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The Healing Kiva Presents:

The Art and Science of Homoeopathy
By Dr. David Little
www.simillimum.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Homoeopathy?

Homoeopathy is a healing art developed by Doctor Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who was born in Germany. He was an orthodox physician who became disillusioned with the practice of medicine in his day. The term Homoeopathy means "similar to the suffering", because it teaches the use of similars to cure similars. This is an ancient maxim used by Hippocrates but Samuel Hahnemann expanded the theorem into a complete system of checks and balances that make up a new medical system. The theory and practice of Homoeopathy are recorded in Samuel Hahnemann's works; the Organon of the Healing Art; The Chronic Diseases, Their Peculiar Nature and Their Homoeopathic Cure; and a collection of smaller articles called The Lesser Writings. Since Hahnemann's time there have been a number of good books written for both professional and lay persons. At this time, there are books available for the beginner, intermediate and advanced student that suits each individual's needs. These can be purchased from bookstores and internet distributors who sell such works. There are also computer programs available for serious students and practitioner.

What is the philosophy behind Homoeopathy?

The cardinal principles of Homoeopathy revolve around the doctrine of vitalism, similars cure similars, proven medicines, individualized treatment, the single remedy, the minimal dose and the potentized medicine. These are the major areas that must be studied by students as well as patients if they are to understand this healing art. Human life is based on an energetic vital force which harmonizes all natural processes and manifests as vitality. When this vital force is mistuned by pathogenic factors there is the appearance of the symptoms that are associated with disease. Homeopathic remedies are tested on healthy volunteers in clinical trials called provings. During a proving the healthy human volunteer takes a safe amount of a homoeopathic remedy until they experience the symptoms it produces. This gives us an exact picture of the symptoms that the remedy will cure in an ill patient. This information is collected in volumes of data called the materia medica, which is indexed by a work called the repertorium. When a homoeopath studies an ill patient they are searching for a remedy that produced similar symptoms during a proving, and has been clinically confirmed to remove those symptoms. In this way, the practitioner matches the symptoms of the patient with the symptoms of the similar remedy. The repertory and materia medica are the reference works used by the homoeopath to assess the symptoms of the individual patient. Many homoeopaths have these works on computers for easy referral.

How are homoeopathic remedies applied?

First of all there is the healing maxim, "Similars cure similars". After establishing this principle the practitioner must know how to apply the homoeopathic remedy. Although various individuals throughout history knew that similars cured similars, their methods of applying the medicines were rather crude, which made the process more dangerous than necessary. It is Hahnemann's system of checks and balances that make Homoeopathy a safe and effective medical system. Orthodox medicine thinks nothing of mixing many medicinal substances together or giving several single medicines at once in very large doses. Samuel Hahnemann realized that the best way to use similars in the art of curing was to use one single remedy at a time in a very small dose. The small amount of the remedy administered to the patient is an important aspect of this healing art. For this reason, the medium for homoeopathic remedies are very small pills that are often dissolved in water.

Homoeopathic remedies are potentized to bring out the pure remedial powers within a potential healing agent while removing all physical toxicity. This process is called dynamization. During the homoeopathic pharmaceutical process, the original substance is diluted in specific ratios that produce various degrees of potency. There are three ratios of potentization used in preparing homoeopathic remedies. These are the decimal or X dynamization, which uses a ratio of 1 to 10; the centesimal or C dynamization, which uses a ratio of 1 to 100; and the 50 Millesimal or LM potency, which uses a ratio of 1 to 50, 000. Each of these ratios has somewhat different medicinal powers. Samuel Hahnemann developed the centesimal and 50 Millesimal potency, while the decimal potency is a later creation. Most homoeopathic remedies are made from substances found in the mineral, plant and animal worlds, although there are some remedies made of forces like magnetism, electricity and solar radiation, etc.

Orthodox allopathic medicine is based mostly on opposites cure opposites, standardization, multiple remedies, massive doses and chemical controls. Homoeopathy is based on similars cure similars, individualization, single remedies, minimal doses, and vital response. The differences in the approach of these two systems of medicine could not be any more apparent. Although allopathic medicine is very advanced in emergency treatment, surgery and technology, it's medicines for acute and chronic diseases are often ineffectual. The side effects of chemical medicines are well documented. Homoeopathy is a system of natural healing that uses no chemical medicines. In ancient Greece there were two systems of medicine, i.e. the surgical school and the school of the materia medica. Allopathy is the offspring of the traditions of the surgical school while Homoeopathy is the successor of the school of materia medica. In truth both medical approaches are needed but allopathy is in need of serious reform, and Homoeopathy needs to be returned to its rightful place as a frontline medicine.

How do homoeopathic remedies work?

Homoeopathic remedies are dynamic medicines that affect the mind, energy and body. These remedies imitate the way in which Nature cures natural diseases with the aid of the human life force. All natural organisms demonstrate the power of action and reaction and have a certain degree of self healing power. Hippocrates called this natural remedial power "Physis". This natural power, however, is not always able to overcome the negative influences of disease, especially those illnesses which are chronic. The homoeopath seeks to match the symptoms of the patient with the most similar symptoms in the materia medica. The most similar remedy is then given in a proper small dose of the most effective degree of potency. The primary action of the homoeopathic remedy replaces the sensation of the natural disease registered by the vital force, which represents the autonomic activities of the human organism. In this way, the homoeopathic remedy replaces the natural disease with a temporary remedial potence that delusively mimics the original malady. The secondary curative action of the vital force then seeks to remove the homoeopathic remedy from within to without while retuning to the state of health with renewed vitality. In the process the natural disease is cured. This is called Hahnemann's action-reaction model. Homoeopathic remedies strengthen the resistance of the organism to stress, infection and disease. They have a powerful affect on the psychological and physiological causes of illness and improve the quality of life of the patient.