Have you ever heard of homeopathy? Wondering what it’s all about? In a nutshell, homeopathy is a centuries-old, natural approach to healing that’s still going strong today as an alternative to conventional medicine. This unique practice offers personalized remedies that stimulate the body’s natural healing powers using highly diluted, sustainable preparations. Read on to discover the history and fascinating facts behind the world’s second largest system of medicine!
What is Homeopathy?
The principle of Homeopathy is “like cures like”, this means that something that brings on symptoms in a healthy person can – in a very small dose – treat an illness with similar symptoms.
Homeopathic products come from animals, plants and minerals. Treatments are often categorized as “individualized”, thus, it’s normal for different people with the same condition to get different treatments.
“Homeopathy uses a different diagnostic system for assigning treatments to individuals and recognizes clinical patterns of signs and symptoms that are different from those of conventional medicine.” – Homeopathy: What You Need to Know
In other words, homeopathy is a form of ‘complementary’ medicine that stimulates the body’s own healing response using highly diluted preparations.
Did You Know?
Homeopathy was introduced by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, in 1796. Samuel believed that large doses of drugs aggravates illness and that the efficacy of medicine increases with dilution.
History of Homeopathy in the U.S.
The first homeopathic hospital opened in 1832. Shortly after, dozens more were founded all across the country.
In 1844, the American Institute of Homeopathy was created – the first national medical society. In response to this, ‘conventional’ doctors formed the American Medical Association (AMA) shortly after. Conventional doctors coordinated a campaign through the AMA ridiculing homeopathy as “unscientific” and “cultish” due to nobody being sure as to how exactly it worked. Despite this, it continues to be the second largest system of medicine in the world.
Homeopathic Usage & Satisfaction in the European Union (EU)
In the EU, patients expect to be able to turn to their healthcare professionals for information on homeopathic remedies and would like their doctors to prescribe these products more frequently and alongside ‘conventional’ medicines.
Additionally, the majority of Europeans in the countries that were surveyed believe that conventional and complementary medicine can be used together.
The European Coalition on Homeopathic & Anthroposophic Medicinal Products created a detailed graphic on the usage and satisfaction of homeopathy in several European countries. View the chart here.
How Does it Work?
Homeopathic medicine uses very diluted amounts of mineral, flower, animal, and plant-based substances.
Homeopathic doctors, or homeopaths, dilute ingredients by adding water or alcohol. The mixture is then shaken in a process called “potentization”. It is generally believed that the lower the dose, the more powerful the medicine. Many of these remedies no longer contain any molecules of the original substance.
Homeopathic potencies are assigned a combination of a number and a letter. The number refers to the number of dilutions that the tincture, or liquid preparation, has undergone in order to prepare the remedy. The letter refers to the proportions used in each dilution of the series.
Homeopathy: The Green Medicine
Because homeopathic remedies are made from natural substances, most of the animal-based remedies are humanely-sourced and no animals are involved in testing the remedies.
Additionally, due to the dilution process, only small amounts of these substances are used, thus, there is no need to worry about over-consumption or the exhausting of these natural resources.
According to Boiron, homeopathy redefines what it means to be ‘clean’ when remedies are manufactured. Compared to traditional pharmaceutical development, homeopathic preparations do not involve “chemical synthesis and complex purification processes,” both of which are, “extremely resource – and energy – intensive.”
Additionally, homeopathic medicines do not create any toxic waste. Of the little waste that is produced, most of it is biodegradable.
The Wrap Up
And there you have it—a little crash course on homeopathy! Whether you’re new to the concept or just brushing up, it’s fascinating to see how this centuries-old practice continues to capture the curiosity of many all around the world. Who knew something so diluted could pack such a punch? If you’re ever in search of some complementary remedies, now you’ll have some homeopathic wisdom to draw from.
Happy healing!
Sources:
History of Homeopathy | B.R.Sur. Homeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre
Homeopathy: does a teaspoon of honey help the medicine go down? | Current Oncology
Homeopathy: The Greener Way to Feel Better | Boiron
Homeopathy: The Ultimate Green Medicine | Auckland Homeopathy
Homeopathy: What You Need to Know | National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
