What is Homeopathy? ~energetic/vibrational medicine
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body's natural system of healing. Based on their individual symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to each patient.
The idea of treating 'like with like'
Homeopathy is based on the principle that you can treat 'like with like;
i.e. a substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses, can
be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms.
For example, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness, agitation
and even palpitations, but when made into the homeopathic remedy Coffea
it can be used to treat all these problems. You may already have come
across this concept in conventional medicine e.g. the stimulant Rilatin
being used to treat ADHD, or small doses of allergens such as pollen
being used to de-sensitise allergic patients. However one major
difference in homeopathy is that substances are used in such tiny doses
that they are completely non-toxic.
Scientifically it can not yet be explained precisely how homeopathy
works, but new theories in quantum physics are going some way towards
shedding light on the process. What we do know is that a carefully
selected homeopathic remedy acts as a trigger to the body's healing
processes.
Homeopathy has been widely used throughout the world for more than
200 years. In 2000, the House of Lords Select Committee on Science
& Technology cited homeopathy as one of the five Group One
therapies, having an individual diagnostic approach along with
osteopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and acupuncture.(1)
Homeopathy can be safely used alongside conventional medicines and
will not interfere with the action of medicines prescribed by your
doctor. Because homeopathic medicines (often referred to as remedies)
are non-toxic, there are no side effects(2) and they are safe even for
pregnant women and babies.
What happens when your body reveals to Dr. Porto that homeopathy is a great medicine for you?
Some of the detailed questions Dr. Porto asks you, may seem
strange, but the important thing to remember with homeopathy is that it
treats the individual in a holistic way, and so your homeopath is
looking to understand how you experience your symptoms and how they
effect your life, so that she can match you with the most appropriate
medicine.
What can homeopathy help?
Homeopathy treats the person rather than the named disease so
potentially it can help patients with a wide range of conditions, both
acute and chronic. Illnesses commonly seen by homeopaths in the clinic
include recurrent infections (such as colds, tonsillitis, cystitis),
skin conditions, menstrual and menopausal problems, chronic fatigue,
migraine, and stress related symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia.
References:
1. House of Lords Select Committee on Science & Technology. Complementary & Alternative Medicine.Session 1999-2000, 6th
Report. The Stationery Office, 2000
2. Dantas F, Rampes H. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br Hom J, 2000; 89: 35-8