The Basic Principles of Homeopathy
Homeopathy ("hoh-mee-OP-uh-thee"), also known as homeopathic ("hoh-meeuh-PATH-ik") medicine, is a whole medical system that originated in Europe and has been practiced in the United States since the early 19th century. Homeopathy is based on three principles:
Like Cures Like
Homeopathy demonstrates that a substance that produces a certain set of symptoms in a healthy person can cure a sick person experiencing those same symptoms. For instance, onions make your eyes water when you cut them. If you have a cold or allergies and your symptoms include a runny nose, the likely remedy to treat your runny nose would be Allium Cepa, which is made from onions.
Minimum Dose
Unlike conventional medicines, a homeopathic medicine is believed to be more effective when its active ingredient is diluted and succussed (shaken vigorously). Data indicates that the homeopathic medicine gains increased effectiveness with each additional dilution-succussion step. Furthermore the safety profile of the medicine increases with increased dilution.
Individualized Medicines
Ideally homeopathic treatment is tailored to each person. In this case, practitioners select medicines according to a total picture of the patient, including not only physical symptoms but also lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors.
* Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.
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