Frequently Asked Questions
All that you wanted to know about homeopathy but didn't know whom to ask
All that you wanted to know about homeopathy but didn't know whom to ask
Homeopathic Healing
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What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine which assists the natural tendency of the human body to
heal itself. It acknowledges that all symptoms of ill health are a mere manifestation of the disharmony
within the whole person and that it is the patient that requires treatment and not the disease. It has
been in existence worldwide for nearly two hundred years and its popularity is rising in the present day.
People suffering from all kinds of illnesses, from arthritis to migraine, depression to ulcers, including
'modern day' illnesses like AIDS, can be helped by homeopathy in regaining their health. Since different
people react to the same illness in different ways, a homeopath approaches patients in a holistic manner.
The physical, emotional and mental state of each person are regarded as intimately connected.
Homeopaths understand that symptoms of disease are evidence of the body's natural immune system's
response to healing itself and these clues are used to guide them when prescribing a remedy.
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine which assists the natural tendency of the human body to
heal itself. It acknowledges that all symptoms of ill health are a mere manifestation of the disharmony
within the whole person and that it is the patient that requires treatment and not the disease. It has
been in existence worldwide for nearly two hundred years and its popularity is rising in the present day.
People suffering from all kinds of illnesses, from arthritis to migraine, depression to ulcers, including
'modern day' illnesses like AIDS, can be helped by homeopathy in regaining their health. Since different
people react to the same illness in different ways, a homeopath approaches patients in a holistic manner.
The physical, emotional and mental state of each person are regarded as intimately connected.
Homeopaths understand that symptoms of disease are evidence of the body's natural immune system's
response to healing itself and these clues are used to guide them when prescribing a remedy.
What is the law of Similar Suffering?
Homeopathy is derived from two Greek words "homeos" meaning similar and "pathos" meaning suffering.
Translated literally, it means "similar suffering". It is a system of medicine propounded by Dr. Samuel
Hahnemann, a German physician, a little over 200 years ago. Homeopathy is based on the law of cure-
Similia Similibus Curentur, that is, ‘let likes be cured by likes’. In simple terms, it means, " any substance
that can produce a set of signs and symptoms in a healthy person can be used to cure a similar set of
signs and symptoms in a diseased person".
For instance, we know that when cutting a strong onion, we often experience an acrid runny nose, a
particular soreness in the throat and stinging runny eyes. So, a homeopath will prescribe Allium cepa,
the remedy made from the red onion, for the patient who has a cold and bad throat with these particular
symptoms.
This law of similars has been a part of medical practice since the time of Hippocrates, the father of
medicine, and is also mentioned in the ancient Indian scriptures, the Vedas. However, homeopathy as we
know it today, was first formulated only 200 years ago. Even the term Allopathy was coined by
Hahnemann to describe the type of practice prevalent at that time.
Homeopathy is derived from two Greek words "homeos" meaning similar and "pathos" meaning suffering.
Translated literally, it means "similar suffering". It is a system of medicine propounded by Dr. Samuel
Hahnemann, a German physician, a little over 200 years ago. Homeopathy is based on the law of cure-
Similia Similibus Curentur, that is, ‘let likes be cured by likes’. In simple terms, it means, " any substance
that can produce a set of signs and symptoms in a healthy person can be used to cure a similar set of
signs and symptoms in a diseased person".
For instance, we know that when cutting a strong onion, we often experience an acrid runny nose, a
particular soreness in the throat and stinging runny eyes. So, a homeopath will prescribe Allium cepa,
the remedy made from the red onion, for the patient who has a cold and bad throat with these particular
symptoms.
This law of similars has been a part of medical practice since the time of Hippocrates, the father of
medicine, and is also mentioned in the ancient Indian scriptures, the Vedas. However, homeopathy as we
know it today, was first formulated only 200 years ago. Even the term Allopathy was coined by
Hahnemann to describe the type of practice prevalent at that time.
How do the remedies work?
A homeopathic remedy acts as a signal which energizes or stimulates the body's healing power,
mobilizing the defense systems and working in the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the being.
Just as a television produces images of the program it has been tuned, so is a sick person very much in
tune or sensitive to the correct remedy and only a minute stimulus from the correct signal (or remedy) is
required. Therefore, in homeopathy, only one remedy (or signal) is used at a time. The idea is to cure
with the minimum amount of medicine and with the minimum amount of intervention.
A homeopathic remedy acts as a signal which energizes or stimulates the body's healing power,
mobilizing the defense systems and working in the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the being.
Just as a television produces images of the program it has been tuned, so is a sick person very much in
tune or sensitive to the correct remedy and only a minute stimulus from the correct signal (or remedy) is
required. Therefore, in homeopathy, only one remedy (or signal) is used at a time. The idea is to cure
with the minimum amount of medicine and with the minimum amount of intervention.
Is homeopathy a holistic science?
Homeopaths regard an individual’s physical, emotional and mental well-being as intimately connected, and
treat an illness holistically, rather than as separate physical symptoms. The homeopath first obtains a
complete overview of the patient. A remedy is then prescribed for that patient as an individual and not
for the symptom of the disease.
Homeopaths regard an individual’s physical, emotional and mental well-being as intimately connected, and
treat an illness holistically, rather than as separate physical symptoms. The homeopath first obtains a
complete overview of the patient. A remedy is then prescribed for that patient as an individual and not
for the symptom of the disease.
What is the Principle of Individualization?
Each patient is different from another and his reaction to all the internal and external forces or stimuli will
therefore be different from another. This is called the principle of individualization.It is for this reason
that two patients with apparently the same illness may be treated with different remedies. Let us take
the example of common cold. An allopath will prescribe for each patient the same medication- a
decongestant, an anti-allergic and an anti-pyretic. A homeopath first looks for the cause. He will ask you
how you caught the cold- did you get wet in the rains, were exposed to a draft of air, got overheated or
chilled, had cold drinks, etc. Then, he looks for the details of the symptoms- whether you sneeze or not,
is there a runny nose, what is the type of discharge, etc. He finds out what factors aggravate or relieve
the complaints, what are the associated symptoms, etc. Armed with these details, he selects a remedy
similar to the illness and attacks it.
Each patient is different from another and his reaction to all the internal and external forces or stimuli will
therefore be different from another. This is called the principle of individualization.It is for this reason
that two patients with apparently the same illness may be treated with different remedies. Let us take
the example of common cold. An allopath will prescribe for each patient the same medication- a
decongestant, an anti-allergic and an anti-pyretic. A homeopath first looks for the cause. He will ask you
how you caught the cold- did you get wet in the rains, were exposed to a draft of air, got overheated or
chilled, had cold drinks, etc. Then, he looks for the details of the symptoms- whether you sneeze or not,
is there a runny nose, what is the type of discharge, etc. He finds out what factors aggravate or relieve
the complaints, what are the associated symptoms, etc. Armed with these details, he selects a remedy
similar to the illness and attacks it.
What is Potentization?
The remedies we use come from many sources. All substances whether of plant, mineral, metal or animal
origin are put through a special process whereby they are serially diluted and vigorously shaken.
This special process is called "potentization", wherein the crude medicinal substances are serially diluted
and "energized". The dilution is frequently so great that no chemical trace of the original substance
remains. However the characteristic energy pattern or the blue print of the original substance is
imprinted onto the dilution.
This process is very much akin to the radio or television signals, where the original program or scene is
converted in to an electromagnetic energy pattern or signal which is transmitted to a receiver.
The remedies we use come from many sources. All substances whether of plant, mineral, metal or animal
origin are put through a special process whereby they are serially diluted and vigorously shaken.
This special process is called "potentization", wherein the crude medicinal substances are serially diluted
and "energized". The dilution is frequently so great that no chemical trace of the original substance
remains. However the characteristic energy pattern or the blue print of the original substance is
imprinted onto the dilution.
This process is very much akin to the radio or television signals, where the original program or scene is
converted in to an electromagnetic energy pattern or signal which is transmitted to a receiver.
Is homeopathy scientific?
Homeopathic medicines have been extensively studied over the years for their effectiveness in a variety
of indications. Clinical studies using internationally accepted protocols has been conducted to prove the
scientific basis of homeopathy.
Homeopathic medicines have been extensively studied over the years for their effectiveness in a variety
of indications. Clinical studies using internationally accepted protocols has been conducted to prove the
scientific basis of homeopathy.
What will my homeopath need to know?
The homeopath approaches patient in a holistic manner and regards the physical, emotional and mental
or spiritual complaints of each person as intimately connected, since all are aspects of the whole being
of the patient suffering.
Your homeopath will ask detailed question on all aspects of your life past and present. So, the patient
may be asked questions about all sorts of apparently minor deviations from health and about character
and personality traits. It may appear that the homeopath is interested in matters that have little to do
with the particular complaint about which the patient is most concerned. Be as detailed and thorough as
possible, what you may determine as unusual, trivial or unimportant could hold a greater significance to
your homeopath. Initial consultations are long, could last an hour or more and all discussions are
treated with the strictest confidence.
The homeopath approaches patient in a holistic manner and regards the physical, emotional and mental
or spiritual complaints of each person as intimately connected, since all are aspects of the whole being
of the patient suffering.
Your homeopath will ask detailed question on all aspects of your life past and present. So, the patient
may be asked questions about all sorts of apparently minor deviations from health and about character
and personality traits. It may appear that the homeopath is interested in matters that have little to do
with the particular complaint about which the patient is most concerned. Be as detailed and thorough as
possible, what you may determine as unusual, trivial or unimportant could hold a greater significance to
your homeopath. Initial consultations are long, could last an hour or more and all discussions are
treated with the strictest confidence.
What is entailed in the treatment?
Traditional homeopathic remedy is prescribed in the form of pills that should be allowed to dissolve under
the tongue for greatest absorption. Patients should refrain from ingesting anything for atleast 1/2 hours
after taking the medication. Your homeopath will usually advise you to refrain from any strong smelling
substances while undergoing homeopathic treatment because such substances lessen the effect of the
remedy. Tea, coffee, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, camphor or menthol products are some examples of the
same. Store all remedies in cool dark places and well away from anything with a strong smell.
Please inform your doctor of any other medications that you may be on as well as any medical
procedures that you are about to start, or have already begun. Other treatments and prescription
medications may impact the effectiveness of your treatment.
Do not be surprised if your homeopath asks you to make necessary changes in your lifestyle.
Traditional homeopathic remedy is prescribed in the form of pills that should be allowed to dissolve under
the tongue for greatest absorption. Patients should refrain from ingesting anything for atleast 1/2 hours
after taking the medication. Your homeopath will usually advise you to refrain from any strong smelling
substances while undergoing homeopathic treatment because such substances lessen the effect of the
remedy. Tea, coffee, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, camphor or menthol products are some examples of the
same. Store all remedies in cool dark places and well away from anything with a strong smell.
Please inform your doctor of any other medications that you may be on as well as any medical
procedures that you are about to start, or have already begun. Other treatments and prescription
medications may impact the effectiveness of your treatment.
Do not be surprised if your homeopath asks you to make necessary changes in your lifestyle.
Are there any side-effects?
Homeopathy influences the body's energy rather than its chemical balance. Homeopathic medicines do
not cause side effects and are intrinsically safe, since there is no chemical trace to accumulate in the
tissues.
Homeopathy influences the body's energy rather than its chemical balance. Homeopathic medicines do
not cause side effects and are intrinsically safe, since there is no chemical trace to accumulate in the
tissues.
Can homeopathic medicines be taken with conventional medicines?
Yes. Individuals who have been on long term conventional medicines cannot suddenly stop those
medicines. In some cases a sudden withdrawal may cause an adverse reaction. Conventional medicines
may be gradually reduced under the supervision of the attending physician, after the homeopathic
remedy has begun to restore the normal state of health.
Yes. Individuals who have been on long term conventional medicines cannot suddenly stop those
medicines. In some cases a sudden withdrawal may cause an adverse reaction. Conventional medicines
may be gradually reduced under the supervision of the attending physician, after the homeopathic
remedy has begun to restore the normal state of health.
Can diabetics take the homeopathic pills made of sugar?
The amount of sugar in the homeopathic pills is negligible, so diabetics can safely take the medicines.
Homeopathic medicines can also be given in distilled water instead of the pills.
The amount of sugar in the homeopathic pills is negligible, so diabetics can safely take the medicines.
Homeopathic medicines can also be given in distilled water instead of the pills.
Can I treat myself with homeopathic remedies?
You can learn to utilize excellent remedies for simple first aid situations such as cuts, bruises, insect
stings, stomach upsets etc. Do not try and resolve serious and more complex ailments on your own.
Using a homeopathic remedy to treat a symptom may not cure your illness. You should consult a
homeopathic healer, who is trained to treat your illness holistically.
You can learn to utilize excellent remedies for simple first aid situations such as cuts, bruises, insect
stings, stomach upsets etc. Do not try and resolve serious and more complex ailments on your own.
Using a homeopathic remedy to treat a symptom may not cure your illness. You should consult a
homeopathic healer, who is trained to treat your illness holistically.
How soon will I feel relief?
The time it takes to cure a symptom is directly dependant on the complexity of the ailment. Since the
remedy works from inside out, internal disorders are the first to be cured as opposed to superficial outer
symptoms. Be patient, for it is more beneficial to cure the cause of the illness as well as the symptoms,
rather than simply relieve the symptoms.
The time it takes to cure a symptom is directly dependant on the complexity of the ailment. Since the
remedy works from inside out, internal disorders are the first to be cured as opposed to superficial outer
symptoms. Be patient, for it is more beneficial to cure the cause of the illness as well as the symptoms,
rather than simply relieve the symptoms.