What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a safe, effective system of medicine, used by millions of people worldwide for over 200 years. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural sources and are used in extremely small amounts. They are recognized as drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are non-toxic and, when properly administered, can be safely used with infants, children, and adults.

Homeopathy is based on the principle that "like cures like", that is if a substance can cause symptoms in a healthy person, then it can stimulate self-healing of similar symptoms in a sick person. For example, suppose a person can't sleep because of agitation or an overactive mind Instead of giving a conventional "sleeping pill", a homeopath might give Coffea - a homeopathic preparation of coffee.

This principle of similars was developed into a system of medicine called homeopathy by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700's, but the concept dates back to the time of Hippocrates. The exact mechanism by which homeopathy works is unknown, but 200 years of clinical experience along with research published in such medical journals as The Lancet, Pediatrics, and the British Medical Journal have confirmed homeopathy's effectiveness. A variation of the principle of similars is incorporated by conventional medicine in its use of vaccinations and allergy treatments.

Homeopathy treats the whole person - physical, mental, emotional - and treats each person individually. For example, a homeopathic dentist treating an abscessed tooth asks about the person's unique symptoms: Is the person chilly or flushed? Does the pain extend to any other area of the mouth or head? When does the pain appear? What are the affect of being still or moving around? How does the pain affect the person's emotional state? The homeopath tries to get a complete picture of the person's individual experience with the dental problem. Then the homeopath chooses a homeopathic medicine that best matches this person's unique set of symptoms. A well chosen homeopathic medicine works so much better than pain pills and antibiotics.

There are no known or suspected contraindications or drug interactions between homeopathic and conventional medicines. Most homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter. Consumers can learn to treat simple, self-limiting conditions safely at home, but serious conditions should be treated by a professional. Many veterinarians and animal caretakers get good results using homeopathic medicines for animals.

David L. Stephenson, D.D.S., L.AC.