The term homeopathy is derived from the Greek homoios  meaning similar and pathos meaning suffering, and was coined by the German pharmacist and physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). Hahnemann was of the opinion that disease is an imbalance of the body, mind and soul, and thus took a holistic approach to healing. In his most important work “The Organon of Rational Natural Medicine” he used, for the first time, the concept of homeopathy in conjunction with the Latin motto: “Similia similibus curentur”  ( like cures like ) the doctrine which lies at the foundation of homeopathy, that a disease is cured by those remedies which produce effects resembling the disease itself.

He concludes: “Choose to gently, quickly, certainly and permanently cure, in every case of disease, a medicine which can provoke a similar ailment in itself, as it is to heal” (from Organon of Medicine Arts). Hahnemann was considered a revolutionary doctor and had numerous enemies who opposed his views. But through his effective cures, he also won a lot of followers and disciples who joined his new medical world view.

Even today, opinions differ about homeopathy.

By means of a detailed medical history, a classical homeopath finds an apt homeopathic single remedy with a high potency which may be of animal, vegetable or mineral origin. If the drug fits the picture of the symptoms and characteristics of the patient, a healing success is likely. Then, the patient can show an initial worsening of the symptoms, for example, in the form of a rash. Now the homeopath knows that he was right with his means of choice and that the potency and medication works. The rash then should not be suppressed by any other means.

For self-medication, it is better to choose a lower potency, such as D6 or D12. They have more of an effect on the physical level and can be used symptomatically. Nevertheless, the D-potencies have the basic principle of the body’s own basic regulation with the high potencies in common.

And then there is the possibility of resorting to homeopathic combination remedies. These are homeopathic compositions of mostly low potencies from traditional companies like Madaus, Nestmann, Heel or Pascoe. In a kind of supplement interaction, individual agents reinforce each other and are aimed at a broad spectrum of complaints. For example, Traumeel® is used for any blunt injury and inflammation to the musculoskeletal system.

If you want to know more, or would like to use homeopathy to support your self-healing powers, we will be happy to advise you at your neighbourhood pharmacy on Herrfurthplatz!

Steffi Full, naturopath and PTA