What is Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that is more than 200 years old. Homeopathy has always been popular amongst the rich and famous, especially in the era when aristocrats were influencers. Even today, the British Royal family have their own private homeopathic physician, as they have done for five generations. Homeopathic hospitals and clinics have also been a great success for the general public, especially during epidemics. In 2004 the World Health Organisation stated that homeopathy is the second most used medical system worldwide. It has been estimated that homeopathy is used by more than 450 million people across the globe. Homeopathy is a well-regulated and safe form of medicine that is 100% natural, non-toxic, has no side effects, and is environmentally friendly and cruelty free.
It is based on the law of similars or ‘like cures like’. Simply put, this means that illness can be cured by a substance that causes similar symptoms when taken by a healthy person. This is understood and is used in other systems of medicine including western medicine (E.G. immunology, allergy treatments, and vaccines). For instance, a substance, that produces insomnia in a healthy individual, can cure insomnia in someone suffering from it or a substance that produces diarrhea in a healthy individual can cure a person with diarrhea.
This idea can be traced back to Aristotle and Hippocrates as well as being mentioned in ancient Hindu manuscripts but was developed into a highly effective complete system of medicine addressing acute, chronic, and epidemic disease by a well-respected German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755 – 1843) in the 1800s.
Instead of attacking or fighting disease, homeopathy seeks to restore balance in the body/mind system with carefully selected ‘remedies’ that stimulate the body’s natural healing response. By looking at the relationship between you and your symptoms, homeopathy is able to address the root of the dysfunction and disrupt the unhealthy pattern, which allows a true shift to take place. As a result, you will not only experience relief from physical discomfort but also greater wellbeing and freedom in your life.
Studies have shown that patients using homeopathy, either alone or along with conventional treatments, have better outcomes, take fewer drugs, and save money. Much clinical research has been published in peer-reviewed journals showing positive clinical results for the homeopathic treatment of many common conditions. These include: respiratory ailments, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, childhood diarrhea, attention deficit disorder, and eczema.
Thousands of studies on homeopathy are available in the scientific literature. For up-to-date information on the state of homeopathic research, as well as research databases and directories, see the Homeopathy Research Institute website (HRI) at https://www.hri-research.org/
1 Tierney LM McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA (Editors), 2003.Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. Revised ed. Appleton & Lange. Pg 1701
2 Boiron C, 2007 Waarom ik vertrouwen heb in homeopathie, 1st ed. Standaard Uitgeverij (Antwerpen) backcover.