Homeopathic Medicine
Using remedies according to “The Law of Similars” to help stimulate the body to heal itself and re-establish balance.
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed in the eighteenth century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Unlike conventional medicine where drugs are given to work against the body and its symptoms, homeopathic remedies work with the body to help stimulate the body to heal itself.
In medicine, there are two basic ways for treating ill health a) the way of opposites; and b) the way of similars. Consider a patient with a cough. The way of opposites is to use anti-cough drugs that suppress the cough. The way of similars (homeopathy) is to give a medicine to help the body recover from the cough. A homeopathic substance that will cause a cough in healthy persons can cure a similar cough and restore health in the ill patient.
Uniqueness is important in Homeopathy. For example, conventional medicine treats all coughs alike. In homeopathy, how you distinctively express the cough is important to your treatment, as are the other symptoms associated with your cough. All of the symptoms you experience are important to help your Naturopathic doctor select the correct homeopathic medicine for you.
To help your naturopathic doctor identify the appropriate homeopathic medicine, accurate observation and reporting of your symptoms is essential. Here are topics that you can think about before your homeopathic visit:
• unusual symptoms and the characteristics of your illness
• the pattern of your symptoms and the cause of your illness
• anything that makes your symptoms better or worse (other than drugs)
• your level of energy and what effects it
• how your energy changes during a normal day
• your body's response to weather
• your sleep position and patterns
• recurrent dreams
• foods that you especially like, dislike, or that effect you
• your thirst and fluid intake
• your bodily functions (menses, elimination)
• your personality
Homeopathic medicines are made from plant, animal or mineral products, which are highly diluted so there is no chance of toxicity. The remedy prescribed is in the minimum dosage required to allow healing to take place. After taking the homeopathic remedy, your symptoms may become worse before they improve. The worsening is usually a good sign that the medicine is working in order to restore your health. If this occurs, please contact your Naturopathic doctor.