|
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a system of healing, hundreds of years old. It uses minute but powerful doses of substances, which are prepared in a specific way (Potentisation), according to Homeopathic principles. Homeopathy was founded by German physician, Samuel Hahnemann in the 1900’s, but the basic principles on which it is based go back a lot further; in fact, to the time of Paracelsus. Homeopathic medicines are used to stimulate the body’s immune system, regulate function or detoxify & tone specific organs. Homeopathy places great importance on treating the cause of disease, and medicines are prescribed according to the principle that like cures like (The law of Similars) which was first stated by Paracelsus- ‘let likes be cured by likes’. The following illustration may illuminate this principle. A raw onion, which may cause burning, smarting eyes and a runny nose, when you cut it, can be used in Homeopathic form (known as Allium Cepa) to combat the symptoms of burning, smarting eyes and a runny nose eyes.
Homeopathy is based on a holistic approach to health. The Homeopath will look at physical, mental and emotional states in an attempt to understand the whole person. Your presenting symptom/s, past medical history, past surgery, vaccination history, as well as any traumatic or important events in your life, your dreams, your emotions sleep & eating habits are important aspects that may be discussed. Any antecedent causes are noted, for example… did your sinusitis started straight after an emotional shock, or your arthritis after a kidney infection or a really bad flu, have you been chronically tired since contracting Glandular fever? It is important to add here those effects from vaccination. – Typically, the ‘never well since ……’ syndrome. Maintaining causes are also noted, for example: do you live in a damp area that makes your arthritis worse, is your stressful job causing migraines, are you drawn to rich foods that affect your digestion?
Homeopathy can be prescribed on a number of bases:
Firstly, there is constitutional prescribing, which aims to strengthen the whole constitution of the person. This form of prescribing relies on both physical and emotional symptoms. That is, the totality of your symptoms must fit the symptom picture of the Homeopathic medicine. Usually a single medication is prescribed at a time. The process of Constitutional prescribing can be described as a journey along which one travels, as one unravels the layers of energy blockages that we have built in our lives. Just like the Onion, made up of layer upon layer, Constitutional prescribing aims to peel and treat each layer, going deeper and deeper with each prescription.
First aid and acute prescribing are used in first aid and acute situations eg Arnica for bruising, Hypericum for lacerations to nerve rich parts, Symphytum for broken bones, Cantharis for burns, Apis for bites and stings.
Organ remedies are used to treat specific organ weakness, wether these manifest as deficient or excessive. For example Hypothyroidism (deficient) and Hyperthyroidism (excessive). Organ remedies aim to tone specific organs, helping bring them back into balance or maintaining support for them.
Organotherapy uses specific, healthy animal tissues to target certain diseased tissues in humans in an aid to regenerate such. Organotherapy works by targeting inflammatory processes in certain tissues, reducing the inflammation and rebuilding healthy tissue. It is very beneficial in conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, repetitive strain injury and irritable bowel syndrome.
Drainage remedies act upon the organs of elimination, such as skin, kidneys, liver and lungs. Detoxification combines the process of drainage and elimination. Drainage medicines aim to stimulate the organs of elimination and increase their eliminative power, thereby remove toxins.
Polypharmacy in Homeopathy uses combinations of medicines or more than one medicine at a time. It is often looked down upon by ‘Classical’ Homeopaths, who prescribe only one remedy at a time and who come from a certain lineage of Homeopaths who advocated this method of prescribing. There are also other branches of Homeopathy with their own lineage going back hundreds of years, that call for different methods of prescribing. Polypharmacy reflects a more modern approach to Homeopathy, often in line with treating functional pathology/ physical complaints relating to organ function. From personal experience it has been found to be extremely effective.
Both approaches have many benefits and in view of this I tend to combine both in my practise, using a truly holistic approach to treatment.
|
