Philosophy And History Behind Homeopathy

More and more people are turning to alternative medicine to seek cure for their illness and health problems.  WHO estimated that about 60 to 80 % of patients have sought alternative medication.  Homeopathy is one of the alternative methods that uses natural substances for its remedies.

Homeopathy has been practiced for a long period of time.  In Asia, Europe and United Kingdom, homeopathy is widely practiced.  In the United States,  homeopathic practitioners are required to be a licensed doctor and practicing in another medical field.

Birth of Homeopathy

Homeopathy was based on the findings and teachings of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.  He began to practice homeopathy on 1790 based on his experiments. One of his most prominent experiments was during his research on treating malaria-induced fever.  He ate a bark of  the cinchona (South American tree) and discovered that it stimulated similar symptoms to that of malaria stricken patients. He continued experimenting which eventually led to his conclusion that the cure of an illness relies on substances that stimulates the symptoms of an illness.

During the 1800s, Dr. Hahnemann established the first homeopathic school in the United States and was able to gain popularity due to his ability to cure diseases during that period.  During the 1900s, there are already 22 homeopathic schools in the U.S.  There were medical institutions like the Boston University, Stanford University and New York Medical College that started to teach homeopathy.

Eventually, these schools closed down when the drugs and medicines began to be commercially released affecting homeopathy’s popularity. Aside from that mainstream and modern science during that time started to criticize homeopathy.  Physicians to Queen Victoria stated that the small doses or solution drank in homeopathic treatments are useless.

Homeopathy remerged in other countries in Asia, Europe and in the United Kingdom.  It has strong followers in Russia, India, Germany, and South America.  But it is still rebuilding in the United States.  From the past years, homeopathic remedies or medication purchase are seen to increase yearly by 12 to 15%.  Aside from that homeopathic practitioners are not only homeopaths, they are also medical doctors practicing another field, naturopaths, chiropractors, nurses, dentists and even veterinarians.

Philosophy Behind

According to homeopaths, a person who is exposed to a stressor would reach a state in which it would adopt to the stressor.  This state may help the person survive through the ordeal.   Thinking about this, homeopathy believes that those who can adopt to their environment are the healthiest.   If the person who is stressed is suppressed, then it could result into a deeper and with higher risks.


This concept guides homeopaths with their therapies and treatments.  There are times when the patient would turn for the worse while under homeopath treatments.  But this is temporary, it would progress to strengthening of the body and the system.

There are important philosophical principles followed in homeopathy.  The Law of Similars which is in simple terms, what causes the sickness could also cure it is one of its philosophical foundations.  There is also what is called as Hahnemann’s theory of Miasms.  In this theory, diseases may occur within the family and they display patterns.  Disease could also be acquired through life.

Homeopathic Medication For Your Pets

Pets are no longer just animals that you have in your house.  They have played a big role in family relationships, that they are treated as part of the whole family dynamics.  Pets getting sick is something that owners always fret about.  Nowadays, veterinarians are using mostly chemically-laden drugs to cure pets.  However, alternative medication for animals is slowly being recognized, such as homeopathy.

Homeopathy is not the only alternative medication that has found its way on animals.  Other holistic and alternative approaches that could help in improving your animal’s health is acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medication and massage therapy.

Animals could be diagnosed with arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  Oftentimes these sicknesses are dealt with expensive and highly toxic drugs and medication.  Even with the use of these powerful drugs, the animals being treated may develop problems like allergic reactions and other diseases as a side-effect of the medication.

Alternative medicine, homeopathic medication, in particular deals with a safer and alternative method of treating animal health problems. There are different reasons why pet owners would prefer their animal companions to be treated with homeopathy.

• There are no side effects.
• Since the medicines are natural, there is no need for any laboratory trials.
• Symptoms are not suppressed only to reappear later on the animal’s life  bringing more health risks.
• It can be considered as the most humane way of treatment, since the body is being reinforced to combat infections and health problems.

It can easily be administered to the animals since it could be in liquid form that could be mixed with small amount of fresh or warm water.   However, when administering or planning to provide homeopathic remedies to your animal companions, always make sure that there is a veterinarian supervising or present.

Not only are pet owners result into homeopathic treatments.  Veterinarians are also turning to this alternative medicine due to frustrations about recurring sicknesses among animals.  The goof news is that animals respond well to homeopathy.  Some of the common animal illnesses that could be treated with homeopathy are skin allergies, infection of the ear, diabetes, bowel problems, thyroid diseases and other kinds of sicknesses.

With this alternative treatment, veterinarians were able to see that animals do not only get cured of their diseases, they are fast to recover from their condition.  Gently and rapidly, animals were restored back to their healthy life.  For people, homeopathy was able to deal with the overall health of the individual.  It is not only the physical health, but the emotional and mental health also, thus relieving stress. This same effect is also evident among animals. Aside from administering medications, pets are also required to change their diet.  Animals are taught how to eat healthily, along with the pet owners.

If you are looking for a homeopathic veterinarian, then check with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.  They have a list of qualified and professional homeopathic veterinarians by the tate of their location and their field of expertise.

How Homeopathy Aids in Treatment of Children with ADHD

ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), one of the most common mental conditions that develop in children, is an impairment of social functioning in various settings. In the United States, about two million children have ADHD. If your child is one of them, you may want to consider homeopathy as a treatment method for your child’s condition.

Homeopathic ADHD treatment is proven effective. In various trials, homeopathic treatments for patients with ADHD have produced positive results in lessening behavioral problems such as impulsiveness, restlessness, and inattentiveness. The other benefits of using homeopathic medicine to treat ADHD include better concentration, better performance in school, higher self-esteem, better social skills, reduced chances of fatigue, and reduced emotional and mental problems.

Traditional ADHD treatments use stimulant drugs that alter chemicals in the brain to reduce the symptoms of the mental disorder. This is a known side effect of such drugs. Homeopathic treatments work differently. Compared to stimulants, homeopathic remedies do not attempt to suppress the aspects of a child’s behavior. Instead, these remedies work to level out any imbalance in the body in a natural way, of course without changing the chemicals in the brain or the body.

Another difference of homeopathic versus traditional treatments for ADHD is that the former zeroes in on not just the condition itself, but also other symptoms such as recurring colds and ear infections. In addition to that, the homeopathic ADHD treatments are tailored for every patient. One treatment may work for one patient but not for another. And if a patient is prescribed the right treatment, potency, and doses, the risk of side effects is minimal.

Derived from natural sources such as plants and animals, homeopathic medications come in the form of sweet tablets or pills that can be dissolved in the mouth. Thus, these medications are easy to administer to children with ADHD.

Planning to take your child to a homeopath for the treatment? You must first learn what to expect during your initial visit. Usually, first-time consultations take about 30 minutes to 1 hour. It really takes a bit long because the homeopath needs to come up with an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right medication for your child. The homeopathic doctor will try to understand the specific situation of your child by asking extensive questions about your child’s health history.

Also, the homeopath will ask about the immunizations, medications, and supplements that your child is taking. He will also ask additional details on your child’s eating habits, fears, lifestyle, sleep, dreams, and traumas (both physical and emotional). After the interview, the homeopath will take note of physical and behavioral symptoms that he may notice such as rashes, skin color, circles under the eyes. This procedure helps in selecting accurately the homeopathic remedy for your child’s condition. And when the information regarding your child has been compiled, the doctor will prescribe a remedy as well as the dosage, potency, and frequency of taking the medication.

It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the homeopath regarding your child’s medication to avoid complications associated with homeopathy. Also, you will need to set up follow-up appointments so that the progress of your child can be checked. This will determine whether the remedy will be continued or not.

Homeopathy: Its Early Days and Evolution

German chemist and physician Samuel Hahnemann takes the credit for founding an alternative to conventional medicine. More than 200 years ago, Dr. Hahnemann developed a medical system known today as homeopathy. In 1779, Dr. Hahnemann finished his medicine course and started his own practice. He started performing his homeopathic experiments 11 years later, with a humane medical approach in mind. Hahnemann’s disenchantment with some of the inhumane aspects of traditional medicine, such as using toxic substances, blood transfusion, and purging, pushed him to develop an alternative way to treat various illnesses. According to Dr. Hahnemann, the ideal way to cure diseases is to perform it quickly and mildly with permanent and safe results.

Dr. Hahnemann almost ended his medical practice in favor of practicing chemistry and medical translation. He started his efforts in giving better healthcare through the homeopathic principle of similars (or “like cures like”) when he worked on a translation project involving Materia Medica by William Cullen. As he was working on the project, a tree bark called cinchona (which originated from South America) that was used as a remedy for fever induced by malaria sparked his curiosity. Hahnemann discovered later that the bark produced the same symptoms with malaria, and he kept his studies on the idea of similar suffering and cures. Hahnemann’s findings gave birth to the principle similia similibus curentur or like cures like.

In the late 1800s, Hahnemann’s students established the first homeopathic school in the United States. The school earned a good reputation because it succeeded in curing a wide range of diseases that were prevalent during those times such as yellow fever, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and cholera. It was not until almost a century later that the way of treatment advocated by homeopathic medical schools gained much popularity. In the 20th century, homeopathic medicine had become widely used. There were already 100 homeopathic hospitals, 22 homeopathic schools, and over 1,000 homeopathic drug stores during that time. Some of the premiere educational institutions such as New York Medical College, Boston University, and Stanford University also started to teach homeopathic medicine.

However, the popularity of this alternative medical system declined too soon because of the opposition by the American Medical Association. In the early 1920s, modern pharmaceutical companies started manufacturing drugs that are easy to use. Many homeopathic schools closed down as well. These two events led to the declining interest of people in homeopathic medicine, especially in the United States, Asia, and Europe.

Despite that, homeopathic medicine still keeps on growing these days. Nowadays, this medical system is widely used in India, Germany, Russia, South America, Netherlands, England, Switzerland, Italy, and Mexico. In France, most drug stores provide homeopathic medicines and remedies.

Likewise, homeopathic medicines have been reclaiming its former glory in the United States. According to a research conducted by the Virginia-based National Center for Homeopathy, sales of homeopathic remedies increase at about 12 to 15 percent every year. Trainings for would-be homeopathic practitioners are rising in the United States as well.

Becoming A Homeopathic Practitioner

There are different reasons why people would choose to become a homeopath.  For one, homeopathy is all about restoring body balance, improving the immune system and improving overall health by using natural medications.  Those who have experienced the benefits of homeopathy, intend to learn homeopathic therapies so that they would be able to share the medical system that changed their lives.

A homeopathic practitioner is the person who would prescribe and administer homeopathic remedies to the patient.  Homeopathic practitioners are not only knowledgeable in homeopathy, but they are also required by the national government to possess doctor’s license and practice conventional or traditional medicine.  Practitioners are not only prescribing medications, they are also involved in raising patient awareness, teaching patients about proper lifestyle, education patients about proper diet and being an advisor.

It is important to identify if the homeopathic practitioner is a qualified and professional homeopathic practitioner.  There are trainings and education that a practitioner must be able to finish.  Aside from the medical degree, there are also Diploma and Certificate Courses for Homeopathic therapy.

If you are doubtful about the background of the homeopathic practitioner you are going to, you could check the professional licenses with the National Center of Homeopathy, the Council for Certification and the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians, and the American Institute of Homeopathy.

Some myths about homeopathy would say that the doctors and practitioners are like witch doctors.  They would be mixing different natural herbs as remedy and some myths would even say that they would be chanting while mixing the remedies.  This would be the case with some practitioners who are “self-proclaimed” and are not professionals.

In real homeopathic therapy, practitioners would indeed be mixing, diluting and forceful shaking of substances.  This process called potentization is said to be capable of changing the energy in the substance.  This change would eventually help in self-healing.  Self-healing is another important factor in homeopathic therapies, which is why practitioners would always involve patient education.

Training and education would take a lot of time and can be costly.  There are licensing programs and courses which are available for those interested.  There are also homeopathic schools located in different states,  you could check the National Center of Homeopathy for the offices of these schools.

Learning does not end after the training or the certification program, apprenticeship is encouraged.  Working with an established practitioner would surely help you have hands-on experience and learn from the mentor.  Aside from that it is also important to work closely with the dietician and chiropractors.   You could even treat this as a hospital internship.

When building relationship or attending trainings and seminars of other homeopathic practitioners, make sure that you are building relationships with qualified professionals.  As mentioned earlier, there are self-proclaimed homeopaths out there.  Make sure that you would be checking their credentials or at least get references.

Before you start practicing, inquire about state regulations.  Aside from being a licensed doctor and practicing another medical field, there are other regulations which may be different on each state.  You could learn this from the local chapter of the homeopath organization or you could directly consult the national organization for help.

A Brief Guide on Selecting the Best Treatment in Homeopathy

Homeopathy is the second most popular treatment system in the world and is widely accepted as an alternative to traditional medicine. And like its conventional counterpart, homeopathic medicine is used to treat a wide array of medical conditions, from acute conditions such as headaches, colds, and flu to chronic ones such as asthma, cancer, and diabetes. It works on the principle of like cures like, meaning the substances that cause symptoms that are similar to those of healthy people. The second homeopathic principle is using the lowest dosage possible for every treatment.

On the market these days, various types of homeopathic products are available in the form of pills, liquid dilutions, tinctures, and ointments. There are medications that are manufactured for particular age groups such as babies and children, while others can be taken by everyone regardless of age.

Looking for the right homeopathic product to cure your condition? Doing so involves something more than just scanning through the labeling of the products. The following are several pointers to keep in mind before you choose a homeopathic remedy.

1. Familiarize yourself with the basic principles of homeopathic medicine. That way, you are better armed with the knowledge you will need when looking for the right homeopathic treatment for your condition. Read online articles and research that are relevant to the field.

2. List all the symptoms that you are going to cure, taking into consideration everything from head to toe. Factor in other problems such as emotional and mental conditions. Highlight the severe symptoms. Doing an inventory of all your symptoms makes it easier for you to trim down the possible homeopathic remedies for your condition.

3. If you are not sure with a certain homeopathic product, then do not try it. Homeopathic remedies work only when the right ones are taken at the right dosage and potency.

4. Do you have any kind of allergy? Yes, homeopathic medicine is a safe and natural method of treatment, but it may cause an adverse reaction if a homeopathic product contains substances that your body cannot tolerate. It is important that you read carefully the list of ingredients of a certain product to see if one or two of them might cause an allergic reaction. If this is so, look for other remedies.

5. Consider the possible interactions with other medications. While homeopathic remedies are known to work well with other medications, it is best to be on the safe side.

6. To eliminate the guesswork from choosing the correct homeopathic product, you may opt to get those with multiple ingredients or those that are created to treat different conditions. For example, a remedy for flu may contain ingredients that can relieve headache or body pains.

7. Start with a lower potency first and then take remedies with higher potencies gradually.

Resorting to homeopathy can be a wise decision especially if you have chosen the correct remedy that can provide you relief from your condition. It is recommended that you consult your doctor to make informed choices.

Homeopathy and Arthritis Pain

By Sandra Fierling

Homeopathy was discovered by a physician in Germany called Samuel Hahnemann at the end of the 18th Century. It is known as the 'law of similars' or 'like can be cured by like'. These remedies are often toxic (for example the herb belladonna) but they are diluted so much that often only miniscule amounts or sometimes nothing remain. Apparently the higher the dilution, the more effective they are!

It is a form of alternative medicine which has become popular over time and many people swear by its use. Fortunately there are many recognized homeopathic doctors and if you wish to look into this form of treatment if you have arthritis, it is best to visit with a doctor who specializes in homeopathy. This way the doctor can examine you and work out a treatment plan with you and then monitor your progress.

It is also important to know that homeopathic medicine (as with many 'alternative' therapies) is not evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you go regularly to a doctor of your choice for your arthritis, it may be a good idea to ask him his opinion of seeking homeopathic remedies in your particular case.

There are many homeopathic remedies that could help with arthritis in its many forms, depending on which type of pain you experience.

For example, Calcarea Fluorica can be beneficial when the joints of the fingers have become enlarged or when joints crack when moving and a sharp pain is experienced. This remedy is also recommended when warmth provides relief and when changes in the weather can affect arthritis pain adversely.

Another remedy for arthritis is Sulphur. This can be used when joints are not only painful but are itchy with a burning feeling. Also when damp weather causes additional pain and any form of heat means even more soreness.

Arnica is a great remedy to mention. If you have sustained an injury and arthritis has been a result of this, then Arnica could help you. If your arthritis pain is such that you are fearful of being touched because of the increased pain this may cause, then Arnica could be the remedy of choice. Arnica is good for soreness and is a great remedy to keep in the bathroom cabinet even if anyone gets bruised.

As you can see, homeopathy can get very specific when it comes to symptoms. It could also be why it has enjoyed success. Many people swear by it and others think it is hocus pocus!

Find out more about Arthritis And Homeopathy and how it can help. For more resources visit http://arthritisreviews.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Fierling
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Understanding Homeopathy

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine which uses the non-toxic medications to address health problems.  Homeopathy relies on the concept or on the principle called “Law of Similars.”  With this principle, homeopathic medication would allow patients to ingest diluted substances which would trigger the body’s national healing process.

According to the principle of the “Law of Similars,”  the reason why a person is getting sick could also be the source of its cure.   The substances that cause a person to get sick, could be used in small amount to cure the same symptoms.   Currently, more studies are being conducted to give us more understanding on how this principle works.

This field of medicine is widely practiced in Europe, Asia and in the United Kingdom.  Practitioners are licensed and qualified physicians.  Doctors in Europe are using homeopathy to cure illnesses, according to the statistics of Holistic and Homeopathic Resource Center.  In France, about 40% or 18,000 French doctors are using homeopathy, while 20 % of Scottish doctors would have training in homeopathy.  In the United Kingdom, 42% of family doctors would refer patients to homeopaths for complementary therapy.

This alternative system of medicine was established by the German doctor, Dr. Samuel Hahneman.  However, there are studies showing that homeopathy has been used in the United Kingdom for more than two hundred years dating back as early as the Greek civilization.

The remedies used in homeopathic therapies are prepared through a process.  This process is called potentization which involves dilutions that follow strict guidelines.  Potentization process creates an energy change in the substances which would make the remedy more powerful. Homeopathic pharmacies ensure that the remedies offered are consistent which is why there are strict guidelines in dilutions or succussions (strong shaking).  Homeopathic remedies are often said to be safe for pregnant and sensitive patients.

According to The Society Of Homeopaths’ website, there are three ways on how remedies were discovered:

1. The toxicity symptoms.

2. The signature or name of the medicine is based on the affinities or resemblances of the substances with health conditions.

3. There are tests administered to healthy volunteers.  After inducing the medicine, they would be experiencing symptoms which are documented.

The result of these would provide information on what remedy can be matched with the symptoms being exhibited by the patient.  There are homeopathic pharmacies that are authorized and regulated in releasing remedies in dilution or tablet form. The more dilutions and succession a remedy undergoes, the more potent it is.

Homeopaths can cure various diseases, from fevers and simple sore throat to major health problems like eczema, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and even mild depression.  With homeopathic therapy, the doctors would stimulate the patient’s body to regenerate on its own.  The immune system would be increased.

For mild health problems and short-term injuries, homeopathy remedies could be administered on its own, self-care and self- medication would work.  However, for critical cases it is important to get a prescriber’s recommendation for remedy.  Sicknesses and remedies are not identified with just an isolated symptom, it is important to observe the person and its overall symptoms to identify what remedy would best work.

What Is Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a type of alternative medicine that has a long history. It was first proposed by a German physician in 1796 named Samuel Hahnemann. Its purpose is to treat certain physical ailments with the use of heavily diluted preparations that are able to cause the same symptoms as the actual condition.

Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine that is based from the philosophy that interprets physical ailments and diseases as caused by disturbances in the life force. These disturbances in the life force are manifested as physical symptoms. Homeopathy also believes that the life or vital force can react or adapt to the external causes of the symptoms.

Homeopathy History
Homeopathy was first introduced by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician who first proposed its practice in 1796. He first conceived of the idea while translating the medical treatise into German by Scottish physician and chemist William Cullen. It tells of the action of cinchona in malaria. Dr. Hahnemann tried the effects of Dr. Cullen's theory and ingested the bark to determine if it does can cure a fever through its effect of strengthening the stomach. The bark did result in Dr. Hahnemann experiencing fever, joint pain and shivering, the typical symptoms displayed by those who suffer from malaria. But he also noticed that he only experienced few stomach symptoms.

Through his own experience, Dr. Hahnemann theorized that medications used to treat certain diseases produce similar symptoms when taken by healthy individuals. This eventually became the Law of Similars that became the main basis for the practice of homeopathy. It was also Dr. Hahnemann who eventually coined the term "homeopathy" that was first used in a series of printed articles that Dr. Hahnemann wrote in 1807.

Dr. Hahnemann then went on to test out other substances and what possible symptoms they may produce in humans.  This procedure eventually became known as homeopathic proving which involved testing the substances on healthy humans. It was a time consuming process that involved listing all the symptoms experienced by the test subjects and the other conditions that may appear. The exhaustive list became the basis where Dr. Hahnemann then identified substances ideal for treating particular diseases based on the symptoms that they are able to cause on the healthy subjects.

Dr. Hahnemann also believed that large doses of the substances tat would cause the same symptoms may also possibly aggravate the disease or illness. He went on to advocate diluting the substances in minute amounts. He developed a process or method in making dilutions that can still preserve the therapeutic effects of the substances. The extreme dilutions was also believed to help remove the harmful effects of the substances while yet maintaining its beneficial effects.

This in turn became the Principle of Minimum Dose, another principle widely used in the practice of homeopathy. There were other principles developed that came to be the basis for the progress of homeopathy. It eventually gained quite a following among other people looking for an alternative means to treat certain conditions.