Homeopathy involves treating an ailment using a substance that causes symptoms that that are similar to those of the ailment that is being treated. The logic behind using homeopathy as a form of treatment is that homeopathic medicines can stimulate the body to heal itself.
Homeopathy works on the basis of ‘like treats like’. That is, a substance that causes symptoms that are closely similar to the symptoms of a given ailment can be used to treat that ailment.
Homeopathy is also based on the view that every individual has a system that defends their body against diseases – the immune system. If one’s immunity is compromised, the person will fall ill.
The core function of homeopathic medicines is to strengthen the body’s immune system. Thus, homeopathy uses a substance that is believed to cause certain symptoms to boost the body’s immunity so that the body can fight an illness with similar symptoms. For instance, onions, which cause eye and nose irritation, are used to treat allergies, lacrimation, and irritation.
What fees do you charge?
For new patients, it takes 1 hour to take their history and prescribe the medicine. The fee is USD 100 if they’re in the US and CAD 125 if they are in Canada. This fee includes 1 month of medicine. For returning patients, the time usually taken is 30 minutes and the fee is USD 60 if they’re in the US and CAD 75 if they’re in Canada.
Homeopaths, the people who offer homeopathy services are certified from a governing body. They may or may not also be conventional doctors. Durdana Tariq has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and is also a Licensed Homeopath (DHM).
Homeopaths undergo extensive training in a wide range of fields including human physiology, medicine, homeopathic pharmacy, total patient management, philosophy, gynecology, and materia medica (the study of medicines used in disease treatment). Homeopaths are also registered and licensed to practice legally.
The process of repeated dilutions, also referred to as potentization, is aimed at increasing the potency of the homeopathic medicine. It also helps reduce the toxicity of substances that are potentially harmful.
The effectiveness of homeopathic treatments has been investigated using various trials. Many scientific studies have been published in peer reviewed journals, with results suggesting that homeopathic treatments are effective. For instance, one study that was published in 2006 in the Forsch Komplementärmed journal affirmed the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines.
Organizations such as Versus Arthritis (https://www.versusarthritis.org) and the Homeopathy Research Institute (https://www.hri-research.org/) have also published research findings that suggest that homeopathic medicines are effective.
Yes. Studies have established that homeopathic medicines are well tolerated. In fact, according to R. Ullman and J. Reichenberg-Ullman, authors of the book The Patient’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, homeopathy is one of the safest methods of treatment.
The safety of homeopathic medicine is also confirmed by the fact that during preparation, the substance that is to be used as a medicine is diluted several times. Hence, the toxic effect of substances that are potentially harmful is greatly diminished.
A wide range of illnesses/conditions can be treated homeopathically. These include different kinds of allergies, migraines, depression, chronic fatigue, osteoarthritis, skin inflammation, mild breathing difficulties, food poisoning, abdominal cramps, apoplexy, and rheumatoid arthritis among other conditions.
Homeopathic medicine is also used in first aid procedures for minor bruises and scrapes and for treating toothaches and nausea.
The period that its takes for homeopathic medicines to work depends on different factors, which include the condition being treated as well as the history and severity of the condition. In general, well prepared homeopathic medicines will start to act fairly quickly and eliminate the symptoms of an illness within a few days.
The history and severity of the condition will determine the period that it takes for the medicine to treat the illness. For example, treating asthma will take longer than treating pain caused by a bee sting.
Yes. Homeopathic medicines are gentle and appropriate for use in the treatment of individuals of all ages. As noted by R. Ullman and J. Reichenberg-Ullman in The Patient’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, homeopathic medicines are safe and can be used by all types of individuals including infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.
It has also been established that if homeopathic treatment is planned well for use by pregnant women, it will have notable benefits for both the mother and the baby.
It is important to visit a homeopath because homeopaths are qualified medical practitioners and will prescribe a treatment only after understanding your illness and your history. While you can get different types of homeopathic products from health food stores, this is not the best treatment approach.
You may buy a homeopathic product from a store without a prescription only to find that the product does not work effectively on your body because it is not suited for you.
Yes. Because patients use homeopathic medicines in highly diluted doses, these medicines do not interfere or interact with the pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetics of conventional medicines. Therefore, allopathic and homeopathic medicines can be used simultaneously.
In fact, there are people who seek homeopathic treatment while already taking conventional drugs with an objective of eliminating or reducing the use of conventional medication. With a proper treatment plan, it is always possible to use homeopathic medicine alongside conventional medicines.