Homoeopathy

Homoeopathy

Homoeopathy has been used in the UK for over 200 years now and in the year 2000 The House of Lords' Select Committee on Science & Technology listed homeopathy as one of the five Group One therapies, having "an individual diagnostic approach" along with osteopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and acupuncture.(1) Increasing numbers of people are discovering and experiencing the benefits of such an individual approach and homoeopathy is now one of the two most widely used types of medicine in the world. It differs in many ways to conventional medicine (as prescribed by your GP), but the principle difference lies in the aims of treatment. In conventional medicine the aim is generally to suppress specific symptoms of disease. In homoeopathic medicine the aim is to stimulate and support the natural self healing mechanism of the body, (which symptoms are an indication of) and as such, treats the body as a whole (in a holistic manner).

The word Homoeopathy originates from a Greek source and can be loosely translated to mean 'similar suffering'. The 'remedies' (the term for the type of medicine you are prescribed) are prepared from substances which in their natural raw form will cause certain symptoms in healthy individuals. These preparations are given in a highly diluted form to patients exhibiting similar symptoms when their health is out of balance. The philosophy is based on the remedy 'matching up' with the response the body is already showing, (like treats like/similar suffering) and hence its own attempts to recover or rebalance. A simple example is the remedy Allium Cepa, (which is made from onion) which may be prescribed for certain types of hay fever. Onion in its raw form (think of when chopping them!), can cause burning, smarting eyes which are swimming in tears and a running or dripping nose. In its homeopathically prepared remedy form, it may be prescribed for hay fever where these are the principle symptoms.

The remedies may be prescribed for acute symptoms such as in hay fever above, or more chronic symptoms, even where there is a long history. Due to the individual approach of observing the prominent symptoms you personally present with, remedies can be prescribed for all types of illness/conditions. Homoeopathy has been shown to be particularly useful where there are strong emotional aspects to a condition which are often not considered or are difficult to treat using conventional medicine. Some examples are stress, panic attacks, general low spirits, poor confidence, difficult emotions related to hormonal changes and specific fears. Homeopathy can be used by anyone, though due to the individualised diagnostic approach, differing prescriptions may be offered for the same condition in two different people . There are no side effects due to the highly diluted form your remedy comes in and it can be safely used alongside any conventional treatment you are having.

Reference
1. House of Lords Select Committee on Science & Technology. 'Complementary & Alternative Medicine.' Session 1999-2000, 6th Report. http:// www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldsctech/123/12301.htm