Homeopathy: basic information

The Homeopathy, this controversial natural medicine alternative began around the first part of the 19th century, during a time when a more benign possibility to medicine was offered than today.  However, there are some skeptics of the healing effects of this medicine that state the effect to be mere placebos, or rather, that they work purely out of suggestion to the patient.

Like cures like

Homeopathy uses cures that lack active chemical ingredients and is based on the theory that “like cures like”, and the dilution principle.  Homeopathic remedies are prepared by repeatedly dissolving a healing agent, generally to such an extent that not even one molecule of the original substance remains.  These are then administered as small pills with a sweet taste, or by drops or syrups given repeatedly throughout the day.  

The homeopathic theory was developed by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German doctor.  This alternative has a wide and growing acceptance in areas where it is practiced, and is covered by some social security systems.  However, because it is an empirical medicine, it is not recognized or accepted by science.  A large part of scientists, epistemologists, and science philosophers consider this medicine to be a pseudoscience.

Allopathy

This system of natural medicine comes as an alternative to the aggressive medicine of this century, which used potent diuretics and emetics to purify the body.  The name homeopathy comes from Greek roots, homoios = similar, pathos = sickness.  This name perfectly described this medicine’s philosophy and its homeopathic task: to cure like with like.  Later, the same doctor that gave it its name, Samuel Hahnemann, called the practice of conventional medicine allopathy, which means to cure a sickness by producing something different.

Homeopathic medicines come from different sources, of which, vegetable sources are the most common.  However, there are medicines that come from animal products, minerals, and chemicals.

All homeopathic medicines are made based on the symptoms that they themselves could cause.  Homeopathic medicines have been previously tested on healthy humans before being prescribed to patients, and the sick person that receives the homeopathic medicine will receive that which produced similar effect in the healthy person.

In this way, homeopathic medicine stimulates proper body functioning and facilitates the body’s recovery.

Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 01/27/2019

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