What is Homeopathic Medicine?
Homeopathy is a unique therapeutic form of medicine discovered over two centuries ago by physician Samuel Hahnemann. Dr. Hahnemann practiced medicine during the late 18th and early 19th centuries when toxic forms of medicine were routinely used and he became increasingly uncomfortable with the standard medical practices of his time. After translating herbal medical books, he was struck by the observation that a medicine widely used at that time for malaria, called quinine, actually produced the same symptoms of malaria in himself when he took a large dose of it (without actually having malaria himself). After extensive scientific trials, he found that medicines that produce certain symptoms on the body when given in large doses, can also be used to cure the body of the same symptoms when given in extremely small, diluted doses.
Like Cures Like
Hahnemann thus discovered that homeopathy functions upon the principle of “like cures like,” meaning that a medicine that causes certain symptoms in a healthy person will cure those exact same symptoms in an ailing person.
Highly Individualized Treatment
Homeopathy is a highly individualized form of medicine. Hundreds of homeopathic remedies have been “proven” (meaning had the symptoms they produce in healthy people recorded and catalogued) and it’s very common that even when two people have the same diagnosis (say a migraine headache), it’s likely they will not be given the same remedy. The specific symptoms each of these two people experience with the migraine may be different. For example, one person may find relief from lying in a warm dark room where another may only find relief from vigorous exercise, therefore each will receive the remedy that matches their unique symptoms specifically.
Safe and Effective Medicine
Because homeopathy is given in such small doses, it is not only a very effective form of medicine, but is also extremely safe. Homeopathy can be used in all age groups and given to all people including pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and even animals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeopathic Medicine
Find more information about homeopathic medicine from the American Institute of Homeopathy.
For more information on Frequently Asked Questions about homeopathic medicine see The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists’ General Homeopathy FAQs here.