Homeopathy
By Kathy Gruver - LMT, RM, NHC, MS in Natural Health &  Doctorate in Traditional Naturopathy 

With so many Americans turning to alternative medicine these days, we are hearing more about homeopathics. But what is Homeopathy? Hopefully this will clear up the mystique.

The American Heritage Science Dictionary defines homeopathy (hō'mē-ŏp'ə-thē) as: A nontraditional system for treating and preventing disease, in which minute amounts of a substance that in large amounts causes disease symptoms are given to healthy individuals. This is thought to enhance the body's natural defenses.

Classical Homeopathy involves comprehensive questioning and analysis of a patient’s symptoms and physical, emotion, spiritual responses to each disorder.  For example, a headache would be examined in regards to what brought it on, what makes it better or worse, is there a time of day that aggravates it?  Is it limited to a certain part of the head, what were the circumstances that caused it, etc?  Classical homeopathy is used most often to treat a specific disease or symptom. In this type of practice one remedy at a time is given and it’s thought that the combination remedies commonly found in drug stores are less effective, if effective at all.

Constitutional Homeopathy treats the root personality of each patient.  It can be described as a remedy which covers the totality of a patient’s mental and physical characteristics over a long period of time, excluding temporary changes during an acute illness.  Constitutional homeopathy, in contrast to classical, is not necessarily used to treat a specific symptom, but to balance the whole being and promote homeostasis.  There is a belief that we cannot actually change constitutions but that we can become a healthier, more positive version of it. 

 How to find the Correct Remedy: Regardless of what type of homeopathy you are utilizing, the correct remedy is determined by an in-depth interview or a questionnaire.  The prescribing therapist may ask you more probing questions about the symptoms, your childhood, your parents, etc.  It is not always easy to find the correct remedy, but when it is selected, a change can be seen almost immediately.  Didier Grandgeorge in his book, The Spirit of Homeopathic Medicine (1998) states, “For each homeopathic remedy we have tried to find the dominant idea representing the problem that the individual is confronting at the unconscious level.  By studying in this way the whole range of physical and mental symptoms of an ill person, we discover the homeopathic remedy that covers the totality of symptoms.”

It’s not just enough to choose the right remedy.  The dosage is just as important. If you are self-prescribing and buying the medicine in the store, you will either get a combination remedy or a very low dose (30X or 30C).  By law in the United States, the higher potencies are only available through homeopathic practitioners.  Some diseases react better to different potencies and it’s important to discuss what the dosage will be, how often you should repeat it,  and what do to if the symptoms return or new symptoms appear.

Most homeopaths believe that certain substances will counteract the effect of the medications.  Coffee, camphor, toothpaste and marijuana should not be used while you are taking homeopathics.  They also recommend waiting 15 minutes before eating or drinking anything. Also, most practitioners will encourage patients to stop any prescription medications if possible.  This can cause problems, as most allopathic physicians don’t understand or acknowledge the value of homeopathics. Try to be open with your doctor though and don’t ever stop medication without alerting them first.

Homeopathic medications come in several forms, liquid, sugar pills and lactose pills. You never want to handle the medicine, either drip the liquids into water or your mouth (don’t touch the dropper with your lips) and with the pills, empty the correct amount into the cap and then put straight into your body.

The Holistic Approach to Homeopathy: Homeopathy is not a “one size fits all” system of medicine like we see in our prescription-happy Western practitioners.  Through the use of the above mentioned interview and questionnaire, the practitioner can find the remedy that is right for you.  Two people could come into the office; both feeling depressed and walk out with two very different, perhaps opposite remedies.  If the first remedy you are given doesn’t work, another remedy is available for you to try.  Homeopathic practice builds a relationship between patient and doctor; there is a lot of communication and trust formed through this type of medicine. Through using Homeopathics, physical dis-ease can be treated as well as emotional and spiritual issues; symptoms are not just covered up as in Western medicine.

The Benefits of Choosing a Homeopathic Approach: The benefits of homeopathy are numerous.  One benefit is that there are no adverse side effects as there can be with prescription medication thus it is totally appropriate for children, pregnant women, even pets.  The patient may have a temporary worsening of symptoms while the body adjusts to the remedy but this is usually fleeting.  In some cases, the patient may even experience old symptoms in reverse order thus clearing the whole body.  For example, the asthma may clear, but the sinus problems from years ago may return then go away, then the old eczema will return, until all ailments are resolved and true healing occurs.  This is a positive sign, as symptoms disappear in the order they showed up. They should also move from inside out, so the stomach ache may resolve, but old skin problems might show up temporarily.

Another benefit is that homeopathy is individualized medicine exclusive to each patient which is in direct contrast to Western medicine. 

Other benefits include the affordability of the substances. The remedies are quite affordable and abundant. According to Grandgeorge (1998), “One single gram of mother tincture of Arnica provides enough Arnica 15 CH to treat the entire human race.”

Another advantage is that homeopathy can produce lasting change in the body.  It is not a temporary cessation of symptoms; it helps the body truly heal itself. Though it is easy to find combination remedies in health food stores, for example, a tube might be labeled simply PMS or headaches. These are formulated with the most common remedies that treat that ailment. Only one or two might be really needed. It’s recommended to see a qualified practitioner to get the specific homeopathic that will address your exact needs.