Homeopathy

Origins and historical development :

As far back as 100 BC and the writings of Hippocrates, reference can be found to the close resemblances between symptom-complexes of diseases and the symptom-complexes produced by drugs on healthy people. In the early 1500’s the Swiss Doctor, Paracelsus, suggested that plants and natural substances were fundamental to healing. He wrote the ‘Doctrine of Signatures’ in which he stated that a plant’s appearance and the substances it contains can indicate which conditions it can treat. These ideas were further developed by the German Doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, who in 1976 was translating a book on medicine that can be taken from Peruvian bark (cinchona officinalis). ‘Quinine’ was used to treat malaria, but Hahnemann was fascinated by the fact that if this same plant extract was taken by someone who did not have malaria, they would develop the disease’s symptoms.

After numerous experiments on himself and volunteers, Hahnemann concluded that the most successful drug for any given condition would be a diluted form of the drug which can cause the symptom-complex of the patient. The drug with the symptomatology that most closely resembles the condition is preferred – the simillimum. Thus, the generalisation of ‘like should be treated with like’ was now taken from folk law (such as rubbing snow on chilblains) and became the foundation for Hahnemann’s homeopathy; from the Greek homoios (same / similar) and pathos (suffering / disease). The treatments work by subtly stimulating the immune system to fight disease and heal the body. In 1810 Hahnemann published his theories titled ‘An Organon of Rational Medicine’. Word quickly spread and in the 1820’s 2 American Doctors were inspired to investigate homeopathy themselves. Dr Constantine Hering wrote ‘The Laws of the Direction of Cure’; where symptoms move down from the top of the body, outward from the inside and from the most important organs to the least important; obvious problems heal first which in turn allows the deeply rooted, longer standing complaints to be treated. Dr James Tyler Kent, however, categorised people into ‘Constitutional Types’; claiming that different people respond better to different types of remedies and understanding these types would assist in choosing the best remedy for a patient where 2 or more remedies would be suitable for the condition in question.

Homeopathic remedies are made from plant, mineral and animal extracts, soaked in alcohol and distilled water before being strained. The ‘tincture’ liquid collected is diluted successively in alcohol to the required potency and then (usually) added to lactose tablets. The remedies taste sweet and dissolve quickly. Hahnemann had observed that while side effects were diminished through dilution of the remedy by washing away any impurities, ironically the more specific and profound the medicinal effect became too. He therefore developed his ‘Laws of Potentization’, where a remedy is potentized by diluting it either on the decimal scale (1:10) or the centesimal scale (1:100).

In the late 19th Century the British Doctor Richard Hughes attempted to bring homeopathy and conventional medicine closer together, by rejecting the concept of constitutional types and insisting that the physical symptoms and nature of the disease itself were more important than an holistic approach. Whereas classical homeopaths sought the perfect match for the condition and patient type, administering a single remedy in high potency doses; Hughes recommended low potency doses of various homeopathic remedies, often in conjunction with herbal extracts, to target particular organs. Nowadays, many practitioners use both systems.

Homeopathy is one of the most popular and well known complementary therapies with a strong following in Europe, Australia and India; and it is gaining increased faith and interest in America.

What to expect during a treatment :

First visit to a homeopath may take in excess of an hour while the practitioner takes a detailed history about the patient’s lifestyle, diet and health; as well as the health of relatives. From the information gathered the practitioner will then suggest the most suitable remedy. Short term illnesses (such as colds) can improve after just a single dose. Longer term treatment plans may call for a period of monthly sessions to monitor progress and adjust the remedies appropriately. However, once signs of improvement can be seen the remedy has theoretically fulfilled its role in stimulating the immune system to enhance the healing process.

It is worth noting that occasionally symptoms may slightly worsen after the introduction of a homeopathic remedy; or a different complaint may occur as the initial problem begins to clear up. This is part of the healing process where the remedy is stimulating the immune system by slightly worsening the symptoms; or where one condition being cleared results in another surfacing.

Conditions suitable for treatment :

An holistic therapy suitable for general well being, homeopathy is also recommended for coughs and colds, stomach and digestive problems, joint complaints, respiratory conditions, hormonal imbalances, allergic reactions, burns and shock.