What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a gentle yet effective form of healing based on principles that have evolved through the observation of nature, and the testing of information using materials derived from plants, animals, and minerals. Find out what homeopathic remedies to use for Common Illnesses - Children and Animals or Contact Lyndall for the Classes on Homeopathy. - Suggested reading - Book List

History of Homeopathy

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The ideologies underlying homeopathic thinking were identified as far back as Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C., and the practice of homeopathy is based on the work of Samuel Hahnemann who first published his theories 200 years ago.

Homeopathic remedies are made by a process that dilutes the potency of substances thereby rendering them non-toxic and safe. In the early 1800's Homeopathy rose to prominence in Europe after Hahnemann's successful treatment of victims of the great typhus epidemic in Leipzig that followed the Napoleonic campaigns. The reputation of homeopathy further increased in 1831, when cholera swept through central Europe. With cholera, mortality rates varied between 2.4% and 21.1% for homeopathy verses 50% or more with conventional medicine. Homeopathy continued to out perform conventional medicine in epidemics and during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 the mortality rate of conventional medicine was 25 to 30% and that of homeopathy was less than 1%.

Because homeopathic remedies were actually less dangerous than those of nineteenth-century medical orthodoxy, many medical practitioners began using them. At the turn of the twentieth century, homeopathy had about 14,000 practitioners and 22 schools in the United States. Even though the visibility of Homeopathic treatment has decreased in modern day, medical doctors, health practitioners of all kinds, and last but not least patients throughout the world are turning to this alternative form of health care mostly because they believe that it is at least a safe form of medicine. In India alone, 54% of medical practitioners prescribe homoeopathic medicines and in Germany 20% of Medical Practitioners and 90% of Veterinarians use Homeopathy. In the UK there are 5 Homeopathic hospitals run by the British Natural Health Service. In 1992 study found that 42% of British Medical Doctors refer their patients to Homeopathic treatment, and in 2001, 20% of Scottish GP’s had been trained in homeopathy. Unfortunately, few medical doctors in Australia use Homeopathy in their practice, however an estimated 1.2% of the Australian population do use these medicines.

Great Britain's Royal Family, Mahatma Gandhi, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., Tina Turner, and Yehudi Menuhin don't have much in common, except for the fact that they all have been strong supporters of homeopathic medicine. There is one simple reason that these and other respected individuals the world over have supported homeopathic medicine — it works.

In a study published in 2006, 6,500 patients treated at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital showed that over 70% of follow-up patients reported an improvement to their health following treatment. A wide range of chronic diseases were treated including eczema, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, arthritis, and chronic fatique syndrome. Many of the patients in the study had been referred for homeopathy by their doctors because conventional medicine had failed to help.

How Disease forms from a Homeopathic Point of View

Disease develops though a process of time, stress, blocked energy, traumas etc. In most cases we are born with a high state of health. As we progress through life we will suffer from different forms of stress, for example, an ear infection suppressed with antibiotics, a sinus problem, an injury or a fright. Each incident changes us. We then go through puberty, which again changes us, hormonal problems, child birth, death of those close to us, illness, accidents etc.etc. All these incidents cause invisible emotional, or physical layers to form over our original state of health. A person can also inherit problems the the genetic line, and from the womb before birth. Daily life will present each and every one of us with particular problems. It is how we deal with these problems that determines our state of health both mental and physical. Homeopathic remedies appear to be able to assist us in being able to see our reactions to stressful situations in perspective thus enabling us to be calmer, which in turn holds our physical body in a more balanced state.

A Homeopathic prescription is tailor made for each individual. When one talks in depth with several people who have headaches, it becomes apparent that there are obvious differences between them. One person hurts in the front part of the head, another hurts in the back part. One person has it worse on the left, another on the right. One person says it worsens when moving, another says when lying down. One person likes putting a heating pad on his head, while another prefers an ice pack.

Upon further questioning one discovers that some people with headaches have accompanying digestive problems, while others have dizziness, others have a sore throat, and still others have a backache. No single remedy will cure all headaches.

Sometimes, the homeopath may need to try several remedies to fix the particular layer. There is a homeopathic remedy for every illness. It is up to the homeopath to find your individual remedy. The more information you can give the better, even if it appears unimportant as all details assist in determining the correct remedy for you

When we have strong emotional reactions our natural defence mechanism is lowered, allowing illness to enter. A simple example is: Someone say's something nasty to you. You are angry, hurt, upset. Your mind is shocked. The bodies defences go down, followed by your energy, (this may all happen in a split second) and then you have no resistance, and in comes a cold, or the flu etc. Overcoming this habitual emotional pattern is hard to do, as it is all happening on a subconscious level in the mind. If you don't heal the reaction within, then every time this type of thing happens, you will come down with an illness, or loose your energy etc etc. Homeopathic remedies appear to have the ability to assist the body to become conscious of its true and natural centre. A homeopath will try to get rid of these layers by prescribing different remedies, starting with the current problem and working back through your past problems with the aim you returning you to good health.

There are many styles of Homeopathic prescribing, and Homeopaths often differ in their approach to prescribing. One way is to work out a remedy on the symptoms that appear. Such as a sore hand, or headache. This way of prescribing often cures the problem for the time being, but it will often reappear and the underlying problem will continue without giving relief. The second way of prescribing is to look deeper into the person to find out just why the physical problem has occurred. The homeopath still takes into account the external symptoms, e.g. Arthritis, etc. but also looks deeper to try to find the original cause of the physical problems. By prescribing a remedy in this way the homeopath hopes to cure the problem from the root cause. If the remedy chosen is the correct one, then the person should start to feel a lot calmer, and more contented within themselves. This calmness then flows out onto the outer physical body resulting in better health etc. Often, through things that happen through life, such as grief, anger, accidents etc. a series of homeopathic remedies might be needed to clear out the problem, from within. As each layer is cleared away, the person will feel more energetic and happier. There is a homeopathic remedy for every illness. It is up to the homeopath to find your individual remedy. The more information you can give the better, even if it appears unimportant. All details assist in determining the correct remedy for you.

Another way of using homeopathic remedies is similar to regular prescriptions given by your Dr. or Chemist. These remedies are given for Acute problems. An example of this is the remedy Arnica, which is given for bruises or a sprained leg. It will work miraculously in almost 100% of cases, yet it will not access the deeper subconscious problems unless it is the particular remedy needed for the individual.

More information on using Homeopathic remedies for Acute or First aid conditions for: Children - Animals - First Aid

What is the difference between homeopathy and Naturopathy?

Is Homeopathy Safe?

Homeopathy and Naturopathy use similar ingredients. They are derived from plant, mineral or animal sources. The difference between the two is that the quantity of active ingredient in homeopathic medicine is infinitesimal. This is the reason why homeopathic remedies are non toxic. Homeopathic remedies have been tested over the past 200 years on the old, the pregnant and the new born. They are given in minute doses to avoid unwanted side effects, making them extremely safe to use. The aim of a homeopathic remedy is to stimulate the body’s own natural healing ability.

Homeopathic remedies can be taken along side Conventional Drugs.

Throughout history medical practitioners have turned to plants and minerals to find remedies for curing various diseases. Homeopathic remedies are effective in treating chronic as well as acute conditions and can remedy both physical, emotional as well as spiritual imbalances.

What to expect

Health Management is a combined effort of practitioner and patient. Both the patient and the practitioner need to be dedicated and committed to achieve the end result of ongoing good health.

Homeopathic remedies can be taken alongside conventional medicine and do not replace orthodox medical advice.

Prior to your initial Consultation you will be asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire about your general health, current problems, medical history, your likes and dislikes, food-cravings and aversions etc.

What types of illness can Homeopathy help?

Childhood illnesses: Sore ears, measles, chicken pox, runny noses, colic sleep problems. Teething, ADD, and other behaviour problems.

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Acute conditions: Coughs, colds, boils, etc.

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Chronic ailments: Asthma, Arthritis, Rheumatism, aches and pains etc.

Hormone Problems, PMS, Menopause etc.

Homeopathic medicines are made from a variety of sources, such as plants, animals and minerals. They are prepared according to strict guidelines set out in international pharmacopoeias.

Treatments and precautions

Homeopathic medicines can be in the form of liquid, granules, powder or tablets. Your practitioner might also advise general lifestyle and dietary changes as part of a treatment plan.

Sometimes symptoms may temporarily get worse before they get better. This 'aggravation' of symptoms can be part of the homeopathic treatment. However, you should tell your homeopath should you have these reactions. Your homeopath may refer you to a doctor or other healthcare practitioner if necessary.

You should tell your doctor if you are planning to start a course of homeopathic treatment for your condition. (However, unfortunately, you may not hear a positive response). Never stop taking conventional drugs without the knowledge and approval of your doctor. You must also tell your homeopath what conventional drugs you are taking.

Choose a qualified and registered practitioner for ongoing or chronic illness.