Medical effectiveness of homeopathy
Homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine, is a type of alternative medicine that is deemed "holistic" because it focuses on the patient as an individual and takes into consideration many aspects, including mental and emotional well-being. Visits with practitioners in the field, who are known as "homeopaths" and develop and administer "homeopathic remedies," tend to be lengthy as they require in-depth assessments of the patient's overall lifestyle and frame of mind.
Since homoeopathy is an alternative form of medicine, meaning that it is not a conventional form of Western medicine that relies heavily on pharmaceuticals, it uses natural substances that are non-toxic, such as elements that are derived from plant, mineral and/or animal substances.
The premise of homeopathy is to stimulate a patient's body into self-healing by restoring natural balance. According to the principles of homeopathic medicine, a person begins to feel either emotionally or physically unwell if the body's energy – or vital force – becomes unbalanced. Therefore, treatment revolves around the realignment of that vital force of energy.
Homeopathic remedies follow the "law of similars," or the principle that "like cures like." For example, a person that is suffering from insomnia may be given a treatment that contains natural elements of caffeine. The reason is that the remedy must mimic the symptoms the patient is experiencing but in a person that is not currently affected by, in this case, insomnia.
The validity of homeopathy as a medical alternative is undoubtedly questioned. Firstly, it is not a hard science. Secondly, the premise of "like cures like," or the "law of similars" has not been scientifically proven.
That being said, there are clinical experiments that show positive results in studies that have used homeopathic remedies. Yet, there are also clinical trials whose results fail to indicate the effectiveness of homeopathy as a way to cure illnesses and ailments.
The contradictory findings may indicate the presence of the "placebo effect," which are positive results reported by patients who are told they are receiving an authentic treatment when in reality they are being treated with a remedy that is inactive but that closely mirrors the active treatment. Essentially, the placebo effect is the theory of mind over matter whereby a person wills him or herself into feeling better, yet attributes the improvement in health to the medical treatment they have been receiving.
An example of a placebo is when a clinical trial gives one group of patients a sugar pill instead of a pill that has active medical ingredients. A second group receives the authentic dosage of the medicine. Researchers then compare the results of the two groups. However, if the patients who received the sugar pill, who belong to the control group, report an improvement in their health specific to the area the clinical trial was focussing on, the scientists may determine the improvement emerged from the "placebo effect."
As can be imagined, homeopathy and its effectiveness are not without its critics. Despite the fact that it is a topic of controversy and debate, more and more people are becoming open to the idea of trying it because homeopathic remedies are considered safe and non-toxic.
Related topics about homeopathy
Homeopathic Treatments for Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a condition that occurs when the mucous membranes that line the upper breathing tubes become inflamed. It is often the result of a viral illness such as cold or flu an can last for several weeks. Other factors contributing to the developement of bronchitis include heavy smoking, allergies, and prolonged exposure to polluted air.
Homeopathy For Flu
We all dread the winter months for many reasons. Besides all the back-breaking shoveling of snow, the flu is one of the biggest pains. The flu shot can be helpful with some strains of the virus, however a more natural and effective approach is available - homeopathy.
Homeopathic Treatments for Eczema
Eczema is a form of dermatitis (skin inflammation). The term eczema is actually used to describe a wide variety of skin conditions, which include recurring rashes characterized by any one or combination of the following symptoms: redness, swelling, itching, flaking, dryness, blisters and so on. Common types of eczema include Atopic eczema (which is probably the most common and linked to allergies as well as being hereditary), Contact dermatitis, Xerotic eczema (extremely dry skin often exacerbated by cold weather; very prevalent among the elderly) and Seborrhoeic dermatitis (eczema of the scalp and face similar to dandruff).
Online Homeopathy
If you're interested in learning more about homeopathic medicine, but don't have the time to visit health centers often, you can refer to a number of online sources that will give you the information that you need. Online homeopathy sites can be very helpful when you're looking for natural remedies for everything from the common cold to cancer treatments, and many of the herbs and supplies that you'll need can be found at your local grocery store these days.
Holistic Isopathy
Isopathy is a derivative of homeopathy that was invented by Johann Lux in the 1830s. Lux was in a sense both a disciple and a colleague of Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of modern homeopathy. Like Hahnemann, he was a member of the Economic Society of Leipzig.
Homeopathic Practitioners
If you've made the decision to live a more natural lifestyle, chances are you're searching for homeopathic practitioners in your area that can give you the guidance that you need to live a life that is free of traditional medicine. And, if you're interested in going into the field of naturopathy yourself, you will need to know what types of training homeopathy professionals should complete in order to legally practice medicine.
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.