Origin and history
Homeopathy (From Greek Homos- similar, Pathos- disease) is a natural science of healing that uses various plant, mineral, or animal substances in very small dosages to activate a person's natural defense mechanism. One of the major principles of Homeopathy is "like treats like." In order to heal, Homeopathic remedies are individually chosen for there ability to create a resonance with the particular spectrum of symptoms the person is experiencing.
The principal of Homeopathy was known since ancient times and was used by Hypocrites (4th century B.C.) and Paracelsus (15th century) and is even used today by conventional medicine as an immunization process. The German physician Samuel Hahnemann developed the foundation of Homeopathy in the 18th century in his revolutionary work "Organon of Practical Medicine," first edition of which was published in 1810. The fundamental idea of Dr. Hahnemann is the principal of similarity, to use substances in minute quantities to treat the same symptoms and disorders that these substances cause when in toxic dosages. As an example, an onion can cause mucous membrane irritation, runny nose and tearing, but as a homeopathic remedy it is used to treat the symptoms of hey fever, which are very similar in nature. Likewise, a preparation made out of a honeybee works great for bee stings.
Through continuous experimentation, first on himself, then on many of his followers, Dr. Hahnemann continued to dilute substances until he discovered super low dosages. The Russian pharmacologist, N.P. Kravkov, (works of 1924 and 1933), discovered that strongly diluted substances, where only one molecule can be found in a gallon of liquid, have strong effect on live protoplasm.
The Homeopathic Remedy
Homeopathic remedies are not like drugs used by conventional medicine today. They are not made to kill germs, or suppress them, or to substitute some needed microelement in the body (like calcium or vitamin B), nor to kill pain, or skin rash. Homeopathy doesn't offer painkillers, diuretics, sleeping pills, or antidepressants even if such results are what you actually get from the treatment. Homeopathic remedies just activate your body's own self-regulation system, which for some reason was malfunctioning or "asleep." They create a resonance, which triggers the body's impulse to restore proper function to the organs and psyche.
Often, people use the word Homeopathy as a term for herbal treatments, which is incorrect. Homeopathic remedies are derived from herbal, as well as from animal and mineral kingdoms, while some of them are based on synthetic compounds. For a substance to become a Homeopathic remedy it must go through a process called potentization, which consists of two stages: successive dilution and dinamization. If a substance is soluble, 1 part is diluted in 99 parts of solvent (water or alcohol) and the mixture is then vigorously shaken and the bottle struck against a firm surface. If a substance is not soluble it is ground in the same ratio with powdered lactose. The result is 1C (centimal) potency of the substance. One part of this dilution is then diluted again in the same way (the result is 2C potency). This process is repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the needed strength. A dilution ratio of 1:9, would be equal, for example, to a remedy potency of 6X, or 30X, on a decimal potency scale. The more times a remedy is diluted, the higher potency it becomes. For example, Cina 6C is more potent, then Cina 3C or Cina 12X.
The Practice of Homeopathy
The first step is casetaking. This is when the homeopathic practitioner collects information about you and your problems. This can include questions about your pre-natal history, the birth process, immunization process, your health history, your job, your present complains, any unusual symptoms and how you feel about your condition. A very important part of casetaking is determining what makes your condition better, or worse (weather, dreams, being inside or outside, music, emotional support from others and so on). It is also important for the practitioner to understand your emotional sphere and patterns of sleep. Casetaking is a painstaking task for both the practitioner and the client.
The second step is case analysis. Sometimes the symptoms can look strange (a sensation of a hot rolling energy ball in the stomach triggering a skin rash on the left foot, for example), but they may give a clue to the root of the imbalance.
The third step is finding the right homeopathic remedy. Every remedy has its own properties. But, unlike conventional medicine, which is based on the principle of "symptom-drug," or "disease-drug," the homeopath picks a remedy for the person, not the disease. In Conventional medicine, Tylenol could be prescribed to every person with a headache, while in Homeopathic medicine, two completely different remedies could be needed to help two different persons with the same problem.
There are several types of homeopathic preparations:
- Single Remedies, made out of one substance
- Multi-Substance Remedies, made out of several remedies
- Homeopathic combinations, which are combinations of homeopathic remedies
- Constitutional Remedies, which are deep acting remedies
To use Constitutional Remedies, a homeopathic practitioner has to find your constitution, meaning your inherited somatic, psychological, and spiritual structure, which could have been altered as a result of short-term, or long-term influence of the environment.
How soon you feel the effect of a Homeopathic remedy varies widely. It depends on the type of imbalance, you have, and the type of homeopathic remedy you are using. It is not that rare for a client to feel the effect while the first dosage of a remedy is still in the mouth. In other cases, the effect is only felt after several days, and there are some remedies, the effect of which is cumulative, so you will only feel the effect after a few weeks.
The fourth step is the administration of the remedy(s). There are some rules you should follow, when taking remedy(s):
- Take the remedy between meals, but not more than 30 minutes before meals and no sooner than 1 hour after meals, unless indicated by a homeopathic practitioner.
- Constitutional remedies should be taken before going to bed, unless indicated by a homeopathic practitioner.
- It is possible to combine all the types of homeopathic remedies during the course of healing, but only in the proper sequence, as recommended by a homeopathic practitioner.
- During the course of treatment it is recommended that you avoid coffee, spices, onion, and garlic, since these products reduce the effect of the remedy(s).
- Alcohol and nicotine should also be avoided for the same reason.
- The action of homeopathic remedy(s) is more effective during the course of acupuncture, massage therapy and herbal treatment.
- There is no antagonism between homeopathic remedy(s) and conventional medicinal drugs, but some of them could reduce the effectiveness of homeopathic remedy(s).
- If you are under supervision of a conventional doctor, it is a must to have his permission to take homeopathic remedy(s).
Sometimes, "well-picked" remedies do not work due to blockages of the organs or systems of the body. In such cases it is necessary to use "drainage" or detoxifying remedies, which will unblock the organ or system.
Conclusion
Homeopathic treatment is a complex process. It requires a good mutual understanding between the client and the homeopathic practitioner, built on patience and trust. Homeopathic treatment requires the client to participate equally in the healing process together with the healer. Sometimes it works right after the first administration of the remedy, sometimes it takes quite some time to reach a good stable result. So, please be patient and give yourself a chance to experience a powerful transformation on this healing path.