The Philosphy of Homeopathy in 2011

“The ASA (Advertising Standards Agency) has an established position on claims that can be made, and those claims that are not likely to be acceptable for homeopathy. Because the ASA has not seen reliable evidence to substantiate claims for the efficacy of homeopathy in  relation to maintaining or improving health, you will need to remove any such claims from your website”.

Whilst it may be problematic to prove its efficacy within current scientific thinking and methods, Homeopathy has an unprecedented history of non-invasive, successful medical treatment for over 200 years. This evidence is recorded in The Repertory, a standard reference book for homeopaths.

When the NHS was set up in 1948, homeopathic hospitals were deemed sufficiently relevant and effective to be included in the national public health system. Some of these hospitals continue to serve patients through the NHS today. Homeopathy is also available through private practice.

Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine, which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their experience of individual symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate homeopathic remedy to each patient.

It is my belief that homeopathy works on the principle of “like cures like”, that is, a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person is used to diminish those same symptoms in illness. This principle “Similia Similibus Curentur” was identified by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy.

As yet, science has not been able to explain the mechanism of the actions of ultra-high dilutions in the body, but laboratory experiments have repeatedly demonstrated that homoeopathically prepared substances cause biological effects.

FACT: There are 4 NHS funded homeopathic hospitals in the UK. The largest, the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital treats around 2,000 patients per week. (1)

FACT: Homeopathy has been widely used throughout the world for more than 200 years. In 2000, the House of Lords’ Select Committee on Science & Technology cited homeopathy as one of the five Group One therapies, having “an individual diagnostic approach” along with osteopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and acupuncture.(2)

FACT: Homeopathy can be safely used alongside conventional medicines and will not interfere with the action of medicines prescribed by your doctor. Because homeopathic medicines (often referred to as remedies) are non-toxic, there are no side effects(3)

The Consultation

5 Easy Steps…………

STEP 1

Call to make an appointment and a questionnaire will be sent to you.

STEP 2

Your first consultation will be around an hour in length and generally takes longer than subsequent consultation as it involves asking detailed questions about your current health, medical history and lifestyle. Some questions may seem strange, but the important thing to remember with homeopathy is that it treats the individual in a holistic way, and so I am looking to understand how you experience your symptoms and how they effect your life, so that I can make the most appropriate remedy choice for you.

STEP 3

A personalised plan will be devised and explained for you during your appointment. You will leave with detailed instructions on how to take your homeopathic remedies and what to expect over the coming weeks.

STEP 4

Your second consulation is to monitor your progress, this can be anywhere from 1-5 weeks, depending on what your personlised plan is. This appointment will last anywhere between 15-45 minutes.

STEP 5

Your third consulation is to assess your progress, to change the homeopathic remedies, if necessary. Again, this can be anywhere from 1-5 weeks, depending on the changes which have taken place. This appointment will take anywhere between 15-45 minutes in length.

 

Homeopathic medicines are made from many different substances such as animals, plants and minerals. The remedies come in the form of easy to take, pleasant tasting tablets or occasionally liquids or powders, which should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth, under the tongue or crunched like a sweet. Nothing else should be placed in the mouth 10 minutes before or after taking the remedy, especially avoid items such as toothpaste, coffee and strong herbal teas during this 10 minute period. As with all medicines, they need to be stored safely and appropriately.

For young children and infants, we have specially designed soft tablets, which dissolve in the mouth immediately.

 

REFERENCES

1. Society of Homeopaths
2. House of Lords Select Committee on Science & Technology. ‘Complementary & Alternative Medicine.’ Session 1999-2000, 6th Report. The Stationery Office, 2000
3. Dantas F, Rampes H. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br Hom J, 2000; 89: 35-8

a) Endler PC, Heckmann C, Lauppert E, et al. The metamorphosis of amphibians and information of thyroxine. In: Schulte J, Endler PC (eds). Fundamental Research in Ultra High Dilution and Homoeopathy. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1998

b) Montagnier L et al. Electromagnetic signals are produced by aqueous nanostructures derived from bacterial DNA sequences. Interdiscip Sci Comput Life Sci, 2009; 1: 81-90