Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a system
of medicine, which was founded by the German physician Dr.
Hahnemann in 1790. Dr. Hahnemann was a very famous physician
of the then dominant school of medicine. He was a successful
practitioner, but deep within he was very troubled by the limited
amount of useful medical knowledge of his times. He realized
that, very ironically, the 'medical science' is not based on
any fundamental scientific laws. And the theories on which
the medicine of his time was based were vague and hypothetical.
And the treatment often caused more harm than good. So he left
his medical practice and started translation work instead.
While translating Cullen's Materia Medica, he decided to probe
into the action of Cinchona bark, which was known to have curative
power in malarial fevers. To do this, he took some extract of
Cinchona bark himself. To his utter surprise, he soon developed
symptoms similar to those of malaria. It occurred to him that
Cinchona bark can cure malaria because it has the power to produce
a similar state in a healthy human being. To test this
idea further, he did similar experiments with various substances
on himself and others. And he found all his experiments confirming
his idea. And so he concluded that this is a general law and
called it 'Similia Similibus Curantur' , i.e.; 'Like Cures Like'
- the fundamental principle on which Homeopathy is
based.
This law has been confirmed by thousands of people since then
and has been found to be rock-solid.Dr. Hahnemann then further
developed this idea, proved hundreds of new medicines, developed
methods of preparation and administration of medicines and also
gave many guidelines regarding health and disease, thus giving
birth to a complete and new system of medicine. This was a strong
foundation and a lot of work has gone into further development
of Homeopathy in the past 200 years. The work and growth of Homeopathy
is still going on and at a very rapid pace. And as the physical
basis of this science is becoming clear, i's acceptance is growing
in all ranks of society. It won't be wrong to say - 'The Future
Belongs to Homeopathy."
If you want to know more about Homeopathy then read:
History
of Homeopathy Principles
of Homeopathy
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What
ailments can be treated by Homeopathy?
Almost all ailments are amenable to homeopathic
treatment. But homeopathy is
best known for its ability to treat chronic ailments. The reason
for this is that Homeopathy is the only system of medicine which
offers curative treatment (not palliative) in many chronic ailments
which have been declared 'incurable' by other schools of medicine.
Be it skin disease, chronic gastric and intestinal disorders,
chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine, asthma, allergic disorders,
menstrual complaints, other hormonal disorders, arthritis, psychological
disorders etc etc. All these and many more chronic ailments have
been affected curatively by Homeopathy.
The only major limiting factors are 1. Gross structural and pathological
changes. 2. Very low vitality of the patient. 3. Unavoidable
presence of certain causative or maintaining factors.
Then Homeopathy is also
known to make surgery unnecessary on many occasions. Many tonsils,
adenoids, appendices etc have been saved with Homeopathy. Benign
tumors and renal stones also respond well to homeopathic treatment.
Even in cases where curative treatment is not possible, like
advanced cases of arthritis, malignancies etc, management and
palliation with homeopathic
medicines is very effective and improves the quality of
life of such patients without making them suffer the side effects
of the modern wonde -drugs ( ! ).
Homeopathy is also very
effective in acute ailments. And the action of a rightly selected
medicine is usually faster than any other medicines. Not only
this, under proper homeopathic treatment the tendency to frequent
recurrence of acutes and their tendency to become chronic is
aborted.
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Are homeopathic medicines safe?
Absolutely! Homeopathic medicines are
given in sub-physiological doses. They do not have any chemicals
or added colors in them. Usually they do not have any side effects
and they cannot cause any structural damage in general. They
are safe for infants and pregnant women too. But homeopathic
medicines often have very profound action on human economy,
so they should not be taken without consultation with a qualified
homeopath.
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Yes. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by homeopathic
pharmacies in accordance with FDA approved guidelines.
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How do homeopathic medicines work?
Homeopathic medicines act
by stimulating body's own defense mechanism to
correct the process which has lead to the disease
condition. According to our current understanding, the medicines
act as a electromagnetic signal, which is picked
up by nerves and relayed to higher centers of the
brain, which in turn stimulates our bodies healing
powers to take specific corrective measures. Medicines
tell the body 'What to do?' - the actual work is
done by the body itself.
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How does one take homeopathic medicines?
Homeopathic medicines are
available in sugar pills and in liquid form. The exact way of
administration depends upon the medicine, its potency, the condition
being treated, and the sensitivity of the patient. At one time
a few sugar pills or a few drops of liquid medicine may be given.
But the exact method and the repetition of medicine depends upon
the above mentioned factors. So ask your homeopath before taking
any homeopathic medicine.
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What dietary measures and life-style changes are required
under homeopathic treatment?
This varies from physician to physician. Some restrict too
many things like coffee, tobacco, spices etc, while others do
not put any restrictions. In general, if a food-substance is
playing a causative, maintaining, or aggravating factor, only
then it should be avoided. Some substances like camphor are considered
a general antidote to many homeopathic
medicines and should therefore be avoided or taken into
account. Life-style changes are also required only if life-style
is contributing to disease condition. Homeopathic
medicines act on a very deep plane; so they are usually
not affected by routine dietary articles and the routine stress
of our lives.
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What is a homeopathic remedy?
A
homeopathic remedy is a highly diluted substance, prepared from
one single animal, mineral, or plant source, as found in nature.
For example, Apis mellifica is a highly diluted remedy prepared
from the venom of a honey bee, commonly used to treat bee stings,
certain types of sore throats, and many other conditions. The
remedies are prepared in laboratories by homeopathic pharmacies
under very strict regulatory guidelines.
In fact, the FDA has publicly stated: “Homeopathic
medicines in high dilutions, taken under the supervision of trained
professionals, are considered safe and unlikely to cause severe
adverse reactions.” Because of the extremely high dilutions
of the remedies, they are extremely safe and completely devoid
of all chemical toxicity. Thus, unlike even many herbal preparations,
they are extremely safe and effective to use even with pregnant
women and infants.
Homeopathic remedies are first scientifically “proven” by
testing small amounts of the natural substances on healthy individuals
and meticulously recording all of the symptoms experienced by
these individuals. After the symptoms from a “proving” disappear,
the experiment continues, and the individuals receive yet another
dose to confirm the original findings of the first proving. This
is done several times and, in many cases, with many individuals
to ensure consistent, accurate, and reliable information.
Next, this information is combined with information
from clinical trials to confirm that the remedy does indeed cure
individuals suffering from a pattern of symptoms similar to the
pattern of symptoms of the remedy. Unlike drugs used in conventional
medicine, which may only be tested for a few years and typically
used without full knowledge of long-term side effects, the homeopathic
remedies most commonly prescribed have been used safely and effectively
for decades.
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The reason the remedies are so safe is the same reason that makes
it so difficult for most people to comprehend how these remedies
could possibly work - the remedies are so highly diluted that
only a molecule or less of the original substance is chemically
present in the remedy. Only a subtle essence, or a sub-molecular
remnant, of the original substance remains. This fact has made
it easy for skeptics to argue that homeopathy can’t possibly
work because there can’t be any significant chemical effect
of a remedy that may not even contain a single molecule of what
it was originally prepared from. The funny thing is that these
skeptics are correct.
As you may recall from the previous section, we
already know that the action of the remedy is not a chemical
one; it merely triggers a healing reaction of the vital force.
One way of thinking about the remedy is that, instead of exerting
a chemical influence on the body, it may actually work by communicating
information to the body about the pattern of symptoms that the
original undiluted substance causes. It is this information contained
in the remedy, not the chemical composition of the remedy, that
the vital force reacts to. Because this concept of a non-chemical
healing reaction does not fit the conventional medical model,
it is simply discarded by many. However, as we will see in the
next section, modern scientific research has confirmed the safety
and effectiveness of homeopathy again and again.
One final note on homeopathic remedies: they are relatively inexpensive,
especially when compared to other over-the-counter medication,
prescription drugs, and even vitamin supplements and herbal preparations.
A typical 1 to 2 month supply of one single remedy usually costs
around $10 to $15. Since only one single remedy is prescribed
at any one time, even for a multitude of symptoms, taking the
remedy is very simple and inexpensive.
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Is
there any research that shows homeopathy to be effective?
Yes, there is a growing body of scientific evidence
that documents homeopathy to be safe and effective. A major review
of dozens of clinical trials of homeopathy concluded that the
scientific evidence is strong enough “for establishing
homeopathy as a regular treatment for certain indications.” (British
Medical Journal, 1991; 302:316-323). Other research showed the
response to homeopathic remedies to be 2.5 to 3 times greater
than placebo.(Lancet,1997;350:834-843).
While we’re on the topic of placebo, there are two other
points besides the one made in the beginning of this paper which
illustrate how the effects of homeopathy are not due to placebo.
For instance, homeopathy has been widely practiced with excellent
results on animals, infants, and comatose patients, none of whom
could possibly respond to a placebo effect. Also, it has been
observed that when a patient is given a homeopathic remedy that
is not accurately prescribed, there will typically be no response
to that remedy. For example, consider the case where the homeopath,
although trying to find the right remedy for the patient, fails
on their first attempt.
In cases like this, both the doctor and the patient
believe (or at least hope) that the first remedy prescribed will
help the patient. But after the remedy is given, the patient
does not improve. After further reviewing the case, the correct
remedy is chosen, and then the patient begins to improve. If
the results were due to placebo, why did the patient respond
to the second remedy, but not the first? The obvious conclusion
from these cases is that the effects of homeopathy are clearly
not due to the placebo effect. Many other research studies confirm
this fact, and just a small few are summarized below.
A randomized controlled trial proved homeopathy to be successful
in treating acute childhood diarrhea, especially when virus and/or
bacteria were present. Jacobs, Jennifer, L. Margarita Jimenez,
Stephen S. Gloyd, James L. Gale, and Dean Crothers, “Treatment
of Acute Childhood Diarrhea with Homeopathic Medicine: A Randomized
Clinical Trial in Nicaragua”, Pediairics, Volume 93, Number
5, pp. 719-725 (May 1994). In fact, the results from this study
were successfully replicated later. Jacobs, J., et al. “Homeopathic
Treatment of Acute Childhood Diarrhea: Results from a Clinical
Trial in Nepal”, Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine, Volume 6, pp. 131-139 (2000).
Another study showed that homeopathy was far superior to prophylactic
doses of antibiotics in preventing respiratory disease in pigs
on pig farms. Albrecht, H., et al., “Homeopathy Versus
Antibiotics in Metaphylaxis of Infectious Diseases”, Alternative
Therapies, Volume 5, Number 5, pp. 64-68 (September, 1999).
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Homeopathy was also shown to be effective in treating rheumatoid
arthritis. Gibson et al., Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ,
9, pg. 453 (1980).
Allergies were shown to improve with homeopathic treatment. Reilly,
D., et al., “Randomized Controlled Trial of Homeopathy
Versus Placebo in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis with Overview of
Four Trial Series,” British Medical Journal, 321, pg.,
471-476, (August 19, 2000)
Faster recovery from the flu with homeopathic treatment was shown.
Ferley, J. P., et al., “A Controlled Evaluation of a Homeopathic
Preparation in the Treatment of influenza-Like Syndromes,” British
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 27, pp. 329-335 (1989).
Homeopathy improved post-operative pain and agitation in children.
Alibeu, J. P., et al., “Aconit en Dilution homeopathique
et agitation post-operatoire de l’enfant,” Pediatrie
(Bucur), 45:7-8, pp. 465-466 (1980).
Less relapse of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts undergoing
homeopathic treatment was shown. Garcia-Swain, Susan, “A
Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Trial Applying Homeopathy to
Chemical Dependency," Hahnemann College of Homeopathy, Albany,
California (June, 1993).
Faster recovery and less treatment failures with homeopathic
treatment of otitis media (ear infections) in children. Jacobs,
J., et al., “Homeopathic Treatment of Acute Otitis Media
in Children: A Preliminary Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial, ”Pediatric
Infectious Disease Journal”, 20,, 2, pp. 177-183 (February
2001)
Andy Kirk, Chair of The Society of Homeopaths puts
the case for homeopathy. He says: "Homeopathy is recognised
by the World Health Organisation as the second largest therapeutic
system in the world."
Finally, we are currently awaiting the release of a several thousand-page
book: The Weight of Evidence: Homeopathy in Times of Epidemics
and other Statistics, by Andre’ Saine, N.D. In it, Dr.
Saine reviews the literature from the past two hundred years
regarding the homeopathic treatment of over 15 of the major epidemics
afflicting humankind including measles, malaria, pneumonia, and
influenza, cholera, typhus, and many others. Many readers will
be quite astonished to find that not only has the track record
of homeopathy been excellent in the treatment of these diseases,
but it has actually been shown to be universally superior to
that of conventional medical treatment.
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Can I continue
taking prescription drugs while under homeopathic treatment?
Yes. Unlike some drugs, vitamins, minerals, and
herbal preparations, homeopathic remedies will not adversely
interact with any conventional medications. During the beginning
of homeopathic treatment, most patients will continue to take
their prescription medication. It is very common for homeopathic
treatment to be used in conjunction with other conventional and
complementary therapies.
A main role of the homeopath is to help coordinate
these various therapies in the most appropriate way for each
individual patient. Once significant improvement is made, it
is common for most patients to work with their prescribing physicians
to gradually wean themselves off these drugs, as they become
no longer needed.
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Which
diseases can be treated with homeopathy?
In homeopathy we do not treat diseases; we treat
the person with the disease. Whether a person has a chronic or
an acute disease, all of the symptoms represent a state of imbalance
very specific to this individual. When the imbalance is treated
with a well-chosen remedy, the healing reaction can be triggered,
regardless of the diagnosis.
Certain diseases and circumstances in particular
individuals may present unique obstacles to healing, but many
people have experienced excellent results with very stubborn,
severe, and chronic conditions including, but not limited to:
chronic pain, infections of all kinds including influenza, common
colds, and even pneumonia; allergies and asthma, hay fever, eczema,
psoriasis, many types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis,
tension and migraine headaches, disc herniations and sciatica,
back pain, serious injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, infertility, anxiety,
depression, panic attacks, ADHD, reflux disease, heartburn, colitis,
irritable bowel, and cancer.
Many patients are surprised to learn that cure
can result from homeopathic treatment, even in cases involving
structural problems where surgery has been recommended. For example,
consider the case of a disc bulge or herniation which causes “sciatica” (an
often severe pain and/or numbness and weakness, radiating along
the course of the sciatic nerve – from the lower back,
extending down the leg). How can homeopathy affect a structural
lesion like a bulging disc, which may be compressing a spinal
nerve? The answer to this question can only be understood if
we understand what is truly causing the patient’s symptoms
in the first place. A bulging disc will often compress a spinal
nerve, but research has shown that one third of people with no
sciatica symptoms whatsoever happen to have bulging discs.
Why don’t all of these people with disc bulges
experience sciatica? The answer was already explained in a prior
section: in order for patients to experience symptoms or disease,
two factors must be present. One is the external influence (the
compressed nerve, in this case), but the other is the individual’s
sensitivity or susceptibility to the influence. In other words,
if the individual’s vital force is strong and balanced,
their body can deal with even a moderate degree of nerve compression
without a reaction of pain and inflammation. However, if that
person is constitutionally sensitive to nerve compression because
of a lack of balance in their overall state of health, then even
the slightest degree of nerve compression may cause a violent
inflammatory response and debilitating pain.
So, it is the body’s inflammatory response
to the lesion, not the lesion itself, which often causes the
symptoms in an individual. A properly chosen homeopathic remedy
can help by triggering the healing reaction that restores a balanced
state of health. As a result, the pain is eliminated and the
patient’s function is fully restored. The same reasoning
explains why homeopathy also works in patients with other potentially
surgical lesions including tears in tendons like the rotator
cuff, and also torn cartilage, as in a torn meniscus of the knee.
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Can
a pregnant woman or a newborn baby benefit from homeopathy?
Yes.
Since homeopathic remedies are devoid of all chemical toxicity,
homeopathy is the ideal system of medicine for people of all
ages, even the most sensitive like an expectant mother or a newborn
baby. Difficulties during pregnancy and delivery, or its aftermath,
as well as all the problems experienced by the newborn, can be
dealt with safely and efficiently with homeopathy.
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How
does homeopathy deal with patients affected with problems resulting
from emotional trauma, severe grief or the consequence of mood
disorders such as anger, depression or anxiety?
Most emotional problems typically normalize with
the application of the homeopathic remedy that is the most similar
to the state of the patient. Patients who are already under psychotherapy
typically discover that they recover far more rapidly, and are
ultimately able to be weaned off their medications, after they
begin homeopathic treatment.
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How
does homeopathy address patients with infectious diseases?
Homeopathic treatment is the ideal treatment to
optimize the body’s natural defenses against microbes.
With the appropriate homeopathic treatment, people recover from
even the most serious infectious diseases, gently and rapidly.
During the past great epidemics such as diphtheria, scarlet fever,
typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, malaria, homeopathy decreased
mortality by 10 to 30 times versus conventional medicine.
During the infamous Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-19,
it has been estimated that 25 to 50 million people died world
wide under conventional medical treatment. In the United States
alone, 550,000 died, approximately 10% of the people afflicted
with the flu. Homeopathic physicians at that time documented
more than 62,000 patients treated with homeopathy resulting in
a mortality of 0.7%. For people who were sick enough to be hospitalized,
conventional medicine had a mortality of 30%, while with 27,000
documented hospital cases, homeopathy was reporting a mortality
of 1.05% (Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy, 1921;
13:1028-1043).
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Which
conditions are outside the scope of homeopathy?
If a patient has a problem that necessitates a
referral to a medical specialist or surgeon, the homeopathic
physician will make a prompt, appropriate referral. In the case
of surgery, which is a significant shock to the organism, homeopathic
treatment will be ideal to prepare the patient for the surgery
and help him or her recover from the operation. Of course, cases
with dislocation or fracture will be dealt with by an orthopedic
doctor. For less serious mechanical physical problems, chiropractic
manipulation and therapeutic exercises will often be recommended.
Generally, people afflicted with genetic, congenital or fixed
metabolic diseases or with very advanced degeneration cannot
always expect full recovery, but more often a palliative relief
with homeopathy, free of the side effects usually expected when
palliation is done with modern drugs.
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