What Is Homeopathic Medicine?
Author: Rene Graeber
Author: Rene Graeber
Homeopathy is a safe, natural form of medicine, based on the
practice of treating like with like. Homeopathy is derived from
the Greek words homios, meaning like or similar, and italios,
meaning suffering.
Homeopathy is concerned with treating the whole person rather
than the illness alone. The homeopath will consider the patient
as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into
account the patient's physical appearance, their likes,
dislikes and their temperament. It is there fore a highly
personalized form of treatment, so patients who apparently
suffer from the same ill ness may be given advice for different
medicines.
Homeopathy is a well established form of healing. Today many of
the leading pharmaceutical companies are researching and
mass-producing homeopathic medicines.
Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic medicines look very much like conventional
medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work is
entirely different.
The medicines are not synthetic and are derived from natural
sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared from
vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from
naturally occurring mineral substances, including metals,
non-metallic substances, and mineral salts. Animal sources of
homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the ink or juice
provides sepia) and Honeybee.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared by obtaining the remedy in
its most concentrated form, and then, through a long process of
dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to
effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the
dilution of the remedy and is denoted by the number which
follows the name of the medicine itself. The higher the number,
the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy to one trillion
parts dilutant).
Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred to as remedies, may
come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some common
remedies include: arnica montana, from the Leopard's bane
plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant; calcarea,
calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish
ink; and the element, sulphur.
Homeopathic remedies today are produced using the same dilution
principles as in Hahnemann's day. In a common dilution of 1:100,
one drop of the homeopathic substance is added to 99 drops of
water and/or alcohol. The mixture is then potentized by a
process called "succussion" - repeated tapping on a hard
surface for a specific length of time. Remedies may be diluted
up to 1000 times, leaving only an infinitesimal trace of the
substance. Remedies are typically diluted 10, 100, or 1,000
times, which translate into potencies that are marked with the
Roman numerals X, C, and M. Homeopathic remedies range from 6X
as the lowest potency to 1M or more as the highest potency.
Remedies can be taken orally in pill, powder, or drop form,
rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side
effects from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can
experience what is called a "healing aggravation," a temporary
accentuation of symptoms. This is seen as a positive sign that
the remedy is working. Depending on the severity of the
symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces
the opposite effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another
homeopathic remedy, or a strong substance, such as perfume,
camphor, or coffee, which are known to block the effects of a
remedy.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938,
working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to
produce and update their reference book of homeopathic
medicines. Over the years, the FDA has classified homeopathic
medicines as either prescription or more commonly as
non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their
strength. In the United Kingdom, homeopathic medicine has been
part of the National Health Service (NHS) since it began in
1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS.
Homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter or by
prescription.
Safety of Homeopathic Medicines
Because of the very, very small doses used in homeopathic
treatment, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive and
have no unwanted side effects. The curative properties of the
remedies are released even in extremely high dilution‹and
render the medicine completely safe for the treatment of both
children and babies.
Always consult a practitioner before buying homeopathic
remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of the
reach of all children.
Where dosing instructions have been followed, no case of toxic
action has ever been reported in association with homeopathic
medicines.
Receiving Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathic treatment is practiced by fully qualified Health
Practitioners who understand the philosophy of homeopathic
medicine's well as patients' emotional and daily situations.
While some homeopathic medicines are readily available in both
regular pharmacies and health stores, you MUST consult your
homeopathic practitioner before attempting treatment for any
serious ailment or illness.
If you are currently on medication for a serious medical or
psychological condition, you should NOT stop taking your
medication in order to start homeopathic treatment. Your
practitioner will advise you on the best course of treatment,
often working with your internist or therapist.
About The Author: Rene Graeber graduated from the University of
Munic in Educational and Sports Science and from the Paracelsus
School of Medicine in Hamburg from Naturopathic Medicine. If
you're looking for helpful information about alternative
medicine visit his website at
http://www.naturheilkunde-preetz.de
practice of treating like with like. Homeopathy is derived from
the Greek words homios, meaning like or similar, and italios,
meaning suffering.
Homeopathy is concerned with treating the whole person rather
than the illness alone. The homeopath will consider the patient
as a whole, both physically and psychologically, taking into
account the patient's physical appearance, their likes,
dislikes and their temperament. It is there fore a highly
personalized form of treatment, so patients who apparently
suffer from the same ill ness may be given advice for different
medicines.
Homeopathy is a well established form of healing. Today many of
the leading pharmaceutical companies are researching and
mass-producing homeopathic medicines.
Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic medicines look very much like conventional
medicines, are taken in the same way, but the way they work is
entirely different.
The medicines are not synthetic and are derived from natural
sources. Over 60% of homeopathic remedies are prepared from
vegetable or plant materials. Other remedies are prepared from
naturally occurring mineral substances, including metals,
non-metallic substances, and mineral salts. Animal sources of
homeopathic remedies include: Cuttlefish (the ink or juice
provides sepia) and Honeybee.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared by obtaining the remedy in
its most concentrated form, and then, through a long process of
dilution, by preparing a medicine whose potency is sufficient to
effect a treatment. The potency describes the measure of the
dilution of the remedy and is denoted by the number which
follows the name of the medicine itself. The higher the number,
the greater the dilution (up to one part remedy to one trillion
parts dilutant).
Homeopathic Medicines
Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred to as remedies, may
come from the plant, mineral, or animal kingdom. Some common
remedies include: arnica montana, from the Leopard's bane
plant; belladonna, from the deadly nightshade plant; calcarea,
calcium carbonate from oyster shells; sepia, from cuttlefish
ink; and the element, sulphur.
Homeopathic remedies today are produced using the same dilution
principles as in Hahnemann's day. In a common dilution of 1:100,
one drop of the homeopathic substance is added to 99 drops of
water and/or alcohol. The mixture is then potentized by a
process called "succussion" - repeated tapping on a hard
surface for a specific length of time. Remedies may be diluted
up to 1000 times, leaving only an infinitesimal trace of the
substance. Remedies are typically diluted 10, 100, or 1,000
times, which translate into potencies that are marked with the
Roman numerals X, C, and M. Homeopathic remedies range from 6X
as the lowest potency to 1M or more as the highest potency.
Remedies can be taken orally in pill, powder, or drop form,
rubbed topically, or injected. There are usually no side
effects from homeopathic treatments, but a patient can
experience what is called a "healing aggravation," a temporary
accentuation of symptoms. This is seen as a positive sign that
the remedy is working. Depending on the severity of the
symptoms, a homeopath may choose an antidote, which produces
the opposite effect of the remedy. The antidote may be another
homeopathic remedy, or a strong substance, such as perfume,
camphor, or coffee, which are known to block the effects of a
remedy.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has recognized homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938,
working with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention to
produce and update their reference book of homeopathic
medicines. Over the years, the FDA has classified homeopathic
medicines as either prescription or more commonly as
non-prescription (over-the-counter), depending on their
strength. In the United Kingdom, homeopathic medicine has been
part of the National Health Service (NHS) since it began in
1948. There are currently 5 homeopathic hospitals in the NHS.
Homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter or by
prescription.
Safety of Homeopathic Medicines
Because of the very, very small doses used in homeopathic
treatment, the medicines are completely safe, non-addictive and
have no unwanted side effects. The curative properties of the
remedies are released even in extremely high dilution‹and
render the medicine completely safe for the treatment of both
children and babies.
Always consult a practitioner before buying homeopathic
remedies, and make sure that they are kept safe and out of the
reach of all children.
Where dosing instructions have been followed, no case of toxic
action has ever been reported in association with homeopathic
medicines.
Receiving Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathic treatment is practiced by fully qualified Health
Practitioners who understand the philosophy of homeopathic
medicine's well as patients' emotional and daily situations.
While some homeopathic medicines are readily available in both
regular pharmacies and health stores, you MUST consult your
homeopathic practitioner before attempting treatment for any
serious ailment or illness.
If you are currently on medication for a serious medical or
psychological condition, you should NOT stop taking your
medication in order to start homeopathic treatment. Your
practitioner will advise you on the best course of treatment,
often working with your internist or therapist.
About The Author: Rene Graeber graduated from the University of
Munic in Educational and Sports Science and from the Paracelsus
School of Medicine in Hamburg from Naturopathic Medicine. If
you're looking for helpful information about alternative
medicine visit his website at
http://www.naturheilkunde-preetz.de
