What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a medical science developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician. It is based on the principle that “like cures like”. This means that any substance, which can produce symptoms in a healthy person, can cure similar symptoms in a person who is sick. This idea is referred to as the “Law of Similars“ and was understood by Aristotle and Hippocrates. Hahnemann took this and developed it into a science of healing. He then went on to document his work and his texts formed the foundations of Homeopathic medicine as it is practised today.

Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that uses highly diluted (potentised) doses of substances to stimulate your body’s own healing ability and promote health. The use of homeopathic medicines (referred to as remedies) is based on this “Law of Similars“, Similia Similibus Curantur, or let ‘likes be cured by likes’. This is the discovery that a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person can be used to cure those same symptoms in illness. The first Homeopathic principle states that any substance that can make you ill can also cure you – anything that is capable of producing symptoms of disease in a healthy person can cure those symptoms in a sick person.

Homeopathy treats the whole person

Everything in the body is connected, so physical and mental symptoms are expressions of a core imbalance. Symptoms, diseases and pain do not exist in isolation, they can reflect how the body is coping with stress and Homeopathy addresses this core imbalance.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathic treatment identifies the similarity between the effects of the original substance in healthy people and the pattern of illness in the individual. It is the similarity that is essential. Homeopathy treats the causes of the symptoms which involves obtaining a complete and detailed description of the patient and the illness. This forms thse basis of the consultation.

Many people come to a Homeopath for ‘constitutional treatment’ to improve their overall health without having a particular health complaint. The value of constitutional treatment is that it boosts the weak constitution and decreases its susceptibility to disease.

Homeopathic Research

For further reading and a wealth of information on Homeopathic research click on this website Homeopathy Research Institute. HRI is an innovative international charity created to address the need for high quality scientific research in homeopathy.