What is Homeopathy?

In Homeopathy we recognize that all the “symptoms” a person is experiencing, the way that they act, they way that they feel, they way they are expressing themselves are all interconnected and are the expression of the individual. In homeopathy a client is seen as an individual with a unique symptom profile, they are not seen as a person with a “disease” and thus approached with a “one size fits all” pharmaceutical drug. Each person experiences their illness or disease in a different way and this is where the homeopath must work, to find the exact remedy which will match this individual’s expressions as no two persons with the same illness will necessarily receive the same homeopathic remedy. The ‘symptoms” a client is experiencing are the body’s natural way of attempting to restore balance. For example, when you have the flu and you have a high temperature, this is the immune system’s way of increasing the temperature to destabilize the virus and get rid of it. Or when you have a cold and your nose is running and you are sneezing, this is your body’s attempt to flush out the contagion.  In homeopathy a remedy is selected to support the symptoms and to support the immune system in doing its job, simply bringing it back to balance, rather than opposing the symptoms or suppressing them, which generally leads to more serious problems. 

The principles of homeopathy are actually even older than those attributed to the great father of medicine, Hippocrates.  Dr. Hahnemann, a German physician living in the early 1800s is considered to be the “inventor” of homeopathy after he was greatly disillusioned by the medical practices of the day.  Today the use of homeopathy is becoming more and more popular, especially throughout Europe where it is no longer considered an “alternative medicine” but an integral part of mainstream health care. The movement is smaller here in the United States, but more physicians and families are turning to homeopathy for a more natural and safe way of dealing with illness and for maintaining optimum health. Because of 200 years of clinical experience and because of research published in medical journals such as The Lancet, and the British Medical Journal, more people are understanding the confirmed effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.

A homeopath seeks to make a recommendation to assist you in your healing process through learning as much as possible about what is characteristic about you and the way you live in your world. In order to understand what is most characteristic about you, you will first be given the opportunity to speak as much as possible about what troubles you and then your homeopath will ask questions to elicit more details about your mental, emotional, physical, and general states, as well as about what events might have preceded these states and what causes them to change for the better or worse.  You may be surprised by the depth and variety of questions asked and wonder how they pertain to your complaints. Rest assured that each and every detail sought by your homeopath can assist her in understanding you as a whole person, not only from the perspective of a disease diagnosis. Questions you may be asked may cover anything, from head to toe, inside and out, conventionally diagnosed or simply felt by you. Specific information may be asked about sensations you feel, how you are affected by your symptoms, your emotions and other ways in which you experience a sense of limitation or dis-ease.  Homeopathy draws information from many sources and you may be asked about certain body language or gestures you use that you have not thought about before. You will also be asked to recall significant dreams –either recent or past. There is no need to prepare for your first appointment. The only information you may be asked that may require preparation is that which pertains to your past medical history and medication: accidents, illnesses and chronic conditions, including their treatment and your response to the treatment; especially note any illness or treatment (including vaccinations or dental work) you have never been well since. A list of medications you are taking, the potency and dosage can be helpful. Your family medical history may be asked about as well (your parents, siblings, grandparents). In the case of children, the homeopath will want to know as much as possible about the family background and the mother’s state during pregnancy and delivery. Any pertinent information about a child can be e-mailed in advance to assist in giving the homeopath background information that may be most appropriately conveyed away outside the child’s presence. At the end of the interview you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that may have arisen for you during the process.  

If you would like to understand more about how homeopathy works, what the remedies are made from, how they are prepared, and what to expect when taking a remedy, here are a number of books and websites that have clear information.     

Recommended Websites 

www.hahnemannlabs.com/faq.html 

www.homeopathic.org/introduction.htm    

Recommended Books   

Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines: Safe and Effective Remedies for you and your family. By Stephen Cummings, M.D., and Dana Ullman, MPH.     

The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. By Miranda Castro.    

Homeopathic Medicine at Home: Natural remedies for everyday ailments and minor injuries.  By Maesimund B. Panos, M.D. and Jane Heimlich.    

The American Institute of Homeopathy Handbook for Parents. By Edward Shalts, M.D., D.Ht.       

Recommended source for purchasing homeopathic remedies  

Hahnemann Laboratories, Inc. 1940 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901  

Monday-Friday --- 9am-1pm & 2pm - 6pm Tel 1.888.427-6422