Frequently Asked Questions about Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine, which is safe, gentle and profoundly effective. It is becoming increasingly popular in this country as more and more people realise the benefits it can bring. Over 30 million people in Europe already benefit from homeopathic treatment.
Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine with a proven track record which uses natural substances to treat the whole person on all levels, physical, mental and emotional. It works by stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Homeopathy treats the WHOLE person not just the part of the body where the symptoms are located. The homeopath will seek to treat the underlying cause of illness so as to bring the body‘s health back into balance. Homeopathy takes into account the uniqueness of each individual and the different ways in which they experience illness. So homeopathy works with your body‘s own healing powers to bring health and well being.
Homeopathy has a different approach to disease from that of conventional medicine. In the conventional approach, several people suffering from a similar disease are likely receive the same treatment, even though they do not have exactly the same symptoms. In homeopathy the remedy is chosen to match the symptoms of the patient as closely as possible and this may result in each patient receiving a different remedy despite the fact that they may have the same condition.
So, to summarise, homeopathy is a prescription that causes a reaction in the patient; this reaction cures the patient.
What does a consultation involve ?In order to determine the most appropriate remedy, I need to build up a detailed picture about you and your symptoms. This takes into consideration your mental, emotional and physical characteristics. I will also ask about your personal and family medical histories. In this way, I can build up a 3 dimensional view of your health so it is possible to see your current symptoms in context. This information is then matched to the remedy that is most suitable for you.
The initial visit usually takes approximately one to one and a half hours. I will then spend time after the consultation assessing the information that you have given and will prescribe a remedy. A follow up is usually scheduled for a month later when your reaction to that remedy will be assessed. This appointment takes around 30 minutes.
What form does the treatment take ?Homeopathic remedies act to stimulate the body‘s own natural healing abilities.
Remedies are usually given in the form of pills or liquid and contain only a very minute amount of active ingredient which has been specially prepared.
The remedies are not tested on animals but on healthy human volunteers.
What are the remedies made from ?Homeopathic remedies are made from animal, plant and mineral materials. A process of dilution and succussion (shaking) is used to bring out the natural healing properties of these substances. The remedies are non-toxic and have no side-effects.
As new remedies are introduced they are tested on healthy volunteers to see what symptoms they produce, working on the principle that 'like cures like' and, therefore, a remedy that produces certain symptoms in a healthy person will benefit a person who is suffering from an illness with similar symptoms.
What can homeopathy treat ?Because the homeopath treats the person themselves rather than the disease, almost all ailments can be treated homeopathically. This includes physical, mental and emotional problems. For example :- anxiety, depression, panic attacks, allergies, asthma, skin problems, IBS, stomach ulcers, headaches, migraines, arthritis, menstrual problems, insomnia, varicose veins, epilepsy and diabetes. Children respond well to homeopathy and issues such as recurrent infections and behavioural problems can be treated.
How quickly will I feel the benefit ?This depends on what sort of illness you have. The duration of treatment depends upon the illness and the individual‘s response to the remedy. Many people find an improvement in their symptoms after just one remedy, whilst others may require further treatment. A very slowly developing complaint will not disappear overnight but other complaints can improve quickly. Often a patient will start to feel "better in themselves". This may include increased energy, greater enjoyment of life and better sleep. A rough guide is that it takes about one month of treatment for every year that you have suffered a particular condition. Although symptoms can disappear very quickly, patience and commitment is also sometimes required.
