Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine and natural healthcare that began in Germany in 1796.
The very first known practitioner was a German physician by the name of Samuel Hahnemann. Homeopathy is sometimes referred to as homeopathic medicine and is an alternative discipline that has been practiced across the United States since the beginning of the nineteenth century. People who practice homeopathy are called homeopaths.
The word “homeopathy” comes from the Greek root, homeo, which means similar while pathos means disease or suffering.
Key Points about Homeopathy
There are a few key points that are integral to the understanding of homeopathy. In the practice of homeopathy there is a core belief that everyone has energy inside themselves. This energy is known as the vital force. It is also sometimes referred to as being a self-healing response. It is strongly believed by homeopaths that when this vital energy in the body becomes disrupted in any way, health problems become the unfortunate consequence. The goal behind homeopathy is for the body to begin healing itself from within with its own healing mechanisms.
Homeopathic treatment takes an approach that is known as “like cures like.” What this means is that a patient is administered very small doses of substances that are able to produce symptoms that mimic sickness in otherwise healthy people when they are given the substance in much larger doses.
Are you thinking- huh?
The concept is a little difficult to comprehend so think of it like this- the homeopath seeks to encourage the defense mechanisms of the body to kick into high gear in order to prevent disorders and/or illnesses. When diseases or illnesses do invade the body, the defense mechanisms of the body will then work to treat the problem. The body is encouraged to heal itself. This is something that homeopathy has in common with other types of alternative medicine practices such as acupuncture and reflexology.
Some healthcare practitioners who are involved in conventional medicine practices also see the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine and choose to incorporate facets of each into their practices. Homeopathy is popular in some areas of the world but less so in others. It is not as widespread in the United States or Canada as it is in Europe.
Inconclusive Research Findings
There have been a number of different explanations as to how exactly homeopathy works to heal however it is important to note that there has been no scientific evidence to prove why it makes a difference. There have been research studies into the benefits of homeopathy and the results have been contradictory. Some studies have drawn the conclusion that there is not enough evidence to point to the effectiveness of homeopathy in clinical settings, however other studies have indeed found positive health results for the use of homeopathy despite the fact that there is no strong scientific evidence to back it up. In other words, use it at your own risk.
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that is best used in conjunction with Western medicine. It is not advisable to treat any type of health condition with homeopathy on its own, especially when it comes to serious diseases. Remember that it is a form of alternative medicine. Do not forget what alternative means. It gives you another option and another choice for treatment.
Homeopathy is yet another type of alternative treatment that has at its core, a desire to heal and make the body work as nature intended.
Becca
Alternative Health for Today 