What is Homeopathy?

Samuel Hahnemann (1755 - 1843) rediscovered this ancient healing principle in 1770, and in his 1796 Essay on a New Principle he consolidated his work and laid the foundation for a complete system of medicine based on similia similibus curentur (‘like’ cures ‘like’). Hahnemann refined his work through careful clinical experiments and, thereby, refined the homeopathic system of medicine at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Homeopathy is an advanced system of medicine that has been widely used all over the world for over two hundred years. Homeopathic medicines can be applied effectively to chronic/long-term conditions, as well as to acute illnesses in adults, children and animals. Homeopathy should not be confused with nutritional therapy or herbal medicine; it has it is a complete system of medicine distinct unto itself. Homeopathy works with The Law of Similars, which is based on the observation that the specific medicine most curative for a patient will be the one that is able to cause a pattern of symptoms similar to the symptoms from which the patient is suffering.

Homeopathy is a truly holistic approach to health and healing -- one that puts the emphasis on the patients rather than the diseases. Homeopathy recognizes that each person responds uniquely to his or her illness and to the environment. The Classical Homeopathic Method seeks to discover the unique characteristics that mark each individual case of illness; in order to do so, a very thorough case-taking procedure essential.

A single homeopathic medicine is carefully selected after the initial case-taking (normally the first visit lasts from 1.5 – 2 hours) and is based on the symptom similarity to the characteristics of the patient and his or her illness. The similarity of the remedy and symptoms presented allows the homeopathic remedy to touch the deep root of disease and allows the body’s innate healing abilities to take over. Since homeopathy acts upon the constitution as a whole, people who become well through homeopathy also finds improvements in their overall health and wellbeing.

Information about the symptoms associated with each individual homeopathic remedy is derived from testing that remedy on the healthy person (known as a 'proving'), as well as through the study of clinically cured cases and the toxicological effects already known about the substance. The remedies themselves are derived from all possible sources, including animal, plant and mineral sources. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by licensed homeopathic pharmaceutical manufacturers and are prepared according to a unique method that renders them entirely safe while preserving the remarkable healing capabilities of the substance.

The practitioner of homeopathy must be well versed in the science of the body in both health and disease. He or she must have a thorough grasp of homeopathic philosophy, case-taking, case analysis and Materia Medica, and the ability to recognize daily obstructions to cures that are found in the diet and lifestyle of their patients.