Homeopathy simply explained

Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cystitis, Depression, Digestive problems, Eczema, Exam stress, Emotional problems, Fatigue, Fybromyalgia, Grief, Hormonal problems, Insomnia,  Muscle pain, Period pains, Reduced immunity, Skin conditions, Trauma including Surgical trauma and many more ....

In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick which he called homoeopathy. Homoeopathy is an effective and scientific system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself.  It  is based on the law of similars. What this means is, when a healthy person drinks a large amount of coffee, sleepnessness or insomnia may be induced.  But coffee given as a homeopathic remedy in minute doses will enable a patient to sleep naturally. Homoeopathic remedies, properly prescribed, are safe and can also be given to pregnant women, babies and children. This is because only a very minute amount of the active ingredient is used in a specially prepared form. Your homoeopath will give you a homoeopathic medicine or remedy which matches your symptoms as you experience them. This also takes account of you as a person — your individual characteristics emotionally as well as physically.

How does it work?
The aim is to get you to a level of health so that eventually you will need less frequent treatment. The first consultation can last for an hour or more and follow-ups from 20 minutes to an hour. 

What will your homoeopath need to know?
In order to find the right remedy for you as an individual, your homoeopath will need to know all about you. A detailed understanding of who you are, along with any complaints and details of how you experience them, is needed to assess your case correctly. Finding out about your general energy level, your past medical history and the way you live are also important.

Anything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence.

What will the treatment be like?
After analysing how your illness affects you, your homoeopath will research the most appropriate remedy for you in order to stimulate your body’s natural healing power. Remedies are usually in the form of a tablet or tablets, occasionally as powders, which should be allowed to dissolve in your mouth; or you may be given a liquid remedy. Instructions will always be provided.  You may be advised to avoid coffee, peppermint and preparations containing menthol, eucalyptus and camphor, as these may interfere with the action of the homoeopathic remedy. Please tell your homoeopath about any medicine or supplement that has been prescribed for you by your doctor or that you take regularly. Also mention any recent or immediate dental treatment. These may affect your homoeopathic prescription.  If you are taking a homoeopathic remedy and you feel that you need to take additional medication - conventional or homoeopathic medicine - consult with your homoeopath to discuss how this might affect your homoeopathic treatment

What will happen once treatment starts? 
After taking your remedy, you may notice some changes. Reactions to homoeopathic remedies vary with the individual.  Some patients experience a period of exceptional well being and optimism. Sometimes your symptoms can appear to get worse for a short time.  This is a good sign that the remedy is taking effect.  Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of discharge may appear as a ‘spring cleaning’ effect which means your system is going through a clearing out stage. Similarly, old symptoms can reappear, usually for a short period. These symptoms will pass and must not be treated, as they are a very important part of the healing process. If any response to your treatment concerns you, do contact your homoeopath as soon as you can, as it is important to know what happens as treatment progresses. A follow up appointment allows both you and your homoeopath to assess your reaction to the homoeopathic medicine and decide how your treatment can best be continued. 

How long does treatment take? 
This depends very much on what sort of illness you have, as well as the other individual characteristics of your case.  So it is difficult for your homoeopath to assess this until after your second appointment. A slowly developing complaint or one that has been experienced for some years, may take longer to improve, although there may be a response and improvement quite soon. Acute complaints can get better more quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours. 

Will there be advice about diet and lifestyle?
A homoeopath will ask you about your usual diet and lifestyle and may suggest changes, especially if it seems that this is contributing to your illness.

What about seeing a GP?
We recommend that you should maintain your relationship with your GP and continue taking your prescribed medication.  The need for these may lessen as homoeopathic treatment progresses. If so your GP may decide to gradually and carefully reduce them. Homoeopathy has a different philosophy but by working in this way with your GP, the two systems of health care can provide a complementary service. There are no known drug interactions between homoeopathic remedies and conventional medicines.

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