What is Homeopathy?
It is an effective, natural and holistic system of treatment, based on the law of similars, "Similia Similibus Curantur" which means "Let Likes be Cured by Likes". It is a very versatile system, treating physical and emotional complaints with natural remedies.

Homeopathy treats illness by stimulating your body's own natural healing powers. Your homeopath builds up a complete picture of you and prescribes treatment for you as an individual, not simply for your complaint.

Are homeopathic medicines safe?
Absolutely! Homeopathy is safe, gentle and non-invasive. The remedies are made from a range of substances, such as plants and minerals, and are highly refined to the minimum dose required to stimulate the body's own natural healing systems, so they are non-toxic with no danger of overdose or addiction. This means that they are safe in pregnancy, for example, and can be used for any age group, from newborn babies onwards.

How do homeopathic medicines work?
Homeopathic medicines act by stimulating the body's own defense mechanism to correct the process which has lead to the disease condition. Homeopaths see symptoms as a sign that your body is attacking an illness and uses remedies which encourage this response and help the healing process. When you have symptoms of illness, your homeopath will give you a remedy which would produce similar symptoms if taken in a state of health. This remedy is given in minute quantities so that it triggers your body's self-healing response without any other ill effect.

From which substances are homeopathic medicines derived from?
Homeopathic remedies are derived from substances, which are not chemical or synthetic but are available in the natural world. The common sources for the medicines are:

• Plant / vegetable kingdom
• Minerals
• Animal kingdom

The effectiveness of Homeopathy
"Homeopathy can succeed where others fail". It is a complete system and is so effective that in many cases, only one dose can give wonderful results. Many times homeopathy proves to be the most feasible option available in chronic diseases. It gives excellent results even in acute cases.

Selecting a remedy
Each individual is a separate entity having his/her own peculiar body chemistry. Physical, emotional/ mental levels, and normal habits are not the same for any two individuals. These are unique for each person even though the disease may apparently be similar. Therefore, according to the homeopathic system, their medicine, dose and potency is not likely to be the same. This is one major reason why the treatment is not given by the name of the disease and each individual is evaluated separately and independently. This approach is one of the great advantages of the system, which makes cure possible and is especially useful where diagnosis has not been established.

The human body always works as one integrated unit while performing any function. Therefore, while treating an individual, he or she is to be considered as a whole. Even the habits and mental state of the individual are to be kept in view and homeopathic medicines are to be chosen according to totality of the symptoms.

Homeopathy has a very large number of medicines on its shelf. Each of these medicines has its unique characteristics and the symptoms that it covers. There may be dozens of medicines for a particular disease but each of them cannot be used for every individual having that disease. The medicine, which has the symptoms and characteristics matching with the condition/symptoms of the individual, shall only be effective. For example, Belladonna is one of the medicines for fever but it cannot be useful in every case of fever. It will be effective only if its characteristics match a particular condition of fever e.g. high temperature, sudden onset, radiating dry heat. To find an effective medicine, details of symptoms along with modalities (what makes the symptoms better or worse) are to be considered.

Which diseases can be treated?
Homeopathy is effective in almost all types of acute and chronic cases. However, cases of road accidents, deep wounds and severe burns etc. where surgery or immediate blood transfusion is required, need to be treated by someone other than a homeopath. However. in an emergency situation before other methods of treatment are possible, homeopathic remedies when given immediately can assist.
To name a few, ailments such as those listed below can be effectively treated by homeopathy: allergies, arthritis, asthma, eczema, childrens behavioural problems, kidney disorders, liver and gall bladder, diseases related to stomach and intestines, heart diseases (many of them including coronary thrombosis), hemorrhoids (Piles), hot flushes, Hepatitis B and C, jaundice, hypertension, hypotension, male and female complaints, infertility, migraine, obesity, paralysis, rheumatism, sciatica, skin diseases, Insomnia, snoring, dandruff, alopecia...the list is truly endless!

How long does it take to cure?
The treatment time depends on the nature and severity of the case. Usually acute cases respond earlier whereas chronic cases take time. Cases like arthritis, asthma, sciatica, Cirrhosis of liver, certain skin diseases including leucoderma etc. take time in showing improvement. It is important to recognise that every patient is individual as is their healing process.

Side effects
It is a very friendly system of treatment and now it is well known that homeopathic medicines have no harmful side effects.. However, self-medication or repetition of doses without the advice of a professional homeopath is not recommended.

How do you take homeopathic medicines?
Homeopathic medicines are available in sugar pills and in liquid form. The exact way of administration depends upon the medicine, its potency, the condition being treated, and the sensitivity of the patient. At one time a few sugar pills or a few drops of liquid medicine may be given. But the exact method and the repetition of medicine depends upon the above mentioned factors.

Precautions during treatment
Whilst homeopathic medicines are effective there are some precautions that should be taken for better results. Generally, any thing that contains Caffeine, Coca (e.g. Coca-Cola), Menthol, Camphor, Peppermint, excessive Salt etc. should be avoided because these may antidote (but not always) the effects of some homeopathic medicines.

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