What is Homeopathy?
What kind of conditions or diseases can be treated homeopathically?
How effective are homeopathic treatments?
How long will it take until I see improvement?
How often can I take homeopathics?
Can I take other medications while using homeopathic therapies?
If I am using homeopathic medicines, is it possible for me to take conventional drugs at the same time?
Is homeopathy regulated?
Are these herbal products?
Is homoeopathy safe for babies and children?
How does a homeopath choose a particular remedy for a person?
Are there harmful side effects from taking a homeopathic remedy?
Can homeopathic remedies be taken along with conventional medications?
How long does it take for homeopathy to work?
What are the origins of homeopathy and where is it practiced today?
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a medical system that stimulates the body to rid itself of illness and promote wellness, and is based on a specific set of principles regarding health, illness, cure and pharmacology. Homeopathy works on the principle of “like cures like,” and addresses the causes of acute or chronic disease through the use of highly dilute and energized substances specifically chosen to match the individual state of the person and stimulate an inner vitality.
What kind of conditions or diseases can be treated homeopathically?
Homeopathy is applicable to a broad range of maladies including acute inflammations, systemic imbalances, chronic degenerative diseases and mental/emotional disturbances. By its very nature, homeopathic treatment is not specific to a particular illness, but is directed at the underlying state of the person suffering from that illness. By addressing this state, the appropriately-chosen remedy effectively treats the illness.
How effective are homeopathic treatments?
Homeopathy, which has been practiced worldwide for nearly 200 years, has been proven effective in numerous clinical studies. Additionally, many internationally recognized medical journals—including The Lancet, Pediatrics, British Medical Journal and Archives of Otolaryngology (an American Medical Association publication)—have documented the effectiveness of homeopathic treatments.
How long will it take until I see improvement?
Symptomatic relief may be immediate; therapeutic improvement typically occurs within 24 hours to 1 week. The efficacy depends on a number of factors including the condition being treated, the age, the health of the person, and dosage compliance.
How often can I take homeopathics?
Homeopathic remedies are safe and can be administered as necessary. Please follow the recommended dosage information found on the package or consult with your healthcare practitioner.
Can I take other medications while using homeopathic therapies?
Yes. There have been no known indications of drug interaction. Unless directed otherwise by a physician, all medications are fine to take with most homeopathic remedies. Please check the package insert on certain homeopathic treatments for details.
If I am using homeopathic medicines, is it possible for me to take conventional drugs at the same time?
It is possible to take them together, but often homeopathic medicines work so quickly that you do not need to take conventional drugs. Some conventional medicines, however, are so strong that they inhibit any action of the homeopathic medicine. In such situations you must decide whether or not to use the conventional or homeopathic medicine.
Is homeopathy regulated?
Yes. Homeopathic Medicines are fully regulated as drugs by the FDA. All homeopathic medicines are "governed" by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Homeopathic medicines are regulated as drugs by inclusion in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. All homeopathic medicines are required to have NDC (National Drug Codes) listed on the front panel of the label and box and identify that the products are registered with the federal government. Homeopathic medicines, like all drugs in the United States, are also regulated as prescription and non-prescription. If a remedy is regulated as a prescription item, it is necessary to have a written prescription from a physician to obtain the remedy.
Are these herbal products?
No, these are not herbs, which use a larger quantity of plant material per dose. Homeopathic medicines use a minute dose of plant or mineral substance to address symptoms. Unlike herbal supplements which are regulated as foods, the FDA accepts homeopathic products as drugs. As drugs, homeopathic products must be manufactured in compliance with the FDA finished pharmaceutical Good Manuacturing Practices (GMPs) regulations for cleanliness, quality and testing.
Is homoeopathy safe for babies and children?
Yes, since there are no toxic effects, and babies and children usually respond extremely well to homeopathic treatments.
How does a homeopath choose a particular remedy for a person?
Homeopaths take great care to understand people's symptoms, how they experience illness as well as their general state of being. By exploring what truly makes people unique, the homeopath gains insight into the nature of their vital life force and is thus able to select an appropriate remedy to stimulate it to effect a curative reaction.
Are there harmful side effects from taking a homeopathic remedy?
Since the remedies are highly diluted, they do not contain significant amounts of the original substance from which they are made. Therefore, they do not have the toxic effects associated with many conventional medications or other substances. They are, however, powerful energetic stimuli and must be used with discretion. Sometimes, as part of the curative process, a person will experience a temporary intensification of symptoms.
Can homeopathic remedies be taken along with conventional medications?
Yes. Many people who seek out homeopathic care are already taking conventional medication with the goal of reducing or eliminating the medication. With the proper remedy and treatment plan, this is often possible.
How long does it take for homeopathy to work?
Homeopathy will usually begin to alleviate symptoms quickly, sometimes within days, and then continue to have a positive effect over months and years. The severity and history of the problems will usually determine the length of time needed for a true cure to happen. For example, a chronic disease such as lifelong asthma will take more time to heal than an acute case of poison ivy.
What are the origins of homeopathy and where is it practiced today?
Homeopathy has ancient origins in many different culture and traditions. The Vedas practiced forms of homeopathy 5,000 years ago in India. The ancient Greeks, most notably Hippocrates, also practiced the principles of homeopathy.
In the late 18th century, Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, rediscovered the principles of homeopathy. He became famous for curing cholera epidemics amongst the returning Napoleonic armies. Today homeopathy is practiced around the globe, and is widely used in Europe, South America and India.
