RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Homeopathy Results:
Homeopathy
By:
Published: August 22, 2006
There are some things that should never be discussed in public: sex, religion or politics.
Homeopathy can be added to the list.
Homeopathy has been controversial since it began in the late 1790s. (The word "homeopathy" comes from two Greek words: "homoios," meaning "similar," and "pathos," meaning "suffering.")
German doctor Samuel Hahnemann founded homeopathy in the late 1700s. Hahnemann had lost faith in the medical practices of his day, such as leeching and bloodletting. He theorized it was not infection which caused disease, but an upset in the body's natural balance resulting in a toxic condition. If detoxification could be induced and balance restored, a person would get well.
Hahnemann tested his theory by experimenting with natural remedies. The experiments, or "provings," yielded two important laws of homeopathy.
One is the law of similars. This boils down to "like cures like." Say a patient has head cold symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing. The law of similars says if the patient takes something producing similar but weaker symptoms, it will trigger the body's natural defense system and the body will restore itself.
The other law is the law of infinitesimals. It says the more a remedy is diluted, the more effective it is. (Or, as fashion designer Calvin Klein once said, less is more.)
This law goes completely against conventional medicine, which says a patient should receive the strongest possible dose of medication, not the weakest.
Herbs, salts, minerals and animal extracts are used in homeopathy remedies. Aloe, calendula (marigold) and ipecac are some of the more popular ingredients.
Homeopathy remedies have alphanumeric codes. They indicate how many times a substance has been diluted. An "X" in the code signifies a 10:1 dilution (10 parts water to every one part of substance). A "C" represents a 100:1 ratio.
As an example, a 10C solution would be a 100:1 dilution done 10 times. This is the same as 10 to the 20th power. "10C" means .000000000000000000001 of the original element is in 99.999999999999999999999 of water.
Critics say this is far too little of the substance to have any effect on health. Homeopaths say because the solution is shaken ("potentized") after each dilution, the water molecules assume the structure and properties of the original substance. This carries the "image" of the substance into further dilutions.
Homeopathy remedies can be taken by anyone, including patients using prescription drugs. There are no contraindications, as there are between prescription drugs or even some herbal or vitamin supplements.
It is difficult to measure homeopathy's effectiveness. Evidence of cures tends to be more subjective than objective. People often try homeopathy if they cannot find relief with Western medicine. They might consider it if they are allergic to prescription drugs or worried about side effects (depression, addiction, etc.) Homeopathy also appeals to people with a natural health philosophy.
Confusing the issue even more is the fact alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and chiropractic, also were discounted by Western medicine not long ago. Now they are considered legitimate therapies, sometimes covered by insurance.
Whether it is because of a placebo effect or an actual change in the body, homeopathy seems to help some people. The British royal family, for instance, uses homeopathy. Treatments are even available for pets and other animals.
Homeopathy might reinforce Western medicine in ways we do not yet understand. The wisest course is to keep one's regular doctor "in the loop" if considering homeopathy treatment.
Homeopathy can be added to the list.
Homeopathy has been controversial since it began in the late 1790s. (The word "homeopathy" comes from two Greek words: "homoios," meaning "similar," and "pathos," meaning "suffering.")
German doctor Samuel Hahnemann founded homeopathy in the late 1700s. Hahnemann had lost faith in the medical practices of his day, such as leeching and bloodletting. He theorized it was not infection which caused disease, but an upset in the body's natural balance resulting in a toxic condition. If detoxification could be induced and balance restored, a person would get well.
Hahnemann tested his theory by experimenting with natural remedies. The experiments, or "provings," yielded two important laws of homeopathy.
One is the law of similars. This boils down to "like cures like." Say a patient has head cold symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing. The law of similars says if the patient takes something producing similar but weaker symptoms, it will trigger the body's natural defense system and the body will restore itself.
The other law is the law of infinitesimals. It says the more a remedy is diluted, the more effective it is. (Or, as fashion designer Calvin Klein once said, less is more.)
This law goes completely against conventional medicine, which says a patient should receive the strongest possible dose of medication, not the weakest.
Herbs, salts, minerals and animal extracts are used in homeopathy remedies. Aloe, calendula (marigold) and ipecac are some of the more popular ingredients.
Homeopathy remedies have alphanumeric codes. They indicate how many times a substance has been diluted. An "X" in the code signifies a 10:1 dilution (10 parts water to every one part of substance). A "C" represents a 100:1 ratio.
As an example, a 10C solution would be a 100:1 dilution done 10 times. This is the same as 10 to the 20th power. "10C" means .000000000000000000001 of the original element is in 99.999999999999999999999 of water.
Critics say this is far too little of the substance to have any effect on health. Homeopaths say because the solution is shaken ("potentized") after each dilution, the water molecules assume the structure and properties of the original substance. This carries the "image" of the substance into further dilutions.
Homeopathy remedies can be taken by anyone, including patients using prescription drugs. There are no contraindications, as there are between prescription drugs or even some herbal or vitamin supplements.
It is difficult to measure homeopathy's effectiveness. Evidence of cures tends to be more subjective than objective. People often try homeopathy if they cannot find relief with Western medicine. They might consider it if they are allergic to prescription drugs or worried about side effects (depression, addiction, etc.) Homeopathy also appeals to people with a natural health philosophy.
Confusing the issue even more is the fact alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and chiropractic, also were discounted by Western medicine not long ago. Now they are considered legitimate therapies, sometimes covered by insurance.
Whether it is because of a placebo effect or an actual change in the body, homeopathy seems to help some people. The British royal family, for instance, uses homeopathy. Treatments are even available for pets and other animals.
Homeopathy might reinforce Western medicine in ways we do not yet understand. The wisest course is to keep one's regular doctor "in the loop" if considering homeopathy treatment.
Featured Homeopathy Products:
Recomended Links
