What is a Homeopathic Remedy?

A homeopathic remedy is what you receive after your visit to the Homeopath, in very much the same way as you receive your prescription from the doctor.  A homeopathic remedy is the medicine you get to treat your symptoms or your illness once a full consultation has been done.

However unlike conventional medication, homeopathic remedies are completely natural and are made from a variety of different sources, some of which are talked about below. These remedies also come in a variety of forms making it easy for people of all ages to take.

What are the remedies made of?

Homeopathic remedies are made from a variety of sources all deriving from completely natural substances. They can derive from:

• Animal sources - e.g. lachesis (snake venom), Sepia (cuttlefish ink), tarantula 
• Plant sources - e.g. arnica, pulsatilla, calendula, aconite,  
• Mineral sources - e.g. aluminium, sulphur, phosphorus, gold

Some of these substances are actually used in prescription drugs as well such as, gold which is used in intramuscular injections for rheumatic disease and digitalis from the foxglove plant is found in some heart medications. However in Homeopathy these substances are used in a very different way and are not combined with chemical substances and are used in much smaller dilutions. Although there are many homeopathic remedies that are made from poisonous substances, this is no area for concern as the remedies are prescribed in high potencies so no toxicity is left in them.

What form do the remedies take?

Homeopathic remedies come in 3 main forms:

• Tablets - To be placed under the tongue to dissolve
• Creams - To apply directly to the skin (particular good in cases of bruising, burns or muscle pain)
• Liquid - Available in a dropper bottles to administer the liquid straight into the mouth. This enables even the youngest baby to take homeopathic remedies safely.