• Why you might like homeopathy
• Homeopathy - the future of health care?
• How was homeopathy discovered?
• How are homeopathic remedies selected?
• How are homeopathic remedies prepared?
• What kinds of conditions can homeopathy treat?
• What about mental and emotional problems?
• Can homeopathy be used during pregnancy and with children?
• Is homeopathy covered by OHIP or MSP?
• How do I find a good homeopathic practitioner?
• What can I expect at my first and subsequent appointments?
• Does anything interfere with homeopathic treatment?

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is energetic medicine. It is not a new age medicine but had a history of about 240 years. It was developed by a German doctor named Samuel Hahnemann, who was very brilliant and dissatisfied with the medicine of the day. He was a real scientist whose powers of observation and abilities to question the methods of the time led him to discover that 'likes cures like.'

What this means is that a substance that has the ability to make us sick in a particular way can also help us heal similar sufferings. The word homeopathy is derived from the Greek 'homoeos'=similar and 'pathos'=suffering. Because the remedies are not drugs but rather, energy derived from specific substances, homeopathy is a very safe type of medicine.

Homeopathy - the future of health care?

Considered by many to be the future of healthcare, homeopathy — known as today’s leading form of energy medicine — is currently in regular use by doctors around the world. Supporters of homeopathy have included members of England’s royal family, seven Catholic popes, and 11 American presidents (including Bill Clinton) who have used it themselves, or have sponsored legislation to allow its practice.

Homeopathy is a highly systematic, scientific method of therapy which stimulates the organism’s own healing process. Homeopathy utilizes specially prepared natural substances originating from minerals, plants and animals, which are prescribed according to unique principles. Homeopathy is actually the second largest system of medicine in the world and the fastest growing, especially in some parts of Asia, Europe and South America. It also experienced great popularity in North America around the turn of the century, when one of six hospitals was a homeopathic hospital.

How was homeopathy discovered?

The principle of homeopathy was first described in early Greek medical writings, but rediscovered and developed to its present form in the late eighteen hundreds by the German physician and scientist Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Disillusioned with the harsh medical treatments of his time, which included the use of heavy metals such as mercury as well as extensive bloodletting, he was inspired to conduct the first true pharmacological experiments on healthy human beings to scientifically test the effects of natural substances on the organism.

He was struck by the discovery that these substances produced symptoms in healthy volunteers, which they were known to cure in sick individuals. Furthermore, every substance tested affected the mind and emotions as well as the body. These experiments became known as ‘provings’, which is not an entirely accurate, but close translation of the German word “Pruefung”. The German word means ‘thorough test’, rather than ‘to proof’.

Provings condtinue to be conducted around the world, constantly expanding the number of useful homeopathic remedies. Provings and other information about the remedies are published as ‘Materia Medica’ (medical material or literature). Practitioners of homeopathy now have access to comprehensive homeopathic literature as well as sophisticated computer systems to assist them in the selection of the best remedy, based on the symptoms the remedy produces and the symptoms the patient experiences.

How are the remedies selected?

Due to the ongoing research in homeopathy there are now over two thousand remedies available for use. It is important that the remedy picture matches the symptoms of the patients as closely as possible on every level, physically, mentally and emotionally.

This requires first of all a very careful interview process with the patients in which every aspect of the patient's current symptoms is explored in great detail. For example, a patient suffering from asthma may experience worsening of symptoms at a certain time of day or night, be better or worse in a certain position or from certain foods etc. Additional information is gathered about the energy level, sleep, dreams, digestion, food preferences and the personality of the patients.

Much attention is paid to any traumatic experiences the patient may have suffered in his or her life, which may be linked to the onset of the present health complaints. Homeopathic remedies are selected with all of these factors in mind, for example, a child who develops panic attacks after having been lost in the woods camping may require a remedy which is used for ailments arising after an intense fright.

How are homeopathic remedies prepared?

Homeopathic remedies are prepared from natural substances, mostly from plants, but also from minerals and some animal substances, such as bee venom. Hahnemann discovered that by progressively diluting the original substance in water and alcohol and by shaking or ‘succussing’ these dilutions their health-giving properties could be maximized while simultaneously rendering them virtually non-toxic.

This process of dilution and agitation of the substances is referred to as ‘potentization’ or ‘dynamization’, with the idea that information from the original substance is somehow stored or imprinted on the water molecules. Water appears to have certain physical properties which allow it to store information, not unlike a magnetic audiotape can store auditory information such as music.

The information stored in the water is then able to effectively interact with the information-processing systems of the human organism, providing information which allows the system to regulate and heal itself. Many homeopathic remedies are diluted or rather ‘potentized’ to the point where none of the original substance remains in the dilution. Those highly potentized remedies are often more effective than lower potencies and one dose of such a remedy can have an effect for weeks or even months by re-programming the organism on a deep level to heal itself.

Even though these principles sound somewhat strange, present day physics, especially quantum physics, offers rational explanations for the well-documented effectiveness of homeopathy.

What kinds of conditions can homeopathy treat?

Actually, homeopathy treats people, not diseases. In homeopathy disease symptoms are understood as manifestations of a deeper, underlying imbalance of the organism which need to be addressed, rather than just suppressing the symptoms. In other words, the symptoms are meaningful to the organism and often an attempt of the organism to heal itself or adjust to certain adverse circumstances. For example, perspiration during heat is an attempt of the body to cool itself, a fever during an infection helps to kill off the invadingorganism, etc.

Homeopathy recognizes and respect each person as a unique individual, rather than as a disease. For instance, ten different migraine sufferers might receive ten different remedies, individually selected based on each person’s unique symptoms and personality.

In general, the range of conditions in which homeopathy can be helpful is very extensive, and include first aid and acute conditions as well as all manners of chronic illness, including allergies, asthma, digestive problems, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, auto-immune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, skin conditions, etc.

What about mental and emotional problems?

Homeopathy addresses the complete person, which naturally includes thought and feeling disorders, such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, rage, unusual impulses, ADD/ADHD and others. Homeopathic practitioners do not judge the person or classify him or her into a category but rather understand that each individual contains a unique energy pattern which gives rise to physical as well as mental symptoms and states. Homeopathy is particularly effective at addressing illnesses arising after emotional traumas such as grief, anger or fright, and is effective in treating children as well as adults. Even animals are effectively treated for emotional shocks with homeopathy.

Can homeopathy be used during pregnancy and for young children?

Homeopathy can be very beneficial for the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Conditions such as morning sickness, threatened miscarriage, difficult labour and other problems can all be treated effectively and with utmost safety, as the remedies are just energy patterns rather than containing pharmacological doses of substances.

Babies and children respond very well to homeopathy and many childhood ailments from teething and colic to earaches and measles can be addressed without reverting to potentially harmful drugs.

Is homeopathy covered by OHIP or MSP?

At the present time homeopathy is not covered under OHIP or MSP. If homeopathy is practiced by a naturopathic doctor or other licensed health care provider most private health insurance plans will cover most or all of the costs of the consultations.

How do I find a good homeopathic practitioner?

At the current time there are a number of homeopathic schools in North America which offer excellent training in homeopathy. In general, the best-trained practitioners tend to be naturopathic doctors with an additional specialization in homeopathy. Naturopathic doctors receive a very thorough medical education and are in the best position to advise a patient on different options for their health care. If homeopathy is considered to be the best choice of treatment, the naturopathic doctor may treat the patient him or herself, or refer to a practitioner who specializes in homeopathy.

However, there are many excellent homeopathic practitioners who are not naturopathic doctors by training. Some chiropractors, medical doctors, nurses and other health care professionals my have specialized training in homeopathy and be excellent practitioners. Look for someone who has completed at least a three-year course, preferably full-time at a reputable school for homeopathy and has been in practice for a few years. A beginner however, can take his or her time and is often very successful as a result. It is generally understood in the profession that at least ten years of experience are needed to be a fully experienced practitioner. If you have had homeopathic treatment without much success please ask your practitioner for a referral to someone who is more experienced.

How can I make the best of my treatment?

In order to prescribe the best homeopathic remedies the practitioner needs to understand the patient in great depth on all levels. The most important element the patient can being to the process of homeopathic care is self-observation of him or herself as well as of children if they are to be treated. Patients need to be attentive of subtle changes in their being, including their mental and emotional state and their dreams. Patience and perseverance are also very helpful; it can take some time to really understand a very complex human being and we are all very complex, on a deep level, which is not easily done in an hour or two. Sometimes the first remedy is not correct, mostly because of lack of information for the practitioner. With ongoing care and more opportunity to understand the patient better there is a greater possibility that the best remedy will be found.

What can I expect at my first and subsequent appointments?

The first appointment is generally at least 11/2 to 2 hours in length, but I can break it up into two sessions . I will take a very careful health and personal history during this time. Treatment is generally not started on the first visit as homeopathy is very complex and additional time is often required to study the case in order to find the correct remedy. The first follow-up is usually within two weeks, then about every months to six weeks until the problem is resolved.

Does anything interfere with Homeopathy?

Remedies can sometimes be antidoted, which means that the effect of the remedy is interfered with. This can happen in several ways:

• Coffee: Coffee can frequently, but not always antidote remedies, not due to the caffeine but rather due to other medicinal ingredients in coffee beans. Until you can be sure that the remedy is working it is advisable not to drink coffee.
• Camphor: The vapours of camphor which is use in different skin and cold preparations may antidote remedies. It is best to avoid deep heat rubs, Ben Gay, Tiger Balm, some cosmetics, certain throat lozenges etc. Smelling these substances can be enough to antidote the remedy.
• Allopathic drugs (Conventional drugs): Most of these medications are designed to suppress symptoms rather than address underlying imbalances, which can weaken the natural healing ability of the organism and may antidote the remedy. If you are on conventional drugs however, please do not stop them without close supervision of your medical doctor and homeopathic practitioner, usually the remedies will still work if prescribed in a certain way and you may slowly improve to the point where you can reduce or discontinue your regular medication.
• Routine dental work: Drilling and perhaps some of the chemicals used in dental work can antidote remedies, therefore please let your practitioner know if you recently have or are about to undergo dental work in order for this to be taken into consideration.
• Acute infections: An acute infections such as a bad flu may antidote a remedy which has just been given shortly before the infection. Then the constitutional remedy may need to be repeated after the acute condition has cleared.
• Excessive stress: Stress and trauma can weaken the vital force and therefor the person may not be able to respond as well to the homeopathic remedy. Lifestyle changes and stress management may be needed in order to improve the response to the remedies. At the same time, good homeopathy can often reduce the amount of stress experienced by the patient, or may give them the needed strength to make necessary changes in his or her life.