A Guide to Homeopathy: The Fundamental Principles and Approach

Have you ever seen someone getting cured by tiny dosages of natural medicine? that’s homeopathy, the system of medicine that treats people on the principle of natural substances, working on the body’s healing abilities by activating them. This blog discusses the basic concept, its potential benefits, and the place of homeopathy in modern health care.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a medical system that originated in Germany more than 200 years ago. It is based on two theories: “Like cures like” and “Law of minimum dose.” This means, the medicine enters the body to activate the internal healing environment and boost the immune system to heal the health condition. 

Homeopathy operates on a diagnostic system that varies from conventional medicine in assigning the treatment and considers clinical patterns of signs and symptoms. Each individual is treated individually, and even for the same condition, one person receives one treatment, and another person may receive a completely different treatment. This is because the homeopathic doctors prescribe the treatment based on the root cause of the health issue. 

Homeopathic medicines are derived from plants, minerals, or animals. These products are often made as sugar pellets, ointments, gels, drops, creams, or tablets. The preparation of these substances involves rigorous dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking), which homeopaths believe transfers the “energy” or “life force” of the original substance to the diluent, which is usually water or alcohol.

Homeopathy dictates treatment for a whole body and not only specific symptoms. A homeopathic doctor will consider the physical, mental, and psychic state of being before he/she chooses the most appropriate remedy for you.

What is the Meaning of Homeopathy?

Homeo is derived from the Greek “homoios,” which means “similar” or “like.”
Pathy, on the other hand, comes from the Greek word pathos, meaning “suffering” or “disease.” This stays true and conveys the meaning of  “like treating like.”

Who is the father of Homeopathy​?

“Samuel Hahnemann” is widely acknowledged as the “father of homeopathy.” A German physician, he propounded the principles of homeopathy during the last two decades of the 18th century and the first decade of the 19th century. He was the first to propound the principles “like cures like” and to elaborate on a system for preparing and administering very highly diluted remedies.

How does homeopathy work?

Homeopathy works on the principle of treating the root cause of any health issue. The world we live in today has undergone genetic mutations. Most of the health issues are carried forward in the genes. The environment we live in triggers the immune system and disrupts the quality of life. 

With homeopathic medicines, the doctors aim in treating the root cause of the health issue by healing the internal systems of the body and not just treating the root cause. This results in guaranteed healing. 

What are the conditions treated by homeopathy?

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine system that has been administered to patients suffering from varied conditions, ranging from acute common cold and flu to chronic allergies and asthma, anxiety, and arthritis. Some of the common conditions treated by homeopaths include:

• Acute Illnesses: Colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, earaches, headaches, digestive upsets, and minor injuries.
• Chronic diseases: Allergies, asthma, eczema, arthritis, migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.
• Women’s health issues: This includes menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, and infertility.
• Health issues in children: Bedwetting and teething difficulties and behavioral problems.

Does homeopathy work​ efficiently?

This is a topic of much debate within the scientific community regarding the effectiveness of homeopathy.

Arguments for homeopathy usually focus more on anecdotal evidence and testimonials. Scientific studies also suggest that homeopathy can treat both acute conditions like the common cold and chronic conditions that include allergies and anxiety. The patients prefer the individualized approach in homeopathy because the treatments are done solely according to the needs of the patient.

What are the benefits of homeopathy?

Some of the potential benefits of homeopathy include:

• Holistic Treatment: Homeopathy views the human as a unit of body, mind, and spirit, thus looking after the totality of the individual instead of targeting specific symptoms of disease.
• Minimally Invasive Treatment: Solutions obtained through homeopathy are well-diluted, thus regarded as harmless with fewer side effects.
• It works at the root level: Homeopathy will treat the cause of the disease, not just the presenting symptoms.
• Tailor-made Treatment: Every patient receives an individually formulated treatment based on specific symptoms and constitution.
• Boost Immunity: Homeopathic treatment is said to arouse the body’s own defensive power and increase its resistance against disease.
• Chronic Condition Relief: Homeopathy can offer some relief in chronic conditions like allergies, asthma, and anxiety.
• Use as an Add-on Therapy: Homeopathy can be done together with the conventional treatment that is already being received.
• Safe for Children: Homeopathic drugs are said to be harmless and safe for use in children and infants.
• Can Treat Many Ailments: Homeopathy is used in treating a range of conditions, from acute to chronic.
• Used to Prevent Diseases: Homeopathy may be used for the prevention of a disease as a way of increasing the body’s resistance.

Homeopathy vs Ayurveda

Homeopathy and Ayurvedic are the go-to options for patients who do not want to undergo surgeries or take English medicines. Here are some differentiators between homeopathy and ayurvedic treatment. 

Does homeopathy have side effects?

It is proven that homeopathy medicines have no side effects at all. If taken in the dosages prescribed by homeopathic doctors, it boosts the internal environment of the body and ensures thorough healing. It can be administered to old people, children, and even pregnant women. 

Homeopathy presents a unique and individualized way of helping towards health stimulated by inherent healing processes within the body. Despite the still-evolving scientific evidence, many people have practical experiences that are positive with the use of homeopathic remedies. The principle that treatment should include the whole person’s physical, mental, or emotional condition distinguishes homeopathy from conventional medicine. Homeopathy holds a lot of promise as more of a supportive and efficient contributor to a general medical care approach.