Tuesday, July 1, 2008

What is Homeopathy ?



What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a medical science which uses natural substances, like plants and minerals, to mimic illness and stimulate healing. It was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, after whom Hahnemann Hospital is named. It is based on two principles: 1. Like cures like. 2. The minimum dose. 1. The first principle is “like cures like”, or “Whatever symptoms a substance can produce, it can cure.” Because onions can produce the symptoms of watering eyes and burning nose, a remedy made from onion, can cure the watering eyes and burning nose of someone with allergies. Another example is poison ivy. It produces burning, itching skin and sometimes stiff, painful muscles and joints. A homeopathic remedy made from poison ivy is used for everything from burns and skin rashes to rheumatoid arthritis. 2. The second principle is the “mimimum dose”. It states “To cure without harm, use the least amount of medicine necessary.” That's important because side effects of regular drugs kill over 100,000 people a year, just in America. Homeopathic remedies are made by removing all toxic material and leaving just the “imprint” or energy pattern of the original substance. Remedies work by giving your body information about healing. It’s similar to the way a floppy disk gives information to your computer. Once your body knows what to do, it does all the healing by itself. Homeopathic remedies are free of side effects and safe even for small children.

Who uses homeopathy?

According to the World Health Organization, homeopathy is the second most widley used form of medicine in the world. It is used by over over 500 million people. In England, France and the Netherlands, homeopathy is covered by the National Health Service. In England 42% of the doctors refer their patents for homeopathic care. Homeopathy was made a medical specialty by an act of parliament and the Royal Family has been using homeopathy for the last three generations. There are seven homeopathic hospitals including the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. In France, 39% of physicians prescribe homeopathic remedies and eight medical schools offer post graduate degrees in homeopathy. French pharmacists are required to learn about homeopathy and the remedies are sold in all twenty three thousand pharmacies. In the Netherlands 40% of the general practitioners give out homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy is also practiced in Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Russia, Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Scotland, Greece, Canada, Venezuala and India. The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital and the homeopathic hospitals in Glasgow and Moscow, have been in existence for a hundred years.

Why Use Homeopathy?

1. It’s safe. Homeopathic remedies have no chemical side effects and can be used by small children, pregnant women , people with kidney or liver problems and those with drug sensitivities. By contrast, conventional drugs kill over 100,000 Americans a year.

2. It’s effective. Homeopathic remedies are effective against bacteria and viruses. They also work against antibiotic resistant infections. They are useful for many chronic ailments, for which there is no conventional cure. The Spanish Flu of 1918 killed over twenty milllion people worldwide and five hundred thousand in the United States. In the United States, those who got homeopathic treatment had a 98% survival rate. During the epidemics of the 19th century, (eg.cholera, typhus, plague, smallpox) people treated with homeopathy had survival rates 50% greater than those treated with coventional medicine. Homeopathy is also amazingly effective in preventing disease. In the 1974 meninngitis epidemic in Brazil, 18,640 children were given a homeopathic remedy for prevention. The protection rate was 99%. In a smallpox epidemic in Iowa in 1902, the homeopathic preventive was 97% effective.

3. It’s economical. Homeopathic remedies cost about eight cents a dose. The conventional medicine for sepsis infections costs about $4000 a day. The equivalent homeopathic remedies cost about fifty cents a day.

How do you use homeopathic remedies?

Most remedies come as little pellets, either B.B. sized or like tiny grains of sand. Just tap three B.B. sized pellets or 6-8 grain sized ones into the cap and toss them directly onto your tongue. Let them dissolve on your tongue. As you start to feel better, take the remedy less often. When you are really feeling good, stop taking the remedy altogether. It keeps working by itself for some time. Don’t ever think you have to finish the bottle. With homeopathy, less is more. Try to avoid mint or lots of coffee when you are on a remedy, since those substances can sometimes antidote its effect.

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