What is homeopathy?
The short answer is:
Homeopathy is a patient- based approach to medicine which can address acute issues as well as chronic problems. The remedies are chosen based on the Law of Similars.
What is the Law of Similars?
The hair of the dog that bit you is a common expression which mostly means that when someone feels hungover after a night in the bars, a little bit of alcohol will make them feel better.
Homeopathy is a little bit like that, somewhat more nuanced.
No, it doesn’t mean that you need to use the same whiskey than the one that made you sick! Even I know that you can use any kind of alcohol to remedy a hangover! Well, supposedly, and actually, homeopathy has much better remedies for that. More on that later.
As long as we are talking about stimulants: Ever had too much coffee? Have you had the jittery feeling, the insomnia, the restlessness after that triple espresso drink?
The homeopathic remedy Coffea Cruda will help with symptoms that are similar to those, even if they haven’t been brought on by actual coffee.
So, this is the Law of Similars in a nutshell: A substance that can make us sick (or uncomfortable) can, homeopathically prepared, help with similar symptoms.
What do you mean “Homeopathically prepared?”
Homeopathic remedies are made from all kinds of substances, most commonly minerals, plants and animal matter. (Literally the hair of the dog, ha!)
In a carrier solution those substances undergo multiple stages of dilution and vigorous shaking (a.k.a. succussion). The whole process is called Potentization. Homeopathic potencies are labeled with a number and a letter, such as 30C, 200x, D12 or 200CK. The higher the number, the more often the remedy has been diluted and succussed (fancy word for: banged against a leather bound book, as described by the old masters).
By the time we reach a dilution of 6C, the original substance is no longer detectable.
We now have an energy imprint of the substance. The cool thing about this is that in remedies with scary names such as Belladonna, Aconite (Wolfsbane, you have heard of it in Harry Potter books) and Arsenicum are completely non-toxic, safe for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
When we take a remedy the body is tricked into “thinking” that there is something happening that needs to be rectified. Our innate healing mechanism is thus stimulated and the problem is taken care of. In the process the natural disease (the one the body actually had, but had trouble getting rid of) is eliminated and the remedy action also disappears.
The result is a gentle balancing of the body. Sometimes we don’t even notice it. We just feel better. “Oh it just went away” we get to hear. Yes, indeed, with a little help of your friend!
The Patient- based approach, Individualization
Homeopathy helps the person with the problem, rather than focusing on a diagnosis.
To go back to our hangover: 3 people have indulged in alcohol and fine foods the night before and are found moaning on the couch the next morning. Despite having had the same kind of drinks they might need 3 different remedies.
Nux vomica for the one with nausea, headache, vertigo who will be irritable and super sensitive to noises. (Admittedly, this remedy is the most commonly used for hangovers.)
Carbo vegetabilis for the one who is also nauseous, this time with bloating and lots of gas.
Arsenicum album for one with usual symptoms of intoxication, with a nagging thirst for little sips of water, restlessness and even anguish if this is ever to be going away!
In kitchens all over Germany you will find this saying, pertaining to the woman of the house:
The impossible is done right away, miracles take a little longer!
This applies to homeopathy as well:
Acute issues such as colds and flus can react very quickly to the right remedy. A single remedy will often bring the body back into balance within a few days, sometimes even hours.
Chronic problems (asthma, arthritis, allergies) will take a little longer, and might need a series of well-chosen remedies by a homeopathic practitioner.
