What is homoeopathy?
Where does homoeopathy come from?
What is an example of “like curing like”?
How are medicines prepared?
Is homoeopathy a scientific system of medicine?
What about homoeopathy worldwide?
What is involved in visiting a homoeopath?
How quickly do the medicines work?
Do homoeopathic medicines cause side-effects?
Conventional drugs also?
What can homoeopathy treat?
Is homoeopathy covered by insurance?
What is “classical homoeopathy”?
Can I treat myself with homoeopathy?
How can I learn about homoeopathy?
How do I find a good homoeopath?
What is homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a branch of medicine with a unique way of prescribing medicines, and its own range of medicines. Homoeopathy as a system of medicine was developed by Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician and scholar. Since its inception, homoeopathy has spread widely through the world. Homoeopathy came to New Zealand in 1849.
In recent years there has been an impressive resurgence of homoeopathy worldwide and the number of homoeopaths who can provide this safe, effective, comprehensive medical care is also rapidly growing.
Where does homoeopathy come from?
In 1790 Samuel Hahnemann discovered the principle of “like curing like”. At the time, cinchona bark (the source of quinine) was the main treatment for malaria. Hahnemann wondered what would happen if he, though not having malaria, took the drug. He was amazed to find that while taking it he developed symptoms typical of malaria! He then deduced that the drug might be effective in treating malaria because it could cause similar symptoms in a healthy person.
This was the startling idea that led him to experiment further. Using himself, his family, and colleagues as subjects, he tested all sorts of substances. He found that any substance of plant, mineral or animal origin, given to a healthy person in repeated doses, will cause that person to develop symptoms. The same substance (in different dosage and form) will cure a sick person with a similar set of symptoms. Homoeopathy sum this up by saying: “Like may be cured by like.”
Eventually Hahnemann began to treat people basing his prescriptions on this principle of treating “like with like”. He would elicit from his patients all their symptoms and then choose a remedy which had produced symptoms that closely matched the symptoms of the illness. From the outset his results were outstanding.
What is an example of “like curing like”?
Everyone knows the effects of drinking too much coffee: the mind races and prevents sleep, and trembling and palpitations may occur. When a person has these symptoms, whether it be a case of insomnia, the result of an emotional shock, or whatever, then the homoeopathic remedy made from coffee (which is called Coffea) may remove those symptoms.
How are medicines prepared?
As Hahnemann continued his experiments he found the results were even better, and with less discomfort to the patient, if he not only diluted the medicines but also shook them after each stage of dilution. This dilution in steps, with shaking between steps, is called potentising, and increases the power or “potency” of the medicine.
There are several pharmacies in New Zealand which make and sell homoeopathic medicines.
Is homoeopathy a scientific system of medicine?
Yes it is. With its careful testing of medicines on healthy human volunteers, the collation of the symptoms, and the continual testing of the hypothesis by giving the similar remedy, homoeopathy’s results are repeatable experiments and form a truly scientific base. It is thanks to the data from thousands of such tests (called provings) that we know what the various homoeopathic medicines can do. Since subjective symptoms are very important, only human beings can reliably provide these. This is why, although homoeopathy can treat animals, animals are not used in proving medicines intended for human use.
What about homoeopathy worldwide?
Though most of the homoeopaths in New Zealand are not registered medical practitioners with the status of doctors, in many countries homoeopaths are people who have trained as doctors and done further training in homoeopathy (in Britain the qualification Member of the Faculty of Homoeopathy is recognised in law, for instance) or they have trained in homoeopathic medical colleges graduating with qualifications recognised as equivalent to the usual medical degree.
Many Governments encourage homoeopathy and give it funding just like any other branch of medicine. Support from British Royalty is conspicuous. There are several homoeopathic hospitals covered by the National Health Service in Britain, similarly in India. In many countries in Europe there is both state funding and medical insurers’ support for homoeopathic consultations, notably Germany and France.
Central and South American countries support homoeopathy in various ways, particularly Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. The same sort of encouragement can be found in Africa, too - notably South Africa. It has been estimated that all around the world more than 500 million people use homoeopathic medicines as their sole, or main, therapeutic agents.
In New Zealand the qualification National Diploma in Homoeopathy is recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The Qualifications Authority has the power to approve homoeopathic training institutions meeting all requirements, too.
What is involved in visiting a homoeopath?
Homoeopathy is very thorough, and with chronic problems an initial consultation may require about an hour. When asking the client to describe symptoms, the homoeopath wants to go beyond such blanket terms as merely “rheumatism” or “asthma” and to discover how that particular problem presents in you as an individual in your own unique response to the disease process.
To get a complete picture of the underlying disturbance and to clearly identify the physical, mental or emotional problems impacting on your life, a lengthy, detailed and personal interview is often necessary. This in-depth exchange between homoeopath and client is quite different from the routine medical exam of a conventional doctor. During the interview you will be asked about many aspects of your life. Often it is that “peculiar” or “odd” problem, which you are hesitant to talk about, or are tempted to ignore, which will provide the all-important clue to your exact remedy.
Homoeopathy is highly demanding of the homoeopath. The reason such a long time is spent with new clients, striving to know them in such depth and subtlety, is because the homoeopath is trying to select, from hundreds of remedies, a remedy which best matches the symptoms of the individual. It is not an easy task. No homoeopath always finds the exact remedy the first time.
How quickly do the medicines work?
In acute illnesses the response tends to be fast, and in some cases nearly instantaneous. It is commonplace for a child screaming with pain one moment (perhaps from teething or an earache) to calm down a minute or two later and fall asleep - after a dose of, say, Chamomilla. On the other hand some chronic problems of many years’ standing may improve slowly and gradually. As might be expected, complaints which have developed slowly over many years generally take longer to cure than those which have developed recently, though signs of improvement may be seen soon after starting the treatment.
Do homoeopathic medicines cause side effects?
Because the medicines have been considerably diluted, all toxicity is removed. There is therefore no risk of dangerous side effects. Remedies are commonly prescribed in such dilution that a medical substance cannot be detected when the remedy is analysed. This does not mean potentised medicines are absolutely harmless if taken heedless of directions, but they are probably the safest of all medicinal substances.
Conventional drugs also?
Some homoeopaths are qualified registered doctors, but all other registered homoeopaths have a basic knowledge of conventional medications and are careful with the management of clients who are taking conventional medications.
Ideally, the homoeopath prefers to treat clients who are not taking any other medication. This permits the full range of symptoms to emerge, some of which might have been masked or suppressed by drug therapy. If it is dangerous to withdraw a drug, it can be continued together with the homoeopathic medicine and then gradually withdrawn (in consultation with the prescribing physician) as the condition improves.
What can homoeopathy treat?
Homoeopathic medicine can effectively treat a wide array of health problems, both acute and chronic. The following are just some of the conditions for which homoeopathy has proven particularly effective according to the British Government National Health Service (NHS):
- Mental / Emotional problems
Anxiety states: attention deficit disorder; hyperactivity; after effects of stress, grief, bereavement; depression; panic attacks; fears;
Sleeping problems: Nightmares, insomnia; poor concentration and memory loss; fatigue; neuroses; obsessional disorders; anorexia and bulimia nervosa; psychosomatic problems; post traumatic stress. - Womens’ Health
Hormonal related disorders: Premenstrual tension (PMT), menopause, painful periods, excessive period bleeding; vaginitis; candidiasis; iInfertility
Pregnancy: Mastitis, labour injuries and wounds, morning sickness (nausea), lack of breast milk, post-natal depression. - Joint / Musculo-skeletal
Rheumatism; polyarthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; gout; repetitive strain injury; sports trauma. - Dermatology
Most skin problems respond well to homoeopathic treatment: Eczema, psoriasis, urticaria
Infections: Bacterial and fungal - herpes simplex and zoster, nappy rash, impetigo, pruritis. - Children’s health
Both mental and physical well being problems are treated including: Behavioural disorders, social dysfunctional problems, recurrent acute illnesses; recurrent otitis media (ear infection); recurrent sore throats and tonsillitis; teething; colic; croup; bronchitis; enuresis; atopic eczema and other skin problems; asthma; bedwetting. - General
Chronic and recurrent illness: Recurrent Tonsillitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastritis, Colitis, Hay Fever, Headaches, Migraines, Thyroid disorders, Sinusitis, Allergies and allergic syndromes. ME, Post Viral Syndrome, MS.
Addiction: alcohol, drugs, withdrawal.
Travel sickness.
Is homoeopathy covered by insurance?
Few of the big New Zealand based health insurers will cover visits to homoeopaths who are not registered doctors, but many professional groups and trade unions will refund members.
What is “classical homoeopathy”?
Homoeopathic medicines are used by a wide range of healthcare providers all over the world with results ranging from poor to outstanding. The classical homoeopath is guided by the principles set forth by Hahnemann - the principle of “like curing like”; the minimum dose of the potentised medicine; the single remedy; and the individualisation of every case of disease. By following these principles, classical homoeopaths find they obtain the most consistent and reliable results. Only one remedy at a time is used. Classical homoeopaths do not use machines or divining methods to choose the remedy.
Many remedies sold labelled “homoeopathic” are not true homoeopathic medicines at all, and results from taking them are so unpredictable their use can not be recommended. Bottles containing a mixture of remedies with a name implying a particular use should be avoided.
Can I treat myself with homoeopathy?
You can learn to use some homoeopathic remedies at home. It is particularly effective in first aid situations and this is a good way to familiarise yourself with homoeopathy. Ask a homoeopath (see the Yellow Pages phonebook under “Homoeopaths”), one of the Qualifications Authority’s approved colleges, or contact the New Zealand Homoeopathic Society for further information on courses and recommended books.
If any apparently minor complaint does not respond quickly to your owntreatment, consult a homoeopath. Use only classical remedies, not mixtures.
How can I learn about homoeopathy?
The main seller of books on homoeopathy in this country is the New Zealand Homoeopathic Society. If you join the Society you will receive a valuable magazine, Homoeopathica, and can borrow by mail books and tape recordings.
The Society’s headquarters are at:
320 Mt Eden Rd,
Mt Eden,
Auckland
Phone (09) 630 5458.
Its bookroom is open on Wednesdays from 10 am to 4.00 pm.
The Society was established in 1951 for the purpose of advancing the status and knowledge of homoeopathy, and has done much in this field, especially by preventing harmful changes in law.
Contact the Society for a booklist and other information by writing to:
New Zealand Homoeopathic Society
Box 67-095, Mt Eden,
Auckland 1349.
How do I find a good homoeopath?
The New Zealand Council of Homoeopaths, a charitable trust, maintains a register of professional homoeopaths. Council members use the initials RCHom.
Lists of members are available from:
The New Zealand Council of Homeopaths
Box 51-156, Tawa,
Wellington
A list of registered homoeopaths can also be viewed at: www.homeopathy.co.nz