Homeopathy is a system of medicine in the same sense as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese medicine, and Western medicine. It is typically viewed as an alternative to Western medicine. Extremely diluted amounts of natural substances derived from plants, animals and minerals are used to stimulate the body and bring it back into balance so that it may heal itself.
The Start of Homeopathy
The system of medicine known as homeopathy was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician and medical translator. He is highly regarded by most homeopathic physicians. Dr. Hahnemann rejected the medical theories and practices of his time, which included using leeches for bloodletting and purging. He believed these so-called therapies increased sickness and disease rather than improve them. He developed the idea that if a full strength substance causes a myriad of symptoms in a healthy person, that the same substance taken in extremely diluted amounts by a sick person would cure those symptoms. This is known as the Law of Similars.
The Law of Similars
The Law of Similars is the primary principle upon which homeopathy was founded. You may hear this referred to as "Like Cures Like." The idea is often a difficult one to grasp, especially to those so grounded in Western medicine. It is much like the principle behind immunization, however, only purely natural substances are used to ward off symptoms in homeopathy.
The Law of Potency
Another founding principle behind homeopathy is the Law of Potency. This law states that the more times a substance is diluted, the more potent it becomes. In other words, the remedy actually becomes stronger each time it is diluted. In homeopathy, less is definitely more. This idea is very contradictory to the idea that more is more, believed by practitioners of Western medicine.
Preparing Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic pharmaceutical companies prepare remedies according to very rigorous standards. The substance is first extracted from the plant, animal, or mineral using alcohol. The undiluted substance is called the Mother Tincture. One drop of this tincture is then diluted with 99 drops of double distilled purified water. This first dilution has been diluted 100 times and given the potency of 1C. The diluted remedy is then shaken by machine or hand in a process called succussion. This step is called potentization since the succession actually potentiates the action of the substance.
The diluted and potentized solution is then diluted again one drop to 99 drops. The Mother Tincture has now been diluted 10,000 times and is given the potency of 2C. Succussion takes place again in the same manner. This procedure is repeated until the desired potency is reached.
Choosing a Homeopathic Remedy
To choose the best homeopathic remedy for each case, the practitioner will prioritize the symptoms from most to least important. A book called a Repertory is then consulted to determine which remedies match the noted symptoms. He will also consult the Materia Medica, which lists the symptoms sorted by remedy. The practitioner will recommend the remedy that best covers the totality of the symptoms.
References
- "Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing;" Gary Null, Ph.D.; 2005
- "Homeopathy, Herbal Remedies and Nutritional Supplements;" Ellen Feingold, MD; 2008
- The Society of Homeopaths: What is homeopathy?
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