What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a medical science originally developed by German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843).
The system is based on the principle that any substance that can produce symptoms of ill health, in a healthy person, can be used in minute quantities, to cure the same symptoms in a person who is ill.
This concept that ‘like cures like’ is known as the ‘Law of Similars’ and was understood in ancient times by Aristotle and Hippocrates (‘the father of modern medicine’) and is also found in traditional Hindu medicine manuscripts.
However, it was Dr. Hahnemann who took this principle and created the healing science of Homeopathy in 1796.
“The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of the health or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable and most harmless way on easily comprehensible principles”.
Samuel Hahnemann, founder of Homoeopathy.
What kind of medicine is used in treatment?
Homeopathic remedies can be made from plant, animal or mineral sources and are taken in minute doses, which makes Homeopathy very safe, effective, gentle and non-toxic.
These remedies are prepared according to strict guidelines set out in international pharmacopoeias. Scientific research of what each remedy can be used to treat is based on over 200 years of double-blind, controlled studies on each substance given to groups of healthy individuals. There are over 4000 proven Homeopathic remedies to date.
How does Homeopathy work to cure ailments?
A substance that can create symptoms of ill health, in a healthy person, can be taken in minute quantities to cure those same symptoms in a person who is sick. The minute quantity, while not producing the symptoms itself, stimulates an individual’s immune and body systems to relieve, or cure the condition.
An example of this principle is coffee. Some people are very sensitive to its effects and can be overstimulated by taking it. They may experience overly heightened mental and physical alertness and become unusually reactive to normal stimuli such as sounds and smells, etc. When a person presents at a homeopathic clinic with symptoms of insomnia, headache, irritability and an over stimulated nervous system, Coffea cruda may be chosen to alleviate their condition, prepared according to special homeopathic principles. It has been shown that this may settle the symptoms of insomnia in such cases.
What sort of conditions can it treat?
Homeopathy treats a wide variety of mental, emotional and physical symptoms. It is also often used to treat the underlying and inherited patterns of health and the inherent constitutional condition of each individual.
Homeopathy aims to treat the whole person, and as each person is unique so too is the prescribed treatment. This means that people with the same condition may have very different Homeopathic remedies prescribed because of their own unique set of symptoms.
The MINDD Foundation’s focus is on conditions such as:
ADHD, Allergies, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Autism, Behavior challenges, Cancer, Celiac, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Diabetes, Digestive Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Eating Disorders, Eczema, Food Intolerances, Head Aches, Heart Disease, hormonal imbalances, Infections, Learning & Language Delay, Obesity, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pyroluria, Schizophrenia, Sensory Integration, Speech-Language Delay.
Homeopathy can be well-suited to treating these conditions, especially when you consult with a practitioner whose practice is focused on the deeper ‘constitutional homeopathy’.
Some other conditions that may respond well to Homeopathy include:
Acute complaints – coughs, colds, earache, food poisoning, hangover, travel sickness etc.
First aid situations – bites, stings, hives, injuries, trauma, emotional shock etc.
Vague symptoms – where there are no identifiable causes of disease, but the person feels far from well.
Chronic complaints – skin conditions, hormone imbalances, mood swings, headaches, behavioural problems, digestive disturbances, arthritis etc.
Who is Homeopathy for?
Homeopathy is suitable for everyone
Can it be used with babies and children?
Homeopathy is very gentle and it can be used safely with babies and children
Can it be used with the elderly?
Again, its gentleness and effectiveness make it perfect for use with older more frail members of our community
Is Homeopathy a stand-alone treatment?
It can definitely be a stand-alone treatment. However, it is very common to see it used in conjunction with other therapies. From Nutritional Diet Programs to herbal remedies and vitamin/mineral supplementation as well as allopathic medication, Homeopathic can be either a primary treatment or an important adjunct to other therapies.
How does Homeopathy interact with other therapies? Should it be used with other therapies?
Depending on the areas of special interest of the practitioner and their special focus in their practice, Homeopathy may be safely used with other therapies. The skilled practitioner will have expertise in blending more than one therapy to treat the whole person.
How does it interact with Orthodox medical treatment including pharmaceutical drugs?
Broadly speaking Homeopathic remedies may generally be taken quite safely with allopathic conventionally prescribed medications.
Your skilled practitioner will be well experienced in knowing the best remedies to combine for effective treatment and cure. They will be aware of any remedies that are a better ‘fit’ with any pharmaceutical drugs you may be taking.
Who practices Homeopathy?
Many different Natural Health Practitioners, as well as Medical Doctors, use homeopathy extensively, often in conjunction with other therapies.
In addition, a person who specialises in Homeopathy as their primary treatment focus is usually referred to as a Classical Homeopath.
How do Classical Homeopaths differ from others?
Homeopathy can form part of Naturopathic Training, however, that doesn’t make the Naturopath a Homeopath, unless they have undertaken additional studies to meet government education standards for Homeopathy.
When a Naturopath has been trained with Homeopathy as an elective in their studies, they may use Homeopathy as one of a number of different therapies to treat the individual and their Homeopathic treatment may look primarily at the physical aspects of the person’s health. However, Homeopathy is a specialist and separate therapy in its own right.
A fully trained and registered Homeopath is often referred to as a Classical Homeopath and will study the individual in depth to determine the underlying cause of the problem or illness.
They understand that we are made up of mind, body and spirit and that something, which affects any one of these, will influence the others. This means that they go beyond simply looking at physical symptoms but seek to delve deeper into the underlying reason for the health condition and even look at constitutional and hereditary patterns, in order to effect a complete cure. In addition, they often use one remedy at a time.
What is Homotoxicology?
Homotoxicology is a modern extension of homoeopathy developed partly in response to the effects of the Industrial Revolution, which imposed chemical pollutants on the human body.
Homotoxicology is a theory of medicine that views the symptoms of a disease as evidence of the body’s defence mechanisms at work against toxic substances.
Dr Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg, the German medical doctor and homoeopath who developed the theory referred to these toxins as homotoxins. He used natural homoeopathic treatments to aid the body in restoring itself to a condition of healthy biochemical balance. **
Homotoxicology and homoeopathy stress the importance of stimulating the body’s natural ability to fight disease and the use of naturally derived formulas to aid the healing process
What is involved in a consultation and treatment?
A very thorough history is taken from each patient. This includes their current symptoms, details of their past health history as well as diet, lifestyle, sleep patterns and any emotional or mental problems experienced.
What are the costs?
Initial Consultation and for chronic conditions 1+ up to 2 hours. Follow-up Consultation and for acute conditions 30-45 mins. Plus, the cost of Homeopathic Remedies prescribed.
Charges will vary according to location and duration of consultation, however, an estimated figure would be between $80 and $120 per hour.
Research references
Where can I find a certified practitioner?
Finding a well-trained Integrative and/or Functional practitioner requires research but is a vital step in treating complex and chronic illness.
Below are links to lists of practitioners worldwide. We recommend you research the scope, expertise and experience of any practitioners you are considering.
U.S. & Global
Institute of Functional Medicine
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Integrative Medicine for Mental Health
http://www.immh.org/find-a-practitioner/
Medical Academy of Paediatric Special Needs (MAPS)
http://www.medmaps.org/clinician-directory/
Australia & New Zealand
Mindd Foundation
https://directory.mindd.org/
The Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM)
https://www.acnem.org/practitioners/
UK
The British Society for Ecological Medicine
https://www.bsem.org.uk/pages/14-practitioners
Disclaimer: Mindd Foundation does not endorse any specific individuals listed and makes no representations, warranties, nor guarantees and assumes no responsibility for any services provided. Mindd Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind as a result of using any products or services provided by those listed.
