Homeopathy: Frequently Asked Questions and Facts

What is the difference between Homeopathy and conventional medicine?

Homeopathy’s Approach

Homeopathy is based on a "whole person" approach. It places huge importance on all three aspects of the human body; the physical, mental and emotional symptoms.  In Homeopathy, the remedy or treatment program is customized and individualized to the patient, with the intent and purpose of removing the underlying cause. In this way improvement in symptoms is generally made on all levels and in a much deeper way.

Conventional Medicine’s Approach

Conventional (allopathic / orthodox) medicine usually relies on treating only a  patient’s physical symptoms. This treatment generally involves just suppressing or controlling a persons symptoms, which may visually or temporarily improve a persons symptoms but does not always make a lasting cure once medication has been stopped.

The Homeopath’s goal is not purely to remove the symptoms, as is commonly the case in allopathic treatment, but to determine the underlying cause of the problem and stimulate the body’s natural curative powers. It is in this way that the homeopathic approach could in some cases remove the need to take some conventional medication.

Can Homeopathic remedies be taken along with conventional medications?

Yes. Many people who seek out homeopathic treatment are already taking conventional medication with the goal of reducing or eliminating the medication. With the proper remedy and treatment plan, this is often possible in collaboration and with full support of your Gp. Homeopathy can also be successfully used to eradicate side effects commonly caused by conventional medication even in cases of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Is Homeopathy merely psychological?

Homeopathy is not a placebo effect. Homeopathic remedies and treatments are successfully used by parents to treat infant ailments such as colic, teething pain and many types of infections. Homeopathy is also successfully used by veterinarians to treat animals. They use homeopathic medicines to treat domestic pets such as cats, dogs and birds, as well as barnyard animals like goats, horses and cows. Is it possible to have a placebo effect with babies and animals? There have also been many trials conducted in specific areas of health using homeopathic medicines, which have shown significant benefits above and beyond placebo results. These included positive results in the treatment of asthma and menopausal symptoms using homeopathic medications

Are there harmful side effects from taking a Homeopathic remedy?

Homeopathic remedies are diluted, and do not contain significant amounts of the original substance from which they are made. Therefore, they do not have the toxic effects that can be associated with many conventional medications. They are, however, powerful energetic stimuli and must be used with discretion. In some cases, especially in the treatment of skin problems, as part of the curative process, a person will experience a temporary intensification of symptoms, which will be short lived. Unlike many allopathic medications, Homeopathy is very safe to use in pregnancy and be very beneficial to both expectant mother and unborn child.

Why use Homeopathic Medicine?

Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. Its growth in popularity in the United States has been around 25% to 50% a year throughout the last decade. This success is mainly due because:

• Homeopathy is extremely effective. When the correct remedy is taken, results can be rapid, complete and permanent.
• Homeopathy is completely safe. Even babies and pregnant women can use Homeopathy without the danger of side effects. Homeopathic remedies can also be taken alongside other medication without producing unwanted side effects.
• Homeopathy is natural. Homeopathic remedies are normally based on natural ingredients.
• Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, unlike some conventional medicines, which suppress the immune system. (For example, cough medicines suppress the cough reflex, which is your body's attempt to clear the lungs)

Homeopathic remedies are not addictive - once relief is felt, you should stop taking them. If no relief is felt, you are probably taking the wrong homeopathic remedy.

Homeopathy is holistic. It treats all the symptoms as one, which in practical terms means that it addresses the cause, not the symptoms. This often means that symptoms treated with Homeopathy do not reoccur.

Homeopathy Facts & Statistics

• In Britain the market for Homeopathy is estimated to be growing at around 20% a year. British consumers spend more than £20 million a year on over-the-counter homeopathic remedies. The sale of homeopathic medicines in pharmacies is increasing between 15% and 20% a year.
• The World Health Organization has stated that Homeopathy is the second leading system of medicine for primary health care in the world. It is covered by national healthcare systems in many countries and is recommended by healthcare professionals worldwide. Over 30 million people in Europe use Homeopathic Medicine.
• The complementary medicines market was worth an estimated £147 million in 2004, showing a 44% growth since 1999.  Homeopathic remedies were worth around £32 million.
• Up to £480M could be cut from the NHS prescription drugs bill if 10% of GP’s offered Homeopathy as an alternative to standard drugs
• An estimated 5.75million people a year in the UK go to see a complementary practitioner for treatment
• 45% of GPs consider Homeopathy useful. 60% of the doctors who use Homeopathy do so because of good experience of Homeopathy as an effective treatment, and also because of anxiety about the hazards of conventional treatment