History of homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine, meaning that it is used by people as a substitute or as an addition to conventional Western medicine. Samuel Hahnemann is the founding father of this alternative practice that first began to emerge in the late 1700s. While Hahnemann, who was a German physician, did not use the term "homeopathy" until the early 1800s, he began speaking of a "law of similars" as early as 1796.
The "law of similars", which is the underlying principle in homeopathy, states that the use of treatments that are effective cause the same type of symptoms in healthy people as those that people that are suffering from particular ailments, illnesses or discomfort experience.
Based on this concept, Hahnemann deduced that large treatment doses would only exacerbate the original condition and, therefore, advocated homeopathic dosages that were extremely diluted or watered down. The reason for diluting the substances used in homeopathic remedies was to produce a final product that had only a hint of the original substance (known as the active ingredient), thereby ensuring the elimination of any possible toxic effects the active ingredient could have, while simultaneously preserving its healing properties.
One might assume that the inspiration that led to the development of homeopathy came from Hahnemann's work as a medical doctor; however, when the idea was born he had actually given up practicing medicine and was working as a medical translator of scientific texts and documents.
It was a translation that Hahnemann was doing of a medical text that spoke about the healing properties of the bark of a specific tree – known as the cinchona tree in South America – that led to the discovery of homeopathy. The text explained how this tree bark was effective at easing the symptoms of malaria.
Hahnemann decided to obtain a piece of this bark and ate it himself. He found that it produced symptoms that mirrored malaria in his own body; he himself being a healthy individual that had never had malaria. In fact, quinine, which is a drug that is used to treat malaria today, is extracted from the bark of this very tree.
It was that initial experiment with the bark of a cinchona tree that led Hahnemann to eventually uncover the notion that "like cures like", or the "law of similars". In Latin, the term is "similia similibus curantur". The name "homeopathy" itself reflects the principle of "like cures like". In Latin, "homeo" means similar and "pathy" denotes suffering.
In classical homeopathy, the "law of similars" uses substances that are not directly related to the actual cause of the symptoms. Rather, substances that can provoke symptoms in a healthy individual that mirror the physical and emotional conditions that a person is experiencing are used.
The substances used in homeopathic medicine are natural and safe. They are non-toxic because they are derived from plant, mineral and/or animal substances that have been heavily diluted during the process of making the remedy. Homeopathic remedies are safe for every type of person, including infants, pregnant women and the elderly. There is even a branch of homeopathic medicine for pets, known as veterinary homeopathy.
Related topics about homeopathy
Homeopathy’s popularity
You might be surprised to know that homeopathy, as well as homeopathic remedies, have been around for upwards of 200 years. However, it's only recently that homeopathy as a form of alternative medicine has really been edging its way into mainstream culture, society and lifestyle. It's almost as though there is a new found interest in anything and everything that is considered "alternative", probably because of the immediate connotations we make that what is "alternative" is often times also "natural".
Common Homeopathic Remedies
They are said to be over 1000 homeopathic remedies known, and 50 of which are available over-the-counter. The following remedies are considered the most commonly used today. Although all remedies are said to help treat a variety of symptoms, the following are categorized into their most common uses.
What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a very effective and safe system of natural healing that has been tested and verified experimentally and clinically. It has been introduced into the lives of millions of people worldwide for over 200 years. It's based on the principle of 'fight fire, with fire', or 'like cures the like'.
Homeopathic Doctor
If you're concerned about the various side effects that you may be prone to by taking certain traditional medication, it may be a good idea for you to start learning more about natural remedies. Chances are you'll be able to find a homeopathic doctor in your city or state that can help you to restore your health using plant-based medications, but your appointment will most likely be very different from what you're accustomed to.
Homeopathy for Bladder Infections
Urinary tract infections are often painful, and embarrassing. The most common cure known to man, is the use of antibiotics to kill the infection.
Homeopathy & Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, in its general sense, refers to the treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells, specifically those of micro-organisms or cancer. Chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly (one of the chief properties of cancer cells, hence its use as part of cancer treatments). This means that it also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract and hair follicles; these results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy–myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract)and hair loss.
Homeopathy & the Common Cold
A cold is essentially a viral infection that attacks the body when resistance is low due to fatigue, stress, or nutritional deficiencies. Typical cold symptoms include stuffy/runny nose, coughing, sneezing, sore throat fever, "achiness", and a feeling of general, all-around lethargy.