Homeopathy

Homeopathy is individualized medicine that works with a patient's immune system. It is effective against a wide range of illness.

WHAT IT IS

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that uses diluted substances to provoke healing responses in an individual's immune system in order to treat root causes of illnesses.

HOW IT WORKS

Homeopathy works on a "like cures like" principle. Any substance that causes certain symptoms in the healthy can, in highly diluted doses, cure those same symptoms in the sick. For instance, a cold accompanied by a fever may be treated with a small, diluted dose of a poisonous plant that causes fever and flushing.

The "like cures like" principle can be seen in vaccination and allergy shots given by conventional practitioners. But rather than treating all patients with the same medicine, homeopathy individualizes treatments. Homeopathic practitioners thoroughly study the personal habits and temperament, as well as the physical symptoms, of each patient. They draw a "symptom picture" based on careful observation and prescribe a remedy tailored to the patient's mental, emotional, and physical traits.

REMEDIES

Homeopathic remedies are doses of an herbal, mineral, or animal product diluted and shaken with water or alcohol. Potencies are labeled by Roman numerals--X means a dilution of 1 part of the substance to 9 parts of water or alcohol; C indicates a dilution of 1 part to 99 parts.

HISTORY

Homeopathy was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century and grew into what became the predominant treatment for 19th century Americans. By 1900, there were 22 medical colleges of homeopathy and 100 homeopathic hospitals. When drug-based allopathic medicine developed, however, homeopathy fell into disfavor.

VS. ALLOPATHY

Homeopathy works with the body's defenses, while allopathy seeks to suppress symptoms. Allopathic medicines are highly toxic compared with the diluted homeopathic remedies, which rarely are toxic or affect the body adversely, even if the wrong remedy is taken.

EVIDENCE

Recently an evaluation of 89 clinical trials of homeopathic remedies was conducted by seven health professionals in the United States and Germany, including Wayne Jonas, M.D., director of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. They found homeopathic medicines were almost 2 1/2 times more effective than placebos.

SELF-TREATMENT

Nonprofessionals can consult reference books to match symptoms with remedies or participate in workshops and study groups. Self-treatment works for first aid and common problems like colds, flus, headaches, and scrapes. It's best to consult trained homeopaths or conventional doctors for severe conditions.

LIMITATIONS

Finding the right remedy can be difficult. Morning coughs, for instance, require different remedies than day coughs. Homeopathy is not as effective as allopathic medicine for treating severe cases of cancer and heart disease.

COSTS

The average visit lasts 60 to 90 minutes and costs $150 to $300. Follow-up visits cost $50 to $80. Remedies are less expensive than conventional drugs.

LICENSE TO PRACTICE

Only three states--Nevada, Arizona, and Connecticut--license homeopathic physicians. Licensed health care providers may take an exam to gain certification from one of three boards: the American Board of Homeotherapeutics (DHt), the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (DHANP), and the Certification in Classical Homeopathy (CCH).

SEEKING A PRACTITIONER

For directories, send $7 to the American Institute of Homeopathy at 801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 306, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703-246-9501); or to the National Center for Homeopathy at the same address (703-548-7790).

Linda Weber is a health journalist living in San Francisco.

COPYRIGHT 1998 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group