Homeopathy FAQs

1. What are the physical, mental and emotional aspects of homeopathy?
Homeopathy is based on the philosophy that the body, mind and emotions
are not really separate and distinct, but are actually fully integrated. Based
on this perspective, a homeopath seeks a remedy that fits all of a patient’s
 physical and psychological symptoms. Although some people’s symptoms
 may be complex, a well-trained homeopath will know which symptoms
 should be specially noted, and can choose an effective, individualized
 remedy.Prolonged emotional stress can cause physical problems, like upset
 stomach, difficulty in digesting foods, poor nutrient assimilation, weaker
 immune system, sleeplessness, etc. The opposite is also true. Illness and
 physical problems can result in anxiety or emotional uneasiness. Therefore,
it is important for a homeopath to conduct an in-depth interview of a patient
 to ensure a proper, all encompassing remedy.

2. What are the three levels of homeopathic therapy?
Level 1: First Aid
Homeopathy can be used in first aid to safely treat common ailments and
 occurrences, such as sprains and bruises, minor burns, skin irritations and reactions (including poison ivy, diaper rash and insect bites), teething pain,
 etc.
Level 2: Acute Homeopathy
Acute health problems are those in which the symptoms will eventually go
 away on their own. They are temporary conditions, such as colds, flu,
 coughs, sprains, etc. A homeopathic remedy can be useful and attractive
 because it is safe, gentle and has no harmful side effects. Homeopathy can
 also be used to assist sensitive conditions such as pregnancy.
Level 3: Constitutional Homeopathy
Constitutional homeopathy refers to the treatment of a person as a whole,
 including past and present symptoms. When accurately implemented, homeopathic constitutional care can elicit a profound healing response. Homeopathy can be extremely effective in treating chronic and long-term health problems. Recurrent ear infections, for example, can be treated with
 a homeopathic remedy for a longer period of time to strengthen the body’s
 immune system and to prevent future occurrences.

3. What is the relationship between symptoms and homeopathy?
Symptoms are the language of a disease — the body’s attempt to balance
 itself. Without symptoms, a person could have a potentially life threatening
 illness with no way of identifying it. There have been many cancer patients
 who reported that they hadn’t suffered from a cold or flu in years prior to
 their diagnosis. The explanation was probably not that they didn’t have
 infections during this period, but more likely that their bodies were unable
 to fight these infections by producing necessary symptom indications.Many
 conventional drugs try to inhibit and suppress symptoms — sometimes
 leading to even more serious symptoms. Conventional (allopathic)
 physicians do not usually recognize the new series of symptoms as being
 related to the old. Thus, they treat them as new and unrelated problems.
Did you know that a fever is the body’s attempt to activate the immune
 system’s white blood cells and defend itself from infection? If a person is
 given a symptom-supressing medication — fighting the fever — too soon,
 they will be less able to fight the actual infection.Homeopathy does not
seek to remove or suppress symptoms. Its goal is to recognize and remove
 the underlying cause of these symptoms. This is why a homeopath will work
 toward understanding the whole person — including their body, mind and
 emotional state — before prescribing a remedy.

4. Can such small doses be effective?
Homeopathic remedies are indeed very small doses. However, they are
 specially prepared doses which undergo a specific process — including
 dilution of ingredients (called potentization), as well as a vigorous shaking
 (succussion).Specially formulated homeopathic remedies are thought to
 resonate with the body, triggering a positive healing response. This
response gently, and effectively, heals from the inside out.
The documented results from thousands of experienced homeopaths, and
 from millions of their patients, clearly show that these small, individualized
 doses produce profound health benefits.

5. How can the correct homeopathic remedy be found?
Finding the appropriate homeopathic remedy depends upon gaining a
 complete understanding of the patient as a whole person. This means that
the homeopath must take note of the physical, mental and emotional levels
of each person before deciding on a correct remedy.
Homeopathic remedies have been described as "designer medicines." While
 this might seem like a simplistic and trendy view of homeopathy, it is true
 that remedies are specially "designed" for individuals based upon their
 unique, and sometimes complex, state of being.
Take for example migraine headaches. We could easily demonstrate that
one person might have pain on one side of their head, while another person
 had pain on both sides. Still another person could have nausea accompany
ing the migraine, and yet another could have dizziness. It is important to
 recognize that, in addition to the person’s physical symptoms, there are
 underlying psychological and emotional aspects as well.Homeopathic
 remedies are only given when the total continuum of physical and
 psychological symptoms has been identified.

6. What is the difference between homeopathy and conventional medicine?
Homeopathy’s Approach
Homeopathy is based on a"whole person" approach. In homeopathy, the
 remedy or treatment program is customized and individualized to the patien
t, with the intent of removing the underlying cause.Conventional Medicine’s
 Approach
Conventional (allopathic) medicine usually relies on treating a patient’s physical symptoms. This treatment might also assume a person’s symptoms
 need to be controlled, suppressed or eliminated.The difference may be
stated in a simple analogy: eradicating the "symptom" of a car’s low oil level
 (the warning light) does not change, or remedy, the cause of the signal
 (low-oil).Goals of the Homeopathic Approach
The Homeopath’s Role as "Detective"
It has been said that the work of the homeopath is to observe the patient,
 process and reflect on the gathered information, and then determine the
 underlying disturbance. This process can be thought of as a mystery,
wherein the homeopathic "detective" attempts to discover where the flow
of energy in the body has been blocked or impeded. Each signal/symptom
 offered by the patient can be thought of as a clue to determine the correct
 remedy. The patient’s eye contact, body posture, breathing patterns, voice
 quality, and expressions are also noted as potential clues. Next, the data
 must be reconstructed, as it might be in a mystery novel or movie.When all
 of the information about the patient’s physical, mental and emotional
 symptoms has been documented, then the final search for the answer begins. Unlike a detective — or medical physician for that matter — the homeopath
’s goal is not only to remove the symptoms, but also to eliminate the
essential causal problem by stimulating the body’s natural curative powers.
 This is the reason for obtaining such a detailed analysis of the patient.The
 Homeopathic Treatment
The goal of the homeopathic treatment is to encourage the body to return to
 a natural state of balance and health. Like the missing pieces of a puzzle,
 homeopathic medicines help "fill-in" the gaps in the body to stimulate a
 person’s own healing potential and energies. When this occurs, the person
 will have access to the body’s natural strength and wisdom, so that more
 conventional medicines and chemical-based substances may not be needed.

7. Is homeopathy merely psychological?
If you think you must "believe in" homeopathy for it to work, you need to
 know that it is not a placebo effect. Here are some powerful examples:
Infants: Homeopathic remedies and treatments are successfully used by
 parents for common infant ailments such as colic, teething pain and some
 infections.
Animals: There are many veterinarians using homeopathic medicines to treat
 domestic pets such as cats, dogs and birds, as well as barnyard animals like
 goats, horses and cows. Is it possible to have a placebo effect with animals?
Millions of people across the world use and rely on homeopathic remedies.
 Today there are a rapidly growing number of conventional medical doctors
 using homeopathic medicines, including:
39% of French family physicians
20% of German physicians
10% of Italian physicians
Moreover, in many European countries there is a growing trend of medical
 doctors referring patients to homeopathic physicians.

8. What is the patient's role?
Open Communication & Observation
While it is the homeopath’s job to elicit relevant information by asking
 probing questions, the patient can expect a higher chance of receiving an
 effective homeopathic remedy if he or she is open and truthful in describing
 their physical and psychological symptoms. It is also important to be
 observant of the changes taking place in your system. To that end, you
might want to keep a journal or notes on any noticeable changes or shifts in
 your symptoms or health. Substances to Avoid
Another important thing to remember is that it is wise to avoid any substance
s that might interfere with your remedy. Certain substances have been found
 to reverse ("antidote") the effects of homeopathic remedies and medicines.
It is suggested that you avoid the following substances, practices and items
to insure the best response from your remedy:
Avoid:
Coffee
Camphor, or camphorated products including products containing
 eucalyptus and camphor oils
Dental work, teeth cleaning, drilling or anesthetics
Electric blankets
Mint, or mentholated products
Nicotine
Recreational drugs
Some conventional drugs (Be sure to tell your homeopath what you are taking)
X-Rays
Stress, which can lower the resonance of a homeopathic remedy
The Follow-Up Visit
Generally, the homeopath will schedule follow-up visits approximately four
 to six weeks after the first interview and remedy prescription. In simple
 cases, a patient will feel significantly better after the first treatment. The
 follow-up visits are used to determine what additional methods or remedies
 are required. In some cases, it may be required to use more than one
remedy sequentially so that balance and full health can be restored.
Traditional homeopathy only applies one remedy at a time. What you will
 experience when you receive the correct remedy can include the
 disappearance of specific symptoms, more energy, stronger immune system
 functions, and a sense of increased well-being. Homeopathic treatments
have rapid and far-reaching effects. Even if the changes require time to develop, they usually are long-lasting.