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 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
and the way of similars.
Take
for example, a case of insomnia. The way of opposites (conventional
medicine or allopathy), 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
way of similars, the homeopathic way, is to give the patient
a minute dose of a substance, such as coffee, which in large
doses causes sleeplessness in a healthy person. Perhaps
surprisingly, this will help the patient to sleep naturally.
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.
Your
homeopath will give you a homeopathic medicine or remedy
that matches your symptoms as you experience them, as well
individual characteristics: emotional and physical.
How
Does It Work?
Homeopathic
medicines work by stimulating the body's own immune system.
This stimulus will assist your own system to clear itself
of any expression of imbalance. The aim is to get you to
a level of health so that you will not need frequent treatment.
What
Will Your Homeopath Need to Know?
In
order to find the right remedy for you as an individual,
your homeopath will need to know all about you. A detailed
understanding of who you are, what your complaints are,
and how you experience them, is needed to accurately assess
your case. So anything you can tell your homeopath that
is typical of who you are will help this process. Finding
out about your general energy level, your past medical history
and the way you live are also important. Anything you say
will be treated in the strictest confidence. The initial
consultation may take up to two hours.
What
Will the Treatment Be Like?
Your
homeopath will give you a homeopathic remedy, usually in
the form of tablets or powders, which should be allowed
to dissolve in your mouth; or you will be given a liquid
remedy with instructions.
Please tell your homeopath about any medicine or supplement
that you are taking.
Other
treatments may affect your homeopathic treatment. Please
do not take any form of medication, including homeopathic
remedies, without first consulting with your homeopath.
If you develop a cold, headache, or any symptoms that concern
you, please discuss them with your homeopath, who can give
you advice and first aid assistance.
What
Will Happen Once Treatment Starts?
After
taking your remedy you might notice some changes. Some patients
experience a period of exceptional well being and optimism.
Sometimes your symptoms appear to get worse for a short
time. This is a good sign that the remedy is taking effect.
Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of discharge may appear
as a 'spring cleaning' effect which means your system is
going through a cleaning stage. Similarly, old symptoms
can reappear, usually for a short period. These symptoms
will pass, and must not be treated, as they are a very important
part of the healing process. If any response to your treatment
concerns you, contact your homeopath as soon as you can,
as it is important to know what happens as treatment progresses.
You might also want to make notes of any changes and take
them with you to discuss at your next appointment.
How
Long Does the Treatment Take?
This
depends very much on what sort of illness you have, as well
as the other individual characteristics of your case. Your
homeopath will typically only be able to predict treatment
time after observing your response to homeopathic medicines.
A slowly developing complaint, or one that you've experienced
for many years, may not disappear immediately although an
initial response an early improvement often occur. With
acute (short-term) ailments this can be very fast indeed
often just minutes.
Homeopathy
cures from the inside, and often outer symptoms such as
a skin complaint, are the last to clear. Be patient! In
the long term it is much better for you to be cured of both
the cause of the illness and its symptoms, rather than merely
relieving or suppressing the symptoms. Remember that every
case is different, and no two patients are alike.
What About Diet and Life-Style?
A
homeopath will ask you about your usual diet and lifestyle,
and may suggest changes, especially if it seems that these
factors contribute to your illness.
What
About Seeing a General Practitioner?
We
recommend that you should maintain your relationship with
your GP. Your GP will be able to arrange any tests or X-rays
you may need. Homeopathy has an alternative philosophy but
by working in this way with your GP the two systems of health
care can provide complementary services.
The
way to Natural Health with Homeopathy
She
has conducted a double-blind clinical trial on the effect of
homeopathic medicine on thought interference (difficulty concentrating
and focusing), nervousness and anxiety. 
