what is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine, is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Homeopathy was founded in the late 1700s in Germany and has been widely practiced throughout Europe. Homeopathic medicine views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health.

Homeopathy is a natural medicine that uses medically active substances in infinitesimal doses, that when administered in a healthy individual, would produce symptoms similar to those for the relief of which they are given. This is because Homeopathy is based upon a principle of "like cures like". The remedies given are made from plant, animal or mineral matter and diluted to a great degree. Once administered to the body, the immune system responds by producing similar symptoms to which they have been administered for. For example a cup of coffee can cause headaches, excitability, sleeplessness and increased heart palpitation. The substance, when treated homeopathically, is called Coffee Cruda and can now be used to treat symptoms of anxiety that cover these like symptoms. The success of Homeopathic medicines lies in matching the correct remedy with the correct symptom.

What is homeopathy used for?
Historically, people have used homeopathy to maintain health and treat a wide range of long-term illnesses, such as allergies, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. They have also used it to treat minor injuries, such as cuts and scrapes and muscle strains or sprains. Homeopathic treatment is not considered appropriate for illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease, major infections, or emergencies.

Some conditions benefited by homeopathy are:

Is homeopathy safe?
Homeopathy is a safe and effective system of natural healing that has been verified experimentally and clinically in the everyday lives of millions of people around the world for over 200 years.

Some critics of homeopathy believe that there is so little active substance in a solution that any benefits from treatment are likely due not to the substance, but your thinking it is effective (placebo effect).

Supporters of homeopathy believe that although homeopathic solutions are highly diluted, they contain a "memory" of the substance in water. The body recognizes the substance and reacts to it. Recently, studies have attempted to determine whether effects from homeopathic treatments are placebo or whether some other action occurs. Although these studies could not identify how homeopathic solutions work, there was evidence that homeopathic dilutions differ from placebos.

It is important to inform your medical doctor if you decide to use homeopathic remedies. He or she should have full knowledge of your health to help you make wise decisions about where to purchase homeopathic dilutions and what homeopathic practitioner to see. Homeopathic remedies should not replace conventional treatments for serious health concerns.