Classical Homeopathy – One Therapy Used In Naturopathic Medicine
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Homeopathy is a unique system of medicine where homeopathic remedies are prescribed
based on the patient’s totality of symptoms. This means that the physical symptoms
are considered, along with mental and emotional symptoms, and inherited traits.
Three patients with the same illness will likely each require a different homeopathic
remedy.
Though homeopathy is not that well known in North America, it has been used for
generations in Europe and some other countries. Mahatma Ghandi was an avid supporter
of homeopathy, as is the British royal family to this day. In France over 30% of
regular medical doctors use homeopathy in their everyday practice and remedies can
be purchased at the corner drugstore. There are over 2000 different homeopathic
remedies. Each is a micro dilution of either a plant, mineral or animal substance
prepared by a homeopathic pharmacy according to a stringent protocol. Remedies are
typically dispensed in the form of either granules or drops. The goal of the homeopathic
doctor is to find the remedy that matches the patient’s condition and constitution.
Everyone is endowed with a particular constitution with inborn susceptibilities
to various diseases and health problems. This constitution is unique to each of
us and can be studied by the naturopathic physician who researches clear and precise
signs found in the person’s history. When the correct remedy or sequence of remedies
is prescribed, the patient experiences enhanced health on all levels, and inherited
or acquired tendencies to health problems can be eliminated or minimized. Taking
the indicated remedy is like flipping a switch, which turns on the body’s internal
self- regulating and self-healing mechanisms. Homeopathy stimulates the body’s natural
defense system by re-establishing normal immune system and cell functioning.
Homeopathy is effective in treating both acute and chronic health problems. In most
acute ailments, homeopathic remedies work as quickly as, and often faster than conventional
medications. Having an acute pain disappear within minutes after taking the remedy
has to be experienced to be believed. The length of time required to successfully
treat a chronic problem varies greatly, depending on the length of time the disorder
has persisted, the nature of the disorder and the inherent reaction of each individual
to the disease. Hence, homeopathy’s unique approach provides relief from temporary
disorders and also offers in-depth healing on the constitutional level.
Homeopathy is an “energy” medicine. As such, remedies do not have a direct physiological
effect, but act by stimulating the body’s internal healing mechanisms. It can be
of benefit to people of any age, including the newborn. Pregnant women can also
generally use homeopathic medications safely.
Homeopathy works well in conjunction with most other natural therapies. Conventional
medicine (drug therapy) can sometimes be disruptive to the action of a homeopathic
remedy, though in other situations homeopathy can be used to complement conventional
treatment. In these instances, homeopathy can be used in conjunction with other
therapeutic methods either to decrease the toxic side effects or to treat the general
state of the patient.
A few of the conditions where homeopathy can be of significant benefit include:
respiratory problems, hyperactivity, ear infections, allergies, digestive problems,
nervousness, depression, PMS, arthritis, thyroid problems, and cancer. But remember,
homeopathy treats individuals, not diseases. Anyone seeking enhanced health or anyone
with either specific or nonspecific health problems can benefit from constitutional
homeopathy.
For further information see:
The Science of Homeopathy by George Vithoulkas
Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines by S. Cummings and Dana Ullman
Organon of Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann