process is faulty, blocked or slow the homoeopathic remedy acts as a stimulus to the curative powers of the body. To provide this stimulus your homoeopath must prescribe the right remedy and the right dosage for you.

What will your homoeopath need to know?

In order to find the right remedies your homoeopath will want to know all about you. He will ask you many questions about yourself as well as your illness and will also want to know about the health of your family, both present and past. Do not be afraid to mention something that you think is unusual or unimportant and please help by giving accurate information and remember that anything you say is confidential. The initial consultation can sometimes take as long as an hour.

What will the treatment be like and what do I have to do?

Your homoeopath will give you a remedy, often in the form of pills, which should be allowed to dissolve under the tongue. Nothing else should be put in the mouth for 20 minutes before or after taking the remedy, not even toothpaste or cigarettes. Your homoeopath will usually advise you that, while you are having homoeopathic treatment, you should not take any coffee or peppermint, not should you use any eucalyptus oil, camphor, or menthol because these strong smelling substances spoil the effect of most homoeopathic remedies. For the same reason he will ask you not to take any other form of medication – even headache pills or cough and cold medicines. If you are given homoeopathic pills to take at a later date be sure to store them in a cool dark place and well away from anything with a strong smell.

Your homoeopath may ask you to make changes in your diet or habits if he thinks your recovery would be helped by doing so.

What can I expect to happen?

After taking your remedy you should notice some changes. For instance it occasionally happens that your symptoms appear worse for a short time. This is the remedy taking effect and you should feel the beginnings of recovery when this period has passed. Alternatively patients often experience a period of exceptional well-being and optimism.

If you develop a runny cold, a skin rash, or some form of discharge this will probably be the remedy having a “spring cleaning” effect, cleansing the body. These new symptoms will pass away, they must not be treated as they are a very important part of the healing process.

If you feel worried by any changes that you notice, then you should contact your homoeopath straight away, even if this is shortly before your next appointment. Whatever your reaction may be, your homoeopath will need to know; so make a few notes of your changing symptoms as a reminder for you at your next appointment.

How quickly will I be cured?

This depends very much on what sort of illness you have. A very slowly developing complaint, will not disappear over night, but other complaints can get better quickly. Complicated cases are cured from the inside out and from the head down. This means that superficial, outer symptoms, such as skin disorders are often the last symptoms to go. Be patient, it is much better for you to be cured of both the cause of your illness and its symptoms, rather than merely to relieve the symptoms. Every case is different, just as no two patients are alike.