Homeopathy is holistic system of medicine that treats the person as a whole, rather than focusing on a diseased part or an illness.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared through a series of dilutions, with vigorous shaking (succession) to achieve the minimum dose which, none the less, has the maximum therapeutic effect with the fewest side effects.
Homeopathic remedies are medicines, prepared from natural substances, mostly plants, minerals and animals.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses various plants and minerals in very small doses (micro- doses) to stimulate the healing system of the body by gently boosting the natural energy of the body. It is suitable for everyone, and is also used in veterinary practice for animals. Homeopathy focuses on the individual, concentrating on treating specific physical and emotional symptoms for long lasting benefits.
Homeopathy: the word is derived from the Greek word “Homoios”, which means similar and “Pathos” which means disease, or suffering. It is based on ‘Law of Similia’ or ‘like cures like’. This means a substance when given to healthy individuals produces certain set of symptoms, is capable of treating the similar set of symptoms in a diseased person.
Homeopathy has been widely practiced in Europe and Asia for over 200 years. It was discovered by a German Physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. In 1790 while translating medical text from English to German he came across an article about Cinchona being used for the treatment of malaria due to its astringent property. Hahnemann as a chemist was aware of many other substances with more powerful astringent property which did not work in the treatment of Malaria. He decided to investigate and started experimenting by dosing himself with Cinchona when he was in a complete good health. To his astonishment he started having fever with chills, symptoms similar to malaria despite the fact he did not have that disease. The symptoms recurred each time he took a dose of cinchona and would disappear if he did not take a dose. This made him wonder if cinchona was used in the treatment of malaria because it was capable of producing similar symptoms in a healthy person. He experimented with many other substances on himself and other healthy individuals which were used in a treatment at that time. He meticulously recorded all the symptoms, and this led to discovery of homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies are prepared from natural substances
Homeopathic remedies are medicines, prepared from natural substances, mostly plants, minerals and animals, under US FDA guidelines. However, Homeopathy is not herbal medicine. Homeopathic medicines of herbal origins are precisely manufactured to potentized substance far beyond herbal origin, according to the standards set forth in the homeopathic pharmacopoeia of United States.
“Like cures like”
A substance, when given to a healthy individual produces certain set of symptoms; same substance (minute dosage) can treat those same symptoms when they appear in a sick person.
Treatment
In homeopathy, the treatment is based on totality and uniqueness of the person, along with the specific condition or the disease.
Initial visit
The Initial consultation is between an hour to an hour and half. It involves detailed intake of the mental and physical symptoms, including the patient past and family history. All the symptoms of the patient are recorded and analyzed. The practitioner selects the specific medicine and the potency /dosage after considering the symptoms and the constitution of the patient.
Follow ups
Follow up visits are after a month of the initial consultation and last 30-45 minutes. The medicine dosage and potency are adjusted and optimized at the follow up visits for a better healing process.
Medication/ Medicines
Homeopathic medicines are available in pellets, globules, and liquid form. The medicines work sublingually, so it is advised not to take anything by mouth 15 minutes before or after the medicine to avoid any interference with the action of the medicine. Substances like mint, gum or mint toothpaste may affect the efficacy of these medicines, so talk to your practitioner about it.