Over the course of 200 years of Homeopathy usage around the world, it was observed that homeopathic medicines (also known as remedies) enhance the body’s normal healing and self-regulatory processes to restore health. Homeopathic health practitioners are called Homeopaths.
Homeopathy was founded in 1790 in Germany, and is being widely practiced in over 80 countries today. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, 500 million people around the world use Homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies (usually made from plants and minerals) are very affordable, and regulated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Homeopathy should not be confused with other natural medicines (e.g. herbal, Ayurvedic, Chinese medicines, etc.). It is a unique healing system based on three main principles.
Principle # 1: Law of Similars –
If a substance in a crude form causes a set of symptoms in a healthy person, then the same substance in extremely diluted form heals the patient with similar symptoms – e.g. in a healthy person, strong coffee causes wakefulness, and improved alertness, whereas a “Homeopathic” remedy made out of coffee can help to calm the person so he or she can sleep. Similarly, if someone is suffering from hay fever or some other environmental allergy, with symptoms of runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing, then a “Homeopathic” remedy made out of onion would help the person, because chopping raw onion cause similar symptoms in a healthy person.
Principle # 2: Individualized medicine –
Homeopathic remedies are customized for the individual patient – e.g. 5 people with a migraine complaint may be given 5 different remedies, based on each person’s individual set of (mental, physical, and emotional) symptoms, health history, habits, personality, family member’s health history, etc.
Principle # 3: Minimum dose –
Homeopathic remedies are given in extremely diluted form – thus there are no side effects.
Science has thus far been unable to explain the exact mechanism of action of Homeopathic remedies.
Reason #1:
They have tried everything for their illness, but nothing has worked, and now they are looking for other solutions to relieve their suffering
Reason #2:
They live a healthy life style (including diet and exercise), and are looking for treatment that matches their natural and healthy life style
Reason #3:
They suffer from an illness for which no definite diagnosis has been established
Reason #4:
They have recurrent illnesses, such as bronchitis, earache, sinuses, allergies, etc., where modern medicine gives them temporary relief, but the problem does not get resolved permanently
Reason #5:
They are looking for milder, gentler, and permanent healing, without any side effects, to end their suffering
Reason #6:
They know someone who was helped by Homeopathy for a similar illness