What is Homeopathy?
In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick, which he called homeopathy (from the Greek words meaning ‘similar suffering’). Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier he realized that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similars.

Take for example, a case of insomnia. The way of opposites (conventional medicine or allopathy), is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an artificial sleep. This frequently involves the use of large or regular doses of drugs, which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.

The way of similars, the homeopathic way, is to give the patient a minute dose of a substance, such as coffee, which in large doses causes sleeplessness in a healthy person. Perhaps surprisingly, this will help the patient to sleep naturally.

Homeopathic remedies cannot cause side effects and you cannot become addicted to them. This is because only a very minute amount of the active ingredient is used in a specially prepared form.

Your homeopath will give you a homeopathic medicine or remedy that matches your symptoms as you experience them, as well individual characteristics: emotional and physical.

How it works
Homeopathic medicines work by stimulating the body’s immune system. This stimulus will assist your own system to clear itself of any expression of imbalance. The aim is to get you to a level of health so that you will not need frequent treatment.

What your homeopath needs to know
In order to find the right remedy for you as an individual, your homeopath will need to know all about you. A detailed understanding of who you are, what your complaints are, and how you experience them, is needed to accurately assess your case. So anything you can tell your homeopath that is typical of who you are will help this process. Finding out about your general energy level, your past medical history and the way you live are also important.

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What will happen once treatment starts
A number of changes may happen after taking your homeopathic remedy. Some patients experience a period of exceptional well being and optimism. Occasionally symptoms appear to get worse for a short time. This is a good sign that the remedy is taking effect. Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of discharge may appear as a ‘spring cleaning’ effect which means your system is going through a cleaning stage. Similarly, old symptoms can reappear, usually for a short period. These symptoms will pass, and must not be treated, as they are a very important part of the healing process. Some patients do not notice any changes at all in the beginning of their treatment. In this case a change in the dosage and or selection of remedy may be necessary.

If any response to your treatment concerns you, contact your homeopath as soon as you can, as it is important to know what happens as treatment progresses. You might also want to make notes of any changes and take them with you to discuss at your next appointment.

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How long the treatment takes
This depends very much on what sort of illness you have, as well as the other individual characteristics of your case. Your homeopath will typically only be able to predict treatment time after observing your response to homeopathic medicines. A slowly developing complaint, or one that you've experienced for many years, may not disappear immediately although an initial response an early improvement often occur. With acute (short-term) ailments this can be very fast indeed often just minutes.

Homeopathy cures from the inside, and often outer symptoms such as a skin complaint, are the last to clear. Be patient! In the long term it is much better for you to be cured of both the cause of the illness and its symptoms, rather than merely relieving or suppressing the symptoms. Remember that every case is different, and no two patients are alike.

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What about diet and life-style?
Diet, exercise, enough sleep and relaxation are all important factors for maintaining good health. A homeopath will ask you about your usual diet and lifestyle, and may suggest changes, especially if it seems that these factors contribute to your illness.

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What about seeing a General Practitioner?
We recommend that you should maintain your relationship with your GP. Your GP will be able to arrange any tests or X-rays you may need. Homeopathy has an alternative philosophy but by working in this way with your GP the two systems of health care can provide complementary services.
• Homeopathic medicines stimulate your body to heal itself
• Homeopathic medicines are non-toxic
• Homeopathic medicines are non-habit forming
• Homeopathic medicines are easy and pleasant to take

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Clinical Studies
Click to Download: An Overview of Positive Homeopathy Research

10 Good Reasons to Use Homeopathy

(1) No harmful side effects
A special preparation process called potentisation refines the medicines to remove any toxic side-effects. It is suitable for babies and octogenarians alike and during pregnancy and menopause. However you should only take homeopathic medicines under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic practitioner if you are pregnant.

(2) Gentle
Homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own natural defense mechanism. Although gentle the results may be powerful and long lasting.

(3) Easy to take
Homeopathic medicines are given either as small pleasant tasting tablets which dissolve in the mouth, or in liquid form. Granules, powders or drops are available for babies and children.

(4) Inexpensive
Homeopathic medicines cost surprisingly less than allopathic prescription medication.

(5) Not tested on animals
Humans respond differently to medication than animals do. All homeopathic medication is tested on healthy humans. The symptoms that a substance taken over time elicits in a healthy person, are shown to be exactly those that can be cured in a sick person suffering from those symptoms.

(6) Preventative treatment
By boosting the body’s immune system, homeopathy can help improve a person’s resistance to illness and infections.

(7) Patient involvement
Homeopathy takes into account the whole person i.e. it is Holistic. The homeopath will ask many questions, not only about the symptoms which are bothering an individual, but how they react to the condition, as well as wanting to know about general health and lifestyle. Like a practitioner and psychologist in one.

(8) Value for money
Homeopathic medicines are generally less expensive than conventional medicines. The homeopath will spend a great deal of time getting to the root of your problem. The homeopathic medicines are intended to boost the immune system, making you stronger and less likely to get sick.

(9) Invaluable for first aid
Homeopathic medicines can be safely used the home or workplace to treat simple problems-such as bruises, minor burns, sprains, insect bites and gastric upsets. However more serious or chronic complaints should be treated by a qualified practitioner.

(10) The medicine of the future
With over 6000 homeopathic medicines in existence and new homeopathic medicines being discovered all the time, Homeopathy is a growing art. However unlike allopathic medicine that takes drugs off the market every year as new side-effects are discovered, homeopaths still use the same medicines they were using 200 years ago with new medicines to broaden their scope. Scientists are only now discovering breakthroughs in quantum physics that helps us to develop a deeper understanding of homeopathy, as it was used 200 years ago.

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