Homeopathy by Sara Smyth
The word homeopathy comes from ancient Greek and means "similar suffering",
that is "like cures like". Thus a substance that causes certain
symptoms can also be used to cure those symptoms. For example, coffee
stimulates the nervous system and causes sleeplessness if taken last thing
at night, but if taken in minute quantities it can do exactly the opposite
and soothe the nervous system to help promote sleep.
The substance is selected from natural sources such as herbs, animals
or minerals. Through a process called "potentisation" it is
diluted to minute quantities. Hahnemann discovered that through this process,
the more dilute the substance, the more powerful the effect. He surmised
that the remedy was working at an energetic level, on the non-material
"vital force" of the person. These remedies have a powerful
therapeutic action and stimulate the body's own self healing mechanism.
In homeopathy we aim to see each individual as clearly as possible and
respect every person's unique qualities. So we treat the very particular
symptoms that a person has. For example, one child's eye infection may
be thick, bland and yellow and the child may be thirstless and clingy.
The Pulsatilla may be the right remedy. But another child may have a burning
discharge which is better for warm applications, and the child is restless
and anxious. Then Arsenicum may be a good choice.
Symptoms can be seen as a mirror reflecting the internal essence of a
person's vital force. Whereas conventional medicine treats each of these
symptoms separately, in homeopathy we try to find the common pattern that
links them. Homeopathy is holistic and takes the whole being into consideration.
Homeopaths understand that establishing good health involves treating
both the mind and the body, therfore time is taken to observe and listen
to your physical symptoms and emotional state. In homeopathy the patient
plays an active role in the healing process, and works together with the
practitioner and the remedies.
The first consultation will last one hour, to an hour and a half, in
which you will be asked questions about your symptoms, previous medical
history, your lifestyle as well as your personality and emotional patterns,
sleep, energy levels and appetite.
Follow up consultations are after 3-6 weeks, and will last for 45 minutes.
The couse of treatment recommended will depend on factors such as how
long you have had the complaint, if you are on medication and how you
respond to the treatment. Some people experience an almost immediate sense
of well-being and positivity, alongside an improvement of symptoms. Others
may experience a more gradual improvement. Sometimes, symptoms can seem
more intense for a while, but this should only be temporary, and is often
a positive sign that the remedy is taking effect.
"In the healthy condition, the spiritual vital force rules with
unbounded sway so that our indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ
this living, healthy instrument for the higher purpose of our existence."
-Samuel Hahnemann (The Organon)
Homeopathy is a safe medicine that is non-toxic and has no side effects.
It can be used for most physical and emotional complaints and is popular
with everyone including pregnant women, children and babies. It can also
help where conventional medicine cannot find anything wrong, but when
you know something is not right. Depending on the illness and symptoms,
it can be used as an alternative to, or alongside, conventional drugs.
- Acute Illnesses - sore throats, 'flu, infections,
stomach upsets
- Babies and Children's Ailments - teething, colic,
glue ear, earaches, persistent colds, behaviour problems, bedwetting
- Chronic Conditions - arthritis, backache, chronic
fatigue, ME, migraine, allergies
- Circulatory Problems - high and low blood pressure,
angina, varicose veins, haemorroids
- Digestive Disorders - indigestion, heartburn, colitis,
IBS, constipation
- Hormonal Imbalances - period pain, menstrual problems,
PMT, menopausal problems, polycystic ovaries, thyroid problems, infertility
- Respiratory Complaints - coughs, catarrh, sinusitis,
hayfever, asthma, bronchitis
- Recurrent Infections - tonsillitis, sore throughts,
'flu, ear and eye infections, cystitis, thrush, herpes, mouth ulcers,
abcesses
- Skin Problems - eczema, acne, rashes, psoriasis,
articaria, prickly heat
- Stress and Emotional Problems - insomnia, anxiety,
irritability, depression, grief, berevement, panic attacks, phobias,
trauma
Homeopathy is a gentle, natural and holistic healing system of medicine
created by a brilliant German Physician, Samuel Hahnemann, over 200 yers
ago. Homeopathy is a hightly systematic form of medicine which works according
to natural laws. It has been tested for over two centuries on humans rather
than animals. There are now well over 2,000 remedies available, made from
plants, minerals, and other natural sources.
"The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration
of health... in the shortest, most reliable and most harmless way."
-Samuel Hahnemann (The Organon).
Sara Smyth practices
Homeopathy at the Haelan Clinic.
For Clinic times, contact details and information about the Haelan
Clinic practitioners see The
Practitioners page .
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