What is Homeopathy?

The term homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering or disease. Homeopathy was developed by a physician named Samuel Hahnemann. He believed in the principle that like cures like. He used substances that caused a symptom to cure the same symptom. For example, if you ingest poison you may be instructed to take syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Based on the principles of homeopathy, taking syrup of ipecac in a diluted form would have the opposite effect. It would stop vomiting. The key word is diluted.

Homeopathic remedies are diluted to the point where there is no longer any detectable trace of the original substance. But somehow the molecular imprint remains impregnated in the solution of the remedy. Only the prepared dilutions have the ability to stimulate the body to heal itself.

Treatment in homeopathy is individualized (tailored to each person). Homeopathic practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors.