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HOMEOPATHY

The principal of homeopathy that ”like can cure like” dates back to the Greek physician Hippocrates who lived in the 5th century BC. But is was Samuel Hahnemann, a German chemist and physician, who developed the principles of Similia and Potentization and he is considered the founder of homeopathy.

In homeopathy, the vital force (which is the body’s own healing power) is considered responsible for maintaining health and defending against disease; illness results when this force is disturbed. Homeopathy considers the symptoms of disease to be the outward manifestations of the ‘vital force’s’ attempt to reestablish order and health in the body.

ACUTE VERSUS CHRONIC ILLNESS ACCORDING TO HOMEOPATHIC PRINCIPLES

Acute Illness

Sudden onset
Self-limiting illness
Strong vital force
The body recuperates quickly
Good health is reestablished

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homeopathic remedies help to hasten recovery by stimulating the vital force. They energize the vital force to rid the body of disease.

The choice of remedies must match as accurately as possible the symptoms of the disease as well as the patient’s character, lifestyle, medical and family history and daily environment.

HOW THE REMEDIES ARE PREPARED

Homeopathic remedies are made from plant, animal and mineral extracts and diluted in varying degrees in order to avoid unpleasant side effects.

The process consists of placing the soluble remedy substance in an alcohol/ water mixture, generally composed of approximately 90% pure alcohol and 10% distilled water, for 2-4 weeks. The mixture is occasionally shaken then passed through a strainer. The resulting liquid is called the ’Mother Tincture’.

In the case of insoluble remedies the substance has to be ground continually until it becomes soluble (a process called trituration, then it is diluted in the same way as above.

To produce different remedy potencies, the mother tincture is diluted in an alcohol/water mixture several times with vigorous shaking (called a succussion) between every stage. The number of a homeopathic remedy indicates how many times it has been diluted and succussed.

Chronic Illness