What Is Homeopathy?
You may have heard about homeopathy. Or may even have been a beneficiary. But do you know what it exactly is? Keep reading to find out. It is a system of therapeutics which Dr. Samuel Hahnemann developed in the late 17th century.It is based on the belief that diluted amounts of plants and minerals help the body heal and repair itself. The German Physician, Dr. Hahnemann, believed in the natural law of healing. And hence, founded homeopathy by using something in its natural form.
How Does It Work?
"Likes cure likes". In simpler words, something that brings on symptoms in a healthy person can (in a small amount) treat an illness with similar symptoms. This is because it works by triggering the body’s natural defenses.
For example- Homeopathic doctors dilute certain ingredients by adding water or alcohol. The product is then shaken to activate its properties. This process is repeated until the desired potency is achieved.
Additionally, homeopaths believe that the smaller the dose, the greater its effectiveness. This comes from the principle of dilution and shaking called succussion. Therefore, the importance of potentisation is very significant in homeopathy. It is often indicated in three ways:
- X or D (Decimal dilution scale) An ingredient is mixed with distilled water or alcohol with a ratio of 1:10.
- C (Centesimal dilution scale) One part ingredient to 100 parts of water or alcohol in the ratio of 1:100.
- Q (Quinquagintimillesimal scale) One part ingredient to 50,000 parts of water or alcohol.
To sum it up, homeopathy is based on three fundamental principles.
- The likes of similars - “like cures like” theory.
- The principle of single remedy - One remedy should cover all emotional, physical, and mental symptoms.
- The principle of minimum dose- The treatment must start with a minimum quantity.
Homeopathy is very holistic and covers a wide scope. Each person is treated as unique and prescribed a cure based on their mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Overall, the practice is used globally by over 200 million, people to treat acute and chronic conditions.
The plants and minerals used for homeopathic treatments stimulate a patient’s vitality and healing force to remove the deep-seated, long-standing symptoms. A typical example is red onions. These make your eyes water and are used in homeopathy to cure allergies. Other common ingredients used in homeopathy treatments include:
- Chamomile
- Aloe vera
- Arnica
- Hypericum
This practice combats diseases by strengthening the human body’s defense mechanism. Furthermore, these are complementary and can be taken alongside conventional medicines. These are not directed at only curing the problem. Instead, homeopathy focuses on the root of the matter and heals it.
What Can It Help With?
Homeopathy treats an extensive range of conditions, including physical and mental concerns. The list includes:
- Allergies
- Migraines
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bruises and scrapes
- Nausea
- Cough and cold
- Headaches and toothaches
- Asthma
- Ear infections
- High blood pressure
- Skin infections
The key to homeopathy lies in finding the right treatment for each individual. There can be hundreds of cures for headaches, but each won’t universally work for everyone.
What to expect?
If you are willing to try homeopathy, you must be prepared for your first visit. A practitioner will generally ask about specific health conditions, well-being, emotional health, lifestyle, and Diet and Nutrition. The questions may sound like this:
- What kind of symptoms are you having?
- How long have you been experiencing these?
- What time of the day do these occur?
- And much more.
Based on your interaction, a homeopath decides the course of treatment. This can often take the form of remedies given as a pill, tincture, or capsule. Additionally, a patient may also be asked to attend one or more follow-up appointments for their concern.
Safety Concerns
Generally, homeopathic remedies are very safe. However, the risk of adverse side effects from taking these remedies is very small. Some ingredients might not be suitable for specific people or may interfere with the action of other medicines.
Homeopathy Vs Naturopathy
While these may appear similar, they are not the same thing. Naturopathy combines many different types of treatments. These come from lifestyle changes, exercise therapy, psychotherapy, and herbal supplements.
Should You Try Homeopathy?
The practice is widely used by over 200 million people worldwide. However, the preference to opt for it differs from individual to individual. Therefore, one should always do their homework with proper research before leaping into the process.
Homeopathic medicines come in different forms, such as tablets, liquid drops, gels, creams, and sugar pellets. Although most of these are harmless, there is no rigorous evidence of their effectiveness.
Find a Homeopathic Doctor Near You
Homeopathy uses a very personal approach. This is because the effects of treatment can have different implications for each individual. Hence, the best way to go about it is to consult a reputed, qualified doctor. Doing so ensures that your treatment starts the right way.
So, if you want to opt for homeopathic treatment, here are the details of the best homeopathic doctors near you.
