Homeopathy FAQ
- What is homoeopathy?
- Homeopathy is slow in its action - True or false?
- What are the physical, mental and emotional aspects of homeopathy?
- What is the difference between homeopathy and conventional medicine?
- How does it differ from naturopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine?
- What kind of conditions or diseases can be treated homoeopathically?
- Are homeopathic and biochemic medicines similar?
- Can allopathic medicines be taken along with homeopathic medicines ?
- What is Constitutional Treatment ?
- Are there any side effects of homeopathic medicines?
What is homoeopathy?
There are many ways to answer this question. Fundamentally, homoeopathy is a very unique healing art that stimulates the body's core vitality to rid itself of illness and promote wellness. In a more formal sense, it is a medical system based on a specific set of principles regarding health, illness, cure and pharmacology. It addresses the causes of acute or chronic disease through the use of highly energised substances specifically chosen to match the individual state of the person and stimulate the inner healing forces.
Homeopathy is slow in its action - True or false?
It is a misconception that homeopathy is slow in its action. The action of homeopathic medicine is dependant on various factors like sensitivity of the diseased person, the nature of illness of the person, the pathology of the disease, various other treatment measures taken before resorting to homeopathy, etc. On consideration of the above factors, if the most appropriate homeopathic medicine is selected and administered, the action is fast and beneficial.
What are the physical, mental and emotional aspects of homeopathy?
Homeopathy is based on the philosophy that the body, mind and emotions are not really separate and distinct, but are actually fully integrated. Based on this perspective, a homeopath seeks a remedy that fits all of a patient’s physical and psychological symptoms. Although some people’s symptoms may be complex, a well-trained homeopath will know which symptoms should be specially noted, and can choose an effective, individualized remedy.
Prolonged emotional stress can cause physical problems, like upset stomach, difficulty in digesting foods, poor nutrient assimilation, weaker immune system, sleeplessness, etc. The opposite is also true. Illness and physical problems can result in anxiety or emotional uneasiness. Therefore, it is important for a homeopath to conduct an in-depth interview of a patient to ensure a proper, all encompassing remedy.
What is the difference between homeopathy and conventional medicine?
Homeopathy’s Approach
Homeopathy is based on a"whole person" approach. In homeopathy, the remedy or treatment program is customized and individualized to the patient, with the intent of removing the underlying cause.
Conventional Medicine’s Approach
Conventional (allopathic) medicine usually relies on treating a patient’s physical symptoms. This treatment might also assume a person’s symptoms need to be controlled, suppressed or eliminated.
The difference may be stated in a simple analogy: eradicating the "symptom" of a car’s low oil level (the warning light) does not change, or remedy, the cause of the signal (low-oil).
Goals of the Homeopathic Approach
The Homeopath’s Role as "Detective"
It has been said that the work of the homeopath is to observe the patient, process and reflect on the gathered information, and then determine the underlying disturbance. This process can be thought of as a mystery, wherein the homeopathic "detective" attempts to discover where the flow of energy in the body has been blocked or impeded. Each signal/symptom offered by the patient can be thought of as a clue to determine the correct remedy. The patient’s eye contact, body posture, breathing patterns, voice quality, and expressions are also noted as potential clues. Next, the data must be reconstructed, as it might be in a mystery novel or movie.
When all of the information about the patient’s physical, mental and emotional symptoms has been documented, then the final search for the answer begins. Unlike a detective — or medical physician for that matter — the homeopath’s goal is not only to remove the symptoms, but also to eliminate the essential causal problem by stimulating the body’s natural curative powers. This is the reason for obtaining such a detailed analysis of the patient.
The Homeopathic Treatment
The goal of the homeopathic treatment is to encourage the body to return to a natural state of balance and health. Like the missing pieces of a puzzle, homeopathic medicines help "fill-in" the gaps in the body to stimulate a person’s own healing potential and energies. When this occurs, the person will have access to the body’s natural strength and wisdom, so that more conventional medicines and chemical-based substances may not be needed.
How does it differ from naturopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine?
While homoeopathy and these healing arts are similar in that they do not employ drugs or other conventional medical procedures, each one is also quite distinctive. Naturopathy is a broad term encompassing a host of natural healing arts ranging from nutrition to water cures. Acupuncture is one branch of Oriental Medicine that stimulates and balances the body's energy. Herbal medicine, also known as "Botanical Medicine", uses material doses of plant substances for treatment. homoeopathy is generally considered a natural healing art. It does not originate in the Orient, nor does it use material doses of substances.
What kind of conditions or diseases can be treated homoeopathically?
homoeopathy is applicable to a broad range of maladies including acute inflammations, systemic imbalances, chronic degenerative diseases and mental/emotional disturbances. By its very nature, homoeopathic treatment is not specific to a particular illness, but is directed at the underlying life force of the person suffering from that illness. By addressing this life force, the appropriately chosen remedy effectively addresses that illness.
Are homeopathic and biochemic medicines similar?
No. Biochemic medicines were discovered and prepared by Dr. Shussler. These are triturated up to the potency 12x or 6c and not more than that. This system is based on the principle that diseases strike the human body only when there is an imbalance in the essential salts of the Human body such as calcium chloride or sodium chloride etc. Treatment with these medicines furnishes the salts that are imbalanced and rejuvenates health. Homeopathic medicines can be potentized up to 30c or 200c or 1M, 10M and even 50M and also the principle is different.
Can allopathic medicines be taken along with homeopathic medicines ?
Yes. Certain drugs such as Anti-hypertensives, drugs for cardiac or diabetic disorders need to be continued even with Homeopathic medicines since they are important to life. Others such as anti-biotic if taken for the same complaint that homeopathic treatment is being given may be discontinued with the advice of the homeopathic physician.
What is Constitutional Treatment ?
Your constitution is your ability to resist infections and and your ability to recover quickly from these and any trauma or misfortune, it is your immune system, your state of health and your level of well being.
Treatments recommended for your current complaints will be effective. However to prevent their recurrence and keep you healthy it is advisable to strengthen your constitution with constitutional treatment by a classical homeopath (one who treats the patient as a whole not only the disease).
In the first interview all symptoms are reviewed, physical, mental and emotional, also your history of illnesses and treatments, also family medical history which may indicate any inherited causes.
This full examination on all levels is best done in person but telephone consultations are also successful in finding your constitutional remedy.
Are there any side effects of homeopathic medicines?
It is a very friendly system of treatment and it is well known that homeopathic medicines have no harmful side effects. This fact has stood the test of time and is a strong point of homeopathy. Those who know it always prefer to take homeopathic treatment. However, self-medication, inappropriate use or repetition of doses without the advice of a professional homeopath is not recommended. One should prefer to consult an experienced Homeopath. Remember that medicine is after all a medicine, not a sweet candy.