Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine commonly used in Australia and around the world. It originated in Germany and was created by Samuel Hahnemann in 1796; it claims to stimulate a healing response from the body and strengthens the ability to heal itself.
The word Homeopathy is derived from two Greek words “Homios” meaning “similar” and “Pathos” which means “suffering”. It is said that those who practice it claim that it is a holistic system of medicine based on the theory that a substance that causes the symptoms of disease in healthy people would cure similar symptoms in sick people, treating “like for like”.
Homeopathic medicines are prescribed to treat people as unique individuals; to determine a treatment plan for a person they take into account the physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Personality, lifestyle, hereditary factors and history of the disease are also discussed and considered. A patient may have a complaint that they want treatment for but this complaint may be the body’s reaction to a trigger from something else. Homeopathy is about identifying and treating the primary cause.
Homeopathic medicines are made from a variety of different sources including plants, animals and minerals. The medicines are considered safe with no adverse reactions. They can be in a liquid/granule/tablet or powder form. Dietary and lifestyle changes are also part of the treatment.
The preparation of Homeopathic medicines is repeated dilution of medicinal substance with double-distilled water and a vigorous shaking of the mixture to activate the medicinal effects. This process is known as “Potentization”. After this process is complete there is no chemical trace left only the qualities of the original substance.
Homeopathy has been said to help with painful conditions by activation of the body’s anti-pain mechanisms. It has been used for treatment of Asthma, Chrone’s disease, Rheumatism and Sinusitis to name a few.
It is believed that Homeopathy is a system of medicine similar to immunization. It slow to act and symptoms may get worse before they get better but it is said that the action is much safer and deeper acting and results last longer by energising the body’s curative powers that that of conventional medicine.
The effectiveness of Homeopathy is yet to be proven by medical science. Homeopathic medicines are not a replacement for conventional medicines/treatment for diseases and/or infectors. All medical treatments, whether conventional or alternative, have the potential to interact with each other so discuss it with your doctor before starting a course of Homeopathic treatment for you condition. Always discuss any medication with your Homeopath and never stop taking conventional medicine/drugs without knowledge/ approval from your doctor.
