Homeopathy
Overview
What is homeopathy?
In the late 18th century, a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann
came upon a passage claiming that the quinine-containing Peruvian bark
(chinchona) cured malaria. Using himself as a subject, Hahnemann
swallowed a dose of Peruvian bark. He began to feel feverish, drowsy,
desperately thirsty, and agitated—all of which he recognized as symptoms
of malaria. This caused Hahnemann to experiment further and form his
theory that like cures like, or the Law of Similars. This law
states that when a substance in large doses causes certain symptoms, in
small doses it can cure these same symptoms. Some treatments in
conventional medicine rely on this like-cures-like principle; vaccines,
for instance, introduce small doses of an illness-causing agent to
prevent disease.
Other important principles of homeopathy are dilution and succussion.
Remedies are diluted and then "succussed," or shaken, in order to
increase their potency. The process of successive dilution and
succussion is called potentization .
How does homeopathy work?
Homeopathic remedies start with simple substances, such as herbs,
minerals, or animal products. These substances are first crushed and
dissolved in a specified amount of a substance—usually grain alcohol or
lactose, mechanically shaken, then stored. This is the "mother
tincture." Homeopaths further dilute tinctures with alcohol or lactose,
either 1 part to 10 (written as "x") or 1 part to 100 (written as "c"),
and then succuss these tinctures, yielding a 1x or 1c dilution.
Homeopaths can even further dilute these tinctures two times (2x or 2c),
three times (3x or 3c), and so forth. In clinical practice, any dilution
may be used, but the most common are the 6x, 12x, and 30x and 6c, 12c,
and 30c. The more diluted the substance, the more potent its healing
powers are thought to be.
Rather than simply suppressing symptoms of a disease, homeopathic
remedies act as catalysts that aid the body's inherent healing
mechanisms. Moreover, homeopaths believe that any physical disease has a
mental and emotional component. The homeopathic diagnosis is threefold,
including physical symptoms (e.g., feverish), current emotional and
psychological state (e.g., anxious, restless), and overall constitution
of the individual (this includes more enduring qualities related to a
person's creativity, initiative, persistence, concentration, physical
sensitivities, stamina). The right remedy for a particular condition
addresses all of these aspects and requires a highly individualized
diagnosis.
Homeopathy is also used like other remedies, that is, according to
symptoms. Health-food stores and some pharmacies sell homeopathic
remedies for a variety of problems. Remedies are usually taken for no
more than 2 or 3 days, though some people require only one or two doses
before starting to feel better. If a remedy fails, it may be because it
was the wrong substance for the set of symptoms.
What happens during a visit to the homeopath?
An initial visit to the homeopath can take from 1 to 1½ hours.
Because homeopaths treat the person rather than the illness, the
practitioner interviews the person at length, asking many questions and
observing personality traits as well as unusual behavioral and physical
symptoms. Determining the person's condition also includes a physical
examination and possibly laboratory work.
What illnesses and conditions respond well?
Conditions that respond particularly well to homeopathic treatment
include asthma, diarrhea, eczema and other types of skin rashes,
depression, anxiety, hot flashes, chronic fatigue syndrome, and otitis
media (ear infection).
How can I find a qualified practitioner?
About 25 homeopathic schools and training programs exist in the U.S.,
most of which offer 2- to 4-year programs. However, no diploma or
certificate from any school provides a license to practice. Many
homeopaths are also medical doctors, although there are homeopaths
licensed in virtually every health-profession category, including
veterinarians. In most states, practitioners must be licensed healthcare
providers to legally practice homeopathy. Several respected
certification agencies exist. The American Board of Homeotherapeutics
certifies MDs and DOs (doctors of osteopathic medicine) who have
specialized in homeopathy (DHt is the indicator of a doctor of
homeopathy). Naturopaths study homeopathy extensively as part of their
medical training and are certified by the Homeopathic Academy of
Naturopathic Physicians (DHANP). All homeopathic practitioners,
including chiropractors, nurse practitioners, and acupuncturists, can
apply for Certification in Classical Homeopathy (CCH).
There are a number of directories listing homeopathic providers. To
locate one in your area use the web directory located at
http://www.homeopathicdirectory.com/ or the directory of the
National Center for Homeopathy at
http://www.homeopathic.org/ . You may also contact the American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians at 877-969-2267 or visit their
website at
http://www.naturopathic.org/ to find a qualified naturopath who
specializes in homeopathy, or the North American Society of Homeopaths
at
http://www.homeopathy.org/ . Other useful sources of information on
homeopathy include Homeopathic Educational Services in Berkeley,
California, located on the web at
http://www.homeopathic.com .
Does my medical insurance usually cover homeopathy?
Insurance companies are more likely to cover homeopathy when the
person providing the service is a licensed healthcare professional, such
as an MD or DO who also practices homeopathy.
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