About homeopathy
In order to prescribe homeopathically, we apply what is known as the “law of similars” that is matching remedies with the symptoms of the illness. A simple example will illustrate this point: when you slice an onion, your nose and eyes may run a lot. In homeopathy, minute extracts of onion prepared homeopathically (allium cepa), is one of the remedies that may be used for a patient presenting with similar symptoms of runny eyes and nose in a cold or hayfever. Therefore, a substance which in its natural form would cause health problems in a healthy person, may relieve similar symptoms experienced by someone who is ill when it is prescribed in homeopathic quantities.
What I really love about being a homeopath is that it is patient-centred. You count! Remedies are usually specific to an individual and the way in which they experience illness. It is important for me, as your homeopath, to understand what makes you different to everybody else. In the consultation, we look at your mental, physical and emotional make up to see what makes you, you. The consultation can also have therapeutic benefits even before a remedy is given. Many patients explain this by saying they rarely have an opportunity to talk about themselves and perhaps share worries so the consultation provides this.
Following a review of your case, I will prescribe a remedy which will take into account your symptoms and how you, as an individual, experience them. We aim to work together at a pace that you are happy with. I believe a large part of regaining health comes through you making decisions about your own health from an informed position and as your homeopath will support you in the decisions you make to the best of my ability.
Scientists cannot yet explain the precise mechanism by which homeopathy works, but there is published evidence for its effectiveness. For more details on research evidence see the Society of Homeopath’s website at www.homeopathy-soh.org. I have little doubt that eventually scientists will establish how it works. In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of people benefit from homeopathy every day around the world. In Europe, it is a central part of health treatment in countries like France, Germany and Italy, and is used by homeopathic doctors in NHS hospitals in London, Bristol, Glasgow and Liverpool
What does a Homeopathic consultation involve?
The first appointment for homeopathy normally lasts between one and a half and two hours for adults; less time is required for children and babies. The aim, as explained previously, is to find out what makes you unique. Amongst other things we will discuss are:
- your personality,
- any illnesses you have had,
- your family’s health history,
- your likes and dislikes,
We will also look at what symptoms are normally expected in your disease/condition and what is different about them. I will consider what makes you unique and research an appropriate remedy with the most similar characteristics to you and your symptoms out of the thousands of homeopathic remedies available.
Your remedy will be either given to you at the consultation or sent to you. The remedy may be administered by sugar pills, which have been infused with the remedy, or in liquid form which includes the homeopathic remedy. You may only be given one pill until your next appointment, or you may need to take your remedy more frequently, even daily, depending on your symptoms.
Follow ups will last about 45 minutes for adults; 20 to 30 minutes for children and babies.
What’s next and how long will I need homeopathic consultations?
After taking your homeopathic remedy you may notice some changes sometimes quickly, at other times more slowly. This very much depends on you, the remedy and your response. Some patients experience a sense of wellbeing. When you start to feel better in yourself, you are able to deal with physical symptoms more easily which, in itself, speeds up the process of recovery.
Everybody is different. Acute complaints, such as a fever or cold, often respond more quickly to homeopathy. A slowly developing complaint, or one which you have experienced for years, may take longer to improve particularly if you have had little response to conventional medicine. Long term skin conditions may also take longer so patience may be called for. In this case you will have to give homeopathy time to work and attend a number of appointments before improvement is seen. In my experience, most people respond well to homeopathy although very occasionally someone may not have a reaction. In such cases, we may increase or decrease its strength or change the remedy. Every individual behaves and responds differently. As your balance is restored your symptoms will start to improve.