Homeopathy: What Is It and Does It Work?
Homeopathy or homeopathic medicine was developed in Germany well over 200 years ago. It was developed by Samuel Hahnemann at the end of the 18th century and has been practiced in the US since the early 19th century. Homeopathy is also widely used in India, England, and many other European countries.
Homeopathy is an alternative medical philosophy based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Homeopathic practitioners use it for a variety of health concerns. It is based on two primary principles: similars and dilutions.
Homeopathy – The Principle of Similars
In homeopathic philosophy, the principle holds that a substance that produces certain symptoms in a healthy person may be used in highly diluted form for a person experiencing similar symptoms. I think of it as “like cures like.”
In other words, you would take a homeopathic remedy that produces the same symptoms you have to enhance your body’s own self-regulatory system. The law of similarity seeks to stimulate the ability of the body to heal itself. Our bodies have an innate intelligence or wisdom. The symptoms that occur in the body are how the body chooses to respond to a stressor or a situation. The symptom is how the body is compensating. Bringing the body back to balance by using a similar method is another way to understand it.
Homeopathy actually comes from the Greek words meaning “similar” (homo) and “disease” (pathos). The idea of similars goes back to Hippocrates, where it originated. It was then further developed by Samuel Hahnemann after he ingested cinchona bark, a popular treatment for malaria. Samuel found that when he took the cinchona bark, he actually developed the symptoms of malaria. This experience contributed to Hahnemann’s theory that a substance capable of producing certain symptoms in a healthy person could, in highly diluted form, be used for someone experiencing similar symptoms.
Homeopathy – The Principle of Dilutions
The principle of dilutions or “law of minimum dose” states that the lower the dose of the homeopathic remedy, the greater its effectiveness. The dilution of the substances is performed in a certain manner. Each substance is diluted many times and shaken vigorously in between the dilutions.
In Homeopathy, this dilution process is known as “potentization”. Homeopaths believe that the final substance contains the “imprint” or “essence” of the original substance in the final diluted remedy. Most of the homeopathic remedies are so diluted that no molecules of the original healing substance remain.
Many critics of homeopathy believe that there is so little active substance left in a solution that any benefits from taking the solution are highly unlikely to have an effect. These critics feel that the benefit is more of a placebo effect. On the other hand, the supporters of homeopathy believe that although these solutions are highly diluted, they actually contain a “memory” of the original substance in water. The body recognizes this substance and reacts to it.
Homeopathic Remedies and Treatments
Homeopathic remedies are designed and based on an individual’s current physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. An initial visit can be lengthy because the homeopathic remedies are specific to each person.
It is very common in homeopathy that individuals with the same health concern will often receive different remedies because their individual symptoms may vary.
All homeopathic remedies are derived from natural substances. These substances come from plants, minerals, or animals. I know many of you have heard of some of the more common homeopathics like arnica and rhus tox.
People use homeopathic remedies for many different health concerns, including allergies, arthritis, asthma, fatigue, digestive concerns, headaches, and skin concerns.
Homeopathic remedies are prepared according to the guidelines of the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS). Homeopathic products sold in the United States are subject to FDA requirements, but no homeopathic products are currently FDA-approved. View more information from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health on homeopathy in the USA.