What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a well recognized medicinal practice based on the application of the law of similars. Homeopathy originated about 200 years ago with the work of a German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), who discovered that taking quinine created malaria-like symptoms in healthy people but was curative when given to malaria patients. Today homeopathy is used worldwide to treat both humans and animals.
Homeopathy literally means to “treat with a similar disease.” It differs from the allopathic, or standard, medical approach taught in veterinary and medical school. Allopathic means to “treat with other than the disease” and attempts to counteract or suppress symptoms. Homeopathy addresses the fundamental cause of disease, the basic reason why animals become sick: their intrinsic susceptibility.
Consider there are two aspects of a disease. First, there is the immediate cause, such as a bacteria, virus, toxin, or internal immunological activity. Second is the patient’s response, for example, fever, inflammation, discharges, behavioral changes, to eliminate pathogens and toxins and heal the tissue. Perhaps you have noticed how several people or animals in a group can be exposed to the same disease, but not each one will manifest symptoms, or the same symptoms, or the length of duration of symptoms. Some animals will be inconsolable when they have ear mites, for example, others irritable or needy, and some will be pleasant. Some may drink more when ill, others not at all. Why is that? Intrinsic constitution or susceptibility. Without ignoring the immediate cause of disease, yet also without emphasizing it, the homeopathic physician places emphasis on the patient’s attempts to respond and heal. Symptoms are seen as an expression of “mistunement” and are carefully examined as guides to prescribe an appropriate homeopathic remedy (similar) that will enhance the patient’s own attempts to overcome disease. Remedies are chosen to strengthen the patient’s defenses and shift the balance in favor of recovery, and more vital health, not just suppress symptoms.
Hahnemann found that giving a substance that gently nudges the body in the direction of the “disease,” reproducing the same (or almost the same) syndrome or particular symptoms in a mild form, to be a very effective way to stimulate the body’s natural defenses. It is as if the body cannot distinguish between the natural disease and what the similar substance is producing. Homeopathic physicians fine-tune the use of medicines to enhance the patient’s attempts to overcome disease.
Homeopathic remedies have been thoroughly tested regarding their unique effects on the body, mind, and emotions. Some are minerals, plants, even venoms. All are carefully prepared by homeopathic pharmacists. Unlike allopathic medicines, which have therapeutic, toxic, and lethal doses, homeopathic medicines are prepared in a way that dilutes and eliminates any toxic effects while energizing or potentizing the healing effects. In a way, this use of a diluted substance is somewhat similar to the use of vaccines or allergy desensitization, which is a form of isopathy (treating like with like).
Homeopathic remedies come as small white pellets that dissolve in the mouth. They are easily administered to animals, and are given twenty minutes away from food.
In sum, homeopathy stimulates the healing process. By using a medicine that manifests symptoms similar to those of a patient, the remedy temporarily establishes an artificial disturbance of health. This particular disturbance stimulates the body to work harder to get well. The ensuing healing changes that follow are the result of this stimulation.
Extensive skill is required to accurately prescribe homeopathic remedies, especially in chronic conditions. And there is considerable follow-up to monitor symptom changes that are used to guide the patient to recovery over weeks or even months. Even in acute conditions, accurate observation of a patient’s symptoms is needed. But in acute conditions, the healing process typically is much swifter than when allopathic medicine is used.
To learn more about homeopathy, I highly recommend the following book: Timothy R. Dooley, B.D., M.D., Homeopathy, Beyond Flat Earth Medicine, An Introduction for Students and Patients, Timing Publications, 1-888-584-6464
Homeopathy literally means to “treat with a similar disease.” It differs from the allopathic, or standard, medical approach taught in veterinary and medical school. Allopathic means to “treat with other than the disease” and attempts to counteract or suppress symptoms. Homeopathy addresses the fundamental cause of disease, the basic reason why animals become sick: their intrinsic susceptibility.
Consider there are two aspects of a disease. First, there is the immediate cause, such as a bacteria, virus, toxin, or internal immunological activity. Second is the patient’s response, for example, fever, inflammation, discharges, behavioral changes, to eliminate pathogens and toxins and heal the tissue. Perhaps you have noticed how several people or animals in a group can be exposed to the same disease, but not each one will manifest symptoms, or the same symptoms, or the length of duration of symptoms. Some animals will be inconsolable when they have ear mites, for example, others irritable or needy, and some will be pleasant. Some may drink more when ill, others not at all. Why is that? Intrinsic constitution or susceptibility. Without ignoring the immediate cause of disease, yet also without emphasizing it, the homeopathic physician places emphasis on the patient’s attempts to respond and heal. Symptoms are seen as an expression of “mistunement” and are carefully examined as guides to prescribe an appropriate homeopathic remedy (similar) that will enhance the patient’s own attempts to overcome disease. Remedies are chosen to strengthen the patient’s defenses and shift the balance in favor of recovery, and more vital health, not just suppress symptoms.
Hahnemann found that giving a substance that gently nudges the body in the direction of the “disease,” reproducing the same (or almost the same) syndrome or particular symptoms in a mild form, to be a very effective way to stimulate the body’s natural defenses. It is as if the body cannot distinguish between the natural disease and what the similar substance is producing. Homeopathic physicians fine-tune the use of medicines to enhance the patient’s attempts to overcome disease.
Homeopathic remedies have been thoroughly tested regarding their unique effects on the body, mind, and emotions. Some are minerals, plants, even venoms. All are carefully prepared by homeopathic pharmacists. Unlike allopathic medicines, which have therapeutic, toxic, and lethal doses, homeopathic medicines are prepared in a way that dilutes and eliminates any toxic effects while energizing or potentizing the healing effects. In a way, this use of a diluted substance is somewhat similar to the use of vaccines or allergy desensitization, which is a form of isopathy (treating like with like).
Homeopathic remedies come as small white pellets that dissolve in the mouth. They are easily administered to animals, and are given twenty minutes away from food.
In sum, homeopathy stimulates the healing process. By using a medicine that manifests symptoms similar to those of a patient, the remedy temporarily establishes an artificial disturbance of health. This particular disturbance stimulates the body to work harder to get well. The ensuing healing changes that follow are the result of this stimulation.
Extensive skill is required to accurately prescribe homeopathic remedies, especially in chronic conditions. And there is considerable follow-up to monitor symptom changes that are used to guide the patient to recovery over weeks or even months. Even in acute conditions, accurate observation of a patient’s symptoms is needed. But in acute conditions, the healing process typically is much swifter than when allopathic medicine is used.
To learn more about homeopathy, I highly recommend the following book: Timothy R. Dooley, B.D., M.D., Homeopathy, Beyond Flat Earth Medicine, An Introduction for Students and Patients, Timing Publications, 1-888-584-6464