Homeopathy

HAHNEMANN, Samuel: Memorial (ca. 1900) east of Scott Circle in Washington, D.C. by Charles Henry Niehaus

G erman physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), pictured left, developed homeopathy over 200 years ago out of a desire to reduce the harm done by the medicines of his day. Homeopathy is based on Hippocrates’ ancient theory that “like cures like.” This theory posits that a substance capable of causing symptoms to appear in a healthy human can treat those same symptoms when they arise in an illness.

In homeopathy, substances are made safe to be ingested through a process of diluting and vigorous shaking called potentization. This allows powerful substances to be used for healing without risk of toxicity. Homeopathy is an ideal system of medicine for people who wish to avoid the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

In Classical Homeopathy, the one remedy which best matches the client’s state is selected by the homeopath. Only one remedy is given at a time and combination remedies are not used. Remedies are selected based on an in depth interview about the client’s physical and emotional symptoms, medical history, sleep and dreams, food likes and dislikes, and a thorough review of body systems.

For more information on homeopathy, please visit The National Center of Homeopathy website.