The ABCs of homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies, which come in pellet, tablet and liquid form, are widely available in Europe and in many natural-food stores and alternative-medicine pharmacies in the U.S. There are two basic categories of remedies: disease-specific preparations like oscillococcinum for the flu, and constitutional remedies for an individual’s unique set of symptoms. To experience homeopathy’s fullest healing effects it’s always best to schedule a consultation with a classically trained homeopath.
During the first consultation, which usually lasts around an hour, a homeopath will take a detailed history that includes a patient’s physical symptoms, mental/emotional state and overall constitution. In homeopathy, everything’s connected.
Then a homeopath will prescribe a constitutional remedy intended to stimulate healing by matching a patient’s “symptom picture” as precisely as possible. Homeopaths typically give the remedy a few weeks to work and then schedule a follow-up appointment with patients. The goal is a cure of the symptoms on all levels.
Wayne Jonas of the Samueli Institute suggests following the “Four Ps” when considering homeopathy or any other form of alternative or complementary medicine:
Protect yourself against toxic or expensive therapies.
Permit those things that are non-toxic and low-cost.
Promote those things scientifically proven to be safe and effective through randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Partner with health-care practitioners who will help you properly balance these criteria.
Adds George Lewith of the Complementary Medicine Research Unit at the University of Southampton in England: “Have a set of outcomes, check to see if those occur within a reasonable period of time, and then make a decision on whether to continue or not,” he says. “Don’t just take things ad infinitum.”
The ABCs of homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies, which come in pellet, tablet and liquid form, are widely available in Europe and in many natural-food stores and alternative-medicine pharmacies in the U.S. There are two basic categories of remedies: disease-specific preparations like oscillococcinum for the flu, and constitutional remedies for an individual’s unique set of symptoms. To experience homeopathy’s fullest healing effects it’s always best to schedule a consultation with a classically trained homeopath.
During the first consultation, which usually lasts around an hour, a homeopath will take a detailed history that includes a patient’s physical symptoms, mental/emotional state and overall constitution. In homeopathy, everything’s connected.
Then a homeopath will prescribe a constitutional remedy intended to stimulate healing by matching a patient’s “symptom picture” as precisely as possible. Homeopaths typically give the remedy a few weeks to work and then schedule a follow-up appointment with patients. The goal is a cure of the symptoms on all levels.
Wayne Jonas of the Samueli Institute suggests following the “Four Ps” when considering homeopathy or any other form of alternative or complementary medicine:
Protect yourself against toxic or expensive therapies.
Permit those things that are non-toxic and low-cost.
Promote those things scientifically proven to be safe and effective through randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Partner with health-care practitioners who will help you properly balance these criteria.
Adds George Lewith of the Complementary Medicine Research Unit at the University of Southampton in England: “Have a set of outcomes, check to see if those occur within a reasonable period of time, and then make a decision on whether to continue or not,” he says. “Don’t just take things ad infinitum.”
