Homeopathy comes from the Greek "homoios" (same) and "pathos" (suffering).
It was founded by German doctor Samuel Hahnemann who published his theory in a book in 1810.
Homeopathy is based on a system of "like cures".
Basically it means that a poison causes illness in a healthy person can treat the same in someone who is ill.
A substance is greatly reduced to make a remedy safe to use to stimulate the body,s self healing properties.
In the 1820,s two US doctors expanded on the theories of Hahnemann.
Unusual symptoms are considered more important than common ones.
Treatment works according to three basic laws of cure.
(A) That symptoms move down from the top of the body, (B) Move outwards from the inside of the body, (C) Move from, the most important organs to the least important.
The more a remedy was diluted the more specific the effect seemed to be.
The symptoms of illness are seen by the Homeopath as a sign that the body is using its own natural self healing abilities to fight back.
Homeopathic treatment seeks to stimulate this self healing process.
Remedies are made from plant, animal and mineral extract.
A remedy is diluted in the decimal scale (x) with a dilution factor of 1:10.
The material is chopped or ground.
It is then soaked in a mix of 90% alcohol or 10% distilled water.
It is left to stand for up to four weeks in a sealed jar.
From time to time it is shaken.
It is then strained into a dark bottle and is known as "mother tincture".
Just one drop of tincture is diluted in 99 drops of alcohol.
After continued repeated dilutrion and succession a few drops are added to a jar of lactose tablets.
The homeopathic tablets are then stored in an airtight bottle of dark glass.
Practitioners may be classical or complex homeopaths.
The practitioner will ask about medical history, lifestyle, diet, moods, likes and dislikes.
The practitioner draws up a symptom picture to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.
Your symptom picture is matched with those in the homeopathic repertories which includes over 2,000 remedies.
The real skill lies in prescribing your remedy.
You will be asked to report any changes in symptoms or reactions at your next visit.
Remedies should be taken between meals or at least half an hour after a meal.
Once the body shows improvement there should be no need for further medication.
The first visit to a homeopath should last one to two hours with follow on visits shorter.
Dr Constantine Hering developed the "Law of Cures" and Dr James Kent introduced the concept of "Constitutional Types".
The patient is classified according to their particular copnstitutional group.
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