Homeopathy has been used in the UK for over two hundred years, but has an honourable tradition dating back to ancient Greece. It was Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician who earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at a time that scientific advances were beginning to be seen in the fields of chemistry, anatomy, physiology and physics. Samuel developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of this gentler way of healing.
While translating William Cullen's A treatise of the materia medica into German, Samuel was struck by a passage that dealt with cinchona bark, which was used to treat malaria. Cullen described its mechanism of action as a function of its stomach-strengthening properties. However, Samuel did not accept this explanation and experimented to test the theory for himself. To attempt to characterize the action of the quinine-containing bark he took "four good drams of Peruvian bark, twice a day for several days". Samuel reported that he began to develop symptoms identical to those of malaria. He concluded from this experience that effective drugs must produce symptoms in healthy people that are similar to the diseases they will be expected to treat. Today this principal is known as the "Law of Similars" and is the basis for the use of the term homeopathy ("similar suffering").
Samuel and colleagues began to test various substances to determine the types of symptoms they produced. These results suggested to Samuel what the drugs would be useful to treat.
Soluble compounds or liquids were diluted in alcohol; insoluble materials were serially diluted by grinding with lactose. Samuel compiled his results into a treatise called the "Organon of rational therapeutics" which he first published in 1810. In 1921 the sixth edition was published and is still used today as homeopathy's basic text.
Samuel Hahnemann practiced Homeopathic medicine for almost 50 years until his death in 1843.
Homeopaths throughout the world have been experiencing various degrees of opposition from orthodox physicians. Although, this is on the decrease as noted in the British Medical Journal, an article that in a survey of 100 recently graduated British physicians, 80% expressed an interest in being trained in either homeopathy, acupuncture or hypnosis.
When homeopaths have been given a relatively free environment to practice, homeopathy has been able to grow and flourish. This shows by the increasing percentage of patients visiting homeopaths every year.
Homeopathy is popular world wide and particularly popular in the UK where the Royal Family has been under homeopathic care since in 1830s. In the Netherlands homeopathy is one the most popular therapeutic modalities. An article in the World Health Organization's journal World Health Forum noted, "Homeopathic treatment seems well suited for use in rural areas where the infrastructure, equipment, and drugs needed for conventional medicine cannot be provided. In India there are over 120 homeopathic medical schools. Homeopathy in South America isn’t as popular as it is in Europe or Asia, but it is still widely utilized.
Description and benefits of Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone from children to the elderly, as it aims to treat the whole person by stimulating the natural healing process and concentrates on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.
The therapy is based on the theory of treating “like with like”. Homeopathic remedies are drawn from the plant, animal and mineral worlds and are so highly diluted that no molecules from the original substances are detected. There is also no danger of addiction or toxicity from the remedies as homeopaths will take into account the range of physical, emotional and lifestyle factors in order to prescribe the right medicine.
The remedies work by gently boosting the natural energy of the body, and are very safe, even for pregnant and sensitive patients.
Governing bodies of Homeopathy
Society of Homeopaths - the largest body of professional homeopaths in Europe
National Centre for Homeopathy (NCH)
British Homeopathic Association (BHA)
British Homeopathic Medical Society (BHMS)
British Institute of Homeopathy (BIH)
Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC)
Council on Homeopathic Education (CHE)
The General Council and Register of Consultant Herbalists (and Homeopathy) (IRCH) - is a member of the EHPA.
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