About Homeopathic Medicine
Introduction
Homeopathy is a safe, natural form of
medicine, based on the practice of treating like with like. Homeopathy is
derived from the Greek words homios, meaning like or similar, and italios,
meaning suffering.
Homeopathy is concerned with treating
the whole person rather than the illness alone. The homeopath will consider the
patient as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into account
the patient's physical appearance, their likes, dislikes and their temperament.
It is there fore a highly personalized form of treatment, so patients who
apparently suffer from the same ill ness may be given advice for different
medicines.
Homeopathy is a well established form of
healing. Today many of the leading pharmaceutical companies are researching and
mass-producing homeopathic medicines.
Homeopathic
Medicines
Homeopathic medicines look very much
like conventional medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work
is entirely different.
The medicines are not synthetic and are
derived from natural sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared
from vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from naturally
occurring mineral substances, including metals, non-metallic substances, and
mineral salts. Animal sources of homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the
ink or juice provides sepia) and Honeybee.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared by
obtaining the remedy in its most concentrated form, and then, through a long
process of dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to
effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the dilution of the
remedy and is denoted by the number which follows the name of the medicine
itself. The higher the number, the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy
to one trillion parts dilutant).
Homeopathic
Medicines
Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred
to as remedies, may come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some
common remedies include: arnica
Homeopathic remedies today are produced
using the same dilution principles as in Hahnemann's day. In a common dilution
of 1:100, one drop of the homeopathic substance is added to 99 drops of water
and/or alcohol. The mixture is then potentized by a process called
"succussion" - repeated tapping on a hard surface for a specific
length of time. Remedies may be diluted up to 1000 times, leaving only an
infinitesimal trace of the substance. Remedies are typically diluted 10, 100,
or 1,000 times, which translate into potencies that are marked with the Roman
numerals X, C, and M. Homeopathic remedies range from 6X as the lowest potency
to 1M or more as the highest potency.
Remedies can be taken orally in pill,
powder, or drop form, rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side
effects from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can experience what is
called a "healing aggravation," a temporary accentuation of symptoms.
This is seen as a positive sign that the remedy is working. Depending on the
severity of the symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces
the opposite effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another homeopathic
remedy, or a strong substance, such as perfume, camphor, or coffee, which are
known to block the effects of a remedy.
In the
Safety
of Homeopathic Medicines
Because of the very, very small doses
used in homeopathic treatment, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive
and have no unwanted side effects. The curative properties of the remedies are
released even in extremely high dilution‹and render the medicine completely
safe for the treatment of both children and babies.
Always consult a practitioner before
buying homeopathic remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of
the reach of all children.
Where dosing instructions have been
followed, no case of toxic action has ever been reported in association with
homeopathic medicines.
Receiving
Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathic treatment is practiced by
fully qualified Health Practitioners who understand the philosophy of
homeopathic medicine's well as patients' emotional and daily situations.
While some homeopathic medicines are
readily available in both regular pharmacies and health stores, you MUST
consult your homeopathic practitioner before attempting treatment for any
serious ailment or illness.
If you are currently on medication for a serious medical or psychological condition, you should NOT stop taking your medication in order to start homeopathic treatment. Your practitioner will advise you on the best course of treatment, often working with your internist or therapist.
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