Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of holistic medicine used by over 200 million people worldwide to treat both acute and chronic conditions. It is based on the Law of Similars – an individual case of disease may be removed only by a medicine capable of producing the most similar and complete manner the totality of symptoms, which at the same time are stronger than the disease. In other words, the presenting symptoms must be similar to the symptoms a substance will cause if taken by a healthy person by accidental intoxication or by proving.
Homeopathic medicines are manufactured using a process combining serial dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking). Homeopathic medicines are perfectly safe to use for babies, children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, who are under the supervision of a medically-qualified practitioner.

Homeopathy is perfectly safe. This is because homeopathic medicines are made from a very small amount of the active ingredient. Two hundred years of practice, research and trials have proved the safety of this gentle system of medicine for both people and animals.

Unlike some conventional drugs, homeopathic medicines are non-addictive and have no dangerous side-effects. Homeopathy is safe to use for babies, children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, who are under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor.

Homeopathic doctors work in the same way as conventional doctors do. History taking, examination and investigation are all important in establishing the diagnosis. However, as well as asking about your symptoms, a homeopathic doctor will be interested in you as an individual and the unique way in which your symptoms affect you.

Questions about your lifestyle, eating habits and preferences, temperament, personality, sleep patterns and medical history help the doctor to form a complete picture of you. This picture will be matched to the symptoms of your illness in order to prescribe a particular type and strength of homeopathic medicine.
As a guide your first appointment could take anything up to an hour, with follow-up appointments typically lasting 30 minutes. This does vary depending on the the particular case of each patient.
To get the most out of a consultation, it is helpful to make some notes beforehand and to think through all the issues that are affecting your health. New patients will be asked to complete a short form before their first appointment. This is a helpful way of saving time and to your advantage to do so if requested.

Medical conditions commonly seen
Eczema, depression, anxiety, cough, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, catarrh, osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, hay fever, upper respiratory tract infection, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, allergy, fibromyalgia, migraine, Crohn’s disease, premenstrual syndrome, chronic rhinitis, headache, vitiligo

Dental conditions commonly seen
Apical abscess, anxiety, tooth extraction, sensitive cementum, periodontal abscess, post-surgery pain, gum swelling, reversible pulpitis, toothache with decay, pericoronitis

Homeopathic medicines are manufactured by repeatedly diluting and succussing (shaking) a preparation of the original substance, mainly plants and minerals, in water and alcohol. After dilution the medicine is added to lactose tablets or pillules.

At the end of the consultation you will be given a prescription and advised you how often to take the medicine. Homeopathy is usually taken in tablet or pillule form, but is also available in liquid and powder form. Homeopathic gels or cream may also be prescribed for some conditions.

Published clinical evidence
Homeopathic research is still in its infancy but several of the conditions above, and a number of others, have a published evidence base. View conditions with positive evidence

Patient-reported outcomes
Outcome surveys carried out at homeopathic hospitals in the UK indicate the level of improvement in health after homeopathy, according to the patients themselves. View results from the homeopathic hospitals

Read about specific conditions
You can search the British Homeopathic Association’s archive of over 200 articles for information on specific illnesses and how homeopathy has been shown to help patients in practice. Search the BHA’s archive of articles