Remedies are made from plant, mineral and animal substances, which are diluted and shaken vigorously until there is little, if any, of the original substance left. The reason for this is that homeopaths believe the more dilute the remedy, the deeper the effect. Although there is no concrete explanation as to how remedies work, one theory is that the original substance somehow leaves a molecular 'blueprint' in the water that triggers the body's healing mechanisms. 

 

Numerous medical trials have been conducted into the efficacy of homeopathy, many of which have investigated whether its effects are purely down to a placebo effect, or whether the remedies actually do provide a physiological benefit. A trial in 1997 by the medical journal The Lancet, for example, concluded that the positive effects of homeopathy could not all be put down to the placebo effect alone. Some homeopaths claim that because homeopathy does not work like a conventional drug, it should not be tested as such.

 

 

 

With a desire to minimise the harmful effects of the drugs doctors were using, Hahnemann struck upon the idea of repeatedly diluting and shaking each medicine to reduce its potential to poison and cause harm. What surprised him was that the more stages of dilution and shaking the drug had gone through, the greater its potential to cure quickly and harmlessly.

 

 

WHAT CAN I TREAT?
It is claimed that homeopathy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, helping the body to repair and rebalance itself. It is widely used to help conditions such as asthma, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, recurring coughs and colds, morning sickness and premenstrual syndrome.

 

Homeopathy is also used as a natural way to help people with cancer relax and cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and control other symptoms and side effects such as pain, sickness and fatigue.

 

IN PRACTICE
Homeopathic doctors – conventionally trained medics such as GPs and specialists who also practice homeopathy – work in much the same way as their fellow non-homepathic doctors, taking a patient's history and conducting an examination and investigation to establish a diagnosis. Where the two differ is in homeopathy's more holistic approach to the patient and the concept of illness, with emphasis placed on treating and understanding the whole person as opposed to a single ‘diseased part'. Homeopathic doctors will consider a wider range of aspects of the patient's condition – from personality traits and physical features to environmental influences, patterns of disease within families, as well as family and social relationships.

 

Despite the differences in approach, there is a firm belief that homeopathic and conventional treatments can work well alongside each other. Consulting a homeopathically-trained conventional doctor does, in theory, allow the patient to receive the best of both worlds.

 

"The good thing about homeopathy is that because you are using such diluted remedies it doesn't do any harm to patients, so can be used on everyone from babies and pregnant mums to the elderly," says Dr Jeni Worden, a homeopathic GP. "Occasionally some people will get worse before they get better, but serious side effects are very rare.

 

"If you are seeing a non-medical homeopath it is advisable to see a GP first as you could be treated cheaper conventionally. If there is a very definite need for conventional treatment then that should be used."

 

On your first visit, your homeopath will ask you some general questions about your health, lifestyle, diet and medical history. They will probably ask you questions about sleep patterns, your mood and emotions. This information will help the homeopath ascertain the best remedy for you, and how often it should be taken.

 

It is worth keeping a record of any changes in your symptoms or condition since taking the homeopathic remedy, which you can present to your therapist at follow-up appointments. So what of those who remain sceptical of homeopathy? Dr Worden adds: "There is a small but determined group of scientists who are very negative towards homeopathy, but in my work as a GP all my colleagues are happy to accept it. If something doesn't work for a patient then they won't keep coming back for it."

 

FINDING A THERAPIST
If you are looking for private treatment, it is advisable to choose a qualified and reputable homeopath. Although there is no single professional organisation or any law regulating therapists, most reputable homeopaths belong to one of the organisations listed below, and as such have often undergone accredited training.

 

There are five NHS homeopathic hospitals in the UK, located in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Tunbridge Wells and Bristol. They treat people with a variety of conditions, including cancer, and offer other types of complementary therapies. You will need a referral from your doctor to go to one of these hospitals. The British Homeopathic Association has information on how to get homeopathic treatment on the NHS.

 

ORGANISATIONS

 

British Homeopathic Association (BHA)
The BHA has a list of health professionals and hospitals that practice homeopathy, plus articles, information and clinical research about homeopathy. Tel: 0870 444 3950  www.trusthomeopathy.org  

 

The Faculty of Homeopathy
This is the international organization that registers healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and dentists who use homeopathy in their everyday practice. Tel: 0870 444 3955