What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a natural and effective medical practice that can trace its roots back to the great physician Hippocrates (460-370 BC) in ancient Greece. However, it was the brilliant German doctor and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann, who founded the modern methods of healing in the 1890's.
He coined the term 'Homeopathy' which is derived from the Greek words homeo meaning 'similar' and pathos meaning 'suffering'. 'Similar Suffering' or 'like cures like' is based on a natural principle known for thousands of years - that a substance that can make you ill in large doses can cure you if taken in small doses. This principle is also known as ''The Law of Similars''.
The law can be illustrated by example. In the 19th century German women took the herb Valerian regularly as a stimulant. They took valerian regularly, and often in large doses, as was then the custom. This led to the overtaxing of the nervous system and caused distress. Yet, if taken in minute doses, valerian has the opposite effect. It relaxes the nervous system and calms the mind.
Another example, of which all of us have some experience, is: when you peel or chop an onion your eyes will burn, itch and water. You might have a runny nose and begin to sneeze. If you had similar symptoms during a cold or allergy attack (like hay fever), such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, a homeopathic dose of the remedy Allium cepa (red onion) would help your body to heal itself.
Samuel Hahnemann formulated a system of healing that was not only extremely safe, but also holistic, gentle, effective and scientifically based. Homeopathy has gained in popularity since Hahnemann's day, giving rise to the Royal London Homeopathic hospital, the Glasgow Homeopathic hospital, the Liverpool Hahnemann hospital, the Bristol Homeopathic hospital etc.
Today, thousands of people all over the world have found that homeopathic remedies can help in the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions, from the common cold and flu to eczema and IBS to heart problems and, even, cancer.
''A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings''. - Hippocrates.