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Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of alternative therapy that was originally developed by German physician, chemist, and linguist, Samuel Hahnemann, in the late 1700s. This medical doctor proposed homeopathy as an effective alternative to the harsh medical treatments of the times, such as blood letting, purging, and blistering.

After Hahnemann's homeopathy was developed and applied with success in Europe, word of this alternative therapy reached the United States. Homeopathy was first practiced in the United States in the early 1800s. In 1999 alone, an estimated six million Americans had used homeopathy. Homeopathy has been integrated into the national health care systems of more than six counties and is used in many others. American medical studies have produced contradictory information about the effectiveness of homeopathy. A few high quality studies have found positive results with use of homeopathy.

Dr. Hahnemann believed that every person has a life force and a self-healing response. Through homeopathy, the body is viewed as a complete system, thus, treatment is designed to account for a patient's total health. The guiding principle of homeopathy is that "like cures like." To test this idea, Hahnemann gave healthy volunteers repeated doses of common remedies for certain ailments. After carefully recording the symptoms these remedies produced, he matched these drug symptoms to the symptoms experienced by sick people. Homeopathy involves giving very small doses of symptom-producing drugs to people who suffer ailments involving those same symptoms.

The fundamental belief in homeopathy is that these diluted substances will stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms in order to prevent or treat illness. Homeopathic medicines are derived naturally from plants, minerals, and sometimes animals. Some are diluted to such an extent that not a single molecule of the original material is left, which has led to some criticism of homeopathy by the US medical community. Homeopathic remedies are regulated by the FDA in the same way as over-the-counter drugs and do not require a prescription.

While many homeopathic remedies can be purchased over the counter, it is recommended that a patient speak with a homeopathic practitioner to receive individualized therapy. A homeopath will take a full medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam in order to properly prescribe treatment. In the United States, homeopathy training is offered through diploma or certificate programs and is often studied as a part of naturopathy. In Europe, homeopathy can be pursued as a primary professional degree. Only three states currently license medical doctors to practice homeopathy.

Proponents of homeopathy believe that this alternative therapy is a safe, effective, and affordable way to treat over 150 ailments. Compared to traditional medications, homeopathic remedies carry very little risk of side effects. There are homeopathic professionals throughout the United States that may be able to address your questions and concerns about homeopathy in greater detail.


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