What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is one of the two most widely used forms of medicine in the world today, because people are discovering the benefits of a system of medicine that is safe, effective and that treats them as unique individuals.
Homeopathy is derived from two Greek words, meaning ‘similar and suffering’. It works on the principle that people have a natural capacity for healing themselves. It is a gentle system of medicine based on the natural ‘Law of Similars’ or ‘Like Cures Like’. This law states, ‘That which makes sick shall heal’.
For example, coffee or Coffea as it is known in Latin, is a stimulant that can cause temporary insomnia. Coffea may be used in minute potentised (i.e. homeopathic) doses to relieve that insomnia. Another example is that chopping onions can cause your nose and eyes to run, yet the onion - Allium cepa - can be used homeopathically to treat colds and hay fever where the main symptoms include runny eyes and nose.
Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body’s own natural defence system, recognising that symptoms are an indicator of underlying dysfunction, homeopathy endeavours to get to the core and treat the “cause” of the problem, rather than just the symptoms.
Homeopathic medicines are chosen to treat the whole person, because homeopaths believe the mind and body operate as one, and that you cannot treat one part of the body without affecting the whole. Medicines are chosen to fit all the characteristics of the patient, so physical disorders are considered in relation to the individual’s mental & emotional state.
Homeopathy (Bath) and conventional (allopathic) medicine
Mainstream, or Allopathic medicine has achieved significant leaps in preserving both the quality and longevity of life and it is important to recognise this contribution. However, conventional medicine is a wide label and not all conventional medicine is beneficial. Whilst in most cases symptoms are relieved, many allopathic medicines do a lot of harm to your body.
The symptoms of a disease, for a Homeopath, are your body's attempt to cure itself. By contrast, conventional medicine generally works by suppressing your body's natural reactions. For example:
- A cough is usually the result of foreign bodies in the lungs; the muscles spasm in an attempt to remove it. Cough medicine simply stops this reflex.
- A headache tablet is a painkiller and simply suppresses the feeling of pain, leaving the body to undergo whatever torment it was before, but divorced from our consciousness. This is a very bad thing. For example, many headaches are due to dehydration - once the headache is not felt, the patient no longer feels the need to stop running around, working up a sweat and dehydrating further.
- The conventional approach to treating infections is antibiotics. Antibiotics simply eat other bacteria. Our body also has bacteria that serve the same function (there are indeed many types of bacteria naturally occurring in the body, all of which are beneficial) alas these are also consumed by antibiotics. In addition, a widespread concern is that bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Antidepressants generally work by blocking emotional responses. Unlike homeopathic remedies, dependence builds up quickly and once a course of antidepressants has begun, it is often the first step down a long, slippery slope to dependency.
Conventional medicine is a very blunt instrument. Part of its success lays in this very general nature. Regardless of the type of pain, or even where it is, the conventional relief is a pain killer. Compare that to homeopathy, the sheer numbers of possible factors that need to be considered for effective treatment are huge. In our remedy finder database, we describe nearly 5,000 types of headaches.
Despite the best efforts of pharmaceutical companies, the research into medicines and their side effects is often woefully inadequate. The most famous case of this is Thalidomide - a drug prescribed for morning sickness, which produced severe birth defects. More recently controversies include Seroxat, an antidepressant which, though benficial for some, has been linked to addiction, suicide, self harm, and aggressive behaviour in some people.
The approach of conventional medicine denies our body's efforts to heal itself and damages these systems.
Homeopathy does not work in the same way. How it really works remains a mystery even today. Chemists have concluded that in the very high homeopathic potencies there is actually none of the original substance left. Theories explaining homeopathy have been put forward, resting on vibrations, electromagnetism and the memory of water.
However, is it not fitting that your body, a miracle way beyond understanding, can be cured by something which is also out of the reach of your rational mind?
Homeopathic Treatment (Bath)
Your first consultation will take 1 hour, with follow-up consultations lasting around 30 minutes. In the consultation, it is necessary to build up a complete picture of your condition, including your past medical history. To be sure that the appropriate remedy is prescribed, I would need to understand your individual needs and you will be asked about your illness and how it affects you, but also about you as a person and your lifestyle. Prescriptions for acute illnesses, such as fever, vomiting or flu, are usually assessed much more quickly.
Patients often feel a sense of wellbeing, optimism and relaxation after taking their homeopathic medicine. The speed with which you feel relief will depend on the condition being treated. In acute ailments, this can be very fast indeed. In more chronic conditions, your recovery rate will depend on the nature and duration of the illness and on your individual vitality.
Homeopathic medicines are made from many different substances such as animals, plants and minerals. The remedies come in the form of easy to take, pleasant tasting tablets or occasionally liquids or powders, which should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth, under the tongue or crunched like a sweet. Nothing else should be placed in the mouth 10 minutes before or after taking the remedy. Especially avoid items such as toothpaste, coffee and strong herbal teas during this 10 minute period. As with all medicines, they need to be stored safely and appropriately.
For young children and infants, we have specially designed soft tablets, which dissolve in the mouth immediately.
Homeopathy for all
Homeopathy can be used effectively by everyone, from babies and children to adults, including women during pregnancy. Homeopathic medicines promote the body’s natural ability to heal. When prescribed appropriately, they are safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. They can be taken alongside drugs prescribed by your doctor and will not interfere with their beneficial action. As your condition improves, you may be able to safely reduce your conventional medication, thereby avoiding the unwanted effects that sometimes accompany the long-term use of drugs.
Lisa has worked with many cases of:
- ADHD, ADD, Poor Confidence Issues and Hyperactivity within children.
- IBS, Bloating, Weight Loss, M.E, Detox, Intolerances with Food Allergy Testing.
- Eczema, Endometriosis, Hormonal Issues, all stages of Pregnancy with Homeopathy.
What Homeopathy can treat
Bones, Joints & Muscles; arthritis, muscular aches & pains, sciatica, neuritis, rheumatism.
Children’s Problems; autism, bedwetting, childhood illness, colic, cradle cap, croup, developmental difficulties, fevers, glue ear, sibling jealousy, sleep problems, tantrums, teething, vaccination issues.
Digestion; IBS, bloating, constipation, Crohn’s, diarrhoea, indigestion, ulcers.
Heart & Circulation; high/low blood pressure, poor circulation, palpations.
Hormones; infertility, irregular, painful or heavy periods, PMT, menopause.
Immunity; allergies, fatigue, ME, recurring colds, flu’s, swollen glands.
Pregnancy; in childbirth; failure of the cervix to dilate, ineffective contractions, contractions stopping suddenly, nausea, weakness and exhaustion.
In post-delivery; breast-feeding difficulties, irregular periods & postnatal depression.
Respiration; asthma, bronchitis, ear, catarrh, coughs, nose, throat, sinusitis.
Skin; acne, eczema, dry skin, dandruff, psoriasis .