Classical Homeopathy

You've probably seen those little pellets at the store. Maybe you've even taken some for a headache or a flu. Have you been tempted to grab a pack near the check out counter at the health food store? What are those little pills and what is homeopathy?

A German physician and chemist named Samuel Hahnemann discovered homeopathy in the late 1700's. Based on the principle of the law of similars or "like cures like" he used minute doses of organic substances to match a person's illness. The remedies in actuality contained the "energy" of the material (plant, animal or mineral) since they were so diluted that there was no longer detectable crude substance in them. These energetic remedies worked because Hahnemann understood that illness came from an imbalance at the immaterial or "spirit" level and his homoeopathic remedies matched that plane of the illness. Over time, the dis-ease worked its way outward into the physical plane. He also saw that each person manifested disharmony in different ways. Therefore, the patient was an expert on his/her own illness. Through the expression of symptoms physically, mentally, and emotionally, an energetic remedy could be found to match a person's essence and energetic disharmony.

Homeopathy today is routinely prescribed for everything from ear infections, post-surgical recovery, dental work, flu, asthma, and depression. Even plastic surgeons give homeopathically prepared Arnica to their patients. While it is popular in other parts of the world like India, Europe, and South America, homeopathy is just now growing in popularity in the U.S. again. But, it also has grown away from the original methods that Hahnemann used. Modernization has turned homeopathy into a symptomatic keynote prescription similar to that practiced by conventional medicine. That's why you can go to the store and look for key words such as "headache" or "runny nose" on the package. A vial of Nux Vomica states "Heartburn or drowsiness due to excessive eating or drinking." This use of homeopathic remedies has taken the individual out of the equation. Hahnemann's classical methods considered the person first because it was the patient who was sick at their innermost. The particular physical symptoms were only the results of the imbalance at the innermost. Therefore, in order to treat "heartburn due to excessive eating," we have to ask 'Who is this person suffering from heartburn?' Not every person experiences heartburn in the same way. There are different specific locations, sensations, or modalities that can make the heartburn better or worse. Also, there are different causes, which could be the type of food or even emotional issues. With this in mind, 10 individuals with heartburn could need 10 different remedies because of their differences.

So, the next time you're tempted to buy those "flu pills," remember that your flu is much more than a fever or sore throat. Not only does sickness begin at your inner being, but health does too. The best way to treat yourself holistically with homeopathy is to find a classically trained homeopath.