NATUREMED CLINIC
THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY
As part of your overall treatment plan homeopathic remedies are often prescribed. Homeopathy works with other treatments to speed up the time it takes to get better. Homeopathic medicines can even be injected to relieve pain.
Homeopathy is modality of medicine developed by a German physician, Samuel Hahnemann, at the end of the 18th century.
At Bastyr, where we went to school, five quarters of homeopathy must be completed and the homeopathy section in he national board exam must be passed. Naturopathic doctors must study and become proficient in homeopathy.
Homeopathy seeks to treat the whole person. Homeopathic medicines stimulate the body's self-healing mechanisms. The focus is on putting the body back in balance.
Homeopathic Philosophy
It is thought that when a person becomes ill, it is the whole person that is sick: body, mind, spirit. The body manifests symptoms of illness but the key is to find the origin of the imbalance.
The cause of illness is thought to be an imbalance of the "vital force". The vital force was a concept that explained why our cells, organs and organ systems are alive. Think of the vital force as "what keeps us alive." By matching the symptoms of illness with the appropriate homeopathic remedy, the vital force returns to balance. The symptoms disappear as the biological system heals itself.
Homeopathic Principles
Homeopathy has 4 key principles. They have remained unchanged over the last 200 years.
The cornerstone principle is Similia Similbus Curentur, "Like cure like". Homeopathy derives its name from the Greek, homoeo (similar), and pathos (suffering). A substance that can produce disease in a healthy person is used to elicit a healing response in someone presenting with a similar disease. The homeopathic practitioner matches the homeopathic remedy to the symptoms of the person. Particular attention is paid to those symptoms which are unique to the individual.
The second principle of homeopathy is The Single Remedy. Only one homeopathic remedy is given at any one time. This helps the practicioner decide if the remedy was effective.
The third principle of homeopathy is The Minimum Dose. This refers to the infinitesimal doses of medicine given as well as to the repetition of dose only when necessary.The homeopathic practicioner administers the smallest possible dose so as to maximize beneficial effects and minimize side effects. Repetition of dose is determined by the individual's response to the remedy.
The fourth principle of homeopathy is The Potentized Remedy. Homeopathic remedies, though made from natural substances such as plants, minerals and animals, are manufactured differently from other medicines. Through a process of serial dilution a very dilute extract is made. Every time the remedy is diluted it is vigorously shaken (succussed). This process of succussion is designed to make the medicine stronger.
The amazing thing about homeopathy is that it is still ahead of its time even though it is over 200 years old. The mechanism of action will be best described by quantum physics and molecular memory, theories that are still be worked out.
