Homeopathy and Holism
Homeopathy views the patient in an holistic manor. It sees symptoms as a general indicator that the whole body is ill, and that local symptoms are simply one manifestation of this. To just remove the local symptom, as often the case in conventional medicine, does not heal the general illness, and symptoms will often return or express themselves in another way.
Treating ‘Like with Like’
Homeopathy is based on the core principle of treating ‘like with like’. That a substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those with the same symptoms. A simple example would be to think of the effect of drinking too much coffee, causing sleeplessness, and agitation. This infers that coffee when made into a homeopathic potency can be used to treat an individual with just those symptoms of insomnia and agitation.
Gentle and permanent relief of symptoms
Using homeopathy it is possible to trigger a reparative response using the body’s own immune system and powers of healing and repair. By harnessing what is essentially a natural process within the body, this healing can occur in a gentle and permanent fashion, without the side effects commonly seen with conventional medicine. It is for this reason that homeopathy is safe for the most vulnerable of patients including pregnant, paediatric, geriatric and the seriously ill.
Homeopathy and conventional medicine
Despite the differences in approach, homeopathic and conventional treatments can work very well alongside each other. Consulting a medically trained homeopath allows you to receive the best of both worlds.
Administering and storing Homeopathic remedies
Remedies work best when given directly into a clean mouth and are absorbed across the membranes. Ideally they should not be given within 30 minutes of a meal. If there is no other way to administer them then it should be added to a small amount of bland food such as a piece of chicken, a tiny bit of bread and butter, or dissolved into a teaspoon of plain unsweetened yoghurt, cream cheese or milk. With homeopathic tablets the remedy is coated on the outside, so minimise handing and preferably tip the tablet into the lid and then straight into the mouth. It is also possible to crush the tablet between two teaspoons and put the powder into the mouth, or add it to some water. Remedies need to be stored away from sunlight, ideally in a cupboard away from strong smelling substances or electrical equipment. When stored correctly they can last for several years (some liquid potencies do not last so long = discard then if they become cloudy).