Homeopathy ("home-ee-AH-pah-thy"), also known as Homeopathic medicine, is a form of health care that developed in Germany and has been practiced in the United States since the early 19th century. Homeopathic practitioners are commonly called Homeopaths.

Key Points:

· In Homeopathy, a key premise is that every person has energy called a vital force or self-healing response. When this energy is disrupted or out of balance, health problems develop. Homeopathy aims to stimulate the body's own healing responses.

· Homeopathic treatment involves giving extremely small doses of substances that produce characteristic symptoms of illness in healthy people when given in larger doses. This approach is called "like cures like."

· Various explanations have been proposed as to how Homeopathy might work. However, none of these explanations has been scientifically verified.

· Research studies on Homeopathy have been contradictory in their findings. Some analyses have concluded that there is no strong evidence supporting Homeopathy as effective for any clinical condition. However, others have found positive effects from Homeopathy. The positive effects are not readily explained in scientific terms.

· It is important to inform all of your health care providers about any therapy that you are currently using or considering, including homeopathic treatment. This is to help ensure a safe and coordinated course of care.

1. What is Homeopathy?
The term Homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering or disease. Homeopathy is an alternative medical system. Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice, and often have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Homeopathy takes a different approach from conventional medicine in diagnosing, classifying, and treating medical problems.

Key concepts of Homeopathy include:

· Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness.

· Treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies that, according to Homeopathy, would produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people if they were given in larger doses.

· Treatment in Homeopathy is individualized (tailored to each person). Homeopathic practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors.

Conventional medicine, as defined by NCCAM, is medicine as practiced by holders of MD (medical doctor) or DLO. (Doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses. Some conventional medical practitioners are also practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine.

2. What is the history of the discovery and use of homeopathy?
In the late 1700s, Samuel Hahnemann, a physician, chemist, and linguist in Germany, proposed a new approach to treating illness. This was at a time when the most common medical treatments were harsh, such as bloodletting, purging, blistering, and the use of sulfur and mercury. At the time, there were few effective medications for treating patients, and knowledge about their effects was limited.

Hahnemann was interested in developing a less-threatening approach to medicine. The first major step reportedly was when he was translating an herbal text and read about a treatment (cinchona bark) used to cure malaria. He took some cinchona bark and observed that, as a healthy person, he developed symptoms that were very similar to malaria symptoms. This led Hahnemann to consider that a substance may create symptoms that it can also relieve. This concept is called the "similia principle" or "like cures like." The similia principle had a prior history in medicine, from Hippocrates in Ancient Greece--who noted, for example, that recurrent vomiting could be treated with an emetic (such as ipecacuanha) that would be expected to make it worse--to folk medicine. Another way to view "like cures like" is that symptoms are part of the body's attempt to heal itself--for example, a fever can develop as a result of an immune response to an infection, and a cough may help to eliminate mucus--and medication may be given to support this self-healing response.

Hahnemann tested single, pure substances on himself and, in more dilute forms, on healthy volunteers. He kept meticulous records of his experiments and participants' responses, and he combined these observations with information from clinical practice, the known uses of herbs and other medicinal substances, and toxicology, eventually treating the sick and developing Homeopathic clinical practice.

Hahnemann added two additional elements to Homeopathy:

· A concept that became "potentization," which holds that systematically diluting a substance, with vigorous shaking at each step of dilution, makes the remedy more, not less, effective by extracting the vital essence of the substance. If dilution continues to a point where the substance's molecules are gone, Homeopathy holds that the "memory" of them--that is, the effects they exerted on the surrounding water molecules--may still be therapeutic.

· A concept that treatment should be selected based upon a total picture of an individual and his symptoms, not solely upon symptoms of a disease. Homeopaths evaluate not only a person's physical symptoms but her emotions, mental states, lifestyle, nutrition, and other aspects. In Homeopathy, different people with the same symptoms may receive different Homeopathic remedies.

Hans Burch Gram, a Boston-born doctor, studied Homeopathy in Europe and introduced it into the United States in 1825. European immigrants trained in homeopathy also made the treatment increasingly available in America. In 1835, the first Homeopathic medical college was established in Allentown, Pennsylvania. By the turn of the 20th century, 8 percent of all American medical practitioners were Homeopaths, and there were 20 Homeopathic medical colleges and more than 100 Homeopathic hospitals in the United States.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, numerous medical advances were made, such as the recognition of the mechanisms of disease; Pasteur's germ theory; the development of antiseptic techniques; and the discovery of ether anesthesia. In addition, a report (the so-called "Flexner Report") was released that triggered major changes in American medical education. Homeopathy was among the disciplines negatively affected by these developments. Most homeopathic medical schools closed down, and by the 1930s others had converted to conventional medical schools.

In the 1960s, Homeopathy's popularity began to revive in the United States. According to a 1999 survey of Americans and their health, over 6 million Americans had used Homeopathy in the preceding 12 months. The World Health Organization noted in 1994 that Homeopathy had been integrated into the national health care systems of numerous countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Mexico. Several schools of practice exist within Homeopathy.

Persons using Homeopathy do so to address a range of health concerns, from wellness and prevention to treatment of injuries, diseases, and conditions. Studies have found that many people who seek Homeopathic care seek it for help with a chronic medical condition. Many users of Homeopathy treat themselves with homeopathic products and do not consult a professional.

3. What kind of training do Homeopathic practitioners receive? In European countries, training in Homeopathy is usually pursued either as a primary professional degree completed over 3 to 6 years or as postgraduate training for doctors.

In the United States, training in Homeopathy is offered through diploma programs, certificate programs, short courses, and correspondence courses. Also, homeopathic training is part of medical education in naturopathy. Most Homeopathy in the United States is practiced along with another health care practice for which the practitioner is licensed, such as conventional medicine, naturopathy, chiropractic, dentistry, acupuncture, or veterinary medicine (Homeopathy is used to treat animals).

Laws about what is required to practice Homeopathy vary among states. Three states (Connecticut, Arizona, and Nevada) license medical doctors specifically for Homeopathy.

Naturopathy, also known as naturopathic medicine, is an alternative medical system that emphasizes natural healing approaches (such as herbs, nutrition, and movement or manipulation of the body). Some elements of naturopathy are similar to Homeopathy, such as an intent to support the body's own self-healing response.

4. What do Homeopathic practitioners do in treating patients?
Typically, in Homeopathy, patients have a lengthy first visit, during which the provider takes an in-depth assessment of the patient. This is used to guide the selection of one or more Homeopathic remedies. During follow-up visits, patients report how they are responding to the remedy or remedies, which helps the practitioner make decisions about further treatment.

5. What are Homeopathic remedies?
Most Homeopathic remedies are derived from natural substances that come from plants, minerals, or animals. A remedy is prepared by diluting the substance in a series of steps (as discussed in Question 2). Homeopathy asserts that this process can maintain a substance's healing properties regardless of how many times it has been diluted. Many Homeopathic remedies are so highly diluted that not one molecule of the original natural substance remains. Remedies are sold in liquid, pellet, and tablet forms.

6. How does the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate homeopathic remedies?
Because of their long use in the United States, the U.S. Congress passed a law in 1938 declaring that Homeopathic remedies are to be regulated by the FDA in the same manner as nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which means that they can be purchased without a physician's prescription. Today, although conventional prescription drugs and new OTC drugs must undergo thorough testing and review by the FDA for safety and effectiveness before they can be sold, this requirement does not apply to Homeopathic remedies.

Remedies are required to meet certain legal standards for strength, quality, purity, and packaging. In 1988, the FDA required that all Homeopathic remedies list the indications for their use (i.e., the medical problems to be treated) on the label. The FDA also requires the label to list ingredients, dilutions, and instructions for safe use.

The guidelines for Homeopathic remedies are found in an official guide, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, which is authored by an on-governmental, nonprofit organization of industry representatives and Homeopathic experts. The Pharmacopoeia also includes provisions for testing new remedies and verifying their clinical effectiveness. Remedies on the market before 1962 have been accepted into the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States based on historical use, rather than scientific evidence from clinical trials.

7. Have any side effects or complications been reported from the use of Homeopathy?
The FDA has learned of a few reports of illness associated with the use of Homeopathic remedies. However, the FDA reviewed these reports and decided that the remedies were not likely to be the cause, because of the high dilutions.

Here is some general information that has been reported about risks and side effects in Homeopathy:

· Homeopathic medicines in high dilutions, taken under the supervision of trained professionals, are considered safe and unlikely to cause severe adverse reactions.

· Some patients report feeling worse for a brief period of time after starting Homeopathic remedies. Homeopaths interpret this as the body temporarily stimulating symptoms while it makes an effort to restore health.

· Liquid Homeopathic remedies can contain alcohol and are permitted to have higher levels of alcohol than conventional drugs for adults. This may be of concern to some consumers. However, no adverse effects from the alcohol levels have been reported either to the FDA or in the scientific literature.

· Homeopathic remedies are not known to interfere with conventional drugs; however, if you are considering using Homeopathic remedies, you should discuss this with your health care provider. If you have more than one provider, discuss it with each one.
As with all medicinal products, a person taking a Homeopathic remedy is best advised to:

· Contact his health care provider if his symptoms continue unimproved for more than 5 days.

· Keep the remedy out of the reach of children.

· Consult a health care provider before using the product if the user is a woman who is pregnant or nursing a baby.

8. What diseases can Homeopathy treat?
Homeopathic treatment aims to improve overall health by restoring order at a deep level to activate the body's innate healing system. It is difficult to identify which "diseases" it can treat. Just the question presupposes a conventional view of health and disease that is contrary to the homeopathic holistic view.

Experience has shown that Homeopathy can be effective for many people with serious and chronic conditions, as well as common and acute illnesses.

Chronic Illness
Chronic (constitutional) treatment focuses on boosting the body's immunity and overall health. It is the best prevention against becoming ill. By focusing on the whole person-mental, emotional and physical-the constitutional remedy strengthens a person's vitality and reduces their susceptibility to illness:

· asthma
· allergies
· eczema
· seborrhea
· psoriasis
· acne
· recurrent infections: ear, sinus, throat, respiratory, urinary tract
· kidney stones
· symptoms associated with the menses
· symptoms brought on by menopause
· depression and anxiety
· behavioral disorders: ADD, hyperactivity, aggression, obsessive compulsiveness

Acute Illness
The excessive use of antibiotics has led to more virulent strains of pathogens and more resistance to treatment, requiring stronger drugs with potentially harmful effects. The overuse of conventional drugs to treat common acute illnesses is also contributing to the rise in chronic disease because these drugs suppress the body's ability to heal itself. Homeopathic acute treatment often replaces the need for antibiotics and other drugs in treating many common illnesses and can restore health without adverse side effects:

· ear infections
· headaches
· back pain
· sore throats
· nausea
· vomiting
· toothaches
· sinus infections
· diarrhea
· teething discomfort
· respiratory infections
· food poisoning
· gum inflammation
· colds and influenza
· gastritis
· panic attacks

An acute Homeopathic remedy can also be helpful to support emotional healing when you've experienced trauma such as a death in the family, a relationship breakup, loss of job, car accident, bullying at school, etc.

9. How does Homeopathy differ from conventional medicine?
Homeopaths believe that all illness begins on a deep level in the body with an energetic disturbance that interferes with the body's self-healing mechanisms. Homeopathic treatment seeks to correct the energy disturbance so that the body can heal itself. It respects the curative function of symptoms-the body's healing responses to attack or imbalance. In contrast, conventional or allopathic medicine identifies a cluster of symptoms and labels it a "disease." allopathic treatments oppose and attack symptoms, most often with pharmaceutical drugs that affect all the systems of the body, causing new disruptions and symptoms called "side effects." It erroneously equates healing with the elimination of symptoms and doesn't address the underlying energetic disturbance at the root of illness.

10. What can I do to speed my recovery?
You can support your body's ability to defend itself and heal by:
· Taking time to rest when you feel tired or ill
· Eating a healthy and varied diet
· Drinking water regularly
· Getting regular exercise

Avoid making major changes in lifestyle, routine, medications and supplements while we are evaluating the action of a remedy.

Avoid substances and situations that you know will trigger your particular conditions.

11. Should I change my diet?
Eating a nutritious diet will support your healing process. We encourage you to make healthy food choices such as eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and eliminating foods with chemical additives, trans fats and high sugar content. You should also avoid substances that could interfere with the action of the remedy:
· Coffee: both regular and decaffeinated can antidote a remedy if you are very sensitive to it.
· Caffeine: such as in teas, soft drinks and chocolate. Used in moderation is OK unless you are very sensitive to it.
· Herbal Teas: avoid those with menthol
· Alcohol: used in moderation is OK

12. Can I take prescription medications?
Some conventional medicines interfere with the action of the homeopathic remedy so have your Homeopathic practitioner review your medications at the initial consultation and at each follow-up visit. Many people find they can reduce or eliminate some prescription medications once they are on a healing path with Homeopathy, e.g., daily use of inhalers for asthma or topical skin creams. Do not stop prescription medications without discussing this with us and with your doctor. It is also important that you call us if you are considering taking any new medications.

13. Can I take medication for pain or headaches?
While it's best to let the body express any symptoms without interfering with them, sometimes in the beginning of treatment pain medication may be needed. If pain or headaches are a recurrent symptom, be sure to let homeopathic practitioner know in your initial interview so they can discuss how to address this.

14. What should I do if I get a cold or the flu?
If an acute illness occurs, avoid taking any drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal or flower remedies or supplements as you might have done before. Call us first, especially if you are considering a doctor visit. An acute remedy may be called for to support healing and can often replace the need for antibiotics and other drugs. If you are using an LM remedy, discontinue the remedy and call us.

15. Can I use Homeopathic medicines from the store?
Classical Homeopathy focuses on healing the deep imbalance in the person. Only one Homeopathic remedy at a time is used, the one that matches the totality of the patient's symptoms-physical, mental and emotional-which leads to deeper healing. Over-the-counter Homeopathic medicines are aimed at a few symptoms and often include a combination of remedies. We prefer that our clients not self-prescribe unless we have agreed ahead of time. Remedy relationships are complex and what may seem innocuous could actually interfere with the healing process.

16. Can I use herbal extracts or flower remedies?
Herbal extracts are safe to use but please let us know that you are using them, and do not change the amounts at the beginning of Homeopathic treatment while we are evaluating the action of your remedy. Flower essences are energetic so are best not mixed with Homeopathy.

17. Can I get acupuncture or chiropractic treatments?
Any therapies that are energetic are not advisable while using homeopathic treatment because they make it very difficult to read the response of the remedy. Therefore, we request that you suspend treatments such as acupuncture, Reiki and network chiropractic for six months. You may go for a massage or regular chiropractic adjustments. After a time you might find that adjustments are unnecessary because as balance is restored in the body, the skeleton also tends to fall into alignment.

18. How long do I have to be under Homeopathic care?
This is very difficult to predict, as we are all individuals and respond differently to treatment. We ask for a six month commitment and that you recognize that natural healing is a process, not an overnight fix. As you return to health, we recommend that you update your constitutional remedy yearly.

19. Is it just placebo effect?
Homeopathy's effectiveness with infants, unconscious individuals and animals indicates that the remedy's action cannot be attributed to the placebo effect.

20. When should I use conventional medicine?
There are conditions for which conventional medicine should be your first choice for treatment. Homeopathy can still complement these treatments to support the body's healing efforts.

· When a situation is life-threatening or emergency treatment as needed, e.g., deep wounds requiring stitches, severe blows to the head or body, protruding broken bones, hemorrhaging, unconsciousness, severe flair ups of chronic conditions, etc.

· For diagnosis

· For conditions requiring surgical intervention

· For extreme pathologies that have resulted from the complete breakdown of the body's healing mechanisms, e.g., deep and worsening infection, autoimmune disease, cancer, etc.

Homeopathy is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor and we recommend that you be under the care of a medical doctor at all times.