How Does Homeopathy Work?
How does homeopathy work? It uses a small amount of a substance that could cause disease, to stimulate our bodies to protect us from that disease.
ON THIS PAGE:
History of Homeopathy
Homeopathy and the Law of Similars
Why Homeopathy Uses Latin Names
The Path to Health
How Homeopathic Remedies are Made
No Animal Testing; Are Remedies Vegan.
What Happens During Homeopathic Treatment
No Side Effects
What to Expect after Treatment
Over-the-Counter Homeopathic Remedies
More Information about Homeopathy
History of Homeopathy
 Homeopathy is a complete and scientific form of natural medicine. It is sometimes spelled ‘homoeopathy’; this is the older spelling.
It was created, in its modern form, around 200 years ago by Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor. The principles of homeopathy originate many years before that, some 2000 years ago, at the time of the ancient Greek culture. Homeopathy works on the principle of ‘let like be cured by like’. This means that what a substance is capable of causing, it can also cure.
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Homeopathy and the Law of Similars
Homeopathy resembles, but is not identical to, immunisation. Homeopathy uses a small amount of a substance that can cause disease, to stimulate our bodies to protect us from that disease. Hence, onions make your eyes run, and homeopathic onion can be used to help hay fever. Hayfever is not caused by onions, but the symptoms are similar! Foxglove can be harmful to the heart, and homeopathic foxglove can help the heart. Heart disease is not usually due to foxglove poisoning, but the symptoms are similar.
Homeopathy is medicine based on the principle of similars. Contrast homeopathy with ‘allopathy’, the principle of opposites, which is the basis of most modern medicine.
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Homeopathy Uses Latin Remedy Names
Homeopathy (homoeopathy) comes from Greek words meaning ‘like, similar’ and ‘suffering, illness’. However, at the time Hahnemann was formulating the system of modern homeopathy, Latin was the universal language of medicine and science. We write the principle of ‘like cures like’ in Latin: ‘similia similibus curentur’.
Homeopaths also use Latin for the names of homeopathic remedies. We don’t do this to confuse you! We find it helpful because it is a universal language that can be used by homeopaths in every country. Many of the names become abbreviated in common use, for example ‘Gelsemium Sempervivum’ (a flu and nerve remedy) becomes ‘Gels’. ‘Pulsatilla’ (often used in children’s illnesses) becomes ‘Puls’. You will soon find it quite easy to recognise the names.
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Homeopathy is a Path to Health
Some people think the word ‘homeopathy’ sounds as if it is made of the words ‘home’ and ‘path’. This is a useful way to think of it. Homeopathy takes us on a path home, to a state of health and happiness – a path you have already begun by reading this.
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How Homeopathic Remedies are Made
 Your homeopathic remedy is usually a small pill or tablet, based on lactose or sucrose, but liquid formulations are also used.
Any substance can be used in homeopathy, whether vegetable (eg. herbs), animal (eg. snake or wasp venom), or mineral (eg. metals, stones or salts).
Unlike conventional medicines or even herbs, all homeopathic medicines are safe and without side-effects, when used according to instructions.
We use many thousands of different homeopathic medicines, and each is available in a range of potencies.
Laboratory Conditions
Only tiny amounts are used, and the remedies are prepared under strict conditions, in specialist laboratories. There are several homeopathic laboratories in the UK, and many more around the world.
The usual process is this:
- 1 part (unit) of the original substance is mixed with 99 parts (units) of a neutral substance. This makes a dilution of 1 part in 100.
- This mixture is not only diluted, it is also vigorously shaken, known as ‘succussion’. The kinetic energy imparted, changes the mixture from a simple dilution.
- At the end of this process, the mixture is termed the ‘first centesimal potency’. This is written as ‘1C’.
- One part (unit) of this mixture is again mixed with 99 parts of a neutral substance, and succussed. This is the second centesimal potency, written as ‘2C’.
- This serial dilution and succussion is repeated as many times as necessary to produce the desired potency. The most commonly used potencies in the UK are: 6C; 12C; 30C; 200C; IM (=1000C).
- If the process uses a dilution of 1 part in 10, it is termed a ‘decimal potency’. For example, the third decimal potency is written as ‘3X’ or ‘3D’. Decimal potencies are common in France and Germany.
- LM potencies are liquid homeopathic potencies using a dilution of 1 part in 50,000. They are particularly gentle and easy for the patient to control.
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No Animal Testing Used in Homeopathy
 No animal testing is used in homeopathy, and most remedies are vegan in origin. Vegetarians/vegans can opt not to use any of the animal-derived remedies. Even most of the animal-derived remedies are made without hurting or killing any animal; they use animal fur or feathers, milks, or poisons. However, there are exceptions, so please ask if this concerns you.
If you are lactose-intolerant, or prefer not to use lactose (milk sugar), please request lactose-free formulations. Lactose may be used in the initial stages of preparing any remedy, as it is considered a neutral substance. However, the finished tablet or pill may be lactose or sucrose.
Remedies are also available as powders or liquids.
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What Happens During
Homeopathic Treatment?
Treating the Whole Person
Good quality constitutional homeopathic treatment treats you as a whole person. In homeopathy, we understand that each symptom on the surface originates in a deeper imbalance within. Your symptoms are a guide to the nature of that underlying imbalance.
Your remedy is individually chosen to mirror as many of your symptoms as possible. In this way, we aim to match the deeper state of imbalance. The correctly chosen remedy can activate and support your own healing, in body, mind and spirit.
Also read
How to Take Homeopathic Remedies
A guide to getting the best results, from over-the-counter remedies and treatment by your homeopath.
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No Side Effects
As homeopathic remedies are not chemical in nature, they cannot cause ‘side effects’. A ‘side effect’ is an unwanted action of a medicine, on a part of the body for which it was not intended. As homeopathic remedies treat all of you, this cannot happen.
However, your body may produce natural reactions during healing.
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What to Expect after Treatment
Short-term or acute symptoms can resolve extremely quickly. In treating a cough, for example, I look for significant improvement in 24 – 48 hours.
Long-term or chronic problems may resolve more slowly, I look for significant improvement (maybe not 100%) in a month.
Symptoms may change from more distressing to less distressing, become less frequent, or be less influenced by outside circumstances.
You may experience ‘detox’ symptoms as your body gets to grips with old problems, for example, going to the toilet more frequently, a headache of a cold.
It is common to feel greater well-being, energy and relaxation.
As your natural health and energy improve, old symptoms may return, and heal naturally.
The exact way that your symptoms change is a guide to the direction of healing, and may also be a guide to further remedies needed.
also read
How to Take Homeopathic Remedies
A guide to getting the best results, from over-the-counter remedies and treatment by your homeopath.
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Over the Counter Remedies
 All this is very different from the effect of over-the-counter remedies. These are usually taken for specific problems, in fact the law now permits some of them to be labelled with conditions they can be used for. Unlike a constitutional remedy from a homeopath, they are not individually tailored for the whole person. They work best on short-term or acute problems. They are unlikely to effect a long-term cure.
Never take ANY homeopathic remedy for more than 1 month without supervision from a registered homeopath. Do not be disappointed if over-the-counter remedies do not give the results you want. They are not a substitute for qualified advice.
If you are receiving homeopathic treatment, please do not use other homeopathic remedies without discussing it with your homeopath: it may affect the treatment.
You can learn to use homeopathy yourself!
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More Information
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© 2006 Helen Swan, R.S.Hom., 28 Collapark, Totnes, TQ9 5LN, England.
Website designed by ID&T, Totnes. www.idat.co.uk
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