What is the Definition of Homeopathy?

The Basic Principle of Homeopathy: The Law of Similars, (Similia Similibus Curentur "Let likes be cured by likes")

Basically this definition of homeopathy means: Substances used in small doses stimulate the living organism to heal the very same conditions which they cause when taken in larger doses.

The law of similars was not a new thought. In the 4th century BC, Hippocrates wrote:

"Through the like, disease is produced. And through the application of the like it is cured."

Paracelcius, a 15th century physician and alchemist, used the law of similar extensively in his practice and writings:

"... bring together the same anatomy (the energy anatomy) of the herbs and the same anatomy (energy) of the illness into one order. This simile gives you an understanding of the way in which you shall heal."

Homeopathy is Defined as Energy Medicine

Hahnemann in his book, Organon of Medicine, the basic foundational philosophy of homeopathy, uses the term, vital force or vital principle as the defense mechanism that keeps the living organism in harmony. The vital force is everywhere present -- in every cell of the body. It is the force which animates our physical, emotional and mental being.

When the vital force is touched by some dynamic energy -- be it a harmful agent such as a poison, a physical traumaic event, or a mental or emotional belief pattern, it is untuned or jarred; moved out of balance in such a way as to create unpleasant sensations and the abnormal functions we call symptoms of disease.

In homeopathy by definition, we do not focus on or treat diseases. We analyze all the symptoms a person is experiencing and expressing -- mentally, emotionally, physically, as the totality of symptoms. If we use the idea of "dis-ease", there really is only one disease: when the vital force is out of balance.

Symptoms are but a reflection of the problem -- the vital force's attempt to heal, to restore harmony. In traditional medicine (allopathic means different suffering), the goal is to get rid of the symptom without much focus on the whole balance of the living being. Drugs are used to suppress or kill or stamp out symptoms. This can actually interfere with the healing response that the symptom is trying to express.

Allopathic drugs ultimately can drive the distuned vital force into expressing deeper pathology (or symptoms that become worse and worse). This is one of the reasons we have seen such a tremendous increase in chronic diseases in both children and adults.

So, our goal is to assist the vital force, to help it, by giving some external energy source to actually increase the symptoms and ultimately restore balance.

In homeopathy we use specially prepared medicines that we call remedies that can create the same symptom picture the person is expressing.

Hence, like cures like. This is the law of nature.

Materia Medica

Homeopathic remedies are described in a reference work called the materia medica. The remedies are prepared so they are strengthened and made more potent by actually decreasing their material substance, thus making them very safe from toxic side effects.

The remedies come from natural substances - plants, minerals, animals (e.g. blood, milk, eggs, secretions)

The remedies are diluted and then shaken or jarred strongly in a process called succussion. For every dilution and succussion the remedy becomes more diluted but much more potent.

We believe a shadow molecule or an energetic memory of the original substance is released through the succussion, and thus can have an effect on the vital force without causing a noxious side-effect from too much material substance.

With homeopathic remedies, we are trying to touch -- to stimulate -- the vital force to return to balance, harmony and wholeness.

"The Living Energy Universe" a book by Gary Schwartz, provides more information on how homeopathy may work.

Basic Principles

Through classical homeopathy we treat sick people using the three following principles:

1. Totality of Symptoms - Homeopathy is holistic, individualized medicine. We treat based on emotional, mental and physical symptoms.
2. The Single Medicine - In classical homeopathy, we do not use combination remedies, but rather use the one single remedy that is right for that time in the person's life, whether for acute or chronic conditions. This remedy is most similar to the totality of symptoms the sick person is expressing.
3. The Minimum Dose - A person's inherent healing powers are so strong that only a small stimulus is needed to begin the healing process. The second dose is given only when the first one has completed its action.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES ARE REGULATED BY THE FDA IN THE U.S.

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