Homeopathy, What is it?

Natural, without side effects

The primary virtue of homeopathy seems to be that it can be highly effective without side effects. It can also be taken with other medications if needed.

Self-treatment for the symptoms of common complaints and minor infections is provided by over-the-counter homeopathic single-ingredient or combination remedies in many health food stores and an increasing number of drugstore chains. We have a drug store in our area, Southern California, where the pharmacist is also trained in homeopathy.

Many people choose to consult a practitioner trained in homeopathic prescribing, where far more potent and individualized remedies may be obtained after a thorough examination to determine the precise nature of the patient’s complaint.

Homeopathy is currently classified among the “alternative” therapies, but the large and growing body of evidence for homeopathy’s effectiveness is increasing its acceptance and use in more conventional circles.

Homeopathy is different from conventional medicine because conventional medicine simply defines health as the lack of symptoms (if you reduce or suppress a cough, is your cold gone?).

Homeopathic medicines stimulate your body so your body heals itself by dealing with the sources of your symptoms.

The History of Homeopathy

Homeopathy, also known as homeopathic medicine, is an alternative medical system that was developed in Germany more than 200 years ago by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). Hahnemann graduated from medical school in 1779 and started his own medical practice. He soon began his first homeopathic experiments in 1790, as a result of his disillusionment with such common medical practices of the day as purging, bloodletting, and the use of toxic chemicals (drugs).

Homeopathy became very popular in the early 1900’s. At that time, there were 22 homeopathic medical schools, 100 homeopathic hospitals and over 1,000 homeopathic pharmacies. Boston University, Stanford University and New York Medical College were among those educational institutions that were teaching homeopathy. However, it was not long after this period of time (in the early 1920’s) that many of the schools closed — mostly due to the decline of homeopathy’s popularity which was greatly affected by the American Medical Association. It was at this time when modern drug companies began releasing drugs that were easy to administer to patients. It was at this time that medicine was “standardized” and turned to drugs as the only way to “cure”.

The Homeopathic Resurgence

Although the United States experienced a dwindling interest in homeopathy, other nations, including countries in Europe and Asia, were experiencing a steady growth of homeopathic teachings and interest.

Today, nearly all French pharmacies sell homeopathic remedies and medicines; and homeopathy has a particularly strong following in Russia, India, Switzerland, Mexico, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, and South America.

Homeopathy is also rising again in the United States. This resurgence has been documented by the National Center for Homeopathy in Virginia, which stated that Americans spent 230 million dollars on homeopathic remedies in 1996. It has also been said that sales are rising rapidly at about 12 – 15% each year.

Doctors, scientists, researchers, corporations and the general public are all responsible for the accelerated expansion in the interest of homeopathic products, research and educational initiatives.

What is it and why was it so successful?

In striving to provide an answer, homeopathy is often likened to immunizations and allergy treatments, which are similar to homeopathy in that they involve extreme dilutions of a substance, and both are known to stimulate the body’s own healing powers. It is stimulating the body’s own immune responses, while minimizing the risk of exacting any harm in the process.

Homeopathic treatment involves giving extremely small doses of substances that produce characteristic symptoms of illness in healthy people when given in larger doses. This approach is called “like cures like.”

There are clinical trials that show homeopathy to be working.

Recommended:

We recommend homeopathic remedies that we have found to work.

Earache Remedy

There are so many more that we will be researching and bringing to you.