What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the principle that a disease with a given set of symptoms can be cured by a medicine (remedy) which is known to produce a similar set of symptoms.

This principle where "like cures like" is called "The Law of Similars" and is the foundation of Homeopathic Medicine.

Homeopathy involves the selection and prescription of a medication (remedy), which through prior testing on healthy people and from clinical experience and observation, is known to produce a similar symptom picture to that of the patient.

The medication (remedy) is prescribed in the minimum dosage required to bring about (stimulate) healing.

Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are derived from plants, animals, minerals, metals, acids, alkalis, venoms and diseased human tissue. The bulk of remedies in everyday use are derived from plants. In fact, homeopaths took over the pharmacopoeia of the herbalist in many countries and cultures, although homeopathic medicines do not resemble herbal medicines in any way. The fundamental understanding of disease is significantly different, therefore, the fundamental approach to prescribing is significantly different.

Homeopathic remedies are manufactured through a multi-step process of serial dilution and succussion, or trituration, by which the inner medicinal power of a crude substance is released or increased. The higher the dilution, the more powerful the remedy. As well, the dilutions make it possible to use poisonous substances safely.

The Process

Human beings are organisms of body, mind and spirit functioning in total harmony (homeostasis).

A healthy organism will keep itself healthy and if injured will act to repair the damage. Throughout this process of self-correction, the individual produces symptoms. To a Homeopathic Doctor, these are not the signs of ill health, rather an indication that the healing process is underway. Symptoms are a guide to appropriate remedy choices; they are a guide to how well the healing process is proceeding and they are a guide to ongoing treatment and assessment. Homeopathic Doctors understand that nothing can be known about disease except what is seen in the symptoms and nothing can be cured except the symptoms.

Symptoms show the disturbed patterns. Homeopathic Medicine addresses these disturbances. This is the realm and the particular expertise of this powerful system of medicine.

Case taking is a diagnostic tool unique to Homeopathy. The first consultation with a new patient, which generally takes from one and a half hours to two hours, is called case taking. Through this case taking process, the Homeopathic Doctor gives the patient freedom to express his or her symptoms without disturbing the flow of information. Promptings at this point in the case taking will only be encouragements to say more and to ask what else is relevant. In this way, the patient identifies the problems for the doctor within his or her own frame of reference. This is extremely valuable information for the Homeopathic Doctor as prescribing a remedy is based on the unique symptoms as opposed to the common symptoms of illness.

For example, a Homeopathic Doctor may see 12 patients with arthritis in a two-week period. It is very likely that each of those patients will receive different remedies. Although all the patients will have in common the typical symptoms of arthritis -- stiff and painful joints, reduced mobility in affected joints, etc. -- the prescribing of homeopathic remedies will be based on the unique symptoms of the illness.

One patient may have arthritis in the small joints of the left digits, and her pain is worse on waking, and she feels better throughout the day with use. Another patient with arthritis in the left hip joint and affecting the knees and ankles, feels fine on waking but gets progressively worse throughout the day. A third patient has an arthritic right ankle joint, which buckles with extended use and feels better with hot compresses. Another patient may have developed arthritis shortly after the death of his wife. Homeopathic Doctors will use these unique symptoms, and many more, to gauge the appropriate remedy for each particular patient. The mental state of a patient is of critical importance for a homeopathic assessment.

While these examples are simplistic, they do outline the general approach to prescribing and working with patients. Case taking, then becomes for the patients, a process of awareness and exploration of their own unique experiences. Homeopathic patients become partners with their Homeopathic Doctors in noting progress and identifying areas that need work. A Homeopathic Doctor must be an excellent listener and observer to effectively treat his or her patients.

In the case taking process, once the patient has provided all the information in his or her own words, the Homeopathic Doctor will address the myriad of areas where information is required: medical, personal as well as family history, in the more traditional sense. In this way, the homeopathic assessment and diagnosis takes place. A powerful relationship develops between patient and doctor and much healing takes place within the context of this caring relationship.

The Ontario Homeopathic Association (OHA) was founded in 1992 to re-establish Homeopathy as a recognized health care system in Ontario, and to form a united and regulated body of qualified practitioners who provide safe, effective and professional homeopathic health care to the public. All Homeopathic Doctors (HD) registered with the OHA have had years of training in medical sciences and homeopathy as well as at least 1100 hours of clinical internship. Visit our website to see our exact standards and to find a homeopath near you. http://www.ontariohomeopath.com

By The Ontario Homeopathic Association