"Homeopathy is an effective and scientific system of healing
which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It recognizes
that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole
person and that it is the patient who needs treatment not the disease.
Different people react in different ways to the same
illness and in order to find the correct remedy. Your homeopath will need to
know not only your physical symptoms but also as much as possible about
yourself, your background, and your lifestyle.
Homeopathic remedies cannot cause side effects and
you cannot become addicted to them. This is because only a very
minute amount of the active ingredient is used in a specially
prepared formula, paralleling the illness; that's the beauty of
homeopathy, the illness and the remedy are one and the same. Voila.
What is
homeopathy?
In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann,
discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick which he called
homeopathy- from the Greek word meaning "similar suffering". Like
Hippocrates two thousand years earlier he realized that there were two ways
of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similars.
Take for example, a case of insomnia. The
way of opposites is to threat this by giving a drug to bring on an
artificial sleep. This involves the use of large or regular doses of drugs
which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.
The way of similars, the homeopathic way,
is to give the patient a minute dose of a substance which in large doses
causes sleeplessness in a healthy person. Surprisingly, this will enable the
patient to sleep naturally. Because of the minute dosage no side effects or
addictions will result.
How does it work?
Homeopathic remedies work by stimulation
the body's own healing power. This power is very great and many complaints
heal themselves unaided, but when the healing process is faulty, blocked or
slow, the homeopathic remedy acts as a stimulus to the curative powers of
the body. To provide this stimulus, your homeopath must prescribe the right
remedy and the right dosage for you.
What will your homeopath need to know?
In order to find the right remedy your
homeopath will want to know all about you. He will ask you many questions
about yourself as well as your illness and will also want to know about the
health of your family, both present and past. Don't be afraid to mention
something that you think is unusual or unimportant and please help by giving
accurate information and remember that anything you say is confidential.
This initial consultation can sometimes take as long as an hour.
What will the
treatment be like and what do I have to do?
Your homeopath will give you a remedy,
often in the form of pills which should be allowed to dissolve under the
tongue. Nothing else should be put in the mouth for 20 minutes before or
after taking the remedy, not even toothpaste or cigarettes. Your homeopath
will usually advise that, while you are having homeopathic treatment, you
should not take any coffee or peppermint, nor should you use any eucalyptus
oil, camphor, or menthol because these strong smelling substances spoil the
effect of most homeopathic remedies. For the same reason he will ask you not
to take any other form of medication- even headache pills or cough and cold
medicines. If you are given homeopathic pills to take at a later date be
sure to store them in a cool dark place and well away from anything with a
strong smell.
Your homeopath may ask you to make changes
in your diet or habits if he thinks your recovery would be helped by doing
so.
What can I expect
to happen?
After taking your remedy you should notice
some changes. For instance it occasionally happens that your symptoms appear
worse for a short time. This is the remedy taking effect and you should feel
the beginnings of recovery when this period has passed. Alternatively
patients often experience a period of exceptional well- being and optimism.
If you develop a runny cold, a skin rash, or some form of discharge this
will probably be the remedy having a "spring cleaning" effect cleansing the
body. These new symptoms will pass away, they must not be treated as they
are a very important part of the healing process.
If you feel worried by any changes that you
notice, then you should contact your homeopath straight away, even if this
is shortly before your next appointment. Whatever your reaction may be, your
homeopath will need to know; so make a few notes of your changing symptoms
as a reminder for you at your next appointment.
How quickly will I
be cured?
This depends very much on what sort of
illness you have. A very slowly developing complaint, such as a stomach
ulcer, will not disappear over night, but other complaints can get better
quickly. Complicated cases are cured from the inside out and from the head
down. This means that superficial, outer symptoms, such as skin disorders
are often the last symptoms to go. Be patient, it is much better for you to
be cured of both the cause of your illness and its symptoms, rather than
merely to relieve the symptoms. Every case is different, just as no two
patients are alike.
Can I treat myself
with homeopathic remedies?
You can learn to use some homeopathic
remedy at home. There are a number of excellent remedies which deal
effectively with first aid problems such as cuts, stings, burns, bruises and
stomach aches. Ask your homeopath for further information or find out more
at one of the many courses and seminars on this subject, that are held
throughout the country. You should not of course, attempt to treat any
serious complaint yourself and if any apparently minor complaint does not
respond to your first aid treatment you should consult your homeopath
immediately.
Published by the Society of Homeopaths, the
professional body for practicing Homeopaths in 1983.
