Starting homeopathic treatment
- Homeopathy is an effective and scientific system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself.
- It recognises that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the patient who needs treatment not the disease.
- As a new patient, these ideas may be new to you, but homeopathy has been established for over 200 years.
What is homeopathy?
- In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick which he called homeopathy (from the Greek words meaning ‘similar suffering’).
- Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier he realised that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similars.
Take for example, a case of insomnia
- The way of opposites, (conventional medicine or allopathy), is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an artificial sleep.
- This frequently involves the use of large or regular doses of drugs which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.
- The way of similars, the homeopathic way, is to give the patient a minute dose of a substance, such as coffee, which in large doses causes sleeplessness in a healthy person.
- Perhaps surprisingly this will enable the patient to sleep naturally.
Homeopathic remedies
- Homeopathic remedies, properly prescribed, are safe and can be given to pregnant women, babies and children.
- This is because only a very minute amount of the active ingredient is used in a specially prepared form.
- I will give you a homeopathic medicine or remedy which matches your symptoms as you experience them.
- This also takes account of you as a person – your individual characteristics emotionally as well as physically.
How does it work?
- Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body’s own healing power.
- This stimulus will assist your own system to clear itself of any expressions of imbalance.
- The aim is to get you to a level of health so that eventually you will need infrequent treatment.
What will I need to know?
- In order to find the right remedy for you as an individual, I will need to know all about you.
- A detailed understanding of who you are, along with any complaints and details of how you experience them, is needed to assess your case correctly.
- So anything you can tell me that is typical of who you are will help this process.
- Finding out about your general energy level, your past medical history and the way you live are also important.
- Anything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence.
- The initial consultation may last an hour or more.
What will the treatment be like?
- I will give you a homeopathic remedy, usually in the form of tablets, which should be allowed to dissolve in your mouth; or you may be given a liquid remedy with instructions.
- Nothing else should be put in the mouth for 5-10 minutes before or after taking the tablet, not even toothpaste or cigarettes.
- I may advise you to avoid coffee, peppermint and preparations containing menthol, eucalyptus and camphor, as these can interfere with the action of the homeopathic remedy.
- Do make sure that you understand the instructions before you leave.
- If you are given homeopathic remedies to take at a later date be sure to store them in a cool dark place, away from anything with a strong smell.
- If you travel do not let the remedies go through the X-ray.
- Please tell me about any medicine or supplement that has been prescribed for you by your doctor or that you take regularly.
- Also mention any recent or immediate dental treatment. These may possibly affect your homeopathic prescription.
- If you are taking a homeopathic remedy and you feel that you need to take additional medication – consult with me to discuss how this might affect your homeopathic treatment.
- If you develop a cold, headache, or any symptoms that concern you, please discuss them with me.
What will happen once treatment starts?
- After taking your remedy you may notice some changes.
- Some patients experience a period of exceptional well-being and optimism.
- Sometimes your symptoms can appear to get worse for a short time.
- This is a good sign that the remedy is taking effect.
- Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of discharge may appear as a ‘spring cleaning’ effect which means your system is going through a cleaning stage.
- Similarly, old symptoms can reappear, usually for a short period.
- These symptoms will pass, and must not be treated as they are a very important part of the healing process.
- If any response to your treatment concerns you, do contact me as soon as you can, as it is important to know what happens as treatment progresses.
- You might also want to make notes of any changes and take them with you to discuss at your next appointment.
How long does treatment take?
- This depends very much on what sort of illness you have, as well as the other individual characteristics of your case.
- So it is not realistic for me to assess this until it can be seen how you respond to the remedies prescribed over some time.
- It is possible to say that a slowly developing complaint, or one that has been experienced for some years, will not disappear immediately although there may be a response and some improvement quite soon.
- Other acute complaints may get better more quickly.
- Homeopathy cures from the inside, and often outer symptoms such as a skin complaint, are the last to clear.
- Be patient!
- In the long term it is much better for you to be cured of both the cause of your illness and its symptoms, rather than merely relieving or suppressing the symptoms.
- Remember that every case is different, and no two patients are alike.
- If you wish to discontinue your treatment for any reason, I will talk things over with you.
Is there any advice about diet and lifestyle?
- I will ask you about your usual diet and lifestyle, and may suggest changes, especially if it seems that this is contributing to your illness.
- Of course, a good basic diet is necessary for good health, with less sugars, fats, alcohol and refined foods.
- There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of foods free from artificial colourings, preservatives and flavourings.
- Whole foods and organic foods, free from chemical pesticides and fertilisers, are also increasingly available.
What about seeing a GP?
- We recommend that you should maintain your relationship with your GP.
- Your GP will be able to arrange any tests or X-rays you may need.
- Homeopathy has an alternative philosophy but by working in this way with your GP the two systems of health care can provide complementary services.
Can I treat myself with homeopathic remedies?
- You can use some remedies at home to treat first aid problems such as cuts, stings, minor burns and bruises.
- Ask me for further information or find your nearest class or seminar on this subject.
- There are a number of good books available such as:
- A Guide to Homeopathic Remedies, Paul Houghton, Souvenir Press
- Homeopathy, Natural Medicine for the Whole Person, Peter Adams, Element
- Homeopathy (New Perspectives Series), Peter Adams, Element
- Illustrated Elements of Homeopathy, Ilana Dannheisser & Penny Edwards, Element
- Practical Homeopathy, A Complete Guide to Home Treatment, Beth MacEoin, Bloomsbury