Homeopathy

The Principle of Homoeopathy

Homoeopathy is based on the principle of “Like cures Like” or “Simillimum similibus curentur”.

For example, if a healthy person were to peel some red onions (Allium Cepa), it would make their eyes water and burn. It could also make them sneeze. By the same token, if a sick person with a similar set of symptoms took Allium Cepa in homoeopathic form, it may well cure their condition.

The principle of Similars still holds good to this day, with the homoeopathic practitioner matching the patient’s symptoms to a substance which has been tested on a healthy person.

The History of Homoeopathy

This principle had already been noted by the Greek Physician, Hippocrates, around 400 BC. However, although he recorded several examples, he chose, for largely unknown reasons, to follow a different route.

In the mid 1700s, there was a movement in Northern Europe by certain radical thinking practitioners towards a more humane form of medicine. From that movement, Hahnemann emerged and, in l796, modern Homoeopathy was born.

Since Hahnemann’s day, Homoeopathy has become widely used around the world and its popularity continues to grow. Indeed, it now attracts university courses in Britain and several other countries including South Africa where the training is seen as parallel to orthodox medicine and doctorates are conferred. It has also been used by the British Royal Family for many generations, and is known to be appreciated by the Queen and Prince Charles. The late Queen Mother was also an enthusiastic user of homoeopathic medicines, and all three Royal Coats of Arms are on display in Ainsworths, the homoeopathic pharmacy in central London which has traditionally been their supplier.

Is Homoeopathy Safe?

Homoeopathy works with minimal doses of specially-prepared substances. In many instances, there is actually no material content of the substance in evidence. Yet the effect can be dynamic, powerful and safe. In professional hands, and with 3,000 remedies to choose from, it is possible to fine tune the choice of medicine and achieve some impressive results where other treatments have failed.

Why Choose Homoeopathy?

In developing Homoeopathy as a medicine, Hahnemann was inspired and guided by the way his child responded to treatment when he was gravely ill, and, more generally, the way healing works in nature. In fact, Homoeopathy works with nature rather than against it. It is possible to work on subtle energetic levels that are both gentle and effective, and to turn around some extremely stubborn cases.

What Diseases can Homoeopathy Treat?

Homoeopathy is both an alternative and a complementary medicine.

In curable, non-surgical and non-mechanical cases, homoeopathic medicines may be used as an alternative to drugs. It is particularly useful for allergies, viral infections, hormonal problems, childbirth, nervous disorders and emotional problems as well as children’s diseases, just to name a few typical examples of conditions that have been considerably helped by Homoeopathy.

How is the initial consultation conducted?

The practitioner needs to gain a comprehensive understanding of the presenting symptoms and the person’s personality, along with details of any complaints and how they experience them in order to assess each case correctly. Finding out about the patient’s general energy level, his/her past medical history and lifestyle is also important. Initial consultations will last l ½ hours or more, and all consultations are conducted in the strictest confidence.

The Homoeopath will prescribe a remedy, usually in the form of tablets or pills, but occasionally as powders, which should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth. Alternatively, the patient may be given a liquid remedy along with detailed dosage instructions. Nothing else should be taken for 20 minutes before or after a remedy, not even toothpaste or tobacco. It is usually advisable to stop taking certain other substances like coffee and peppermints, as these are strong and can antidote some homoeopathic medicines.

Very occasionally, a patient may be sensitive to a particular homoeopathic remedy, which could cause temporary discomfort. However, the practitioner will be monitoring this carefully and is qualified to deal with it promptly.

Sometimes, it requires patience and perseverance before an improvement is observed. Homoeopathic treatment is essentially individual in its approach to patients. They do not all respond in the same way to homoeopathic medication. The quality of feedback given by the patient will also play an important role in their recovery.

The Wren Clinic

Qualified practitioners at the Wren: Kay Wesley

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