Homeopathy Explained
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is an intelligent system of healthcare developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century. He resurrected the ancient principles of medicine set down by Hippocrates and Paracelsus and developed them further into the practise of homeopathy using clearly defined principles of nature and chemistry.
- Homeopathy understands that every individual feels dis-ease differently so every condition must be treated as unique to them. The homeopath will explore exactly how you experience your symptoms and prescribe a remedy precisely for you.
An example of this is during the allergy season when many people can be suffering from hay fever but can be experiencing it quite differently. One may have a blocked up nose and itchy eyes while another suffers from lots of sneezing, runny nose and sinus pain - same condition requiring completely different remedies (medicine).
- Homeopathy not only restores health but fortifies you to be physically, mentally and emotionally resistant to that dis-ease which usually makes you unwell. Dr Hahnemann recognised that everyone possesses an internal dynamo that keeps them operating well - he called this the Vital Force (it has many names in eastern medicine most notably Chi or Qi). It encompasses your regulatory physical systems (immune, endocrine, hormonal etc) with your vitality and spirit on a mental and emotional level.
- Homeopathy harnesses the potent therapeutic effects of substances from all the kingdoms (plant, mineral, sea etc) to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself…wakes up your ’get well’ instinct. Homeopathic remedies are made to exacting pharmacopeia standards and prescribed differently to conventional medicine. Substances used are serially diluted and succussed (shaken) until only the therapeutic characteristics of the original substance remain.
- Homeopathy is gentle yet vigorous enough to treat every body from pregnancy through newborn to the elderly, from long standing chronic conditions to sudden acute and seasonal illnesses. An excellent first method to be used in the home for both humans and animals alike. The are many homeopathic veterinarians worldwide experiencing the amazing benefits of homeopathy for their animals both domestic and wild. In NZ, many dairy and beef farmers use homeopathy as a front line medicine for common ailments.
- Homeopathy harnesses the potent therapeutic effects of substances from all the kingdoms (plant, mineral, sea etc) to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself…wakes up your ’get well’ instinct. Homeopathic remedies are made to exacting pharmacopeia standards and prescribed differently to conventional medicine. Substances used are serially diluted and succussed (shaken) until only the therapeutic characteristics of the original substance remain. Although still not fully understood even within the homeopathic community, huge advances in nano physics are showing that water has a cellular memory of the substance it was in which begins to explain its ability to convey the health messages of the remedies without any toxic side effects.
- Homeopathy is gentle yet vigorous enough to treat every body from pregnancy through newborn to the elderly, from long standing chronic conditions to sudden acute and seasonal illnesses. An excellent first method to be used in the home for both humans and animals alike. The are many homeopathic veterinarians worldwide experiencing the amazing benefits of homeopathy for their animals both domestic and wild. In NZ, many dairy and beef farmers use homeopathy as a front line medicine for common ailments.
Homeopathic medicines are tested on healthy human adults not lab animals or individuals with already compromised health issues. Healthy volunteers test the effects of the remedy by taking it repeatedly until symptoms begin to occur and this information forms the basis of what the remedy can do to heal. The details are carefully recorded in a database known as the materia medica. The information on 3000 (and growing) substances used in homeopathy are constantly being added to and up dated.
History of Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed by a German physician called Dr Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century (although the concept has been in existence since the time of Hippocrates). He was also an accomplished chemist and research fellow who became increasingly despondent at the barbaric medical treatments of his day. The use of leeches was common as was the practise of ‘blood letting’ and deadly poisons and drugs were leaving patients in a worse condition than the original ailment.
His research led him to resurrect the theories of Hippocrates and Paracelsus that suggested, that which causes illness can also be its cure if given in minute doses.
He was able to demonstrate that, by taking tiny doses of the tincture of Cinchona Bark (known to have anti-malarial properties), he developed the exact symptoms of malaria. When he ceased taking the tincture, the symptoms subsided.
Through additional dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) of the substance, the therapeutic benefits became even more apparent.
Upon this principle, Hahnemann further developed his systematic methodology for the preparation and prescription of homeopathic remedies. Hahnemann also advocated a simple life without the excess of stimulants and alcohol. Eat well, sleep well and get plenty of fresh air formed part of his philosophy for health - this was innovative thinking in the18th century!
What & Who can it treat?
Homeopathy can treat anyone including animals very successfully. My practice includes domestic and farm animals including cats, dogs, horses, sheep, cattle & pigs.
From the beginning of life to the end, homeopathy can be used to gently, safely improve health and well being.
Where to find a homeopath?
If you are in NZ, you can check the website of the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths (NZCH) of which I am a member for a registered practitioner near you. The homeopaths listed will have applied voluntarily to be on the register and will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive training of at least 4 years from an accredited provider. Interns on the register are new applicants that are awaiting having their credentials assessed by the executive of the NZCH.
www.homeopathy.co.nz is the official website of the NZCH.
Yellow Pages will also have listings of homeopaths in your locality that may or may not be listed with the NZCH and I would urge you to make sure you know the qualifications of the practitioner you plan to visit or have solid recommendations from others as to their practise. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - a good practitioner will have no qualms answering them.
If you are an international visitor to this site, then use your usual search engine to check for Council of Homeopaths or Register of Homeopaths in your country - again ,all practitioners on the register should have had their credentials checked.
The International Council for Homeopathy has some listings for its member countries : www.homeopathy-ich.org
Case examples
Coming soon.
Examples of remedies
Coming soon.
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