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
naturopathic physician or homeopath will need to know not only your
physical symptoms but also as much as possible about yourself and how
your symptoms affect you.
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 form.
What is homeopathy?
In 1796, a German physician, Samuel
Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick which
he called homeopathy ( from the Greek words meaning "similar
suffering"). Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier, he
realized that there were two ways of treating ill health: The way of
opposites (allopathic) and the way of similars (homeopathic).
Take for example a case of insomnia. The
allopathic way is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an
artificial sleep. This frequently involves the use of large or regular
doses of drugs which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.
The homeopathic way is to treat insomnia
by giving 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 used, no side
effects or addictions result.
How does it work?
Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating
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
physician must prescribe the right remedy and the right dosage for you.
What will your naturopathic physician
need to know?
In order to find the right remedy, your
physician will want to know all about you. She/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. Do not be
afraid to mention something that you think is unusual or unimportant and
please help by giving accurate information. Remember that anything you
say is confidential. The initial consultation can sometimes take as long
as an hour.
What will the treatment be like and what
do I have to do?
Your naturopathic physician will give you
a remedy, often in the form of pills which should be allowed to dissolve
under your tongue. Nothing else should be put in your mouth for 30
minutes before or after taking the remedy, not even toothpaste or
cigarettes. Your physician will usually advise you that while having
homeopathic treatment you should not take any coffee or peppermint, or
use eucalyptus oil, camphor, or menthol because these strong-smelling
substances spoil the effect of most homeopathic remedies. For the same
reason, she/he may ask you not to take any other form of medication
without asking first, even over-the-counter medications for colds and
coughs. If you are given homeopathic pills to take at a later date, be
sure to store them in a cool dark place well away from anything with a
strong smell.
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
well-being and optimism.
If you feel worried by any changes that
you notice, contact your naturopathic physician, even if this is shortly
before your next appointment. Whatever your reaction may be, your
physician 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 overnight, but other complaints can get better
quickly. Complicated cases are cured from the inside and working
outward. 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
remedies at home. There are a number of excellent remedies which deal
effectively with first aid problems such as cuts, stings, burns,
bruises, stomachaches, and childhood complaints. Ask your naturopathic
physician for further information or find out more at one of many
courses and seminars on this subject. If any minor complaint does not
respond to your first aid treatment, consult your physician.
[Top]