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 montana, from the Leopard's bane
plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant; calcarea,
calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish
ink; and the element, sulphur.

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 United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938,
working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to
produce and update their reference book of homeopathic
medicines. Over the years, the FDA has classified homeopathic
medicines as either prescription or more commonly as
non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their
strength. In the United Kingdom, homeopathic medicine has been
part of the National Health Service (NHS) since it began in
1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS.
Homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter or by

prescription.

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.