By Richmond Natural Medicine

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April 23, 2015

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We here at Richmond Natural Medicine utilize homeopathy has one of our key modalities and wanted to shed some light on and clarify some information about homeopathy.

Understanding Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a practice of natural medicine that has been around since the late 18th Century and is rooted in the efforts of a German physician named Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Its practice is based in research and testing, prescribed dosages, and recommended tinctures based on science and evidence.

Homeopathy is also a safe and gentle system that works with your body to restore itself, relieve symptoms, and improve overall health. It can be used on its own as a treatment, or in conjunction with other prescription medications to help relieve associated symptoms.

What it is

Based on the Greek word hómoios, meaning like, the science of homeopathy is based on the idea that small doses of a medicine that creates symptoms in a healthy person will actually cure those same symptoms in a person who is ill. It sounds counter-intuitive but consider the science behind vaccines. At one time the concept of injecting a person with a small dose of an illness to allow their body to fight back and develop an antibody to that same illness likely raised the same questions.

Homeopathic remedies are made from natural plants and minerals such as chamomile, mountain daisy, onion and St. John’s Wort. Remedies are diluted and given in prescribed dosages to ensure they are both safe and effective.

Understanding that the body is designed to heal itself, as long as all of our systems are working as they should, and that our symptoms are often a result of that internal battle, homeopathy works to support the continued work, rather than suppress it.

It is important as well to understand that because homeopathy is intended to work naturally, it also works slowly. It does not promise a quick fix, nor does it promise to eliminate symptoms within a day. Rather, homeopathy works gradually, helping your body heal itself, over time and for a deeper and more lasting result. 

What is Homeopathy For?

Homeopathy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and symptoms. It can be used to treat viral illnesses including colds and flus, bacterial infections including sore throats, and more chronic conditions including asthma and allergies.

Many homeopathic remedies can be used for behavioral support as well, including supporting children with behavioral struggles, or even supporting adults for particular fears of anxieties.

Homeopathy can also be used to treat symptoms associated with other prescription medications. As a natural product, homeopathic remedies are less intrusive, working with the body and resulting in fewer side effects.  Homeopathic remedies do not counteract prescription drugs, can be used, under the guidance of a professional, in conjunction with a host of other medicines, and can be effective in supporting the effectiveness of some prescriptions.

Mainstream Homeopathy

Many homeopathic remedies are available today through large drug stores and smaller natural food stores and come under the general symptoms they are intended to address. Labels might list conditions or symptoms such as headache, nausea or restless leg. These generic formulas are prepared based on the general symptoms someone might experience and so, while they may work for some people, may also not work for others because their symptom list is not exactly the same.

This may in fact be one of the reasons some people question the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. It is important to remember though that an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine will often not be as effective as one recommended by a physician or even a pharmacist, who will look at your specific symptoms and recommend something appropriate. So too with homeopathic remedies, one that is recommended by a practitioner who has heard and understood your symptoms fully will be more effective than one picked up in the grocery store line.

For homeopathic remedies to work best, as with prescription medicine, they should be recommended by a practitioner with experience in homeopathic treatments. Those experienced in the practice work with each patient to look for a complete list of symptoms, even typical symptoms that may be lacking, and then can prescribe or create a specific tincture and specific remedy to meet that individual’s needs.

Homeopath vs Physician

A Homeopath or Naturopathic doctor is trained in the ways of the human body, and in science, as is a physician. Many people who practice homeopathy in fact come from a more traditional medical background and opt to take a more natural approach to healing.

In many countries in the world homeopathic medicine is much more widely accepted and more widely practiced than in the United States. England’s Dr. Peter Fisher is physician to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as well as both Clinical and Research Director of the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine–the largest public sector provider of holistic medicine in Europe (formerly called the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital) where he says the royal family has been treated by homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years.

Naturopathic doctor Dr. Leah Hollon explains the alignment between the two practices:

“Instilled in me from one of my mentors, I am a physician first and homeopath second. Prescribing homeopathic remedies does not prevent me from doing my due diligence in assessing the severity of each patient case and referring to the hospital or appropriate medical specialist as needed, nor do I encourage patients to discontinue helpful pharmaceutical medications or self-diagnose and treat. However, in my experience, having access to homeopathic remedies as either the sole or adjunctive therapy has been the most powerful and effective tool in helping patients get well.”

Regulation

The manufacture of homeopathic medicines are regulated under federal law and by FDA. Medicines are made according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.

Licenses to practice homeopathy are governed and issued by individual states based on strict criteria and are issued to a range of medical practitioners including medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians, osteopaths, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, chiropractors and more. 

The Controversy

Today’s media sources are ready to give us advice on everything from what we eat to who we date and how we raise our kids. Reporters, sometimes with deadlines of an hour or less, give us information, report on the issues of the day, and sometimes misinterpret the information they get, or are paid to take a stand on something, whether they believe it or not and whether it is based in fact or not.

As with anything, it is always best to read from multiple sources, to speak with people who are experts in the field, and to make decisions based on accurate information and thoughtful consideration.

If you are interested in incorporating homeopathic remedies into your health journey,

please contact our office at (804) 977-2634 to book an appointment with one of our practitioners.